Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food and feeding habits of some anuran species in south-western Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of some anuran species in south-western Nigeria were investigated. Individuals of eighteen anuran species were selected randomly from collection made from the various survey sites which represented all the anuran families observed in the study. Morphometric measurements and analysis of the stomach contents of these selected species were carried out. High occurrences were recorded for stomachs that were 25% and 50% full while lower occurrences were observed for those that were 75% and 100% full. Anuran species having the lowest percentage (12.5%) of empty stomachs was Amietophrynus maculatus while Phrynobatrachus latifrons had the highest percentage (41.7%) of empty stomach. The order Coleoptera constituted the largest occurrence of insects observed in the stomach of anurans followed by the order Hymenoptera. Larger prey organisms were observed in the diets of larger anuran species such as Amietophrynus maculatus and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis , but were absent in diets of smaller anuran species such as Phrynobatrachus latifrons and Arthroleptis variabilis . Fossorial species ( Hemisus marmoratus and H. guineensis ) had isopterans as their major food item where as arboreal species ( Leptopelis boulengeri, L. hyloides and Hyperolius guttulatus ) had high occurrences of ants, bees and wasps in their diets. The morphology and habitat of anuran species have to a large extent a great influence on the food and feeding habits of these species as most species observed were generalist or opportunistic feeders taking prey roughly in proportion to their abundance in the habitat. Keywords : anuran, morphometric measurement, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, generalist and opportunistic feeders.
Prevalence of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Health Workers (HWs) and Diagnostic Test Performance: The Experience of a Teaching Hospital in Central Italy

(1) Background: Health workers (HWs) are at high risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infections. Therefore, health authorities further recommend screening strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection in exposed or high-risk HWs. Nevertheless, to date, the best/optimal method to screen HWs for SARS-CoV-2 infection is still under debate, and data on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HWs are still scarce. The present study aims to assess the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate amongst HWs in a teaching hospital in Central Italy and the diagnostic performance of SARS-CoV-2 serology (index test) in comparison with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA PCR assay (reference standard). (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study on the retrospective data of HWs tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RNA-RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs and by an IgM/IgG serology assay on venous blood samples, irrespective of exposure and/or symptoms, was carried out. (3) Results: A total of 2057 HWs (median age 46, 19–69 years, females 60.2%) were assessed by the RNA RT-PCR assay and 58 (2.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Compared with negative HWs, SARS-CoV-2-positives were younger (mean age 41.7 versus 45.2, p < 0.01; 50% versus 31% under or equal to 40 years old, p < 0.002) and had a shorter duration of employment (64 versus 125 months, p = 0.02). Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was more frequent in positive HWs than in negatives (55.2% versus 27.5%, p < 0.0001). In 44.8% of positive HWs, no exposure was traced. None of the positive HWs had a fatal outcome, none of them had acute respiratory distress syndrome, and only one required hospitalization for mild/moderate pneumonia. In 1084 (51.2%) HWs, nasopharyngeal swabs and an IgM/IgG serology assay were performed. With regard to IgM serology, sensitivity was 0% at a specificity of 98.99% (positive predictive value, PPV 0%, negative predictive value, NPV 99.2%). Concerning IgG serology and irrespective of the time interval between nasopharyngeal swab and serology, sensitivity was 50% at a specificity of 99.1% (PPV 28.6%, NPV 99.6%). IgG serology showed a higher diagnostic performance when performed at least two weeks after testing SARS-CoV-2-positive at the RNA RT-PCR assay by a nasopharyngeal swab. (4) Conclusions: Our experience in Central Italy demonstrated a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst HWs, but higher than in the general population. Nearly half of the positive HWs reported no previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects and were diagnosed thanks to the proactive screening strategy implemented. IgG serology seems useful when performed at least two weeks after an RNA RT-PCR assay. IgM serology does not seem to be a useful test for the diagnosis of active SARS-CoV-2 infection. High awareness of SARS-CoV-2 infection is mandatory for all people, but especially for HWs, irrespective of symptoms, to safeguard their health and that of patients.
BASAL METABOLISM OF CHILDREN

