Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participating in Physical Classes Using Eduball Stimulates Acquisition of Mathematical Knowledge and Skills by Primary School Students

An increasing number of studies are evidencing relationships between physical activity (PA) and the mathematical performance of early school students. This is not surprising due to the fact that children grow in all areas simultaneously and their motor and intellectual developments determine each other. Nevertheless, such an approach of combining mathematics education with physical exercises, in addition through play, which is the basis of children’s activity and the preferred way of spending time, is still rare at schools. In response to this problem, “Eduball” has been created, which is an educational ball with printed letters, numbers, and other signs used for team mini-games. Surprisingly, despite the studies on general usefulness of Eduball in preschool and early-school education and the effects of physical exercise classes carried out using these balls, still little is known about their impact on mathematical development. Here, we investigate the relationships between the use of Eduball and the acquisition of mathematical knowledge and skills by children. We used a quantitative approach in the form of an experiment in natural settings in which 7-year-old students (first grade) took part (N = 25). For the purposes of this experiment, we created scenarios of physical exercise classes integrated with mathematical contents that used Eduball. Mathematical knowledge and skills were assessed by one of the commonly used tests. The results were compared with the data from the control group of traditional physical education classes (N = 22). As assumed, after a 1-year experiment, students from both groups improved their results, but we found a greater progress in terms of mathematical knowledge and skills in the experimental class compared to the control one. Eduball particularly affected competences related to such mathematical categories as: sets and their elements, multiplication and division, geometric shapes and measuring length, and measuring volume and mass. In sum, our results show that physical exercise classes that used Eduball stimulate the acquisition of mathematical competences by students and, consequently, confirm that there is a strong relation of physical and mathematical development. Therefore, there is a need to review children’s educational models, as well as primary school curricula, to combine physical and cognitive activities.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of a New Commercially Available Inactivated Vaccine Against Ovine Enzootic Abortion

Ovine enzootic abortion (OEA), caused by Chlamydia abortus, is an economically important disease in many countries. Inactivated vaccines have been used for many years as they induce immunity in sheep, although outbreaks of abortions have been described in vaccinated flocks. In addition, there is a commercially available live attenuated vaccine that provides good protective results. Recently however, reports question the attenuation of this vaccine and associate it with the appearance of outbreaks of OEA in vaccinated flocks. In the present study, a recently commercialized inactivated vaccine (INMEVA®; Laboratorios Hipra S.A., Amer, Spain) has been evaluated using mouse and sheep experimental models. In the mouse models (non-pregnant and pregnant models), the efficacy of INMEVA vaccine has been compared to an unvaccinated control group and to an experimental inactivated vaccine considered as a positive protection control (UMU vaccine). In the non- pregnant model, the UMU vaccine was more effective than the INMEVA vaccine regarding the impact on body weight or the presence of C. abortus in the liver, but both vaccinated groups (UMU and INMEVA) had significantly lower C. abortus in the liver compared to the control group. In the pregnant model in terms of reproductive failures, pups per mouse or the presence of C. abortus in the liver or uterus, no significant differences were found between both vaccines, inducing protection compared to the control group. In the ovine pregnant model, where INMEVA vaccine was compared only to an unvaccinated group, the results indicate that this new commercial vaccine is safe and provides a suitable level of protection against an experimental challenge with C. abortus. A 75% reduction in reproductive disorders, 55% reduction in animals with C. abortus shedding on day of parturition/abortion, and a significant reduction of the average amount of chlamydial shedding from parturition/abortion over the next 21 days was observed, in relation to the infected control group. The results suggest that this vaccine is adequate for the control and prevention of OEA; however, future studies are necessary to elucidate the type of protective immune response that it induces.
FOXO1 promotes tumor progression by increased M2 macrophage infiltration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: The transcription factor forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is critical for regulating cytokine and chemokine secretion. However, its function in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we characterized the prognostic value of FOXO1 and the interaction between tumor-derived FOXO1 and M2 macrophages in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: FOXO1 expression and macrophage infiltration in clinical samples and mouse models were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry staining. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) expression in FOXO1(+) and FOXO1(-) tumor cells. Macrophage phenotypes were determined using qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing. Transcriptional activity was measured using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR. Tumor viability was investigated using XTT proliferation and foci formation assays. Results: FOXO1 upregulation in tumor tissues was found to drive the polarization of M0 macrophages and infiltration of M2 macrophages into the TME, resulting in worse prognosis in ESCC patients. CSF-1, a vital factor inducing M0-to-M2 polarization, was upregulated via a FOXO1-mediated mechanism. RNA sequencing results corroborated that the FOXO1-induced macrophages exhibited similar molecular signatures to the IL4-stimulated M2 macrophages. The transwell assays showed that FOXO1 promoted the migration of M2 macrophages via CCL20 secretion, which could be inhibited using an anti-CCL20 antibody. FOXO1(+) tumor-induced M2 macrophages promoted tumor proliferation via the FAK-PI3K-AKT pathway and the PI3K inhibitor could effectively impede the oncogenical process. Conclusions: FOXO1 facilitated M0-to-M2 polarization and the recruitment of M2 macrophages in the TME via the transcriptional modulation of CCL20 and CSF-1. Our data deciphered the FOXO1-dependent mechanism in M2 macrophage infiltration in the TME of ESCC, which has implications for the development of novel prognostic and therapeutic targets to optimize the current treatment against ESCC.
A Re-Examination of the Relationship between Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth in India

