Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunostimulating effect of triiodothyronine: dietary administration of triiodothyronine in rohu (Labeo rohita) enhances immunity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection

Summary The immunomodulatory effects of dietary administration of 3,3′,5-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) at 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg kg−1 of diet for 60 days in rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings were studied. Oral administration of T3 at all dose levels resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher serum T3 levels, total serum protein and globulin levels, and reduced albumin–globulin ratio (A : G) compared with the control group, whereas feeding of T3 at 5 and 10 mg kg−1 diet enhanced the growth and superoxide production by neutrophils. At the end of the 60-day experimental period the optimum dosage of T3 appeared to be the 5 mg kg−1 diet for rohu fingerlings, resulting in a significantly higher specific antibody titre against formalin-killed Aeromonas hydrophila and lowering the mortality percentage against the A. hydrophila challenge.
Breakfast Consumption in Low-Income Hispanic Elementary School-Aged Children: Associations with Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Dietary Parameters

Breakfast consumption is associated with lower obesity prevalence and cardiometabolic risk and higher dietary quality (DQ) in children. Low-income, Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected by obesity and cardiometabolic risks. This study examined the relationship between breakfast consumption groups (BCG) on anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters in predominately low-income, Hispanic children from 16 Texas schools. Cross-sectional data were from TX Sprouts, a school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking randomized controlled trial. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent via bioelectrical impedance, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Metabolic parameters included fasting plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. DQ and BCG were assessed via two 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariate multiple regression examined relationships between BCG and anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters. This study included 671 students (mean age 9 years, 58% Hispanic, 54% female, 66% free/reduced lunch, 17% breakfast skippers). No relationships were observed between BCG and anthropometric or metabolic parameters. BCG had higher DQ; higher daily protein, total sugar, and added sugar intake; and lower daily fat intake. Skipping breakfast was associated with lower DQ; higher daily fat intake; and lower daily protein intake. Longitudinal research examining breakfast quality on cardiometabolic outcomes in low-income, Hispanic children is warranted.
Interventions to Reduce Aerosolized Microbes in Dental Practice: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to identify and rank the effectiveness of different interventions used in dental practice to reduce microbial load in aerosolized compounds. Seven electronic databases were searched to April 6, 2020, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or nonrandomized prospective studies in the field. Study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were performed for all included studies, while the outcome of interest pertained to differences in bacterial load quantification through the use of different interventions prior to aerosol-generating procedures in dental practices. Random effects frequentist network meta-analysis was performed, with mean difference (MD) and 95% CI as the effect measure. Confidence in the documented evidence was assessed through the newly fueled CINeMA framework (Confidence in Network Meta-analysis) based on the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Twenty-nine clinical trials were deemed eligible, 21 RCTs and 8 nonrandomized studies, while 11 RCTs contributed to the network meta-analysis, comprising 10 competing interventions. Tempered chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.2% as compared with nonactive control mouth rinse, prior to routine ultrasonic scaling, was most effective toward reduced postprocedural bacterial load with an MD of −0.92 (95% CI, −1.54 to −0.29) in log10 bacterial CFUs (colony-forming units). For CHX 0.2%, an MD of −0.74 (95% CI, −1.07 to −0.40) was observed as compared with control. Tempered CHX 0.2% presented the highest probabilities of being ranked the most effective treatment (31.2%). Level of confidence varied from very low to moderate across all formulated comparisons. These findings summarize the current state of research evidence in the field of aerosolized bacteria in dentistry. Instigated by the era of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the stipulation of a broader evaluation of the aerosolized microbes, including viruses, potentially coupled with disinfectant-based prevention schemes should be prioritized.
High PKCλ expression is required for ALDH1-positive cancer stem cell function and indicates a poor clinical outcome in late-stage breast cancer patients

Despite development of markers for identification of cancer stem cells, the mechanism underlying the survival and division of cancer stem cells in breast cancer remains unclear. Here we report that PKCλ expression was enriched in basal-like breast cancer, among breast cancer subtypes, and was correlated with ALDH1A3 expression (p = 0.016, χ2-test). Late stage breast cancer patients expressing PKCλhigh and ALDH1A3high had poorer disease-specific survival than those expressing PKCλlow and ALDH1A3low (p = 0.018, log rank test for Kaplan-Meier survival curves: hazard ratio 2.58, 95% CI 1.24–5.37, p = 0.011, multivariate Cox regression analysis). Functional inhibition of PKCλ through siRNA-mediated knockdown or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout in ALDH1high MDA-MB 157 and MDA-MB 468 basal-like breast cancer cells led to increases in the numbers of trypan blue-positive and active-caspase 3-positive cells, as well as suppression of tumor-sphere formation and cell migration. Furthermore, the amount of CASP3 and PARP mRNA and the level of cleaved caspase-3 protein were enhanced in PKCλ-deficient ALDH1high cells. An Apoptosis inhibitor (z-VAD-FMK) suppressed the enhancement of cell death as well as the levels of cleaved caspase-3 protein in PKCλ deficient ALDH1high cells. It also altered the asymmetric/symmetric distribution ratio of ALDH1A3 protein. In addition, PKCλ knockdown led to increases in cellular ROS levels in ALDH1high cells. These results suggest that PKCλ is essential for cancer cell survival and migration, tumorigenesis, the asymmetric distribution of ALDH1A3 protein among cancer cells, and the maintenance of low ROS levels in ALDH1-positive breast cancer stem cells. This makes it a key contributor to the poorer prognosis seen in late-stage breast cancer patients.
Predictors of Disclosure Recipients’ Social Reactions to Victims’ Disclosures of Dating and Sexual Violence: A Longitudinal Study of College Students

