Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The regulative effect of Urtica dioica on sex hormones imbalance: elevated follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio ≥4.5 is associated with low performance in aged breeder quails

Abstract The age-related reproductive disorders are the main concerns in old birds. It was suggested that a drop in egg production and reproductive performance, towards the end of their laying period was caused partly by a decrease in the baseline concentration of plasma LH. Urtica dioica (nettle) is a plant with natural aromatase inhibitors. Steroid hormone levels are regulated by inhibition of the aromatase enzyme. Few studies have examined the effect of nettle on the egg production in adult hens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diet supplemented with nettle powder (NP) in aged quails. One hundred and forty-52-week-old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four treatments consisting of seven replicates (n = 5; four females and one male) and fed with diets containing NP at 0% (control group), 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% (treatment groups). At 62 week of age, our results indicated the NP improved egg production, feed conversion ratio, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit (p < .05). Notably, fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs were significantly increased, while total embryonic mortality decreased significantly by supplementing diet with nettle powder (p < .05). Higher luteinizing hormone, lower oestrogen, malondialdehyde and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were associated with percent of the nettle powder in diet (p ≤ .05). Elevated follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio ≥4 is associated with low egg production in control group and nettle supplementation can balance FSH/LH ratio to ≤2.7. It is concluded that nettle powder could be used as a worthwhile feed additive at the late laying period of aged quails. HIGHLIGHTS Nettle powder can be used as a food additive with aged quails at late laying period. Addition of 1 and 1.5% nettle powder improves egg production, FCR, egg shell thickness. Nettle enhances reproductive performances, such as fertility, hatchability, weight of ovary, and weight of follicles by balancing reproductive hormones at late laying period.
‘When the World Turns Upside Down, Live Like a Bat!’ Idioms of Suffering, Coping, and Resilience Among Elderly Female Zande Refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda (2019–20)

ABSTRACT ‘Resilience’ is trending in development theory and practice, where it is often measured using countable socio-economic outcomes. This paper draws on ethnographic research with South Sudanese Zande refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda, to show a different and often overlooked perspective; that of elderly refugee women. Having lived through decades of war and displacement, these women have developed a rich body of knowledge about suffering, coping, and resilience. Mixing idioms, folktales, and anecdotes, they teach youth not to focus on outcomes or ‘big dreams’, but on a stoic acceptance of loss and perpetual precarity. They advise actions like farming, childcare, and faith. Even so, suffering and coping are socially conditioned and policed, and the intimate circle harbours both protection and dangers, like witchcraft. The women’s accounts contrast bleakly with up-beat neoliberal developmentalism which sees cash-infused ‘resilience’ as the key to refugees’ self-reliant futures.
Spring Precipitation Deficiency in Poland and Its Temporal and Spatial Variability in the Context of Agricultural Needs

Deficient precipitation (dPr) in the growing season, especially in critical periods, affects plant condition and determines the quality and quantity of obtained yields. Knowledge about the variability and distribution of dPr is essential to mitigate its effect on agricultural soils and on crop and livestock production. The goal of the work is to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of spring precipitation deficiency and also to indicate the zones of risk and variability of its occurrence in Poland. It was assumed that dPr occurred when total monthly precipitation in a given year accounted for ≤75% of the total multi-year mean (1951–2018). In the spring season, the multi-year mean of the area covered by deficient precipitation (ACDP) amounted to 33% and fluctuated between approximately 31% in May and approximately 35% in March. The study distinguished four zones in Poland that vary in terms of the risk and variability of spring precipitation deficiency. The obtained results may be used, for example, to assess the needs for irrigation in the changing climate conditions, to model the growing season and yields of cultivated plants, and to select adaptation measures for agriculture in response to climate change.
Experimental Investigation of Polypropylene Composite Drawn Fibers with Talc, Wollastonite, Attapulgite and Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Isotactic polypropylene (PP) composite drawn fibers were prepared using melt extrusion and high-temperature solid-state drawing at a draw ratio of 7. Five different fillers were used as reinforcement agents (microtalc, ultrafine talc, wollastonite, attapulgite and single-wall carbon nanotubes). In all the prepared samples, antioxidant was added, while all samples were prepared with and without using PP grafted with maleic anhydride as compatibilizer. Material characterization was performed by tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Attapulgite composite fibers exhibited poor results in terms of tensile strength and thermal stability. The use of ultrafine talc particles yields better results, in terms of thermal stability and tensile strength, compared to microtalc. Better results were observed using needle-like fillers, such as wollastonite and single-wall carbon nanotubes, since, as was previously observed, high aspect ratio particles tend to align during the drawing process and, thus, contribute to a more symmetrical distribution of stresses. Competitive and synergistic effects were recognized to occur among the additives and fillers, such as the antioxidant effect being enhanced by the addition of the compatibilizer, while the antioxidant itself acts as a compatibilizing agent.
The relationship between executive functions and sports experience, relative age effect, as well as physical maturity in youth soccer players of different ages

