Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Childhood Psoriasis on Caregivers’ Quality of Life, Measured with Family Dermatology Life Quality Index

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, that often develops below the age of 18. In an integrated approach to childhood psoriasis, the impact of psoriasis on family members merits consideration. In this study, the impact of childhood psoriasis on caregivers (61 mothers and 4 fathers) of 65 children (age range 5-17.5 years) was measured using Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Childhood psoriasis exerted a substantial impact on the QoL of caregivers (mean FDLQI 13.62 ± 6.15 points). Caregivers rated routine household expenditure, time spent caring for the skin of the child, and emotional distress as the areas most impacted by psoriasis. The areas least affected were parent-child relationships, and caregivers’ social lives. The impact of other people’s reactions to the child’s disease was rated as more severe by caregivers of girls compared with those of boys (p = 0.004).
Distribution of different carbapenem resistant clones of Acinetobacter baumannii in Tehran hospitals.

The MICs of imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefotaxime, polymixin B and tigecycline against 80 isolates of Acintobacter baumanii from 6 hospitals were determined. A multiplex-PCR was used to detect the genes encoding carbapenemases. Field Inversion Gel Electrophoresis (FIGE) was then used to investigate the genetic relationships among the carbapenem-resistant isolates. Only 7 isolates were resistant to polymixin B and tigecycline (MIC=16). All isolates were positive for at least 2 carbapenemase genes. At least 10 distinct clones were detected by FIGE. A dominant pattern designated as pulsotype A consisting of 23 isolates was detected from 4 hospitals. The majority of isolates in this pulsotype had a bla(OXA-51/23-like) and bla(OXA-51/24-like) carbapenemase genes and cultured from the patients at burns and ICU. The pan drug resistant isolates belonged to different FIGE patterns. Nosocomial infections with different clones of Acintobacter baumanii occur at Tehran hospitals. However, inter-hospital transmission with certain pulsotypes is likely
Optimising manure management for GHG outcomes

This paper focuses on improvements to livestock manure management to reduce environmental pollution and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Livestock manures contain large amounts of plant nutrients and organic matter (OM). Structural changes to livestock production and ample supply of cheap chemical fertilisers have decreased the interest and possibilities of farmers in using manure for the fertilisation of crops and grasslands and maintenance of soil fertility. As a result, many livestock producers dispose of manure as cheaply as possible causing serious pollution of soil, water and atmosphere. In addition, livestock production systems contribute to climate change by emission of the GHG carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Careful recycling of livestock manures to fertilise crops and grasslands and improve soil fertility is considered the most suitable and cost-effective option for environmentally friendly disposal. Manure management legislation in The Netherlands is described to explain the principles. These include complete collection of faeces and urine of confined livestock, adaptation of the period and rate of manure application to the N and P requirements of crops, and use of manure collection, storage and application techniques aiming at low ammonia (NH3) losses. Effects of sustainable manure management on GHG emissions are described. Optimising the period, rate and technique of manure application to crops and grassland causes effective utilisation of manure N and reduces direct and indirect losses of N2O. In addition, effective recycling of manure nutrients and OM allows a reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers and fossil energy and contributes to the maintenance or improvement of the carbon content of agricultural ecosystems. The relatively high costs of sustainable manure management stimulate farmers to optimise feed conversion and minimise manure production per unit of product by good livestock feeding and management practices. High feed conversion efficiency reduces CH4 emission by enteric fermentation and may reduce feed imports and related GHG emissions. In addition, it is shown that livestock categories differ widely in feed conversion efficiency and N and P excretion per unit of product. Finally, anaerobic digestion of livestock slurries provides a valuable energy source and reduces CH4 emission of stored slurry and, possibly, N2O emission after field application of the slurry.
The response in food intake and reproductive parameters of breeding ostriches to increasing dietary energy

Elucidating the factors affecting feed intake is important when quantifying nutrient responses in breeding ostriches. The experiment was conducted to determine to what extent dietary energy content will affect the important production parameters of breeding ostriches. Ninety pairs of breeding ostriches were divided into six groups, consisting of 15 breeding pairs per group. Six diets with increasing metabolisable energy content (8.0, 8.7, 9.4, 10.1, 10.8 and 11.5 MJ ME/kg feed) were provided ad libitum to birds during the breeding season. All the other nutrients were kept constant in all feeds. Responses were measured by simple linear regression. Average daily feed intake (3.7 ± 0.2 kg) was unaffected by energy content as were all the reproductive parameters measured, including total eggs produced per female (45.6 ± 5.8), number of chicks hatched (21.3 ± 4.5), number of infertile eggs (11.6 ± 3.6), number of dead-in-shell eggs (7.5 ± 1.8) and egg weight (1406 ± 31 g). However, the significant increase in live mass of both males and females indicated that energy was over-consumed as the energy content of the diet was increased. Breeding ostriches did not regulate feed intake according to dietary energy content but instead based their intake on the concentration of the limiting nutrient in the feed.
Some Effects of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on Fruit-Drop and Morphology of Oranges

