Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iron deficiency anaemia and low BMI among adolescent girls in India: the transition from 2005 to 2015

Abstract Objective: The current study explored changes in trend of anaemia and BMI among currently pregnant nullipara adolescent women against socio-economic determinants in India from 2005 through 2015. The association between anaemia in currently pregnant nullipara adolescent women v. currently pregnant nullipara older women of reproductive age was also explored. Design: We used the 2005 and the 2015 nationally representative Indian Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The outcomes of interest, anaemia and BMI, were measured based on the DHS methodology following WHO standards and indicators. Place of residence, educational attainment and wealth quintiles were used as determinants in the analysis. Setting: India. Participants: In total, 696 adolescent girls from the India 2005 DHS and 3041 adolescent girls from the India 2015 DHS. Results: The 10-year transition from 2005 to 2015 showed differences between the least and most wealthy sections of society, with heaviest gains in anaemia reduction over time among the latter (from 50·0 to < 40·0 %). The odds of anaemia were significantly higher among the adolescent population when compared with adult women both in 2005 and in 2015 (OR = 1·2). Conclusions: Despite an overall improvement in the prevalence of both BMI < 18·5 and anaemia among adolescents nullipara in India, the adjusted risk of anaemia in the latter category was still significantly higher as compared with their adult counterparts. Since the inequalities evidenced during the first round of DHS remained unchanged in 2015, more investments in universal health care are needed in India.
Postoperative Physician Phone Calls as a Method to Decrease Urgent Care and Emergency Department Returns After Ambulatory General Surgery

Unplanned returns after ambulatory surgery pose a burden to patients and health care providers alike. We hypothesized that a postoperative phone call by a physician would decrease avoidable returns to urgent care (UC) or the emergency department (ED) in the week after anorectal (AR), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), inguinal hernia repair (IHR), and umbilical hernia repair (UHR) operations. A retrospective analysis from 1/2011 to 12/2015 across 14 Kaiser hospitals was conducted to determine baseline UC/ED return rates of patients pre-call. Between 10/2017 and 06/2019, physicians placed phone calls to patients within postoperative days (PODs) 1-4. The cohorts were compared using chi-squared analysis with significance determined at P < . 05. In total, 276 patients received a call, with the majority placed on PODs 1-3. There were no statistically significant differences in return rates between the pre- and post-call groups. All of the AR, 50.0% of LC, 66.7% of IHR, and 50.0% of UHR patients returned prior to phone call placement. Our data indicate that a physician phone call does not help in decreasing UC/ED returns. However, it is noteworthy that many of the returns occurred pre-call placement. Future directions should be aimed at placing earlier postoperative phone calls.
Adiponectin restrains ILC2 activation by AMPK-mediated feedback inhibition of IL-33 signaling

Wang et al. demonstrate that AMPK is downstream of IL-33 signaling, and feedback inhibits IL-33–induced activation of NF-κB in ILC2s. This study uncovers that adiponectin via AMPK acts as a negative regulator of ILC2s and exerts an antithermogenic effect.
Plant resistance to drought relies on early stomatal closure

Plant resistance to drought has long been thought to be associated with the ability to maintain transpiration and photosynthesis longer during drought, through the opening of stomata. This premise is at the root of most current framework used to assess drought impacts on land plants in vegetation models. We examined this premise by coupling a meta-analysis of functional traits of stomatal response to drought (i.e. the water potential causing stomatal closure, Ψclose) and embolism resistance (the water potential at the onset of embolism formation, Ψ12), with simulations from a soil-plant hydraulic model. We found that Ψclose and Ψ12 were equal (isometric) only for a restricted number of species, but as Ψ12 decreases, the departure from isometry increases, with stomatal closure occurring far before embolism occurs. For the most drought resistant species (Ψ12<-4.2 MPa), Ψclose was remarkably independent of embolism resistance and remained above −4.5 MPa, suggesting the existence of a restrictive boundary by which stomata closure must occur. This pattern was supported by model simulations. Indeed, coordinated decrease in both Ψclose and Ψ12 leads to unsuspected accelerated death under drought for embolism resistant species, in contradiction with observations from drought mortality experiments. Overall our results highlight that most species have similarity in stomatal behavior, and are highly conservative in terms of their water use during drought. The modelling framework presented here provides a baseline to simulate the temporal dynamic leading to mortality under drought by accounting for multiple, measurable traits.
An investigation into sleep patterns and the effect of time of day on performance in youth swimmers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate sleep patterns in competitive youth swimmers and to establish any time-of-day effect on physiological and psychological variables linked to swimming performance. Twelve swimmers (14.8 ± 2.1 years) underwent physiological and psychological tests in morning and evening and completed sleep diaries over a 2-week period. There was a non-significant effect between morning and evening swimming performance for 800 m (p = 0.068) and 50 m (p = 0.306). Handgrip strength was significantly greater in evening (p = 0.007), back and leg strength were significantly greater in morning (p = 0.013). There was no time-of-day effect for jump height (p = 0.756). The profile of mood states indicated significantly higher anger (p = 0.012) and vigour (p = 0.000) in the morning. Swimming performance was not significantly affected by time of day; however, physiological variables showed varied results. Multiple factors could be influencing results including training time and mood state so should be monitored closely by coaches.
Assembly and validation of conserved long non-coding RNAs in the ruminant transcriptome

