Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case–Control Study

Simple Summary Horses with free faecal liquid defecate in one solid and one liquid phase, and the liquid phase can be a concern for the horse owner and veterinarians. The causes of free faecal liquid are unknown, but previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition may play an important role in the occurrence of the condition. A study comparing feed rations, feeding practices and management factors for horses with and without free faecal liquid was performed. Horses without free faecal liquid were reported to have a lower daily intake of starch and sugar and a higher daily intake of protein and fibre compared to horses with free faecal liquid. Horses with and without free faecal liquid were fed similar amounts of wrapped forages and were subject to the same management practices. The reported differences may be of importance for the condition, but further studies are required to establish if its occurrence is due to specific feeding regimens. Abstract Free faecal liquid (FFL) in horses is characterised by the excretion of faeces in two phases (one solid and one liquid), which may cause dermatitis on the hindlegs. The causes of FFL are not known. Results from previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition and management factors may play important roles in the occurrence of FFL. A case–control study was therefore performed in which data on feed rations, feeding practices and management factors were compared between horses with (case) and without (control) FFL on 50 private farms in Sweden and Norway. The comparisons show that case and control horses were reported to be fed similar average amounts of wrapped forage (p = 0.97) and to be subject to similar management practices, but case horses were fed higher proportions of concentrates in their diet (p < 0.001) and lower average amounts of straw and lucerne (p < 0.05) compared to control horses. Case horses were reported to be fed twice as much concentrate per 100 kg BW and day as control horses and a higher daily intake of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.05). Case horses also had a lower daily intake of digestible crude protein and neutral detergent fibre compared to control horses (p < 0.05). These differences were small but are of interest for further studies of factors causing FFL.
Effects of Garlic Allium sativum Powder on Nutrient Digestibility, Haematology, and Immune and Stress Responses in Eurasian Perch Perca fluviatilis Juveniles

Simple Summary Herbal medicine feed supplements are used as growth promoters, immune system stimulants, and to combat stress. We evaluated the effects of garlic powder in the diet of European perch. The inclusion of garlic powder was shown to improve whole body composition, feed digestibility, and biochemical and immunohematological effects, and increased resistance against overcrowding stress. Abstract The supplementation of fish diets with phytogenics can increase growth performance and can modulate immune system response. European perch Perca fluviatilis (initial weight 25.0 ± 0.4 g) were fed a diet including 0 (Control), 10 (G10), 20 (G20), and 30 (G30) g kg−1 garlic powder. No significant difference in the growth parameters and somatic indices were observed. Significantly higher fat digestibility was observed in G10 and G30 diets compared to in the control and G20 diets(p < 0.05). Significantly greater red blood cell and white blood cell counts were observed with the G10 diet (p < 0.05). Garlic significantly decreased serum cholesterol in all of the experimental groups. Serum albumin was significantly higher in the G10 and G20 diets (p < 0.05). Immediately after the overcrowding stress challenge, the garlic groups showed significantly higher cortisol levels than the control group, while no significant difference was observed in the glucose concentration among groups. At 1 h post-stress, all of the groups that had been fed a garlic-supplemented diet showed lower cortisol levels than the control group, and this trend was maintained at 6 and 24 h post stress (p < 0.05), and glucose level in all garlic groups was significantly lower than control (p < 0.05). Garlic at 10 g kg−1 in feed can improve apparent fat digestibility and selected blood parameters and can enhance resistance against high-density and net handling stress in Eurasian perch.
PaLS Study: How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Influenced Physical Activity and Nutrition? Observations a Year after the Outbreak of the Pandemic

The restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have impacted the majority of life domains. To evaluate their potential consequences on physical activity (PA) and dietary habits among Polish undergraduates, a survey consisting of the IPAQ-SF, authors’ questions based on the Polish National Institute of Public Health recommendations, and authors’ questions scaled −5/0/5 on personal opinion was created and administered between 22 February and 3 April 2021. A total of 1323 students met the study conditions (1021 females, 297 males, 5 did not specify gender, mean age: 22 years old (SD = 4), mean BMI = 22.27 kg/m2 (SD = 3.87)). A total of 27.21% of students were in the low, 48.53% in the moderate, and 24.26% in the high PA group. A total of 71.94% estimated that the pandemic had a negative impact on their PA, 8.16% no impact, and 19.9% a positive impact. A total of 35.5% had an insufficient intake of vegetables, 34.3% declared adding salt to meals, and 31.6% ate animal-based products the majority of days in a week or every day. A total of 51.02% assessed the impact of the pandemic on their nutrition as negative, 20.11% did not notice changes, and 28.87% reported a positive impact on their dietary habits. Most of the students saw harmful pandemic effects on their diet and PA compared to the times before restrictions. This can lead to a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the future.
Serum Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) Predicts Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients

Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) is a lipid droplet protein with various metabolic functions. However, studies investigating PLIN2 in the context of inflammation, especially in systemic and acute inflammation, are lacking. Hence, we assessed the relevance of serum PLIN2 in critically ill patients. We measured serum PLIN2 serum in 259 critically ill patients (166 with sepsis) upon admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) compared to 12 healthy controls. A subset of 36 patients underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition. Compared to controls, serum PLIN2 concentrations were elevated in critically ill patients at ICU admission. Interestingly, PLIN2 independently indicated multiple organ dysfunction (MOD), defined as a SOFA score > 9 points, at ICU admission, and was also able to independently predict MOD after 48 h. Moreover, serum PLIN2 levels were associated with severe respiratory failure potentially reflecting a moribund state. However, PLIN2 was neither a predictor of ICU mortality nor did it reflect metabolic dysregulation. Conclusively, the first study assessing serum PLIN2 in critical illness proved that it may assist in risk stratification because it is capable of independently indicating MOD at admission and predicting MOD 48 h after PLIN2 measurement. Further evaluation regarding the underlying mechanisms is warranted.
Machine-Learning Points at Endoscopic, Quality of Life, and Olfactory Parameters as Outcome Criteria for Endoscopic Paranasal Sinus Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is often treated by functional endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery, which improves endoscopic parameters and quality of life, while olfactory function was suggested as a further criterion of treatment success. In a prospective cohort study, 37 parameters from four categories were recorded from 60 men and 98 women before and four months after endoscopic sinus surgery, including endoscopic measures of nasal anatomy/pathology, assessments of olfactory function, quality of life, and socio-demographic or concomitant conditions. Parameters containing relevant information about changes associated with surgery were examined using unsupervised and supervised methods, including machine-learning techniques for feature selection. The analyzed cohort included 52 men and 38 women. Changes in the endoscopic Lildholdt score allowed separation of baseline from postoperative data with a cross-validated accuracy of 85%. Further relevant information included primary nasal symptoms from SNOT-20 assessments, and self-assessments of olfactory function. Overall improvement in these relevant parameters was observed in 95% of patients. A ranked list of criteria was developed as a proposal to assess the outcome of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in CRS patients with nasal polyposis. Three different facets were captured, including the Lildholdt score as an endoscopic measure and, in addition, disease-specific quality of life and subjectively perceived olfactory function.
EUS-Guided Biopsy with a Novel Puncture Biopsy Forceps Needle—Feasibility Study

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) or biopsy (FNB) to diagnose lesions in the gastrointestinal tract is common. Demand for histology sampling to identify treatment-specific targets is increasing. Various core biopsy FNB needles to obtain tissue for histology are currently available, however, with variable (37–97%) histology yields. In this multicenter study, we evaluated performance, safety, and user experience of a novel device (the puncture biopsy forceps (PBF) needle). Twenty-four procedures with the PBF needle were performed in 24 patients with a suspected pancreatic lesion (n = 10), subepithelial lesion (n = 10), lymph node (n = 3), or pararectal mass (n = 1). In 20/24 (83%) procedures, the PBF needle yielded sufficient material for interpretation (sample adequacy). In 17/24 (71%), a correct diagnosis was made with the material from the PBF needle (diagnostic accuracy). All participating endoscopists experienced a learning curve. (Per)procedural technical issues occurred in four cases (17%), but there were no adverse events. The PBF needle is a safe and potentially useful device to obtain an EUS-guided biopsy specimen. As the design of the PBF needle is different to core biopsy FNB needles, specific training will likely further improve the performance of the PBF needle. Furthermore, the design of the needle needs further improvement to make it more robust in clinical practice.
Life Table and Preference Choice of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) for Kidney Bean Plants Treated by Exogenous Calcium

Simple Summary Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is an invasive key pest that damages vegetables and ornamentals worldwide. The activation of induced resistance by chemicals may provide a simple and feasible way of achieving improvement of resistance to stress in crop plants, which is an important technology for the development of sustainable agriculture. Calcium (Ca) is an essential element for plants; numerous studies have shown that Ca can confer crop plants with resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. For the first time, we report the negative effects of exogenous Ca on kidney bean plants in relation to the performance of F. occidentalis, including a reduced preference of thrips. Therefore, Ca could potentially be used to control F. occidentalis. Abstract Exogenous calcium (Ca) has been used to induce host plant resistance in response to abiotic and biotic stresses, including from thrips attack. The aim of this study was to determine whether exogenously applied Ca affects the performance of Frankliniella occidentalis. We assessed the development time, total longevity, reproduction, and population parameters of F. occidentalis, and its preference choice on Ca-treated or untreated control kidney bean plants under laboratory conditions. The results showed that F. occidentalis fed on Ca-treated leaves had a longer developmental time but lower longevity (female and male) and fecundity than F. occidentalis fed on control leaves. Population parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R0), were all found higher in control leaves than in Ca-treated leaves, and the mean generation time (T) was shorter. In preference choices, the number of thrips on control plants was higher than the number of thrips on Ca-treated kidney bean plants. Overall, our results indicated that exogenous Ca pretreatment on kidney bean plants affected the life history and preference choice of F. occidentalis, suggesting Ca might be used as a promising elicitor of inducible plant defense against thrips.
α-Synuclein Decreases the Abundance of Proteasome Subunits and Alters Ubiquitin Conjugates in Yeast

