Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overweight and obesity among Vietnamese school-aged children: National prevalence estimates based on the World Health Organization and International Obesity Task Force definition

Background Overweight and obesity is a severe global health issue in both developed and developing nations. This study aims to estimate the national prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in Vietnam. Method We conducted a national cross-sectional study on 2788 children aged from 11–14 years old from September to November 2018. We applied the WHO 2007 and IOTF criteria to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among participants. Poison regression analysis with cluster sampling adjustment was employed to assess associated factors with obesity and overweight. Metadata on sociodemographic characteristics, physical measurements, and lifestyle behaviors were also extracted to investigate these factors in association with overweight and obesity prevalence. Results The prevalences of overweight and obesity in Vietnamese children were 17.4% and 8.6%, respectively by WHO Z-score criteria, and 17.1% and 5.4%, according to the IOTF reference. Using WHO Z-score yielded a higher prevalence of obesity than the IOTF and CDC criteria of all ages and both sexes. The proportions of overweight and obesity were substantially higher among boys than girls across ages. Parental BMI was shown to be a significant factor associated with overweight/obesity status in both girls and boys. Only for boys, age (PR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.76–0.90) and belonging to ethnic minorities (PR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.24–0.76) were significant risk factors for overweight/obesity. Conclusion Our findings indicate a high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Vietnam, especially in boys.
A novel n-3 glyceride mixture enhances enrichment of EPA and DHA after single dosing in healthy older adults: results from a double-blind crossover trial

Abstract A glyceride mixture of monoglyceride, diglyceride and TAG increases solubilisation and enhances emulsification of n-3 fatty acid (FA)-containing lipids in the stomach. This allows for better access of digestive enzymes, pivotal for the release of bioactive n-3 FA. The objective was to compare the effect of a glyceride formulation and an ethyl ester formulation of EPA + DHA on concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma following single dosing. We conducted a double-blind crossover trial in which twenty healthy adults aged 50–70 years consumed a single dose (2·8 g EPA + DHA) of each EPA + DHA formulation without a meal in random order separated by a 2-week washout period. EPA and DHA were measured in plasma total lipid over the following 12 h. EPA and DHA in plasma total lipid increased over 12 h with both formulations. A 10-fold greater Δ concentration of EPA, 3-fold greater Δ concentration of DHA and 5-fold greater Δ concentration of EPA + DHA were seen with the glyceride-EPA + DHA. The time at which the maximal concentrations of n-3 FA occurred was 4 h earlier for EPA, 1 h earlier for DHA and 2 h earlier for EPA + DHA when consuming glyceride-EPA + DHA. A mixture of monoglyceride, diglyceride and TAG results in greater and faster incorporation of EPA and DHA into blood plasma lipid in the absence of a fatty meal. This may provide benefit to individuals on a low-fat diet or with digestive impairments and could result in greater efficacy in clinical trials using n-3 FA.
The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology: Assessment of Cytohistological Concordance and Risk of Malignancy

Introduction: The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) was proposed by the American Society of Cytopathology and the International Academy of Cytology to bring uniformity in the reporting system and the treatment protocol. A wide range of risk of malignancy for each category has been reported by various authors by applying the system. Aim: We intend to study the cytohistological concordance and the ROM for each of the diagnostic categories of the Milan system. Materials and Methods: The study included 292 cases of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland lesions over a period of 3 years. The diagnosis of these cases was reclassified into the 6 categories of the Milan system. The cytohistological concordance and ROM for each category of the Milan system were calculated based on the clinical and histopathological follow-up. Results: The patients’ age ranged from 3 to 81 years with the mean of 42.65 ± 16.3 years. The cases included 189 (64.7%) parotid, 82 (28.1%) submandibular, and 21 (7.2%) cases of minor salivary gland swellings. Follow-up histopathological diagnosis for 102 cases was available. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated to be 64.28, 97.01, 90, 86.67, and 87.37%, respectively. After reclassification, the number of cases in each category was as follows: category I: 31 (10.62%), category II: 80 (27.4%), category III: 2 (0.68%), category IVA: 143 (48.97%), category IVB: 1 (0.34%), category V: 13 (4.45%), and category VI: 22 (7.53%). The calculated ROM was as follows: category I: 42.86%, category II: 26.67%, category III: 100% category IVA: 10.17%, category IVB: 0%, category V: 71.42%, category VI: 100%. Conclusion: FNAC is an excellent procedure to differentiate benign from malignant tumors, and MSRSGC is a useful system for risk assessment and deciding the further treatment protocol. Our findings also suggest that in addition to the surgical follow-up, inclusion of the clinical and radiological follow-up may be a better strategy for calculation of ROM, especially for categories I and II.
Ram semen quality can be assessed by flow cytometry several hours after post-fixation