mRNA-like long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are a significant component of mammalian transcriptomes, although most are expressed only at low levels, with high tissue-specificity and/or at specific developmental stages. In many cases, therefore, lncRNA detection by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is compromised by stochastic sampling. To account for this and create a catalogue of ruminant lncRNA, we compared de novo assembled lncRNA derived from large RNA-seq datasets in transcriptional atlas projects for sheep and goats with previous lncRNA assembled in cattle and human. Few lncRNA could be reproducibly assembled from a single dataset, even with deep sequencing of the same tissues from multiple animals. Furthermore, there was little sequence overlap between lncRNA assembled from pooled RNA-seq data. We combined positional conservation (synteny) with cross-species mapping of candidate lncRNA to identify a consensus set of ruminant lncRNA and then used the RNA-seq data to demonstrate detectable and reproducible expression in each species. The majority of lncRNA were encoded by single exons, and expressed at < 1 TPM. In sheep, 20-30% of lncRNA had expression profiles significantly correlated with neighbouring protein-coding genes, suggesting association with enhancers. Alongside substantially expanding the ruminant lncRNA repertoire, the outcomes of our analysis demonstrate that stochastic sampling can be partly overcome by combining RNA-seq datasets from related species. This has practical implications for the future discovery of lncRNA in other species.
Multiple Mating Events and Spermatia-Mediated Gene Flow in the Lichen-Forming Fungus Lobaria pulmonaria

Abstract: Keller, C. & Scheidegger, C. 2016. Multiple mating events and spermatia-mediated gene flow in the lichen-forming fungus Lobaria pulmonaria. — Herzogia 29: 435–450. Lichen-forming fungi have developed combined reproductive strategies that involve both sexual and asexual propagules, which are produced in varying frequencies over space and time. Lobaria pulmonaria reveals the characteristic traits of genetically diverse, fully recombinant populations, despite the generally rare occurrence of sexual reproductive structures. This study aimed at investigating the genetic diversity of the progenies of single apothecia of L. pulmonaria from different populations. Because the percentage of germinating ascospores is often very small and single spore cultures are thus difficult to obtain, we tested a protocol of DNA isolation from a multispore fraction and identified the alleles of three fungus-specific microsatellite markers. Multispore samples analysed from single apothecia revealed two to three different alleles. This confirms a heterothallic mating system in L. pulmonaria and indicates multiple matings in single apothecia. Paternal thalli were found at different distances up to more than one hundred meters. Our results show that spermatia are an important source of gene flow with dispersal distances in the same order of magnitude as vegetative and sexual diaspores.
Evaluation and Effectiveness of Dementia Staff Training Programs in General Hospital Settings: A Narrative Synthesis with Holton’s Three-Level Model Applied

Background: People with Dementia (PwD) are frequently admitted to hospital settings. The lack of proper dementia knowledge, poor communication skills, negative attitudes toward dementia, and lack of confidence affects the quality of care, thus development of dementia trainings has increased. Nevertheless, literature regarding the effectiveness of training implementation is limited. Objective: The aim of this narrative synthesis is to 1) identify the characteristics of training programs and 2) explore the effectiveness of these training programs in everyday clinical practice. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane was conducted, including qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed studies. Holton’s evaluation model with its three outcome levels (learning, individual performance, and organizational results) was adopted. 14 studies were included. Results: The synthesis of the results was divided into two parts: 1) to describe the characteristics and content of trainings 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs according to the three outcome levels of Holton’s model, taking into consideration its construct domains: ability, motivation, and environment. Learning outcomes were assessed in all selected studies: 13 studies observed changes in individual performance, four studies reported changes within the organizational level, and only five showed sustainable changes over time. Conclusion: Person-centered care (PCC) approaches, interactive and varied teaching methods, supporting conditions like champions, action plans, and setting care policies, are all characteristics of effective trainings. Successful programs should be sustainable over time, demonstrating positive outcomes across the organization. Based on current findings, there is a lack of adequate evaluation with regard to training programs on the organizational level.
Efficacy and Safety of ProGlide Versus Prostar XL Vascular Closure Devices in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The RISPEVA Registry

