Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Ketogenic Diet on Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Obesity or Overweight and with or without Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the efficacy of a ketogenic diet in metabolic control in patients with overweight or obesity and with or without type 2 diabetes. Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials that enrolled patients with overweight or obesity on a ketogenic diet for metabolic control. Fourteen studies were included in meta-analysis. The effects of ketogenic diets on glycemic control were greater for diabetic patients relative to those of low-fat diets, indicated by lower glycated hemoglobin (SMD, −0.62; p < 0.001) and homeostatic model assessment index (SMD, −0.29; p = 0.02), while comparable effects were observed for nondiabetic patients. Ketogenic diets led to substantial weight reduction (SMD, −0.46; p = 0.04) irrespective of patients’ diabetes status at baseline and improved lipid profiles in terms of lower triglyceride (SMD, −0.45; p = 0.01) and greater high-density lipoprotein (SMD, 0.31; p = 0.005) for diabetic patients. Other risk markers showed no substantial between-group difference post intervention. Our study findings confirmed that ketogenic diets were more effective in improving metabolic parameters associated with glycemic, weight, and lipid controls in patients with overweight or obesity, especially those with preexisting diabetes, as compared to low-fat diets. This effect may contribute to improvements in metabolic dysfunction-related morbidity and mortality in these patient populations.
The negative impact of wearing personal protective equipment on communication during coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 personal protective equipment has been reported to affect communication in healthcare settings. This study sought to identify those challenges experimentally. Method Bamford–Kowal–Bench speech discrimination in noise performance of healthcare workers was tested under simulated background noise conditions from a variety of hospital environments. Candidates were assessed for ability to interpret speech with and without personal protective equipment, with both normal speech and raised voice. Results There was a significant difference in speech discrimination scores between normal and personal protective equipment wearing subjects in operating theatre simulated background noise levels (70 dB). Conclusion Wearing personal protective equipment can impact communication in healthcare environments. Efforts should be made to remind staff about this burden and to seek alternative communication paradigms, particularly in operating theatre environments.
Computational insight into the selective allosteric inhibition for PTP1B versus TCPTP: a molecular modelling study

Abstract All over the world, diabetes mellitus type 2 has spread as a problematic pandemic. Despite currently available treatments, approved drugs still show undesirable side effects and loss of efficacy or target symptoms instead of causes. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), since its discovery, has emerged as a very promising target against this disease. Although the information regarding the enzyme is immense, little is known about the selectivity between this enzyme and its closest homologue, lymphocyte T tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), which is responsible for complicated side effects. In this study, on the basis of different computational approaches, we are able to highlight the importance of a phenylalanine residue located in PTP1B, but not in TCPTP, as a crucial hotspot that causes selectivity and stability for the whole ligand bound system. These results not only allow to explain the selectivity determinants of PTP1B but also provide a useful guide for the design of new allosteric inhibitors. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria for induction of salt tolerance in gladiolus grown in sodic soils

Extensive development of canal irrigation system led to formation of unproductive sodic lands, which limited the cultivation of flower crop gladiolus in the basins of major rivers. The purpose of this study was to isolate native rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria from sodic environment and evaluate their growth enhancement and bio-ameloirant properties in gladiolus under sodic soils. Sixteen isolates of plant-growth-promoting rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria were isolated and screened for growth promotion potential. The promising strains were identified and evaluated for growth and production in gladiolus. The plants treated with strains CSR-G-1, CSR-B-2, and CSR-B-3 significantly produced marketable spikes and higher number of florets/spike. Also, the treated plants showed an increased activity of superoxide dismutase, phenyl alanine lyase, catalase, peroxidase, phenols, and proline than control. Further, the soil pH, total carbonates, and sodium adsorption ratio were lower in treated soils. The Na+/K+ ratio in leaves of treated plants was observed to be lower than control. In conclusion, these bio-inoculums can be used as growth enhancer and bio-ameliorant in sodic soils as an eco-friendly management strategy.
Population genetics of wild Macaca fascicularis with low-coverage shotgun sequencing of museum specimens.

