Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prepartum Zinc Supplementation in Dairy Cows and Its Effect on Plasma Calcium, Titers Antibodies and Milk Zinc Content in Postpartum Dairy Cow

The plane of energy nutrient and supplementation of mineral fed to cows in the prepartum period has been shown to influence energy status, immune response, and metabolic health. However, the effect of supplementation of essential mineral like Zn in the diet on plasma titers antibodies and mineral status in postpartum dairy cows is less known. This study investigated the effect of prepartum Zn supplementation in dairy cows on calcium (Ca) status, titer antibodies in plasma and milk Zn content in dairy cows at week 1 after calving. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as an antigen. Twenty dairy cows (FH) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: dry cow basal diet (control group; CON) and basal diet with supplementation of Zn 40 ppm (CON+Zn). Both Ca in plasma and Zn milk content were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood and milk sample were taken at week 1 after calving. Results showed there were no significant differences on Ca plasma, titers antibodies (IgG and IgM) and milk Zn among dietary treatments. Numerically, plasma Ca, milk Zn content and IgG binding LPS were higher in cows fed Zn supplementation compared with control group. No significant differences in the status of Ca and Zn and titers IgG binding LPS at week 1 after calving were observed between the 2 groups maybe due to high immune status of these cows. It seems feeding Zn above the requirements before calving maintain immune status, better milk nutrient dense and reduce the incidence of milk fever.
Intramedullary Nailing for Atypical Femoral Fracture With Lateral Bowing: Does Medial Gap Matter?

Introduction When performing intramedullary nailing for atypical femoral fractures (AFF), especially in lateral bowing femurs, a medial opening wedge-shaped gap in the fracture site may occur after nailing. We intended to analyse and compare clinical outcomes according to the medial gap in AFF cases after intramedullary nailing. Materials and Methods: Of the 38 consecutive patients with complete AFF treated by intramedullary nailing, 22 patients (all female, mean age of 76.5 years [range, 62–87]) available for follow-up for more than 12 months were included. According to the size of the medial gap, the patients were divided into 2 groups: large and small medial gaps. Comparative analysis was performed between groups in terms of patient, fracture characteristics and post-operative clinical outcomes. Results: There was no significant difference in bone union time between the 2 groups (5.4 months vs 5.6 months, P = .628). When comparing the amount of change in the hip–knee–ankle angle after the surgery with reference to the contralateral side, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups (−4.4° [femoral straightening and relatively changed to a more valgus pattern, that is, in cases of varus alignment, towards neutral alignment] vs .5°, P = .002). There was no significant difference in leg length discrepancy between the 2 groups (4.1 mm vs 3.2 mm, P = .674). In terms of functional outcomes, there was no significant difference in the recovery of ambulatory ability (ΔKoval grade: post-operative Koval grade–pre-operative Koval grade, 0 vs .1, P = .771). Conclusion: Even if the medial gap occurs following intramedullary nailing in AFF, post-operative clinical outcomes seem to be acceptable. However, if previous total knee arthroplasty is performed and neutral alignment is maintained, care should be taken as the occurrence of the gap may result in lower limb malalignments.
Relationships between erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer treatment type and inflatable penile prosthesis implantation

Purpose The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the utilization of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) among prostate cancer patients are understudied. The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between ED, prostate cancer treatment type and IPP implantation in a national cohort. Materials and Methods We identified a retrospective cohort of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare patients diagnosed with locoregional prostate cancer between 2006 and 2011 and treated with surgery or radiation. Chi-square tests were used to detect significant differences in ED rates as well as use of IPP among the subset with ED. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the use of IPP. Results Among 31,233 patients in our cohort, 10,334 (33.1%) received prostatectomy and 20,899 (66.9%) received radiation. ED within 5 years was significantly more common in the prostatectomy group relative to those the radiation group (65.3% vs. 33.8%, p<0.001). In the subset of 13,812 patients with ED, the radiation group had greater median time to ED diagnosis compared to the prostatectomy group (346 vs. 133 days, p<0.001). IPP implantation was more frequent for prostatectomy patients than for radiation patients (3.6% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001). Cancer treatment type, race, and marital status were significantly associated with IPP utilization. Conclusions ED is highly prevalent among prostate cancer patients, and IPP implantation is be underutilized. ED rates, time to ED diagnosis and utilization of IPP differed significantly by prostate cancer treatment type.
Bacillus sp. G3 un microorganismo promisorio en la biorremediación de aguas industriales contaminadas con cromo hexavalente

