Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progressive Applications of Hyperbranched Polymer Based on Diarylamine: Antimicrobial, Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Aerobic Corrosion

New generations of hyperbranched aramids were synthesized from diarylamine and methyl acrylate using an AB2 monomer approach in a straightforward one-pot preparation. The chemical structure of hyperbranched Phenylenediamine/Methyl Acrylate HB(PDMA was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy. In addition, the particle’s size and distribution were recorded using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Moreover, the synthesized HB(PDMA)s displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as yeast strains and anti-biofilm activity where the highest activity was attributed to HB(PDMA)G4 at the lowest Minimum Inhibitory, Minimum Bactericidal, and Fungicidal Concentrations (MIC, MBC, and MFC, respectively). Furthermore, the HB(PDMA)s expressed anti-bacterial activity against isolated Pseudomonas sp. (R301) at a salinity of 35,000 ppm (NaCl). In addition, they revealed different corrosion inhibition efficiencies at the cultivated medium salinity at the estimated minimum bactericidal concentrations. The highest metal corrosion inhibition efficiencies were 59.5 and 94.3% for HB(PDMA)G4 at the Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) and two times Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (2XMBCs), respectively, in comparison to both negative and positive controls.
miR-196B-5P and miR-200B-3P Are Differentially Expressed in Medulloblastomas of Adults and Children

Medulloblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor that typically affects children, while in adults it represents ~1% of all brain tumors. Little is known about microRNA expression profile of the rare adult medulloblastoma. The main aim of this study was to identify peculiar differences in microRNA expression between childhood and adult medulloblastoma. Medulloblastomas were profiled for microRNA expression using the Exiqon Human miRNome panel (I + II) analyzing 752 microRNAs in a training set of six adult and six childhood cases. Then, the most differentially expressed microRNAs were validated in a total of 21 adult and 19 childhood cases. Eight microRNAs (miR-196b-5p, miR-183-5p, miR-200b-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-193a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-33b-5p, and miR-200a-3p) were differentially expressed in medulloblastoma of adults and children. Analysis of the validation set confirmed that miR-196b-5p and miR-200b-3p were significantly overexpressed in medulloblastoma of adults as compared with those of children. We followed an in silico approach to investigate direct targets and the pathways involved for the two microRNAs (miR-196b and miR-200b) differently expressed between adult and childhood medulloblastoma. Adult and childhood medulloblastoma have different miRNA expression profiles. In particular, the differential dysregulation of miR-196b-5p and miR-200b-3p characterizes the miRNA profile of adult medulloblastoma and suggests potential targets for novel diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic strategies.
Early childhood respiratory morbidity and antibiotic use in ex-preterm infants: a primary care population-based cohort study

Background Globally, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to increase in preterm infants. Recent studies exploring subsequent early childhood respiratory morbidity have been small or focused on hospital admissions. Aims To examine early childhood rates of primary care consultations for respiratory tract infections (RTI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), wheeze and antibiotic prescriptions in ex-preterm and term children. A secondary aim was to examine differences between preterm infants discharged home with or without oxygen. Methods Retrospective cohort study using linked electronic primary care and hospital databases of children born between 1997 and 2014. We included 253 277 eligible children, with 1666 born preterm at <32 weeks' gestation, followed-up from primary care registration to age 5 years. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) were calculated. Results Ex-preterm infants had higher rates of morbidity across all respiratory outcomes. After adjusting for confounders, aIRRs for RTI (1.37, 95% CI 1.33–1.42), LRTI (2.79, 95% CI 2.59–3.01), wheeze (3.05, 95% CI 2.64–3.52) and antibiotic prescriptions (1.49, 95% CI 1.44–1.55) were higher for ex-preterm infants. Ex-preterm infants discharged home on oxygen had significantly greater morbidity across all respiratory diagnoses and antibiotic prescriptions compared to those without home oxygen. The highest rates of respiratory morbidity were observed in children from the most deprived socioeconomic groups. Conclusion Ex-preterm infants, particularly those with BPD requiring home oxygen, have significant respiratory morbidity and antibiotic prescriptions in early childhood. With the increasing prevalence of BPD, further research should focus on strategies to reduce the burden of respiratory morbidity in these high-risk infants after hospital discharge. This English population-based cohort study in early childhood highlights the significant respiratory morbidity, antibiotic use and increased primary healthcare utilisation in ex-preterm infants, particularly those who were discharged home with oxygen https://bit.ly/2wLeK0g
The Percentage and Viability of Weed Seeds Recovered in the Feces of Farm Animals and Their Longevity When Buried in Manure1

