Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine Structure of the Marine Amoeba Vexillifera telmathalassa Collected from a Coastal Site Near Barbados with a Description of Salinity Tolerance, Feeding Behavior and Prey

ABSTRACT. Amoebae cultured from seawater collected at a coastal site near Barbados were largely a lobose amoeba with long tapered subpseudopodia identified as Vexillifera telmathalassa. Vexillifera telmathalassa occurs widely in marine environments and additional information is presented here on its fine structure, salinity tolerance, and feeding behavior toward clarification of its taxonomic characteristics and ecological niche. The amoebae were able to adjust to a gradual decline in salinity from 36‰ to 16‰, but at a salinity of 12‰. They all became immobilized and discoidal. The fine structure showed a centrally located nucleus (2.1 μm) with a prominent nucleolus. The plasma membrane is coated with glycostyles 17 nm long and 14 nm apart, and may be derived from secretory vesicles with similar glycocalyx lining. Bacteria and occasional eukaryotic remains occur in digestive vacuoles or membrane‐enclosed spaces. Some vacuoles (2.0–2.5 μm) are filled with scattered masses of digested material and resemble the “glanzkörper” previously identified by light microscopy. In addition to bacterial prey, microflagellates were also ingested in laboratory culture as observed by light microscopy. Vexillifera telmathalassa may be more closely linked trophically to the microbial loop than previously recognized.
Diving activity in nursing bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) pups

In this study we used time-depth recorders to quantify the diving activity of four nursing bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) pups over a 10-day period. The pups were 4–7 days old at the start of the experiments. Their daily mass gain was 3.3 ± 0.4 kg (mean ± SD). A total of 530 h, which included 6248 dives, was recorded from the four pups. The pups spent an average of 53% of the recorded time in the water and 47% of the time hauled out. When the pups were in the water they were submerged 42% of the time, while 58% of the time was spent at the surface. Most dives were shallow and of short duration. Dive depth and duration were 10 ± 10 m and 62 ± 46 s and the maximum recorded values were 84 m and 5.5 min, respectively. The pups spent more time in the water and increased the number of long dives and the mean dive duration with age. The duration of haul-out intervals where nursing could take place was 1.93 ± 2.01 h, with a recorded maximum of 8.25 h. The time between these haul-out intervals was 2.18 ± 2.44 .
Evaluating a Novel Multifactorial Falls Prevention Activity Programme for Community-Dwelling Older People After Stroke: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study

Purpose The overall purpose of this study was to explore participants’ and physiotherapists’ experiences regarding the acceptability, implementation, and practicality of a novel group-based multifactorial falls prevention activity programme for community-dwelling older people after stroke. Specifically, the purpose was to explore if and how participating could impact on the participants’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in terms of their daily lived experience regarding physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. A secondary purpose was to explore whether participating in the programme could positively influence participants’ balance, strength, falls efficacy, mobility and motor impairment of the trunk. Materials and Methods This was an exploratory mixed-method Phase I feasibility study. A convenience sample of five older community-dwelling people after stroke participated in a novel eight-week multifactorial activity programme which included falls education, a mix of individually tailored and group-based strength and balance exercises, exploring limits of stability and safe landing techniques and a social element. Qualitative data from post-intervention interview transcripts with the participants and the physiotherapists who delivered the programme were thematically analysed using both deductive and inductive approaches to explore the participants’ and therapists’ experiences with the programme. Quantitative outcomes included balance, strength, falls efficacy, mobility and motor impairment of the trunk. Results The programme was deemed feasible in terms of acceptability, implementation and practicality by the participants as well as the physiotherapists delivering the programme. The overarching theme regarding HRQoL identified that participating in the programme was perceived to empower the participants living with stroke and positively influenced their daily physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Participant outcomes showed a change in the direction of improvements in balance, strength, mobility, motor impairment of the trunk and reduced concerns about falling. Subjectively, participants only reported perceived improvements in balance and strength. Conclusion Running a novel multifactorial falls prevention activity programme for older community-dwelling people after stroke was feasible. Participating in the programme helped participants to perceive improved balance, strength and empower them to make meaningful changes, improving their daily lived experiences. A future fully powered study could build on these results to investigate physical improvements, prevention of falls and improvements to domains of HRQoOL.
Nutritional value of wet extruded full-fat soybean and its effects on broiler chicken performance