Introduction: The current study aimed to identify and characterize promissory microorganisms in bioremediation of waters contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Method: The isolation and purification of three bacterial isolates from a electroplating was achieved, of the three microorganisms isolated was chosen the bacterial isolated G3 for showed a good potential in bioremediation of hexavalent chromium. The morphological and biochemical characterization and phylogenetic inferences based in the gene of the rRNA 16S of isolated selected was performed; current study evaluated the potential for the reduction of hexavalent chromium associated to biological activity and enzyme activity of chromate reductases using cell-free extract. Additionally, bioassays of reduction of hexavalent chromium with the three microorganisms isolated was performed. Results: Biochemical tests and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene suggest that the bacterial isolated G3 belongs to Bacillus cereus sensu lato group. The 100% of reduction of hexavalent chromium in bioassays for 10 mg/L was reached at 10 hour in LB medium and 34 hours in industrial wastewater. The cell-free extract showed chromium reduction activity with optimum values at the temperature of 28°C and pH 6.5. The assay realized with the three microorganisms together on the reduction of chromium is showed five times less efficient than the assays realized only with the strain G3. Discussion or Conclusion: The results suggest that Bacillus sp. G3 is a promissory microorganism with good potential for bioremediation processes of water contaminated with hexavalent chromium, in particular concerning detoxification of industrial wastewater.
Pandemic options

ABSTRACT We develop a pricing model for pandemic European call and put options, in which the underlying variable is the infected population. Interestingly, the economic predictions of the pandemic options are essentially different from the common stock option. For example, the value of pandemic call option is concave in the underlying variable and decreasing in the volatility. In addition, the maturity has ambiguous impact on the valuation of pandemic call option. We show that the basic reproduction number, the unique characteristics of pandemic, has a significant effect on the valuation of each options.
Chemical Mixtures in Household Environments: In Silico Predictions and In Vitro Testing of Potential Joint Action on PPARγ in Human Liver Cells

There are thousands of chemicals that humans can be exposed to in their everyday environments, the majority of which are currently understudied and lack substantial testing for potential exposure and toxicity. This study aimed to implement in silico methods to characterize the chemicals that co-occur across chemical and product uses in our everyday household environments that also target a common molecular mediator, thus representing understudied mixtures that may exacerbate toxicity in humans. To detail, the Chemical and Products Database (CPDat) was queried to identify which chemicals co-occur across common exposure sources. Chemicals were preselected to include those that target an important mediator of cell health and toxicity, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), in liver cells that were identified through query of the ToxCast/Tox21 database. These co-occurring chemicals were thus hypothesized to exert potential joint effects on PPARγ. To test this hypothesis, five commonly co-occurring chemicals (namely, benzyl cinnamate, butyl paraben, decanoic acid, eugenol, and sodium dodecyl sulfate) were tested individually and in combination for changes in the expression of PPARγ and its downstream target, insulin receptor (INSR), in human liver HepG2 cells. Results showed that these likely co-occurring chemicals in household environments increased both PPARγ and INSR expression more significantly when the exposures occurred as mixtures vs. as individual chemicals. Future studies will evaluate such chemical combinations across more doses, allowing for further quantification of the types of joint action while leveraging this method of chemical combination prioritization. This study demonstrates the utility of in silico-based methods to identify chemicals that co-occur in the environment for mixtures toxicity testing and highlights relationships between understudied chemicals and changes in PPARγ-associated signaling.
PENGARUH NAUNGAN TERHADAP PROSES EKOFISIOLOGI DAN PERTUMBUHAN SEMAI Shorea selanica (DC.) Blume DI PERSEMAIAN

