Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of precooling on pain during local anesthesia administration in children: a systematic review

This study was conducted to determine how precooling reduces the subjective reported pain and objective pain and to evaluate the effectiveness of precooling the injection site before administration of local anesthesia in children. Electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid SP, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for publications from 1980 to 2020. Studies were screened for titles and abstracts, followed by full-text evaluation of included reports. Six studies were included in this systematic review. The primary outcome evaluated was the pain perception or the subjective pain reported by the child receiving the injection. The secondary outcome evaluated was objective pain evaluated in each study. Among 5 studies that evaluated child reported pain scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS), 4 studies reported lower scores in the precooling group and one study reported a higher VAS score in the precooling group than in children treated with 20% benzocaine topical anesthesia. Among 6 studies that evaluated the pain reaction of children by Sound Eye Motor (SEM) score, 4 studies reported a lower SEM score in the precooling group, one study reported no significant difference between the precooling and control groups, and one study reported higher SEM scores in the precooling group than in children treated with 20% benzocaine topical anesthesia. Within the limits of this systematic review, evidence suggests that precooling the injection site with ice can be an effective adjunct to topical anesthesia in reducing both subjective and objective pain during local anesthesia administration in children.
Using remote sensing for identification of late-season grass weed patches in wheat

Abstract Field research was conducted to determine the potential of hyperspectral and multispectral imagery for late-season discrimination and mapping of grass weed infestations in wheat. Differences in reflectance between weed-free wheat and wild oat, canarygrass, and ryegrass were statistically significant in most 25-nm-wide wavebands in the 400- and 900-nm spectrum, mainly due to their differential maturation. Visible (blue, B; green, G; red, R) and near infrared (NIR) wavebands and five vegetation indices: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI), R/B, NIR-R and (R − G)/(R + G), showed potential for discriminating grass weeds and wheat. The efficiency of these wavebands and indices were studied by using color and color-infrared aerial images taken over three naturally infested fields. In StaCruz, areas infested with wild oat and canarygrass patches were discriminated using the indices R, NIR, and NDVI with overall accuracies (OA) of 0.85 to 0.90. In Florida–West, areas infested with wild oat, canarygrass, and ryegrass were discriminated with OA from 0.85 to 0.89. In Florida–East, for the discrimination of the areas infested with wild oat patches, visible wavebands and several vegetation indices provided OA of 0.87 to 0.96. Estimated grass weed area ranged from 56 to 71%, 43 to 47%, and 69 to 80% of the field in the three locations, respectively, with per-class accuracies from 0.87 to 0.94. NDVI was the most efficient vegetation index, with a highly accurate performance in all locations. Our results suggest that mapping grass weed patches in wheat is feasible with high-resolution satellite imagery or aerial photography acquired 2 to 3 wk before crop senescence. Nomenclature: Wild oat (Avena fatua L. AVEFA and A. sterilis L. AVEST); canarygrass (Phalaris paradoxa L. PHAPA and P. minor Retz PHAMI); ryegrass, Lolium rigidum Gaudin LOLRI; wheat, Triticum durum L. ‘Mexicali. ’
Description of soft tissue artifacts and related consequences on hindlimb kinematics during canine gait

Background Soft tissue artifacts (STAs) are a source of error in marker-based gait analysis in dogs. While some studies have revealed the existence of STAs in the canine hindlimb, STAs and their influence on kinematic gait analysis remain unclear. Methods Thirteen healthy Taiwan dogs affixed with twenty skin markers on the thigh and crus were recruited. Soft tissue artifacts and their influence on the determination of segment poses and stifle angles were assessed by simultaneously measuring marker trajectories and kinematics of the underlying bones via a model-based fluoroscopic analysis method. Results Markers on the thigh showed higher STAs than those on the crus, with root-mean-square amplitudes up to 15.5 mm. None of the tested marker clusters were able to accurately reproduce the skeletal poses, in which the maximum root-mean-square deviations ranged from 3.4° to 8.1°. The use of markers resulted in overestimated stifle flexion during 40–60% of the gait cycle and underestimated stifle flexion during 80–90% of the gait cycle. Conclusions Considerable magnitudes and effects of STAs on the marker-based 3D gait analysis of dogs were demonstrated. The results indicate that the development of error-compensation techniques based on knowledge regarding STAs is warranted for more accurate gait analysis.
The zebrafish vitronectin receptor: Characterization of integrin αV and β3 expression patterns in early vertebrate development