ABSTRACT Sports psychology and kinesiology research focused on executive functions in the last ten years as cognitive functions could be one of the smallest adjustments possible in high-level athletes. We examined the connection of sports experience, (relative-) age effects, and physical maturity on the executive functions in male youth soccer players (N = 110). Working memory was assessed using the 3-back task, inhibition was measured using the flanker task, and cognitive flexibility was measured using the number-letter task. We hypothesised that sports experience, (relative-) age effects and physical maturity are positively correlated with executive functions. However, the linear regression model MANOVA test statistics revealed only an impact of calendar age on executive functions. The results demonstrate that athletes attain a certain level in executive functions and gain specific cognitive skills in their sports. Nevertheless, questions about the transfer of executive functions on sport-specific cognitive skills remain unclear.
Biochar Phosphate Fertilizer Loaded with Urea Preserves Available Nitrogen Longer than Conventional Urea

Biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained by pyrolysis of organic wastes, is an attractive matrix for loading nutrients and producing enhanced efficiency fertilizers. In this study, poultry litter (PL) was enriched with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and MgO to produce a biochar-based fertilizer (PLB), which was loaded with urea in a 4:5 ratio (PLB:urea, w/w) to generate a 15–15% N–P slow-release fertilizer (PLB–N) to be used in a single application to soil. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in which a common bean was cultivated followed by maize to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and the residual effect of fertilization with PLB–N in Ultisol. Six treatments were tested, including four doses of N (100, 150, 200, and 250 mg kg−1) via PLB–N in a single application, a control with triple superphosphate (TSP—applied once) and urea (split three times), and a control without N-P fertilization. The greatest effect of PLB–N was the residual effect of fertilization, in which maize showed a linear response to the N doses applied via PLB–N but showed no response to conventional TSP + urea fertilization. Biochar has the potential as a loading matrix to preserve N availability and increase residual effects and N-use efficiency by plants.
Levels and Predictors of COVID-19-Related Anxiety in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Prolonged quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak is a stressful factor. AIM: This study aims to analyze the psycho-emotional state of Jordan’s older population during the Covid-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study on 620 older adults (mean age, 66.4±5.3 years) was conducted in 2020 in Amman (Jordan). All respondents were asked to complete an online survey on coping strategies, a HUDS questionnaire, and a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The dominant predictors of stress were uncertainty (62%) and a fear other family members getting ill (60%). Of all the respondents, 15% agreed with the necessity to prolong the quarantine period, 47% had a neutral attitude, and 38% exhibited a negative attitude. High levels of anxiety in older population were associated with the lower use of humor (H=11.498, p≤0.002). On the other hand, such respondents demonstrated the higher use of planning (H=6.227, p≤0.039), venting (H=11.087, p≤0.004), avoidance (H=7.457, p≤0.019), and active coping (H=6.043, p≤0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Most of Covid-19 cases are registered in healthcare institutions and for that reason, there is a need to provide psychiatric care to medical workers who do not have the necessary experience in this area. This may also require the state to promote psychiatric care training.
Effect of Aluminum Doping Ratios on the Properties of Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Films Deposited by Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition Method Applying for Photocatalysis

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide film was deposited on a glass substrate by mist chemical vapor deposition method. The influence of different aluminum doping ratios on the structural and optical properties of zinc oxide film was investigated. The XRD results revealed that the diffraction peak of (101) crystal plane was the dominant peak for the deposited AZO films with the Al doping ratios increasing from 1 wt % to 3 wt %. It was found that the variation of AZO film structures was strongly dependent on the Al/Zn ratios. The intertwined nanosheet structures were obtained when Zn/O ratios were greater than Al/O ratios with the deposition temperature of 400 °C. The optical transmittance of all AZO films was greater than 80% in the visible region. The AZO film deposited with Al doping ratio of 2 wt % showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency between the wavelength of 475 nm and 700 nm, with the high first-order reaction rate of 0.004 min−1 under ultraviolet radiation. The mechanism of the AZO film influenced by aluminum doping ratio during mist chemical vapor deposition process was revealed.
Electrical Impedance of Surface Modified Porous Titanium Implants with Femtosecond Laser

