Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between body mass index and physical fitness in Italian prepubertal schoolchildren

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between physical fitness and body mass index categories (obesity, OB; overweight, OW; normal-weight, NW; and underweight, UW) in prepubertal children. Anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics were collected from a convenience sample of 30472 Italian schoolchildren (6–11 years old). Six field-based tests were used: Léger, agility shuttle, long jump, frontal throw of the basketball, Sit & Reach and standing balance. Significant differences were found in the anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and weight status prevalence between girls and boys (p<0.05) and, except for flexibility, by age class (p<0.05). Obese children performed worse than their NW counterparts in aerobic capacity (p<0.001), agility (p<0.001), muscular power of the lower limb (p<0.001) and balance (p<0.001). Conversely, children with obesity showed greater upper limb power than NW children (p<0.001). The discrepancy in physical fitness between OB and NW children increased in older girls (flexibility, p = 0.002; muscular power of the lower and upper limb, p = 0.002 and p = 0.005) and boys (aerobic capacity, p = 0.009; agility, p = 0.006; standing balance, p = 0.019; muscular power of the lower and upper limb, p<0.001 and p = 0.011) compared to their younger counterparts. On the other hand, UW children performed worse than NW children mainly in terms of muscular power of the arms (p<0.001). Additionally, there was an increasing disparity in the frontal throw test scores of UW and NW girls (p = 0.003) and boys (p = 0.011) in older children compared to younger children. In conclusion, the effect of body mass index on children’s physical fitness intensifies with age. OB and OW negatively affect aerobic capacity, agility, lower limb power and balance but positively affect upper limb power. UW negatively affects upper limb power. This study underscores the importance of preventing childhood OW, OB, and UW in early life to promote children’s health and proper fitness development.
A Rapid Review of the Asymptomatic Proportion of PCR-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Community Settings

Background: Up to 80% of active SARS-CoV-2 infections are proposed to be asymptomatic based on cross-sectional studies. However, accurate estimates of the asymptomatic proportion require systematic detection and follow-up to differentiate between truly asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases. We conducted a rapid review and meta-analysis of current evidence regarding the asymptomatic proportion of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections based on methodologically-appropriate studies in community settings. Methods: We searched Medline and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles, and BioRxiv and MedRxiv for pre-prints published prior to 05/05/2020. We included studies based in community settings that involved systematic PCR testing on participants and follow-up symptom monitoring regardless of symptom status. We extracted data on study characteristics, frequencies of PCR-confirmed infections by symptom status, and (if available) cycle threshold values and/or duration of viral shedding by symptom status. We computed estimates of the asymptomatic proportion and 95% confidence intervals for each study and overall using random effect meta-analysis. Findings: We screened 270 studies and included 6. The pooled estimate for the asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 11% (95% CI 4%-18%). Estimates of baseline viral load appeared to be similar for asymptomatic and symptomatic cases based on available data in three studies, though detailed reporting of cycle threshold values and natural history of viral shedding by symptom status was limited. Interpretation: The asymptomatic proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections is relatively low when estimated from methodologically-appropriate studies. Further investigation into the degree and duration of infectiousness for asymptomatic infections is warranted. Funding: Medical Research Council
Are There Effective Interventions to Increase Physical Activity in Children and Young People? An Umbrella Review

Background: Obesity and physical inactivity among children and young people are public health concerns. While numerous interventions to promote physical activity are available, little is known about the most effective ones. This study aimed to summarize the existing evidence on interventions that aim to increase physical activity. Methods: A systematic review of reviews was conducted. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses published from January 2010 until November 2017 were identified through PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently assessed titles and abstracts, performed data extraction and quality assessment. Outcomes as level of physical activity and body mass index were collected in order to assess the efficacy of interventions. Results: A total 30 studies examining physical activity interventions met the inclusion criteria, 15 systematic reviews and 15 meta-analyses. Most studies (N = 20) were implemented in the school setting, three were developed in preschool and childcare settings, two in the family context, five in the community setting and one miscellaneous context. Results showed that eight meta-analyses obtained a small increase in physical activity level, out of which five were conducted in the school, two in the family and one in the community setting. Most promising programs had the following characteristics: included physical activity in the school curriculum, were long-term interventions, involved teachers and had the support of families. Conclusion: The majority of interventions to promote physical activity in children and young people were implemented in the school setting and were multicomponent. Further research is needed to investigate nonschool programs.
KGF AND HGF ARE GROWTH FACTORS FOR MESOTHELIAL CELLS IN PLEURAL LAVAGE FLUID AFTER INTRATRACHEAL ASBESTOS