αVβ3 is a receptor for vitronectin and other extracellular matrix ligands, and it has been implicated in angiogenesis and osteoclast function in mammals. We have cloned full‐length cDNAs of zebrafish integrin αV (itgαV), and two paralogous zebrafish β3 integrins (itgβ3.1 and itgβ3.2). Whole‐mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that αV and β3. 1 share overlapping expression domains in apical ectodermal ridge, ventricular myocardium, hypothalamus, posterior tuberculum, medial tectal proliferation zone, and in the odontogenic field of the bilateral pharyngeal dentitions. In contrast to β3. 1, β3. 2 is transiently expressed throughout the developing embryo. In situ hybridization profiles and heterologous expression of proteins in tissue culture cells suggest that β3. 1 is the major β3 paralog that associates with αV in zebrafish. Furthermore, when β3. 1 expression profiles are compared to those of other potential αV partners (β1, β5, and β8), pharyngeal dentitions appear to represent a unique expression field for αV and β3. 1. Developmental Dynamics 236:2268–2276, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concomitant Use of Herbal and Conventional Medicines among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction The majority of the population in developing countries including Ethiopia still relies on traditional medicines (TMs). Patients with chronic illness like diabetes mellitus (DM) are dissatisfied with conventional medicines and thus are more likely to simultaneously use herbal medicines (HMs). However, such practice could result in potential herb-drug interaction. This study aimed to identify the commonly used HMs among patients with DM and determine the magnitude of concomitant use of herbal and conventional antidiabetic medicines. Method A health facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to determine the magnitude of concomitant use. Patients with DM and prescribers from four public hospitals were the study population for the quantitative and qualitative study, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics were used to describe variables for the quantitative data, and content analysis had been conducted manually for qualitative data. Result Out of 791 respondents, 409 (51.7%) used traditional medicine at least once in their life time, and 357 (45.1%) used traditional medicine in the last six months prior to data collection. A majority (288 (80.7%)) of the respondents used HMs after starting the conventional antidiabetic medicines within the last six months. Moringa stenopetala, Thymus vulgaris, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, and Allium sativum were among the frequently mentioned HMs. Prescribers were requesting patients' HM use when they saw sign of liver toxicity and skin disease, and they were not documenting their history in the patient's chart. Conclusion Concomitant use of herbal and conventional antidiabetic medicines was a common practice. Cognizant of its potentially serious herb-drug interactions, efforts should be made to improve awareness and knowledge of healthcare providers about HM potential effects. Further studies on dose, frequency, duration, and modes of interaction are recommended.
International Immunopharmacology

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is an etiological agent of pandemic COVID-19, which spreads rapidly worldwide. No proven e ﬀ ective therapies currently exist for this virus, and e ﬀ orts to develop antiviral strategies for the treatment of COVID-19 are underway. The rapidly increasing understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virology provides a notable number of possible immunological procedures and drug targets. However, gaps remain in our understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In this review, we describe the latest information in the context of immunological approaches and emerging current antiviral strategies for COVID-19 treatment.
PLEMMYRADYTES SHINTONI, GEN. ET SP. NOV., AN EARLY PERMIAN AMPHIBAMID (TEMNOSPONDYLI: DISSOROPHOIDEA) FROM THE ESKRIDGE FORMATION, NEBRASKA

