Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and emotional distress among caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with cancer: Understanding trajectories across the first year post-diagnosis

Abstract Purpose The cancer caregiving experience is multifaceted and dynamic across different phases of the cancer care continuum. This longitudinal study examined the trajectories of CQOL and caregiver emotional distress across the first year post-diagnosis. Methods Participants were 111 caregivers of newly diagnosed patients who completed baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Trajectories of CQOL, CQOL domains, caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, were estimated using linear and quadratic mixed models. Results The trajectory of overall CQOL followed an inverse U-shape trend, while caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress remained stable. For CQOL domains, physical/practical needs followed a gradual trend of improvement, while social support followed an inverse U-shape trend; caregiver burden, emotional reactivity, and responsibility/duty remained stable. Conclusions The multidimensional needs of caregivers of newly diagnosed patients appeared to follow different trajectories across the first year post-diagnosis. While most CQOL domains remained stable, caregivers may experience adjustment difficulties in terms of relational concerns and social support.
Brewing Quality of Hop Varieties Cultivated in Central Italy Based on Multivolatile Fingerprinting and Bitter Acid Content

The brewing value of hops is mainly affected by the content and composition of humulones (α-acids) and essential oil. Interest in hop plantations is increasing more and more in Italy, in parallel with the rising number of microbreweries and brewpubs, which are strongly oriented towards local production chains. In this context, a selection of 15 international hop varieties were grown, under the same conditions, in an experimental field in the Marche region, Central Italy, with the aim of assessing their suitability for beer production. A multivariate analysis approach to experimental data showed a high content of α- and β-acids and myrcene in the Centennial, Brewer’s Gold, Sterling, Cascade, Nugget, and Columbus varieties; a consistently lower percentages of humulones and a predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in the cultivars Mount Hood, Northern Brewer, Northdown, Galena, Willamette, and Fuggle; and a desirable high α-acids content and a sesquiterpene-type aroma in cultivars Chinook, Yeoman, and Hallertau. Further studies are needed to assess the environmental adaptability and the yield performance of hop plants in the pedoclimatic conditions of the Central Italy hills.
Using multiple traits to estimate the effects of heat shock on the fitness of Aphidius colemani

Extreme temperature events are a great challenge for most ectotherms, particularly for the immature stages of parasitoids, as they do not possess the ability to behaviourally thermoregulate. In this study, we measured the effect of an acute heat shock, combined with desiccation stress (34 °C and 35% r.h. during 10 h) during the mummy stage on several fitness‐related traits of emerging adults of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Our results showed that the emergence rate was strongly affected by the heat shock (63 ± 2.3 vs. 96.1 ± 0.7% for stress vs. control conditions, respectively), and the resulting population was male biased. Heat stress reduced the lifespan of emerged parasitoids but had no effect on fat reserves and female size. Egg load at emergence and parasitism rate were also reduced by heat treatment. The antennal symmetry was disturbed by the heat treatment, and stressed individuals had reduced mating success compared to control parasitoids. Specifically, time before wing fanning, a typical male courtship behaviour, was significantly longer in parasitoid pairs involving females that had emerged from heat‐treated mummies. Additionally, olfactometry tests on experimental females indicated that their response to host odour was similar to that of control individuals, but they required a longer time for perception. These results highlight that exposure to high temperatures during the mummy stage has cumulative detrimental effects that may strongly impact parasitoid populations under natural conditions and hinder the success of biological control programs.
Changes in TRPV1-Mediated Physiological Function in Rats Systemically Treated With Capsaicin on the Neonate

Capsaicin is the active component of chili peppers and is a hydrophobic, colorless, odorless, and crystalline to waxy compound. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is the capsaicin receptor channels that are involved in a variety of functions like transduction and transmission of the physiological stimulus. Subcutaneous injection of capsaicin to a newborn rat leads to involuntary lifelong TRPV1 desensitization. Various physiological changes including sensory and homeostatic actions in the body associated with neonatal capsaicin treatment are induced by direct TRPV1 channel targeting. Interesting changes include unique phenomena such as the reduction in pain perception, abnormal body temperature, increase in infection, infectious or neuropathological itching, and irregular circadian core body temperature rhythm. These symptoms are associated with relatively higher fever or loss of sensory c-fiber related to TRPV1 desensitization. The aforementioned outcomes not only provide a warning about the risk of capsaicin exposure in newborns but also indicate the possible occurrence of relatively rare diseases that are difficult to diagnose. Therefore, Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the unique phenomena caused by systemic capsaicin administration in neonatal rats.
The early synthesis of RNA, protein, and some associated metabolic events in germinating vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores of Glomus caledonius

A comparison of the kinetics of [1−14C]leucine and [2-14C]uracil incorporation into germinating spores of Glomus caledonius showed that RNA and protein synthesis had begun by 35 min after imbibition of water. Protein synthesis was essential for spore germination, and cycloheximide-sensitive protein synthesis occurred after the onset of germination. Early RNA synthesis was not affected by cycloheximide. Within 35 min of imbibition the tricarboxylic acid cycle, gluconeogenesis, and most amino acid biosynthetic pathways were operating.
Moderate phosphorus additions consistently affect community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador.