Dating violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) are pernicious issues among college students that lead to deleterious outcomes, which are more likely when victims receive more negative social reactions (e.g., blaming the victim) and fewer positive social reactions to disclosure (e.g., providing emotional support). Most research studies have examined victims’ reports of social reactions to their assault disclosures, with only a few cross-sectional studies of predictors of disclosure recipients’ provision of positive and negative social reactions to victims. The purpose of the current study was to address these gaps in the literature. Participants were 481 college students (76.4% women, 89.2% White/Non-Hispanic) who reported being a disclosure recipient during the past six months (measured at Time 2 to cross-sectionally and longitudinally predict their social reactions to victims’ disclosures). Results suggested that both victim and disclosure recipient characteristics (e.g., gender, race), disclosure recipient perceptions of victims (e.g., empathy for victim, blame of victim, victims’ coping) and both disclosure recipient and victim behavior at the time of disclosure (e.g., drinking, distress) were related to disclosure recipient social reactions. These findings underscore the need for programs for potential informal disclosure recipients that target psychological variables (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) and behavior at the time of disclosure, as well as their perceptions of victims more generally, in addition to improving their knowledge and ability to respond with positive social reactions and avoid negative social reactions.
Influence of Fermentation Water on Stable Isotopic D/H Ratios of Alcohol Obtained from Concentrated Grape Must

According to Organisation Internationale de la vigne et du vin (OIV) standards, when analysing the stable isotope ratio of deuterium to hydrogen D/H at the methyl (I) and methylene (II) site of ethanol from concentrated must, a dilution with tap water is needed in order to carry out the alcoholic fermentation. This dilution causes a partial transfer of water hydrogens to the sugar, and this affects the (D/H)I and (D/H)II isotopic values of ethanol, which need to be normalised through specific equations based on the analysis of water δ18O or δ2H. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and correctness of these equations experimentally. Grape, cane, and beet sugar, as well as grape must were diluted with water with increasing H and O stable isotope ratios, fermented, and analysed. SNIF-NMR and IRMS techniques were applied following the respective OIV methods. The equations based on the δ2H analysis of the diluted sugar/must solutions proved to be reliable in all the cases, although it is not an OIV standard. When using the equations based on the values of δ18O of the diluted solution, data normalisation was reliable only in cases where the water used for dilution had not undergone isotopic fractionation due, for example, to evaporation. In these cases, δ2H should be analysed.
Quantifying and explaining variation in life expectancy at census tract, county, and state levels in the United States

Significance Current knowledge on which geographic scale matters the most for inequalities in longevity in the United States is largely confined to counties, which have been the smallest unit at which national data on life expectancy were available. Making the inference that “counties make a difference” simply because “counties differ” is potentially problematic. In this systematic investigation of ascertaining the relative importance of three geographic scales: states, counties, and census tracts (CTs), we find that more than three-fourths of the total variation in life expectancy is attributable to CTs. This indicates that population inequalities in longevity are primarily a local phenomenon, and there is a need for greater precision and targeting of local geographies in public policy discourse. Studies on geographic inequalities in life expectancy in the United States have exclusively focused on single-level analyses of aggregated data at state or county level. This study develops a multilevel perspective to understanding variation in life expectancy by simultaneously modeling the geographic variation at the levels of census tracts (CTs), counties, and states. We analyzed data from 65,662 CTs, nested within 3,020 counties and 48 states (plus District of Columbia). The dependent variable was age-specific life expectancy observed in each of the CTs. We also considered the following CT-level socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as independent variables: population density; proportions of population who are black, who are single parents, who are below the federal poverty line, and who are aged 25 or older who have a bachelor's degree or higher; and median household income. Of the total geographic variation in life expectancy at birth, 70.4% of the variation was attributed to CTs, followed by 19.0% for states and 10.7% for counties. The relative importance of CTs was greater for life expectancy at older ages (70.4 to 96.8%). The CT-level independent variables explained 5 to 76.6% of between-state variation, 11.1 to 58.6% of between-county variation, and 0.7 to 44.9% of between-CT variation in life expectancy across different age groups. Our findings indicate that population inequalities in longevity in the United States are primarily a local phenomenon. There is a need for greater precision and targeting of local geographies in public policy discourse aimed at reducing health inequalities in the United States.
Biolarvicidal activity of Peanibacillus macerans and Bacillus subtilis isolated from the dead larvae against Aedes aegypti - Vector for Chikungunya

