Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MODEL FOR ESTIMATING POULTRY MANURE NUTRIENT EXCRETION: A MASS BALANCE APPROACH

Planning of new animal facilities or expansion of current facilities often requires an estimate of nutrient excretion. Typically, the estimates used are published values by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), Midwest Plan Service (MWSP), or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These estimates have not been recently updated to account for progress in bird strains, feeding programs, or management systems. Therefore, we have developed nutrient excretion estimates based on surveys of dietary formulation, average performance and published nutrient retentions of specific nutrients, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and dry matter (DM). This model allows for a more accurate estimate of excretion based upon feed intake, feed nutrient concentration, and animal performance for each of the poultry specie during their productive life.
Design and validation of an electrophysiological based tool to assess chronic stress. Case study: burnout syndrome in caregivers

Abstract Caregiver burnout syndrome is an increasingly seen condition, although the subjective nature of self-administered psychometric tests and the lack of a consensual diagnostic tool might hinder a proper diagnosis. The availability of objective psychosomatic measures of stress might facilitate the early diagnosis and clinical management of these patients. For this reason, the aim of this work was to develop a quantitative tool to evaluate the stress level of caregivers in a noninvasive and repeatable manner. An observational, controlled, matched study was designed including a group of 38 principal caregivers of chronic patients and a control group of 38 non-caregivers. Psychometric, biochemical, and electrophysiological data were analyzed along with sociodemographic data. A quantitative chronic stress reference scale (CSRs) was constructed based on the weighted contribution of several psychometric and biochemical variables and afterwards, a predictive psychosomatic model (ESBSm) correlated with CSRs was elaborated from extracted variables of several electrophysiological signals monitored for 10 min. The resulting CSR scale shows a high power to discriminate caregivers from the control group while the ESBSm shows a 79% correlation with the CSR scale validated through a 5-fold process. Therefore, the results demonstrate that the ESBS model is an objective and validated tool to diagnose the degree of stress linked to burnout in caregivers of chronic patients from a 10-min session of noninvasive monitoring with a reliability equivalent to the questionnaires currently used to quantify stress in caregivers.
Colchicine in Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND Evidence from a recent trial has shown that the antiinflammatory effects of colchicine reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with recent myocardial infarction, but evidence of such a risk reduction in patients with chronic coronary disease is limited. METHODS In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, we assigned patients with chronic coronary disease to receive 0.5 mg of colchicine once daily or matching placebo. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, spontaneous (nonprocedural) myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or ischemia-driven coronary revascularization. The key secondary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. RESULTS A total of 5522 patients underwent randomization; 2762 were assigned to the colchicine group and 2760 to the placebo group. The median duration of follow-up was 28.6 months. A primary end-point event occurred in 187 patients (6.8%) in the colchicine group and in 264 patients (9.6%) in the placebo group (incidence, 2.5 vs. 3.6 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.83; P<0.001). A key secondary end-point event occurred in 115 patients (4.2%) in the colchicine group and in 157 patients (5.7%) in the placebo group (incidence, 1.5 vs. 2.1 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.92; P = 0.007). The incidence rates of spontaneous myocardial infarction or ischemia-driven coronary revascularization (composite end point), cardiovascular death or spontaneous myocardial infarction (composite end point), ischemia-driven coronary revascularization, and spontaneous myocardial infarction were also significantly lower with colchicine than with placebo. The incidence of death from noncardiovascular causes was higher in the colchicine group than in the placebo group (incidence, 0.7 vs. 0.5 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.31). CONCLUSIONS In a randomized trial involving patients with chronic coronary disease, the risk of cardiovascular events was significantly lower among those who received 0.5 mg of colchicine once daily than among those who received placebo. (Funded by the National Health Medical Research Council of Australia and others; LoDoCo2 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12614000093684.).
Deconstructing the relationships between self‐esteem and paranoia in early psychosis: an experience sampling study