Anthropogenic atmospheric deposition can increase nutrient supply in the most remote ecosystems, potentially affecting soil biodiversity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities rapidly respond to simulated soil eutrophication in tropical forests. Yet the limited spatio-temporal extent of such manipulations, together with the often unrealistically high fertilization rates employed, impedes generalization of such responses. We sequenced mixed root AMF communities within a seven year-long fully factorial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition experiment, replicated at three tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador with differing environmental characteristics. We hypothesized (i) strong shifts in community composition and species richness after long-term fertilization, (ii) site- and (iii) clade-specific responses to N versus P additions depending on local soil fertility and clade life history traits respectively. Fertilization consistently shifted AMF community composition across sites, but only reduced richness of Glomeraceae. Compositional changes were mainly driven by increases in P supply while richness reductions were observed only after combined N and P additions. We conclude that moderate increases of N and P exert a mild but consistent effect on tropical AMF communities. To predict the consequences of these shifts, current results need to be supplemented with experiments that characterize local species-specific AMF functionality.
Refractory Sarcoidosis: A Review

Abstract Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease of unknown etiology characterized by granuloma formation in various organs (especially lung and mediastinohilar lymph nodes). In more than half of patients, the disease resolves spontaneously. When indicated, it usually responds to corticosteroids, the first-line treatment, but some patients may not respond or tolerate them. An absence of treatment response is rare and urges for verifying the absence of a diagnosis error, the good adherence of the treatment, the presence of active lesions susceptible to respond since fibrotic lesions are irreversible. That is when second-line treatments, immunosuppressants (methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, hydroxychloroquine), should be considered. Methotrexate is the only first-line immunosuppressant validated by a randomized controlled trial. Refractory sarcoidosis is not yet a well-defined condition, but it remains a real challenge for the physicians. Herein, we considered refractory sarcoidosis as a disease in which second-line treatments are not sufficient to achieve satisfying disease control or satisfying corticosteroids tapering. Tumor necrosis alpha inhibitors, third-line treatments, have been validated through randomized controlled trials. There are currently no guidelines or recommendations regarding refractory sarcoidosis. Moreover, criteria defining non-response to treatment need to be clearly specified. The delay to achieve response to organ involvement and drugs also should be defined. In the past ten years, the efficacy of several immunosuppressants beforehand used in other autoimmune or inflammatory diseases was reported in refractory cases series. Among them, anti-CD20 antibodies (rituximab), repository corticotrophin injection, and anti-JAK therapy anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) were the main reported. Unfortunately, no clinical trial is available to validate their use in the case of sarcoidosis. Currently, other immunosuppressants such as JAK inhibitors are on trial to assess their efficacy in sarcoidosis. In this review, we propose to summarize the state of the art regarding the use of immunosuppressants and their management in the case of refractory or multidrug-resistant sarcoidosis.
Room Costs for Common Pediatric Hospitalizations and Cost-Reducing Quality Initiatives

The majority of pediatric hospitalization costs are associated with the room; improvement projects that address room costs could have the most financial impact. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer10.1542/6138647573001PEDS-VA_2019-2177 Video Abstract BACKGROUND: Improvement initiatives promote safe and efficient care for hospitalized children. However, these may be associated with limited cost savings. In this article, we sought to understand the potential financial benefit yielded by improvement initiatives by describing the inpatient allocation of costs for common pediatric diagnoses. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of pediatric patients aged 0 to 21 years from 48 children’s hospitals included in the Pediatric Health Information System database from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. We included hospitalizations for 8 common inpatient pediatric diagnoses (seizure, bronchiolitis, asthma, pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, upper respiratory tract infection, other gastrointestinal diagnoses, and skin and soft tissue infection) and categorized the distribution of hospitalization costs (room, clinical, laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, supplies, and other). We summarized our findings with mean percentages and percent of total costs and used mixed-effects models to account for disease severity and to describe hospital-level variation. RESULTS: For 195 436 hospitalizations, room costs accounted for 52.5% to 70.3% of total hospitalization costs. We observed wide hospital-level variation in nonroom costs for the same diagnoses (25%–81% for seizure, 12%–51% for bronchiolitis, 19%–63% for asthma, 19%–62% for pneumonia, 21%–78% for acute gastroenteritis, 21%–63% for upper respiratory tract infection, 28%–69% for other gastrointestinal diagnoses, and 21%–71% for skin and soft tissue infection). However, to achieve a cost reduction equal to 10% of room costs, large, often unattainable reductions (>100%) in nonroom cost categories are needed. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistencies in nonroom costs for similar diagnoses suggest hospital-level treatment variation and improvement opportunities. However, individual improvement initiatives may not result in significant cost savings without specifically addressing room costs.
Clinical and neuroendocrine correlates of childhood maltreatment history in adults with bipolar disorder