Two bacterial species were isolated from dead mosquito larvae. They were identified as Peanibacillus macerans and Bacillus Subtilis. They were examined for their mosquito larvicidal activity against chikunguya vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culucidae). The LC50 values of P. macerans and B. subtilis were recorded 70.99, 50 ×10 6 cells /ml and 58.97, 49 ×10 6 cells /ml for 24h and 48h, respectively. The LC50 value of the procured culture Bacillus thuringiensis subsp israelensis also detected. It was noted as 152.02 and 50 ×10 6 cells /ml for 24hrs and 48hrs. A. aegypti was the most susceptible to B. subtilis. It has the highest relative susceptibility (RS) value.
The semi-erect position for better visualization of subphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma during ultrasonography examinations

Purpose This study investigated which body position is more useful for visualizing subphrenic hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) during ultrasonography (US) examinations. Methods This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Twenty consecutive patients with a single subphrenic HCC (treatment-naïve, 1 to 3 cm) underwent a US examination for planning radiofrequency ablation. The examinations were done by one of three radiologists and the patients were examined in four different body positions-supine, right posterior oblique (RPO), left lateral decubitus (LLD), and semi-erect-by being positioned on a tilted table. The visibility of the index tumor was prospectively assessed using a 4-point scale. Needle insertion was considered to be technically feasible if the visibility score was lower than 2. The visibility score and technical feasibility were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the McNemar test, respectively, for pairwise comparisons between different body positions. Results The visibility score was significantly lower in the semi-erect position (median, 2; interquartile range, 1 to 2.75) than in the supine (3, 2 to 4), RPO (3, 2 to 4), and LLD (4, 3.25 to 4) positions (P=0.007, P=0.005, and P=0.001, respectively). The technical feasibility of needle insertion was also significantly higher in the semi-erect position (75%, 15/20) than in the supine (45%, 9/45), RPO (35%, 7/20), and LLD (20%, 4/20) positions (P=0.031, P=0.021, and P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion The semi-erect position is more useful for the visualization of subphrenic HCCs than the supine, RPO, or LLD positions.
Glioblastoma multiforme: Metabolic differences to peritumoral tissue and IDH‐mutated gliomas revealed by mass spectrometry imaging

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. High infiltration rates and poor therapy responses make it the deadliest glioma. The tumor metabolism is known to differ from normal one and is influenced through various factors which can lead to longer survival. Metabolites are small molecules (< 1500 Da) that display the metabolic pathways in the tissue. To determine the metabolic alterations between tumor and peritumoral tissue in human GBMs, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was performed on thin sections from 25 resected tumors. In addition, the GBMs were compared with six gliomas harboring a mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) gene (IDH1). With this technique, a manifold of analytes can be easily visualized on a single tissue section. Metabolites were annotated based on their accurate mass using high resolution MSI. Differences in their mean intensities in the tumor and peritumoral areas were statistically evaluated and abundances were visualized on the tissue. Enhanced levels of the antioxidants ascorbic acid, taurine, and glutathione in tumor areas suggest protective effects on the tumor. Increased levels of purine and pyrimidine metabolism compounds in GBM areas indicate the high energy demand. In accordance with these results, enhanced abundances of lactate and glutamine were detected. Moreover, decreased abundance of N‐acetylaspartate, a marker for neuronal health, was measured in tumor areas. Obtained metabolic information could potentially support and personalize therapeutic approaches, hence emphasizing the suitability of MSI for GBM research.
Effect of Seed Size on Some Germination Characteristics, Seedling Emergence Percentage and Yield of Three Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars in Laboratory and Field

The effect of seed size on germination, emergence percentage and yield of three bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated in Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute (SPCRI), Karaj, Iran. The experiment factors included five seed sizes (2-2.2, 2.2-2.5, 2.5-2.8, 2.8-3 and >3 mm) of three wheat cultivars ( Mahdavi, Pishtaz and Bahar). Seed size had significant impact on all measured traits in laboratory and field with the exception of germination percentage and harvest index. Results indicated that germination rate significantly decreased by increasing seed size. The other traits showed significant increase by increasing seed size. Mahdavi cultivar had significant effect on seedling dry weight and dry weight of 100 plants. Other traits were similar among cultivars. Significant interaction was observed for seedling dry weight and dry weight of 100 plants. Assessment of treatments in this study showed that seed size had no significant impact on germination percentage, but it changes seedling emergence and grain yield, in this way the best category of seed size was related to >2.2-2.5 size, whereas emergence percentage and yield of seeds with 2-2.2 size was significantly less than other sizes.
Fifteen years of canopy dynamics analyzed by aerial photographs in a temperate deciduous forest, Japan