Summary Ram spermatozoa are very sensitive to any cold shock or oxidative damage, therefore making them unsuitable for prolonged storage or distant transport to specialized laboratories for flow-cytometric analysis. The aim of this study was to stain ram semen samples with several fluorescent markers and analyse their stability during formaldehyde fixation. Briefly, freshly collected semen samples were stained for apoptosis (annexin V-FITC, YO-PRO™-1 and FLICA), acrosomal damage (PNA-AF488 and FITC-conjugated antibody against GAPDHS), mitochondrial activity (Mitotracker probes), oxidative damage [dihydroethidium (DHE) and CellROX™ Green] and cell viability (live/dead fixable viability dyes). Next, samples were fixed in buffer containing formaldehyde and then washed. Stained sample were analyzed using flow cytometer before fixation, immediately after fixation, and at 5 h and 20 h post-fixation. Fluorescent signals and the proportion of positively stained spermatozoa were compared statistically in fresh and post-fixed samples. All examined markers, except YO-PRO-1 (decreased significantly, P < 0.05), retained their fluorescence intensities after fixation. In conclusion, several tested markers were able to withstand formaldehyde fixation of ram semen samples as follows: annexin V and FLICA for apoptosis; PNA for acrosomal status; MitoTracker Red CMXRos for mitochondrial activity; and CellROX Green for oxidative status in combination with a suitable live/dead fixable viability dye. This optimized methodology could help to comprehensively analyse the quality of ram semen from local farms countrywide.
Plant communities of the fog-free coastal desert of Chile: plant strategies in a fluctuating environment

Plant communities of the fog-free coastal desert of northern Chile depend on highly variable rainfall inputs. Precipitation is concentrated in the winter, but it varies in quantity and frequency among and within yean. We discuss the importance of this variability in the structure of the plant communities along a latitudinal gradient encompassing the entire range of the coastal desert (27-30°5). We present the results of three years of records of plant cover, species richness and phenology in permanent plots, and laboratory assays to determine the moisture thresholds for seedling emergence from soil samples. The communities comprise a high proportion (30-60%) of annuals. Northwards, shrubs increase in relative importance. Geophytes are more abundant in the center of the gradient. In a wet year, absolute plant cover varied between 19 and 60% among sites, more than one half of which was contributed by ephemeral plants. In a dry year(< 20 mm of rain) the ephemeral plant cover did not develop. This minimum amount of rain required for ephemeral plant growth coincides with the threshold for seedling emergence determined in laboratory experiments. Flowering showed a pronounced peak two months after the rain, and in some species it may continue during part of the dry period. Maximum richness of native plant species and high endemism occur in the central part of the gradient studied, where areas protected from human activities are lacking.
Recovery of endophytic Beauveria bassiana on a culture medium based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

ABSTRACT Selective media (potato dextrose agar plus yeast extract, different concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and different antibacterials) were evaluated for the isolation of endophytic Beauveria cf. bassiana from dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants. CTAB amounts of 0.15 and 0.3 g/L plus either dihydrostreptomycin, oxytetracycline or doxycycline resulted in the lowest numbers of common saprophytic fungi and the highest proportional recovery of Beauveria colonies from internal plant tissues.
EXAMINING VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF COOL-SEASON FORAGE GRASSES FOR DAIRY CATTLE GRAZING PREFERENCE