1. Some effects of aqueous sprays of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4.-D) on fruit-drop and morphology of oranges are reported. 2. When applied to Valencia orange trees at full bloom, these sprays delayed blossom-drop 8-10 weeks, or more, but did not increase fruit-set. Applications in May likewise delayed the June drop of immature Washington Navel orange fruits 6-8 weeks but did not increase yield. 3. Young Navel fruits sprayed at this time with concentrations of 25-225 p.p.m, of 2,4-D developed seeds, or seedlike structures, in contrast to unsprayed fruits, which were seedless. Some fruit on the trees sprayed with concentrations of 225 p.p.m, of 2,4-D developed a thick rind and grew excessively large, protruding navels; other fruits became cylindrical in shape. 4. Fruit on Valencia orange trees treated in May with a concentration of 2.25 p.p.m, of 2,4-D developed a thick, pebbly rind. Other fruit on these trees became cylindrical in shape and developed small navels. 5. Applied to Valencia orange trees bearing mature fruit, the sprays decreased preharvest fruit-drop as much as 78%, even when applied 2 weeks after severe drop had begun. 6. Until additional data are available from studies now in progress, these sprays are not recommended for commercial use.
Evaluation of the mRNA-1273 Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in Nonhuman Primates

Abstract Background Vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are urgently needed. The effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines on viral replication in both upper and lower airways is important to evaluate in nonhuman primates. Methods Nonhuman primates received 10 or 100 μg of mRNA-1273, a vaccine encoding the prefusion-stabilized spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, or no vaccine. Antibody and T-cell responses were assessed before upper- and lower-airway challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Active viral replication and viral genomes in bronchoalveolar-lavage (BAL) fluid and nasal swab specimens were assessed by polymerase chain reaction, and histopathological analysis and viral quantification were performed on lung-tissue specimens. Results The mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate induced antibody levels exceeding those in human convalescent-phase serum, with live-virus reciprocal 50% inhibitory dilution (ID50) geometric mean titers of 501 in the 10-μg dose group and 3481 in the 100-μg dose group. Vaccination induced type 1 helper T-cell (Th1)–biased CD4 T-cell responses and low or undetectable Th2 or CD8 T-cell responses. Viral replication was not detectable in BAL fluid by day 2 after challenge in seven of eight animals in both vaccinated groups. No viral replication was detectable in the nose of any of the eight animals in the 100-μg dose group by day 2 after challenge, and limited inflammation or detectable viral genome or antigen was noted in lungs of animals in either vaccine group. Conclusions Vaccination of nonhuman primates with mRNA-1273 induced robust SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity, rapid protection in the upper and lower airways, and no pathologic changes in the lung. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others.)
Stimulation of brown adipose tissue by polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil

Abstract Obesity is one of the main public health problems of the 21st century resulting from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. Currently, the search for new treatments against this pathology has become a priority. One of the therapeutic strategies against obesity could be the activation of brown adipose tissue through different molecules such as the phenolic compounds of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The objective of this review was to provide an update of scientific knowledge on the relationship between EVOO phenolic compounds and brown adipose tissue. According to this review, it has been demonstrated that extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds can have beneficial effects on obesity by activating brown adipose tissue and enhance thermogenesis through different signaling pathways mediated by molecules such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α) or sirtuin 1 (Sirt1).
Outcomes after posterior fixation of iris?claw lens in aphakic eyes

Purpose: To analyze and determine the postoperative visual acuity and complications after intraocular implantation of an iris-claw lens in aphakic patients. Setting: Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka, India. Design: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Medical records of cataract and aphakic patients who underwent posterior fixation of iris claw lens over a five-year period were reviewed for collection and analysis of data. Results: The study comprised 138 eyes of 57.25% female and 42.75% male with mean age of 62.84 ± 8.649 years. The follow up period was 6 to 24 months. The mean preoperative CDVA was 0.44 + 0.23 logMAR. After 1 year of follow up period the mean postoperative CDVA was 0.3+ 0.15 logMAR which was statistically significant (p Conclusions: This study showed the merits of retrofixated iris claw lens over AC IOL and SF IOL in terms of simple technique, short learning curve, satisfying overall visual outcome, less risk of complications and good safety profile. Keywords: Aphakia, Enclavation, Iris claw, Retrofixation.
Studies on Chemical Disbudding of Chrysanthemum

