Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body Mass Index Quick Screening Tool for IAP 2015 Growth Charts.

OBJECTIVES To develop gender-specific graphic tool in which BMI cut offs can be read from height and weight, without need for calculating BMI and to validate tool against Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) 2015 BMI charts. Methods Validation of tool was performed using de-identified data on children from school health surveys. RESULTS For detection of overweight and obesity, BMI tool had sensitivity of 95.7% and specificity 85.7% for boys, and 95.7% and 89.7% for girls, respectively. For underweight, sensitivity of 100% for boys and girls, and specificity of 88.9% for boys and 82.4% for girls was observed. CONCLUSION We present a graphic BMI tool for screening for underweight, overweight and obesity, which complements the existing IAP charts.
Entamoeba aulastomi Nöller

1. Entamoeba aulastomi and Hexamita sp. from Haemopis sanguisuga have been cultivated in inactivated horse-serum diluted 1 : 10 in 0·5 NaCl solution + solid sterile rice-starch, and upon an inspissated horse-serum slope covered with the liquid medium + sterile rice-starch. Cysts of E. aulastomi appeared on or after the 9th day from subcultivation, but cysts of Hexamita have not appeared in the cultures. 2. The amoeboid phase of E. aulastomi divides by a simple direct method, without the formation of a spindle. There is no equatorial plate. It was not possible to count the number of chromatin granules. 3. The mature cyst is quadrinucleate, though occasional octonucleate cysts are found. Chromatoids are present but are absorbed before hatching. A. large glycogen vacuole is present in the uninucleate cyst. The nucleus divides by the formation of a delicate spindle but no chromosomes were found. 4. E. aulastomi are not harmed by being kept at 2° C. but they die out in the 2nd subculture if kept at 30° C. and within 24 hours if kept at 37° C. The cysts also are killed at 37° C. 5. If treated with N/20 HCl all amoebae are killed in less than 10 min. but the cysts are unharmed.
Exploratory behaviour, memory and neurogenesis in the social Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis)

ABSTRACT Both exploratory behaviour and spatial memory are important for survival in dispersing animals. Exploratory behaviour is triggered by novel environments and having a better spatial memory of the surroundings provides an adaptive advantage to the animals. Spatial challenges can also affect neurogenesis in the hippocampus by increasing cell proliferation and enhancing survival of young neurons. In social Damaraland mole-rat colonies, the social hierarchy is largely based on body size. Individuals with different social statuses in these colonies display different dispersal behaviours and as behavioural differences have been linked to dispersal behaviour, I investigated exploratory behaviour, memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in wild-captured Damaraland mole-rats. Dispersal behaviour gives rise to differential exploratory behaviour in Damaraland mole-rats; they readily explored in a novel environment but resident, worker mole-rats explored more slowly. In the Y-maze, animals entered the escape hole significantly faster by the second day; however, they did not make fewer wrong turns with successive days of the experiment. Female dispersers did not show any improvement in time to reach the escape hole or the number of wrong turns over the 4 day experimental period. Damaraland male and female dispersers employ different dispersal strategies, and this is evident in their approach to the learning task. Females are less motivated to complete the task, leading to a difference in behaviour, and this has important survival implications for the different sexes. Finally, in the context of memory, adult neurogenesis does not seem to be a good marker in mole-rats as it is generally low and has not been investigated thoroughly enough to determine which and how other factors can influence it in these animals. Summary: Damaraland mole-rat behaviour is modulated by dispersal and dispersal strategy. Non-dispersing mole-rats explore more cautiously; female dispersers approach the learning task differently from males, having a different dispersal strategy.
Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing

Connectedness to nature and nature contact can provide many benefits to humans, like stress reduction, recovery from illness, and increased positive emotions. Likewise, recreational horseback riding is a widespread sports activity with the potential to enhance physical and psychological health. Yet, the influence of connectedness to nature on the wellbeing of older aged recreational horseback riders has not been investigated so far. The aim of the present study therefore was to explore the relationship between nature relatedness and physical, psychological and social wellbeing and happiness. The study sample was composed of Austrian recreational horseback riders aged 45 years and older, who were compared with dog owners and people without pets (n = 178). We found significantly higher nature relatedness, significantly higher overall wellbeing and a significantly better mood rating in recreational horseback riders compared to people without pets and similar scores compared to dog owners. Physical wellbeing is correlated with overall nature relatedness in horseback riders and dog owners, but no correlation was found in people without pets. A structural equation model shows a direct relationship between nature relatedness and mood in horseback riders and an indirect relationship through pet attachment in dog owners. The results suggest the activity with horses and dogs in nature environments is a source of wellbeing, enjoyment, self-confidence and social contacts.
Poor Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Serum Lipopolysaccharide Are Associated with Oxidative Stress in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Factors inducing oxidative stress in NAFLD may be several; however, a relationship with the adherence to Mediterranean Diet (Med-diet) and with serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been poorly investigated in this setting. The aim was to investigate factors associated with impaired oxidative stress in NAFLD, focusing on the potential role of LPS and Med-diet. We enrolled 238 consecutive outpatients from the PLINIO study, in whom we measured the soluble Nox2-derived peptide (sNox2-dp), a marker of systemic oxidative stress, and serum LPS. Adherence to Med-diet was investigated by a nine-item validated dietary questionnaire. Serum sNox2-dp and LPS were higher in patients with NAFLD compared to those without (25.0 vs. 9.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001 and 62.0 vs. 44.9 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). In patients with NAFLD, the highest sNox2-dp tertile was associated with the top serum LPS tertile (Odds Ratio (OR): 4.71; p < 0.001), APRI > 0.7 (OR: 6.96; p = 0.005) and Med-diet-score > 6 (OR: 0.14; p = 0.026). Analyzing individual foods, the daily consumption of wine (OR: 0.29, p = 0.046) and the adequate weekly consumption of fish (OR: 0.32, p = 0.030) inversely correlated with the top sNox2-dp tertile. In conclusion, patients with NAFLD showed impaired oxidative stress. Levels of sNox2 correlated with serum LPS and with low adherence to Med-Diet.
Pazopanib and Trametinib as a Synergistic Strategy against Osteosarcoma: Preclinical Activity and Molecular Insights

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) inhibitors’ activity in advanced osteosarcoma is significant but short-lived. To prevent or at least delay drug resistance, we explored a vertical inhibition by combining drugs acting at different levels of the RTK pathways (pazopanib + trametinib). We studied pazopanib + trametinib antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo (MNNG-HOS and KHOS xenografts in NOD/SCID mice) investigating the molecular mechanisms and potential escapes. The involvement of MAPK-PI3K pathways was validated by Nanostring technology, western blot and by silencing/overexpression experiments. Pazopanib targets were expressed on seven osteosarcoma cell lines and their pathways were activated. Pazopanib + trametinib exhibited synergistic antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting ERK1/2 and Akt. In vivo antitumor activity was shown in osteosarcoma-bearing mice. The drug combination significantly down-modulated RTK Ephrin Type-A Receptor 2 (EphA2) and Interleukin-7 Receptor (IL-7R), whereas induced mitogen-activated protein-kinase kinase (MAPKK) MEK6. EphA2 silencing significantly reduced osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration, while impeding MEK6 up-regulation in the treated cells significantly increased the antitumor effect of the studied drugs. Moreover, the up-regulation of MEK6 reduced combination activity. Pazopanib + trametinib demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects in osteosarcoma models through ERK and Akt inhibition and EphA2 and IL-7R down-modulation. MEK6 up-regulation might evoke escaping mechanism.
Responses of Jeffrey Pine on a Surface Mine Site to Fertilizer and Lime

Controlled‐release fertilization with two formulations, Forestcote 22‐4‐6 + Minors and Gromax 21‐6‐2 + Minors, and dolomitic lime were evaluated for their capacity to facilitate establishment and enhance nutrition of bareroot Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) on an acidic Sierra Nevada surface mine. All amendments were applied at outplanting to the backfill of augered planting holes, with a low rate of 8 g and a high rate of 16 g per seedling for the two fertilizer formulations, whereas a single rate of 30 g was used for lime. Liming induced excessive seedling mortality throughout the study, whereas both fertilizer formulations also reduced survival but only as an interactive effect with the lime amendment. Growth stimulation by the fertilizer applications was readily apparent after three growing seasons, with the response to the high rate surpassing that to the low rate and the response to the Forestcote formulation exceeding that to Gromax. Conversely, the lime amendment depressed seedling growth, and it is likely that a propensity to exacerbate the stress imposed by dry growing season soils through interference with water uptake accounts for the overall poor performance of the seedlings that received this amendment. Improved N and P nutrition, with the former likely the most critical, was largely responsible for the growth stimulation resulting from fertilization. However, this treatment also suppressed the absorption of certain micronutrients as well as that of Al, and the amelioration of potential phytotoxicities may have also contributed to the favorable performance of fertilized seedlings. Further evidence for this conclusion was supplied by base cation/metallic element molar ratios involving Al and Mn, which were frequently increased by fertilization. In contrast, the influence of the lime amendment on seedling nutrition was marginal, with positive responses too infrequent to improve seedling performance.
Improving gender equity in critical care medicine: a protocol to establish priorities and strategies for implementation

