Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on health care systems, increasing the risks of psychological distress in health professionals. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of burnout and psychopathological conditions in health professionals working in a health institution in the Northern Italy, and to identify socio-demographic, work-related and psychological predictors of burnout. Methods: Health professionals working in the hospitals of the Istituto Auxologico Italiano were asked to participate to an online anonymous survey investigating socio-demographic data, COVID-19 emergency-related work and psychological factors, state anxiety, psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms and burnout. Predictors of the three components of burnout were assessed using elastic net regression models. Results: Three hundred and thirty health professionals participated to the online survey. Two hundred and thirty-five health professionals (71.2%) had scores of state anxiety above the clinical cutoff, 88 (26.8%) had clinical levels of depression, 103 (31.3%) of anxiety, 113 (34.3%) of stress, 121 (36.7%) of post-traumatic stress. Regarding burnout, 107 (35.7%) had moderate and 105 (31.9%) severe levels of emotional exhaustion; 46 (14.0%) had moderate and 40 (12.1%) severe levels of depersonalization; 132 (40.1%) had moderate and 113 (34.3%) severe levels of reduced personal accomplishment. Predictors of all the three components of burnout were work hours, psychological comorbidities, fear of infection and perceived support by friends. Predictors of both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were female gender, being a nurse, working in the hospital, being in contact with COVID-19 patients. Reduced personal accomplishment was also predicted by age. Conclusions: Health professionals had high levels of burnout and psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 emergency. Monitoring and timely treatment of these conditions is needed.
Identification of Important Biological Pathways for Ischemic Stroke Prediction through a Mathematical Programming Optimisation Model-DIGS

Stroke ranks second after heart disease as a cause of disability in high-income countries and as a cause of death worldwide. Identifying the biomarkers of ischemic stroke is possible to help diagnose stroke cases from non-stroke cases, as well as advancing the understanding of the underlying theory of the disease. In this study, a mathematical programming optimisation framework called DIGS is applied to build a phenotype classification and significant pathway inference model using stroke gene expression profile data. DIGS model is specifically designed for pathway activity inference towards supervised multi-class disease classification and is proved has great performance among the mainstream pathway activity inference methods. The highest accuracy of the prediction on determining stroke or non-stroke samples reaches 84.4% in this work, which is much better than the prediction accuracy produced by currently found stroke gene biomarkers. Also, stroke-related significant pathways are inferred from the outputs of DIGS model in this work. Taken together, the combination of DIGS model and expression profiles of stroke has better performance on the discriminate power of sample phenotypes and is capable of effective in-depth analysis on the identification of biomarkers.
The Protective Effect of Polyphenols for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers that threaten people in many countries. It is a multi-factorial chronic disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but it is mainly related to lifestyle factors, including diet. Plentiful plant foods and beverages are abundant in polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These compounds participate in host nutrition and disease pathology regulation in different ways. Polyphenolic compounds have been used to prevent and inhibit the development and prognosis of cancer, and examples include green tea polyphenol (–)epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), curcumin, and resveratrol. Of course, there are more known and unknown polyphenol compounds that need to be further explored for their anticancer properties. This article focuses on the fact that polyphenols affect the progression of CRC by controlling intestinal inflammation, epigenetics, and the intestinal microbe in the aspects of prevention, treatment, and prognosis.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Antimicrobial Resistance in Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated From Cattle and Swine in Chile

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes bloody diarrhea and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans, and a major cause of foodborne disease. Despite antibiotic treatment of STEC infections in humans is not recommended, the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animals and food constitutes a risk to public health, as the pool of genes from which pathogenic bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance has increased. Additionally, in Chile there is no information on the antimicrobial resistance of this pathogen in livestock. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance of STEC strains isolated from cattle and swine in the Metropolitan region, Chile, to contribute relevant data to antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs at national and international level. We assessed the minimal inhibitory concentration of 18 antimicrobials, and the distribution of 12 antimicrobial resistance genes and class 1 and 2 integrons in 54 STEC strains. All strains were phenotypically resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, with a 100% of resistance to cefalexin, followed by colistin (81.5%), chloramphenicol (14.8%), ampicillin and enrofloxacin (5.6% each), doxycycline (3.7%), and cefovecin (1.9%). Most detected antibiotic resistance genes were dfrA1 and tetA (100%), followed by tetB (94.4%), blaTEM−1 (90.7%), aac(6)-Ib (88.9%), blaAmpC (81.5%), cat1 (61.1%), and aac(3)-IIa (11.1%). Integrons were detected only in strains of swine origin. Therefore, this study provides further evidence that non-O157 STEC strains present in livestock in the Metropolitan region of Chile exhibit phenotypic and genotypic resistance against antimicrobials that are critical for human and veterinary medicine, representing a major threat for public health. Additionally, these strains could have a competitive advantage in the presence of antimicrobial selective pressure, leading to an increase in food contamination. This study highlights the need for coordinated local and global actions regarding the use of antimicrobials in animal food production.
Comparison of the main analytical methods used in quality control of tomato paste

