Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low- Versus Moderate-Sodium Diet in Patients With Recent Hospitalization for Heart Failure: The PROHIBIT (Prevent Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure by Limiting Sodium) Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND We conducted a pilot study to assess feasibility, on-study retention, trends in natriuretic peptide levels, quality of life, and safety of a 12-week feeding trial with 1500- versus 3000-mg daily sodium meals in high-risk patients with heart failure. METHODS Of 196 patients with recent (≤2 weeks) hospitalization for heart failure, ejection fraction ≤40%, on optimal medical therapy, functionally independent, and able to communicate, 83 (47%) consented to participate. Of these, 27 (age, 62±11 years; 22 men; 20 white; ejection fraction, 26±8%) had 24-hour urine sodium ≥3000 mg and agreed to randomly receive either 1500-mg (N=12) or 3000-mg (N=15) sodium meals. RESULTS On-study retention at 12 weeks was 77% (82% versus 73%; P=0.53); 6 patients (2 in 1500-mg, 4 in 3000-mg arm) withdrew before study completion. Food satisfaction questionnaires indicated that both diets were well tolerated. Quality of life improved in the 1500-mg arm at 12 weeks but did not change in the 3000-mg arm. Average compliance with meals was 52% (based on urinary sodium) and was not significantly different between arms (42% versus 60%; P=0.25). Study meals reduced 24-hour urinary sodium by 137±21 mmol (1500-mg arm) and 82±16 mmol (3000-mg arm), both P<0.001; between-arms difference was 55 mmol (95% CI, 3-107; P=0.037). NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) was not affected. Hospitalizations and low blood pressure events did not differ significantly between arms. Serum creatinine decreased more (by 0.17 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.06-0.28]; P=0.003) in the 1500-mg arm. Creatinine increases >0.5 mg/dL over baseline only occurred in 1 patient in the 3000-mg arm. CONCLUSIONS Even with prepared meals, investigating optimal dietary sodium in heart failure comes with challenges, including need for extensive screening, reluctance to participate, and compliance issues. Because both diets reduced urinary sodium without adverse safety or quality of life signals, a larger trial, with modifications to improve participation and compliance, would be ethical and feasible. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT02467296.
rRNA expansion segment 27Lb modulates the factor recruitment capacity of the yeast ribosome and shapes the proteome

Abstract Fine-tuned regulation of protein biosynthesis is crucial for cellular fitness and became even more vital when cellular and organismal complexity increased during the course of evolution. In order to cope with this augmented demand for translation control, eukaryal ribosomes have gained extensions both at the ribosomal protein and rRNA levels. Here we analyze the functional role of ES27L, an rRNA expansion segment in the large ribosomal subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Deletion of the b-arm of this expansion segment, called ES27Lb, did not hamper growth during optimal conditions, thus demonstrating that this 25S rRNA segment is not inherently crucial for ribosome functioning. However, reductive stress results in retarded growth and rendered unique protein sets prone to aggregation. Lack of ES27Lb negatively affects ribosome-association of known co-translational N-terminal processing enzymes which in turn contributes to the observed protein aggregation. Likely as a compensatory response to these challenges, the truncated ribosomes showed re-adjusted translation of specific sets of mRNAs and thus fine-tune the translatome in order to re-establish proteostasis. Our study gives comprehensive insight into how a highly conserved eukaryal rRNA expansion segment defines ribosomal integrity, co-translational protein maturation events and consequently cellular fitness.
A Combined Behavioral Economics and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use and Intimate Partner Violence Among Couples in Bengaluru, India: Results of a Pilot Study