Childhood maltreatment has been associated to an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD). A role of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating trauma‐related risk for adult psychopathology has been suggested but scarcely investigated in BD. Therefore, we explored the impact of childhood maltreatment on clinical features of BD and on the activity of the HPA axis.
Alterations in Local Connectivity and Their Developmental Trajectories in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Does Being Female Matter?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed more often in males with a ratio of 1:4 females/males. This bias is even stronger in neuroimaging studies. There is a growing evidence suggesting that local connectivity and its developmental trajectory is altered in ASD. Here, we aim to investigate how local connectivity and its age-related trajectories vary with ASD in both males and females. We used resting-state fMRI data from the ABIDE I and II repository: males (n = 102) and females (n = 92) with ASD, and typically developing males (n = 104) and females (n = 92) aged between 6 and 26. Local connectivity was quantified as regional homogeneity. We found increases in local connectivity in participants with ASD in the somatomotor and limbic networks and decreased local connectivity within the default mode network. These alterations were more pronounced in females with ASD. In addition, the association between local connectivity and ASD symptoms was more robust in females. Females with ASD had the most distinct developmental trajectories of local connectivity compared with other groups. Overall, our findings of more pronounced local connectivity alterations in females with ASD could indicate a greater etiological load for an ASD diagnosis in this group congruent with the female protective effect hypothesis.
The genus Pinguicula L. (Lentibulariaceae): an overview

Abstract The carnivorous genus Pinguicula, which currently consists of about 74 species, is part of the Lentibulariaceae family. All members are active animal and plant organ trappers. The leaves are sticky and constitute flypaper—type traps capable of slow motions. The present review focusses on several aspects of the research activities conducted on this genus. These include the study of its evolution, carnivory, trapping and digestion mechanisms, with a special emphasis on the key role played by the mucilage, its ecology and its pharmacological and culinary utilization. This review also stresses the need for a global taxonomic revision of the genus. Finally, it aims to generate greater interest on these very fascinating plants which are in urgent need of protection.
Essential Oils as a Potential Treatment Option for Pediculosis

Abstract Pediculosis is a prevalent ectoparasite infestation caused by lice. The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) and body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) are obligatory parasites whose only known hosts are humans. Pediculosis is probably the most common ectoparasitic infestation, affecting up to 80% of the population in several countries, and particularly prevalent in the infant population worldwide. Several treatment options, including shampoos and creams containing insecticides, have been introduced for the treatment of pediculosis. Recently, the use of synthetic chemicals to control human lice has raised concerns pertaining to human health and the environment. Therefore, increasing efforts have been undertaken to develop effective pediculicides with low environmental toxicity and minimal environmental residual activity. In this study, we focus on the essential oils derived from 22 plant genera, their constituents, and the major factors that play important roles in the effectiveness of these oils in the treatment of pediculosis. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the mentioned essential oils, and ultimately suggest those demonstrating the most effective in vitro pediculicidal activities. The genera such as Aloysia, Cinnamomum, Eucalyptus, Eugenia, Lavandula, Melaleuca, Mentha, Myrcianthes, Origanum, Pimpinella, and Thymus appear to be more efficient against lice. These genera are rich in anethole, 1,8-cineole, cinnamaldehyde, p-cymene, eugenol, linalool, limonene, pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, and thymol compounds.
High Esteem and Hurting Others Online: Trait Sadism Moderates the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Internet Trolling

