Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced retort processing time improves canning quality of fast-cooking dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

BACKGROUND While it is generally accepted that fast-cooking germplasm benefits consumers, benefits to the canning industry have not been established. Genotypes with good canning quality withstand the canning process while remaining intact with good appearance, but canning protocols used by breeders typically involve long processing times that may overcook some genotypes. The goal of this study was to identify whether cooking time influences canning quality in dry beans and whether reducing processing time could improve canning quality of fast-cooking genotypes. RESULTS A set of 20 yellow bean genotypes including Ervilha, PI527538, and 18 derived recombinant inbred lines were selected for their varied cooking times. By comparing the genotypes processed across 5 retort times, differences in canning quality were identified. All genotypes performed better when processed for less time than the standard 45 mins, but canning quality was highest at 10 mins for fast and medium cooking genotypes and 15 mins for slow cooking genotypes. Cooking time was correlated positively with texture and intactness and negatively with washed-drained weights, indicating that slower cooking beans have higher canning quality. Color changed with retort processing such that longer times produced darker beans with more red and yellow. CONCLUSIONS While fast-cooking beans exhibited lower canning quality at standard processing times, reduced retort processing time allowed them to meet quality standards while still maintaining food safety. By accounting for cooking time as a component of canning quality, breeders can develop varieties that are convenient and cost efficient to prepare for both consumers and the canning industry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Responses to selection for pubertal traits in Angus cattle over 23 years

Selection to change age at puberty over 23 years was monitored in Angus cattle in a Ruakura study. A foundation herd was divided in 1984 into four lines: a control unselected line, and lines selected for high ageat-puberty (Age+), low age-at-puberty (Age-), and high scrotal circumference (SC), with the last two lines being merged later. Age at puberty (first oestrus, AFO) was determined in heifers from observations of first behavioural oestrus date; puberty was determined in bulls from SC records from 8 to 13 months of age. Selection for AFO was applied mainly to bulls, using the genetic correlation between AFO and SC from our data (-0.25 ± 0.09). Puberty records from 6,473 weaned calves were analysed, using restricted maximum likelihood methods to determine genetic changes achieved by line. Realised heritability estimates were 0.26 ± 0.03 (standardised AFO), and 0.40 ± 0.04 (individual SC records; repeatability over ages, 0.68 ± 0.01). Averaging over recent year’s data, Ageline heifers had lower AFO than Age+ line heifers by 69 days (19%; 1.33 phenotypic standard deviations), and bulls had larger SC by 3.0 cm (9.9%; 1.17 phenotypic standard deviations). Correlated responses in pregnancy rate favoured Ageover Age+ females at all ages.
Testis-specific serine kinase protein family in male fertility and as targets for non-hormonal male contraception

Abstract Male contraception is a very active area of research. Several hormonal agents have entered clinical trials, while potential non-hormonal targets have been brought to light more recently and are at earlier stages of development. The general strategy is to target genes along the molecular pathways of sperm production, maturation, or function, and it is predicted that these novel approaches will hopefully lead to more selective male contraceptive compounds with a decreased side effect burden. Protein kinases are known to play a major role in signaling events associated with sperm differentiation and function. In this review, we focus our analysis on the testis-specific serine kinase (TSSK) protein family. We have previously shown that members of the family of TSSKs are postmeiotically expressed in male germ cells and in mature mammalian sperm. The restricted postmeiotic expression of TSSKs as well as the importance of phosphorylation in signaling processes strongly suggests that TSSKs have an important role in germ cell differentiation and/or sperm function. This prediction has been supported by the reported sterile phenotype of the Tssk6 knockout (KO) mice and of the double Tssk1 and Tssk2 KO mice and by the male subfertile phenotype observed in a Tssk4 KO mouse model. Summary sentence The established role of TSSKs in spermiogenesis and in male fertility, together with their unique kinase features, strongly supports this family of protein kinases as a very promising drug discovery target for development of a non-hormonal male contraceptive.
The long-term learning effect related to the repeated use of the Finnish matrix sentence test and the Finnish digit triplet test

Abstract Objectives: To assess are there learning-related improvements in the speech reception thresholds (SRTs) for the Finnish matrix sentence test (FMST) and the Finnish digit triplet test (FDTT) in repeated use over 12 months. Design: Test sessions were scheduled at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and each session included five FMST measurements and four FDTT measurements. The within-session and inter-session improvements in SRTs were analysed with a linear mixed model. Study sample: Fifteen young normal-hearing participants. Results: Statistically significant mean improvements of 2.0 dB SNR and 1.2 dB SNR were detected for the FMST and the FDTT, respectively, over the 12-month follow-up period. For the FMST, majority of the improvement occurred during the first two test sessions. For the FDTT, statistically significant differences were detected only in comparison to the first test session and to the first test measurement of every session over the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Repeated use of the FMST led to significant learning-related improvements, but the improvements appeared to plateau by the third test session. For the FDTT, the overall improvements were smaller, but a significant within-session difference between the first and consecutive FDTT measurements persisted throughout the test sessions.
Glutamatergic inputs to GABAergic interneurons in the motor thalamus of control and parkinsonian monkeys