Introduction While the number of women entering medical school now equals or surpasses the number of men, gender equity in medicine has not been achieved. Women continue to be under-represented in leadership roles (eg, deans, medical chairs) and senior faculty positions. In addition, women do not enter medical specialties as often as men, which can have important implications for work environment, reimbursement and the delivery of patient care. Compared with other medical specialties (eg, anaesthesiology, dermatology, etc), critical care medicine is a medical specialty with some of the lowest representation of women. While strategies to improve gender equity in critical care medicine exist in the published literature, efforts to comprehensively synthesise, prioritise and implement solutions have been limited. The objective of this programme of work is to establish priorities for the development and implementation of key strategies to improve the outcomes, well-being and experiences of women in critical care in Canada. Methods and analysis Three phases encompass this programme of work. In phase I, we will catalogue published strategies focused on improving gender inequity across medical specialties through a scoping review. In phase II, we will conduct a modified Delphi consensus process with decision-makers, physicians and researchers to identify key strategies (identified in phase I and proposed by participants in phase II) for improving gender inequity in the specialty of critical care medicine. Finally, in phase III, we will conduct a 1-day stakeholder meeting that engages participants from phase II to build capacity for the development and implementation of top ranked strategies. Data analyses from this programme of work will be both quantitative and qualitative. Ethics and dissemination The proposed programme of work is a foundational step towards establishing targeted strategies to improve gender inequity in the medical specialty of critical care medicine. Strategies will be prioritised by stakeholders, mapped to preidentified drivers of gender equity in the specialty and be scalable to institutional needs. A final report of our results including the list of top prioritised strategies and implementation objectives will be disseminated to panel participants, critical care leadership teams and major critical care societies who are partners in this work, around the country to facilitate uptake at the local level. The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board has approved this study (REB16-0890).
Beneficial Molecular Adaptations in BRCA-Mutation Carriers by Combined HIT/HIRT Intervention: Results from a Pilot Study

Based on growing evidence that breast cancer (BRCA) also plays a pivotal role in the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism and the response to anti-oxidative stress, we examined the influence of regular exercise in human BRCA mutation carriers on their BRCA1 gene/protein expression and inflammatory/oxidative response. Sixteen BRCA-mutation carriers were assigned to an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). IG received a combination of high-intensity interval endurance (HIT) and strength training (HIRT) for six weeks, whereas CG received a low-intensity activity program. Before (T0) and at the end of the intervention (T1), muscle biopsy, physiological performance, blood withdrawal and anthropometry were obtained. Parameters included: Muscle BRCA1 gene/protein expression, inflammatory/oxidative stress, anti-oxidative capacity, peak oxygen capacity (VO2peak) and 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) at six different training machines. VO2peak and 1-RM of IG were increased at T1 compared to T0, whereas CG performance, physiological and molecular parameters remained unchanged. IG showed increased BRCA1 protein concentration as well as anti-oxidative capacity, whereas gene expression was unaltered. IG inflammatory and oxidative damage did not differ between time points. Combined HIT/HIRT increases aerobic and strength performance of BRCA-mutation carriers with up regulated BRCA1 protein expression and improved anti-oxidative status without showing an increased inflammatory response.
Epibiotic relationship between two species of suctorians (Protozoa: Suctoria) and Corisella edulis (Heteroptera: Corixidae)

Reports of epibiosis between ciliated protozoans and aquatic true bugs are scarce. The suctorian ciliates Discophrya elongata and Acineta tuberosa are recorded for the first time as epibionts of Corisella edulis (Corixidae) collected at Hidalgo, Mexico. We analyse the relationship between the architecture of the middle legs and the prevalence of ciliates and present data for their distribution, prevalence, mean abundance, intensity and density on host appendages. Discophrya elongata showed a prevalence of 71.5% on hosts, being attached mainly to middle legs (84%), occurring in highest abundance on the middle femur (mean = 112) and attaching with greatest density on the middle tibia. Acineta tuberosa was observed only on 12 individuals of Corisella edulis and its prevalence was lower than that of D. elongata. These are the first worldwide records of such protozoans being associated with corixids as epibionts.
Reticular dysgenesis caused by an intronic pathogenic variant in AK2