OBJECTIVES Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are widely distributed throughout the mainland and islands of Southeast Asia, making them a useful model for understanding the complex biogeographical history resulting from drastic changes in sea levels throughout the Pleistocene. Past studies based on mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of long-tailed macaque museum specimens have traced their colonization patterns throughout the archipelago, but mitogenomes trace only the maternal history. Here, our objectives were to trace phylogeographic patterns of long-tailed macaques using low-coverage nuclear DNA (nDNA) data from museum specimens. METHODS We performed population genetic analyses and phylogenetic reconstruction on nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from shotgun sequencing of 75 long-tailed macaque museum specimens from localities throughout Southeast Asia. RESULTS We show that shotgun sequencing of museum specimens yields sufficient genome coverage (average ~1.7%) for reconstructing population relationships using SNP data. Contrary to expectations of divergent results between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes for a female philopatric species, phylogeographical patterns based on nuclear SNPs proved to be closely similar to those found using mitogenomes. In particular, population genetic analyses and phylogenetic reconstruction from the nDNA identify two major clades within M. fascicularis: Clade A includes all individuals from the mainland along with individuals from northern Sumatra, while Clade B consists of the remaining island-living individuals, including those from southern Sumatra. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we demonstrate that low-coverage sequencing of nDNA from museum specimens provides enough data for examining broad phylogeographic patterns, although greater genome coverage and sequencing depth would be needed to distinguish between very closely related populations, such as those throughout the Philippines.
Determining the Existence and Strength of Teen Dating Violence Policy: Testing a Comparative State Internal Determinants Model

Research demonstrates that Teen Dating Violence (TDV) programs impact TDV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, decreasing the odds of TDV victimization and perpetration. Studies indicate that students who do not complete a TDV intervention have significantly higher odds of physical and emotional TDV victimization and emotional TDV perpetration. This study uses multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression to examine predictors of the presence and the strength of state legislation addressing TDV education and school policies. Results indicate some success in predicting the existence of TDV laws but less support for forecasting the strength of the policies passed. Dominant political party and state median income were found to be potentially important determinants of TDV state school policies. A state’s political culture influenced the strength of states’ TDV policies. Showing that policy existence and strength are related to different processes is important for advocates to understand. Future research should look at additional variables and explore legislative histories.
Chemical Variation in the Diterpenes from the Brazilian Brown Alga Dictyota Mertensii (Dictyotaceae, Phaeophyta)

Crude extracts of specimens from five populations of the Brazilian brown seaweed Dictyota mertensii (Martius) Kützing were analysed by HRGC-MS. A total of seven diterpenoids were identified: pachydictyol A (1), isopachydictyol A (2), dictyol B and its natural acetate (3–4), dictyoxide (5), dictyol C (6), dictyol H (7), and fucosterol (8), the last being the most abundant metabolite in four of the extracts. The results confirm that small-scale local variability in the chemicals found in D. mertensii probably is more significant than the overall latitudinal differences commonly observed in some marine organisms.
The Road to Becoming a Psychologist: Indicators of Success and Hardship during the University Years

Abstract In order to become a full-fledged psychologist, one must undertake a long, demanding, and quite difficult journey in academia. The academic journey holds a promise of delivering knowledge, interesting theories, and strategies on helping those who need psychological assessment and/or treatment. However, the constant expectation of keeping up with the material, of succeeding in tests and exams, and of preparing to proceed to the next educational level can be daunting and exhausting. In line with the topic of this special issue, this paper addresses factors contributing to academic success at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels of psychology. Utilizing the available literature on the Big Five personality classification scheme, high conscientiousness was found to be the most consistent predictor of success, although curiously, this relationship was only found to be reliable at the undergraduate level. Less robust findings included high agreeableness and low neuroticism as predictors of general academic success in all tertiary levels of education. The importance of mentorship figures in psychology, and a highlight of its lack of widespread implementation at the undergraduate level, are also addressed. Additionally, we discuss the negative implications of the impostor phenomenon and of loneliness, which students at all levels may experience as common barriers to scholastic success in psychology. Following a discussion of each factor as outlined above, there is a brief literature review regarding ways that its constraining effects may be limited or its positive effects possibly enhanced.
Brachiaria hybrids: potential, forage use and seed yield.

A brachiaria breeding program initiated in 1988 at CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Cali, Colombia) combined desirable attributes found in accessions of Brachiaria brizantha and B. decumbens . Three apomictic hybrids have been released (cvv. Mulato, Mulato II and Cayman). Mulato showed agronomic potential but seed yields were low. Trials in Central America demonstrated the superiority of Mulato II, a vigorous grass with deep and branched roots, giving it excellent drought tolerance in the Brazilian Cerrado and Mexico, plus outstanding nutritional value. Following trials in Mexico and Thailand, evaluating 155 new hybrids for 7 years, cv. Cayman was released due to strong waterlogging tolerance. Research on production, quality and seed yields of brachiaria hybrids in Asia, the Americas and Africa from 2003 to 2013 is summarized in this paper.
Botryosphaeran Attenuates Tumor Development and the Cancer Cachexia Syndrome in Walker-256 Tumor-Bearing Obese Rats and Improves the Metabolic and Hematological Profiles of These Rats

