Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of expander conditioning on the nutritional value of diets with dried distillers grains with solubles in nursery and finishing pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of expander conditioning on nutritional value of diets without and with cornand sorghum-based dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In Exp. 1, 180 nursery pigs (average weight 29 lb) were assigned to 30 pens. Treatments were arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial with main effects of diet formulation (corn-soybean meal vs. 30% cornor sorghum-based DDGS) and conditioning (standard steam vs. expander) prior to pelleting. Pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets had better (P 0.83) but improved overall F/G and dressing percentage (P < 0.007). In Exp. 3, 192 finishing pigs (average weight 222 lb) were assigned to 16 pens to determine nutrient digestibility. Treatments were the same as in Exp. 2. Feed and water was consumed ad libitum during a 6-d adjustment period; then, feces were collected for 2 d. Corn-soybean meal diets had greater (P < 0.001) digestibility of DM, N, and GE than diets with DDGS, and expander conditioning improved (P < 0.02) digestibility of DM, N, and GE compared with standard conditioning. However, the improved digestibility of DM with expander conditioning was apparent primarily for the DDGS diets (diet × conditioning interaction, P < 0.01). In conclusion, expanding diets improved ADG, F/G, and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs and F/G, dressing percentage, and nutrient digestibility in finishing pigs fed diets without and with DDGS.
Assessing prospective memory in older age: the relationship between self-report and performance on clinic-based and naturalistic tasks

ABSTRACT This investigation assessed the relationship between subjective self-reports and objective measures of prospective memory with forty-eight healthy, community-dwelling older-adults (> 65 years). The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire provided the self-report data, the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test was used as a clinic-based test, and the Telephone Task (telephoning the examiner at irregular, pre-scheduled times across one week) was used as a naturalistic measure. The self-reported difficulties were negatively associated with performance on the naturalistic task, r (41) = -0.341, p = <0.05, but not the clinic-based task. Performance tasks (clinic-based and naturalistic) were moderately associated, r (41) = 0.312, p = <0.05. Tests of retrospective memory (delayed recall) and executive function (attention set-shifting) did not individually predict performance on any of the prospective memory measures. Incorporating naturalistic probes of prospective memory performance into a clinical assessment may allow insight into the experience of prospective memory challenges in older-age clients.
DeepYY1: a deep learning approach to identify YY1-mediated chromatin loops

The protein Yin Yang 1 (YY1) could form dimers that facilitate the interaction between active enhancers and promoter-proximal elements. YY1-mediated enhancer-promoter interaction is the general feature of mammalian gene control. Recently, some computational methods have been developed to characterize the interactions between DNA elements by elucidating important features of chromatin folding; however, no computational methods have been developed for identifying the YY1-mediated chromatin loops. In this study, we developed a deep learning algorithm named DeepYY1 based on word2vec to determine whether a pair of YY1 motifs would form a loop. The proposed models showed a high prediction performance (AUCs$\ge$0.93) on both training datasets and testing datasets in different cell types, demonstrating that DeepYY1 has an excellent performance in the identification of the YY1-mediated chromatin loops. Our study also suggested that sequences play an important role in the formation of YY1-mediated chromatin loops. Furthermore, we briefly discussed the distribution of the replication origin site in the loops. Finally, a user-friendly web server was established, and it can be freely accessed at http://lin-group.cn/server/DeepYY1.
The African-Iberian connection in Odonata: mtDNA and ncDNA based phylogeography of Aeshna cyanea (Müller, 1764) (Odonata: Aeshnidae) in Western Palaearctic

We explore the phylogeography and inter-population relationships of the Southern Hawker dragonfly, Aeshna cyanea (Müller) in the Western Palaearctic region based on 603 bp Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 (COI) mtDNA and 732 bp Internal Transcribed Spacer region (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, ITS region) ncDNA with an increased sampling from Europe compared to a previous study. Both DNA fragments recover a remarkable and compatible pattern: the recently de­ scribed Aeshna vercanica Schneider et al. is the sister group of A. cyanea, which in turn comprises three distinct populations. These popu­ lations are: a population in the Caucasus region; a North African population; and a European population. When analysed alone, the ITS fragment recovered A. vercanica and the Caucasus A. cyanea population as separate units, but the North African and European A. cyanea populations were recovered as intermixed. FST population genetic analyses of COI data revealed high degrees of isolation between all popu­ lations as all inter-population values were between 0.818 (North Africa – Europe) and 0.944 (Europe – A. vercanica). Average pairwise distance in COI (uncorrected p) between populations followed this pattern and was lowest between Europe and North Africa and highest between North Africa and A. vercanica, and between Europe and A. vercanica. Within population pairwise distance values were approxi­ mately an order of magnitude lower. Pairwise distance values between populations for the ITS region were much lower than for COI, but followed the same pattern. Our results therefore support the full species status for A. vercanica, and clearly indicate that the current Western European A. cyanea population originated from a North African galcial refugium and dispersed to Europe (the Iberian Peninsula) prior to the Holsteinian interglacial period. While the North African and European populations likely remained in contact initially, the European population was probably isolated in the Iberian Peninsula during the Holsteinian interglacial period, and subsequently spread throughout Europe in late Pleistocene – early Holocene.
Health risk of arsenic in the alluvial aquifers of Lahore and Raiwind, Punjab Province, Pakistan: an investigation for safer well water