Mesothelial cells proliferate soon after asbestos deposition in the lung. The present study investigates whether the known mesothelial cell mitogens keratinocyte growth factor (KGF)and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)are present in the lung and specifically in the pleural cavity during the phase of mesothelial cell growth. Rats received 1 mg crocidolite asbestos in 0.5 mL water by intratracheal instillation and were killed up to 2 weeks later; tritiated thymidine was injected 1 hour before death. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)and pleural lavage (PLL)were performed. Increased inflammatory cell numbers and protein levels were found in BAL but also in PLL at 1 day after asbestos deposition. In lung sections, labeling of mesothelial cells increased > 10-fold at day 1 and stayed above normal for 1 week. During this period, the levels of HGF and KGF were significantly raised in both BAL and PLL fluids. The PLL fluid had mitogenic activity for mesothelial cells in culture and this effect was significantly reduced by antibodies to HGF and KGF. The results indicate that fiber deposition in the airspaces rapidly induces lung injury and inflammation, in which growth factors for mesothelial cells KGF and HGF are secreted. These factors reach the pleural cavity at the time when mesothelial cell proliferation occurs. It is possible that the activated, dividing mesothelial population may then be more susceptible to DNA damage by any translocated fibers.
Synergy of Lepidopteran Nucleopolyhedroviruses AcMNPV and SpliNPV with Insecticides

The joint use of baculoviruses and synthetic insecticides for integrated pest management requires the study of the additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects among them on pest mortality. Droplet bioassays were conducted with Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV) and seven insecticides (azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, cyantraniliprole, emamectin, metaflumizone, methoxyfenozide and spinetoram) on Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera littoralis. The lethal concentrations LC50 and LC95 were calculated through probit regressions. Then, the sequential feeding of insecticides and nucleopolyhedroviruses was studied. Larvae were provided with the LC50 of one insecticide, followed by the LC50 of one nucleopolyhedrovirus 24 h later. The inverse order was also conducted. The insecticide LC50 and LC95 were higher for S. littoralis than for S. exigua. AcMNPV showed greater toxicity on S. exigua than SpliNPV on S. littoralis. Emamectin showed synergy with AcMNPV when the chemical was applied first, and metaflumizone and AcMNPV were synergistic regardless of the order of application, both from the first day of evaluation. SpliNPV was synergistic with azadirachtin and emamectin when it was applied first, but synergy was reached after 12–13 days. Excellent control is possible with the LC50 of azadirachtin, emamectin and metaflumizone in combination with nucleopolyhedroviruses, and merits further study as a means of controlling lepidopteran pests.
Polymorphisms in glycoprotein (GP) lb alpha are not associated with adverse outcomes in primigravidae