The intent of the study is to re-examine the relationship between per capita electricity consumption and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1971 to 2014. By employing the Granger causality test, the study found that there was absence of a long-term equilibrium relationship between per capita electricity consumption and per capita GDP in India, but the existence of unidirectional causality running from per capita GDP to per capita electricity consumption was reported in a Vector Autoregression (VAR) framework. The results indicate that the policymakers should encourage energy conservation measures on both the supply and demand-side which will lead to sustainable energy supply in the country. This will lead to a sustainable energy supply in the country. Moreover, if the government in collaboration with the power utility industries frames the appropriate national policy on energy conservation for entering the practical action, it will enhance economic development on a sustainable basis.
Pharmacokinetics of thalidomide in dogs: can feeding affect it? A preliminary study

Background Tumor-associated neoangiogenesis is a crucial target for antitumor therapies. Thalidomide (TAL) is a promising anti-neoangiogenetic drug that has recently been used in the treatment of several malignancies in dogs. Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of TAL after single oral administration in dogs. Additionally, the influence of feeding on the pharmacokinetic profile of TAL in dogs has been preliminarily investigated. Methods Six healthy adult female Labradors were enrolled according to a randomized single-dose, 2-treatment, 2-phase, paired 2 × 2 cross-over study design. The dogs were administered a single 400 mg capsule of TAL in fasted and fed conditions. Blood was collected from 15 min to 48 h after dosing, and TAL quantified in plasma by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. The pharmacokinetics of TAL were analyzed using a non-compartmental approach. Results TAL concentration was quantifiable up to 10 h and 24 h after fasted and fed conditions, respectively. Cmax (fasted, 1.34 ± 0.12 µg/mL; fed, 2.47 ± 0.19 µg/mL) and Tmax (fasted, 3 h; fed, 10 h) differed substantially between the 2 groups. AUC and t1/2λz were significantly higher in fed (42.46 ± 6.64 mg × h/L; 17.14 ± 4.68 h) compared to fasted (12.38 ± 1.13 mg × h/L; 6.55 ± 1.25 h) dogs. The relative oral bioavailability of TAL for the fasted group was low (36.92% ± 3.28%). Conclusions Feeding affects the pharmacokinetics of oral TAL in dogs, showing a delayed, but higher absorption with different rate of elimination. These findings are of importance in clinical veterinary settings, and represent a starting point for further related studies.
Biology and Distribution of Humpback Shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotus) in the Tatar Strait (the Sea of Japan)

Seasonal observations on Pandalus hypsinotus population in the Tatar Strait (the northern part of the Sea of Japan) were made in 1996-1998. Females released larvae in June. Oocytes developed from August to December. Fertilisation and spawning occurred in winter and females therefore bore the eggs on pleopods for six months. However some females with outer eggs were found in samples through the whole year. With the help of normal probability plot five age groups were distinguished. Carapace lengths in the first group varied from 16 to 27 mm, second 22-34 mm, third 30-43 mm, fourth 37-48 mm, fifth 44-52 mm. Two first groups included 97% of all males, the third group 100% of all intersexes, the fourth and fifth groups 85% of all females with inner roe. The probable age of the first group is 1+ and males therefore change their sex at the fourth year. Migrations to the shore were found in December. Four isolated patches were distinguished in spatial distribution of population in 1998. Dynamics of size structures indicate that southern patches may develop independently while the northern one may be recruited by immigrations of mature shrimps. Problems of fishery recommendations in connection with existence of large-scale migrations across the patches are discussed.
Interleukin-6 as a Potential Predictor of COVID-19 Disease Severity in Hospitalized Patients and its Association with Clinical Laboratory Routine Tests