Summary Methods commonly used in quality control analysis of tomato paste were compared as a means of selecting improved means of specification for trade. Methods studied included reducing sugars using Fehling's reagent, HPLC, and enzymatic analysis; total acidity by volumetric titration (with indicator and combined electrode); volatile acidity with two different steam distillation apparatus and separation columns; and citric acid using HPLC and enzymatic methods. The use of nonspecific methods of analysis, such as Fehling's method and volumetric titration using phenolphtalein for total acidity determination, causes significant errors; moreover, the results strictly depend on the concentration of the samples.
A quantitative trait locus analysis of seed production traits in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

A full-sib mapping population (n=188) from a cross between cultivars 'Grasslands Impact' and 'Grasslands Samson' was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed yield and component traits in perennial ryegrass. Thirteen traits, including seed yield per plant (SYP) and five seed yield components (number of spikes (SP), spikelets per spike (SS), florets per spikelet (FSP), seed weight (SW) and floret site utilisation (FSU)), seed yield per spike (SYH) and seven other seed yield-associated traits, were phenotypically assessed in a replicated spaced plant field experiment. Interval mapping identified 35 QTL for all traits but one, spanning all linkage groups (LG). Multiple QTL were detected for most traits. QTL for SYP and component traits, as well as some seed yield-associated traits, co-located to the same genomic regions on LG 1, 2 and 6. Markers associated with these regions, in particular, will form the basis for the on-going development of MAS tools for improvement of seed yield and quality in breeding programmes. Further development will require refinement of QTL positions and effects using multiple QTL mapping (MQM), and validation of QTL and associated markers in other genetic backgrounds and environments.
From interpersonal to interorganisational trust: The role of indirect reciprocity

How does interpersonal trust (i.e. between individuals) lead to interorganisational trust (i.e. between groups of individuals)? I build a bottom-up theory in which interorganisational trust arises from individuals and their dispositions, actions and observations. The theory is based on indirect reciprocity, whereby A helps B and then C helps A. Using a simulation model, I analyse (a) whether indirect reciprocity can lead to trust between two organisations even when many people are involved, when the extent of their indirect reciprocation differs, and when helping others is costly; and (b) how the presence of a boundary spanner affects this process. The main findings are that (a) indirect reciprocity can indeed create interorganisational trust under such conditions, and that, in fact, indirect may outperform direct reciprocity. Furthermore, (b) boundary spanners can decrease or increase interorganisational trust: they may decrease it by boosting their own trust at the expense of that of others, and they may increase it by enhancing indirect reciprocity for everyone through four mechanisms: contributing, discriminating, initiating and consolidating.
Early Endosomal Trafficking Component BEN2/VPS45 Plays a Crucial Role in Internal Tissues in Regulating Root Growth and Meristem Size in Arabidopsis

Polar auxin transport is involved in multiple aspects of plant development, including root growth, lateral root branching, embryogenesis, and vasculature development. PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux proteins exhibit asymmetric distribution at the plasma membrane (PM) and collectively play pivotal roles in generating local auxin accumulation, which underlies various auxin-dependent developmental processes. In previous research, it has been revealed that endosomal trafficking components BEN1/BIG5 (ARF GEF) and BEN2/VPS45 (Sec1/Munc 18 protein) function in intracellular trafficking of PIN proteins in Arabidopsis. Mutations in both BEN1 and BEN2 resulted in defects in polar PIN localization, auxin response gradients, and in root architecture. In this study, we have attempted to gain insight into the developmental roles of these trafficking components. We showed that while genetic or pharmacological disturbances of auxin distribution reduced dividing cells in the root tips and resulted in reduced root growth, the same manipulations had only moderate impact on ben1; ben2 double mutants. In addition, we established transgenic lines in which BEN2/VPS45 is expressed under control of tissue-specific promoters and demonstrated that BEN2/VPS45 regulates the intracellular traffic of PIN proteins in cell-autonomous manner, at least in stele and epidermal cells. Furthermore, BEN2/VPS45 rescued the root architecture defects when expressed in internal tissues of ben1; ben2 double mutants. These results corroborate the roles of the endosomal trafficking component BEN2/VPS45 in regulation of auxin-dependent developmental processes, and suggest that BEN2/VPS45 is required for sustainable root growth, most likely through regulation of tip-ward auxin transport through the internal tissues of root.
Inhibition of the Production of Phenolic Compounds in Brassica napus 2-Amino-oxyacetic Acid