Hazardous drinking is an important contributing factor to intimate partner violence (IPV) occurrence. However, only a limited number of community-based alcohol reduction interventions have been tested in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for their efficacy in reducing IPV. This pilot intervention study tested a 1-month combined behavioral economics and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to reduce hazardous alcohol use and IPV in Bengaluru, India. Sixty couples were randomized to one of three study arms to test the effect of incentives-only and incentives plus counseling interventions compared with a control condition. Alcohol use among male participants was assessed using breathalyzer tests. Violence experienced by female participants was measured using the Indian Family Violence and Control Scale. Couples in the counseling arm participated in four weekly counseling sessions. Male participants in the incentive arms earned a reward for sobriety (breath alcohol concentration [BrAC] <0.01 g/dl). Results showed that while incentives reduced alcohol use, there was a greater proportion of negative BrAC samples among participants in the counseling arm compared with the control group (0.96 vs. 0.76, p = .03). Violence also decreased in both intervention arms. The estimated mean violence score for the counseling arm was 10.8 points lower than the control arm at 4-month follow-up visit (p = .02). This study contributes important evidence to the field of alcohol reduction and IPV prevention approaches in LMIC settings and adds to the growing evidence that alcohol reduction is a modifiable means of addressing IPV.
The Genomes of the Livebearing Fish Species Poeciliopsis retropinna and Poeciliopsis turrubarensis Reflect Their Different Reproductive Strategies

Abstract The evolution of a placenta is predicted to be accompanied by rapid evolution of genes involved in processes that regulate mother–offspring interactions during pregnancy, such as placenta formation, embryonic development, and nutrient transfer to offspring. However, these predictions have only been tested in mammalian species, where only a single instance of placenta evolution has occurred. In this light, the genus Poeciliopsis is a particularly interesting model for placenta evolution, because in this genus a placenta has evolved independently from the mammalian placenta. Here, we present and compare genome assemblies of two species of the livebearing fish genus Poeciliopsis (family Poeciliidae) that differ in their reproductive strategy: Poeciliopsis retropinna which has a well-developed complex placenta and P. turrubarensis which lacks a placenta. We applied different assembly strategies for each species: PacBio sequencing for P. retropinna (622-Mb assembly, scaffold N50 of 21.6 Mb) and 10× Genomics Chromium technology for P. turrubarensis (597-Mb assembly, scaffold N50 of 4.2 Mb). Using the high contiguity of these genome assemblies and near-completeness of gene annotations to our advantage, we searched for gene duplications and performed a genome-wide scan for genes evolving under positive selection. We find rapid evolution in major parts of several molecular pathways involved in parent–offspring interaction in P. retropinna, both in the form of gene duplications as well as positive selection. We conclude that the evolution of the placenta in the genus Poeciliopsis is accompanied by rapid evolution of genes involved in similar genomic pathways as found in mammals.
Measurement of the Combined Levels of Serum Uric Acid and Alanine Aminotransferase and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in a Population Aged 60 Years or More in Northeastern China

Background Serum uric acid (SUA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are increased in patients with metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the association between the combined levels of SUA and ALT and the risk of metabolic syndrome in residents ≥60 years of age in Northeastern China. Material/Methods A population study included nine communities in Shenyang, Northeast China, and 3,998 participants (1,434 men and 2,564 women) who were ≥60 years old. SUA and ALT measurements (levels 1–3) and clinical parameters were recorded. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). The association between the combined SUA and ALT levels and metabolic syndrome was determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis in tertiles that included Groups 1–9. Results The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 43.2% (men), and 61.9% (women), and the prevalence and odds ratio (OR) values increased with increasing SUA and ALT levels. The OR values of metabolic syndrome in the ALT Groups 2–3 were 1.329 (95% CI, 1.137–1.554) and 2.362 (95% CI, 2.006–2.781), and in the SUA Groups 2–3 the OR values were 1.718 (95% CI, 1.466–2.015) and 2.743 (95% CI, 2.310–3.256). The OR of the combined increase in SUA and ALT and metabolic syndrome in Groups 1–9 ranged from 1.494–5.889 (all, p<0.05). Conclusions Increased combined SUA and ALT was more significantly associated with metabolic syndrome than an increase in SUA or ALT alone.
Is the Height of the Arcuate Eminence Related to Body Mass Index?

