Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Free-Range and Low-Protein Concentrated Diets on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Composition of Iberian Pig

Simple Summary It is generally assumed in the Iberian pig sector that substitution of traditional free-range rearing, with acorns and grass, by mixed diets affects intramuscular fat content and fatty-acid composition, among others, causing a decrease in meat quality. As mixed diets are usually formulated with higher protein contents than those supplied by natural resources consumed by Iberian pig fed extensively, we hypothesized that the use of a low-protein diet in the final fattening period of pig could be a suitable strategy to improve meat and dry-cured product quality. However, it is also necessary to evaluate the effect of this strategy on performance and carcass traits of pigs. In this study, we found that Iberian pigs fed on low-protein diets had higher intramuscular fat content and different meat composition compared to pigs fed on concentrates with standard protein levels, which could be a suitable way of improving the Iberian pig meat and dry-cured product quality. Abstract The feeding system is one of the main factors influencing the Iberian pig meat quality. This experiment was undertaken to evaluate the influence of feeding diets containing different levels of protein on performance, carcass, and meat quality of Iberian pigs. To that aim, 24 castrated male Retinto Iberian pigs with an average weight of 116 kg were fed under free-range conditions with acorns and grass (FR), and on concentrated diets in confinement with standard (SP) and low protein content (LP). The crude protein content in acorns was lower than that in the grass and SP diet, but similar to that in the LP diet. FR pigs needed more time to achieve slaughter weight than LP and SP pigs. Iberian pigs fed on low-protein diet (FR and LP) had a higher intramuscular fat content in the musculus serratus ventralis than SP pigs. The influence of diet on the fatty-acid composition was reflected more markedly in subcutaneous fat than in muscles. FR pigs showed a higher level of C18:1 n-9 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower total saturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat than LP and SP. It is concluded that diets with low protein levels do not affect Iberian pig productive traits but change the meat composition, rendering them an interesting strategy to improve the quality of Iberian pig meat and dry-cured products.
Facultative hyperthermia during a heatwave delays injurious dehydration of an arboreal marsupial

ABSTRACT Heatwaves negatively impact wildlife populations and their effects are predicted to worsen with ongoing global warming. Animal mass mortality at extremely high ambient temperature (Ta) is evidence for physiological dysfunction and, to aid conservation efforts, improving our understanding of animal responses to environmental heat is crucial. To address this, I measured the water loss, body temperature and metabolism of an Australian marsupial during a simulated heatwave. The body temperature of the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus increased passively by ∼3°C over a Ta of 29–39°C, conveying water savings of 9.6 ml h−1. When Ta crossed a threshold of 35–36°C, possums began actively cooling by increasing evaporative water loss and thermal conductance. It is clear that facultative hyperthermia is effective up to a point, but once this point is surpassed – the frequency and duration of which are increasing with climate change – body water would rapidly deplete, placing possums in danger of injury or death from dehydration. Highlighted Article: When it is hot outside, a possum can save water and avoid dangerous levels of dehydration by letting its body temperature rise with the heat.
Clinical versus Functional Reaction Time: Implications for Postconcussion Management

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to examine the association between clinical and functional reaction time (RT) assessments with and without simultaneous cognitive tasks among healthy individuals. Methods Participants (n = 41, 49% female; 22.5 ± 2.1 yr; 172.5 ± 11.9 cm; 71.0 ± 13.7 kg) completed clinical (drop stick, Stroop) and functional (gait, jump landing, single-leg hop, anticipated cut, unanticipated cut) RT assessments in random order. All RT assessments, except Stroop and unanticipated cut, were completed under single- (movement only) and dual-task conditions (movement and subtracting by 6s or 7s). Drop stick involved catching a randomly dropped rod embedded in a weighted disk. Stroop assessed RT via computerized neurocognitive testing. An instrumented walkway measured gait RT when center-of-pressure moved after random stimulus. All other functional RT assessments involved participants jumping forward and performing a vertical jump (jump landing), balancing on one leg (single-leg hop), or a 45° cut in a known (anticipated cut) or unknown (unanticipated cut) direction. RT was determined when the sacrum moved following random visual stimulus. Pearson correlation coefficients and a 5 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVA compared RT assessments and cognitive conditions. Results Stroop RT outcomes did not significantly correlate with functional RT assessments (r range = −0.10 to 0.24). A significant assessment by cognitive task interaction (F4,160 = 14.01; P < 0.001) revealed faster single-task RT among all assessments compared with dual-task (mean differences, −0.11 to −0.09 s; P < 0.001), except drop stick (P = 0.195). Single-leg hop (0.58 ± 0.11 s) was significantly slower compared with jump landing (0.53 ± 0.10 s), anticipated cut (0.49 ± 0.09 s), gait (0.29 ± 0.07 s), and drop stick (0.21 ± 0.03 s; P values ≤ 0.001). Dual-task assessments were significantly slower than single-task assessments (mean difference, 0.08 s; P < 0.001). Conclusions Clinical and functional RT assessments were not correlated with each other, suggesting that sport-like RT is not being assessed after concussion. Functional and dual-task RT assessments may add clinical value and warrant further exploration after concussion.
Effects of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility in growing pigs compared to those of defatted mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble

Objective To investigate effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility compared to those of dried mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble in growing pigs. Methods A total of 12 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with average body weight of 28.70±0.32 kg were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas. A total of 12 pigs were assigned to individual metabolic crates and allotted to one of four treatments with 3 replicates in a fully randomized design. Results Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM) was the highest in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of crude protein (CP) were higher in pigs fed HML and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the other two diets. AID of total amino acid was higher (p = 0.06) in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) were similar in pigs fed DMLM and HML diets, but were higher (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p = 0.05, respectively) than those in pigs fed FPBM or HFS diet. Pigs fed HML diet had higher standardized ileal digestibilities (SIDs) of DM and CP (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively) compared to pigs fed the other FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of total amino acid were not different (p = 0.06) between treatments. For SIDs of Lys, Met, and Thr, pigs fed HML and DMLM diets showed higher SIDs (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) than pigs fed FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine) were higher (p<0.05, p< 0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) in pigs fed HML, FPBM, and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the HFS diet. AID and SID of glutamic acid were higher in pigs fed HML and FPBM diets. Conclusion In conclusion, dietary supplementation of mealworm larvae hydrolysate had higher digestibility in DM, CP, Lys, Met, and Thr compared to dietary supplementation with fermented poultry by-product and hydrolyzed fish soluble.
Beneficial effects of a negative ion patch on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, and exercise performance in badminton athletes

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are widely applied and accepted for therapeutic purposes because of their numerous benefits. Negative ion treatment belongs to one of the critical categories defined by the National Center for CAM, with such treatment capable of air purification and ameliorating emotional disorders (e.g., depression and seasonal affective disorder). Negative ions can be produced naturally and also by a material with activated energy. Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) often occurs due to inadequate warm up, high-intensity exercise, overload, and inappropriate posture, especially for high-intensive competition. Few studies have investigated the effects of negative ion treatment on muscular injury in the sports science field. In the current study, we enrolled badminton athletes and induced muscle damage in them through eccentric exercise in the form of a high-intensity squat program. We evaluated the effects of negative ion patches of different intensities at three points (preexercise, postexercise, and recovery) by analyzing physiological indexes (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, creatine kinase [CK], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels) and performing a functional assessment (a countermovement jump [CMJ] test). We found that a high-intensity negative ion patch could significantly reduce the levels of TNF-α, an injury-associated inflammatory cytokine, and related markers (CK and LDH). In addition, muscular overload-caused fatigue could be also ameliorated, as indicated by the functional CMJ test result, and related muscular characteristics (tone and stiffness) could be effectively improved. Thus, the negative ion treatment could effectively improve physiological adaption and muscular fatigue recovery after EIMD in the current study. The negative ion patch treatment can be further integrated into a taping system to synergistically fulfill exercise-induced damage protection and functional elevation. However, the effects of this treatment require further experimental validation.
Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term.

To date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty three (nine cocks and fifty four hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent two weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening respectively for six weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen-hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box, and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.
Low adherence to statin treatment during the 1st year after an acute myocardial infarction is associated with increased 2nd-year mortality risk—an inverse probability of treatment weighted study on 54 872 patients