The primate ventral motor thalamus contains a large number of GABAergic interneurons of poorly understood function and anatomical connectivity. Glutamatergic inputs to these cells arise predominantly from corticothalamic (in both basal ganglia‐ and cerebellar‐receiving ventral motor thalamic territories; BGMT and CBMT, respectively) and cerebellothalamic terminals (in CBMT). In Parkinson's disease patients and animal models, neuronal activity is abnormal within both BGMT and CBMT. Historically, such motor thalamic dysregulation has been largely attributed to changes in inhibitory tone from the basal ganglia output nuclei, ignoring the potential role of other thalamic inputs in such processes, particularly within the CBMT, which is largely devoid of direct basal ganglia afferents. We have recently reported changes in the abundance and structural morphology of corticothalamic terminals in BGMT of parkinsonian monkeys. In this study, we assessed potential changes in the prevalence of cortical (vesicular glutamate transporter 1‐positive, vGluT1‐positive) and subcortical (vGluT2‐positive) glutamatergic inputs in contact with GABAergic interneurons in BGMT and CBMT of MPTP‐treated parkinsonian monkeys. Our findings revealed that interneurons represent a major target of both sets of glutamatergic terminals. In both BGMT and CBMT of control and parkinsonian monkeys, 29%–38% of total asymmetric axodendritic synapses (putative glutamatergic) were formed by vGluT1‐positive terminals and 11%–17% of total vGluT1‐positive terminals targeted dendrites of GABAergic interneurons. In CBMT, 16%–18% of asymmetric synaptic inputs on interneurons involved vGluT2‐containing terminals. No major differences in the extent of glutamatergic innervation of thalamic GABAergic interneurons were found between control and parkinsonian monkeys.
Episiotomy: history, present and future – a review

Abstract Childbirth has always carried traumatic stress to the woman’s body. To deliver with less perineal trauma, obstetricians have used episiotomies. Episiotomy is still a common practice despite the controversy regarding its use. Weighing the risks and benefits, the scientific literature supports its selective use. With the worldwide trend to reduce the rate of episiotomy, several techniques have been proposed to achieve that. However, further research is still needed to prove their efficacy. This review will shed light on the historical background of episiotomy, its different techniques, indications, and the future of its practice.
Comparison the accuracy and trending ability of cardiac index measured by the fourth-generation of FloTrac with the PiCCO device in septic shock patients

Background/aim FloTrac/Vigileo is a noncalibrated arterial pressure waveform analysis for cardiac index (CI) monitoring. The aim of our study was to compare the CI measured by the 4th generation of FloTrac with PiCCO in septic shock patients. Materials and methods We simultaneously measured the CI using FloTrac (CIv) and compared it with the CI derived from transpulmonary thermodilution (CItd) as well as the pulse contour-derived CI using PiCCO (CIp). Results Thirty-one septic shock patients were included. The CIv correlated with CItd (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). The Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of 0.14, and the limits of agreement were –1.62–1.91 L/min/m2 with a percentage error of 47.4%. However, the concordance rate between CIv and CItd was 93.6%. The comparison of CIv with CIp (n = 352 paired measurements) revealed a bias of -0.16, and the limits of agreement were –1.45–1.79 L/min/m2 with a percentage error of 44.8%. The overall correlation coefficient between CIv and CIp was 0.63 (P < 0.0001), and the concordance rate was 85.4%. Conclusion The 4th generation of FloTrac has not acceptable agreement to assess CI; however, it has the ability to tracked changes of CI, when compared with the transpulmonary thermodilution method by PiCCO.
Validation of 24‐h dietary recall for estimating nutrient intakes and adequacy in adolescents in Burkina Faso