Abstract Studies demonstrate that obesity can increase tumor development. Botryosphaeran, a fungal (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan, presents antimutagenic, antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. This study evaluated the effects of botryosphaeran on tumor development and metabolic and hematological parameters in tumor-bearing obese and non-obese rats. Obesity was induced by a high-fat and high-sugar diet, while control rats received standard diet and water without sugar for 10 weeks. On 8th-week, Walker-256 tumor cells were inoculated in the rats, and treatment with botryosphaeran (12 mg/Kg b.w.) started. Groups:control tumor-CT, control tumor botryosphaeran-CTB, obese tumor-OT and obese tumor botryosphaeran-OTB. On 10th-week, tumor development, cachexia, metabolic and hematological parameters were analyzed. Tumor development and cachexia were significantly higher in the OT group compared to the CT group, and botryosphaeran attenuated these parameters. OT rats presented accumulation of adipose tissue, reduced muscle mass, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. Botryosphaeran corrected insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, modulated cholesterol levels, and increased leukocyte and lymphocytes in obese rats, which can be attributable to an inflammatory response against the Walker-256 tumor, contributing to a lower tumor development. Our data demonstrated that botryosphaeran was effective in attenuating tumor growth and in improving the metabolic and hematological profiles of the tumor-bearing rats, demonstrating its potential role in the cancer’s management.
Ecological characterisation of the Colombian entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis sp. SL0708

The entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis sp. SL0708 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) isolated from soil in Alcala, Valle del Cauca (Colombia) was characterised ecologically using Galleria mellonella larvae (L) (Pyralidae: Galleriinae) as hosts. The effect of temperature on the viability, infectivity and reproduction, and of moisture on infectivity and storage in liquid were evaluated in infective juveniles (IJs). Significant differences were found in the viability, infectivity and reproduction of the IJs at different temperatures. No nematodes were recovered at 5 °C and 10 °C, and at 35 °C no infectivity was observed. Average daily nematode recovery was best at 25 °C, and survival of the IJs was low in substrates presenting 13% moisture. The optimal storage temperature for Heterorhabditis sp. SL0708 was between 20 °C and 30 °C, keeping its infectivity for up to 8 weeks.
Temporal variability of diversity and biomass of tintinnids (Ciliophora) in a southwestern Atlantic temperate estuary

Seasonal variations in diversity and biomass of tintinnids (Ciliophora: Tintinnida) were investigated at two fixed stations in the inner part of the Bahia Blanca Estuary (38°42' S, 61° 50' W) during an annual cycle. The variations were analysed in relation to surface temperature, salinity, transparency, solar radiation and chlorophyll a (Chl a)concentration. Biomass was calculated in terms of biovolume and carbon units. Diversity was estimated as the number of species and the Shannon Index (If, In based). Density of tintinnids ranged from 100 to 7800 individuals L - 1 H ranged from 0 to 1.81. The biomass varied from 0.3 to 127.78 x 10 6 μm 3 L - 1 (0.02-39.4 μg C L - 1 ). Density was significantly related to temperature, solar radiation and Secchi distance (P < 0.01); diversity was significantly related to temperature (P < 0.01) and solar radiation (P < 0.05). Biomass was significantly related only to temperature (P < 0.01) in one of the stations. According to principal components analysis (PCA) tintinnids exhibited a segregation of three groups: winter, spring-summer and autumn for the most internal station and winter, spring and summer-autumn for the most external station. H' values were lower than those observed in other coastal systems found at about the same latitude in the northern hemisphere.
Seroprevalence survey for Varicella among healthcare workers and medical students in Italy

ABSTRACT Varicella is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). In Italy childhood varicella vaccine have gradually introduced into national immunization program since 2003 and from 2017 a two-doses schedule has been stated nationally for all newborns and has become compulsory for school attendance. VZV exposures among healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients can be really dangerous and expensive. According to Centers of Disease Control and Italian national immunization plan health care, institutions should verify that all HCWs have clear evidence of immunity to VZV and should ensure that susceptible subjects will receive 2 doses of VZV vaccine. Currently, the vaccination of HCWs is not compulsory in Italy and the risk of varicella infection among these subjects is not well known. We evaluated the clinical records of 840 HCWs (256 male and 584 female) who underwent the annual occupational screening, from 1st January to 31st August 2018. HCWs were divided into three subgroups according to their age: 18–30, 31–40, and over 40 years old. We compared the mean values of IgG-specific antibodies between the age group through analysis of variance (ANOVA). A total of 784 (93.33%) HCWs were protected for VZV IgG antibodies level. There wasn’t a significant difference between male and female while was found between age group (P < 0.001). Protection levels for varicella are inadequate among HCWs. Despite the epidemiology of varicella in general population has changed with the implementation of the childhood varicella vaccination program transmission of VZV in hospitals is still a serious problem, so it is necessary to increase prevention activities in these settings, including vaccination.
Domestic dogs as an edge effect in the Brasília National Park, Brazil: interactions with native mammals