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) requires large‐bore access, which is associated with bleeding and vascular complications. ProGlide and Prostar XL are vascular closure devices widely used in clinical practice, but their comparative efficacy and safety in TAVR is a subject of debate, owing to conflicting results among published studies. We aimed to compare outcomes with Proglide versus Prostar XL vascular closure devices after TAVR. Methods and Results This large‐scale analysis was conducted using RISPEVA, a multicenter national prospective database of patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR treated with ProGlide versus Prostar XL vascular closure devices. Both multivariate and propensity score adjustments were performed. A total of 2583 patients were selected. Among them, 1361 received ProGlide and 1222 Prostar XL. The predefined primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, bleeding, and vascular complications assessed at 30 days and 1‐year follow‐up. At 30 days, there was a significantly greater reduction of the primary end point with ProGlide versus Prostar XL (13.8% versus 20.5%, respectively; multivariate adjusted odds ratio, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.65–0.99]; P=0.043), driven by a reduction of bleeding complications (9.1% versus 11.7%, respectively; multivariate adjusted odds ratio, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.58–0.98]; P=0.046). Propensity score analysis confirmed the significant reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding risk with ProGlide. No significant differences in the primary end point were found between the 2 vascular closure devices at 1 year of follow‐up (multivariate adjusted hazard ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.72–1.10]; P=0.902). Comparable results were obtained by propensity score analysis. During the procedure, compared with Prostar XL, ProGlide yielded significant higher device success (99.2% versus 97.5%, respectively; P=0.001). Conclusions ProGlide has superior efficacy as compared with Prostar XL in TAVR procedures and is associated with a greater reduction of composite adverse events at short‐term, driven by lower bleeding complications. Registration Information URL: clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02713932.
Cilium axoneme internalization and degradation in chytrid fungi

Loss of the cilium is important for cell cycle progression and certain developmental transitions. Chytrid fungi are a group of basal fungi that have retained centrioles and cilia, and they can disassemble their cilia via axoneme internalization as part of the transition from free‐swimming spores to sessile sporangia. While this type of cilium disassembly has been observed in many single‐celled eukaryotes, it has not been well characterized because it is not observed in common model organisms. To better characterize cilium disassembly via axoneme internalization, we focused on chytrids Rhizoclosmatium globosum and Spizellomyces punctatus to represent two lineages of chytrids with different motility characteristics. Our results show that each chytrid species can reel in its axoneme into the cell body along its cortex on the order of minutes, while S. punctatus has additional faster ciliary compartment loss and lash‐around mechanisms. S. punctatus retraction can also occur away from the cell cortex and is partially actin dependent. Post‐internalization, the tubulin of the axoneme is degraded in both chytrids over the course of about 2 hr. Axoneme disassembly and axonemal tubulin degradation are both partially proteasome dependent. Overall, chytrid cilium disassembly is a fast process that separates axoneme internalization and degradation.
Pesticide handling practices and self-reported morbidity symptoms among farmers

Abstract Amid growing concern about the adverse effects of pesticides, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate farmers’ knowledge on pesticides handling. Results of in-depth surveys (n = 217) with field observations revealed that participants had a mean 18 years of farming experience and knapsack-sprays were used for spraying. About 99% were not using any personal-protective-equipments during mixing, loading, application operations. Over 80% reentered the treated farms within two-days of application without following safety protocols and 39% admitted unsafe disposal of empty containers of pesticides. Statistical-analysis revealed a significant association between participant’s pesticide handling practices and self-reported morbidity symptoms (p < 0.05). Despite awareness of toxicity, participants were mishandling the pesticides. Training on safe handling practices and incentives in form of personal-protective-equipments could be productive to ensure safety at work.
Cercarial trematodes in freshwater snails from Bangkok, Thailand: prevalence, morphological and molecular studies and human parasite perspective

Abstract We investigated the prevalence, morphological characters and molecular classifications of trematode cercariae in freshwater snails randomly collected from 59 sampling localities in Bangkok from May 2018 to March 2019. We used a crushing technique to observe the cercarial stage inside each snail body and amplified the internal transcribed spacer 2 regions of cercarial DNA using polymerase chain reaction methodology. The associated phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using Bayesian inference analyses. A total of 517 of 15 621 examined snails were infected with trematode cercariae, and the infected snails were classified into 11 species of seven families with a 3.31% overall prevalence of the infection. The Bithynia siamensis siamensis snail displayed the highest prevalence of infection (16.16%), whereas the Physella acuta snail exhibited the lowest prevalence (0.08%) of infection. Eight morphological types of cercariae were observed. The highest prevalence of infection was observed in mutabile cercaria (1.86%). Based on molecular investigations, the phylogram revealed eight cercaria types assigned to at least nine digenean trematode families, of which five belong to groups of human intestinal flukes. Although, with the exception of schistosome cercaria, trematode cercariae are not known to directly damage humans, understanding the general biology of trematode cercariae (including diversity, distribution, infection rates and host range) is important and necessary for the prevention and control of parasitic transmission that impacts aquatic cultivations, livestock farming and human health.
Using transposon mutagenesis of mycobacterium bovis BCG to identify candidate molecules for novel control approaches for bovine tuberculosis.