Abstract Data on dietary nutrient intakes of adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) is lacking partly due to the absence of validation studies of the 24‐h recall method in adolescents. We conducted a validation study of 24‐h recall (24HR) compared with observed weighed records (OWR) in adolescents (n = 132, 10–11 years; n = 105, 12–14 years). Dietary data were collected for the same day by both methods by conducting the 24HR the day after the OWR. For OWR, all foods consumed by adolescents from the first to last meal of the day were weighed; for 24HR adolescents reported foods consumed using portion aids. Food intakes were converted to nutrients. Nutrient intakes by both methods were tested for equivalence by comparing the ratios (24HR/OWR) with equivalence margins of within ±10%, 15% and 20% of the ratio. Prevalences of inadequacy (POIs) were obtained using the NCI method. Mean ratios for energy were 0.88 and 0.92, for younger and older adolescents, respectively, and other nutrients ranged between 0.84 and 1.02. Energy intakes were equivalent within the 15% bound, and most nutrients fell within the 20% bound. POI was overestimated by 24HR, but differences were less than 25 percentage points for most nutrients. Half of adolescents omitted foods in recalls, mainly sweet or savoury snacks, fruits and beverages. Our study showed that adolescents underestimated intakes by 24HR; however, the degree of underestimation was generally acceptable for 12–14‐year‐olds within a bound of 15%. Errors could possibly be reduced with further training and targeted probing.
In vitro activity of the antimicrobial peptide AP7121 against the human methicillin-resistant biofilm producers Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract In vitro activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm producers from blood cultures of patients with prosthetic hip infections was evaluated. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for AP7121 was determined and the bactericidal activity of AP7121 (MICx1, MICx4) against planktonic cells was studied at 4, 8 and 24 h. The biofilms formed were incubated with AP7121 (MICx1, MICx4) for 1 and 24 h. The anti-adhesion effect of an AP7121-treated inert surface over the highest MIC isolate was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bactericidal activity of AP7121 against all the planktonic staphylococcal cells was observed at 4 h at both peptide concentrations. Dose-dependent anti-biofilm activity was detected. AP7121 (MICx4) showed bactericidal activity at 24 h in all isolates. SEM confirmed prevention of biofilm formation. This research showed the in vitro anti-biofilm activity of AP7121 against MRSA and S. epidermidis and the prevention of biofilm formation by them on an abiotic surface.
Transgenerational phenotypic plasticity of diapause induction and related fitness cost in a commercial strain of the parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday

Diapause is an adaptation that insects have evolved to synchronize their life cycle with that of seasonal climatic changes and resources availability. However, cues for its induction are not always clear and, in some cases, a maternal effect may be involved. At the population level, just a part of the individuals may exhibit diapause with important consequences in terms of winter survival. Moreover, clear indicators of diapause state are difficult to identify. Diapause induction was thus investigated in the aphid parasitoid species Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) developing in the aphid Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at four crossed photothermal regimes (16 °C and 8 °C, 16:8 h L:D and 8:16 h L:D), and during 2 successive generations. We analyzed the reliability of changes in mummy color to assess for the diapausing state compared to dissections, and we measured parasitoid morphological and physiological traits. We observed that the proportion of dark brown mummies increased after one generation under low photothermal regime compared to other regimes. No diapause was recorded at 16 °C, 16:8 h L:D, while we observed 16.2% and 67.5% diapause incidence at 8 °C, 8:16 h L:D, at 1st and 2nd generation, respectively. Diapause induction is thus increased by short day‐length conditions and low temperatures as well as by maternal effects. All parasitoid life‐history traits (weight, size, fat content, water content, egg‐load, and longevity) were affected by the photothermal regime and/or the generation. These results raise new questions on the environmental thresholds needed to induce diapause and on survival and adaptation potential of commercially available parasitoid strains in different environments.
The long noncoding RNA Arrl1 inhibits neurite outgrowth by functioning as a competing endogenous RNA during neuronal regeneration in rats

The intrinsic regeneration ability of neurons is a pivotal factor in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, identifying the key modulators of nerve regeneration may help improve axon regeneration and functional recovery after injury. Unlike for classical transcription factors and regeneration-associated genes, the function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of neuronal regeneration remains mostly unknown. In this study, we used RNA-Seq–based transcriptome profiling to analyze the expression patterns of lncRNAs and mRNAs in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following sciatic nerve injury. Analyses using the lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network, gene ontology enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway databases indicated that the lncRNA Arrl1 decreases neurite outgrowth after neuronal injury. shRNA-mediated Arrl1 silencing increased axon regeneration both in vitro and in vivo and improved functional recovery of the sciatic nerve. Moreover, inhibiting an identified target gene of Arrl1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (Cdkn2b), markedly promoted neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons. We also found that Arrl1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA that sponges a Cdkn2b repressor, microRNA-761 (miR-761), and thereby up-regulates Cdkn2b expression during neuron regeneration. We conclude that the lncRNA Arrl1 affects the intrinsic regeneration of DRG neurons by derepressing Cdkn2b expression. Our findings indicate a role for an lncRNA-microRNA-kinase pathway in the regulation of axon regeneration and functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury in rats.
Coronavirus HKU 1 infection with bronchiolitis, pericardial effusion and acute respiratory failure in obese adult female

Abstract Seven species of coronavirus cause acute respiratory illness in humans. Coronavirus HKU 1 (CoV HKU 1) was first described in 2005 in an adult patient with pneumonia in Hong Kong. Although it is a well-known respiratory tract pathogen, there is not much information about its role in hospitalized adults, especially in southern Europe. Here, we describe a case of radiologically demonstrated CoV HKU 1-related bronchiolitis with acute respiratory failure in an adult female without significant comorbidities except obesity.
New therapeutic targets in chronic kidney disease progression and renal fibrosis