Abstract Phenolic compounds precipitated with caffeine were more widely distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the outermost layer of the columella of germinating Brassica napus root than in the other layers. Amino-oxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of the C 6 C 3 part of phenolic compounds, inhibited the biosynthesis of phenolics, and made dark deposits less numerous in all three of the outermost layers of the columella. The first layer was the most responsive, because symptoms of inhibition were already visible after 3 h. After 24 h the inhibition in the second and third layers was proportional to the concentration. The first layer contained less deposits than the control, but more than the second and third layers, suggesting that many of these compounds in the first layer were present at the outset.
Cloning and characterization of two anthocyanin biosynthetic genes from Dendrobium orchid

Two full-length cDNA clones, Den-CHS-4 and Den-DFR-1, encoding chalcone synthase (CHS) and dihydro- fl avonol 4-reductase (DFR) were obtained from fl ower bud RNA of a lavender cyanidin- accumulating Dendrobium Sw. hybrid using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Northern analyses indicated that both genes are expressed in all developmental stages of buds, with highest expression in the medium-sized buds. RT-PCR analyses showed that DFR expression was confi ned to fl oral tissue while CHS was expressed in fl oral and vegetative tissues but not in pseudobulbs. The nucleotide sequence of a DFR clone isolated from a pale orange pelargonidin-ac- cumulating Dendrobium hybrid was exactly the same as Den-DFR-1, ruling out the substrate specifi city of DFR as a possible cause of the color difference.
Effect of Sowing Time and Plant Density on Growth, Yield and Quality of Ethopian Mustard (Brassica Carinata A.BR.)

The field experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions at Agronomy Farm, P.A. U. , Ludhiana during 1998–99 and 1999–2000 on loamy sand soil medium in organic carbon (0.60), available N (200 Kg/ha), phosphorus (20 Kg/ha) and potassium (140 Kg/ha). To study the effect of date of sowing (Oct. 10, Oct. 30, Nov. 20 and Dec. 10) and plant densities viz 83, 111, 167, 167, 222 and 333 thousand plants/ha obtained by combination of three row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and two plant spacing (10 and 20 cm), on growth and yield of Ethopian mustard (Brasslca carinata A.Br.). The experiment was laid out in split plot with 4 replications. Results indicated that the highest yield was obtained when crop was sown between Oct. 10 and Oct. 30. Significant reduction to the tune of 26.4 and 40.2 per cent was obtained when sowing was delayed to Nov. 20 and Dec. 10. Varying plant densities from 83 to 333 thousand plants/ha did not influence the seed yield significantly.
Enhancement of calcium uptake via the sarcoplasmic reticulum is a potent therapeutic strategy for dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a distinct form of cardiomyopathy, is a myocardial disorder characterised by heart chamber dilation with severe contractile dysfunction and frequent association with heart failure. Analysing this subset of heart failure has provided mechanistic insights of intrinsic pathways for myocyte adaptation and survival. Despite the heterogeneous aetiologies, a calcium cycling defect is common in DCM. A growing body of evidence has shown that calcium homeostasis and calcium-dependent signalling pathways play a pivotal role in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. In this regard, recent studies demonstrate that a cardiac calcium cycling defect is identified as a critical regulator for the progression of heart failure in DCM and that enhancement of calcium uptake into the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) may have potential therapeutic value for cardiac dysfunction. This article will focus on the cardiac SR calcium ATPase (SERCA2a) and its regulatory protein, phospholamban (PLB), as new therapeutic targets for DCM and heart failure.
Phytotelmatomyia, a new Neotropical subgenus of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae)

Phytotelmatomyia, a new subgenus in the Neotropical Region, is proposed for four described species, including Cx. castroi Casal & Garcia, Cx. hepperi Casal & Garcia, Cx. machadoi da Silva Mattos, da Silveira Guedes & Hamilton Xavier, and Cx. renatoi Lane & Ramalho (type species), and two potentially new species without formal Latin names. Monophyly of the group is supported by cladistic analyses of morphological data. Phytotelmatomyia is separated and distinguished from subgenera Culex and Phenacomyia. Diagnostic and differential characters of the male genitalia, larvae, and pupae of the three subgenera are tabulated and illustrated. Bionomics and distributional data are provided for Phytotelmatomyia species.
Diversity of carrion visiting beetles at rural and urban sites

