Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of viral clearance and antibody production across age groups in SARS-CoV-2 infected children

Objectives To improve understanding of transition from viral infection to viral clearance, and antibody response in pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Study design This retrospective analysis of children tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and IgG antibody at a quaternary-care, free-standing pediatric hospital between March 13, 2020 to June 21, 2020 included 6369 patients who underwent PCR testing and 215 patients who underwent antibody testing. During the initial study period, testing focused primarily on symptomatic children; the later study period included asymptomatic patients who underwent testing as preadmission or preprocedural screening. We report the proportion of positive and negative tests, time to viral clearance, and time to seropositivity. Results The rate of positivity varied over time due to viral circulation in the community and transition from targeted testing of symptomatic patients to more universal screening of hospitalized patients. Median duration of viral shedding (RT-PCR positivity) was 19.5 days and time from RT-PCR positivity to negativity was 25 days. Of note, patients aged 6 through 15 years demonstrated a longer time of RT-PCR positivity to negativity, compared with patients aged 16 through 22 years (median=32 versus 18 days, P = .015). Median time to seropositivity, by chemiluminescent testing, from RT-PCR positivity was 18 days while median time to reach adequate levels of neutralizing antibodies (defined as comparable to 160 titer by plaque reduction neutralization testing) was 36 days. Conclusions The majority of patients demonstrated a prolonged period of viral shedding after infection with SARS CoV-2. It is unknown whether this correlates with persistent infectivity. Only 17 of 33 patients demonstrated adequate neutralizing antibodies during the timeframe of specimen collection. It remains unknown if IgG antibody against spike structured proteins correlates with immunity, and how long antibodies and potential protection persist.
Does Host Value Influence Female Aggressiveness, Contest Outcome and Fitness Gain in Parasitoids?

Intraspecific competition for resources is common in animals and may lead to physical contests. Contest outcomes and aggressiveness can be influenced by the resource holding potential of contestants but also by their perception of the resource value (RV). Competitors may assess resource quality directly (real RV) but may also estimate it according to their physiological status and their experience of the habitat quality (subjective RV). In this article, we studied contests between females of the solitary parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) when exploiting simultaneously a host, a Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) pupa. We tested the effect of factors modifying host value on the occurrence of agonistic behaviours, contest outcomes and host exploitation. The factors tested were: the quality of the previous habitat experienced by females, female egg load, host parasitism status and the stage reached by the owner female in her behavioural oviposition sequence. Females successfully protected their host against intruders during its exploitation, but not after oviposition, and their aggressiveness did not seem to be influenced by their perception of the RV. The fact that the host is subsequently parasitized by the opponent females appears to mainly depend on the host selectiveness of females.
Productivity in a pandemic

Almost overnight, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has upended daily life, including the work of scientific research. But scientists have not experienced these new disruptions equally. You may have heard that women scientists seem to be submitting fewer papers for publication (including preprints), whereas men are submitting more. If this imbalance is correct, then the effects could include fewer women being granted tenure and promotion, a larger gender pay gap, and even some women being pushed out of science.
The University of Utah

The purpose of this research was to provide the artificial heart design information necessary for the proper development of an implantable nuclear power supply for the artificial heart. A Kwan-Gett hemispherical artificial heart made of silicone rubber was attached to a mock circulation instrumented with pressure, volume and flow transducers and measurements made of power input to the artificial heart at various locations, source of power losses and efficiencies of the artificial heart under a variety of pumping conditions, volumetric efficiency, pressure required to move the diaphragm of the artificial heart, required motion of the heart diaphragm and pumping characteristics of the artificial heart. The in vitro measurements have been verified by in vivo experiments in calves. The preliminary design of a pumping chamber for the nuclear powered heart has been completed.
Human Amnion Epithelial Cells (AECs) Respond to the FSL-1 Lipopeptide by Engaging the NLRP7 Inflammasome