Environmental pollution has generated release of high amounts of arsenic (As) which ultimately are detected in the water of Indus Basin Punjab, Pakistan. The area is characterized by a semiarid climate, and alluvial deposits. This investigation, an extension of previously reported As-affected area in Lahore and Kasur, aimed to (1) assess the extent of water contamination in this area and (2) determine possible safer sites for future water use. In a comparative study, total As contamination of underground water from individual dwellings and community water supply of some villages located at the boundary of the Sheikhopura and Lahore districts, Pakistan were measured to compare with previously published data of villages located at the boundary of the Lahore and Kasur districts. The results showed variable levels of As in shallow drinking water wells and average concentration exceeding WHO guidelines value. As levels ranged from below 5.2 to 80 µg/L and mean 45.5 µg/L. The As concentrations were higher than WHO limits but lower than previous studied area. In addition, high salinity was found to be a serious concern for deteriorating groundwater quality rendering it unsuitable for drinking. Groundwater is predominantly of the Na–HCO3 type with slightly alkaline pH. High pH values and competition of As with HCO3 may serve as an important process for mobilization of As in the shallow groundwater of the region. Continuous monitoring and expansion of monitoring systems are necessary to establish safer wells within As-contaminated areas.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsonian Disorders: A Case Series

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been investigated for the treatment of levodopa-refractory gait dysfunction in parkinsonian disorders, with equivocal results so far. Objectives: To summarize the clinical outcomes of PPN-DBS-treated patients at our centre and elicit any patterns that may guide future research. Materials and Methods: Pre- and post-operative objective overall motor and gait subsection scores as well as patient-reported outcomes were recorded for 6 PPN-DBS-treated patients, 3 with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and 3 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Electrodes were implanted unilaterally in the first 3 patients and bilaterally in the latter 3, using an MRI-guided MRI-verified technique. Stimulation was initiated at 20–30 Hz and optimized in an iterative manner. Results: Unilaterally treated patients did not demonstrate significant improvements in gait questionnaires, UPDRS-III or PSPRS scores or their respective gait subsections. This contrasted with at least an initial response in bilaterally treated patients. Diurnal cycling of stimulation in a PD patient with habituation to the initial benefit reproduced substantial improvements in freezing of gait (FOG) 3 years post-operatively. Among the PSP patients, 1 with a parkinsonian subtype had a sustained improvement in FOG while another with Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS) did not benefit. Conclusions: PPN-DBS remains an investigational treatment for levodopa-refractory FOG. This series corroborates some previously reported findings: bilateral stimulation may be more effective than unilateral stimulation; the response in PSP patients may depend on the disease subtype; and diurnal cycling of stimulation to overcome habituation merits further investigation.
Predicting outcomes of mechanically ventilated premature infants using respiratory severity score

Abstract Background Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants have significant morbidities and higher mortality. The major morbidities are bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Release of proinflammatory cytokines has been implicated in the development of systemic inflammation that contributes to BPD aND ROP. Also, cumulative oxygen exposure in the first 3 days of life and use of mechanical ventilation was associated with 3-fold increase in severe IVH. Therefore, early ventilation and oxygenation may contribute significantly to morbidities in ELBW infants. Respiratory severity score (RSS), a product of Mean airway pressure (MAP) and FiO2, is a steady-state noninvasive assessment tool useful in infants to monitor the severity of respiratory failure. We used RSS, in the first 3 days of life of ELBW infants, to predict neonatal morbidities and mortality. Study design In a single-center retrospective cohort study in an urban setting, convenience sampling of ELBW infants meeting the study criteria who were mechanically ventilated at birth for the first 3 days of life were included. Time-weighted average RSS was plotted on receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the first 3 days of life to predict outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratios were calculated. Results A total of 69 infants qualified for the study. RSS in the first 3 days significantly predicted the composite outcome of death, ROP, IVH or BPD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (p < 0.001). Individually, RSS predicted death, severe ROP and IVH with an AUC of 0.86, 0.77 and 0.71 respectively; but did not predict severe BPD (AUC 0.61). RSS was more sensitive and specific than each of its component; FiO2 and MAP. Weighted RSS in the first 3 days had high-negative predictive value of 98.1% for death between 7 days and 36 weeks, 94.6% for ROP and 91.7% for IVH. Conclusions This study is the first to show that RSS in the first 3 days of life is a good predictor of composite neonatal outcomes: severe IVH, BPD, ROP, or mortality. Early RSS had a high positive predictive value for the composite outcome of morbidities/mortality and a high specificity for mortality, ROP, and IVH individually.
Whole body and regional phase angle as indicators of muscular performance in athletes