Bovine tuberculosis is of huge animal health and economic concern in the UK. Current ‘test and slaughter’ control measures are not sufficient at controlling the disease, with evidence suggesting the introduction of an efficacious cattle vaccine being a viable alternative to reduce annual herd incidence. Approaches using the human tuberculosis vaccine, the live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis strain Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) Danish, as part of a prime/boost strategy have been shown to be effective at inducing immunity in cattle. One of the most effective vaccination strategies involves the development of a subunit vaccine for use alongside BCG. To this end, identification of protective antigens for use in a subunit vaccine is key. Here we describe a BCG transposon library mutant selection in cattle to identify the protective antigens of BCG. Prior to the cattle screen, the ‘selectability’ of the transposon library was validated using the mycobacterial heat-shock response and isoniazid resistance mechanisms. The preliminary screens identified essential genes in the respective pathways, such as hspR and katG, validating the use of the library to select for genes relevant to a selection pressure. Following validation, BCG vaccinated and immunologically naive cattle were intranodally challenged with the transposon library and transposon mutants with comparatively better survival in BCG vaccinated animals were identified using TnSeq. The screen identified Mb0025, Mb0086, YrbE1B, PPE20 and Mb2235 as potential antigenic proteins of BCG. Mb0025 and Mb2235 were recombinantly expressed using an E. coli expression system. Mb0086, YrbE1B and PPE20 were purchased as peptides. The immunogenicity of the selected proteins was assessed in PBMCs harvested from immunologically naive and BCG vaccinated cattle. IFN-γ, IP10, IL-β, IL-17a, IL-10 and IL-12 release from simulated PBMCs was quantified. IP10 production significantly increased upon stimulation with Mb0086, YrbE1B and PPE20 in vaccinated animals, with a trend of increased IL-17a and IL-10. Mb0086 and YrbE1B stimulated an increase in IL-1β production. Although protection has not been proven, this study has acted as a gate to select the best possible candidates for further experimentation in small animal studies. The transposon library screen also identified genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of glycolipid antigens, such as ppm1 and ltp2, suggesting the inclusion of immunogenic glycolipids in a subunit vaccine along with protein antigens as an area for further study.
Performance and feed intake of beef heifers on rotational grazing of natural grassland receiving protein and energy supplement in cool season

portuguesObjetivou-se avaliar o desempenho e consumo de materia seca de bezerras manejadas em pastoreio rotativo, com intervalos de pastoreio definidos por duas somas termicas relacionadas a duracao de elongacao foliar de dois grupos funcionais de gramineas durante a estacao fria em pastagem natural. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completamente casualizados, com dois tratamentos e tres repeticoes de area na regiao central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram duas somas termicas: 375 e 750 graus-dias (GD), que determinaram os intervalos entre os pastoreios. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis bezerras de corte com idade media de 18 meses e peso corporal medio de 220±14kg. Durante todo o experimento, as bezerras receberam como suplemento grao de milho moido a uma taxa de 0,5% do peso corporal por dia, as 14:00 horas e tiveram livre acesso a suplementacao proteinada (45% PB). Nao houve diferenca para o ganho medio diario, ganho de peso por area e consumo de materia seca entre os tratamentos. A soma termica como intervalo de descanso entre os pastoreios mostrou-se uma alternativa de manejo para aumentar a taxa de lotacao. Palavras-chave: pastagem natural; graus-dia; suplemento; producao animal EnglishThe aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and feed intake of grazing beef heifers on two grazing intervals determined by thermal sum related to leaf elongation duration during cool season on natural grasslands. A complete randomized block design experiment with two treatments and three replications was conducted from May to September 2011 in the central part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments were two thermal sums calculated at 375 and 750 degrees-days (DD) to determine the intervals between grazing periods in a rotational grazing system. Thirty six beef heifers with average age of 18 months old and (initial body weight = 220±14kg) were used, all heifers received ground corn supplement at a rate of 5g kg-1 of body weight per day, at 2p.m. , throughout the experiment and had free access to mineral and protein supplementation (450g kg-1 of CP). Similar average daily gain (ADG), beef production gain (BPG) and feed intake (FI), were obtained in both treatments. Leaf elongation duration is an alternative grazing management tool for improved animal production and to increase animal stocking rate. Key words: animal production; beef heifers rearing; grazing system.