The purpose of this investigation was to determine (a) the percentage of certain weed seeds that would pass apparently uninjured through the digestive tract of farm animals, (b) the percentage of recovered seeds which were viable, and (c) the longevity of the seeds in fermenting manure. The previous investigations which were reviewed do not include the percentage of seeds recovered from animals. Oswald (3)* reports an average germination of 12.8% for various seeds based upon the
Characterization of a porcine model of atrial arrhythmogenicity in the context of ischaemic heart failure

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major healthcare challenge contributing to high morbidity and mortality. Treatment options are still limited, mainly due to insufficient understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Further research and the development of reliable animal models resembling the human disease phenotype is therefore necessary to develop novel, innovative and ideally causal therapies. Since ischaemic heart failure (IHF) is a major cause for AF in patients we investigated AF in the context of IHF in a close-to-human porcine ischaemia-reperfusion model. Myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in propofol/fentanyl/midazolam-anaesthetized pigs by occluding the left anterior descending artery for 90 minutes to model ischaemia with reperfusion. After 30 days ejection fraction (EF) was significantly reduced and haemodynamic parameters (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), right atrial pressure (RAP), left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (LVEDP)) were significantly elevated compared to age/weight matched control pigs without AMI, demonstrating an IHF phenotype. Electrophysiological properties (sinus node recovery time (SNRT), atrial/AV nodal refractory periods (AERP, AVERP)) did not differ between groups. Atrial burst pacing at 1200 bpm, however, revealed a significantly higher inducibility of atrial arrhythmia episodes including AF in IHF pigs (3/15 vs. 10/16, p = 0.029). Histological analysis showed pronounced left atrial and left ventricular fibrosis demonstrating a structural substrate underlying the increased arrhythmogenicity. Consequently, selective ventricular infarction via LAD occlusion causes haemodynamic alterations inducing structural atrial remodeling which results in increased atrial fibrosis as the arrhythmogenic atrial substrate in pigs with IHF.
A Survey of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Penaeid Shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico

A histopathological survey of wild and cultured shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico was carried out to determine the prevalence and severity of infectious diseases and parasites, affecting four species of penaeid shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, F. duorarum, and L. vannamei). Around 60 shrimp were obtained from each of 10 sampling stations during different months in 1999 and 2000. One station was a shrimp culture farm from Tamaulipas State, and nine were wild stations from Tamaulipas (five), Veracruz (one), and Campeche (three) States. Thirty shrimp from each station were used for histological analysis. The remaining shrimp were frozen and kept at −20 C to carry out PCR techniques to determine the presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Some in situ hybridization analyses were applied to ascertain cases of WSS viral disease. Fresh analysis was carried out in shrimp from only one station for parasite identification. The histopathological survey performed on 688 shrimp showed no evidence of viral diseases. Two shrimp from one station were histologically diagnosed as having presumptive WSSV. Tissues from the same shrimp were processed for in situ hybridization and another 20 samples from the same station were processed to run PCR techniques. In each case, the results were negative. The same PCR procedure was applied to the rest of the frozen samples and none of them showed the presence of the WSSV. No important bacterial infections were observed in any of the wild or cultured shrimp analyzed. Fresh analysis demonstrated the presence of the cestode Prochristianella hispida and the gregarines Cephalolobus penaeus and Nematopsis penaeus. Histological analysis showed that the abundance of P. hispida varied from 7 to 90%, and G1 to G4 grades of severity were observed, with G1 being the most common. Gregarines were commonly observed in the histological slides, with a prevalence varying from 3 to 56% and G1 severity in most cases. Haplosporidan infection was observed in one sample of F. duorarum, which is the first report of this parasite in this host. Two invasive epibionts, the filamentous bacteria Leucothrix sp. and the ciliate Ascophrys sp. , were found in four sampled stations. The study showed that in ten stations sampled from 1999 to 2000 in the Gulf of Mexico, shrimp populations had no serious infectious diseases.
Comparing Factors Related to Any Conventional Cigarette Smokers, Exclusive New Alternative Product Users, and Non-Users among Japanese Youth: A Nationwide Survey

The impact of heated-tobacco-products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on youth is a controversial public health issue, as it is unknown whether alternative products result in more youth using such products or smoking. In Japan, e-cigarettes with nicotine are prohibited, but e-cigarettes without nicotine are available. HTPs are marketed as tobacco products. Within this unique context, we aimed to compare any conventional cigarette smokers (including those who also used alternative products) with exclusive users of alternative products and examine factors relating to their use in Japan. In 2017, 22,275 students in grades 7–9 (age 12–15) and 42,142 in grades 10–12 (age 15–18) nationwide were surveyed. Overall, 1.8% were current users of any of the three products over the last month. Multivariable analysis revealed that risk factors for alternative product use were the same as those for cigarette use. Among all users, exclusive new product users were more likely to participate in club activities and intend to continue to higher education; any conventional cigarette users (including those who also used alternative products) were more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at home and to drink alcohol. Reducing adult smoking and disseminating health education remain relevant as strategies for preventing adolescents’ future tobacco use.
Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Mint and Peppermint as Well as Some of Their Main Compounds