The first recorded study of the basal metabolism of infancy and childhood is that of Andral and Gavarret in 1843 (1). Many investigations have been carried on since then but only those that have some particular bearing on basal metabolism from the modern point of view will be considered in the text. Many of these early works form the foundation stones upon which have been laid the successive steps of our knowledge of basal metabolism but they are not all comparable with modern data because all the qualifications of basal metabolism were not fulfilled. A synopsis of the early literature on basal metabolism is given in Benedict and Talbot’s publications (12), (13), (16) and the references included in the bibliography appended herewith. The present chapter in the history of basal metabolism may be said to have opened in 1898 and 1899 with the work of Rubner and Heubner (102), (103). These investigators used a modified Pettenkofer-Voit apparatus especially constructed to study the metabolism of infants. Its construction was such that only periods of several hours could be measured, and most of the data published was not obtained under basal conditions. Schlossmann (116) in 1908, using the Zuntz and Oppenheimer modification of the Regnault-Reiset apparatus, observed a great difference in the heat production of an infant when absolutely quiet periods were compared with active periods. Relatively short periods of three to four hours were studied but this apparatus was so constructed that the experiments could not be interrupted. The apparatus consisted of a hermetically sealed glass chamber through which air was circulated from an outside circuit. This chamber was immersed in a tank of water in such a manner that the infant was always visible. The next studies of importance were made by Howland (60) in 1913. He measured the heat production of infants in the Atwater-RosaBenedict apparatus of Professor Lusk at Cornell University Medical School.
Intensification of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping sequences with summer mungbean (Vigna radiata) in eastern Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out during 2005-08 at Zonal Agriculture Research Sub-Station, Bari-Bagh, Ghazipur to evaluate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping se- quences. In these 14 cropping sequences, rice was sequenced with feasible rabi viz., wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol} lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), pea (Pisum sativum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), mustard {Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss} and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) with and without inclusion of mungbean {Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek} in summer and tested in ran- domized block design with three replications. Inclusion of mungbean during summer significantly increased the rice-equivalent yield. Rice-wheat-mungbean cropping sequence recorded the highest productivity (11.79 t/ha) in terms of rice equivalent yield with maximum gross returns ( 58,837/ha), net returns ( 28,532/ha), benefit: cost ra- tio (0.94), as well as production efficiency ( 96.06) and land use efficiency (81.37%). Rice-wheat-moongbean se- quence was followed by rice-chickpea-mungbean and rice-mustard-mungbean pertaining to these parameters. Rice-wheat-fallow cropping sequence was more sustainable (0.67) and sustainability further improved to 0.87 when sequenced with moongbean in summer.
Lichenostigma rupicolae (Lichenotheliaceae), a new lichenicolous species growing on Pertusaria rupicola

Abstract The lichenicolous fungus Lichenostigma rupicolae Fdez. -Brime & Nav. -Ros. , collected in France, Spain and Turkey, is described as new to science. It is found growing on the surface of the thalli and apothecia of Pertusaria rupicola, where it forms black patches of radiating plurihyphal strands connecting the fertile stromata. An updated key of the species of subgenus Lichenogramma is included.
Seminal Plasma Modulates miRNA Expression by Sow Genital Tract Lining Explants

The seminal plasma (SP) modulates the female reproductive immune environment after mating, and microRNAs (miRNAs) could participate in the process. Considering that the boar ejaculate is built by fractions differing in SP-composition, this study evaluated whether exposure of mucosal explants of the sow internal genital tract (uterus, utero-tubal junction and isthmus) to different SP-fractions changed the profile of explant-secreted miRNAs. Mucosal explants retrieved from oestrus sows (n = 3) were in vitro exposed to: Medium 199 (M199, Control) or M199 supplemented (1:40 v/v) with SP from the sperm-rich fraction (SRF), the post-SRF or the entire recomposed ejaculate, for 16 h. After, the explants were cultured in M199 for 24 h to finally collect the media for miRNA analyses using GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array (Affymetrix). Fifteen differentially expressed (False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05 and Fold-change ≥ 2) miRNAs (11 down- versus 4 up-regulated) were identified (the most in the media of uterine explants incubated with SP from post-SRF). Bioinformatics analysis identified that predicted target genes of dysregulated miRNAs, mainly miR-34b, miR-205, miR-4776-3p and miR-574-5p, were involved in functions and pathways related to immune response. In conclusion, SP is able to elicit changes in the miRNAs profile secreted by female genital tract, ultimately depending SP-composition.
Synthesis and Spectroscopic Analysis of Piperine- and Piperlongumine-Inspired Natural Product Scaffolds and Their Molecular Docking with IL-1β and NF-κB Proteins