Abstract The fossil vertebrate localities near Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska, have produced a diverse assemblage of amphibians from near the Permo-Carboniferous (C-P) boundary, including at least one species of dissorophoid (described here), a trimerorhachid, juvenile and adult specimens of the dvinosaur Acroplous vorax, gymnarthrid microsaur material, numerous skeletons, skulls, and isolated vertebrae assignable to two species of the lysorophian Brachydectes, and diadectid teeth. A new genus and species of amphibamid dissorophoid, Plemmyradytes shintoni, is described from the lower half of the Permian-aged Eskridge Formation (early Asselian) near Humboldt. P. shintoni is only the second amphibamid species described from the Permo-Carboniferous midcontinent sequence in the Kansas-Nebraska region. Among amphibamids, it is set apart by the following suite of characters: (1) reduction of the lateral exposure of the palatine, (2) a long, narrow supratemporal (at least twice as long as broad) roofing the otic notch, (3) a posteriorly elongated squamosal, (4) long anterior maxillary teeth, decreasing in size posteriorly, (5) a shallow dentary with a long lateral dentary trough, and (6) dentary teeth that are slightly smaller than the maxillary teeth (approximately one-half to two-thirds as long). A cladistic analysis of 67 dissorophoid characters from 17 taxa supports a clade uniting P. shintoni with ‘Tersomius’ sp. and Micropholis stowi within a monophyletic Amphibamidae. The demonstration of evolutionary trends within the family based on the new data allows a comparison of competing phylogenetic hypotheses.
Use made of wild legume relatives in breeding

Presently vast genetic resources are available for improvement of the main crops used by humans and animals. The ex-situ collections safeguard those resources collected in the past, although not all collections are safe even today as far as personnel and facilities are concerned. Use of in-situ collections is feasible but meeting with obstacles. Free accessibility is not as straightforward as has been in the past. Apart from the cultivated accessions of crops, wild relatives have always attracted breeders, for these contril? ute many useful traits. Their genetic background, particularly of species in the secondary or tertiary genepool, makes transfer difficult requiring new techniques to effectuate gene transfers. There have been many attempts and evaluation and conservation of wild relatives is usually a task taken up by most genebanks. Genetic modification, the modem way of transferring wanted genes, has barely begun for the legume food crops. This paper presents some examples of successful use made of wild relatives of chickpea, pigeonpea, fababean and lentil for breeding ) during the past decennia.
SEASONAL AND SPATIAL BLUBBER DEPTH CHANGES IN CAPTIVE HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA) AND STELLER'S SEA LIONS (EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS)

Abstract Pinniped blubber supports multiple functions including thermoregulation, reproduction, and buoyancy. Although blubber depth is frequently used as an indicator of health, the effect of sample site and seasonality are rarely taken into account. We monitored blubber depth via imaging ultrasound at 10 sites monthly for 1 year in 2 adult Steller's sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and 3 adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Blubber of harbor seals was thicker and more variable than blubber of sea lions, and was thickest in winter. Changes in harbor seal blubber at all sites tracked variation due to season and mass. Sea lion blubber changed with mass only at specific sites, with no seasonal effect. The differing effects of season, mass, and location on the body must be carefully considered in both species before any interpretation of condition.
Effect of dietary levels of methionine + cystine on performance of broiler breeders

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate levels of methionine + cystine levels for broiler breeders from 40 to 60 weeks of age. It was used 288 Cobb broiler breeders, distributed in a randomized experimental design with six levels of methionine+ cystine in the diets (0.39; 0.47; 0.55; 0.63; 0.71 and 0.79%), eight repetitions and six breeders per experimental unit. The diets were isocaloric and isoprotein (2,850 kcal ME/kg and 12.58% CP) and oferred at a fixed amount (155 g) per bird. For the entire studied period, by using polynomial analysis, it was observed a quadratic effect of methionine + cystine levels on the percentage of egg production, on number of eggs per hen housed, on number of eggs per hen and egg weight. There was also a linear effect on shell weight when it was calculated in relation to egg weight. The total methionine + cystine requirement for broiler breeders was calculated at 0.521% for percentage of egg production and number of eggs per hen, which corresponds to a daily intake of 808 mg of methionine + cystine/day. The digestible methionine + cystine requirement for broiler breeders was estimated at 727 mg for laying percentage and number of eggs per hen.
Differential response of Iberian and lean pig crossbreeds to dietary linoleic acid administration

