Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Dysphoria in United States Veterans and Military Personnel: Historical Context and Current Policies.

Individuals with gender dysphoria are at risk for a variety of mental health sequelae, including mood disorders, substance use, anxiety, interpersonal trauma, and suicidality (Valentine & Shipherd, 2018). Gender dysphoria is defi ned by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), as clinically signifi cant distress that occurs due to an incongruence between an individual’s sex assigned at birth and their true, experienced gender identity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Gender dysphoria disproportionately impacts U.S. Veterans and military personnel when compared to the general population, with rates as high as 22.9 per 100,000 persons in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), compared to estimates of 4.3 per 100,000 persons in the U.S. general population (Blosnich et al., 2013), and an estimated total of 150,000 transgender active duty service members, Veterans, and reservists (Ahuja et al., 2019). In addition, approximately 50% of U.S. Veterans with gender dysphoria have been diagnosed with a mood disorder, and approximately 25% have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (Blosnich et al., 2013). Sociocultural factors, including social support (or lack thereof) and access to gender affi rmation care appear to infl uence trajectories among Veterans with gender dysphoria, with high levels of experienced discrimination associated with increases in suicidal ideation in this population (Carter et al., 2019; Tucker et al., 2019). Discrimination can be defi ned as “unfair treatment by outgroup members [i.e. non-LGBT individuals] experienced due to an individual’s minority group membership” (Morrison et al., 2019, p. 549). The purpose of the current article is to describe the historical context of transgender discrimination within the U.S. military and Veteran population, and to highlight current policies that continue to perpetuate transgender discrimination within the VHA. In addition, as the VHA is the largest employer of nurses in the United States, implications for nurses will also be outlined.
Comparison of the fecal microbiota of two monogastric herbivorous and five omnivorous mammals

Abstract Fecal microbiota in seven different monogastric animal species, elephant, horse, human, marmoset, mouse, pig and, rat were compared using the same analytical protocol of 16S rRNA metagenome. Fecal microbiota in herbivores showed higher alpha diversity than omnivores except for pigs. Additionally, principal coordinate analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance demonstrated that herbivores and pigs clustered together, whereas other animal species were separately aggregated. In view of butyrate‐ and lactate‐producing bacteria, predominant genera were different depending on animal species. For example, the abundance of Faecalibacterium, a known butyrate producer, was 8.02% ± 3.22% in human while it was less than 1% in other animal species. Additionally, Bifidobacterium was a predominant lactate producer in human and marmoset, while it was rarely detected in other omnivores. The abundance of lactate‐producing bacteria in herbivores was notably lower than omnivores. On the other hand, herbivores as well as pig possess Fibrobacter, a cellulolytic bacterium. This study demonstrated that fecal microbiota in herbivorous animals is similar, sharing some common features such as higher alpha diversity and higher abundance of cellulolytic bacterium. On the other hand, omnivorous animals seem to possess unique fecal microbiota. It is of interest that pigs, although omnivore, have fecal microbiota showing some common features with herbivores.
Biomechanical Effects of Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy on Joint Instability in Normal Canine Stifles: An In Vitro Study

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to determine the changes in biomechanical characteristics following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) using simulated manual tests. Study Design Twenty-one stifles from healthy Beagle dogs that had undergone TPLO or had not (control) were first tested in the intact form, and then the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) was transected in each to provide four test situations: control-intact, control-CrCL-transected, TPLO-intact and TPLO-CrCL-transected. The stifles were then analysed using a robotic joint biomechanical testing system. The craniocaudal drawer, axial rotation and proximal compression tests were applied. Results The craniocaudal displacement during the drawer test was not significantly different between the control-intact and TPLO-intact. However, the displacement was significantly greater in the TPLO-CrCL-transected than in the control-intact. In the axial rotation test, the internal–external (IE) rotation was significantly greater in the TPLO-intact than in the control-intact. Similarly, the IE rotation was significantly greater in the TPLO-CrCL-transected than in the control-CrCL-transected. In the proximal compression test, craniocaudal displacement was not significantly different among the control-intact, TPLO-intact and TPLO-CrCL-transected. Conclusion These findings suggest that TPLO influences the tension of the collateral ligaments and might generate laxity of the tibiofemoral joint. Instability after the osteotomy might be associated with the progression of osteoarthritis.
Role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Glutathione Biosynthesis in Lung and Soft Tissue Infection