Abstract Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived phase angle (PhA) has been used to assess cellular health in various populations, but its usefulness as a tool for measuring muscular performance in adult athletes has not been extensively investigated. Our investigation examined the association of whole-body (WB) PhA with muscular performance in 117 adult athletes from different sports and additionally assessed whether regional PhA was a better indicator of muscular performance compared to WB, while accounting for lean soft tissue (LST). Muscular performance was assessed with handgrip strength and countermovement jump power. WB and regional PhA and LST were obtained by BIA and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, respectively. Multiple linear regression was used to model outcomes, while adjusting for LST. WB PhA was positively associated with relative power and relative and absolute strength (p < 0.05), irrespective of LST. Regional PhA measures explained similar amounts of variance in absolute and relative power and strength as that of WB PhA after accounting for age, sex, height, and sport type (lower limb adj R 2 = 0.42, 0.60 for power; upper limb adj R 2 = 0.38, 0.74 for strength; WB adj R 2 = 0.44, 0.63 and 0.38, 0.75 for power and strength, respectively). Only upper limb PhA was related with strength (p < 0.05) after accounting for upper limb LST. PhA may have the potential to be used as a marker of functional muscle mass, which is important when it comes to assessing muscular performance of athletes. Regional measures of PhA do not provide a better indicator of regional strength or power when compared to WB PhA.
CT-guided localization techniques of small pulmonary nodules: a prospective non-randomized controlled study on pulmonary nodule localization needle and methylene blue staining with surgical glue

Background Thoracoscopic resection of small pulmonary nodules (SPNs) is challenging. Accurate preoperative computed tomography-guided localization of SPNs is key to successful rection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of a novel localization needle and methylene blue staining combined with surgical glue (MBSG) and to explore the risk factors for post-localization complications. Methods This prospective, non-randomized controlled study was conducted on 110 patients who received either MBSG or novel needle localization prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) from January 2019 to December 2019 at Shenzhen People’s Hospital. The primary endpoints were the safety and the success rates of the 2 localization techniques. The secondary endpoints were operative time and feasibility. Results The 110 patients were categorized into 2 groups: the MBSG group (n=84) and the pulmonary nodule localization needle group (n=26). The success rate of pre-VATS localization was 100% in both groups. No deaths or serious complications occurred during localization. The rates of pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, and localization-induced cough were 38.1%, 25%, and 7.14%, respectively, in the MBSG group, and 26.92%, 19.23%, and 0%, respectively, in the pulmonary nodule localization needle group. Differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Total complication rate and the incidence of pain were significantly lower in the pulmonary nodule localization needle group (χ2=4.441 and 4.295, respectively; P<0.05). The difference in operative time between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Dye diffusion occurred in 2 patients in the MBSG group; however, it had no impact on VATS or on the pathological analysis. Neither displacement nor dislocation was observed in the pulmonary nodule localization needle group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the localization technique was an independent risk factor for total complications (odds ratio: 2.634, 95% confidence interval: 1.022–6.789, P<0.05). Conclusions Both techniques can localize SPNs effectively prior to VATS. The pulmonary nodule localization needle technique has a lower incidence of complications.
THE ESTIMATION LEVELS OF IL-6 AND IL-18 AS INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS IN OBESE AND NON OBESE PATEINTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS

The objective of the present study was to estimate level of IL-6 and IL-18 as inflammatory biomarkers in obese and non obese patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The study population included 150 males and females patients with allergic rhinitis, their mean age was 30.733±10.95 years, they randomly recruited from the department of otolaryngology/ENT-clinic in Al-Sadder teaching hospital in AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf government during the period from 2 April 2016 to 30 March 2017. The patients were divided into normal weights' group (n=6), under weights' group (n=51), over weights' group (n=43) and obese group (n=50) depending on BMI category. The levels of IL-6 and IL-18 in serum were measured by using ELISA-kit technique after complete clinical diagnosis and anthropometric measurements. The statically analysis of this study showed a significant increment (P≤0.05) in mean of IL-18 for overweight, obese patients and decline for underweight patients as compared with normal weight patients. Additionally, the results appeared a significantly differences in mean of IL-18 (P≤0.05) level in mild and moderate nasal smear eosinophilia when compared with normal eosinophils count in nasal smear. Also, the results showed no significant differences (P≥0.05) in mean of IL-6 among underweight, overweight and obese patients as compared with normal weight one and no significant differences in serum level of IL-6 among mild, moderate and sever eosinophilia as compared with normal eosinophils count in nasal smear. Separately from BMI, there were no significant differences in mean of IL-6 and IL-18 with various age groups. This study concluded that over weight and obese patients with allergic rhinitis were associated with significant high serum level of IL-18 along with eosinophilia as manifested by elevated IL-18 level in high grade of eosinophilia in nasal smear.
The role of dietary nitrate and the oral microbiome on blood pressure and vascular tone

Abstract There is increasing evidence for the health benefits of dietary nitrates including lowering blood pressure and enhancing cardiovascular health. Although commensal oral bacteria play an important role in converting dietary nitrate to nitrite, very little is known about the potential role of these bacteria in blood pressure regulation and maintenance of vascular tone. The main purpose of this review is to present the current evidence on the involvement of the oral microbiome in mediating the beneficial effects of dietary nitrate on vascular function and to identify sources of inter-individual differences in bacterial composition. A systematic approach was used to identify the relevant articles published on PubMed and Web of Science in English from January 1950 until September 2019 examining the effects of dietary nitrate on oral microbiome composition and association with blood pressure and vascular tone. To date, only a limited number of studies have been conducted, with nine in human subjects and three in animals focusing mainly on blood pressure. In general, elimination of oral bacteria with use of a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic mouthwash reduced the conversion of nitrate to nitrite and was accompanied in some studies by an increase in blood pressure in normotensive subjects. In conclusion, our findings suggest that oral bacteria may play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of nitrate-rich foods on blood pressure. Further human intervention studies assessing the potential effects of dietary nitrate on oral bacteria composition and relationship to real-time measures of vascular function are needed, particularly in individuals with hypertension and those at risk of developing CVD.
Combinations using checkpoint blockade to overcome resistance

The advent of immunotherapy for cancer represented a paradigm shift in the treatment approach of neoplasia. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were demonstrated to significantly improve outcomes, including overall survival across several cancer types, with yearly-durable responses. Nevertheless, many patients derive minor or no benefit with immune checkpoint (IC)-blockade, including patients with cancer types traditionally considered immunogenic. Combination strategies of ICIs with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies or other immunotherapy compounds have been conceived in order to boost the immune-responses and potentially overcome resistance to ICIs. This review focuses on mechanisms underlying resistance to IC-blockade and provides an overview of potential advantages and limitations of combination strategies currently under investigation.
Whose opinion matters about medications for opioid use disorder? A cross-sectional survey of social norms among court staff

Background Criminal problem-solving and dependency courts set treatment standards for opioid use disorder (OUD) but sometimes prohibit or limit utilization of medications for OUD (MOUD). Court staff beliefs about MOUD inform court treatment policies. Court staff MOUD policies may also be influenced by social norms, meaning perceptions of opinions of other individuals/entities about MOUD, including opinions of fellow staff in their court, staff in other courts, the state supreme court, other state agencies, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), federal agencies, and local peer support groups. To date no study has examined social norms among court staff with respect to MOUD. Methods We distributed an online cross-sectional survey in 2019 to all criminal problem-solving and dependency court staff in Florida. Respondents were asked to identify the extent to which they cared about different entities’/individuals’ opinions about MOUD and the extent to which they perceived each of those entities/individuals as encouraging MOUD. We hypothesized that court role and court type would be associated with responses. We used descriptive statistics, logistic regressions, and difference of proportions tests to analyze data. Results 20% of the population (n = 119) completed the survey. Respondents cared most about the opinions of external treatment providers with whom they collaborate, fellow staff in their court, and the NADCP regarding MOUD. Fewer than half felt that any of these entities/individuals encourage methadone or oral buprenorphine. Additionally, fewer than 11% of respondents felt that local twelve-step peer support groups encourage the use of any form of MOUD. Conclusions MOUD education should target all members of court teams, including collaborating treatment providers. Since court staff care relatively little about the MOUD opinions of staff in other courts, changes in opinions in one court may not affect changes in opinions in a neighboring court. The NADCP should more explicitly state its support for MOUD, and specifically oral buprenorphine and methadone treatment.