We aimed to determine whether the response of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) tissue concentration to dietary C18:2 n-6 administration, in the finishing period, is done in a different way in Iberian pig compared with a lean genotype. Therefore, 48 pigs, 24 of a lean genotype (Large White × Great York) and 24 of a fat genotype (Iberian × Duroc) were offered three commercial diets, for each genetic type, in order to provide three levels of C18:2 n-6, but maintaining constant the concentration of saturated and linolenic fatty acids (FA) in each genotype. Samples from adipose tissue (subcutaneous backfat and intramuscular fat (IMF) from Longissimus dorsi muscle) were taken. Six pigs of each genotype (two per each C18:2 n-6 level) were slaughtered at the start of the trial to estimate initial fatty acids composition. The C18:2 n-6 proportions at slaughter were higher in the subcutaneous backfat outer layer than in subcutaneous backfat inner layer for both genetic types. In both backfat layers, as the dietary C18:2 n-6 increased, the C18:2 n-6 proportions also increased in both genotypes. In IMF, the concentration of C18:2 n-6 was also altered in lean genotype according to dietary treatment, but no response was observed in Iberian pigs. Linoleic acid concentrations was higher in lean pig genotypes than in the Iberian pig, both in subcutaneous and IMF throughout the whole range of dietary linoleic acid concentration used in this experiment. These results indicate the resistance of Iberian pig to modify the proportion of linoleic in their tissues, particularly in the IMF.
The Role of In-Group Bias and Balanced Data: A Comparison of Human and Machine Recidivism Risk Predictions

Fairness and bias in automated decision-making gain importance as the prevalence of algorithms increases in different areas of social life. This paper contributes to the discussion of algorithmic fairness with a crowdsourced vignette survey on recidivism risk assessment, which we compare to previous studies on this topic and to predictions of an automated recidivism risk tool. We use the case of the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) and the Broward County dataset of pre-trial defendants as a data source and for purposes of comparability with the earlier analysis. In our survey, each respondent assessed recidivism risk for a set of vignettes describing real defendants, where each set was balanced with regard to the defendants' race and re-offender status. The survey ensured a 50: 50 ratio of black and white respondents. We found that predictions in our survey---while less accurate---were considerably more fair in terms of equalized odds than previous surveys. We attribute it to the differences in survey design: using the balanced set of vignettes and not providing feedback after responding to each vignette. We also analyzed the performance and fairness of predictions by race of respondent and defendant. We found that both white and black respondents tend to favor defendants of their own race, but the magnitude of the effect is relatively small. In addition to the survey, we train two statistical models, one trained with balanced data and other with unbalanced data. We observe that the model trained on balanced data is substantially more fair and possess less in-group bias.
APOE4 Copy Number-Dependent Proteomic Changes in the Cerebrospinal Fluid