Context and Objectives: Inflammation is the leading mechanism involved in both physiological and pathological rupture of fetal membranes. Our aim was to obtain a better characterization of the inflammasome-dependent inflammation processes in these tissues, with a particular focus on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)–like receptor, pyrin domain containing protein 7 (NLRP7) inflammasome. Methods: The presence of NLRP7 inflammasome actors [NLRP7, apoptosis-associated speck–like protein containing a CARD domain (ASC), and caspase-1] was confirmed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in human amnion and choriodecidua at the three trimesters and at term. The protein concentrations were then determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in term tissues, with or without labor. The presence of Mycoplasma salivarium and Mycoplasma fermentans in human fetal membranes was investigated using a PCR approach. Human amnion epithelial cells (AECs) were treated for 4 or 20 h with fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide-1 (FSL-1), a M. salivarium–derived ligand. Transcripts and proteins quantity was then measured by RT–quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. NLRP7 and ASC colocalization was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Western blots allowed analysis of pro–caspase-1 and gasdermin D cleavage. Results: NLRP7, ASC, and caspase-1 transcripts were expressed in both sheets of human fetal membranes during all pregnancy stages, but only ASC protein expression was increased with labor. In addition, M. salivarium and M. fermentans were detected for the first time in human fetal membranes. NLRP7 and caspase-1 transcripts, as well as NLRP7, ASC, and pro–caspase-1 protein levels, were increased in FSL-1–treated AECs. The NLRP7 inflammasome assembled around the nucleus, and pro–caspase-1 and gasdermin D were cleaved into their mature forms after FSL-1 stimulation. Conclusion: Two new mycoplasmas, M. salivarium and M. fermentans, were identified in human fetal membranes, and a lipopeptide derived from M. salivarium was found to induce NLRP7 inflammasome formation in AECs.
Seasonal Variations in Physico-Chemical Properties and Biodiversity in Betana Pond, Eastern Nepal

A total of 62 species of aquatic macrophytes belonging to 33 families (Alga 1, Bryophyte 1, Pteridophytes 5, Angiospermic dicots 25 and monocots 31) and 38 species of aquatic macro-fauna (Birds 17, Reptiles 3, Amphibians 3, Fishes 12, Molluscs 1 and Arthropods 2) were recorded from Betana pond, eastern Nepal. Physico-chemical parameters of the pond water displayed different characteristics with seasons. More seasonal fluctuations in turbidity (0.76-26.01 NTU), carbon dioxide (4.58-73.92 mg/l) and chloride content (2.0-7.0 mg/l) were recorded in the pond. DOI: 10.3126/on.v8i1. 4330
Effects of benzo[a]pyrene on mouse germ cells: heritable DNA mutation, testicular cell hypomethylation and their interaction with nucleotide excision repair

Paternal exposure to the environmental contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may pose a genetic risk to future generations, because B[a]P or its metabolites can reach the testis and cause DNA damage and global hypomethylation. DNA damage and global hypomethylation can promote genomic instability in male germ cells resulting in mutations that are subsequently transmittable to offspring, especially when DNA repair is compromised. To study the ability of B[a]P to cause mutations in male germ cells and alterations in DNA methylation in testicular cells, and to investigate the relationship between these endpoints, we orally treated DNA repair deficient Xpc−/− and DNA repair proficient Xpc+/+ male mice with B[a]P or vehicle for a period of 6 weeks (13 mg kg−1 bw, 3× per week). Mice were crossed with untreated female mice 6 weeks after the last exposure to ensure the analysis of mutations originating from spermatogonial cells. Offspring tissues were collected on post-natal days 21–28. In the exposed fathers, B[a]P related DNA adducts were found in testes, indicating that the exposure reached the gonads. DNA adduct levels were similar in Xpc−/− and Xpc+/+ treated fathers. Global methylation of retrotransposable elements (LINE-1, SINE-B1 and SINE-B2) was significantly decreased in testis DNA from B[a]P treated fathers, irrespective of DNA repair genotype. Mutation rate at Ms6-hm and Hm-2 tandem repeat loci was only increased in offspring of B[a]P exposed Xpc−/− fathers. Mutation rates rose from 0.017 to 0.056 in offspring from control and treated Xpc−/− fathers, respectively (P = 0.034), whereas mutation rates were 0.028 and 0.029 in offspring from control and exposed DNA repair proficient fathers. The results indicate that B[a]P is able to induce hypomethylation in testicular DNA, and causes heritable mutations in offspring from Xpc deficient male mice. Potential health effects of paternal B[a]P exposure in offspring warrants extensive further investigation.
Barcoding and Phylogenetic Inferences in Nine Mugilid Species (Pisces, Mugiliformes)