SUMMARY A batch of full-fat soybean (FFSB) was wet extruded at 155°C for 15 s to provide an extruded full-fat soybean (EFFSB) sample. The urease activity index, protein solubility in KOH, and protein dispersibility index were determined in EFFSB samples as in vitro quality tests and indicated good quality of processing. In the first experiment, the EFFSB was substituted primarily at the expense of dehulled soybean meal (DSBM) and soybean oil (SO) in the grower diet as 0, 7.5, 15, and 22.5% to provide 4 diets; then birds received the diets from 15 to 21 d and excreta were collected from 18 to 21 d for chemical analysis. The AMEn and nutrient total tract apparent retention of EFFSB were calculated by regression analysis. The AMEn value of EFFSB was 3,908 kcal/kg, whereas the coefficients of total tract apparent retention for DM, organic matter, EE, CP, CF, and ash were 76, 79, 91, 74, 20, and 61%, respectively. In the second experiment, one hundred ninety-two 1-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into 16 groups of 12 birds each and allocated to 4 diets containing 0, 7.5, 15, and 22.5% of EFFSB at the expense of DSBM and SO. Feed intake and weight gain of chickens fed the diet contained 22.5% EFFSB were reduced (P 0.05) when birds were fed diets containing up to 15% EFFSB. The mucosa absorptive surface area in duodenum and jejunum of birds fed 22.5% EFFSB was reduced (P 0.05). It is concluded that growth performance of broiler chickens was not influenced (P > 0.05) when birds were fed a diet containing up to 15% EFFSB in place of DSBM and SO.
Quantitative L-lysine requirement of juvenile black sea bream (Sparus macrocephalus).

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the quantitative l-lysine requirement of juvenile black sea bream Sparus macrocephalus (initial mean weight: 9.13 ± 0.09 g, SD) in eighteen 300-L indoors flow-through circular fibreglass tanks provided with sand-filtered aerated seawater. The experimental diets contained six levels of l-lysine ranging from 20.8 to 40.5 g kg−1 dry diet at about 4 g kg−1 increments. All the experiment diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish in a completely randomized design. Weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with increasing levels of dietary lysine up to 32.5 g kg−1 (P 0.05). All groups showed high survival (above 90%) and no significant differences were observed. The whole body crude protein and crude lipid contents were significantly affected (P 0.05), however, haemoglobin level was significantly influenced by different diets (P < 0.05). Analysis of dose (lysine level)-response (SGR) with second order polynomial regression suggested the dietary lysine requirement of juvenile black sea bream to be 33.2 g kg−1 dry diet or 86.4 g lysine kg−1 protein.
Remote Ischemic Conditioning Improves Attention Network Function and Blood Oxygen Levels in Unacclimatized Adults Exposed to High Altitude

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) confers protection on major organs from hypoxic/ischemic injuries; however, its impacts on attention network function and blood oxygen levels in unacclimatized adults exposed to high altitudes have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we recruited 120 healthy male volunteers, of which one was exposed to high altitude and the other was exposed to low altitude. The two cohorts were further divided into RIC and sham control groups. The attentional network test (ANT) was performed to evaluate cognitive function before and after RIC treatment. Other outcomes such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, cerebral tissue oxygenation index (CTOI), and cerebrovascular hemodynamic indices were also evaluated. Prior to RIC treatment, there were no significant differences in orienting or executive function between the treatment and control arms of either cohort. Alerting function was significantly lower in the high-altitude cohort than in the low-altitude cohort. There were significant reductions in both blood oxygen and CTOI in the high-altitude cohort relative to the low-altitude cohort, while the pulse index (PI) of the former cohort was significantly increased. After RIC treatment, there was a significant difference in alerting function between the high-altitude RIC group and its associated control. The CTOI of the treatment group increased from 60.39±3.40% to 62.78±4.40%, and blood oxygenation also improved. Furthermore, this group showed a significant reduction in its PI. Exposure to high-altitude environments had a significant impact on alerting function, blood oxygen, CTOI, and PI. RIC ameliorated changes in attentional function, as well as blood oxygen and CTOI, suggesting that it potentially alters cerebrovascular compliance upon exposure to high altitude.
Influence of Dietary Intake on Sleeping Patterns of Medical Students

Introduction The aim of the study was to explore the association between the intake of specific food substances and the sleeping patterns of medical students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 440 medical students, aged 18-24 years, chosen through non-probability consecutive sampling from Karachi, Pakistan. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to measure sleep quality and a self-made questionnaire that categorized foods according to their nutritional constitutions was used to measure the frequency of food consumption. Associations were evaluated using the chi-square test with the level of significance taken as p < 0.05 and strength of significance determined using Cramer’s V. logistic regression to predict good sleep quality. Results Significant associations were found with soybeans, whole grains, processed meats, leafy greens, dark chocolate, spices, dairy products, products high in fat and sugar, lima beans, and carbohydrates in relation to sleep quality, with soybeans exhibiting a particularly stronger relationship. The odds of good sleep quality were 2.5 times more likely with soybean intake, 3.26 times more likely with carbohydrates, and 6.57 times more likely with lima beans. Intake of papayas was associated with reduced sleep quality. Conclusion Intake of certain food substances has a significant association with sleep quality. Clinical trials focusing on the nutritional basis of these associations can lead to a new integrated focus on functional foods to combat poor sleep and sleep-related diseases.
Blood Pressure Variability and Severity of Early Prognosis in Patients with Acute Pontine Infarction