The platelet glycoprotein lb-IX complex is critical in platelet adhesion under conditions of high shear stress. Three genetic polymorphisms in the GPlb f subunit have been variably associated with thrombotic disorders. Women with serious obstetrical complications have an increased incidence of polymorphisms in other coagulation factors predisposing them f to thrombosis. Three GPlb variants were genotyped in 271 women in an Irish primigravid population, 258 with recorded outcomes, and in 22 patients with recurrent thrombosis and 15 patients with recurrent fetal loss. These were: the 13 amino acid variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR A/B/C/D), the Thr145Met antigen (HPA2) and a variant in the 'Kozak' sequence 5 bases upstream of the methionine initiation codon (T-5C). The VNTR B and HPA2b (145Met) alleles were strongly associated with each other, as found in previous analyses of Caucasian populations (estimated haplotype frequency 5%). The Kozak rarer C variant was found at an allele frequency of 9.1%, and appeared completely associated with the commonest haplotype of the other markers (VNTR/C, 145Thr). GPlb f genotype did not have any marked influence on pregnancy outcome. The Kozak/C variant was not significantly elevated in the 15 primigravidae patients who miscarried compared with 233 normal outcomes (OR=2.09, CI=0.7-6.4), neither was the 145Met variant (P =0.38). The Kozak/C variant was not elevated in the six primigravidae patients who developed pre-eclampsia (OR=0.84, CI=0.1-7.3). Comparison of the 271 primigravidae with 15 recurrent fetal loss patients showed no association between Kozak/C and recurrent fetal loss (OR=0.65, CI=0.1-3.0), nor with the 145Met variant (OR=0.62, CI=0.1-4.9). Combining miscarriage cases, recurrent thrombosis cases, pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation outcome groups together, there is still no significant genotypic difference compared with normal outcome (OR=0.90, CI=0.4-1.9). Genetic variants of GPlb f are unlikely to contribute to adverse events associated with thrombosis in a primigravidae population
Measures to Improve Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Spanish Medical Students

Objective: To find out what measures medical students believe could help improve their influenza vaccination coverage. Method: On 5 November 2019, the Dean of the Zaragoza Medical School sent an e-mail to the students asking them to fill out a questionnaire through Google Forms, in which they were asked to describe, in an open field, the measures that they believed could contribute to improving their flu vaccination coverage. The content of the responses was analyzed in a classic way, extracting descriptors and selecting the most representative verbatim accounts. Results: The main measures proposed were to improve the training on influenza and its vaccine, to improve the accessibility of the vaccine in time and space, to provide incentives to get vaccinated, to create visible and positive attitudes towards the vaccine, and to increase the diffusion of information about the vaccination campaign. Conclusion: This qualitative study has found potential measures to be applied specifically to medical students to improve their vaccination coverage in our country.
Periictal electroclinical characteristics of postictal generalized electroencephalographic suppression after generalized convulsive seizures

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic, clinical, and electrophysiological characteristics of postictal generalized electroencephalography (EEG) suppression (PGES), thereby facilitating the recognition of PGES and providing clues regarding its risk factors, pathophysiology, and relationship with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP). We retrospectively reviewed 237 generalized convulsive seizures (GCSs) in 126 patients during long-term video-EEG (VEEG) recordings. The associations of PGES and prolonged PGES (duration >20 seconds) with person- and seizure-specific variables were evaluated independently using SPSS software. Eighty patients (63.5%, 80/126) exhibited PGES after 127 GCSs (53.6%, 127/237) with an average PGES duration of 41.31 ± 24.03 seconds. The tonic phase was significantly prolonged in patients with PGES and prolonged PGES. PGES was independently associated with ictal semiology, which was attributable to the different proportions of GCS type 1. After seizure termination, patients with PGES had a higher percentage of postictal unresponsiveness and immobility, including oropharyngeal immobility. Between prolonged and short-duration PGES, the former was more likely to phase out gradually followed by immediate body movement, whereas the latter tended to have an abrupt, evoked termination followed by delayed body movement. Prolonged tonic duration, GCS type 1, postictal unresponsiveness, and immobility were more prone to occur with PGES, which might imply that hyperactivation of inhibitory neural networks underlies the pathophysiology of PGES and subsequent SUDEP. Any form of periictal bedside care, whether it constitutes effective medical intervention or not, is advisable due to its possible contribution to the interruption of PGES. Regardless of the PGES termination pattern, the neural network resuscitation process was progressive.
Tabela de esperança de vida e de fertilidade de Sipha flava (Forbes) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) alimentado com capim-elefante em diferentes temperaturas