OF THESIS EXAMINING VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF COOL-SEASON FORAGE GRASSES FOR DAIRY CATTLE GRAZING PREFERENCE The objective of this study was to determine dairy cattle preference amongst four species of cool-season forage grasses: eight orchardgrasses (Dactylis glomerata L.), five tall fescues [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. ], five perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.), and six festuloliums [xFestulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus. ]; 24 cultivars in total. Each grazing trial utilized four Holstein-Friesian heifers over six hours. Maturity differences were eliminated by having animals graze only vegetative material. After six grazing trials (three each in 2014 and 2015), consistent results in animal preference were not found; three of the six trials did show preference (P<.01). However, forage quality analysis shows that the entries, while statistically different (P<0.1), did not vary greatly in the measured constituents (NDF, ADF, IVTD, CP), and were high in value. This was due to eliminating the confounding maturity effects, which reduced variation in quality constituents. A second study utilizing 10 orchardgrass cultivars showed no differences in preference. Animals cannot discern between entries with high quality and little variation. Selecting cultivars and species based on agronomic advantages (i.e. drought tolerance, persistence under grazing, winter-hardiness, and yield) would benefit operations over selecting cultivars that vary little in forage quality under optimal management.
Association between HLA gene polymorphisms and mortality of COVID‐19: An in silico analysis

The emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 has caused global public health and economic crisis. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a critical component of the viral antigen presentation pathway and plays essential roles in conferring differential viral susceptibility and severity of diseases. However, the association between HLA gene polymorphisms and risk for COVID‐19 has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that HLA genotypes might impact on the differences in morbidity and mortality of COVID‐19 across countries.
The Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio Is Associated with Hyperinsulinemia in Healthy Mexican Adolescents

Abstract Objective: To evaluate whether the Fat-to-Lean Mass (FyM) ratio is associated to hyperinsulinemia in healthy adolescents. Methods: Apparently healthy adolescents aged 10 to 15 years that according to sex, age, and percentiles of body fat percent, were included and allocated into the groups with elevated (body fat percent ≥85 percentile) and normal total body fat (body fat percent <85 percentile). The FyM ratio was calculated as total lean mass (kg)/total body fat (kg) and hyperinsulinemia was defined by fasting insulin levels ≥20 µUI/mL. Results: A total of 1,299 adolescents, 665 (51.9%) girls and 634 (48.1%) boys, were enrolled and allocated into the groups with high (n = 439) and normal (n = 860) body fat. The FyM index remained significantly associated with hyperinsulinemia (OR 5.58; 95%CI: 1.54–28.10) after logistic regression analysis adjusted by sex, age, body-weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Conclusion: The FyM index is highly associated to the presence of hyperinsulinemia in adolescents, emerging as a useful tool from anthropometric measurements for identify insulin abnormalities.
Evaluation of maxillary sinus findings after dental implant and sinus floor augmentation procedures with cone-beam computed tomography.

Background To assess maxillary sinus findings using dental volumetric tomography before and after surgery in patients with dental implants in the maxillary posterior region with or without sinus floor elevation due to insufficient bone height. Materials and Methods Cone-beam computerized tomography images taken for surgical planning before implantation and controlling after implantation were reviewed in 50 patients applied to the Department of Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery and Radiology of Dentistry Faculty at Ondokuz Mayıs University. Maxillary sinus diseases (focal mucosal thickening, polyp, mucous retention cyst, sinusitis) were evaluated. The relationship between dental implant and sinus floor augmentation procedures and maxillary sinus findings was statistically evaluated using the Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank test. Results In this study, 26 female (52%) and 24 male (48%) patients were examined. The mean age of all patients was 53.82 years (± 8.63). Focal mucosal thickening was most frequently observed in the study. There was no statistically significant correlation between implant applications and sinus pathologies with both internal and external elevation procedures and implant applications (P > 0.05). Conclusions Sinus floor augmentation and dental implant applications seemed not to increase the risk of maxillary sinüs pathologies. However, it is suggested to carry out similar studies with more samples.
Sociality and temporality in local experiences of distress and healing: Ethnographic research in northern Rwanda

