Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Administration of Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve Improves Facilitation of Hippocampal Memory Extinction via Restoration of Aberrant Higher Induction of Neuropsin in an MPTP-Induced Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

We previously reported that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice (PD mice) facilitate hippocampal memory extinction, which may be the cause of cognitive impairment in PD. Recent studies on the consumption of probiotics have reported a variety of beneficial effects on the central nervous system via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve strain A1 [MCC1274] (B. breve A1) on the facilitation of hippocampal memory extinction observed in PD mice. We found that four-day consecutive oral administration of B. breve A1 restored facilitation of contextual fear extinction in PD mice. Hippocampal mRNA expression levels of postsynaptic density protein-95 and synaptophysin significantly decreased in the PD mice, but mRNA and protein expression levels of neuropsin increased. Furthermore, CA1 apical spine density was significantly reduced in PD mice. On the other hand, administration of B. breve A1 to PD mice recovered all these expression levels and the CA1 spine density to control levels. These results suggest that increased induction of neuropsin is involved in abnormal changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and that B. breve A1 imposes reins on its expression, resulting in the restoration of abnormal hippocampal synaptic plasticity and the facilitation of fear extinction in PD mice.
Elaboration and validation of a protocol for safe administration of enteral nutrition in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE To describe the elaboration and validation of a protocol for administration of enteral nutrition. METHOD Validation study by consensus of experts conducted in a university hospital. The construction took place after literature review. The validation was guided by the tool: plan, do, study and act. For validation of the final protocol, 100% consensus was considered. After implementation, preceded by training, evaluation was carried out by using indicators. RESULTS The protocol describes the actions that guide the nursing team in enteral nutrition. In the validation, there was a 100% consensus on the protocol items. The presential training brought together 425 participants in 80 meetings. After the pilot period, the rate of care for patients with enteral nutrition increased from 39.5% to 73.3%. There was a reduction of 41 hours in the time to release the X-ray report. CONCLUSION The protocol provided elements for the prevention of adverse events in patients with enteral nutrition.
Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A survey of emergency nurses.

BACKGROUND Despite the frequency of its occurrence, few Chinese studies examined the status of intrahospital transport (IHT) of critically ill emergency room patients. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the current status of IHT of critically ill patients and emergency nurses' perception of IHT across China; explore the perceived associations of written protocols with adverse events during IHT; and compare regional differences in IHT of critically ill patients across China. DESIGN A self-report questionnaire was conducted among the attendees of a large emergency medicine conference in Beijing in May 2015. METHODS The data, collected through convenience sampling, were analysed using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-squared test. RESULTS Of the 528 participants from 142 hospitals whose data were analysed, 19.3% considered all nurses competent enough to perform IHT of critically ill patients without special training, and 7.6% even considered nursing students capable of the task. The absence of written transport protocols was perceived to be significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse events such as oxygen supply depletion and incorrect destination. Hospitals in the western region were less likely to have established written IHT protocols and emergency checklists than those in the eastern region. CONCLUSIONS Safe IHT of critically ill patients in the emergency department involves enormous challenges. The results of this survey can facilitate a preliminary understanding of the characteristics and current situation of IHT in emergency settings across China. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The establishment of standard transport protocols may help reduce the incidence of adverse events.
The serotonergic nervous system of prolecithophorans shows a closer similarity to fecampiids than to triclads (Platyhelminthes)

Prolecithophora is a poorly studied flatworm order belonging to the adiaphanidan clade, together with Tricladida and Fecampiida. The phylogenetic position of the three orders within this clade is not yet resolved. Additionally, no obvious synapomorphy other than an opaque epidermis could be found so far. In this study, the serotonergic nervous system of six different prolecithophoran species has been studied for the first time with a fluorescent immunocytochemical technique. We found that all six species show a similar pattern of the serotonergic nervous system. The typical prolecithophoran serotonergic nervous system consists of a cephalic ganglion in the anterior body part from which a pair of dorsal, ventral, and lateral longitudinal nerve cords originate. Furthermore, the three longitudinal nerve cords of one body side are connected to each other at the posterior body part by a conspicuous commissure. The ventral cords, which we consider the main cords, are most prominent and show double brain roots. A comparison of the nervous system within Adiaphanida shows clearly that prolecithophorans and fecampiids are much more similar in this regard than prolecithophorans and triclads.
Thermal Mechanisms Preventing or Favoring Multiple Ovulations in Dairy Cattle