Abstract Aims Experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening event and use of statins can reduce the probability of recurrence and improve long-term survival. However, the effectiveness of statins in the real-world setting may be lower than the reported efficacy in randomized clinical trials. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether low statin treatment adherence during the year following an AMI episode is associated with increased 2nd-year mortality. Methods and results We analysed all 54 872 AMI patients aged ≥45 years, admitted to Swedish hospitals between 2010 and 2012, and who survive at least 1 year after the AMI episode. We defined low adherence as a medication possession ratio <50% or non-use of statins. Applying inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), we investigated the association between low adherence and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and non-CVD mortality during the 2nd year. Overall, 20% of the patients had low adherence during the 1st year and 8% died during the 2nd year. In the IPTW analysis, low adherence was associated with an increased risk of all-cause [absolute risk difference (ARD) = 0.048, number needed to harm (NNH) = 21, relative risk (RR) = 1.71], CVD (ARD = 0.035, NNH = 29, RR = 1.62), and non-CVD mortality (ARD = 0.013, NNH = 77, RR = 2.17). Conclusion In the real-world setting, low statin adherence during the 1st year after an AMI episode is associated with increased mortality during the 2nd year. Our results reaffirm the importance of achieving a high adherence to statin treatment after suffering from an AMI.
Influence of depression and self-esteem on oral health-related quality of life in students

Objective We aimed to investigate the influence of depression and self-esteem on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in students. Methods Among the 67 included participants, we measured self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, severity of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), personality dimensions with the Neuroticism–Extraversion–Openness Five-Factor Inventory, and OHRQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49). Results Among all participants, 7.5% (n = 5) had the dominant personality trait openness to experience, 11.9% (n = 8) presented a neurotic personality type, and 64. % (n = 11) had an extraverted personality type. The most frequent was conscientious personality type, accounting for 64.2% (n = 43) of participants. Our results showed a significant correlation between increased PHQ-9 scores and OHIP scores (Spearman’s r = 0.280); thus, participants with poorer oral health tended to have more severe depression. An increase in depression severity was significantly and positively correlated with increased scores across the other two OHIP subcategories, physical pain (Spearman’s r = 0.314) and physical disability (Spearman’s r = 0.290). Conclusion The presence and severity of depression influences OHRQoL. An important factor in the presence of depression and level of self-esteem is the personality type, especially the neuroticism dimension.
Clinical significance of EGFR mutation types in lung adenocarcinoma: A multi-centre Korean study

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Some causative genomic alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), including deletions in exon 19 (E19 dels) and a point mutation in E21, are known to have favourable prognoses due to sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors; however, the prognoses of other uncommon mutations are unclear. This study analysed the clinical significance of EGFR mutation types in lung adenocarcinoma. We retrospectively reviewed 1,020 subjects (mean age: 66.8 years, female: 41.7%) who were diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, had EGFR mutation data, and did not undergo surgery from five medical institutes between 2010 and 2016. Subjects were classified according to EGFR mutation status, particularly for exon-specific mutations. EGFR positivity was defined as the presence of mutation and EGFR negativity was defined as wild-type EGFR. EGFR positivity was 38.0%, with the incidence of mutations in E18, E19, E20, and E21 was 3.6%, 51.0%, 3.4%, and 42.0%, respectively. The EGFR positive group survived significantly longer than the negative group (p<0.001), and there was a significant difference in survival among the four EGFR mutation sites (p = 0.003); E19 dels were the only significant factor that lowered mortality (HR: 0.678, p = 0.002), while an E21 mutation was the prognostic factor associated with the most increased mortality (HR: 1.365, p = 0.015). Amongst EGFR positive subjects, the proportion of E19 dels in TKI-responders was significantly higher and that of E21 mutations significantly lower, compared with non-responders. In TKI treatment, mutations in E18 and E20 were not worse factors than the E21 L858R mutation. In conclusion, the presence of EGFR mutations in advanced lung adenocarcinoma can predict a good prognosis; E19 dels prospect to have a better prognosis than other mutations, while an E21 mutation is expected to increase mortality.
GANT61 and Valproic Acid Synergistically Inhibited Multiple Myeloma Cell Proliferation via Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

Background Multiple myeloma is featured by the proliferation of malignant plasma cell in bone marrow. We aimed to demonstrate the effects of valproic acid combined with GANT61 on multiple myeloma cell proliferation and clarify its mechanism. Material/Methods Multiple myeloma cells were exposed to valproic acid, GANT61, or the combination of valproic acid and GANT61, respectively. MTT assay was performed to detect the cell viability. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect mRNA and expression levels of proteins in Hedgehog signaling pathway. The Q-value of the combination regime was calculated to evaluate the drug combination effect. Results Both valproic acid and GANT61 alone inhibited multiple myeloma cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control. In the presence of GANT61 or not, valproic acid inhibited multiple myeloma cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner. These 2 drugs had a synergistic effect at valproic acid concentration of ≥4 mM. Expression analysis showed that valproic acid significantly inhibited the expression levels of PTCH1, GLI1, and HES-1. GANT61 enhanced the inhibition of Hedgehog signaling pathway mediated by valproic acid. Conclusions GANT61 and valproic acid inhibited multiple myeloma cell proliferation synergistically by inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway. The present study may provide a combination regime for the therapy of multiple myeloma.
Antipsychotic Medications and DNA Methylation in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review