Background No studies have examined the association between self‐esteem and paranoia developmentally across the critical stages of psychosis emergence. The present study fills this gap and extends previous research by examining how different dimensions, measures, and types of self‐esteem relate to daily‐life paranoia across at‐risk mental states for psychosis (ARMS) and first episode of psychosis (FEP) stages. Furthermore, the moderation effects of momentary anxiety and momentary perceived social support on the association between momentary self‐esteem and paranoia were examined. Design This study used a multilevel, cross‐sectional design. Methods One‐hundred and thirteen participants (74 ARMS and 39 FEP) were assessed repeatedly over seven consecutive days on levels of momentary paranoia, self‐esteem, anxiety and perceived social support using experience sampling methodology. Measures of trait and implicit self‐esteem were also collected. Results Global momentary and trait self‐esteem, and their positive and negative dimensions, were related to daily‐life paranoia in both ARMS and FEP groups. Conversely, implicit self‐esteem was not associated with daily‐life paranoia in either group. Anxiety negatively moderated the association between positive self‐esteem and lower paranoia, whereas both feeling close to others and feeling cared for by others strengthened this association. However, only feeling cared for by others moderated the association between negative self‐esteem and higher paranoia. Conclusions Different types, measures and dimensions of self‐esteem are differentially related to paranoia in early psychosis and are influenced by contextual factors in daily‐life. This yields a more complex picture of these associations and offers insights that might aid psychological interventions. Practitioner points Different measures (trait and momentary) and dimensions (positive and negative) of explicit self‐esteem are distinctly related to paranoia across risk and first‐episode stages of psychosis. Explicit, but not implicit, self‐esteem is associated with real‐life paranoia in incipient psychosis. Anxiety boosted the association of poor self‐esteem and paranoia ideation in daily‐life. Social closeness, but feeling cared for by others in particular, interacts with self‐esteem tempering the expression of paranoia in real life.
Trehalose and bacterial virulence

ABSTRACT Trehalose is a disaccharide of two D-glucose molecules linked by a glycosidic linkage, which plays both structural and functional roles in bacteria. Trehalose can be synthesized and degraded by several pathways, and induction of trehalose biosynthesis is typically associated with exposure to abiotic stress. The ability of trehalose to protect against abiotic stress has been exploited to stabilize a range of bacterial vaccines. More recently, there has been interest in the role of this molecule in microbial virulence. There is now evidence that trehalose or trehalose derivatives play important roles in virulence of a diverse range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of animals or plants. Trehalose and/or trehalose derivatives can play important roles in host colonization and growth in the host, and can modulate the interactions with host defense mechanisms. However, the roles are typically pathogen-specific. These findings suggest that trehalose metabolism may be a target for novel pathogen-specific rather than broad spectrum interventions.
Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana with insecticides and fungicides used in macadamia production in Australia.

BACKGROUND Integrating fungal biocontrol agents into crop protection programs dominated by synthetic pesticides is an important first step towards developing an IPM program, however their successful integration relies on an understanding of how their performance may be impacted by the remaining agrochemicals deployed for managing other pests and diseases. In this study we tested ten formulated pesticides used in macadamia production at different concentrations to determine their effects on the germination, mycelial growth and sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana in vitro. Further tests with laboratory grade actives of the non-compatible pesticides were conducted to determine whether any antagonistic effects were caused by the active constituent or by formulation additives. RESULTS At their registered concentrations, formulated trichlorfon, acephate and indoxacarb were compatible with M. anisopliae, whereas B. bassiana showed compatibility with formulated trichlorfon, acephate, indoxacarb, sulfoxaflor and spinetoram. Bioassays using laboratory grade active constituents indicated that the adverse impact of formulated beta-cyfluthrin on both fungal species and that of formulated methidathion on B. bassiana is probably due to components of the emulsifiable concentrate formulations rather than their active constituents. Diazinon was the only insecticidal active that showed high toxicity to both fungal species. The two fungicides, carbendazim and pyraclostrobin, were toxic to both fungal species at all tested concentrations. CONCLUSION Our results identify which pesticides used on macadamias in Australia are compatible and incompatible with entomopathogenic fungi. Future studies on pesticides degradation rates will help define the spray intervals required to eliminate these adverse effects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Immunohistochemical Studies in Mice Liver Immunized by Attenuated Schistosoma Mansoni Schistosomules by Gamma Radiation

Background: Schistosomiasis is an important cause of hepatic fibrosis in man. As etiological therapy alone is not enough to treat hepatic fibrosis, finding other strategies that can control the disease is important. Considering the dominant role of vaccination, research on gamma radiation-attenuated vaccine has become a new focus and has very promising value. Aim of the work: The objective of this study was to detect the effect of vaccination with attenuating dose of gamma radiation of schistosomules in controlling immunohistochemical changes in mice model of human schistosomiasis mansoni. Materials and methods: Forty mice were divided into four groups (ten each). Group A served as normal control, group B was infected by subcutaneous (S. C.) injection with 100 S. mansoni cercariae/mouse (infected control), group C was vaccinated by (S.C.) injection with 500 schistosomulae irradiated with 20 Krad gamma-radiation (vaccine control) and group D was vaccinated by (S.C.) injection with the same dose of irradiated schistosomules and then challenged after 4 weeks by S.C. injection with 100 S. mansoni cercariae. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α SMA), desmin, collagen type-1 and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) using immunohistochemistry were done. Results: exhibited in infected control group B marked expression of α-SMA, desmin, collagen type-1 and TGF-β1. These changes were moderate in vaccinated-control group C while few changes were detected in vaccinated-challenged group D. Conclusion:It was concluded that using 20 Krad-gamma irradiated schistosomules as vaccine is effective in controlling liver pathology and reduces immunohistochemical changes.
Elevated expression of HDAC6 in clinical peritoneal dialysis patients and its pathogenic role on peritoneal angiogenesis