Simple Summary While cows are usually monovular, the incidence of dizygous twin births has recently increased considerably alongside increasing milk production. Genetic progress and improvements in nutrition and management practices have led to a continuous increase in milk yield and thus also to multiple ovulations and twin pregnancies. Twin pregnancies are undesirable as they seriously compromise the welfare of the cow and herd economy. A better understanding of the processes associated with multiple ovulations should help to reduce rates of twinning. During the stages of the sexual cycle, temperature gradients are established within the ovary and throughout the genital tract. Pre-ovulatory local cooling of the reproductive system favors male and female gamete maturation and subsequent fertilization. In fact, thermal mechanisms may prevent or favor multiple ovulations and thus twinning. The purpose of this review was to update this topic. Abstract While cows are predominantly monovular, over the past 30 years the incidence of multiple ovulations and thus twinning has increased considerably alongside milk production. Multiple pregnancies are not desirable as they negatively affect the health of cows and the herd economy. Although causal mechanisms associated with multiple ovulations have been extensively revised, the process of multiple ovulations is not well understood. Recent studies on the thermal biology of the reproductive system have shown how thermal mechanisms may prevent or favor multiple ovulations. This review focuses on this relationship between thermal dynamics and multiple pregnancies. Cooling of the pre-ovulatory follicle is able to regulate ovulation. In effect, pre-ovulatory local cooling of the female reproductive system favors male and female gamete maturation and promotes fertilization. Thermal stress is proposed here as a model of stress. Periods of high ambient temperature affect the processes of pre-ovulatory follicular cooling and multiple ovulations. While the ratio between unilateral and bilateral multiple pregnancies is normally close to one, under heat stress conditions, this ratio may be 1.4 favoring unilateral multiple pregnancies. A ratio approaching unity is here proposed as an indicator of cow wellbeing.
Copeptin is associated with mortality in elderly people

Elevated copeptin, a marker for vasopressin release, has been associated with impaired prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (MI). The aim was to investigate whether this association extends beyond the acute phase and whether it is related to markers of stress (cortisol) and heart failure (NTproBNP).
Predictors associated with absenteeism-disease among Nursing professionals working in an emergency hospital service.

OBJECTIVE To verify the predictors associated with sick leave from 15 days onwards among Nursing professionals of an emergency hospital service. METHOD A cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive-analytical study. The sample consists of the records of sick leave (n=2,403) due to diseases of the Nursing professionals (n=197) working in an emergency hospital service in southern Brazil, from 2013 to 2018. Descriptive and statistical analysis was used, as well as the multivariate regression model. RESULTS There was predominance of females (72.6%), white-skinned (86.3%), with a mean age of 45.05 (SD=9.77) years old, and nursing technicians (74.6%). The prevalent cause of sick leave was related to clinical diseases (62.5%). The predictors associated with sick leave from 15 days onwards were the following: Age (OR: 0.97; 95% CI=0.95-0.99) and Musculoskeletal Diseases (OR: 8.95; 95% CI=5.30-15.11). CONCLUSION Age and musculoskeletal diseases were predictors of sick leave from 15 days onwards of the Nursing team.
The Effect of High-Intensity Power Training on Habitual, Intervention and Total Physical Activity Levels in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Secondary Outcomes of the GREAT2DO Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We examined the effect of power training on habitual, intervention and total physical activity (PA) levels in older adults with type 2 diabetes and their relationship to metabolic control. Materials and Methods: 103 adults with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive supervised power training or sham exercise three times/week for 12 months. Habitual, intervention, and total PA, as well as insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were measured. Results: Participants were aged 67.9 ± 5.5 yrs, with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c = 7.1%) and higher than average habitual PA levels compared to healthy peers. Habitual PA did not change significantly over 12 months (p = 0.74), and there was no effect of group assignment on change over time in habitual PA over 0–6 (p = 0.16) or 0–6–12 months (p = 0.51). By contrast, intervention PA, leg press tonnage and total PA increased over both 6- and 12-month timepoints (p = 0.0001), and these changes were significantly greater in the power training compared to the sham exercise group across timepoints (p = 0.0001). However, there were no associations between changes in any PA measures over time and changes in metabolic profile. Conclusion: Structured high-intensity power training may be an effective strategy to enhance overall PA in this high-risk cohort.
Management of post-operative discitis following discectomy in a tertiary-level hospital

Purpose: To perform retrospective analysis of 75 post-operative disc space infections after open lumbar discectomy (OLD) and to assess the outcome of their medical and surgical management in a tertiary-level hospital. Methods: Records of 50 men and 25 women aged 26–65 (mean, 42.53) years who underwent treatment for post-operative discitis (POD) after single level OLD at L3–4 (n = 8), L4–5 (n = 42), L5–S1 (n = 25) level. The POD was diagnosed according to specific clinical signs, laboratory and radiographic investigations and all of them received initial intravenous antibiotics (IVA) for at least 4–6 weeks followed by oral ones. Successful responders (n = 55) were considered in Group-C and remainder [Group-S (n = 20)] were operated at least after 4 weeks of failure. Demographic data, clinical variables, hospital stay, duration of antibiotic treatment and post-treatment complications were collected from the hospital record and assessment before and after treatment were done by using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Comprehensive outcome was evaluated by modified criteria of Kirkaldy-Willis. Results: The mean follows up was 36.38 months. Significant improvement of mean VAS and JOA score was achieved in both conservative (76.36% satisfactory) and operative (90% satisfactory) groups although the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Although insignificant, early surgical intervention provided better results (e.g. functional outcomes, length of hospital stay and duration of antibiotic treatment therapy) than conventional conservative treatment in post-operative discitis.
Sulfated non-anticoagulant heparin derivative modifies intracellular hemoglobin, inhibits cell sickling in vitro, and prolongs survival of sickle cell mice under hypoxia

