Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Status Inconsistencies and Power in Intimate Relations: Domestic Exploitation and Violence Against Women in Homogenous and Mixed Couples Formed by Native and Migrant Partners

We test two theories explaining domestic exploitation and violent abuse against women in couples. Exchange theory predicts both to increase when men outpower women; status inconsistency, when women do. As violence and exploitation can affect a couple’s resources, making the model recursive, we focus on native status. Using data from a women’s victimization survey (N = 8,000), we apply biprobit models to compare violent abuse and domestic exploitation in homogeneous and mixed couples in which one is a migrant. The results validate status inconsistency theory: native women with male migrant partners are less exploited but have the highest risks of being abused.
Immunoliposomes bearing lymphocyte activation gene 3 fusion protein and P5 peptide: A novel vaccine for breast cancer

LAG3‐Ig as an immune adjuvant has elicited potent anti‐tumor immune responses in several preclinical and clinical studies, but the full potential immunostimulatory of LAG3‐Ig has yet to be achieved. We hypothesized that by anchoring LAG3‐Ig to the surface of liposomes, the adjuvant activity of LAG3‐Ig could be improved. We also investigated the immunotherapy by co‐delivery of liposome‐coupled LAG3‐Ig and P5 tumor antigen in mice model of TUBO breast cancer. We prepared and characterized novel PEGylated liposomes bearing surface conjugated LAG3‐Ig and P5. Consistent with our hypothesis, liposomes‐conjugated LAG3‐Ig via multivalent binding to MHC class II molecules exerted immunostimulatory of LAG3‐Ig and markedly induced maturation of dendritic cells more efficiently than free LAG3‐Ig. LAG3‐Ig‐P5‐immunoliposomes effectively elicited protective anti‐tumor responses more than locally injected soluble LAG3‐Ig + P5. The higher percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen and more rapid and pronounced infiltration of these effector cells into the site of the tumor were seen following immunoliposome therapy. Finally, anti‐tumor immunity induced by LAG3‐Ig‐P5‐immunoliposomes translated into the more tumor regression and prolonged survival of treated mice, compared to soluble immunotherapy. Taken together, our findings suggest that LAG3‐Ig‐P5‐immunoliposomes can be considered as a valuable candidate for developing a liposome‐based therapeutic cancer vaccine in treating HER2/ neu+ breast cancer patients.
The Relevance of Caseous Lymphadenitis as a Cause of Culling in Adult Sheep

Simple Summary Caseous lymphadenitis is a widespread disease, which has been noticed in most sheep farming countries, causing important economic losses. This disease produces emaciation and weakness in the animals and has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of the so-called ‘’thin ewe syndrome’’, especially when sheep are affected by the visceral presentation of the disease. The present study analysed the prevalence of the disease in the Ebro valley area in Spain and its implication as a cause of culling in adult sheep. Abstract Four hundred and ninety-eight culled sheep received at the Ruminant Clinical Service of the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Spain, were examined in life and after humanitarian sacrifice in order to reach the final diagnosis of the cause of culling and to evaluate the presence of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) lesions. One hundred and forty-seven of the 498 studied animals (29.52%) showed CLA compatible lesions that were subsequently confirmed by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolation. One hundred and seven of the 147 CLA affected animals presenting the visceral clinical form of the disease (72.79%), while only 32 animals were affected by the superficial form (21.77%). In addition, eight animals were found to be affected in both the visceral and the superficial presentations (5.44%). Eighty-four of the 147 CLA-affected animals (57.14%) did not show any concurrent disease, considering, in this case, CLA the main cause of culling (84/498: 16.87%). In the superficial presentation, the retropharyngeal lymph node, as a sole lesion, was the most frequently affected (13/32: 40.63%). Further, in the visceral form of the disease, 85.06% of the affected animals had the lesions located in the respiratory system (91/107: 85.06%). CLA was revealed as an important cause of culling in sheep production.
Longitudinal Associations between Depressive Symptoms and Postpartum Sexual Concerns Among First-time Parent Couples

ABSTRACT Most first-time parents experience novel concerns about their sexuality such as worries about the effects of labor and delivery on their sex lives. The link between postpartum depressive symptoms and problems with sexual function is bidirectional; however, associations with postpartum sexual concerns (i.e., worries about one’s sexuality that are not necessarily related to sexual function) have not been examined. First-time parent couples (N = 99) completed measures assessing their postpartum sexual concerns and depressive symptoms at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Dyadic latent growth curve modeling revealed that mothers’ and partners’ initial frequencies of postpartum sexual concerns were positively associated, with significant declines in the frequency of these concerns over time for both partners. Mothers’ and partners’ initial depressive symptoms were also positively associated; however, mothers’ depressive symptoms did not change over time whereas partner’s depressive symptoms worsened. Mothers’ and partners’ higher initial depressive symptoms were associated with partners’ higher frequency of postpartum sexual concerns. Mothers’ depressive symptoms at 3 months postpartum and the degree to which these symptoms changed over time were associated with a steeper decline in partners’ postpartum sexual concerns over time. Results provide preliminary support for depressive symptoms as a risk factor for partners’ postpartum sexual concerns.
The Influence of Extrusion Processing on the Gelation Properties of Apple Pomace Dispersions: Involved Cell Wall Components and Their Gelation Kinetics