Prior studies have traced sociality and temporality as significant features of African healing. However, association between the two has not been explicitly investigated. This paper explores how sociality and temporality are associated in local experiences of distress and healing among northern Rwandans. The ethnographic research, including in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and participant observation, was conducted in 2015–2016, with 43 participants from the Musanze district who have suffered from not only the genocide but also post-genocide massacres. Findings identified common local idioms of distress: ibikomere (wounded feelings), ihungabana (mental disturbances), ihahamuka (trauma), and kurwara mu mutwe (illness of the head, severe mental illness). One stage of distress was perceived to develop into another, slightly more serious than the previous. Social isolation played a significant role in the development as it activated ‘remembering’ and ‘thinking too much’ about the past and worsened symptoms. Subsequently, healing was experienced through social reconnection and a shift of time orientation from the past to the future; the healing experience traced a process of leaving the past behind, moving forwards and creating a future through community involvement. The experiences of distress and healing in this population were explained by two axes, i.e. sociality (isolation – reconnection) and temporality (past – future), which are associated with each other. Given the sociality–temporality association in African post-war healing, the study highlights that assistant programmes that facilitate social practice and future creation can be therapeutic and be an alternative for people who cannot benefit from talking-based and trauma-focused approaches.
Prevalence of mismatch repair deficiency and Lynch syndrome in a cohort of unselected small bowel adenocarcinomas

Aims Previous estimates of the prevalence of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency and Lynch syndrome in small bowel cancer have varied widely. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of MMR deficiency and Lynch syndrome in a large group of small bowel adenocarcinomas. Methods To this end, a total of 400 small bowel adenocarcinomas (332 resections, 68 biopsies) were collected through the Dutch nationwide registry of histopathology and cytopathology (Pathologisch-Anatomisch Landelijk Geautomatiseerd Archief (PALGA)). No preselection criteria, such as family history, were applied, thus avoiding (ascertainment) bias. MMR deficiency status was determined by immunohistochemical staining of MMR proteins, supplemented by MLH1 promoter hypermethylation analysis and next generation sequencing of the MMR genes. Results MMR deficiency was observed in 22.3% of resected and 4.4% of biopsied small bowel carcinomas. Prevalence of Lynch syndrome was 6.2% in resections and 0.0% in biopsy samples. Patients with Lynch syndrome-associated small bowel cancer were significantly younger at the time of diagnosis than patients with MMR-proficient and sporadic MMR-deficient cancers (mean age of 54.6 years vs 66.6 years and 68.8 years, respectively, p<0.000). Conclusions The prevalence of MMR deficiency and Lynch syndrome in resected small bowel adenocarcinomas is at least comparable to prevalence in colorectal cancers, a finding relevant both for treatment (immunotherapy) and family management. We recommend that all small bowel adenocarcinomas should be screened for MMR deficiency.
Informal carer experiences of UK dementia services - a systematic review.

AIM To understand the experiences of informal carers' of individuals with dementia in the UK when engaging with services for support in their caring role. METHODS Following the PRISMA guidelines, a qualitative systematic literature review was carried out. Six internet databases were searched. Results were screened and eligible studies were appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP, 2019) and data synthesised using Evan & Pearson (2001) and Evans (2002). RESULTS The search returned 231 records, 11 were selected for critical appraisal and data synthesis. Four main themes (information for carers, process of diagnosing dementia, difficulties accessing support, and cultural differences of experiences of services) were extracted. DISCUSSION Carers experience services as providing inadequate support for the Person with Dementia (PwD) and themselves for support relating to dementia. Difficulties in receiving information and support were experienced from before diagnosis to End of Life (EoL) care. Additionally, cultural differences were found in carers' experiences. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The provision of and access to dementia support should be improved; more information for carers about dementia and dementia services is needed; cultural differences need to be appreciated in the support and information offered. RELEVANCE Informal dementia care is essential to supporting an overstretched health service but the level of care an individual can offer is reliant on the support they receive. This paper reviews contemporary research exploring carers' experiences with services when seeking dementia support.
Comparison Study of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation.