Shorea selanica merupakan jenis meranti yang cukup menjanjikan untuk program penanaman komersial, rehabilitasi hutan, serta reforestasi lahan konservasi. Mengingat sampai saat ini belum diketahui besarnya intensitas cahaya yang optimal untuk pertumbuhan semai S. selanica di persemaian, maka perlu dilakukan pengujian pengaruh beberapa persentase naungan terhadap pertumbuhan semai S. selanica. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan perlakuan: N0 = tanpa naungan (0%), N1= naungan 55%, N2 = naungan 65%, N3 = naungan 75%. Dua semai S. selanica ditanam pada petak-petak percobaan berukuran 60 cm x 100 cm yang di atasnya diberikan sarlon net dengan intensitas naungan yang berbeda-beda. Setiap perlakuan diulang 3 kali. Parameter yang diamati meliputi: tinggi dan diameter semai, jumlah daun, laju fotosintesis, berat segar dan berat kering semai. Pengamatan dilakukan setiap 1 minggu setelah tanam, kecuali berat segar dan berat kering oven yang diamati pada akhir penelitian (6 minggu setelah tanam). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pemberian naungan sebesar 65% memberikan pengaruh terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan semai S. selanica dan pengaruhnya sangat nyata terhadap pertambahan tinggi, diameter batang, berat segar dan berat kering semai dengan nilai rata-rata berturut-turut 10,85 cm; 1,113 mm; 12,558 g dan 3,463 g. Pemberian naungan yang terlalu berat (75%) pada penelitian ini terbukti memberikan pengaruh yang jelek terhadap pertumbuhan semai, bahkan lebih jelek dibandingkan tanpa pemberian naungan atau pemberian naungan 55%. Semai S. selanica diduga toleran terhadap naungan dengan IC cahaya sekitar 35%, tetapi IC matahari <35% mulai menghambat pertumbuhannya.
MUSCLE FIBER CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR MUSCLES FROM DIFFERENT CATTLE BREEDS AND THEIR RELATION TO MEAT INSTRUMENTAL TOUGHNESS

Abstract – The objective of the present study was to compare the muscle fiber characteristics of four muscles ( longissimus lumborum (LL), semitendinosus (ST) , biceps femoris (BF) and psoas major (PM)) collected from 37 Aberdeen Angus (AA), Gascon (GS), Holstein (HO), and Fleckvieh (FL) young bulls reared under identical housing and feeding conditions. Furthermore, the relationships between histochemical characteristics and instrumental meat toughness were evaluated. Significant differences between muscles were found in muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber type proportions and in the relative area of the muscle occupied by each fiber type. The smallest CSA of all fiber types was detected in the PM muscle while the highest values were found for the type I in the ST muscle and for the types IIA and IIB in the BF muscle. The lowest fiber type proportions and the relative areas of the muscle for types I, IIA and IIB were observed in ST, LL and BF muscles, respectively. Significant breed differences were only found in the ST and BF muscle. Higher proportions of type I fibers were detected in AA and HO than in GS and FL bulls. On the contrary, GS and FL animals had higher relative areas occupied by IIB fibers than the other groups. Key Words
Characterization of HIV-1 Infection in Microglia-Containing Human Cerebral Organoids

The achievement of an HIV cure is dependent on the eradication or permanent silencing of HIV-latent viral reservoirs, including the understudied central nervous system (CNS) reservoir. This requires a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HIV’s entry into the CNS, latency establishment, persistence, and reversal. Therefore, representative CNS culture models that reflect the intercellular dynamics and pathophysiology of the human brain are urgently needed in order to study the CNS viral reservoir and HIV-induced neuropathogenesis. In this study, we characterized a human cerebral organoid model in which microglia grow intrinsically as a CNS culture model to study HIV infection in the CNS. We demonstrated that both cerebral organoids and isolated organoid-derived microglia (oMG), infected with replication-competent HIVbal reporter viruses, support productive HIV infection via the CCR5 co-receptor. Productive HIV infection was only observed in microglial cells. Fluorescence analysis revealed microglia as the only HIV target cell. Susceptibility to HIV infection was dependent on the co-expression of microglia-specific markers and the CD4 and CCR5 HIV receptors. Altogether, this model will be a valuable tool within the HIV research community to study HIV–CNS interactions, the underlying mechanisms of HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND), and the efficacy of new therapeutic and curative strategies on the CNS viral reservoir.
Avoidance behaviour generalizes to eye processing in posttraumatic stress disorder