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most prevalent movement disorder characterized with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. One of the pathological hallmarks of the disease is accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn) in cytoplasmic Lewy body inclusions that indicates significant dysfunction of protein homeostasis in PD. Accumulation is accompanied with highly elevated S129 phosphorylation, suggesting that this posttranslational modification is linked to pathogenicity and altered αSyn inclusion dynamics. To address the role of S129 phosphorylation on protein dynamics further we investigated the wild type and S129A variants using yeast and a tandem fluorescent timer protein reporter approach to monitor protein turnover and stability. Overexpression of both variants leads to inhibited yeast growth. Soluble S129A is more stable and additional Y133F substitution permits αSyn degradation in a phosphorylation-independent manner. Quantitative cellular proteomics revealed significant αSyn-dependent disturbances of the cellular protein homeostasis, which are increased upon S129 phosphorylation. Disturbances are characterized by decreased abundance of the ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation machinery. Biotin proximity labelling revealed that αSyn interacts with the Rpt2 base subunit. Proteasome subunit depletion by reducing the expression of the corresponding genes enhances αSyn toxicity. Our studies demonstrate that turnover of αSyn and depletion of the proteasome pool correlate in a complex relationship between altered proteasome composition and increased αSyn toxicity.
Limited Phenotypic Variation in Vulnerability to Cavitation and Stomatal Sensitivity to Vapor Pressure Deficit among Clones of Aristotelia chilensis from Different Climatic Origins

Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz is a promising species in the food industry as it provides ‘super fruits’ with remarkable antioxidant activity. However, under the predicted climate change scenario, the ongoing domestication of the species must consider selecting the most productive genotypes and be based on traits conferring drought tolerance. We assessed the vulnerability to cavitation and stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in A. chilensis clones originated from provenances with contrasting climates. A nursery experiment was carried out for one growing season on 2-year-old potted plants. Measurements of stomatal conductance (gs) responses to VPD were taken in spring, summer, and autumn, whereas vulnerability to cavitation was evaluated at the end of spring. Overall, the vulnerability to cavitation of the species was moderate (mean P50 of −2.2 MPa). Parameters of the vulnerability curves (Kmax, P50, P88, and S50) showed no differences among clones or when northern and southern clones were compared. Moreover, there were no differences in stomatal sensitivity to VPD at the provenance or the clonal level. However, compared with other studies, the stomatal sensitivity was considered moderately low, especially in the range of 1 to 3 kPa of VPD. The comparable performance of genotypes from contrasting provenance origins suggests low genetic variation for these traits. Further research must consider testing on diverse environmental conditions to assess the phenotypic plasticity of these types of traits.
Rescue Therapy with Furazolidone in Patients with at Least Five Eradication Treatment Failures and Multi-Resistant H. pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection may persist after multiple eradication treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a furazolidone-based rescue regimen in hyper-refractory patients. A unicentre, prospective study was designed. Patients in whom five or more treatments had consecutively failed were included. All patients had previously received bismuth and key antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and rifabutin, and had positive H. pylori culture, demonstrating resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. A quadruple regimen with furazolidone (200 mg), amoxicillin (1 g), bismuth (240 mg), and esomeprazole (40 mg) was prescribed twice a day for 14 days. Eradication was confirmed by the stool antigen test. Compliance was determined through questioning, and adverse effects using a questionnaire. Eight patients (mean age 56 years, 63% men, 38% peptic ulcer disease, 12% gastric cancer precursor lesions, and 50% functional dyspepsia) were included. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 63%. Compliance was 100%. Adverse effects were reported in two (25%) patients, and all were mild. Even after five or more previous H. pylori eradication failures, and a multi-resistant infection, rescue treatment with furazolidone may be effective in approximately two-thirds of the cases, constituting a valid strategy after multiple previous eradication failures with key antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and rifabutin.
Graphical Optimization of Spectral Shift Reconstructions for Optical Backscatter Reflectometry