Reticular dysgenesis is a form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in AK2. Here we present the case of a boy diagnosed with SCID following a positive newborn screen (NBS). Genetic testing revealed a homozygous variant: AK2 c.330 + 5G > A. In silico analyses predicted weakened native donor splice site. However, this variant was initially classified as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) given lack of direct evidence. To determine the impact on splicing, we analyzed RNA from the proband and his parents, using massively parallel RNA-seq of cloned RT-PCR products. Analysis showed that c.330 + 5G > A results in exon 3 skipping, which encodes a critical region of the AK2 protein. With these results, the variant was upgraded to pathogenic, and the patient was given a diagnosis of reticular dysgenesis. Interpretation of VUS at noncanonical splice site nucleotides presents a challenge. RNA sequencing provides an ideal platform to perform qualitative and quantitative assessment of intronic VUS, which can lead to reclassification if a significant impact on mRNA is observed. Genetic disorders of hematopoiesis and immunity represent fruitful areas to apply RNA-based analysis for variant interpretation given the high expression of RNA in blood.
Sense of Coherence, Burnout, and Work Engagement: The Moderating Effect of Coping in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Research on coping, sense of coherence, burnout, and work engagement is well documented in western countries. However, a void of studies exists on how coping mechanisms can moderate the relationship among sense of coherence, burnout, and work engagement in a manufacturing company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of this research was to examine the moderating effect of coping (COP) in the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC), burnout (BO), and work engagement (WE). The study employed a quantitative research approach, while participants were recruited through convenience sampling. A total of 197 employees (n = 197; females 40%) who are permanently employed in a manufacturing organisation in the DRC participated in the study voluntarily. The results indicate that coping related positively to a sense of coherence. Moreover, the results indicate that sense of coherence and work engagement related negatively to burnout. Furthermore, the results show that coping acted as a moderator in the relationships between variables. The study adds value to the WE theory by suggesting that an employee who has a high level of COP, high SOC, low level of BO, will positively engage, perform, and be productive.
Analysis of Worldwide Regulatory Guidance for Surface Soil Contamination

Regulations are emerging worldwide to address surface soil contamination. Many of these use regulatory guidance values (RGVs) to specify concentrations above which action is required. However, because so many independent jurisdictions develop these values, the results are highly variable. Recent studies have demonstrated that the RGVs used by US states vary by several orders of magnitude. This manuscript presents results from an effort that identified 62 surface soil RGV datasets containing 3574 values from 31 other nations and compiled them into a database titled International Surface Soil Regulatory Guidance Values (IS2RGV). Analysis indicates that there are also orders of magnitude variability in the RGVs used worldwide, and that this variability has much in common with US state RGV variability. Results are presented for the 30 most frequently regulated organic, 20 most frequently regulated inorganic, and all regulated element contaminants. Trichloroethylene, cyanide, and mercury are used to illustrate.
Seed Oil from Mediterranean Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Lamiaceae Family as a Source of Bioactive Components with Nutritional

The potential use as food ingredients of 12 commercial seed species belonging to the Lamiaceae family constitutes the main goal of this research. For that, the oil yield, the lipid profile, tocopherol content, phenolic profile and antioxidant capacities were determined. Seeds from Satureja hortensis, S. montana, Lavandula angustifolia, L. latifolia and Origanum vulgare can be considered as important sources of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (50.5; 52.4; 52.1; 48.5 and 45.5 g/100 g, respectively), likewise for seed oils from Salvia lavandulifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis regarding ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.2 and 50.0 g/100 g, respectively). The total tocopherol concentration varied between 42.8 and 113.8 mg/100 g of oil. The highest antioxidant capacities corresponded to Thymbra capitata and Origanum vulgare seed oils, in which carvacrol was the major phenolic monoterpene quantified. The presence of cinnamoyl-apigenin derivatives and hydroxycoumarin-apigenin-derivatives in spike lavender is described for the first time. Most of these seeds can be considered as an important source of oil rich in bioactive components of interest for human nutrition.
Prevalence of viral hepatitis B in Ghana between 2015 and 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) remains a significant public health problem in Ghana and past reviews conducted could not calculate a nationwide prevalence of the disease due to lack of primary research for some regions of the country. We therefore conducted this study to summarize and update the available information on HBV infection burden (prevalence) in Ghana from 2015–2019.We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to retrieve primary studies published in peer-reviewed journals from November 2015 to September 2019, assessing the prevalence of HBV among the Ghanaian populace. The review included 21 studies across all ten old regions of Ghana with a total sample population of 29 061. The HBV prevalence was estimated for subpopulations as follows: 8.36% in the adult population, 14.30% in the adolescent population, and 0.55% in children under five years (pre-school). Among adults, HBV infection prevalence was the highest in the special occupation group (14.40%) and the lowest prevalence rate of 7.17% was recorded among blood donors. Prevalence was lower in the north than in the southern part of the country. The Ashanti region had the most studies at 6/21 (29%), while no study was identified for the Upper West region. Across the country, the highest HBV infection prevalence rates were recorded in the age group of 20–40 years. The burden of hepatitis B is enormous and remains an important public health issue in Ghana. Addressing the issue will require an integrated public health strategy and rethinking of the implementation gaps in the current HBV infection control program. This will help propel the country towards eliminating the disease by 2030.