ABSTRACT Background Avoidance describes any action designed to prevent an uncomfortable situation or emotion from occurring. Although it is a common reaction to trauma, avoidance becomes problematic when it is the primary coping strategy, and plays a major role in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Avoidance in PTSD may generalize to non-harmful environmental cues that are perceived to be unsafe. Objective We tested whether avoidance extends to social cues (i.e. emotional gazes) that are unrelated to trauma. Method A total of 159 participants (103 who had been exposed to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks and 56 who had not) performed a gaze-cueing task featuring sad, happy and neutral faces. Attention to the eye area was recorded using an eyetracker. Of the exposed participants, 52 had been diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD+) and 51 had not developed PTSD (PTSD-). As a result of the preprocessing stages, 52 PTSD+ (29 women), 50 PTSD- (20 women) and 53 nonexposed (31 women) participants were included in the final analyses. Results PTSD+ participants looked at sad eyes for significantly less time than PTSD- and nonexposed individuals. This effect was negatively correlated with the intensity of avoidance symptoms. No difference was found for neutral and happy faces. Conclusions These findings suggest that maladaptive avoidance in PTSD extends to social processing, in terms of eye contact and others’ emotions that are unrelated to trauma. New therapeutic directions could include targeting sociocognitive deficits. Our findings open up new and indirect avenues for overcoming maladaptive avoidance behaviours by remediating eye processing. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02810197. HIGHLIGHTS Avoidance is a key symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Avoidance is often viewed as limited to reminders linked to the trauma. Results show that attention to the eyes of sad faces is also affected by PTSD. This effect is correlated with avoidance symptoms in PTSD
Constructing a highly bioactive tendon-regenerative scaffold by surface modification of tissue-specific stem cell-derived extracellular matrix

Abstract Developing highly bioactive scaffold materials to promote stem cell migration, proliferation and tissue-specific differentiation is a crucial requirement in current tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Our previous work has demonstrated that the decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) are able to promote stem cell proliferation and tenogenic differentiation in vitro and show certain pro-regenerative capacity for rotator cuff tendon regeneration in vivo. In this study, we present a strategy to further improve the bioactivity of the DTSs for constructing a novel highly bioactive tendon-regenerative scaffold by surface modification of tendon-specific stem cell-derived extracellular matrix (tECM), which is expected to greatly enhance the capacity of scaffold material in regulating stem cell behavior, including migration, proliferation and tenogenic differentiation. We prove that the modification of tECM could change the highly aligned surface topographical cues of the DTSs, retain the surface stiffness of the DTSs and significantly increase the content of multiple ECM components in the tECM-DTSs. As a result, the tECM-DTSs dramatically enhance the migration, proliferation as well as tenogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived stem cells compared with the DTSs. Collectively, this strategy would provide a new way for constructing ECM-based biomaterials with enhanced bioactivity for in situ tendon regeneration applications.
Left ventricular non-compaction associated with a MYH7 splicing variant (c.818+1G>A)

Left Ventricular Noncompaction (LVNC) is a cardiac disease characterized by a trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular myocardial recesses that communicate with the left ventricular cavity. MYH7 splicing mutations are very rare, and seem to be restricted to patients with myopathy of LVNC. We characterized at the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CRM) and genetic levels in one individual (index case) from a family with LVNC. The patient was heterozygous carrier of a splicing MYH7 intron 8 variant (c.818+1G>A). One of his sons was also mutation carrier but clinically asymptomatic. However, the CRM showed the presence of LVNC. We concluded that the rare MYH7 intron 8 splicing mutation was associated with typical LVNC lesions in the CRM, albeit mutation carriers remain clinically asymptomatic. Keywords: left ventricular non-compaction; MYH7 gene; RNA decay; cardiac magnetic resonance.
Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Pathway by Heme Attenuates Calcification of Human Lens Epithelial Cells