Objectives To determine the relationship, if any, between body mass index (BMI) and attenuation of the arcuate eminence (AE). Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary neurotologic referral center. Subjects and Methods Submillimeter distances were recorded from high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans of 50 patients (100 sides). The AE (defined as the superiormost location of the petrous bone over the otic capsule), the bony apex of the superior semicircular canal (SSC), and the geniculate ganglion (GG) were identified and 3-dimensional distances measured. The height of the AE relative to the bony apex of the superior semicircular canal was determined using Euclidean geometry using the fixed anatomical landmark of the GG as the origin. Correlations between AE and BMI were calculated using Pearson’s, linear mixed effects, and sensitivity analysis models. Results The mean (SD) BMI was 30 (8.1) kg/m2, with 16 (30%) patients falling in the underweight/normal category (BMI <25 kg/m2), 10 (20%) overweight patients (25 kg/m2≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2), and 24 (48%) patients considered obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). The mean (SD) AE heights for the left and right ears were 2.5 (1.11) and 2.6 (1.09), respectively. The results of the linear mixed-effects models indicated little evidence that BMI is associated with AE height when including all patients (partial R2 = 0.040) and when using BMI categories (partial R2 = 0.025). Conclusion Contrary to other structures within the lateral skull base, the relative prominence of the arcuate eminence does not correlate with BMI or any other demographic variables.
Activation of complement component 3 is associated with airways disease and pulmonary emphysema in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Introduction Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD) is associated with early onset emphysema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AAT binding to plasma constituents could regulate their activation, and in AATD, exploit this binding event to better understand the condition and uncover novel biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy. Methods To isolate AAT linker proteins, plasma samples were separated by size exclusion chromatography, followed by co-immunoprecipitation. AAT binding proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Complement turnover and activation was determined by ELISA measurement of C3, C3a and C3d levels in plasma of healthy controls (n=15), AATD (n=51), non-AATD patients with obstructive airway disease (n=10) and AATD patients post AAT augmentation therapy (n=5). Results Direct binding of complement C3 to AAT was identified in vivo and in vitro. Compared with healthy controls, a breakdown product of C3, C3d, was increased in AATD (0.04 µg/mL vs 1.96 µg/mL, p=0.0002), with a significant correlation between radiographic pulmonary emphysema and plasma levels of C3d (R2=0.37, p=0.001). In vivo, AAT augmentation therapy significantly reduced plasma levels of C3d in comparison to patients not receiving AAT therapy (0.15 µg/mL vs 2.18 µg/mL, respectively, p=0.001). Discussion Results highlight the immune-modulatory impact of AAT on the complement system, involving an important potential role for complement activation in disease pathogenesis in AATD. The association between plasma C3d levels and pulmonary disease severity, that decrease in response to AAT augmentation therapy, supports the exploration of C3d as a candidate biomarker of therapeutic efficacy in AATD.
Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid scaffold loaded with plasmid DNA encoding fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes periodontal ligament regeneration of replanted teeth.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) loaded with plasmid DNA encoding fibroblast growth factor-2 (pFGF-2) on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in vitro and evaluated the ability of the PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold to promote periodontal ligament (PDL) regeneration in a beagle dog teeth avulsion animal model. BACKGROUND Growth factor and scaffold play important roles in PDL regeneration. PLGA is a kind of biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that can be used as a carrier to deliver growth factors or genes. FGF-2 can induce potent proliferative responses, promote cell migration and regulate the production of extracellular matrix. Therefore, a gene-activated matrix composed of scaffold and genes is supposed to be a superior approach for promoting tissue regeneration. METHODS In this study, PLGA and PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffolds were fabricated using electrospinning. The characterization of scaffolds was shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). dsDNA HS was used to test the plasmid release of PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold. The viability and proliferation of hPDLCs on the two kinds of scaffolds were evaluated by the CCK-8 assay, and the expression of collagen I and scleraxis were analysed by RT-qPCR. The roots of avulsed teeth were covered by the two types of scaffolds and replanted into the alveolar pockets in beagles. Haematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were used to evaluate the effects of PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold on promoting PDL regeneration. RESULTS The smooth and uniform fibres can be observed in both scaffolds, and the plasmids were randomly distributed in the PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold. dsDNA HS analysis demonstrated that the PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold released up to 123 ng pFGF-2 over 21 days in a sustained manner without any obvious burst release. The PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold promoted the proliferation of hPDLCs and increased the expression levels of collagen I and scleraxis compared with PLGA scaffold. Animal experiments showed that more regular PDL-like tissues and less root surface resorption occurred in the PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold group compared with the PLGA scaffold group. CONCLUSIONS The PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold promoted hPDLCs proliferation and facilitated periodontal ligament-related differentiation. The PLGA/pFGF-2 scaffold possesses excellent biological characteristics and could be used as a promising biomaterial for improving the treatment prognosis of replanted tooth.
Short‐term kinetics of rRNA degradation in Escherichia coli upon starvation for carbon, amino acid or phosphate