Inspired by the remarkable bioactivities exhibited by the natural products, piperine and piperlongumine, we synthesised eight natural product-inspired analogues to further investigate their structures. For the first time, we confirmed the structure of the key cyclised dihydropyrazolecarbothioamide piperine analogues including the use of two-dimensional (2D) 15N-based spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Prior investigations demonstrated promising results from these scaffolds for the inhibition of inflammatory response via downregulation of the IL-1β and NF-κB pathway. However, the molecular interaction of these molecules with their protein targets remains unknown. Ab initio calculations revealed the electronic density function map of the molecules, showing the effects of structural modification in the electronic structure. Finally, molecular interactions between the synthesized molecules and the proteins IL-1β and NF-κB were achieved. Docking results showed that all the analogues interact in the DNA binding site of NF-κB with higher affinity compared to the natural products and, with the exception of 9a and 9b, have higher affinity than the natural products for the binding site of IL-1β. Specificity for the molecular recognition of 3a, 3c and 9b with IL-1β through cation–π interactions was determined. These results revealed 3a, 3c, 4a, 4c and 10 as the most promising molecules to be evaluated as IL-1β and NF-κB inhibitors.
Increased metal tolerance and bioaccumulation of zinc and cadmium in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii expressing a AtHMA4 C-terminal domain protein

The use of microalgal biomass for metal pollutant bioremediation might be improved by genetic engineering to modify the selectivity or capacity of metal biosorption. A plant cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) transporter (AtHMA4) was used as a transgene to increase the ability of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to tolerate 0.2 mM Cd and 0.3 mM Zn exposure. The transgenic cells showed increased accumulation and internalisation of both metals compared to wild type. AtHMA4 was expressed either as the full-length protein or just the C-terminal tail, which is known to have metal binding sites. Similar Cd and Zn tolerance and accumulation was observed with expression of either the full-length protein or C-terminal domain, suggesting that enhanced metal tolerance was mainly due to increased metal binding rather than metal transport. The effectiveness of the transgenic cells was further examined by immobilisation in calcium alginate to generate microalgal beads that could be added to a metal contaminated solution. Immobilisation maintained metal tolerance, while AtHMA4-expressing cells in alginate showed a concentration-dependent increase in metal biosorption that was significantly greater than alginate beads composed of wild type cells. This demonstrates that expressing AtHMA4 full-length or C-terminus has great potential as a strategy for bioremediation using microalgal biomass.
Acceptance and use of the Information System of the National Immunization Program*

Objective: to analyze the acceptance and use of the Information System of the National Immunization Program in primary health care vaccination rooms. Method: a unique case study of a qualitative approach in the light of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Data collection included an interview with 18 professionals responsible for the implementation of the information system, observation of vaccination rooms in 12 municipalities of the West Macro-region of Minas Gerais, selected from a preliminary study. Data was systematized and analyzed through Content Analysis. Results: the interviewees are satisfied with the usefulness and ease of the system usage, but do not have the same satisfaction with the organizational infrastructure due to the lack of computers and low Internet connectivity in the health units, as well as with the incipient training for the use of the information system and the lack of skills with the technology among the human resources. Conclusion: nursing professionals perceive advantages in the acceptance and use of the Information System of the National Immunization Program. It was clear that the vaccinated individual’s history control and the decrease of records in paper are evidenced as facilitators of this acceptance. The system was considered reliable and secure.
Evaluation of the Anticancer Activities of Novel Transition Metal Complexes with Berenil and Nitroimidazole

Novel transition metal complexes (Au, Pd, Pt) with berenil and 2-(1-methyl-5-nitroimidazol-2-yl)ethanol were obtained through two-step synthesis. The cytotoxicity assay against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells revealed that novel platinum and palladium complexes cause a reduction on the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to a greater extent than cisplatin. The complexes showed lower cytotoxicity on normal MCF-10A human breast epithelial cells than on tumor cells. Furthermore, we observed that these complexes selectively concentrate in tumor cell mitochondria due to the characteristic for these cells increased membrane potential that may explain their increased proapoptotic activity. The activity of the synthesized compounds against topoisomerase type IIα and their increased impact on DNA defragmentation also were documented. The novel complexes also induced autophagosome changes and inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models (established using breast cancer cells).
The mitochondrial derived peptide humanin is a regulator of lifespan and healthspan