By-products of fruits and vegetables like apple pomace can serve as techno-functional ingredients in foods. Due to their physicochemical properties, e.g., viscosity, water absorption, or oil-binding, food by-products can modify the texture and sensory perception of products like yogurts and baked goods. It is known that, by extrusion processing, the properties of by-products can be altered. For example, by thermo-mechanical treatment, the capacity of food by-products to increase viscosity is improved. However, the mechanism and involved components leading to the viscosity increase are unknown. Therefore, the complex viscosity of apple pomace dispersions and the involved fractions as pectin (a major part of the water-soluble fraction), water-soluble and water-insoluble fraction, were measured. In the investigated range, an increase in the pectin yield and water solubility was observed with increasing thermo-mechanical treatment by extrusion processing. However, pectin and water-soluble cell wall components had only a limited effect on the complex viscosity of apple pomace dispersions. The insoluble fraction (particles) were investigated regarding their swelling behavior and influence on the complex viscosity. An intensification of thermo-mechanical treatment resulted in increasing swelling behavior.
Conceptual Framework of Bank’s Financial Stability, Governance Mechanisms, Regulation and Risk Management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Risk-taking is part and parcel of several organizations. In practical sense, risk management assisted the organization in meeting their underline objectives in spite of associated risks. To achieve this, financial institutions employs risk policies as well as frameworks that is suitable for their business operations. This study presents financial performance enhancement model for banking industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study aim to review impact of regulation on risk management and explore effectiveness of the role of board directors between capital adequacy and risk management. This study evaluates board director’s effectiveness based on five characteristics; size, independence, meeting, age diversity, and board committee.
Integration of Simultaneous Resting-State Electroencephalography, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Eye-Tracker Methods to Determine and Verify Electroencephalography Vigilance Measure

Background/Introduction: Concurrent electroencephalography and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) have been widely used for studying the (presumably) awake and alert human brain with high temporal/spatial resolution. Although rsfMRI scans are typically collected while individuals are instructed to focus their eyes on a fixated cross, objective and verified experimental measures to quantify degree of vigilance are not readily available. Electroencephalography (EEG) is the modality extensively used for estimating vigilance, especially during eyes-closed resting state. However, pupil size measured using an eye-tracker device could provide an indirect index of vigilance. Methods: Three 12-min resting scans (eyes open, fixating on the cross) were collected from 10 healthy control participants. We simultaneously collected EEG, fMRI, physiological, and eye-tracker data and investigated the correlation between EEG features, pupil size, and heart rate. Furthermore, we used pupil size and EEG features as regressors to find their correlations with blood-oxygen-level-dependent fMRI measures. Results: EEG frontal and occipital beta power (FOBP) correlates with pupil size changes, an indirect index for locus coeruleus activity implicated in vigilance regulation (r = 0.306, p < 0.001). Moreover, FOBP also correlated with heart rate (r = 0.255, p < 0.001), as well as several brain regions in the anticorrelated network, including the bilateral insula and inferior parietal lobule. Discussion: In this study, we investigated whether simultaneous EEG-fMRI combined with eye-tracker measurements can be used to determine EEG signal feature associated with vigilance measures during eyes-open rsfMRI. Our results support the conclusion that FOBP is an objective measure of vigilance in healthy human subjects.
Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw): a promising herbal medicine against SARS-CoV-2/ACE-2 junction and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on molecular modeling

Abstract COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Currently, there is no effective treatment and vaccines seem to be the solution in the future. Virtual screening of potential drugs against the S protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has provided small molecular compounds with a high binding affinity. Unfortunately, most of these drugs do not attach with the binding interface of the receptor-binding domain (RBD)–angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) complex in host cells. Molecular modeling was carried out to evaluate the potential antiviral properties of the components of the medicinal herb Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw) focusing on the binding interface of the RBD–ACE-2 and the viral spike protein. The in silico approach starts with protein–ligand docking of 26 Cat’s claw key components followed by molecular dynamics simulations and re-docked calculations. Finally, we carried out drug-likeness calculations for the most qualified cat’s claw components. The structural bioinformatics approaches led to the identification of several bioactive compounds of U. tomentosa with potential therapeutic effect by dual strong interaction with interface of the RBD–ACE-2 and the ACE-2 binding site on SARS-CoV-2 RBD viral spike. In addition, in silico drug-likeness indices for these components were calculated and showed good predicted therapeutic profiles of these phytochemicals found in U. tomentosa (cat’s claw). Our findings suggest the potential effectiveness of cat’s claw as complementary and/or alternative medicine for COVID-19 treatment. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Reproductive Biology of Fopius vandenboschi (Fullaway) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Laboratory