The effect of some chemicals on disbudding mainly of chrysanthemum and the methods of treatment were investigated. 1. Sodium chlorate and Tomino, a 90% emulsion of ethyl toluene, tri-methyl benzene and C8 to C12 fatty acids, were the most effective disbudding agents for `Taibyosei -FR-1' tomato. Browning of leaves was more noticeable with sodium chlorate. 2. Symptoms of disbudding appeared early in tomato treated with Tomino at the point of application of the chemical. 3. Tomino and a-methyl naphthalene were most effective for chemical disbudding of `Kiyomizu' chrysanthemum. 4. The application of 2% Tomino to four cultivars of pot mum resulted in disbudding of axillary buds below the 4 th or 5 th node from the terminal bud in all cultivars. 5. Treatment with 1 or 2% Tomino to seven cultivars of pot mum was most effective when the buds had received fourty-five short days. The long day interruption for one week during the short day induction had little effect on disbudding. 6. Tomino inhibited stem elongation slightly.
Investigating lay beliefs regarding the effect of weight loss on health

Abstract Objective Individuals with obesity are often recommended weight loss for their health; however, the amount of weight loss that is recommended varies. Lay people’s beliefs about weight loss could influence the types of behaviours they view as necessary for people with obesity. The present study explored lay beliefs regarding the health benefits of varying degrees of weight loss. Design Participants (379 community members and 235 students) read information about an obese target who lost varying amounts of weight (none vs. modest vs. substantial) following behaviour changes. Main outcome Participants evaluated the target’s health and recommended health-related behaviours to the target. Results The substantial weight-loss target, but not the modest weight-loss target, was perceived as being healthier than the no weight-loss target. There were no differences in behaviour recommendations made to the no weight-loss and modest weight-loss targets, with most participants recommending further weight loss to both targets. Conclusions Lay people appear to view substantial, but not modest, weight loss as beneficial to health, and they recommend further, more unrealistic amounts of weight loss to obese individuals who have already achieved modest weight loss. A failure to recognise the health benefits of modest weight loss may contribute to unrealistic weight loss goals.
Clinical characteristics of 31 hemodialysis patients with 2019 novel coronavirus: a retrospective study

Abstract Aim Novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has become pandemic. It brings serious threat to hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, we carried out a study on the clinical characteristics of HD patients with COVID-19. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 31 HD patients with COVID-19. The clinical features of patients include epidemiology, clinical symptoms, laboratory and imaging test, treatment and prognosis. Results 61.3% were severe, and 38.7% were mild. 83.9% had a close contact history with COVID-19 patients. The average age was 62.3 years comprising of 58.1% men and 41.9% women. Ninety percent had chronic diseases except ESRD. Clinical symptoms include cough (85%), fever (43%), and shortness of breath (48.4%), etc. Complications included ARDS (25.8%), AHF (22.6%), and septic shock (16.1%), etc. 64.5% of patients had remission, and 35.5% of patients had no remission with 6.5% deaths. Compared with the baseline before infection, HD patients with COVID-19 had lower lymphocytes, albumin and glucose, and higher D-dimer, albumin, phosphorus, lactate dehydrogenase, and CRP. There was no significant correlation between the neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio and the severity of the disease. Conclusions Compared with the reported general population, the HD patients are susceptible to COVID-19 infection, especially older men and those with other underlying diseases. Moreover, HD patients have more severe infection and inflammation with less symptoms and worse outcome. COVID-19 infection can cause dialysis patients lower immunity, stronger inflammation, malnutrition, and internal environment disorder. Neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio does not reflect the severity of the HD patients with COVID-19.
Decay resistance against Basidiomycetes fungi of heat-treated Pinus roxburghii and Mangifera indica wood.

TRI PATI II S, PANT H & KASHYAP AK. 2014. Decay resistance against Basidiomycetes fungi of heat-treated Finns roxburghii and Mangifera indica wood. Heat treatment of wood is an effective method to improve biological durability of wood without using non-environmentally-friendly conventional preservatives. This study was performed to investigate the effects of the heat treatment on the resistance of wood against fungal attack. Softwood (Pinus roxburghiii) and hardwood (Mangifera indica) species were heat treated at different temperatures for different durations. The decay resistance of heat-treated wood specimens was examined by soil block bioassay method. The specimens were exposed to wood-rotting fungi ( Oligoporus placentus and Trametes versicolor) for 14 weeks and the weight loss was assessed. This study revealed that the decay resistance of P. roxburghii and M. indica wood against fungal attack could be improved with heat treatment.
Initial changes in neuropsychologists clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey study