Abstract Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, its complications, such as peritoneal fibrosis (PF) and angiogenesis can cause ultrafiltration failure and PD termination. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has been demonstrated to be involved in PF. However, its underlying role in peritoneal angiogenesis is still unknown and clinical value needs to be explored. In this study, we analyzed the expression of HDAC6 in the peritoneum from patients with non-PD and PD-related peritonitis and dialysis effluent from stable PD patients. Our study revealed that HDAC6 expressed highly in the peritoneum with peritonitis and co-stained with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a biomarker of the myofibroblast. And the level of HDAC6 in the dialysate increased with time and positively correlated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and negatively with cancer antigen 125 (CA125). In vitro, blockading HDAC6 with a selective inhibitor tubastatin A (TA) or silencing HDAC6 with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) prominently decreased IL-6-stimulated VEGF expression in cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), and inhibited proliferation and vasoformation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TA or HDAC6 siRNA also suppressed the expression of Wnt1, β-catenin, and the phosphorylation of STAT3 in IL-6-treated HPMCs. In summary, HDAC6 inhibition protects against PD-induced angiogenesis through suppression of IL-6/STAT3 and Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway, subsequently reducing the VEGF production and angiogenesis. It could become a new therapeutic target or forecast biomarker for PF, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the future.
Perceptions of Violent National-Political Protest among Arabs Living in Israel: A Pilot Study

This pilot study examines the perceptions of Arabs living in Israel (ALI) regarding violent national-political protests (VNPP). ALI, exposed to VNPP by organizations of their own ethnic minority, are trapped in a political and cultural conflict between their state and their nation. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 Muslim ALI identified four possible groups presenting four types of VNPP perceptions: (a) justifiers, who regard VNPP as a legitimate means of protecting the Palestinians and who profess Palestinian identity; (b) opponents, who strongly condemn VNPP and who profess Israeli identity; (c) those understanding but disagreeing with VNPP, professing a dual Palestinian-Israeli identity; and (d) the ambivalents, representing people with internal conflicts and mixed feelings regarding the Palestinian VNPP and their own identity. The study contributes to the understanding of how a group of ALI perceives the Palestinian VNPP, and implies that this population consists of different groups, each with its own unique identity.
Relationship between PRRX1, circulating tumor cells, and clinicopathological parameter in patients with gastric cancer.

PURPOSE Paired related homoeobox 1 (PRRX1) has been identified as a new epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer in gastric cancer and that PRRX1 upregulation is closely correlated with gastric cancer metastasis. In addition, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play an important role in the process of gastric cancer's distant metastasis. Our study aimed to correlate Prrx1, CTCs and the clinicopathological parameters in primary gastric cancer patients. METHODS Expressions of PRRX1 in a sample of 95 gastric carcinoma and adjacent nontumorous tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Then the integrated subtraction enrichment and immunostaining fluorescence in situ hybridization (SET-imFISH) platform were applied to detect and characterize CTCs in patients with gastric cancer. Finally, their correlations with clinicopathological parameters could be analyzed. RESULTS The positive rate of PRRX1in gastric cancer was 56.84% and the rate was 36.84% in adjacent normal gastric mucosa, which was confirmed to be statistically significant. In the meantime, both the expression of PRRX1 and the positive rate of CTCs did not significantly correlate with age, gender or histologic type (p>0.05) but significantly related to tumor size, grade of differentiation, lymph node invasion, vascular invasion, metastasis status, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (p<0.05). Besides, there was a close relationship between the PRRX1 of gastric cancer and the CTCs of peripheral blood specimens of cancer patients with the correlation coefficient 0.322. CONCLUSION Gastric cancer tissues showed that the level of PRRX1 expression was higher compared to the adjacent normal gastric mucosa. Both the expression of PRRX1 and the positive rate of CTCs significantly correlated with clinicopathological parameters. In addition, there was a positive correlation relationship between the PRRX1 of gastric cancer and the CTCs of peripheral blood specimens of cancer patients. These findings demonstrate that higher-level expression of PRRX1 in gastric cancer tissues increased the amount of CTCs in peripheral blood and facilitated the invasion and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. Meanwhile, it gave some clues to clinical treatment. CTCs may contribute to promotion in diagnosis, therapy monitoring and prognosis of gastric cancer.
Effects of feeding beef fat enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products to pigs