Background: Researchers have already reported a high level of interleukin (IL)-6 in patients affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we investigated the surge of IL-6 level and its association with the clinical and paraclinical markers in these patients. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 205 confirmed hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 70 healthy volunteer individuals. Routine laboratory examinations, including hematology, biochemistry, and hormone analysis, as well as IL-6 level measurement, were conducted. The patients grouped into 5 based on their IL-6 levels. Then, they were compared with regard to their need for mechanical ventilator and clinical laboratory routine tests. Results: IL-6 levels were significantly higher in hospitalized patients compared with healthy individuals (P<0.001). The IL-6 level was approximately 10-fold of the normal range in 22.9% of the patients. Also, more than 56.1% of them signify IL-6 over 3-fold of the normal range. IL-6
Combining Ability over Environments for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Six-Rowed Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Ten parents and their 45 F1s and F2s were evaluated for grain yield and its component characters over three different environments (sowing dates). Highly significant variation was observed due to genotypes and environments for all 10 characters studied. Both gca and sca variances showed significant interactions. The genotypes RD-2552 and RD-2035 were found to be good general combiners and 15 crosses have been identified as good specific combiners for grain yield and other related traits. The crosses RD-2552 x RD-387, RD-2052 x RD-2508 and RD-2035 x RD-2552 were the best crosses for grain yield and most of the yield contributing traits.
Exploring the potentials of Ocimum sanctum (Shyama tulsi) as a feed supplement for its growth promoter activity in broiler chickens

The present studies were aimed to optimize the non-toxic dose of Ocimum sanctum in broiler chickens following feed supplementation with dried leaves powder of Ocimum sanctum at different doses which can be used to study the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects in vivo in Infectious bursal disease model during subsequent studies. The chicks were planned to infect with Infectious bursal disease at 4 weeks of age after dried leaves powder treatment for atleast 15 days. Therefore the broiler chickens at two weeks of age were divided in to seven groups for giving the feed supplemented with different doses @ 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mg of dried leaves powder of Ocimum sanctum per chicken daily for 15 days. The chickens in all groups were monitored for various growth and toxicological parameters at specified intervals. The clinical signs, body weight gain, biochemical changes (SGOT, SGPT, uric acid, creatinine), hematological changes (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC), histopathological changes in visceral organs (spleen, liver, bursa) and their organ indices were analyzed at different intervals post treatment with dried leaves powder of Ocimum sanctum. Maximum weight gain was observed in-group of chickens treated with 200 mg of dried leaves powder per bird daily for 15 days as compared to control group, although other treatment groups have shown the variable results in terms of weight gain. But the hematological, biochemical and histopathological studies revealed all parameters within normal range for these groups. Thus optimized non-toxic dose can be used further for evaluation of studying its various biological activities including growth promoting and other therapeutic activities for future development of Ocimum sanctum based herbal drugs.
Phylogeny and the relationship between body size and abundance in bird communities

1. Within local bird communities, relationships between body size and abundance across the subtaxa within lower-level taxa (such as species within genera) are no more likely to be positive than those across the subtaxa in higher-level taxa (such as suborders within orders). 2. The species within tribes of birds which have no close relatives in the world tend to show positive relationships between body size and population abundance. However, the relatedness of the tribe to others in its community is not a significant predictor of the sign of the body size-abundance pattern. 3. The date at which the species last shared a common ancestor is a better predictor of the size-abundance pattern than is the relatedness of a tribe to other birds in the world
Anti-obesitic effect of Orostachys japonicus in rats model fed a hyperlipidemic diet

We investigated the effect of Orostachys japonicus extracts on serum lipids, leptin and insulin level in hyperlipidemic rats. Also, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were assessed. Inhibitory effect of DGAT related to triglyceride synthesis emerged approximately 96% in EtOAc fraction and showed 90% and 67%, respectively, in CHCl3 and BuOH fractions. Furthermore, the EtOAc and BuOH fractions inhibited 81% and 77%, respectively, in glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase (GPAT). Hyperlipidemia and obesity marker, contents of leptin and insulin on serum of hyperlipidemic rats, decreased 50% and 25%, respectively, compared with control group in treated EtOAc fraction. The oxidative stress marker, a concentration of TBARS, showed decrease of approximately 30% in treated EtOAc fraction. Moreover, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol contents on serum of rats fed a hyperlipidemic diet were increased 10% and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol decreased 50% as well as triglyceride amount of feces multiplied approximately two times more than control group in treated EtOAc fraction. The data suggest that the fractions of O. japonicus may be a potent biomaterial for treatment of hyperlipidemia or obesity.
Stability analysis of quality traits in rice hybrids

Fifty two hybrid combinations were evaluated for yield and yield contributing characters over four different agro-climatic zones in Andhra Pradesh, India during dry season 2010–11. Eighteen promising hybrids from all locations viz., Maruteru, Warangal, Jagtial and Ragolu which recorded significant higher yield than check were subjected to analysis for eleven quality characters. The analysis of variance of Eberhart and Russell model indicated the genotypes and environments were significant for all the quality characters except for milling per cent for genotypes indicating the diversity among the genotypes and environments studied. The GE interaction was significant only for head rice recovery, water uptake and kernel elongation ratio and non-significant for remaining characters. The high yielding hybrid APMS 9A x MTU II-143-26-2 was stable for head rice recovery and kernel elongation ratio while APMS 10A x MTU 1071 was stable for kernel elongation ratio, alkali spreading value and amylose content.
Self‐Organizing Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Hepatocyte 3D Organoids Inform the Biology of the Pleiotropic TRIB1 Gene