Humanin is a member of a new family of peptides that are encoded by short open reading frames within the mitochondrial genome. It is conserved in animals and is both neuroprotective and cytoprotective. Here we report that in C. elegans the overexpression of humanin is sufficient to increase lifespan, dependent on daf-16/Foxo. Humanin transgenic mice have many phenotypes that overlap with the worm phenotypes and, similar to exogenous humanin treatment, have increased protection against toxic insults. Treating middle-aged mice twice weekly with the potent humanin analogue HNG, humanin improves metabolic healthspan parameters and reduces inflammatory markers. In multiple species, humanin levels generally decline with age, but here we show that levels are surprisingly stable in the naked mole-rat, a model of negligible senescence. Furthermore, in children of centenarians, who are more likely to become centenarians themselves, circulating humanin levels are much greater than age-matched control subjects. Further linking humanin to healthspan, we observe that humanin levels are decreased in human diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and MELAS (Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes). Together, these studies are the first to demonstrate that humanin is linked to improved healthspan and increased lifespan.
Reduction of functional cardiovascular reserve in the stages of chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) present reduced oxygen consumption at peak exercise (VO2 peak). No studies have evaluated objective measures of the cardiovascular reserve, besides VO2 peak and VO2 at the anaerobic threshold (VO2 AT), and compared these measures among ckd patients at different stages of the disease. METHODS Fifty-eight patients [pre-dialysis group (PD)=26, hemodialysis group (HD)=20, and post-kidney transplant group (KT)=12] were included. The following measures of cardiovascular reserve were obtained: 1) peak heart rate (HR); 2) peak systolic blood pressure (SBP); 3) VO2 peak and % predicted; 4) VO2 AT and % of predicted VO2; 5) peak circulatory power; 6) ventilatory efficiency for the production of carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2 slope); 7) oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES); and 8) recovery of gas exchange. RESULTS The VO2 peak and VO2 AT in the PD, HD, and KT groups were reduced to 86% and 69%, 70% and 57%, and 79% and 64% of the predicted value, respectively. Patients in the HD group had lower VO2 peak (17.5±5.9 vs. 23.2±8.2 [p-value=0.036]) and VO2 AT (14.0±5.2 vs. 18.3±4.7 [p-value=0.039]) compared to patients in the KT group. OUES was significantly lower in the HD group compared to the KT group (p-value=0.034). Age in the PD, HD, and KT groups and sedentary lifestyle in the KT group were predictors of VO2 peak. CONCLUSIONS CKD patients presented a reduction in cardiovascular reserve regardless of the stage of the disease. However, hemodialysis patients presented a greater reduction of cardiovascular reserve when compared to post-kidney transplant patients.
Psychological Effects and Associated Factors of COVID-19 in a Mexican Sample

ABSTRACT Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is a new viral zoonosis of global concern that could cause psychological sequelae. We examined the levels of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in a Mexican sample. Methods: An online survey was applied that collected information on demographic and financial status data, physical status, contact history, knowledge, concerns, and precautionary measures concerning COVID-19. Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were included. Results: A total of 50.3% of respondents rated psychological distress as moderate-severe; 15.7% reported moderate-severe depressive symptoms; 22.6% reported moderate-severe anxiety symptoms; and 19.8% reported moderate-severe stress levels. Female gender, older age, divorced status, lack of confidence related to security of the test, lower satisfaction of health information concerning COVID-19, history of direct or indirect contact with a COVID-19 confirmed case, live with just 1 other person, and spent >9 h/d at home were associated with greater psychological distress and/or higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. By contrast, precautionary measures, such as hand hygiene and wearing masks, were associated with lower levels of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: COVID-19 outbreak results in considerable psychological effects among the Mexican sample.
Ballot Initiatives and Status Quo Bias

Is there an opposition bias in ballot initiative campaigns? While some early research suggested that the “no” side was advantaged in ballot initiative campaigns, recent work has demonstrated that both opposition and support spending in ballot measure campaigns are effective. We offer a new way to conceptualize status quo orientation in ballot measure elections. Specifically, we argue that opposition arguments are more effective than support arguments because of the well-known framing negativity bias and not because the starting position for uninformed voters is to default to no. We present the results of two survey experiments to test the impact of support and opposition arguments in ballot initiative campaigns. We find consistent evidence that opposition arguments are effective in generating more “no” votes and that support arguments are ineffective in generating more “yes” votes.
Seasonal variation in reproductive activity and biochemical composition of flat oyster ( Ostrea edulis ) in the Homa Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Turkey

The reproductive cycle of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758, in Homa Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Turkey was examined from August 2008 to July 2009. Gonad samples were analysed histologically in order to determine the sex ratio and gonad development stage. Overall, the sex ratio was recorded as 2.2% female, 42.6% male, 37% hermaphrodite and 17.9% inactive. Glycogen content showed considerable variations between August and February, but decreased gradually thereafter. However, glycogen did not directly affect the reproductive cycle. Total lipid content was positively correlated with temperature and inversely correlated with salinity. In addition, this parameter was influenced by the reproductive activity, which is correlated with the fluctuation of the condition index and gonad index (P < 0.05). However, the relationship between the protein index and the gonad index was negative (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that protein was the major energy resource. The condition index varied between 2.69±0.91 (February) and 12.29±1.45 (April) during the year. With respect to meat yield, oyster quality changed from “fine” to “special”, except in December and February.