Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Roles of the vagina and the vaginal microbiota in urinary tract infection: evidence from clinical correlations and experimental models

Mounting evidence indicates that the vagina can harbor uropathogenic bacteria. Here, we consider three roles played by the vagina and its bacterial inhabitants in urinary tract infection (UTI) and urinary health. First, the vagina can serve as a reservoir for Escherichia coli, the most common cause of UTI, and other recognized uropathogens. Second, several vaginal bacterial species are frequently detected upon urine culture but are underappreciated as uropathogens, and other vaginal species are likely under-reported because of their fastidious nature. Third, some vaginal bacteria that are not widely viewed as uropathogens can transit briefly in the urinary tract, cause injury or immunomodulation, and shift the balance of host-pathogen interactions to influence the outcomes of uropathogenesis. This chapter describes the current literature in these three areas and summarizes the impact of the vaginal microbiota on susceptibility to UTI and other urologic conditions.
Óleo de soja e própolis na alimentação de cabras leiteiras

ABSTRACT - The objective of this experiment was to verify the effects of soybean oil and/or ethanolic extract of propolis, in thediets of dairy goats, on intake, on digestibility of nutrients, on milk production and composition and some ruminal parameters. SixteenAlpine female goats were used, in which four animals fistulated in the rumen. The animals were allocated in four 4x4 Latin squa res, ina 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments. It was added to the concentrate 0 or 120 g of soybean oil and 0 or 10 mL of ethanoli c extractof propolis/animal/day (30% weight/volume of grinded crude propolis in alcoholic solution at 70% in water). The diets had the s ame proteincontent, with 11.5% CP and contained 67% corn silage and 33% concentrate based on corn and soybean meal. The soybean oil decrea sedthe intakes of dry matter (%BW and g/kg BW 0.75 ), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and non-fibrous carbohydrates; decreased the digestibilityof NDF, increased the digestibilities of CP and EE and increased the total digestible nutrients content (TDN); decreased the pr oductionand increased the percentual contents of fat, protein and total solids in the milk; increased the pH and decreased the acetate: propionateratio in the ruminal fluid. There was interaction between soybean oil and ethanolic extract of propolis, in which soybean oil d ecreasedthe intakes of DM, OM and NDF, in kg/animal/day, only in the presence of propolis and increased the intake of crude protein in the absenceof propolis. The soybean oil was more effective in changing the evaluated variables than the ethanolic extract of propolis.Key Words: digestibility, goat, milk, rumen, soybean oil
Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity of the Mastic Gum Essential Oils of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia from Turkey †

The essential oils (EOs) were isolated by hydrodistillation from wild and cultivated Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia—mastic gum tree (Anacardiaceae) from two natural habitats, namely from Cesme–Uzunkoy (1) and Mordogan (2), and one cultivated source, Cesme–Germiyan (3), in Izmir, Turkey. This comparative study evaluated the chemical composition and biological activity of mastic gum essential oils (MGEOs). For this purpose, MGEOs 1–3 were analyzed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and chiral GC for α-pinene. Laboratory assays were conducted to assess for potential in vitro cytotoxicity (multiple in vitro cancer cell lines), antimicrobial properties (five bacterial species and yeast), anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS), and the attraction of Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly, medfly), respectively. Chemical analysis indicated that MGEOs 1 and 2 were rich in α-pinene (56.2% and 51.9%), myrcene (20.1% and 18.6%), and β-pinene (2.7% and 3.1%), respectively; whereas MGEO-3 was characterized by a high level of α-pinene (70.8%), followed by β-pinene (5.7%) and myrcene (2.5%). Chiral GC analyses showed that concentration ratios between (−)/(+)-α-pinene and (−)-α-pinene/myrcene allowed for differentiation between wild and cultivated MGEO sources. In biological assays, MGEOs 1–3 did not exhibit significant antimicrobial effects against the pathogens evaluated and were not strong attractants of male medflies; however, all three MGEOs displayed a dose-dependent inhibition of iNOS, and MGEOs 1 and 2 exhibited selective in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cells. These results suggest that wild-type mastic gum oils from Cesme and Mordogan (MGEOs 1 and 2) are potential sources of beneficial products and warrant further investigation.
Seed protein and its relationship to soluble sugars in soybean