Optical backscatter reflectometry (OBR) is an interferometric technique that can be used to measure local changes in temperature and mechanical strain based on spectral analyses of backscattered light from a singlemode optical fiber. The technique uses Fourier analyses to resolve spectra resulting from reflections occurring over a discrete region along the fiber. These spectra are cross-correlated with reference spectra to calculate the relative spectral shifts between measurements. The maximum of the cross-correlated spectra—termed quality—is a metric that quantifies the degree of correlation between the two measurements. Recently, this quality metric was incorporated into an adaptive algorithm to (1) selectively vary the reference measurement until the quality exceeds a predefined threshold and (2) calculate incremental spectral shifts that can be summed to determine the spectral shift relative to the initial reference. Using a graphical (network) framework, this effort demonstrated the optimal reconstruction of distributed OBR measurements for all sensing locations using a maximum spanning tree (MST). By allowing the reference to vary as a function of both time and sensing location, the MST and other adaptive algorithms could resolve spectral shifts at some locations, even if others can no longer be resolved.
Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Based Nanofluids on Marine Gas Turbine Intercooler Performance

Coolants play a major role in the performance of heat exchanging systems. In a marine gas turbine engine, an intercooler is used to reduce the compressed gas temperature between the compressor stages. The thermophysical properties of the coolant running within the intercooler directly influence the level of enhancement in the performance of the unit. Therefore, employing working fluids of exceptional thermal properties is beneficial for improving performance in such applications, compared to conventional fluids. This paper investigates the effect of utilizing nanofluids for enhancing the performance of a marine gas turbine intercooler. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-water with nanofluids at 0.01–0.10 vol % concentration were produced using a two-step controlled-temperature approach ranging from 10 °C to 50 °C. Next, the thermophysical properties of the as-prepared suspensions, such as density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and viscosity, were characterized. The intercooler performance was then determined by employing the measured data of the MWCNTs-based nanofluids thermophysical properties in theoretical formulae. This includes determining the intercooler effectiveness, heat transfer rate, gas outlet temperature, coolant outlet temperature, and pumping power. Finally, a comparison between a copper-based nanofluid from the literature with the as-prepared MWCNTs-based nanofluid was performed to determine the influence of each of these suspensions on the intercooler performance.
Cellular Integrin α5β1 and Exosomal ADAM17 Mediate the Binding and Uptake of Exosomes Produced by Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Approximately 25% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients develop peritoneal metastasis, a condition associated with a bleak prognosis. The CRC peritoneal dissemination cascade involves the shedding of cancer cells from the primary tumor, their transport through the peritoneal cavity, their adhesion to the peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) that line all peritoneal organs, and invasion of cancer cells through this mesothelial cell barrier and underlying stroma to establish new metastatic foci. Exosomes produced by cancer cells have been shown to influence many processes related to cancer progression and metastasis. In epithelial ovarian cancer these extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to favor different steps of the peritoneal dissemination cascade by changing the functional phenotype of cancer cells and PMCs. Little is currently known, however, about the roles played by exosomes in the pathogenesis and peritoneal metastasis cascade of CRC and especially about the molecules that mediate their interaction and uptake by target PMCs and tumor cells. We isolated exosomes by size−exclusion chromatography from CRC cells and performed cell-adhesion assays to immobilized exosomes in the presence of blocking antibodies against surface proteins and measured the uptake of fluorescently-labelled exosomes. We report here that the interaction between integrin α5β1 on CRC cells (and PMCs) and its ligand ADAM17 on exosomes mediated the binding and uptake of CRC-derived exosomes. Furthermore, this process was negatively regulated by the expression of tetraspanin CD9 on exosomes.
Nurses’ Views on the Use of Physical Restraints in Intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

Despite the worldwide promotion of a “restraint-free” model of care due to the questionable ethical and legal issues and the many adverse physical and psychosocial effects of physical restraints, their use remains relatively high, especially in the intensive care setting. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of nurses using physical restraints in the intensive care setting. Semi-structured interviews with 20 nurses working in intensive care units for at least three years, were conducted, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Then, the transcripts were analyzed according to the qualitative descriptive approach by Sandelowsky and Barroso (2002). Six main themes emerged: (1) definition of restraint, (2) who decides to restrain? (3) reasons behind the restraint use, (4) physical restraint used as the last option (5) family involvement, (6) nurses’ feelings about restraint. Physical restraint evokes different thoughts and feelings. Nurses, which are the professionals most present at the patient’s bedside, have been shown to be the main decision-makers regarding the application of physical restraints. Nurses need to balance the ethical principle of beneficence through this practice, ensuring the safety of the patient, and the principle of autonomy of the person.