Background: APOE4 has been hypothesized to increase Alzheimer's disease risk by increasing neuroinflammation, though the specific neuroinflammatory pathways involved are unclear. Objectives: To characterize CSF proteomic changes as a function of APOE4 copy number. Methods: We analyzed targeted proteomic data obtained on ADNI CSF samples using a linear regression model adjusting for age, sex, and APOE4 copy number, and a second linear model also adjusting for AD clinical status. False Discovery Rate (FDR) was used to correct for multiple comparisons. Results: In the first model, increasing APOE4 copy number was associated with significant expression decreases in a CRP peptide (q=0.006), and significant expression increases in peptides from ALDOA, CH3L1 (YKL-40), and FABPH (q<0.05 for each). In the second model (controlling for age, sex, and AD clinical status), increasing APOE4 copy number was associated with significant expression decreases in a CRP peptide (q=0.009). In both models, increased APOE4 copy number was associated with trends towards lower expression of all 24 peptides from all 8 different complement proteins measured here, although none of these differences were statistically significant. The odds of this happening by chance for 24 unrelated peptides would be less than 1 in 16 million. Conclusions: Increasing APOE4 copy number was associated with decreased CSF CRP levels and increased CSF ALDOA, CH3L1 and FABH levels; the CRP decrease remained significant after controlling for AD clinical status. Increased APOE4 copy number may also be associated with decreased CSF complement pathway protein levels, a hypothesis for investigation in future studies.
MOLECULAR EVIDENCE FOR TWINNING IN WEDDELL SEALS (LEPTONYCHOTES WEDDELLII)

Abstract We used microsatellite genotyping to determine the genetic relatedness of 7 apparent twin dyads of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) born in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Genetic evidence for twinning in wild pinnipeds has not been reported previously. A review of 14 years of demographic data combined with pathological exams, behavioral observations, and molecular genetic evidence suggests that twinning is extremely rare in Weddell seals and that females do not wean both pups in the wild. The incidence of live twin births was about 0.1% (2/1,439 births), recorded over 3 seasons in Erebus Bay, McMurdo Sound. Additionally, a single case of true twinning was documented from 23 known pregnancies observed in an isolated population of Weddell seals located within McMurdo Sound. The 3 twin sets were dizygotic full siblings, 1 nontwin dyad represented a case of adoption, and the 3 remaining putative twin sets were identified as instances of foster nursing. These results indicated that observation of mother–offspring behavior was not a reliable method for identifying a twin birth in this species. Use of genetic techniques to verify presence of twins in species with low or unknown twinning rates offers the opportunity for a refinement of estimates in studies of reproductive success, fostering behavior, and adoption.
A network-informed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis genes’ interactions points to Neutrophil extracellular traps as mediators of thrombosis in COVID-19

Abnormal coagulation and an increased risk of thrombosis are features of severe COVID-19, with parallels proposed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a life-threating condition associated with hyperinflammation. The presence of HLH was described in severely ill patients during the H1N1 influenza epidemic, presenting with pulmonary vascular thrombosis. We tested the hypothesis that genes causing primary HLH regulate pathways linking pulmonary thromboembolism to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using novel network-informed computational algorithms. This approach led to the identification of Neutrophils Extracellular Traps (NETs) as plausible mediators of vascular thrombosis in severe COVID-19 in children and adults. Taken together, the network-informed analysis led us to propose the following model: the release of NETs in response to inflammatory signals acting in concert with SARS-CoV-2 damage the endothelium and direct platelet-activation promoting abnormal coagulation leading to serious complications of COVID-19. The underlying hypothesis is that genetic and/or environmental conditions that favor the release of NETs may predispose individuals to thrombotic complications of COVID-19 due to an increase risk of abnormal coagulation. This would be a common pathogenic mechanism in conditions including autoimmune/infectious diseases, hematologic and metabolic disorders.
Differential COVID-19 case positivity in New York City neighborhoods: socioeconomic factors and mobility

New York City has been one of the hotspots of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the first two months of the outbreak considerable variability in case positivity was observed across the city's ZIP codes. In this study, we examined: a) the extent to which the variability in ZIP code level cases can be explained by aggregate markers of socioeconomic status and daily change in mobility; and b) the extent to which daily change in mobility independently predicts case positivity. Our analysis indicates that the markers considered together explained 56% of the variability in case positivity through April 1 and their explanatory power decreased to 18% by April 30. Our analysis also indicates that changes in mobility during this time period are not likely to be acting as a mediator of the relationship between ZIP-level SES and case positivity. During the middle of April, increases in mobility were independently associated with decreased case positivity. Together, these findings present evidence that heterogeneity in COVID-19 case positivity in New York City is largely driven by neighborhood socioeconomic status.