Establishment of a physiologically relevant human hepatocyte‐like cell system for in vitro translational research has been hampered by the limited availability of cell models that accurately reflect human biology and the pathophysiology of human disease. Here we report a robust, reproducible, and scalable protocol for the generation of hepatic organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using short exposure to nonengineered matrices. These hepatic organoids follow defined stages of hepatic development and express higher levels of early (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A [HNF4A], prospero‐related homeobox 1 [PROX1]) and mature hepatic and metabolic markers (albumin, asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 [ASGR1], CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α [C/EBPα]) than two‐dimensional (2D) hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs) at day 20 of differentiation. We used this model to explore the biology of the pleiotropic TRIB1 (Tribbles‐1) gene associated with a number of metabolic traits, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and plasma lipids. We used genome editing to delete the TRIB1 gene in hiPSCs and compared TRIB1‐deleted iPSC‐HLCs to isogenic iPSC‐HLCs under both 2D culture and three‐dimensional (3D) organoid conditions. Under conventional 2D culture conditions, TRIB1‐deficient HLCs showed maturation defects, with decreased expression of late‐stage hepatic and lipogenesis markers. In contrast, when cultured as 3D hepatic organoids, the differentiation defects were rescued, and a clear lipid‐related phenotype was noted in the TRIB1‐deficient induced pluripotent stem cell HLCs. Conclusion: This work supports the potential of genome‐edited hiPSC‐derived hepatic 3D organoids in exploring human hepatocyte biology, including the functional interrogation of genes identified through human genetic investigation.
Some studies on Salmonella enterica associated with diarrhea in cattle.

Bovine salmonellosis is a worldwide bacterial disease causing great animal losses, public health and economic problems. The present study was conducted on a total number o f 160 animals (130 calves and 30 adult cattle) at Alexandria governorate either individually or in farms. Out of them, 85 calves and 15 adult cattle were suffering from diarrhea while the remaining calves and adult cattle were apparently clinically healthy, rectal swabs and fresh fecal samples were collected and examined bacteriologically for the presence of Salmonella spp. The results revealed the isolation of Salmonella organism from 11 (13%) and 1 (6.6%) diarrheic calves and adult cattle, respectively, on contrary, no Salmonella could be isolated from all apparently clinically healthy animals. The 12 Salmonella isolates were examined for antimicrobial sensitivity using 10 antibiotic discs; all 12 (100%) isolates showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial, the highest resistance observed for erythromycin 12 (100%), tetracycline 8 (67%) and ampicillin 7 (58%) while the highest sensitivity was observed for streptomycin 10 (80%), gentamycin 9 (75%) and chloramphenicol 7 (58%). Conventional PCR performed on 10 Salmonella isolates for the presence of three virulence genes: invasion gene (invA), enterotoxin gene (stn) and plasmid encoded fimbriae gene (pefA); invA gene was detected in 7 (70%) isolates while stn gene was detected only in 2 (20%) isolates, but pefA gene could not be detected in all 10 Salmonella isolates. In a conclusion, Salmonella is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in calves and adult cattle, Salmonella isolates were resistant to most commonly used antibiotics resulting in difficulties in their treatment and the application of PCR assay is important for rapid detection of virulence profile of Salmonella .
Redescription and review of the most abundant conehead in Italy: Acerentomon italicum Nosek, 1969 (Protura: Acerentomidae)

Abstract Acerentomon italicum is the most abundant species of Protura in Italy. In this paper, A. italicum is redescribed according to the most recent revision of diagnostic characters (morphometry, porotaxy), examining the type material and 59 specimens from 11 different localities in our collection. For some characters, scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures are presented. An updated detailed catalogue extracted from the authors’ database is provided: A. italicum is reported from 91 Italian localities (mainly from Northern Italian regions) in a total of 520 ♂♂, 669 ♀♀, 28 pre-imagines, 69 maturi junior, 25 larvae II, four larvae I and eight undetermined. Few specimens were collected in Switzerland (two, about 5 km away from the Italian border), Austria (three), Slovenia (one) and Corsica (eight). The entire data set is analysed for information on phenology (juveniles detectable every month in Liguria and Tuscany, but only during spring–summer in the remaining regions of Northern Italy) and sex ratio (M:F = 0.78) of this species. A. italicum was collected in localities from 0 to 2000 m above sea level in the soil and litter of pure and mixed forest. The geological substratum, when recorded, was limestone, quartz/mica schists and conglomerates. The DNA barcode is newly provided for 21 representatives from three Italian populations of A. italicum.