Protein meal from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] contains the soluble sugars raffinose and stachyose. Because of these sugars, the quantity of soybean meal must be limited in rations to avoid flatulence in dogs (Canis familiaris) and digestive disturbances in baby pigs (Sus scrofa) and chicks (Gallus domesticus). Identifying soybean with a lower level of these sugars could lead to an increase in the quantity of soybean meal used in specific rations. As protein content of soybean seed is increased and oil is reduced, the total protein + oil + seed coat is greater than in standard type soybean. The residual portion is therefore reduced, and soluble sugars could account for a part of this reduction. Twenty standard type (high-oil) soybean cultivars and breeding lines and 20 high-protein breeding lines were grown in replicated trials on Sharkey clay (very-fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, thermic Vertic Haplaquept) at Stoneville in 1991 and 1992. Seed was analyzed for protein, oil, raffinose, stachyose, and sucrose. Range in protein content was from 387 to 537 g kg -1 dry seed and oil was from 145 to 216 g kg -1 dry seed. Range in g stachyose + raffinose kg -1 protein was 78.3 to 133.7. The correlation between protein and stachyose + raffinose was negative but nonsignificant. The g stachyose + raffinose kg -1 protein for the cultivar Forrest was used as a basis for comparison with the other genotypes evaluated. On this basis, the quantity of protein that might be used in a ration without changing the raffinose + stachyose level from that in Forrest ranged from 89 to 153%.
Evaluation of Bt oilseed rape on the non‐target herbivore Athalia rosae

Laboratory feeding experiments using two transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rape cultivars (Bt‐Westar and Bt‐Oscar) both expressing the Cry1Ac protein, and the corresponding untransformed lines, were carried out to study the effects of transgenic Bt rape on the non‐target herbivore Athalia rosae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). Furthermore, Cry1Ac protein concentration in Bt rape leaves, A. rosae larvae fed Bt rape, their faeces, eonymph instars, pupae, and adults were quantified using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were no significant differences in mortality, larval development, and weight between transgenic Bt rape and non‐transgenic rape fed A. rosae. Additionally, we did not detect any significant differences in the fecundity and fertility of adult females either fed as larvae with transgenic Bt or with non‐transgenic rape. However, results of the ELISA indicated that Cry1Ac protein was detectable in larvae and faeces (Bt‐Westar 1.1 ± 0.2 and Bt‐Oscar 0.3 ± 0.2 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight) although this was less than in the leaf material, where concentrations were 2.2 ± 0.8 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight for Bt‐Westar and 7.5 ± 2.9 µg Cry1Ac protein/g fresh weight in Bt‐Oscar. In contrast, Cry1Ac protein could not be detected in eonymphs, pupae, or adults of A. rosae. Our results suggest that Cry1Ac protein in Bt rape does not have a significant effect on the herbivore A. rosae but the protein is still detectable after ingestion and excretion by these herbivores, thus providing the possibility of exposure to organisms other than herbivores.
Ageism, Healthy Life Expectancy and Population Ageing: How Are They Related?