Ribosomes are absolutely essential for growth but are, moreover, energetically costly to produce. Therefore, it is important to adjust the cellular ribosome levels according to the environmental conditions in order to obtain the highest possible growth rate while avoiding energy wastage on excess ribosome biosynthesis. Here we show, by three different methods, that the ribosomal RNA content of Escherichia coli is downregulated within minutes of the removal of an essential nutrient from the growth medium, or after transcription initiation is inhibited. The kinetics of the ribosomal RNA reduction vary depending on which nutrient the cells are starved for. The number of ribosomes per OD unit of cells is roughly halved after 80 min of starvation for isoleucine or phosphate, while the ribosome reduction is less extensive when the cells are starved for glucose. Collectively, the results presented here support the simple model proposed previously, which identifies the inactive ribosomal subunits as the substrates for degradation, since the most substantial rRNA degradation is observed under the starvation conditions that most directly affect the protein synthesis.
Trends in forest fragment research in Madagascar: Documented responses by lemurs and other taxa

The rise in research investigating fragmentation and its impact on primates and other taxa reflects the growing presence of fragmented landscapes themselves. Although numerous studies report the negative effects of fragmentation on biodiversity, it is difficult to generalize responses to fragmentation for specific taxonomic groups, such as non‐human primates, when studies have not employed a definitive concept of fragmentation or fragments themselves. Madagascar's high degree of fragmentation, wealth of endemic taxa, and extensive history of ecological research provide the opportunity to compare fragmentation studies across similar contexts. We conducted a literature search of peer‐reviewed articles on fragmentation in Madagascar to characterize its trends. A total of 70 articles, 46 of which concentrated on lemurs, tested the impacts of fragmentation on Malagasy taxa, while additional sources conducted research in one or more fragments without testing its effects (n = 112 total, 79 on lemurs). Studies on lemurs most frequently tested fragmentation's impacts on genetics and biodiversity metrics (n = 16 and 15 studies, respectively), although health, modeling, behavioral, and cross‐disciplinary techniques were also reported. Responses to fragmentation were reported for 49 lemur species, with most studies concentrated in eastern Madagascar (87%). Although there was variation in the metrics reported in studies testing the effects of fragmentation on Malagasy species, the most common measures were fragment area, isolation, or comparison to a control site. Landscape‐scale approaches and examination of fragmentation per se were rarely employed. Characterizing trends of fragmentation research in Madagascar emphasizes the challenges of documenting fragmentation's effects while highlighting the benefits of research within fragmented landscapes, particularly when combined with consideration for how the matrix within human‐modified landscapes may impact primate populations.
Worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses: A comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies.