Fopius vandenboschi (Fullaway) is one of the natural enemies of oriental fruit flies in genus Bactrocera. It is a koinobiont solitary endoparasitoid that parasitizes first and second instars of oriental fruit flies. The advantages of this parasitoid are the ability to parasitize several host species and the length of female longevity. Reproductive biology of F. vandenboschi in this research showed that it produced average 21.0±13.4 offspring per female, equivalent to net reproductive rate of 8.4 female offspring per generation. The sex ratio is equal to 0.6 : 0.4 (♂ : ♀) and the mean generation time of is 22.5 days. These results can be applied for mass-rearing production of F. vandenboschi for inoculative and inundative release to enhance management populations of Bactrocera fruit fly pest in Thailand.
Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria

ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, and in particular those caused by bacterial infections, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment is becoming increasingly difficult due to the increase in number of species that have developed resistance to antibiotics. Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have considerable potential as alternatives to antibiotics, both in prophylactic and therapeutic applications. Several studies have documented a reduction, or prevention, of GI diseases by probiotic bacteria. Since the activities of probiotic bacteria are closely linked with conditions in the host’s GI-tract (GIT) and changes in the population of enteric microorganisms, a deeper understanding of gut-microbial interactions is required in the selection of the most suitable probiotic. This necessitates a deeper understanding of the molecular capabilities of probiotic bacteria. In this review, we explore how probiotic microorganisms interact with enteric pathogens in the GIT. The significance of probiotic colonization and persistence in the GIT is also addressed.
The paradox of free access to maternal health: The twofold narrative of pregnant migrant women in Johannesburg

Maternal health is a key issue in any health discourse, in any country. Access to healthcare for pregnant women is a concern of governments the world over. However, in South Africa, a binary system separates migrant and non-migrant women, favouring non-migrant women’s access to maternal healthcare. The paradox of pregnant migrant women’s access to healthcare has therefore become topical among researchers, in a bid to understand the issue, and consequently, influence policy. The present study was designed to explore the concerns of migrant women accessing maternal healthcare in Johannesburg. Through a qualitative design, a non-representative sample of 15 migrant women and healthcare providers were interviewed, and the findings were coded and analysed according to thematic content. The findings show the context in which free access to maternal healthcare has created a paradox within the system. This is especially the case in terms of access, consultation time and the dissemination of drugs for migrant women, and also at an administrative level, where lack of access to and shortages of drugs are now considered a result of abuse, overuse and misuse of free access to healthcare services by migrant women. The punitive approach of denying migrant women access to maternal healthcare creates a binary of contradictions where on the one hand, access is supposedly free to all, while on the other, some are excluded, or receive healthcare only partially.
The erythema Q‐score, an imaging biomarker for redness in skin inflammation

Physician rating of cutaneous erythema is central to clinical dermatological assessment as well as quantification of outcome measures in clinical trials in a number of dermatologic conditions. However, issues with inter‐rater reliability and variability in the setting of higher Fitzpatrick skin types make visual erythema assessment unreliable. We developed and validated a computer‐assisted image‐processing algorithm (EQscore) to reliably quantify erythema (across a range of skin types) in the dermatology clinical setting.
Doxorubicin Improves Cancer Cell Targeting by Filamentous Phage Gene Delivery Vectors

Merging targeted systemic gene delivery and systemic chemotherapy against cancer, chemovirotherapy, has the potential to improve chemotherapy and gene therapy treatments and overcome cancer resistance. We introduced a bacteriophage (phage) vector, named human adeno-associated virus (AAV)/phage or AAVP, for the systemic targeting of therapeutic genes to cancer. The vector was designed as a hybrid between a recombinant adeno-associated virus genome (rAAV) and a filamentous phage capsid. To achieve tumor targeting, we displayed on the phage capsid the double-cyclic CDCRGDCFC (RGD4C) ligand that binds the alpha-V/beta-3 (αvβ3) integrin receptor. Here, we investigated a combination of doxorubicin chemotherapeutic drug and targeted gene delivery by the RGD4C/AAVP vector. Firstly, we showed that doxorubicin boosts transgene expression from the RGD4C/AAVP in two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheres established from human and murine cancer cells, while preserving selective gene delivery by RGD4C/AAVP. Next, we confirmed that doxorubicin does not increase vector attachment to cancer cells nor vector cell entry. In contrast, doxorubicin may alter the intracellular trafficking of the vector by facilitating nuclear accumulation of the RGD4C/AAVP genome through destabilization of the nuclear membrane. Finally, a combination of doxorubicin and RGD4C/AAVP-targeted suicide gene therapy exerts a synergistic effect to destroy human and murine tumor cells in 2D and 3D tumor sphere settings.
Novel route to the production of acetic acid by fermentation