Cataract, an opacification in the crystalline lens, is a leading cause of blindness. Deposition of hydroxyapatite occurs in a cataractous lens that could be the consequence of osteogenic differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) controls the transcription of a wide range of cytoprotective genes. Nrf2 upregulation attenuates cataract formation. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of Nrf2 system upregulation in LECs calcification. We induced osteogenic differentiation of human LECs (HuLECs) with increased phosphate and calcium-containing osteogenic medium (OM). OM-induced calcium and osteocalcin deposition in HuLECs. We used heme to activate Nrf2, which strongly upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Heme-mediated Nrf2 activation was dependent on the production of reactive oxygens species. Heme inhibited Ca deposition, and the OM-induced increase of osteogenic markers, RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase, and OCN. Anti-calcification effect of heme was lost when the transcriptional activity of Nrf2 or the enzyme activity of HO-1 was blocked with pharmacological inhibitors. Among products of HO-1 catalyzed heme degradation iron mimicked the anti-calcification effect of heme. We concluded that heme-induced upregulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 system inhibits HuLECs calcification through the liberation of heme iron.
Prevalence of New-Onset Otological Symptoms in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of new-onset otological symptoms and the possible associations between tinnitus and oral parafunctional habits among patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who attended a Craniofacial Pain Outpatient and a Dentistry Clinic. The medical reports and charts of patients who experienced TMD between 1 February 2016 and 31 December 2017 were reviewed, in order to evaluate the prevalence of new-onset aural fullness, vertigo and tinnitus. Tinnitus was also analyzed in more detail to evaluate possible associations with parafunctional habits. A total of 400 patients (301 females, 99 males) met the inclusion criteria, with a median age of 39.6 ± 15.6 years. Overall, new-onset otological symptoms were reported by 304 (76%) subjects with TMD. Among otological symptoms, aural fullness was the most common (n = 133, 33.3%), followed by tinnitus (n = 92, 23%) and vertigo (n = 79, 19.8%). No significant correlations were found between tinnitus and bruxism (p = 0.28), clenching (p = 0.11), nail-biting (p = 0.96), sleeping prone (p = 0.27), chewing gum (p = 0.99) and talking for a long time (p = 0.42). The present study suggests that all patients with TMD should be investigated for new-onset otological symptoms, regardless of oral parafunctional habits. Early diagnosis would allow to plan personalized and appropriate therapeutic and rehabilitative pathways, minimizing the negative impact due to TMD.
The Efficacy of Single-Stage Correction by Posterior Approach for Neglected Congenital Scoliosis: Comparative Analysis According to the Age of Surgical Intervention

Background: A single-stage correction for congenital scoliosis through a posterior-only approach is a commonly used surgical technique. However, there are few studies on the surgical treatment effect of posterior single-stage correction in patients with neglected congenital scoliosis. Methods: Patients who underwent a single-stage posterior correction for congenital scoliosis with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were divided into three groups based on age: Group A (7–11 years), B (12–18 years) and C (>18 years). A comparison of surgical, radiological, and clinical outcomes was performed for three groups. Results: The Cobb angle changed form 75 ± 18° to 37 ± 18° with a correction rate of 53%. Group A showed a significantly higher correction rate than Group B and C (all p < 0.001). The amount of blood loss in Groups B and C was significantly larger than that of Group A (p = 0.015). Pulmonary complications were significantly higher in Group C (p = 0.007). Conclusions: A single-stage correction with pedicle screws through a posterior-only approach achieved a significant correction with improved outcomes, even in neglected cases. However, the early correction for younger patients was still more beneficial in terms of bleeding loss, complications, and flexible curve correction.