Accurate identification of fish and fish products, from eggs to adults, is important in many areas. Grey mullets of the family Mugilidae are distributed worldwide and inhabit marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments in all tropical and temperate regions. Various Mugilid species are commercially important species in fishery and aquaculture of many countries. For the present study we have chosen two Mugilid genes with different phylogenetic signals: relatively variable mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and conservative nuclear rhodopsin (RHO). We examined their diversity within and among 9 Mugilid species belonging to 4 genera, many of which have been examined from multiple specimens, with the goal of determining whether DNA barcoding can achieve unambiguous species recognition of Mugilid species. The data obtained showed that information based on COI sequences was diagnostic not only for species-level identification but also for recognition of intraspecific units, e.g., allopatric populations of circumtropical Mugil cephalus, or even native and acclimatized specimens of Chelon haematocheila. All RHO sequences appeared strictly species specific. Based on the data obtained, we conclude that COI, as well as RHO sequencing can be used to unambiguously identify fish species. Topologies of phylogeny based on RHO and COI sequences coincided with each other, while together they had a good phylogenetic signal.
Dynamic Courtship Signals and Mate Preferences in Sepia plangon

Communication in cuttlefish includes rapid changes in skin coloration and texture, body posture and movements, and potentially polarized signals. The dynamic displays are fundamental for mate choice and agonistic behavior. We analyzed the reproductive behavior of the mourning cuttlefish Sepia plangon in the laboratory. Mate preference was analyzed via choice assays (n = 33) under three sex ratios, 1 male (M): 1 female (F), 2M:1F, and 1M:2F. We evaluated the effect of modifying polarized light from the arms stripes and ambient light with polarized and unpolarized barriers between the cuttlefish. Additionally, to assess whether a particular trait was a determinant for mating, we used 3D printed cuttlefish dummies. The dummies had different sets of visual signals: two sizes (60 or 90 mm mantle length), raised or dropped arms, high or low contrast body coloration, and polarized or unpolarized filters to simulate the arms stripes. Frequency and duration (s) of courtship displays, mating, and agonistic behaviors were analyzed with GLM and ANOVAs. The behaviors, body patterns, and their components were integrated into an ethogram to describe the reproductive behavior of S. plangon. We identified 18 body patterns, 57 body patterns components, and three reproductive behaviors (mating, courtship, and mate guarding). Only sex ratio had a significant effect on courtship frequency, and the male courtship success rate was 80%. Five small (ML < 80 mm) males showed the dual-lateral display to access mates while avoiding fights with large males; this behavior is characteristic of male “sneaker” cuttlefish. Winner males showed up to 17 body patterns and 33 components, whereas loser males only showed 12 patterns and 24 components. We identified 32 combinations of body patterns and components that tended to occur in a specific order and were relevant for mating success in males. Cuttlefish were visually aware of the 3D-printed dummies; however, they did not start mating or agonistic behavior toward the dummies. Our findings suggest that in S. plangon, the dynamic courtship displays with specific sequences of visual signals, and the sex ratio are critical for mate choice and mating success.
Evolution of reef-associated decapod crustaceans through time, with particular reference to the Maastrichtian type area

The result of some twenty years of intensive collecting from strata in the Maastrichtian type area is a collection of more than 1,200 generally small-sized anomuran and brachyuran remains. The stratigraphical ranges of the thirty-one species known to date from the Maastricht Formation (Late Maastrichtian) are shown and five successive decapod assemblages are discussed. For the first time, decapod crustacean remains now turn out to be useful biostratigraphic tools on a local to regional scale.
Selective improvement of porcine fat firmness by a diet enriched in medium‐chain fatty acids