The chemical composition and surface topography of titanium implants are essential to improve implant osseointegration. The present work studies a non-invasive alternative of electrical impedance spectroscopy for the characterization of the macroporosity inherent to the manufacturing process and the effect of the surface treatment with femtosecond laser of titanium discs. Osteoblasts cell culture growths on the titanium surfaces of the laser-treated discs were also studied with this method. The measurements obtained showed that the femtosecond laser treatment of the samples and cell culture produced a significant increase (around 50%) in the absolute value of the electrical impedance module, which could be characterized in a wide range of frequencies (being more relevant at 500 MHz). Results have revealed the potential of this measurement technique, in terms of advantages, in comparison to tiresome and expensive techniques, allowing semi-quantitatively relating impedance measurements to porosity content, as well as detecting the effect of surface modification, generated by laser treatment and cell culture.
The efficacy of nintedanib in 158 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in real-world settings: A multicenter retrospective study

Background: The INPULSIS trials revealed that nintedanib reduced the decline in lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients in real-world settings. Method: Medical records of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, who received treatment with nintedanib in five institutions between July 2015 and June 2017, were reviewed. Patients with % forced vital capacity ⩾50% and % predicted diffusing capacity of the lung carbon monoxide ⩾30% were classified as the moderate group and those with more impaired lung functions as the severe group. Result: Among 158 patients analyzed, 132 (84.6%) were classified as the moderate group and 26 (15.4%) as the severe group. In the moderate group, changes in forced vital capacity in 12 months were significantly different between before and after nintedanib administration (−253 ± 163 vs −125 ± 235 mL; p = 0.0027). In contrast, changes in forced vital capacity in 12 months were not significantly changed by nintedanib treatment in the severe group (−353 ± 250 vs −112 ± 341 mL; p = 0.2374). Incidence of acute exacerbation was higher in the severe group than in the moderate group (30.8% vs 18.9%). The overall survival of the moderate and the severe groups was 17.2 and 10.1 months. Conclusion: In real-world practice, nintedanib showed comparable efficacy to those observed in previous trials. In the severe group, the efficacy of nintedanib might be limited.
Study of hepatotoxins influence in vitro on basic biochemical indicators of liver functional state

An antimicrobial drug of the fluoroquinolone group, ciprofloxacin, is widely used in Ukraine. However, some researchers have noted the probable hepatotoxicity of this drug with prolonged use or use of high doses of ciprofloxacin. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of carbon tetrachloride, as a classical model of hepatocyte injury, with the effects of ciprofloxacin. The aim of the study was to investigate the biochemical parameters of the liver when simulating toxic damage to hepatocytes with carbon tetrachloride or ciprofloxacin. Materials and methods. The study was carried out on isolated rat hepatocytes, in whose culture medium carbon tetrachloride or ciprofloxacin was added. After incubation in the supernatant and cell homogenate, the activities of marker enzymes of cytolysis were determined: ALT, AST, γ-GTP, LF, LDH, DC and MDA. Results. The introduction of ciprofloxacin into the culture of hepatocytes at a concentration of LC50 caused changes in biochemical parameters similar to those caused by carbon tetrachloride. Thus, an increase in ALT, AST, γ-GTP, LF, LDH, DC and MDA was observed when CCl4 or ciprofloxacin was added to the culture. Conclusion. Incubation of rat hepatocytes with carbon tetrachloride or ciprofloxacin caused an increase in the level of enzymes and lipid peroxidation products. These parameters are indicators of gross changes in cells, which are the result of impaired keto acid formation, impaired redox reactions, impaired glycogen production
Gut Microbiota and Metabolome Alterations Associated with Chinese Monks’ Practice

BackgroundThe practices of monks mainly include long-term vegetarianism and meditation, which are likely to fundamentally influence the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. We aim to study the relationship between the practices of Chinese monks and gut microbiotas and metabolites.MethodsTwenty-four monks and forty-eight omnivorous controls (never meditated) were included. The microbiotas of all samples were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the metabolomes were examined by nontargeted LC–MS metabolomics. Twenty-four monks were divided into the H group and the L group according to the median time of practice, and microbiota and metabolite analyses were carried out in the two groups.ResultsMicrobial communities and metabolites were decreased in monks. Bacteroidetes was increased in monks, while the Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios were decreased. At the genus level, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Roseburia, norank_f__Lachnospiraceae, etc. were higher in monks, while Blautia, Eubacterium__hallii_group, Bifidobacteria, etc. were lower (all p < 0.05). Most identical KEGG categories in both Tax4Fun and PICRUSt2 were related to metabolism (6/8, 75.0%). Most higher abundance genera were positively correlated with higher abundance metabolites in monks, indicating that intestinal flora significantly affects intestinal metabolic function. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the major differential metabolites (VIP >2, p < 0.05) in the two groups. L-dopa plays an important role in many metabolic pathways in monks. Prevotella_9 was enriched in the L group, while norank_f__Lachnospiraceae was enriched in the H group. DG (16:0/18:0/0:0) was highly expressed in the H group and participated in sixteen KEGG functional pathways as well as many immune-related KEGG enrichment pathways.Conclusion﻿The monks' lifestyle practices of vegetarianism and meditation have the potential to modulate human metabolism and function by affecting the gut microbial composition and metabolites. The appropriate practice of monks makes the intestine younger and increases immunity, but long-term practice may cause adverse physical and mental events.
Design of Electrode Array for Multichannel sEMG Recording of Multitendoned Forearm Muscles