Edge effects are a well‐known result of habitat fragmentation. However, little has been published on fragmentation, isolation and the intrusive influence from the surrounding matrix at the landscape level. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate the presence of dogs in the Brasília National Park (BNP) in relation to habitat type and the influence from the surrounding matrix. In addition, this study examines the response of the native mammal fauna to the presence of dogs. Track stations were built along dirt roads in the BNP and subsequently examined for the presence or absence of tracks. We used a stepwise logistic regression to model the occurrence of five mammal species relative to habitat variables, with an α=0.05 to determine whether to enter and retain a variable in the model. A simulation of each species occurrence probability was conducted using a combination of selected habitat variables in a resource selection probability function. Results indicate a negative relationship between distance from the BNP edge and the probability of dog occurrences. From an ecological perspective, the presence of dogs inside the BNP indicates an edge effect. The occurrence of the maned wolf was positively associated with distance from a garbage dump site and negatively associated with the presence of dog tracks. The maned wolf and giant anteater seem to avoid areas near the garbage dump as well as areas with dog tracks. There is no support for the possible existence of a feral dog population inside the BNP, but the effects of free‐ranging dogs on the wildlife population in such an isolated protected area must not be neglected. Domestic dog Canis familiaris populations and disease control programs should be established in the urban, sub‐urban and rural areas surrounding the BNP, along with the complete removal of the garbage dump from the BNP surroundings.
Growth marks in natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) bones: histological correaltes of hibernation and aestivation periods.

Skeletochronological assessment of the growth marks in the phalange bones of two natterjack populations (Bufo calamita) inhabiting northern Spain (Balaguer, Mas de Melons, Catalonia, 41°N) revealed that most individuals produced more than one line of arrested growth (LAG) per year, in contrast to conspecifics in other populations throughout the geographic range. Moreover, up to 19.2% of toads showed faint broad lines of reduced growth (annuli) in a given year. We developed a quantitative method based on the distinction between summer and winter growth periods in the surface area ofperiosteal bone produced to identify multiple LAG formation. Statistical evaluation of growth areas demonstrated that a precise distinction was feasible for individuals of a longevity up to five years. We related the number of LAGs per winter (one in 53.3% of 334 observations, two in 32.0%, three in 11.7% or four in 3.0%) to features of the local winter climate. The influence of climate (mainly temperature) accounted for 88.2% of total variation in the number of LAGs per year. Juveniles interrupted hibernation more frequently for winter growth periods than adults, indicating ontogenetic variation in hibernation behaviour. We also investigated the frequency of annuli generally produced during the summer growth period and thus representing histological traces of slowed growth during aestivation. There was no significant correlation between aestivation rates and local climate suggesting that neither ambient temperature nor moisture were key factors in inducing aestivation at the studied localities. In conclusion, the incidence and frequency of multiple growth marks per year represent informative histological correlates of local environmental impacts on life history.
Safety of neem products to tetragnathid spiders in rice ecosystem

Spiders are the most abundant group of predators in rice fields. The laboratory study carried out to evaluate the safety of neem based compounds and chemical pesticides to two major tetragnathid spiders in the rice fields brought out that neem compounds are far safer than chemical compounds. The mortality of Tetragnatha mandibulata and Tetragnatha maxillosa when treated with the synthetic insecticides like triazophos 0.05 per cent and quinalphos 0.05 per cent was extremely high ( 56.73 and 35.56 per cent and 64.78 and 46.79 per cent, respectively). Whereas, imidacloprid 0.005 per cent was found to be safer than the other chemical compounds. NSKE 5 per cent recorded the least mortality. Topical application of the compounds was found to be more fatal to spiders than indirect contact.
Mitochondrial DNA diversity and population structure of the honey bee, Apis cerana, in Thailand

SUMMARYGenetic variation and population differentiation of Apis cerana in Thailand were examined by restriction analysis of amplified mitochondrial srRNA and lrRNA genes, and the intergenic CO1-CO2 region with DraI. Twelve composite haplotypes were found from 170 colonies investigated. Large genetic differences were observed among A. cerana populations from northern and peninsular Thailand. The population from Samui Island was distinct, whereas A. cerana from Phuket Island was genetically similar to that from peninsular Thailand. Geographic heterogeneity analysis and FST estimates indicated a high level of population subdivision in this species (P < 0.0001and FST = 0.604). Using percent sequence divergence as a measure of genetic distance, three distinct groups were found using the clustering algorithm UPGMA. These were: north Thailand (A), peninsular Thailand, and Phuket (B) and Samui Islands (C).