The effects of 4% fat either rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA; saturated fat) or in polyenoic fatty acids (PUFA; unsaturated fat) isoenergetically exchanging carbohydrates of a low-fat diet (control) on performance and product quality were evaluated with 180 growing pigs. Growth, carcass and meat quality were not affected by the fat treatments. Although elevated in blood serum, cholesterol was not increased in belly meat when the MCFA-rich diet was fed. Fatty acid composition of backfat reflected dietary fat composition. The significantly lowest shelf life and melting temperatures were found with the unsaturated-fat diet. When compared with control, fat tissue PUFA contents were slightly higher in the saturated-fat diet, and fat melting temperatures were somewhat lower. In contrast, the use of this MCFA-enriched diet increased penetrometer firmness in pure 4°C temperated backfat by more than 50% as compared with control and to about the tenfold level of the firmness obtained in the unsaturated-fat diet. Impression of flavour and odor in lean and fatty meat were not systematically affected by the diets. The present results show a high potential of MCFA-enriched diets to selectively increase fat firmness in pigs without greater undesired side effects on other traits of product quality. Selekive Verbesserung der Korperfettharte beim Schwein durch eine mit mittellangkettigen Fettsauren angereicherte Ration. An 180 Schweinen wurden die Auswirkungen von 4% Fett mit hohen Anteilen an mittellangkettigen Fettsauren (gesattigtes Fett) oder an Polyenfettsauren (ungesattigtes Fett) im isoenergetischen Austausch zu Kohlenhydraten aus einer Niedrigfettration (Kontrolle) auf die Leistung und Produktqualitat untersucht. Es ergab sich kein Einflus auf Zuwachs, Schlachtkorper- und Fleischbeschaffenheit. Trotz der erhohten Blutserumwerte traten keine hoheren Cholesterolgehalte im Bauchfleisch auf, wenn das gesattigte Fett eingesetzt wurde. Das Fettsaurenmuster des Ruckenspecks spiegelte die Zusammensetzung der Futterfette wider. In der Ration mit dem ungesattigten Fett wurden die signifikant niedrigsten Fetthaltbarkeiten und Schmelztemperaturen gefunden. Im Vergleich zur Kontrolle lagen die Polyengehalte des Korperfetts mit dem gesattigten Fett etwas hoher, und die Schmelztemperaturen gingen etwas zuruck. Dagegen steigerte die Verwendung diese mit mittellangkettigen Fettsauren angereicherten Ration die Fettharte des reinen, auf 4°C temperierten Ruckenspecks im Vergleich zur Kontrolle um mehr als 50% und auf den etwa 10fachen Wert der Harte, die mit dem ungesattigten Fett erzielt wurde. Der Aroma- und Geruchseindruck von magerem und fettem Fleisch wurde durch die Rationen nicht systematisch beeinflust. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse belegen ein groses Potential von Rationen mit erhohten Anteilen an mittellangkettigen Fettsauren zur selektiven Steigerung der Fettharte, ohne das starkere ungunstige Nebenwirkungen auf andere qualitative Produktmerkmale auftreten.
IMMOBILIZATION OF THE PREDATORY GASTROPOD, NUCELLA LAPILLUS, BY ITS PREY, MYTILUS EDULIS

Slow moving and sessile organisms cannot escape predators and must rely on other defenses. Laboratory experiments show that mussels (Mytilus edulis) immobi lize predatory gastropods with byssal threads. This study assessesthe risk of immobili zation faced by the gastropod, Nucella lapillus, under natural conditions. Nearly 30% of the N. lapillus within mussel beds are trapped, and the per day risk to a predator in a mussel bed is between 0.010 and 0.038. The mussels nearest to the predator attach 20 or more byssi to the body whorl ofits predator's shell. Byssi are retracted, flipping the predator over. Nucella lapillus are rarely found in mussel beds (0.10 indi viduals per 0.25 m2 in beds and 2.38 per 0.25 m2 out of beds). It is not clear if N. lapillus are avoiding mussel beds for other reasons, such as exposure to predators, or are seeking alternative prey which do not co-occur with mussels. Nevertheless, mus sels pose a danger to predatory gastropods.
Cryptorchidism and Testicular Tumor: Comprehensive Analysis of Common Clinical Features and Search of SNVs in the KIT and AR Genes