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To survive in both the environment and the host, P. aeruginosa must cope with redox stress. In P. aeruginosa, a primary mechanism for protection from redox stress is the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). GSH is a low-molecular-weight thiol-containing tripeptide (l-γ-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine) that can function as a reversible reducing agent. ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To survive in both the environment and the host, P. aeruginosa must cope with redox stress. In P. aeruginosa, a primary mechanism for protection from redox stress is the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). GSH is a low-molecular-weight thiol-containing tripeptide (l-γ-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine) that can function as a reversible reducing agent. GSH plays an important role in P. aeruginosa physiology and is known to modulate several cellular and social processes that are likely important during infection. However, the role of GSH biosynthesis during mammalian infection is not well understood. In this study, we created a P. aeruginosa mutant defective in GSH biosynthesis to examine how loss of GSH biosynthesis affects P. aeruginosa virulence. We found that GSH is critical for normal growth in vitro and provides protection against hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and ciprofloxacin. We also studied the role of P. aeruginosa GSH biosynthesis in four mouse infection models, including the surgical wound, abscess, burn wound, and acute pneumonia models. We discovered that the GSH biosynthesis mutant was slightly less virulent in the acute pneumonia infection model but was equally virulent in the three other models. This work provides new and complementary data regarding the role of GSH in P. aeruginosa during mammalian infection.
Qualitative Assessment of Four Types of Three-Dimensional Printed Anatomical Tibial Bone Models Compared to Commercially Available Models

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare technical and physical features of four three-dimensional printed bone models used for teaching purposes to commercial models. Study Design A canine tibia was imaged using computed tomography and used for model development. Tibial models were printed using Resin, polylactide acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). They were compared with two commercial models (SAWBONES 2117 and 2108). Models were drilled in three locations and then cut transversely. Subjective quality of models, time and cost of production were compared. Results Print time was approximately 3 hours for Resin and 4 hours for each of the PLA, ABS and HIPS models. Unlike the Resin and SAWBONES, the PLA, HIPS and ABS had higher heat generation during both drilling and cutting with mild construct deformation at cut surfaces in ABS and PLA models. Characteristics of real bone during drilling and cutting were best simulated in decreasing order by Resin, PLA, ABS and HIPS followed by SAWBONES 2117 and 2108 models. Material costs were $14.6 (Resin), $0.48 (PLA/ABS), $1.52 (HIPS), $23.50 and $17.50 for SAWBONES 2117 and 2108 per model, respectively. Resin performed best and had the closest subjective tactile properties to real bone. Conclusion The three-dimensional printed tibial bone models provide a cost-effective alternative to commercially available bone models in veterinary medicine as teaching models.
Liposome Circulation Time is Prolonged by CD47 Coating.

INTRODUCTION Bio-degradable nano-particles have many applications as drug delivery vehicles because of their good bio-availability, controlled release, low toxicity and potential for encapsulation. However, the most important obstacle to nanoparticulate drug delivery is elimination by macrophages which reduces the residence time of nanoparticles in the blood. To overcome this problem, the surface of the nanoparticle can be passivated by coating with Polyethylene glycol (PEG). However, the use of PEG has its own disadvantages. CD47 receptor acts as a self marker on the surface of many cells and inhibits phagocytosis. This study used a CD47 mimicry peptide as a substitute for PEG to fabricate "stealth" nanoliposome with reduced macrophage clearance. METHODS Doxorubibin was used as a model drug because of its inherent fluorescence. Doxorubicin-containing liposomes were coated with different percentages of CD47 mimicry peptide (0.5% and 1%). PEGfunctionalized doxorubicin-containing liposomes, were used as a comparator. The liposomal formulations were intravenously injected into mice. Serum was collected at pre-defined time points and tissue samples were taken at 24 hours. Fluorescence was used to determine the concentration doxorubicin in serum, heart, spleen, kidney, liver and lung tissues. RESULTS Tissue biodistribution and serum kinetic studies indicated that compared with PEG, the use of CD47 mimicry peptide increased the circulation time of doxorubicin in the circulation. Moreover, unwanted accumulation of doxorubicin in the reticuloendothelial tissues (liver and spleen), kidney and heart was significantly decreased by the CD47 mimicry peptide. CONCLUSION The use of a CD47 mimicry peptide on the surface of nanoliposomes improved the residence time of liposomal doxorubicin in the circulation. The accumulation of drug in non-target tissues was reduced, thereby potentially reducing toxicity.
The signal between the initiation of recombination and the first division of meiosis in Saccharomyces cervisiae