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by a single point mutation, resulting in abnormal sickle hemoglobin (HbS). During hypoxia or dehydration, HbS polymerizes to form insoluble aggregates and induces sickling of red blood cells, which increases the adhesiveness of the cells, thereby altering the rheological properties of the blood, and triggers inflammatory responses, leading to hemolysis and vaso-occlusive crises. Unfractionated heparin and low-molecular weight heparins have been suggested as treatments to relieve coagulation complications in SCD. However, they are associated with bleeding complications after repeated dosing. An alternative sulfated non-anticoagulant heparin derivative (S-NACH) was previously reported to have no to low systemic anticoagulant activity and no bleeding side effects, and it interfered with P-selectin-dependent binding of sickle cells to endothelial cells, with concomitant decrease in the levels of adhesion biomarkers in SCD mice. S-NACH has been further engineered and structurally enhanced to bind with and modify HbS to inhibit sickling directly, thus employing a multimodal approach. Here, we show that S-NACH can: (i) directly engage in Schiff-base reactions with HbS to decrease red blood cell sickling under both normoxia and hypoxia in vitro, (ii) prolong the survival of SCD mice under hypoxia, and (iii) regulate the altered steady state levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our proof-of-concept, in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies demonstrate that the multimodal S-NACH is a highly promising candidate for development into an improved and optimized alternative to low-molecular weight heparins for the treatment of patients with SCD.
Posicionamento sobre o Consumo de Gorduras e Saúde Cardiovascular – 2021

Autores do Posicionamento: Maria Cristina de Oliveira Izar,1 Ana Maria Lottenberg,2,3 Viviane Zorzanelli Rocha Giraldez,4 Raul Dias dos Santos Filho,4 Roberta Marcondes Machado,3 Adriana Bertolami,5 Marcelo Heitor Vieira Assad,6 José Francisco Kerr Saraiva,7 André Arpad Faludi,5 Annie Seixas Bello Moreira,8 Bruno Geloneze,9 Carlos Daniel Magnoni,5 Carlos Scherr,10 Cristiane Kovacs Amaral,5 Daniel Branco de Araújo,5 Dennys Esper Corrêa Cintra,9 Edna Regina Nakandakare,11 Francisco Antonio Helfenstein Fonseca,1 Isabela Cardoso Pimentel Mota,5 José Ernesto dos Santos,11 Juliana Tieko Kato,1 Lis Mie Misuzawa Beda,3 Lis Proença Vieira,12 Marcelo Chiara Bertolami,5 Marcelo Macedo Rogero,11 Maria Silvia Ferrari Lavrador,13 Miyoko Nakasato,4 Nagila Raquel Teixeira Damasceno,11 Renato Jorge Alves,14 Roberta Soares Lara,15 Rosana Perim Costa,16 Valéria Arruda Machado1
Effects of COVID-19 on Urban Population Flow in China

The COVID-19 epidemic has become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Thus, this sudden health incident has brought great risk and pressure to the city with dense population flow. A deep understanding of the migration characteristics and laws of the urban population in China will play a very positive role in the prevention and control of the epidemic situation. Based on Baidu location-based service (LBS) big data, using complex networks method and geographic visualization tools, this paper explores the spatial structure evolution of population flow network (PFN) in 368 cities of China under different traffic control situations. Effective distance models and linear regression models were established to analyze how the population flow across cities affects the spread of the epidemic. Our findings show that: (1) the scope of population flow is closely related to the administrative level of the city and the traffic control policies in various cities which adjust with the epidemic situation; The PFN mainly presents the hierarchical structure dominated by the urban hierarchy and the regional isolation structure adjacent to the geographical location. (2) through the analysis network topology structure of PFN, it is found that only the first stage has a large clustering coefficient and a relatively short average path length, which conforms to the characteristics of small world network. The epidemic situation has a great impact on the network topology in other stages, and the network structure tends to be centralized. (3) The overall migration scale of the whole country decreased by 36.85% compared with the same period of last year’s lunar calendar, and a further reduction of 78.52% in the nationwide traffic control stage after the festival. (4) Finally, based on the comparison of the effective distance and the spatial distance from the Wuhan to other destination cities, it is demonstrated that there is a higher correlation between the effective distance and the epidemic spread both in Hubei province and the whole country.
Quantized Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Control for Persistent Dwell-Time Switched Nonlinear Systems With Singular Perturbations