Abstract: A total of sixteen barrows were randomly assigned to diets containing 5% biohydrogenation product (BHP)-enriched or control beef fat for 7 weeks. On completion of 7 weeks, we found that feeding enriched fat led to deposition of BHP and isomer-specific metabolism of trans-18:1 in adipose tissue. It was also noticed that total and HDL-cholesterol were decreased; however, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were not affected.
Different PEG‐PLGA Matrices Influence In Vivo Optical/Photoacoustic Imaging Performance and Biodistribution of NIR‐Emitting π‐Conjugated Polymer Contrast Agents

The π‐conjugated polymer poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b0]‐dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7‐(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT) with deep‐red/near‐infrared (NIR) absorption and emission has been investigated as a contrast agent for in vivo optical and photoacoustic imaging. PCPDTBT is encapsulated within poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether‐block‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PEG2kDa–PLGA4kDa or PEG5kDa–PLGA55kDa) micelles or enveloped by the phospholipid, 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine‐N‐[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)‐2000] (PEG2kDa‐DPPE), to investigate the formulation effect on imaging performance, biodistribution, and biocompatibility. Nanoparticles that meet the quality requirements for parenteral administration are generated with similar physicochemical properties. Optical phantom imaging reveals that both PEG‐PLGA systems exhibit a 30% higher signal‐to‐background ratio (SBR) than PEG2kDa‐DPPE. This trend cannot be observed in a murine HeLa xenograft model following intravenous administration since dramatic differences in biodistribution are observed. PEG2kDa–PLGA4kDa systems accumulate more rapidly in the liver compared to other formulations and PEG2kDa‐DPPE demonstrates a higher tumor localization. Protein content in the “hard” corona differs between formulations (PEG2kDa‐DPPE < PEG2kDa–PLGA4kDa < PEG5kDa–PLGA55kDa), although this observation alone does not explain biodistribution patterns. PEG2kDa‐PLGA4kDa systems show the highest photoacoustic amplitude in a phantom, but also a lower signal in the tumor due to differences in biodistribution. This study demonstrates that formulations for conjugated polymer contrast agents can have significant impact on both imaging performance and biodistribution.
Ebola Virus Persistence in the Environment: State of the Knowledge and Research Needs

In March 2014, an outbreak of Ebola virus (Ebola) arose in western Africa. Since then, there have been more than 10000 cases reported with a mortality rate of approximately 70% in clinically confirmed cases. A significant unanswered question has arisen for the scientific and engineering communities, as well as the general public, surrounding Ebola virus persistence in the environment and the potential for an environmental route of Ebola virus exposure. Here, the authors review the state of knowledge of Ebola virus environmental persistence and highlight future research needs. In general, there are limited data on the environmental persistence or disinfection of Ebola virus available in the open literature. The available evidence suggests that Ebola virus is inactivated at a rate more rapid than or comparable to those of typically monitored enteric viruses. Additionally, while environmental exposure is not the dominant exposure route, available data suggest that it is imprudent to dismiss the potential of .
Molecular screening of XY SRY-negative sex reversal cases in horses revealed anomalies in amelogenin testing

Male-to-female sex reversal in horses is a developmental disorder in which phenotypic females have a male genetic constitution. Male-to-female sex reversal is the second most common genetic sex abnormality, after X chromosome monosomy. All male-to-female sex reversal cases studied to date have been found to be infertile. Therefore, a screening test is particularly useful in laboratories doing DNA genotyping in horses. Our laboratory has tested > 209,000 horses for parentage using a panel of microsatellite markers and the sex marker gene amelogenin (AMEL). Suspect XY sex reversal cases are reported females with a male profile by AMEL testing. After routine genotyping, 49 cases were detected and further tested using the sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene, confirming the XY SRY-negative genotype of suspect sex reversal cases. When some inconsistencies arose in the initial result, a molecular panel of X- and Y-linked markers was analyzed for these samples. Of the 49 cases, 33 were confirmed as XY SRY-negative. The remaining 16 cases were identified as false-positives as a result of anomalies of AMEL testing in horses.