An anaerobic and thermophilic microorganism, Clostridium thermoaceticum, was examined with respect to its ability to produce HOAc. This microorganism is novel in that it is theoretically able to convert glucose to HOAc quantitatively and homofermentatively. Regular conversions of 0.85 HOAc/g glucose were obtained. Kinetic analyses shows that HOAc is produced through both growth- and nongrowth-associated modes.
The Effect of Particle Shell on Cooling Rates in Oil-in-Oil Magnetic Pickering Emulsions

Pickering emulsions (particle-stabilized emulsions) are usually considered because of their unique properties compared to surfactant-stabilized emulsions including better stability against emulsion aging. However, the interesting feature of particle-stabilized emulsions could be revealed during their magnetic heating. When magnetic particles constitute a shell around droplets and the sample is placed in an alternating magnetic field, a temperature increase appears due to energy dissipation from magnetic relaxation and hysteresis within magnetic particles. We hypothesize that the solidity of the magnetic particle shell around droplets can influence the process of heat transfer from inside the droplet to the surrounding medium. In this way, particle-stabilized emulsions can be considered as materials with changeable heat transfer. We investigated macroscopically heating and cooling of oil-in-oil magnetic Pickering emulsions with merely packed particle layers and these with a stable particle shell. The change in stability of the shell was obtained here by using the coalescence of droplets under the electric field. The results from calorimetric measurements show that the presence of a stable particle shell caused a slower temperature decrease in samples, especially for lower intensities of the magnetic field. The retarded heat transfer from magnetic Pickering droplets can be utilized in further potential applications where delayed heat transfer is desirable.
Blood Biomarkers for Detection of Brain Injury in COVID-19 Patients

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus attacks multiple organs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, including the brain. There are worldwide descriptions of neurological deficits in COVID-19 patients. Central nervous system (CNS) symptoms can be present early in the course of the disease. As many as 55% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have been reported to have neurological disturbances three months after infection by SARS-CoV-2. The mutability of the SARS-COV-2 virus and its potential to directly affect the CNS highlight the urgency of developing technology to diagnose, manage, and treat brain injury in COVID-19 patients. The pathobiology of CNS infection by SARS-CoV-2 and the associated neurological sequelae of this infection remain poorly understood. In this review, we outline the rationale for the use of blood biomarkers (BBs) for diagnosis of brain injury in COVID-19 patients, the research needed to incorporate their use into clinical practice, and the improvements in patient management and outcomes that can result. BBs of brain injury could potentially provide tools for detection of brain injury in COVID-19 patients. Elevations of BBs have been reported in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of COVID-19 patients. BB proteins have been analyzed in CSF to detect CNS involvement in patients with infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculous meningitis. BBs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for diagnosis of mild versus moderate traumatic brain injury and have identified brain injury after stroke, cardiac arrest, hypoxia, and epilepsy. BBs, integrated with other diagnostic tools, could enhance understanding of viral mechanisms of brain injury, predict severity of neurological deficits, guide triage of patients and assignment to appropriate medical pathways, and assess efficacy of therapeutic interventions in COVID-19 patients.
Leucine-aminopeptidase A (LAP-A) Encoding Gene in Apoidea: from Genomic Identification to Functional Insights Based on Gene Expression

Aminopeptidases are enzymes that cleave the N-terminal region of proteins and show structural conservation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We aimed to identify leucine-aminopeptidase A (LAP-A) orthologs in the genome of bee species with diff erent levels of social organization, and to explore the putative roles of this enzyme based on gene expression data. We identified a single gene for LAP-A on chromosome 15 of Apis mellifera L. and predicted orthologs in genomes of 11 bee species. We found evidence of LAP-A expression in more than 50 bee species. In honeybee and other bees, LAP-A transcripts were expressed in diverse tissues, including: brains, fat bodies, ovaries, testicles, integuments, and glands, on diff erent developmental stages that spanned from embryogenesis to adult life. Our fi ndings on the transcriptional activity of LAP-A are consistent with previously published data on enzymatic activity of LAP-A in bees throughout the development in different tissues and in both sexes. The presence of LAP-A gene in the Apoidea genomes and its ubiquitous expression support housekeeping roles of this enzyme and broad-spectrum functions in bees, independente of their life styles.