Internet trolling is commonly defined as disruptive online behavior, intended to provoke and distress others for amusement. Previous research has shown that gender (specifically, male), trait psychopathy, and trait sadism significantly predict engaging in trolling. In this study, we sought to replicate and extend previous research by exploring the role of self-esteem in predicting trolling, and possible interactions between self-esteem and personality. Participants (n = 400, 67.5 percent women, average age = 24.97 years [SD = 8.84]) completed an online questionnaire, including measures of psychopathy, sadism, self-esteem, and trolling behaviors. Results corroborated previous research showing gender (male) to be a significant predictor of trolling, and trait psychopathy and sadism to be significant positive predictors. Although self-esteem had no additional value on top of trait psychopathy and sadism in explaining trolling, there was a significant interaction between self-esteem and trait sadism. A moderation analysis indicated a positive relationship between self-esteem and trolling, but only when trait sadism was high. These results portray the troll as a callous individual may enjoy causing psychological harm, particularly if their self-esteem is high. These results contribute to building the psychological profile of trolls and provide future directions for research exploring trolling behaviors.
α2‐Macroglobulin Complexes with and Mediates the Endocytosis of β‐Amyloid Peptide via Cell Surface Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐Related Protein

Abstract: A primary histopathological feature of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of β‐amyloid (Aβ) in the brain of afflicted individuals. However, Aβ is produced continuously as a soluble protein in healthy individuals where it is detected in serum and CSF, suggesting the existence of cellular clearance mechanisms that normally prevent its accumulation and aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that Aβ forms stable complexes with activated α2‐macroglobulin (α2M⋆), a physiological ligand for the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein (LRP) that is abundantly expressed in the CNS. These α2M⋆/125I‐Aβ complexes are immunoreactive with both anti‐Aβ and anti‐α2M IgG and are stable under various pH conditions, sodium dodecyl sulfate, reducing agents, and boiling. We demonstrate that α2M⋆/125I‐Aβ complexes can be degraded by glioblastoma cells and fibroblasts via LRP, because degradation is partially inhibited by receptor‐associated protein (RAP), an antagonist of ligand interactions with LRP. In contrast, the degradation of free 125I‐Aβ is not inhibited by RAP and thus must be mediated via an LRP‐independent pathway. These results suggest that LRP can function as a clearance receptor for Aβ via a physiological ligand.
Quantitative l-lysine requirement of juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the quantitative lysine requirement of juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides (initial mean weight: 15.84 ± 0.23 g, mean ± SD) in eighteen 500-L indoors flow-through circular fibreglass tanks provided with sand-filtered aerated seawater by feeding diets containing six levels of l-lysine ranging from 19.2 to 39.5 g kg−1 dry diet in 4 g kg−1 increments. The diets, in which 250 g crude protein kg−1 diet came from fish meal and soybean protein concentrate, and 230 g kg−1 from crystalline amino acids, were formulated to simulate the amino acid profile of 480 g kg−1 whole chicken egg protein except for lysine. Each diet was assigned to three tanks in a completely randomized design. Grouper were fed to apparent satiation twice daily during the week and once daily on weekends. Weight gain and specific growth rate increased with increasing levels of dietary lysine up to 27.2 g kg−1 (P 0.05). Feed efficiency was the poorest for fish fed the lowest lysine diet (P 0.05). Survival could not be related to dietary treatments. Body composition remained relatively constant except for lipid contents in muscle and liver. Total essential amino acid contents in liver increased with dietary lysine level although there was a slight decline for fish fed the highest lysine level of diet. Plasma protein content increased with increasing dietary lysine level (P 0.05). Broken-line analysis of weight gain indicated the dietary lysine requirement of juvenile grouper to be 28.3 g kg−1 diet or 55.6 g kg−1 dietary protein.
Modifications of the Protein Characteristics of Pacaya Caused by Thermal Treatment: A Spectroscopic, Electrophoretic and Morphological Study

The inflorescences of Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm. are consumed as food in Central America and southern Mexico but is an underutilized food because of its sensory characteristics, principally due to its bitter taste. However, the inflorescences of Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm. are nutritionally promising due to their high protein content (approximately 25%). Protein isolates from pacaya were modified via three different thermal treatments to determine the effect of the treatments on the protein structures. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the pacaya protein isolate particles had less rough and irregular surfaces with larger particle sizes due to an aggregation process when a thermal treatment was used compared to those when no thermal treatment was used. An increase in the intensity of the low molecular weight protein fractions (≤20 kDa) in the electrophoretic pattern of the proteins was observed, which was generated by the hydrolysis of the proteins by heat treatment. The modifications in the FT-IR spectra showed that thermal treatment of pacaya affected the secondary structure of its proteins, mainly when microwave treatment was used. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the α–helical structure was dominant in the proteins of pacaya and that thermal treatment increased the fraction of the β–sheet structure at the expense of the α–helical structure.