This article investigates the problem of quantized fuzzy control for discrete-time switched nonlinear singularly perturbed systems, where the singularly perturbed parameter (SPP) is employed to represent the degree of separation between the fast and slow states. Taking a full account of features in such switched nonlinear systems, the persistent dwell-time switching rule, the technique of singular perturbation and the interval type-2 Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model are introduced. Then, by means of constructing SPP-dependent multiple Lyapunov-like functions, some sufficient conditions with the ability to ensure the stability and an expected $H_{\infty }$ performance of the closed-loop system are deduced. Afterward, through solving a convex optimization problem, the gains of the controller are obtained. Finally, the correctness of the proposed method and the effectiveness of the designed controller are demonstrated by an explained example.
Cryopreservation of dog semen in a Tris extender with two different 1% soybean preparations compared with a Tris egg yolk extender

Abstract Egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotectant in dog semen extenders, but there is a risk of contamination with animal pathogens. In addition, egg yolk may vary in composition, making it difficult to standardize the extender. Lecithin is an animal protein‐free alternative to egg yolk for semen cryopreservation. Recently, it was shown that 1% of soybean lecithin type II‐S was better than 2% for freezing canine semen. The aim of the study was to compare two different types of soybean lecithin, with egg yolk as a control. Ejaculates from eight dogs were divided into three equal parts and diluted with a Tris‐based extender, containing either 20% egg yolk, 1% soybean lecithin Type II‐S or 1% soybean lecithin Type IV‐S. The samples were then frozen. Sperm motility was evaluated by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), acrosome integrity (FITC‐PNA/PI) and sperm membrane integrity (SYBR‐14/PI) post‐thaw, as well as after 2 and 4 hr incubation at 37°C. Post‐thaw sperm chromatin structure assay and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated by flow cytometry. Total motility, sperm plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were significantly better in the egg yolk extender than in the two soybean lecithin‐based extenders. Individual motility post‐thaw differed more than in the fresh samples, illustrating individual differences in tolerance to the cryostress. The DNA Fragmentation Index (% DFI) was significantly lower in the Tris egg yolk (TEY) extender compared to any of the soybean‐based extenders. The number of high green stained spermatozoa were significantly higher in Type IV‐S compared to the control TEY extender. In conclusion, egg yolk was superior to the two lecithin‐based extenders to cryopreserve canine semen.
Young Stroke Survivors' Preferred Methods of Meeting Their Unique Needs

Objective To determine how young stroke survivors want their unmet needs to be addressed, we undertook an international online survey of people living with stroke. Methods Participants self-selected to complete an online survey that included a questionnaire on demographics and stroke-related characteristics, the Young Stroke Needs Screening Tool, and a questionnaire on how they wanted their needs to be met. Results One hundred seventy-one responses were received (68% female respondents, mean age 45 years, interquartile range 36–51 years). Preferences for methods of meeting needs varied depending on the domain of need and participants' demographic and stroke-related characteristics. Face-to-face contact with a health care professional was a popular means of meeting needs, but methods outside of a traditional health care setting such as a succinct list of tips or peer support were widely acceptable and sometimes preferred. Conclusion This work provides the impetus for developing alternative methods of meeting young stroke survivors' needs, many of which are not resource intensive or do not require an appointment with a health care professional.
Decision-Making Criteria When Contemplating Disclosure of Transgender Identity to Medical Providers

ABSTRACT As identified in HealthyPeople 2020, the transgender population faces various barriers in accessing quality health care. One barrier includes the fear of negative response or refusal of treatment after disclosing one’s transgender identity. In an effort to address this concern, it is essential to understand the criteria that transgender patients consider when determining if they will disclose their gender identity. The disclosure decision-making model (DD-MM) describes how individuals make decisions to share non-visible, health-relevant information with others. Applying the information assessment component of the DD-MM, the present study investigated the salient information assessment themes that contribute to transgender patients’ decisions to disclose or withhold their gender identity from medical providers. The sample (N = 26) included transgender individuals who participated in in-depth interviews and described instances and criteria of disclosure decisions. Results revealed that when gauging stigma, participants consider cultural attitudes, how providers may attribute health concerns to their transgender identity, and if providers will perceive them as “trans enough” to provide access to transition-related care. When transition-related care is not necessary, participants’ disclosure decision criteria include thoughts on how providers will perceive their gender expression and whether their transgender identity is salient to the medical interaction. Findings also highlighted opportunities for extending prior theoretical conceptualizations and practical implications for transgender care.