Objetivou-se estimar as tabelas de esperanca de vida e de fertilidade para Sipha flava (Forbes, 1884) alimentados com capim-elefante, em diferentes temperaturas. Foram utilizadas câmaras climatizadas a 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 e 32oC, UR 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12 horas, contendo 150 insetos em cada condicao termica. Foi constatada mortalidade gradual em todas as temperaturas. A maior longevidade e maior esperanca de vida dos afideos foi a 12oC. As taxas liquidas de reproducao (Ro) e o tempo necessario para a populacao duplicar em numero (TD) tambem foram maiores a 12oC. A sobrevivencia (lx) comecou a diminuir a partir de 3,5 dias a 24oC e a partir do primeiro dia nas demais temperaturas, seguindo uma reducao gradativa com o desenvolvimento do inseto. O intervalo de tempo entre cada geracao (T) diminuiu com o aumento da temperatura, ate 28oC. A maior fertilidade especifica (mx) e a maior fecundidade total media ocorreram a 24oC. A capacidade inata de aumentar em numero (rm) foi menor a 12oC. A razao finita de aumento (λ) foi maior a 20 e 24oC. A temperatura de 24oC mostrou-se mais adequada para o desenvolvimento de S. flava em capim-elefante por proporcionar maiores valores para os parâmetros reprodutivos.
Seroprevalence of the Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Humans from Yungas Rainforest and Gran Chaco Region from Argentina and Bolivia

The threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Data on the prevalence and distribution of infection with this parasite species is scarce in many critical regions. We conducted a seroprevalence study of S. stercoralis infection in 13 locations in the Gran Chaco and Yungas regions of Argentina and Bolivia during the period 2010–2016. A total of 2803 human serum samples were analyzed by ELISA-NIE which has a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 95%. Results showed that 551 (19.6%) of those samples were positive. The adjusted prevalence was 20.9%, (95% confidence interval (CI) 19.4–22.4%). The distribution of cases was similar between females and males with an increase of prevalence with age. The prevalence in the different locations ranged from 7.75% in Pampa del Indio to 44.55% in Santa Victoria Este in the triple border between Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay in the Chaco region. Our results show that S. stercoralis is highly prevalent in the Chaco and Yungas regions, which should prompt prospective surveys to confirm our findings and the design and deployment of control measures.
Biogas from dedicated energy crops in Northern Italy: electric energy generation costs

Agricultural anaerobic digestion facilities are increasing in many EU member States and biomass supply is sometimes an issue. Dedicated energy crops (DEC) (mainly Maize, Triticale and Sorghum) are often used to integrate other substrates, such as agricultural residues, manure and organic waste. However, DEC production includes onerous agricultural operations (soil preparation, harvest, transport and storage) and may result in high unit costs (UC) of electric energy (EE, € kWhe−1), compared to other renewable sources. In this work, seven different types of DEC (4 different combinations of crop successions) were cultivated in 30 different parcels, distributed along the Po Valley (northern Italy), using different varieties of seeds for each crop type. All agricultural operations were accounted for their costs (988–3346 € ha−1). Biomass production was measured and reported as average of different parcels for each type of crop (31.2–187 Mg ha−1). Biomass dry matter content and biogas potential were measured on representative samples and the EE obtainable was calculated (7.9–35.3 MWhe ha−1), by assuming conservative factors (CH4 contents in biogas and electric generation yields). The costs of ensiled biomass sensibly varied (13.8–40 € Mg−1) among crop solutions, as well as the same UC of EE (0.068–0.150 € kWhe−1). These costs were considered together with typical plant management and investment costs (plant size: 0.5–1 MWe): total UC of EE generation through anaerobic digestion (considering 100% DEC) varied in a relatively wide range (0.143–0.279 € kWhe−1). When the biomass mix is ‘blended’ with low‐cost residues or organic waste, this range could be lowered to 0.096–187 € kWhe−1. Only this strategy and strong efforts in reducing technological investment/management costs can candidate biogas‐based EE as a really competitive renewable alternative to traditional sources, in the next future.
Effect of Free or Encapsulated Recombinant Aminopeptidase of Lactobacillus rhamnosus S93 on Acceleration of Cheddar Cheese Ripening