Evidence shows that ageism negatively impacts the health of older adults. However, estimates of its prevalence are lacking. This study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of ageism towards older adults and to explore possible explanatory factors. Data were included from 57 countries that took part in Wave 6 of the World Values Survey. Multilevel Latent Class Analysis was performed to identify distinct classes of individuals and countries. Individuals were classified as having high, moderate or low ageist attitudes; and countries as being highly, moderately or minimally ageist, by aggregating individual responses. Individual-level (age, sex, education and wealth) and contextual-level factors (healthy life expectancy, population health status and proportion of the population aged over 60 years) were examined as potential explanatory factors in multinomial logistic regression. From the 83,034 participants included, 44%, 32% and 24% were classified as having low, moderate and high ageist attitudes, respectively. From the 57 countries, 34 were classified as moderately or highly ageist. The likelihood of an individual or a country being ageist was significantly reduced by increases in healthy life expectancy and the proportion of older people within a country. Certain personal characteristics—younger age, being male and having lower education—were significantly associated with an increased probability of an individual having high ageist attitudes. At least one in every two people included in this study had moderate or high ageist attitudes. Despite the issue’s magnitude and negative health impacts, ageism remains a neglected global health issue.
Venous distensibility is more important than venous diameter in primary survival of autogenous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas

Background: Many studies suggested that the optimal cephalic vein diameter for wrist radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula construction should be at least 2 mm to predict successful maturation and primary patency. However, our experience has shown that many patients with smaller cephalic vein diameter (≤2 mm) in the neutral state (without a tourniquet) also have good clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify predictors that affect primary survival of new wrist radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in patients with cephalic vein diameter ≤2 mm. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 50 patients with preoperative cephalic vein diameters ≤2 mm in the neutral state who underwent wrist radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula construction between September 2016 and October 2019. Internal diameters of the cephalic vein and radial artery, venous distensibility, peak systolic velocity, and resistance index of the radial artery were determined by ultrasound examination before wrist radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula placement. Patients were divided into two groups: failure and survival. Results: The radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula survival rate was 68% from the time of radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula creation until the end of the study. Univariate analysis showed that larger venous distensibility (p < 0.001), non-diabetic kidney disease (p = 0.009), and slower peak systolic velocity of the radial artery (p = 0.033) were predictive factors for primary radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula survival. Multivariate regression analysis revealed good venous distensibility (odds ratio = 9.637, 95% confidence interval = 1.893–49.050, p = 0.006) and non-diabetic kidney disease (odds ratio = 0.148, 95% confidence interval = 0.033–0.660, p = 0.012) to be independent predictors for primary radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula survival. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that venous distensibility >0.52 mm (sensitivity: 70.6%, specificity: 68.8%) was the best cut-off value to predict primary radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula survival. Conclusion: When cephalic veins with diameter ≤2 mm are found, venous distensibility should be used to aid in the surgery decision-making process. The outcome of wrist radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula survival would be significantly improved through the use of cephalic vein with venous distensibility >0.52 mm.
How Are Information and Communication Technologies Supporting Routine Outcome Monitoring and Measurement-Based Care in Psychotherapy? A Systematic Review

Psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems. However, not all patients respond to the treatment as expected (not-on-track patients). Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and measurement-based care (MBC), which consist of monitoring patients between appointments and using this data to guide the intervention, have been shown to be particularly useful for these not-on-track patients. Traditionally, though, ROM and MBC have been challenging, due to the difficulties associated with repeated monitoring of patients and providing real-time feedback to therapists. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) might help reduce these challenges. Therefore, we systematically reviewed evidence regarding the use of ICTs for ROM and MBC in face-to-face psychological interventions for mental health problems. The search included published and unpublished studies indexed in the electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS. Main search terms were variations of the terms “psychological treatment”, “progress monitoring or measurement-based care”, and “technology”. Eighteen studies met eligibility criteria. In these, ICTs were frequently handheld technologies, such as smartphone apps, tablets, or laptops, which were involved in the whole process (assessment and feedback). Overall, the use of technology for ROM and MBC during psychological interventions was feasible and acceptable. In addition, the use of ICTs was found to be effective, particularly for not-on-track patients, which is consistent with similar non-ICT research. Given the heterogeneity of reviewed studies, more research and replication is needed to obtain robust findings with different technological solutions and to facilitate the generalization of findings to different mental health populations.
Assessing biodiversity by remote sensing in mountainous terrain: the potential of LiDAR to predict forest beetle assemblages