The question whether and to what degree urbanization causes a decrease in diversity of animal and plant species and changes in community structure is still a matter of debate. While many studies used ground beetles, vertebrates, and butterflies as assumed model taxa, little work has been done with other, particularly insect, taxa. Here we report on rural and urban diversities of communities of carcass visiting destruent and predatory beetles (Coleoptera). From 8 rural and 2 city sites, we sampled 15323 destruent beetles representing 58 species and 1871 predators from 43 species. We observed a reduced diversity and changes in community structure of both beetle guilds towards the city. However, these changes were guild specific and our study gives no evidence that there are simple rules that govern rural and urban patterns of diversity. Species abundance distributions did not significantly differ between the study sites. There is also no evidence that the intermediate disturbance hypothesis might apply. Las.
Vitamin D Status and Gastric Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Koreans

Sufficient vitamin D levels are associated with reduced Helicobacter pylori infections, which can cause gastric carcinogenesis. We examined associations between vitamin D concentrations and gastric cancer (GC) prevalence in a Korean population. We analyzed data of 33,119 adults using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations as a biomarker of vitamin D status. Participants were classified with GC if previously diagnosed as such by a physician. After controlling for age, sex and body mass index (model A), odds ratio (OR) for GC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70, 0.95), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total 25(OH)D concentrations. In fully adjusted models (model B), the OR for GC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.98), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total vitamin D. Following the classification of vitamin D concentrations into three categories or for GC in model A was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.92) comparing between higher (≥20 ng/mL) and lower (<12 ng/mL) total 25(OH)D concentrations. In model B OR for GC was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.00) comparing between higher and lower total 25(OH)D concentrations. Our results suggested that high vitamin D concentration was associated with lower ORs of GC in Korean adults.
Comparative study of proximate composition, amino and fatty acids of some economically important fish species in Lagos, Nigeria

The proximate composition, amino and fatty acids of four economically important fish species from the lagoons and off Lagos coast around Lagos, Nigeria were determined over a period of two years. The mean proximate composition of the freshwater species were 19.64% protein, 1.15% lipid, 76.71% moisture and 1.23% ash for Clarias gariepinus; 19.55% protein, 0.96% lipid, 76.75% moisture and 1.11% ash for Tilapia zillii. The mean proximate composition of the marine water species were 19.80%, protein, 0.40% lipid, 72.63% moisture and 1.13% ash for Pentanemus quinquarius and 19.86% protein, 1.06% lipid, 75.40% moisture and 1.17% ash for Pseudotolithus typus. Nine essential amino acids namely lysine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan and histidine that are very important for human health were present in all the species examined. The highest total amino acids value of 179.74 mgg-1 was recorded in P. typus. The concentration of the total lipids, fatty acids, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids levels were not the same within as well as between species. For the saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid had the highest proportion while oleic acid was the main monounsaturated fatty acid. Docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids were the dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids in all the species. The results indicate that the fish species had high quality protein, essential amino acids and fatty acids. Overall, C. gariepinus appears to be the best diet for its relatively high nutrient components and the ratio of polyunsaturated: saturated fatty acid is followed by P. typus, P. quinquarius and T. zillii. Key words: Proximate, freshwater, marine, fatty acids, amino acids, Nigeria.
Eviction behaviour of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus chicks

We studied the eviction behaviour of common cuckoo Cuculus canorus chicks by video recording at nests of great reed warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus and reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus. There were no significant differences in hatching mass and age at first eviction between cuckoos reared by either host. However, mass at eviction had a significant effect on the timing of first eviction event. No significant difference in time required to evict was found between serial intranest eviction events for cuckoos raised by either host. However, “great reed warbler” cuckoos evicted significantly quicker than “reed warbler” cuckoos during particular eviction events. A majority (70%) of “reed warbler” cuckoos evicted during the day, while most “great reed warbler” cuckoos evicted nocturnally (63%). We did not find any effect of the temperature inside or outside the nest on eviction behaviour. Both “great reed warbler” and “reed warbler” cuckoos evicted regardless the fact whether a parent was absent or present at the nest. Interestingly, individual cuckoos were consistent in their eviction behaviour relative to host presence or absence; particular cuckoo chick evicted only when the parents were present or absent from the nest.
Incidence of Stress Cardiomyopathy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Key Points Question Is psychological, social, and economic stress associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated with the incidence of stress cardiomyopathy? Findings This cohort study included 1914 patients with acute coronary syndrome to compare patients presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic with patients presenting across 4 timelines prior to the pandemic and found a significantly increased incidence of 7.8% of stress cardiomyopathy during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with prepandemic incidences that ranged from 1.5% to 1.8%. Meaning These findings suggest that psychological, social, and economic stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increased incidence of stress cardiomyopathy.