Background Increased blood pressure (BP) variability may worsen the prognosis of stroke. This study aimed at investigating the association between BP variability and early functional prognosis in patients with pontine infarction. Methods According to types of pontine infarction, all the 137 patients were divided into two groups: 70 patients with paramedian pontine infarction (PPI) and 67 patients with deep pontine infarction (DPI). Common risk factors, 24-hour continuous blood pressure monitoring data, and the coefficient of variation were collected after admission in the hospital. Functional outcomes were evaluated with modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months after discharge (favorable outcome: mRS scores ≤ 2; poor outcome: mRS scores > 2). Results The level of Glu, HbA1c, LDL, and NIHSS scores in the PPI group was significantly higher than that in the DPI group, and the concentration of blood uric acid was lower in the PPI group. Diastolic pressure in the PPI group is significantly higher than that in the DPI group, and coefficient of variation (CV) of systolic pressure in PPI is higher when compared with DPI ((88.77 ± 1.71) mmHg vs. (80.74 ± 1.31) mmHg; (11.54 ± 0.35) vs. (10.24 ± 0.25)). In multivariate analyses, the CV of systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, NIHSS scores, and the paramedian pontine infarction was independently associated with 3-month clinical outcome (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.252–2.994, P=0.003; OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.002–1.166, P=0.04; OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.164–2.159, P=0.003; OR = 9.87, 95% CI = 1.045–32.193, P=0.04). Conclusion In conclusion, increased 24-hour (BP) variability, NIHSS scores, and paramedian pontine were associated with early poor prognosis in patients with acute pontine infarction.
Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase 1 interacts with NF-κB p65 to regulate breast tumorigenesis via PIM2 induced phosphorylation

Rationale: Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1), a rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis, was recently shown to be a tumor suppressor and could mediate the activities of multiple transcriptional factors via its non-canonical functions. However, the underlying mechanism of posttranscriptional modification on the non-canonical functions of FBP1 remains elusive. Methods: We employed immunoaffinity purification to identify binding partner(s) and used co-immunoprecipitation to verify their interactions. Kinase reaction was used to confirm PIM2 could phosphorylate FBP1. Overexpression or knockdown proteins were used to assess the role in modulating p65 protein stability. Mechanistic analysis was involved in protein degradation and polyubiquitination assays. Nude mice and PIM2-knockout mice was used to study protein functions in vitro and in vivo. Results: Here, we identified Proviral Insertion in Murine Lymphomas 2 (PIM2) as a new binding partner of FBP1, which could phosphorylate FBP1 on Ser144. Surprisingly, phosphorylated FBP1 Ser144 abrogated its interaction with NF-κB p65, promoting its protein stability through the CHIP-mediated proteasome pathway. Furthermore, phosphorylation of FBP1 on Ser144 increased p65 regulated PD-L1 expression. As a result, phosphorylation of FBP1 on Ser144 promoted breast tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the levels of PIM2 and pSer144-FBP1 proteins were positively correlated with each other in human breast cancer and PIM2 knockout mice. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that phosphorylation noncanonical FBP1 by PIM2 was a novel regulator of NF-κB pathway, and highlights PIM2 inhibitors as breast cancer therapeutics.
Immunological approaches and therapy in burns (Review)

Burns have become an important public health problem in the last two decades, with just over a quarter of a million deaths annually. Major burns are accompanied by a strong inflammatory response, which will most often lead to systemic response inflammatory syndrome, followed by sepsis and finally induce multiple organ failure. The main mechanism involved in wound healing after burns is the inflammatory process, characterized by the recruitment of myeloid and T cells and by the involvement of numerous cytokines, chemokines, complement fractions, as well as various growth factors. Inflammasomes, protein-based cytosolic complexes, activated during metabolic stress or infection, play a role in modulating and improving the defense capacity of the innate immune system. Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been studied predominantly and several hypotheses have been issued. Restoring the balance between the pro-inflammatory response and the anti-inflammatory activity is the key element to effective therapy in burns. Severe burns require nutritional support and pharmacotherapy not only for burn area but for different pathological complications of burn injury. In-depth research is required to find new ways to modulate the defense capacity, to prevent the complications of abnormal immune response and to treat burn injuries efficiently.
Association Between Urinary Tract Infection in the First Trimester and Risk of Preeclampsia: A Case–Control Study