Summary 1. Effective biodiversity management can only be implemented if data are available on assemblage–environment relationships. The level of detail needs to be relevant to the scale of planning and decision making. A number of remote-sensing methods are available, but there are few studies that link information collected at both landscape and local scales. This is particularly true for arthropods even though these organisms are ecologically very important. 2. We assessed the predictive power of habitat variables measured by airborne laser scanning (light detection and ranging; LiDAR) to model the activity, richness and composition of assemblages of forest-dwelling beetles. We compared the results with data acquired using conventional field methods. We sampled beetles with pitfall traps and flight-interception traps at 171 sampling stations along an elevation gradient in a montane forest. 3. We found a high predictive power of LiDAR-derived variables, which captured most of the predictive power of variables measured in ground surveys. In particular, mean body size and species composition of assemblages showed considerable predictability using LiDAR-derived variables. The differences in the predictability of species richness and diversity of assemblages between trap types can be explained by sample size. We expect predictabilities with R2 of up to 0·6 for samples with 250 individuals on average. 4. The statistical response of beetle data and the ecological interpretability of results showed that airborne laser scanning can be used for cost-effective mapping (LiDAR : field survey : beetles 15 : 100 : 260 € ha−1) of biodiversity even in remote mountain areas and in structurally complex habitats, such as forests. 5. Synthesis and applications. The strong relationship between characteristics of beetle assemblages to variables derived by laser scanning provides an opportunity to link data from local ground surveys of hyperdiverse taxa to data collected remotely at the landscape scale. This will enable conservation managers to evaluate habitats, define hotspots or map activity, richness and composition of assemblages at scales relevant for planning and management. In addition to the large area that can be sampled remotely, the grain of the data allows a single tree to be identified, which opens up the possibility of planning management actions at local scales.
Molybdate Alters Sulfate Assimilation and Induces Oxidative Stress in White Clover (Trifolium repens L.)

ABSTRACT Molybdenum (Mo) in rhizosphere influences sulfate assimilation as well as a number of other physiological aspects. In this study, the activity of key enzymes in sulfate assimilatory pathways, such as ATP sulfurylase (ATPs), adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate reductase (APR), as well as the responses of reactive oxygen species (ROS), were analyzed to elucidate the metabolic and physiological effects of external Mo supply to detached leaves of Trifolium repens L. Mo supply with a range from 1 mM to 40 mM depressed the activity of ATPs throughout the entire time course. In the leaves exposed to 1 mM Mo, a continuous decrease in the activity of ATPs was confirmed by Native-PAGE. The APR activity was also declined by Mo treatment. The accumulation of H 2 O 2 and O 2 were not significant up to 10 mM Mo, whereas a remarked accumulation was detected under 40 mM Mo supply. The data suggest that an external supply of Mo has an inhibitory effect on sulfate assimilation, and induces oxidative stress only at an extremely high concentration. (
Differential Functions of Galanin Cell Groups in the Regulation of Eating and Body Weight a

Abstract: Evidence suggests that hypothalamic galanin (GAL) has a variety of functions related to energy and nutrient balance, reproduction, water balance, and neuroendocrine regulation. The focus of this chapter is the role of GAL in eating and body weight regulation. Findings described herein demonstrate that GAL, in a cell group of the anterior region of the paraventricular nucleus (aPVN) that projects to the median eminence, has a role in the control of fat intake, fat metabolism, and body fat. This function of aPVN GAL neurons is carried out in close relation to circulating insulin and glucose. Galanin‐expressing perikarya in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) have a similar function, although GAL here operates in association with the female steroids estrogen and progesterone. These GAL cell groups of the aPVN and MPOA contrast with those in the arcuate nucleus as well as the magnocellular vasopressin‐containing neurons of the PVN and supraoptic nucleus, which show no relation to fat balance. This evidence reveals differential functions for the distinct GAL neuronal cell groups of the hypothalamus.
Toxocara species environmental contamination of public spaces in New York City