Abstract The oil of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) from the USA, a dementholized cornmint oil (M. canadensis L.), and a fraction of the dementholized cornmint oil were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The main constituents of the three samples analyzed were menthone (23.4%, 20.4% and 58.3%, respectively) and menthol (40.7%, 41.2% and 12.3%, respectively). The two oils, the cornmint oil fraction and seven mint oil compounds [(-)-menthol, (-)-menthone, (+/-)-menthyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, limonene, β-pinene and β-caryophyllene] were investigated for their antimicrobial effects against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), five Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella sp.) and the yeast Candida albicans using a modifed agar dilution and agar diffusion method. Medium to high antimicrobial effects were found for both oils, the dementholized cornmint oil fraction, and the target-compounds against all Gram-positive bacteria, whereas against the Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast, one or more samples showed only weak or no activity.
LOW‐DENSITY LARVAL CROWDING IN THE LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH, EPIPHYAS POSTVITTANA AND ITS ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Effects of low‐density larval crowding (occurrence of 2–3 larvae in the same leaf‐roll) under field and laboratory conditions are examined. Crowding causes lengthening of larval period and production of smaller larvae, pupae and adults. At densities greater than 1, the fecundity, fertility and the wing loading of females are reduced. Joint nesting leads to reduction of size of one individual of a pair. It is shown that this type of crowding results in the production of smaller individuals with more dispersive ability; population size is unlikely to be regulated by such crowding.
Exploring Patients' Experience with Clinicians Who Recognize Their Unmet Palliative Needs: An Inpatient Study.

Background: Given the national shortage of palliative care specialists relative to the need for their services, engaging nonspecialists is important to ensure patients with serious illness have an opportunity to share their goals and values with their providers. Hospital medicine clinicians are well positioned to conduct these conversations given they care for many medically complex patients. Yet, little is known about the patient experience of inpatient goals and values conversations led by hospitalist teams. Objective: To assess patients' experience and perception of the quality of goals and values conversations. Design/Setting/Participation: Single center, tertiary care, nonrandomized, two group cohort trial of patients hospitalized on general medical inpatient units staffed by hospital medicine clinicians previously trained to conduct serious illness conversations. Intervention: An automated screening tool was used to identify patients at increased risk for unmet palliative needs. The multidisciplinary team was informed of the screen's results on the intervention units but not on the control units. Intervention unit clinicians were asked to consider talking with patients about their goals and values. Results: One hundred thirty patients participated in the study. The intervention patients reported improved quality of communication and fewer anxiety and depression symptoms compared with the control patients. Hospice utilization in addition to emergency department visits and hospital readmissions did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that informing the care team regarding their patients' potential unmet palliative care needs is associated with patients reporting improved experience of their care without adverse effects on their mood.
Association of handgrip strength with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US adults: the national health and nutrition examination survey

Objective: Aimed to find the cut-off point of handgrip strength and it’s association with MetS. Results: The relative handgrip strength was negatively associated with the prevalence of MetS. Of note, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across tertiles of relative handgrip strength were 1 (reference), 0.45 (0.33, 0.62), and 0.13 (0.08, 0.20) in male participants after adjusting for demographic factors, calorie intake, and physical activity. Similar results were observed in female participants. The cutoff values of relative handgrip strength for male and female participants were 0.52 and 0.40, respectively. Conclusions: Findings of this study suggest that a strong relationship exists between handgrip strength and prevalence of MetS in US adults, regardless of sex. Methods: A total of 5 056 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed in this study. Handgrip strength was measured by using a handgrip dynamometer. MetS was defined in accordance with the criteria of the scientific statement of the American Heart Association in 2009. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to explore the association between handgrip strength and MetS.
Ultrastructural observations on rodlet-cell development in the head kidney of the southern platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus (Teleostei: Poeciliidae)

The enigmatic rodlet cell has been observed in tissues of marine and freshwater teleosts. The origin and function of this cell remain unclear. We describe the association of the rodlet cell with the head-kidney tissue of the southern platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus. We have observed rodlet cells in various tissues of X. maculatus, e.g., the hemopoietic compartments of the head kidney, gill epithelia, and ovarian tissue, and in melanotic tumors. Recently, we found rodlet cells within the mesothelium and musculature. Intrigued by these observations, we began our current study of the rodlet cell  head kidney association in X. maculatus. We discerned a series of developmental stages of the rodlet cell within the hemopoietic tissue of the head kidney, including early precursor cells through degraded terminal stages. Tight junctions and desmosomes were observed between mature rodlet cells and endothelial cells. Desmosomal junctions were occasionally seen between maturing rodlet cells and neighboring cells wit.
Competitive Ability of Differently Sized Daphnia Species: An Experimental Test