AIMS Sexual harassment towards nurses is a major concern universally, but no meta-analysis on the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses has yet been published. This study examined the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and explored its moderating factors. DESIGN Meta-analysis of observational studies. DATA SOURCES The PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from their commencement date to February 2018 were systematically and independently searched by two investigators. REVIEW METHODS Data on the prevalence of sexual harassment experienced by nurses were extracted and pooled using the random-effects model. RESULTS A total of 43 studies covering 52,345 nurses were included in the analyses. Female nurses accounted for 83.87% of the 32,970 subjects in 25 studies with available data on gender ratio. The prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses in the past 12 months and during nursing career were 12.6% (95% CI: 10.9-14.4%) and 53.4% (95% CI: 23.1-83.7%), respectively. Gender, use of the WHO questionnaires, lower middle-income and high-income countries, sample size, survey year, and mean age of subjects were significantly associated with the prevalence of sexual harassment. CONCLUSION The high prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses found in this meta-analysis represents the ongoing sexism and deleterious effects (e.g., poor work quality and efficiency, increased stress and job dissatisfaction) in the profession. Appropriate preventive measures, training, and empowerment of nurses are needed to ensure workplace safety and equality in this profession. IMPACT The study addressed the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and its moderating factors. Health authorities and hospital administrators should develop organizational policy and preventive strategies to ensure nurses' workplace safety and equality.
Exposure assessment of the population in Poland to the toxic effects of nickel from vegetable and their products

Background According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), vegetable and vegetable products can significantly contribute to dietary nickel intake. Consumption of vegetable across European Union can vary significantly and depends on consumption habits in individual Member States. Toxicity of Ni is dependent on the chemical form, the route of exposure and solubility of nickel compounds. Objectives Determination of nickel content in commercially available vegetables and vegetable products and assessment of consumer exposure to Ni intake with these groups of foodstuffs. Materials and methods 66 samples of vegetables and their products were analysed for nickel content. Nickel was determined after microwave mineralization of samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace atomization (GFAAS). Nitric acid and perhydrol were used for the mineralization of the samples. The estimated exposure for adults and children was compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI -Tolerable Daily Intake) set by the European Food Safety Authority at 2.8 μg /kg body weight (b.w.) per day. Results Mean (MB-middle bound) Ni content from all investigated vegetable samples was 0.09 mg/kg (95th percentile MB 0.23 mg/kg). In vegetable products, mean Ni concentration was 0.191 mg/kg (95th percentile: 0.67 mg/kg). The highest nickel level was determined in the sample of roman lettuce (0.32 mg/kg), whereas lowest contamination was observed in the sample of onion (0.04 mg/kg). Contamination of investigated fruiting and leaf vegetable with nickel was slightly higher than root and bulb vegetables. The estimated average adults exposure to nickel from vegetable taking into account maximum absorption was 4.8% of TDI and 16.8% of TDI and does not pose a health risk. Exposure to nickel from vegetable products was 1.9% and 6.8% TDI, respectively. Conclusions Obtained results demonstrate that dietary nickel intake from vegetables and their products do not constitute a significant health threat to consumers in Poland.
Porcine Deltacoronavirus Infection and Transmission in Poultry, United States

Coronaviruses cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in diverse host species. Deltacoronaviruses (DCoVs) have been identified in various songbird species and in leopard cats in China. In 2009, porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was detected in fecal samples from pigs in Asia, but its etiologic role was not identified until 2014, when it caused major diarrhea outbreaks in swine in the United States. Studies have shown that PDCoV uses a conserved region of the aminopeptidase N protein to infect cell lines derived from multiple species, including humans, pigs, and chickens. Because PDCoV is a potential zoonotic pathogen, investigations of its prevalence in humans and its contribution to human disease continue. We report experimental PDCoV infection and subsequent transmission among poultry. In PDCoV-inoculated chicks and turkey poults, we observed diarrhea, persistent viral RNA titers from cloacal and tracheal samples, PDCoV-specific serum IgY antibody responses, and antigen-positive cells from intestines.