Abstract Objective: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of clinicians have had to quickly and dramatically alter their clinical practices. Two surveys were administered on 3/26/2020 and 3/30/2020, respectively, to document immediate changes and challenges in clinical practice. Method: Two surveys were administered between 3/26/2020 and 3/30/2020, via SurveyMonkey and Google Forms, asking clinicians questions pertaining to practice issues during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative responses from the second survey were stratified by clinical setting (Medical Hospital vs. Private Practice) prior to analysis. Qualitative, free-response items were coded by the authors to better understand immediate changes in practice and other concerns. Results: 266 neuropsychologists completed Survey 1 and 230 completed Survey 2. Results suggest that practices immediately moved towards remote service provision. A meaningful proportion of clinicians and their staff were immediately affected economically by the pandemic, with clinicians in private practice differentially affected. Furthermore, a small but significant minority of respondents faced ethical dilemmas related to service provision and expressed concerns with initial communication from their employment organizations. Respondents requested clear best-practice guidelines from neuropsychological practice organizations. Conclusions: It is clear that field of neuropsychology has drastically shifted clinical practices in response to COVID-19 and is likely to continue to evolve. While these responses were collected in the early stages of stay-at-home orders, policy changes continue to occur and it is paramount that practice organizations consider the initial challenges expressed by clinicians when formulating practice recommendations and evaluating the clinical utility of telehealth services.
Capacitação espermática in vitro com heparina e cálcio ionóforo e sua correlação com a fertilidade em touros

The aim of this particular study was to test in vitro sperm capacitation protocols, using heparin (100mg/ml) and calcium ionophore (5mM). Propidium iodide and carboxifluorescein diacetate (IP/CFDA) in a fluorescence microscope as well as triple stain (congo red, neutral red and Giemsa) in Phase contrast microscope were used as staining. The spermatozoa were classified according to its viability (alive or dead) and acrossome integrity (damaged or intact). They were considered as follows: capacitated (alive and damaged); non capacitated (alive and not damaged) and dead (damaged or intact). The heparin group showed a ratio of 64.54% and 39.16% of capacitated spermatozoa in IP/CFDA and triple stain, respectively. In the calcium group, 36.41% and 18.11% of spermatozoa were capacitated in IP/CFDA and triple stain, respectively. Bulls were divided into 3 groups according to their fertility rates as follows: Group A 68%. For all three groups there was significant differences (p 0.01), when observed capacitated, non capacitated and dead spermatozoa among groups A and B; A and C; B and C, using heparin and calcium ionophore in both stains. No correlation was seen between capacitation and fertility rates. Therefore heparin treatment showed better sperm capacitation rates than calcium ionophore. The IP/CFDA technique showed itself as being a better method to evaluate sperm capacitation than the triple stain (p<0.01).
Effect of Choline Forms and Gut Microbiota Composition on Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Response in Healthy Men

Background: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived gut microbiota-dependent metabolite, is a newly recognized risk marker for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine: (1) TMAO response to meals containing free versus lipid-soluble choline and (2) effects of gut microbiome on TMAO response. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, crossover study, healthy men (n = 37) were provided meals containing 600 mg choline either as choline bitartrate or phosphatidylcholine, or no choline control. Results: Choline bitartrate yielded three-times greater plasma TMAO AUC (p = 0.01) and 2.5-times greater urinary TMAO change from baseline (p = 0.01) compared to no choline and phosphatidylcholine. Gut microbiota composition differed (permutational multivariate analysis of variance, PERMANOVA; p = 0.01) between high-TMAO producers (with ≥40% increase in urinary TMAO response to choline bitartrate) and low-TMAO producers (with <40% increase in TMAO response). High-TMAO producers had more abundant lineages of Clostridium from Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae compared to low-TMAO producers (analysis of composition of microbiomes, ANCOM; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Given that phosphatidylcholine is the major form of choline in food, the absence of TMAO elevation with phosphatidylcholine counters arguments that phosphatidylcholine should be avoided due to TMAO-producing characteristics. Further, development of individualized dietary recommendations based on the gut microbiome may be effective in reducing disease risk
Inflammatory bowel disease management during the COVID-19 outbreak: The 10 do's and don'ts from the ECCO-COVID Taskforce

Abstract Our knowledge on COVID-19 is changing and evolving rapidly, with novel insights and recommendations, almost on a daily basis. It behooves the medical community to provide updated information on a regular basis, on best practice to facilitate optimal care of infected patients and appropriate advice for the general population. This is particularly important in the case of patients with chronic conditions, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In this paper, we compiled the existing evidence on the impact of COVID-19 in IBD patients and provide guidance and on the most appropriate care to adopt during the pandemic. Our review highlighted that IBD, per se, is not a risk factor for COVID-19. However, all IBD patients with symptoms should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the procedures for disease management shall be carefully adapted: i) in SARS-CoV-2 positive IBD patients, medical treatments should be re-evaluated (with particular focus on corticosteroids) always with the purpose of treating active disease and maintaining remission; ii) non-urgent surgeries and endoscopic procedures should be postponed for all patients; iii) online consultancy should be implemented; and iv) hospitalization and surgery should be limited to life threatening situations