Aerial photographs were used to analyze long-term canopy dynamics over 15 yr in a large area (25.25 ha) for a mixed deciduous forest in the Ogawa Forest Reserve, central Japan. Digital elevation models of canopy surface were made from aerial photo- graphs taken in four summers at 5-yr intervals from 1976 to 1991. A digital elevation model of ground surface was also made from the aerial photograph taken in winter 1991. The canopy height at each location was calculated from the elevational difference between the canopy and the ground, and the "vegetation profile technique" was applied to quantify canopy dynamics. The size distributions of gaps at each observation time and of gaps that were created between observation times followed a power function model. While the rates of gap formation and closure throughout the whole period were nearly balanced, they showed large temporal variations among the observation periods. Spatial distribution of newly created gaps was significantly biased toward the edges of old gaps. Probability of repeated gap creation was also significantly high. Analysis of changes in the canopy height profile by a transition probability matrix showed that gap area distribution of this forest may be nearly in a steady state.
A Strategy for International Cooperation in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Focusing on National Scientific Funding Data

The coronavirus crisis may lead to a deeper understanding of international collaborations for developing antivirals and vaccines that are essential to protect us from current and future health security threats. Beyond technical solutions, the government of South Korea needs to establish a timely strategic investment in coronavirus-related research and development (R&D) in order to enhance the capabilities for managing this new uncertainty in regard to the domestic health crisis. Thus, this study aims to provide useful information about the status of global coronavirus-related research from the South Korean government’s perspective. National funded projects stemmed from leading nations such as the United States, countries of the European Union, and Japan between 2012 and 2018. Six research fields were derived by clustering analysis and an expert-based approach, and then matched to those of South Korea. The comparative analysis among them allowed for the identification of the nations’ strengths and weaknesses, thereby laying the groundwork for strategic international research collaborations.
Contemporary Management of Jugular Paragangliomas With Neural Preservation

Objectives Management of jugular paragangliomas (PGL) has evolved toward subtotal resection (STR). The purpose of this study is to analyze neural preservation and adjuvant treatment for long-term local control. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Settings Tertiary neurotology practice. Subjects and Methods Adults undergoing surgical treatment of jugular PGL between 2006 and 2019. Patients, disease, and treatment variables were collected retrospectively. Single predictor logistic regression was used to ascertain predictors of regrowth or need for salvage radiation. Results A total of 41 patients (median age, 47 years; 76% female) were identified. Most patients presented with advanced-stage disease (Glasscock-Jackson stage III-IV = 76%). Subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 32 (78%) patients. Extended STR (type 1) was the most commonly performed conservative procedure (n = 19, 59%). Postoperative new low cranial neuropathy (LCN) involving CN X and XII was rare (n = 3 and n = 1, respectively). Seventeen patients (41%) underwent postsurgical therapy for tumor regrowth or recurrence, including 15 patients who underwent adjuvant (n = 4) or salvage (n = 11) radiation. Overall tumor control of 94.7% was achieved at a mean follow-up of 35 months. All patients treated with combined modality treatment had local control at last follow-up. Logistic regression identified no single predictor for postsurgical radiation treatment or salvage-free survival. Conclusion Management of jugular PGL with a conservative approach is safe and effective with a low rate of new LCN deficit. Active surveillance of residual tumor with salvage radiation for growth results in excellent long-term tumor control.
An examination of reciprocal associations between substance use and effortful control across adolescence using a bifactor model of externalizing symptoms

Abstract Early adolescence is thought to represent a window of vulnerability when exposure to substances is particularly harmful, partly because the neurotoxic effects of adolescent substance use may derail self-regulation development. However, previous studies fail to account for externalizing symptoms, such as aggression and delinquency, that accompany adolescent substance use and may also derail the development of self-regulation. The current study aims to clarify whether the neurotoxic effects of adolescent substance use are associated with deficits in effortful control (EC) after accounting for externalizing symptoms and to examine reciprocal relationships between EC, externalizing symptoms, and substance use. A longitudinal sample of adolescents (N = 387) was used to estimate bifactor models of externalizing symptoms across five assessments (Mage = 11.6 to 19.9). The broad general externalizing factors were prospectively associated with declines in EC across adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, the narrow substance use specific factors were not prospectively associated with EC. Findings suggest that the broader externalizing context, but not the specific neurotoxic effects of substance use, may hamper self-regulation development. It is critical to account for the hierarchical structure of psychopathology, namely externalizing symptoms, when considering development of EC.