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown great promise in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Recently, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived EVs have been considered for bone tissue engineering applications. In this study, we evaluated the osteogenic capability of placental stem cell (PSC)-derived EVs and compared them to the well-characterized BMSC-derived EVs. EVs were extracted from three designated time points (0, 7, and 21 days) after osteogenic differentiation. The results showed that the PSC-derived EVs had much higher protein and lipid concentrations than EVs derived from BMSCs. The extracted EVs were characterized by observing their morphology and size distribution before utilizing next-generation sequencing to determine their miRNA profiles. It was identified that 306 miRNAs within the EVs, of which 64 were significantly expressed in PSC-derived EVs that related to osteogenic differentiation. In vitro osteogenic differentiation study indicated that the late-stage (21-day extracted) derived EVs higher osteogenic enhancing capability when compared to the early-stage derived EVs. We demonstrated that EVs derived from PSCs could be a new source of EVs for bone tissue engineering applications.
Effect of bio-mulches on soil nutrient availability and microbial population in summer rice

A field experiment was carried out on summer rice (Oryza sativa L) during 2003 and 2004 using different organic mulches – Azolla, rice chaffy grain, saw dust, subabool (Leucaena leucocephala L.) green leaves and FYM under rotational submergence at 5 days after disappearance of ponded water against continuous submergence. The results revealed that rotational submergence reduced the uptake of N, P2O5 and K2O by 40.2, 49.3 and 33.1% respectively as compared to continuous submergence. However, application of organic mulches in rotational submergence improved the uptake of nitrogen (11.1 - 51.9%), phosphorus (12.7% 67.6%) and potassium (9.3 - 39.1%) compared to without mulching condition. Among the organic mulches, rice chaffy grain recorded maximum uptake of N and K and FYM recorded maximum uptake of P2O5. Rotational submergence (cyclic stress) reduced the nutrient availability to the extent of 23.8, 17.2 and 2.0% of N, P2O5and K2O respectively. Organic mulches under rotational submergence significantly improved the nutrient availability to the extent of nitrogen 33.8 - 59.7%, phosphate 28.2 - 61.8% and potash 1.65 - 9.1% and it was even higher than continuous submergence. Soil water stress reduced the oxidisable soil organic carbon status by 5.13% as compared to continuous submergence, whereas, mulching improved the carbon status by 9.5% to 18.2% and increased the grain yield by 20.5–50.7%. Water supply situation and organic mulches significantly influenced microbial population. Among the mulches saw-dust and FYM increased the microbial population by 37–192% over stress control.
Reinforced evidence on partial compatibility between Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo and on maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA in the Pinus mugo × Pinus sylvestris cross

Abstract The crossability relationship between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain dwarf pine (Pinus mugo Turra) was tested under field conditions using an artificial pollination approach. There was partial compatibility between the parental species, as evidenced by the amount of filled seeds in their reciprocal crossings and in control variants from self-pollination, controlled intraspecific outcrossing and open pollination of mother trees. The crossability degree in P. sylvestris × P. mugo was characterised by the index 0.15, and the reciprocal crossing by the index 0.18. Crossability of P. sylvestris and P. mugo with their putative hybrid individuals was much higher; the number of filled seeds was comparable with that of the control variants. The reciprocal crossings of P. sylvestris and P. mugo species were highlighted by the opposite inheritance of their chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). The paternal cpDNA inheritance in P. sylvestris × P. mugo and maternal cpDNA inheritance in P. mugo × P. sylvestris was repeatedly confirmed using the cpDNA trnV-trnH/HinfI marker as well as the newly developed partial cpDNA trnV-trnH/AseI marker. The nature of the latter is described in terms of the nucleotide sequence.