A linear electrode array was designed to record multichannel surface electromyography(sEMG) of multitendoned forearm muscles noninvasively.Eight gold-coated bar electrodes were fabricated using a flex-print technique and arranged in one-dimensional array with inter-electrode distance(IED)(center-to-center) of 5 mm.The disposable adhesive non-contact structure was made with pre-punched double-sided medical tape for filling a small amount of conductive cream and attaching to skin with ease.Single differential sEMG signal was amplified and band-pass filtered.Low electrode impedance guarantees the consistent electrical property of gold-coated electrode.Low and relatively stable electrode-skin impedances ensure the stability of baseline and a good signal-to-noise ratio(SNR). To explore the practical possibility of the electrode array,14 channel sEMG signals of nine subjects were simultaneously recorded from flexor digitorum superficialis(FDS) during single-digit force production tasks.High stability of baseline,excellent quality of sEMG signals and good channel discrimination of muscle activation indicate that this electrode array device is a promising technology for long-term multichannel sEMG signal recording of multitendoned forearm muscles.
Chitosan-Coated-PLGA Nanoparticles Enhance the Antitumor and Antimigration Activity of Stattic – A STAT3 Dimerization Blocker

Purpose The use of nanocarriers to improve the delivery and efficacy of antimetastatic agents is less explored when compared to cytotoxic agents. This study reports the entrapment of an antimetastatic Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) dimerization blocker, Stattic (S) into a chitosan-coated-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (C-PLGA) nanocarrier and the improvement on the drug’s physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo antimetastatic properties post entrapment. Methods In vitro, physicochemical properties of the Stattic-entrapped C-PLGA nanoparticles (S@C-PLGA) and Stattic-entrapped PLGA nanoparticles (S@PLGA, control) in terms of size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, drug loading, entrapment efficiency, Stattic release in different medium and cytotoxicity were firstly evaluated. The in vitro antimigration properties of the nanoparticles on breast cancer cell lines were then studied by Scratch assay and Transwell assay. Study on the in vivo antitumor efficacy and antimetastatic properties of S@C-PLGA compared to Stattic were then performed on 4T1 tumor bearing mice. Results The S@C-PLGA nanoparticles (141.8 ± 2.3 nm) was hemocompatible and exhibited low Stattic release (12%) in plasma. S@C-PLGA also exhibited enhanced in vitro anti-cell migration potency (by >10-fold in MDA-MB-231 and 5-fold in 4T1 cells) and in vivo tumor growth suppression (by 33.6%) in 4T1 murine metastatic mammary tumor bearing mice when compared to that of the Stattic-treated group. Interestingly, the number of lung and liver metastatic foci was found to reduce by 50% and 56.6%, respectively, and the average size of the lung metastatic foci was reduced by 75.4% in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice treated with S@C-PLGA compared to Stattic-treated group (p < 0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest the usage of C-PLGA nanocarrier to improve the delivery and efficacy of antimetastatic agents, such as Stattic, in cancer therapy.
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 Enhances Efficacy of Oral Attenuated Human Rotavirus Vaccine in a Gnotobiotic Piglet Model

Human rotavirus (HRV) infection is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. Current oral vaccines perform poorly in developing countries where efficacious vaccines are needed the most. Therefore, an alternative affordable strategy to enhance efficacy of the current RV vaccines is necessary. This study evaluated the effects of colonization of neonatal gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs with Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN) 1917 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) probiotics on immunogenicity and protective efficacy of oral attenuated (Att) HRV vaccine. EcN-colonized pigs had reduced virulent HRV (VirHRV) shedding and decreased diarrhea severity compared with the LGG-colonized group. They also had enhanced HRV-specific IgA antibody titers in serum and antibody secreting cell numbers in tissues pre/post VirHRV challenge, HRV-specific IgA antibody titers in intestinal contents, and B-cell subpopulations in tissues post VirHRV challenge. EcN colonization also enhanced T-cell immune response, promoted dendritic cells and NK cell function, reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines/Toll like receptor (TLR), and increased production of immunoregulatory cytokines/TLR expression in various tissues pre/post VirHRV challenge. Thus, EcN probiotic adjuvant with AttHRV vaccine enhances the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of AttHRV to a greater extent than LGG and it can be used as a safe and economical oral vaccine adjuvant.