Meiosis is the process by which diploid cells undergo DNA synthesis, homologous recombination and pairing, followed by the reductional division then the equational division. I present work in this PhD thesis which furthers the understanding of the coordination of the initiation of meiotic recombination and the reductional division. Ten genes are required to initiate recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The presence of a subset of recombination initiation proteins creates a Recombination Initiation Signal (RIS) that delays the start of MI in wild type cells. I present experiments demonstrating the first division kinetics of the two remaining recombination initiation genes that our lab had not yet studied. Rec107 is part of the RIS, while Ski8 is not. The RIS is conserved in a divergent Saccharomyces strain background. rec102 and rec104 SK1 strains both start the first division earlier that wild type SK1 strains. I present evidence that suggests that the RIS acts independently of the pathway that controls securin (PDS1) degradation. The work in this thesis expands our knowledge of the mechanism by which the RIS delays the reductional division. In this thesis I present experiments showing that the DNA damage, spindle and S phase checkpoints do not transduce the RIS. I establish the meiosis-specific candidate Mek1 as a candidate for relaying the RIS. Lastly, experiments described in these chapters show that the transcriptional activator of Middle Meiosis, NDT80, is the target of the RIS. NDT80 transcription and activity are both necessary and sufficient to affect an earlier reductional division, similar to the early MI seen in RIS mutants.
Influence of Maturity Stage on Fruit Quality during Storage of 'Earli Grande' Peaches

Peach is a perishable fruit and to ensure the highest fruit quality peaches must be harvested at an appropriate stage of maturity. In the present study, effect of maturity stage at harvest and cold storage on the physical and chemical characteristics of peaches ‘Earli Grande’ were determined. The fruits for storage were harvested at three stages i.e. before, during and after predictable optimum harvest stage and kept in cold store at 0-20C and 85-90% relative humidity for a period of 21 days and at ambient conditions (28-300C, 65-70% RH) for 72 h. The fruits were evaluated for quality parameters at harvest and after 7, 14 and 21 days of storage. The post-cold storage ambient shelf-life was studied after 3 days to assess the market behavior of fruits. During investigation period fruit quality parameters changed according to stage of harvest. An increase in the spoilage, physiological loss in weight, TSS: acid ratio, anthocyanins was observed with the advancement of maturity and storage period. In contrast, Vitamin A content followed a linear decline with storage and advancement of maturity stages. There was a gradual decrease in reducing sugars of the fruits picked after optimum maturity with increase in storage period. Fruits harvested at optimum stage retained maximum TSS:Acid ratio and palatability rating during post-storage shelf life of three days at ambient temperature after cold storage of 21 days. Results revealed that peach fruits harvested at optimum stage can be stored for three weeks in cold store with post-storage shelf life of three days at ambient temperature.
Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers—Development and Validation of HPLC–DAD Method

Preparations from the flowers or herb of the white dead nettle (Lamium album L.) are recommended for the treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders or as a topical medication for mild inflammation of the throat, mouth, and skin. Taking into consideration the significance of L. album in traditional medicines across Europe, as well as the lack of studies describing the quantities of their most abundant constituents, we aimed to design a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) method for potential standardization procedures of extracts from flowers of L. album. The HPLC–DAD method was developed and validated for quantification of iridoids (lamalbid), phenolic acids/depsides (chlorogenic acid), phenylpropanoids (verbascoside), and flavonoids (rutin; quercetin malonylhexoside; tiliroside) in aqueous and ethanolic-aqueous extracts of Lamii albi flos. The method was specific, accurate, and precise. Lamalbid was the most abundant compound both in aqueous (39.09 ± 1.02 m/g dry weight) and ethanolic-aqueous (26.66 ± 0.64 m/g dry weight) extracts. The quantities of selected compounds, except for chlorogenic acid and tiliroside, were higher in the aqueous extract than in the ethanolic-aqueous one. In conclusion, the method developed allowed for quantitation of compounds from different classes. In particular, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside have been proposed as reference compounds for routine quantitative control of Lamii albi flos.
Importance of Surfactant Quantity and Quality on Growth Regime of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This study shows the influence of selected nonstandard surfactants on the growth and properties of magnetite nanoparticles. Particles were obtained using thermally decomposed iron (III) acetylacetonate in an organic environment. For synthesis, three different concentrations (4, 8, and 16 mmol) of tested surfactants were used. Five types of each long-chain carboxylic acid and amines were selected for stabilization of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. Magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were tested by conventional room temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy with and without external magnetic field. TEM images clearly showed that application of tertiary amines causes the nanoparticles to form nanoflowers, in contrast to other compounds, which do not show such growth. Influence of surfactant amount on growth regime depends on the nature of the substances. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms differences in magnetic core composition as a result of the surfactant amount present in synthetic procedure.
Clinical and Genetic Study of Chronic Kidney Disease