Human toxocariasis has been identified as an under-diagnosed parasitic zoonosis and health disparity of significant public health importance in the United States due to its high seropositivity among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and possible links to cognitive and developmental delays. Through microscopy and quantitative PCR, we detected that Toxocara eggs are widespread in New York City public spaces, with evidence of significant levels of contamination in all five boroughs. The Bronx had the highest contamination rate (66.7%), while Manhattan had the lowest contamination rate (29.6%). Moreover, infective eggs were only found in the Bronx playgrounds, with over 70% of eggs recovered in embryonic form and the highest egg burden (p = 0.0365). All other boroughs had eggs in the pre-infectious, unembronyated form. Toxocara cati, the cat roundworm, was the predominant species. These results suggest that feral or untreated cats in New York City represent a significant source of environmental contamination. These findings indicate that human toxocariasis has emerged as an important health disparity in New York City, with ongoing risk of acquiring Toxocara infection in public spaces, especially in poorer neighborhoods. There is a need for reducing environmental Toxocara contamination. Additional rigorous public health interventions should explore further approaches to interrupt transmission to humans.
Postmortem metabolomics: Correlating time-dependent concentration changes of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds.

Postmortem redistribution (PMR) describes artificial postmortem (PM) concentration changes of xenobiotics that may pose major challenges in forensic toxicology. Only few studies systematically investigated time-dependent PM drug concentration changes so far and a posteriori estimation of the occurrence of PMR is not possible yet. In this context, the general concept that PM biochemical changes in blood might parallel drug redistribution mechanisms seems promising. Thus, the current study investigated the possible correlations between time-dependent PM concentration changes of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds; exemplified for authentic morphine (n=19) and methadone (n=11) cases. Peripheral blood samples at two time-points PM were analyzed for morphine and methadone concentrations and an (un)targeted PM metabolomics approach was utilized to combine targeted quantitative analysis of 56 endogenous analytes and untargeted screening for endogenous compounds (characterizing 1174 features); liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used respectively. Individual statistically significant correlations between morphine/methadone and endogenous compounds/features could be determined. Hence, the general applicability of the proposed concept could successfully be confirmed. To verify reproducibility and robustness of the correlating behavior, a larger dataset must be analyzed next. Once a marker/set of markers is found (e.g. robust correlation with specific xenobiotic or xenobiotic class), this could be used as surrogates to further study time-dependent PMR in a broader variety of cases (e.g. independent of a xenobiotic drug present). A crucial next step will also be the attempt to create a statistical model that allows a posteriori estimation of PMR occurrence of xenobiotics to assist forensic toxicologists in PM case interpretation.
Review of Current Machine Perfusion Therapeutics for Organ Preservation

Because of the high demand of organs, the usage of marginal grafts has increased. These marginal organs have a higher risk of developing ischemia-reperfusion injury, which can lead to posttransplant complications. Ex situ machine perfusion (MP), compared with the traditional static cold storage, may better protect these organs from ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, MP can also act as a platform for dynamic administration of pharmacological agents or gene therapy to further improve transplant outcomes. Numerous therapeutic agents have been studied under both hypothermic (1–8°C) and normothermic settings. Here, we review all the therapeutics used during MP in different organ systems (lung, liver, kidney, heart). The major categories of therapeutic agents include vasodilators, mesenchymal stem cells, antiinflammatory agents, antiinfection agents, siRNA, and defatting agents. Numerous animal and clinical studies have examined MP therapeutic agents, some of which have even led to the successful reconditioning of discarded grafts. More clinical studies, especially randomized controlled trials, will need to be conducted in the future to solidify these promising results and to define the role of MP therapeutic agents in solid organ transplantation.