Allelic variants in genes implicated in the development of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) could be present in patients with cryptorchidism (CO). Currently; the mechanisms explaining this relationship are still unknown. In this study the common clinical features in patients with CO and TGCT and 6 variants of KIT and AR genes associated to TGCT were analyzed. Population analyzed included 328 individuals: 91 patients with CO; 79 with TGCT, 13 of them with previous CO diagnosis, and 158 healthy males. Of the 13 patients with TGCT and history of CO, one patient (7.7%) presented the heterozygous form of the variant rs121913507 and two patients (15.4%) presented homozygote genotype for the variant rs121913506 in KIT gene. Interestingly, the heterozygous form for the variant rs121913506 of KIT gene was identifying in all of 13 patients. The rs201934623, rs774171864, and rs12014709 variants of the AR gene did not show any clinical association. Our results strongly support that genetic component in CO could be conditioning for the development of TGCT. Notably, KIT gene variants might be determinants in the pathological association between TGCT and CO.
Gamification in statistics education: A literature review

Today, the rapid growth of publicly available data reinforces the need for public understanding of statistics and data interpretation. These skills are important for data-based decision making at individual-level or even at societallevel. However, statistics have been accused as a complex educational topic. In the meantime, although gamification notes positive outcomes in education, regarding students’ engagement, statistical literacy is sparsely mentioned as an examining context in the respective literature. This study makes the picture more coherent, conducting a review about the adoption of gamification in statistical literacy (N=257 studies). In general, the results are in favor of the use of gamification in statistics education. The few mentioned negative outcomes warn for further attention on its design and integration. Besides having a variety of statistical topics mentioned, lifelong learning is slightly investigated. Only half of the reviewed body of the literature presents empirical data, and narrative and board games are mainly used. Further research is proposed about the design of gamification, touching more topics of statistics and examining various motivational affordances, especially in lifelong learning.
Does Plethodon cinereus Affect Leaf Litter Decomposition and Invertebrate Abundances in Mixed Oak Forest?

Abstract Although investigators have determined that some anurans can influence nutrient availability in terrestrial systems, ecological interactions among salamanders, invertebrates, and leaf litter decomposition in the detrital ecosystem are poorly understood. We examined the effects of the Eastern Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) on leaf litter decomposition rates and invertebrate populations in the mixed oak forests of southwestern Virginia from May 2006 to June 2008. We constructed 12 in situ mesocosms with 0, 1.0, or 2.0 P. cinereus/m2 (4.0 P. cinereus/m2 in year 2). We quantified decomposition rates of leaf litter and numbers of invertebrates with litter bags that were removed from mesocosms monthly throughout the experiment. Further, we assessed what taxa of invertebrates were preyed upon by salamanders with gastric lavage. Across our 2-year experiment, we were unable to detect an effect of salamander abundance on rates of leaf litter decomposition, numbers of broad invertebrate taxonomic groupings, or functional guilds of invertebrates. Stomach analysis confirmed that salamanders were euryphagic, but they consumed more herbivores than detritivores or predators. Although we are unclear why these results conflict with earlier work indicating that salamanders can influence invertebrates and leaf litter decomposition, variability of canopy trees or microclimate may have contributed to a lack of control of invertebrate populations or litter decomposition by salamanders in the complex mixed-oak forests of the Appalachian Mountains.
Cytotoxic effect of some Moroccan medicinal plant extracts on human cervical cell lines

Organic extracts of 7 selected plant species, used by Moroccan traditional healers to treat cancer or non-cancer diseases, were tested for their anti-cancerous activities. The plant selection was based on ethnobotanic information and interviews with local healers. Extracts from Inula viscosa (L.) Ait. , Retama monosperma (L.) Bois. , Ormenis mixta (L.) Dumont. , Ormenis eriolepis Coss. ,Rhamnus lycioides (L.), Berberis hispanica Bois and Reut. and Urginea maritima (L.) Baker. were tested for their potential cytotoxic effects on the human cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa, harbouring HPV16 and HPV 18 respectively. MTT (Tetrazolium blue) colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the viability of cell cultures in the presence of the extracts. The extract from Inula viscosa (L.) Ait. , Retama monosperma (L.) Bois. , Ormenis eriolepis Coss. exhibited marked cytotoxic effect on the two cell lines. These species could be considered as potential sources of anticancer compounds. Further studies are necessary for chemical characterization of the active principles and more extensive biological evaluations. Key words: Moroccan medicinal plants, cervical cancer cells, cytotoxic activity.