The pharmacoepigenetics of antipsychotic treatment in severe mental illness is a growing area of research that aims to understand the interface between antipsychotic treatment and genetic regulation. Pharmacoepigenetics may some day assist in identifying treatment response mechanisms or become one of the components in the implementation of precision medicine. To understand the current evidence regarding the effects of antipsychotics on DNA methylation a systematic review with qualitative synthesis was performed through Pubmed, Embase and Psychinfo from earliest data to June 2019. Studies were included if they analyzed DNA methylation in an antipsychotic‐treated population of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Data extraction occurred via a standardized format and study quality was assessed. Twenty‐nine studies were identified for inclusion. Study design, antipsychotic type, sample source, and methods of DNA methylation measurement varied across all studies. Eighteen studies analyzed methylation in patients with schizophrenia, four studies in patients with bipolar disorder, and seven studies in a combined sample of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Twenty‐two studies used observational samples whereas the remainder used prospectively treated samples. Six studies assessed global methylation, five assessed epigenome‐wide, and 15 performed a candidate epigenetic study. Two studies analyzed both global and gene‐specific methylation, whereas one study performed a simultaneous epigenome‐wide and gene‐specific study. Only three genes were analyzed in more than one gene‐specific study and the findings were discordant. The state of the pharmacoepigenetic literature on antipsychotic use is still in its early stages and uniform reporting of methylation site information is needed. Future work should concentrate on using prospective sampling with appropriate control groups and begin to replicate many of the novel associations that have been reported.
Clinical management of severe, fulminant, and refractory Clostridioides difficile infection

ABSTRACT Introduction: Up to 15% of hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) develop severe CDI (SCDI) or Fulminant CDI (FCDI). Due to high rates of mortality in medically-refractory CDI cases, 30% of patients with severe infection historically require surgical intervention. However, colectomy itself is an imperfect solution because it is difficult to predict who will fail medical therapy, patients with SCDI are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that make them poor surgical candidates, and post-surgical mortality still approaches 30–50%. Areas covered: This review will serve as a clinically-based review of severe and fulminant CDI management including discussion of models to predict severe infection, emerging treatments, novel targets for therapy, and innovations in surgical management. Expert opinion: Among the most promising studies to emerge in the last decade have involved fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which is already recommended by multiple society guidelines for recurrent CDI (RCDI). In the case of SCDI/FCDI, multiple studies have safely and successfully utilized FMT to produce rates of cure in the 70–90% range. Additionally, patients who have FCDI refractory to medical therapy and are poor candidates for colectomy may benefit from FMT as salvage therapy.
Effect of glucose and sodium chloride mouth rinses on neuromuscular fatigue: a preliminary study

Abstract Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse has been shown to improve endurance performance and maintain the central drive of contracting muscles. Salt (NaCl) mouth rinse solution, often used in dentistry to desensitise the oral cavity to pain, could also activate cortical areas of the brain. Hence, the objective of this preliminary study was to investigate whether CHO (glucose) and NaCl mouth rinses could attenuate the reduction in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and sustained MVC (sMVC) following an endurance exercise (30-minute cycling at 70% VO2max). Ten subjects (male, age: 22 ± 1 years, weight: 65.3 ± 12.4 kg, height: 164.5 ± 7.5 cm, VO2max: 48.3 ± 6.1 mL kg−1 min−1) completed three trials of 30-minute cycling exercise. In a randomised cross-over study, in each trial, the participants rinsed using either water, 6% glucose, or 6% NaCl solution for 5 s immediately prior to and every 10 min during the cycling exercise. The MVC and sMVC were measured pre and post cycling. Analysis of variance showed significant interaction and time effects for MVC, while for sMVC there was a significant interaction with time and group effects. Both MVC and sMVC were higher post cycling in the glucose and NaCl groups compared to the water group, which suggests that activation of glucose and NaCl oral receptors could better preserve post-exercise force production. This is the first study to show that NaCl mouth rinse can produce a comparable effect on glucose. Hence, mouth rinses may be able to activate other distinct pathways that could attenuate fatigue.