The use of recombinant aminopeptidase (PepN) from Lactobacillus rhamnosus S93 in free or encapsulated form was investigated to shorten the duration of Cheddar cheese ripening. Proteolysis was determined by measuring the soluble nitrogen as phosphotungstic acid (PTA-N) derivatives and free amino acids (FAA) over a 6-month period. The experimental cheeses received higher scores for sensory properties than the control cheese. The amounts of PTA-N and total FAA in the cheese with the encapsulated enzyme after 2 months of ripening were close to those of the control cheese after 6 months, suggesting the acceleration in proteolysis by about 4 months.
Hydrothermal Aging of an Epoxy Resin Filled with Carbon Nanofillers

The effects of temperature and moisture on flexural and thermomechanical properties of neat and filled epoxy with both multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon nanofibers (CNF), and their hybrid components were investigated. Two regimes of environmental aging were applied: Water absorption at 70 °C until equilibrium moisture content and thermal heating at 70 °C for the same time period. Three-point bending and dynamic mechanical tests were carried out for all samples before and after conditioning. The property prediction model (PPM) was successfully applied for the prediction of the modulus of elasticity in bending of manufactured specimens subjected to both water absorption and thermal aging. It was experimentally confirmed that, due to addition of carbon nanofillers to the epoxy resin, the sorption, flexural, and thermomechanical characteristics were slightly improved compared to the neat system. Considering experimental and theoretical results, most of the epoxy composites filled with hybrid carbon nanofiller revealed the lowest effect of temperature and moisture on material properties, along with the lowest sorption characteristics.
Stimulating effect of bark polar fraction from the terminal leader of Norway spruce, Picea abies, on white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi, feeding and oviposition

Abstract: The objective of the study was to demonstrate the importance of bark polar fraction from Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] terminal leaders on the feeding activity and oviposition process of the female white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck). The bark polar fraction was extracted with a ternary solvent [chloroform, methanol and water (12 : 5 : 3)]. This extracted fraction was added, at different concentrations, to an artificial diet on which mated female white pine weevils could feed and oviposit. The bark polar fraction of Norway spruce terminal leaders promoted white pine weevil oviposition compared with untreated artificial diet. The results of this study contributed to the development of an efficient artificial rearing substrate required to better understand the interactions between white pine weevil and its host plants. The importance of more specific compounds found in the polar fraction could eventually help produce more resistant trees.
The transcription factor HAND2 up-regulates transcription of the IL15 gene in human endometrial stromal cells

Cyclic changes of the human endometrium, such as proliferation, secretion, and decidualization, occur during regular menstrual cycles. Heart– and neural crest derivatives–expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) is a key transcription factor in progestin-induced decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). It has been suggested that HAND2 regulates interleukin 15 (IL15), a key immune factor required for the activation and survival of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Activated uNK cells can promote spiral artery remodeling and secrete cytokines to induce immunotolerance. To date, no studies have evaluated the transcription factors that regulate IL15 expression in human ESCs. In the present study, we examined whether HAND2 controls IL15 transcriptional regulation in human ESCs. Quantitative RT-PCR and histological analyses revealed that HAND2 and IL15 levels increase considerably in the secretory phase of human endometrium tissues. Results from ChIP-quantitative PCR suggested that HAND2 binds to a putative HAND2 motif, which we identified in the upstream region of the human IL15 gene through in silico analysis. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that the upstream region of the human IL15 gene up-regulates reporter gene activities in response to estradiol and a progestin representative (medroxyprogesterone) in ESCs. The upstream region of the human IL15 gene also exhibited increasing responsiveness to transfection with a HAND2 expression vector. Of note, deletion and substitution variants of the putative HAND2 motif in the upstream region of IL15 did not respond to HAND2 transfection. These findings confirm that HAND2 directly up-regulates human IL15 transcription in ESCs.