ABSTRACT Growth and reproduction of three different-sized Dahnia species were measured under increasing competitive conditions. Only when food was not limiting, the largest species D. magna was superior to both smaller species with respect to total production and production of offspring. This advantage disappeared when the availability of food decreased. Under limiting conditions all three species had similar rates of production; thus, they utilized the available food resources with the same efficiency. Finally, at the lowest food concentration D. magna was no longer able to reproduce, but the smallest species, D. longispina, still produced eggs. Therefore, contrary to the “Size Efficiency Hypothesis. ” the smallest species was the best competitor.
PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SARCOCYSTIS SPP. AMONG WHITE-TAILED DEER OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1

Sarcocysts were found by light microscopic examination of muscle in 199 (51%) of 390 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from the southeastern United States. Sarcocystis infections were detected more frequently in histologic sections of tongue (45%) than of heart (9%). Sarcocysts were significantly more prevalent in adult deer (54%) than fawns (26%) (P<.01). Statistically significant differences in prevalence were not found in deer from different physiographic provinces or between sexes. Artificial digestion was more sensitive in detecting Sarcocystis infections than examination of histologic sections when both techniques were used to examine tongues of 35 deer. Three different size sporocysts, possibly representing at least two species of Sarcocystis, were recovered during feeding trials. Seven dogs (Canis familiaris) shed sporocysts 9 to 12 days after eating infected venison. Sporocysts measured 13.4–16.8 × 9.0–12.3 μm with an average measurement of 15.2 × 10. 9μm (N=195). One of three cats (Felis catus) and one of two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) first shed sporocysts of Sarcocystis 10 days after eating infected venison. Sporocysts from the cat measured 11.2–13.4 × 6.72–8. 96μm (avg 12.0 × 8.7μm, N= 18), and those from the fox measured 11.2–15.7 × 9.0–11.2μm (avg 13.6 × 10.2μm, N=7).
Unplanned Readmission within 28 Days of Hospital Discharge in a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort of Older Australian Women

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of 28-day unplanned readmission among older women, and associated factors. Data were used from the 1921–1926 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Linkage of self-reported survey data with the Admitted Patient Data Collection allowed the identification of hospital admissions for each woman and the corresponding baseline characteristics. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify factors associated with time to unplanned readmission, using SAS software V 9.4. (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Of 2056 women with index unplanned admission, 363 (17.5%) were readmitted within 28 days of discharge, and of these 229 (11.14%) had unplanned readmission. Among women with unplanned readmission, 24% were for the same condition as for the index hospitalisation. Cardiovascular diseases were the main diagnoses for the index admission and readmission. Unplanned readmission risk was higher if not partnered (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.95), of non-English speaking background (HR = 1.62%, 95% CI: 1.07–2.47), more than three days length of stay on index admission (HR = 1.41%, 95% CI: 1.04–1.90) and one or two of the assessed chronic diseases (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19–2.36). At least one in ten women had unplanned readmission at some time between ages 75–95 years. Women who are not partnered, not of English-speaking background, with longer hospital stay and those with multi-morbidity, may need further efforts during their stay and on discharge to mitigate unplanned readmission.
A neural mechanism of the relationship between impulsivity and emotion dysregulation in patients with Internet gaming disorder

Impulsivity and emotion dysregulation have been known to be risk factors for Internet gaming disorder (IGD), but their underlying neural mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Given that the prefrontal cortex has a key role in higher order cognition and addiction, the present study aimed to investigate emotional influences on response inhibition in situations with different cognitive demands. A total of 41 young male adults (20 with and 21 without IGD) were scanned while performing two versions of an emotional go/no‐go task with demands on low and high working memory load. Patients with IGD showed a failure in response inhibition and increased activation of widespread brain regions, including prefrontal, motor‐sensory, parietal, occipital, insula, and striatal regions across tasks. Among these regions, involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum was observed only during the task with high demands on working memory. Moreover, it was also only during the high‐load task that interaction between response inhibition and emotional states was observed in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, with observations revealing that its alteration in patients with IGD was associated with number of hours spent on Internet gaming. Our findings highlight a failure of response inhibition and dysfunction within the inhibitory control network. The special significance of our study is that dysfunctional dorsomedial prefrontal cortex may mediate abnormal emotional influences on response inhibition in patients with IGD.