ABSTRACT Introduction The current therapeutic armamentarium to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is limited to the control of blood pressure and in diabetic patients, the strict control of glucose levels. Current research is primarily focused on the reduction of inflammation and fibrosis at different levels. Areas covered This article examines the latest progress in this field and places an emphasis on inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. New therapeutic targets are described and evidence from experimental and clinical studies is summarized. We performed a search in Medline for articles published over the last 10 years. Expert opinion The search for therapeutic targets of renal inflammation is hindered by an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology. The determination of the specific inducers of inflammation in the kidney is an area of heightened potential. Prevention of the progression of renal fibrosis by blocking TGF-β signaling has been unsuccessful, but the investigation of signaling pathways involved in late stages of fibrosis progression could yield improved results. Preventive strategies such as the modification of microbiota-inducers of uremic toxins involved in CKD progression is a promising field because of the interaction between the gut microbiota and the renal system.
In Silico Identification of Chemicals Capable of Binding to the Ecdysone Receptor

The process of molting, known alternatively as ecdysis, is a feature integral in the life cycles of species across the arthropod phylum. Regulation occurs as a function of the interaction of ecdysteroid hormones with the arthropod nuclear ecdysone receptor—a process preceding the triggering of a series of downstream events constituting an endocrine signaling pathway highly conserved throughout environmentally prevalent insect, crustacean, and myriapod organisms. Inappropriate ecdysone receptor binding and activation forms the essential molecular initiating event within possible adverse outcome pathways relating abnormal molting to mortality in arthropods. Definition of the characteristics of chemicals liable to stimulate such activity has the potential to be of great utility in mitigation of hazards posed toward vulnerable species. Thus the aim of the present study was to develop a series of rule‐sets, derived from the key structural and physicochemical features associated with identified ecdysone receptor ligands, enabling construction of Konstanz Information Miner (KNIME) workflows permitting the flagging of compounds predisposed to binding at the site. Data describing the activities of 555 distinct chemicals were recovered from a variety of assays across 10 insect species, allowing for formulation of KNIME screens for potential binding activity at the molecular initiating event and adverse outcome level of biological organization. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1438–1450. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Different Perceptions of Parents and Children on Factors Influencing Sport Specialization.

CONTEXT Sport specialization among youth athletes has been associated with increased risk of overuse injuries. Previous research demonstrates that children perceive specialization to be beneficial in making their high school team and receiving athletic college scholarships. Previous research demonstrates that parents play a significant role in their child's sport experience. However, it is unknown if parents and children answer questions related to specialization factors in a similar manner. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the beliefs of youth athletes and parents on factors related to sport specialization and evaluate the level of agreement between dyads on sports specialization. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Online and paper surveys. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Aim 1: 1998 participants (993 children and 1005 parents). Aim 2: 77 paired parent-child dyads. INTERVENTIONS Self-administered survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The responses were summarized via frequency and proportions (%). Chi-squares were calculated between parent and child responses. Kappa coefficients were calculated for dyads to determine level of agreement. Sport specialization was classified using a common 3-point scale. RESULTS The parents were more concerned about risk of injury in sports compared with children (P < .001, χ2 = 231.4; parent: extremely: 7.1%; child: extremely: 3.7%). However, children were more likely to believe that specialization was associated with their chances of obtaining an athletic college scholarship compared with parents (P < .001, χ2 = 201.6; parent: very/extremely likely: 13.7%; child: very/extremely likely: 15.8%). Dyad subanalysis indicated a moderate level of agreement for "quitting other sports to focus on one sport" (κ = .50) and a low level of agreement for "identifying a primary sport" (κ = .30) and "training >8 months per year in primary sport" (κ = .32). CONCLUSIONS Parents and youth athletes had differing beliefs on the factors related to sport specialization. Dyad analysis shows that parents and children answer sport specialization classification questions differently. Health care providers should be aware of these differences, and messaging should be individualized to the audience.
Magnesium intoxication in women with preeclampsia with severe features treated with magnesium sulfate

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the maternal-neonatal outcome in magnesium (Mg)-intoxicated women with preeclampsia with severe features (PESF) treated with magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). Methods A total of 19 Mg intoxicated PESF women (cases) were compared with 166 PESF women without signs of intoxication (controls). Results Mg serum levels of cases was higher compared to control group (12.36 ± 3.54 mg/dl versus 2.69 ± 0.83 mg/dl). 3 women died and 3 had major maternal morbidity in cases group compared with zero in the control group (P = 0.009). Mg intoxication was also significantly associated with perinatal deaths and low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. Conclusion Mg intoxication is associated with a increased risk of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.