This paper presents the results of the study of the interrelationships of polymorphic loci of chemokines (rs1719153, rs4512021, rs2107538, rs2857657, rs1801157) with features of humoral immunity in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. It was established that the concentration of immunoglobulins A and G in the group of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.001). It was revealed that the genotype +1931TT CCL4 (rs1719153) is a marker of an increased level of immunoglobulin G in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (p=0.05).
The foxtail millet (Setaria italica) terpene synthase gene family

SUMMARY Terpenoid metabolism plays vital roles in stress defense and the environmental adaptation of monocot crops. Here, we describe the identification of the terpene synthase (TPS) gene family of the panicoid food and bioenergy model crop foxtail millet (Setaria italica). The diploid S. italica genome contains 32 TPS genes, 17 of which were biochemically characterized in this study. Unlike other thus far investigated grasses, S. italica contains TPSs producing all three ent‐, (+)‐ and syn‐copalyl pyrophosphate stereoisomers that naturally occur as central building blocks in the biosynthesis of distinct monocot diterpenoids. Conversion of these intermediates by the promiscuous TPS SiTPS8 yielded different diterpenoid scaffolds. Additionally, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP99A17), which genomically clustered with SiTPS8, catalyzes the C19 hydroxylation of SiTPS8 products to generate the corresponding diterpene alcohols. The presence of syntenic orthologs to about 19% of the S. italica TPSs in related grasses supports a common ancestry of selected pathway branches. Among the identified enzyme products, abietadien‐19‐ol, syn‐pimara‐7,15‐dien‐19‐ol and germacrene‐d‐4‐ol were detectable in planta, and gene expression analysis of the biosynthetic TPSs showed distinct and, albeit moderately, inducible expression patterns in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In vitro growth‐inhibiting activity of abietadien‐19‐ol and syn‐pimara‐7,15‐dien‐19‐ol against Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium subglutinans may indicate pathogen defensive functions, whereas the low antifungal efficacy of tested sesquiterpenoids supports other bioactivities. Together, these findings expand the known chemical space of monocot terpenoid metabolism to enable further investigations of terpenoid‐mediated stress resilience in these agriculturally important species.
Effect of celecoxib in treatment of burn-induced hypermetabolism

Abstract Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of prostanoid biosynthesis. Under pathologic conditions, COX-2 activity can produce reactive oxygen species and toxic prostaglandin metabolites that exacerbate injury and metabolic disturbance. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of Celecoxib (the inhibitor of COX-2) treatment on lipolysis in burn mice. Methods: One hundred male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into sham group, burn group, celecoxib group, and burn with celecoxib group (25 mice in each group). Thirty percent total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness injury was made for mice to mimic burn injuries. Volume of oxygen uptake (VO2), volume of carbon dioxide output (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure (EE), COX-2 and uncoupled protein-1 (UCP-1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were measured for different groups. Results: Adipose tissue (AT) activation was associated with the augmentation of mitochondria biogenesis, and UCP-1 expression in isolated iBAT mitochondria. In addition, VO2, VCO2, EE, COX-2, and UCP-1 expression were significantly higher in burn group than in burn with celecoxib group (P<0.05). Conclusion: BAT plays important roles in burn injury-induced hypermetabolism through its morphological changes and elevating the expression of UCP-1. Celecoxib could improve lipolysis after burn injury.
Comparative effectiveness of bariatric surgeries in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

A network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to determine the hierarchies of different bariatric surgeries in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in terms of diabetes remission and cardiometabolic outcomes. Seventeen RCTs and six bariatric surgeries, including single anastomosis (mini) gastric bypass (mini‐GBP), biliopancreatic diversion without duodenal switch (BPD), laparoscopic‐adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), greater curvature plication (GCP) and nonsurgical treatments (NST) were included. Mini‐GBP, BPD, LSG, RYGBP and LAGB (from best to worst), as compared with NST, were all significantly associated with the remission of T2DM. For the follow‐up period > 3 years, BPD, mini‐GBP, RYGBP and LSG (from best to worst) were significantly superior to NST in achieving the remission of T2DM. For secondary outcomes, the overall ranking for bariatric surgeries was RYGBP > BPD > LSG > LAGB after comprehensively weighting glucose, weight, systolic and diastolic pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). Mini‐GBP has the greatest probability of achieving diabetes remission in adults with obesity and T2DM, yet BPD was the most effective in long‐term diabetes remission. RYGBP appears to be the most favourable alternative treatment to manage patients with cardiometabolic conditions.
Longitudinal Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis with the Brain‐Age Paradigm

During the natural course of multiple sclerosis (MS), the brain is exposed to aging as well as disease effects. Brain aging can be modeled statistically; the so‐called “brain‐age” paradigm. Here, we evaluated whether brain‐predicted age difference (brain‐PAD) was sensitive to the presence of MS, clinical progression, and future outcomes.