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical problem during pregnancy that can have serious consequences for the mother and fetus. Some studies have suggested that UTI can trigger or aggravate preeclampsia. The present study aimed to investigate the association between urinary tract infection in the first trimester and the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women referring to Bahar hospital of Shahroud. Patients and Methods In this case–control study, 92 pregnant women with a diagnosis of preeclampsia were selected as cases, and for comparison 92 pregnant women were selected as control. History of previous UTI in the first trimester was assessed as a risk factor. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and related statistical tests such as mean and standard deviation, chi-square, and independent t-test. Results In this study, the mean age of the patients was 28.6 ± 6.9 years that no significant differences were found between the two groups. It was also found that 37 (40.2%) patients in the case group and 29 (31.5%) patients in the control group had a UTI which was significantly (p<0.043) higher in the case group. Also, in the multivariate regression model, UTI was significantly associated with preeclampsia (p<0.048), so that UTI increases the risk of preeclampsia (OR=1.86). Conclusion The results of this study showed UTI during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with the risk of preeclampsia. Therefore, controlling and treatment of urinary infections can reduce the risk of preeclampsia in the later months.
Uso dos estratos verticais por pequenos mamíferos em formações florestais do cerrado brasileiro : padrões de diversidade, relação com a disponibilidade de recursos, seleção de hábitat e habilidade de locomoção arborícola das espécies

The study of vertical stratification patterns by small mammals in the Cerrado is important due to the distinct characteristics among phytophysiognomies. Forest formations of this biome can present different degrees of complexity and differences related to seasonality and resource availability. Thus, habitat features contribute to different patterns of vertical stratification. In this study we evaluated the vertical stratification of rodents and marsupials in the cool-dry and warm-wet seasons in four areas of cerradao (dry-woodland) and four areas of gallery forest, installing live-traps on the ground, understory (1-4 m) and canopy (>7 m). We also verified fruit (by counting) and arthropod availability (using window traps and pitfalls), to evaluate how resource availability contributes to vertical stratification of small mammals. Among the 11 captured species, the marsupial Caluromys lanatus (in both physiognomies) was captured only in the canopy. The marsupial Monodelphis americana and the rodent Calomys expulsus were captured in cerradao, and the rodent Proechimys roberti in gallery forest, were captured only on the ground. Among the species that used the ground and understory, were the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (mainly terrestrial) and Oligoryzomys nigripes and O. fornesi (scansorial). The species that used the three vertical strata (in different intensities) were the marsupials Didelphis albiventris and Gracilinanus agilis, and the rodents Oecomys cf. roberti and Rhipidomys macrurus. Our results showed that R. macrurus used the canopy in greater intensity in the cerradao compared to gallery forest, and G. agilis used the ground and understory in greater intensity in the cool-dry season in both physiognomies. Additionally, we verified a relation between vertical strata utilization and availability of fruits (G. agilis, O. cf. roberti e R. macrurus), and biomass of arthropods (R. macrurus), coleopterans (O. cf. 27 roberti e R. macrurus), and lepidopterans (G. agilis). We also verified that in gallery forest, there is an increase in number of species considering different vertical strata, and also that beta diversity is more similar among strata than among areas. Our results indicate that different seasons and phytophysiognomies, and availability of resources are important factors to be considered in the vertical stratification patterns of different species and in the community of small mammals. However, our results also indicate that the patterns found in this study, are, to a certain degree, associated with environment complexity, probably due to the greater opportunities of niche segregation.
Predictors of Acquired T790M Mutation in Patients Failing First- or Second-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Background This study aims to determine the predictors of acquired exon 20 T790M mutation in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harbouring sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation following the failure of first- or second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Methods This is a retrospective observational study of NSCLC patients with sensitising EGFR mutation experiencing disease progression (PD) whilst on first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs with subsequent investigations to detect acquired T790M mutation at the University of Malaya Medical Centre from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2017. Results A total of 87 patients were included. Upon PD, acquired T790M mutation was found in 55 (63.2%) patients and was significantly more common in patients who achieved partial response (PR) whilst on the EGFR-TKIs (p = 0.008) or had new lung metastasis upon PD (p = 0.048). It was less frequent in patients who developed new symptomatic brain lesions (p = 0.021). Patients with exon 19 deletion were more likely to acquire T790M mutation compared to those with exon 21 L858R point mutation (p = 0.077). Multivariate analysis revealed PR whilst on EGFR-TKI treatment was an independent predictor of acquiring T790M mutation (p = 0.021), whereas development of new symptomatic brain lesions (p = 0.034) or new lymph node metastases (p = 0.038) upon PD was independently against acquiring T790M mutation. Patients with exon 19 deletion were more likely to acquire T790M mutation compared to those with exon 21 L858R point mutation (odds ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 0.84–6.25, p = 0.104). Conclusion The best tumour response of PR to first- or second-generation EGFR-TKI treatment independently predicts acquired T790M mutation. Patients with exon 19 deletion are likely to acquire T790M mutation. This would prove useful for clinicians to prognosticate and plan subsequent treatments for patients with advanced NSCLC harbouring EGFR mutations.