Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape effects and spatial patterns of avian influenza virus in Danish wild birds, 2006–2020

Abstract Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease of birds with zoonotic potential. AI virus (AIV) can infect most bird species, but clinical signs and mortality vary. Assessing the distribution and factors affecting AI presence can direct targeted surveillance to areas at risk of disease outbreaks, or help identify disease hotspots or areas with inadequate surveillance. Using virus surveillance data from passive and active AIV wild bird surveillance, 2006−2020, we investigated the association between the presence of AIV and a range of landscape factors and game bird release. Furthermore, we assessed potential bias in the passive AIV surveillance data submitted by the public, via factors related to public accessibility. Lastly, we tested the AIV data for possible hot‐ and cold spots within Denmark. The passive surveillance data was biased regarding accessibility to areas (distance to roads, cities and coast) compared to random locations within Denmark. For both the passive and active AIV surveillance data, we found significant (p < .01) associations with variables related to coast, wetlands and cities, but not game bird release. We used these variables to predict the risk of AIV presence throughout Denmark, and found high‐risk areas concentrated along the coast and fjords. For both passive and active surveillance data, low‐risk clusters were mainly seen in Jutland and northern Zealand, whereas high‐risk clusters were found in Jutland, Zealand, Funen and the southern Isles such as Lolland and Falster. Our results suggest that landscape affects AIV presence, as coastal areas and wetlands attract waterfowl and migrating birds and therefore might increase the potential for AIV transmission. Our findings have enabled us to create risk maps of AIV presence in wild birds and pinpoint high‐risk clusters within Denmark. This will aid targeted surveillance efforts within Denmark and potentially aid in planning the location of future poultry farms.
The GG genotype of erythropoietin rs1617640 polymorphism affects the risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Slovenian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus: enemy or ally?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between erythropoietin rs1617640 polymorphism and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in Slovenian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The second aim was to find whether erythropoietin expression in fibrovascular membranes varies among individuals carrying different genotypes of the rs1617640.
Exit loss in viscous tube flow

Numerous errors abound in the perception and calculation of gas flow in short tubes. This paper will develop modified equations for short‐tube viscous flow in circular tubes with either a choked or a nonchoked exit. Several practical examples will be presented for vacuum component and system analysis. These equations and techniques are then combined with corresponding information from molecular flow studies to develop a new composite approach to gas flow in the transition range. The final result is a simplified approach to computer solutions of gas flow for orifices, short tubes, and long tubes—from molecular flow to atmospheric pressure.
Vitamin D3 supplementation in controlling metabolic changes associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Background Supplementation with vitamin D3 was previously demonstrated to have a number of positive effects in models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, metabolic changes associated with vitamin D3 supplementation in rats kept on choline-deficient (CD) diet were studied. Methods Animals were randomly assigned into three groups: a control group (CG, n = 5) with adequate level of dietary choline content, a CD group (CDG, n = 5) which was kept on CD-diet, and a vitamin D3 supplementation group (CDVDG, n = 15) with CD-diet plus IP vitamin D3 injection. To explore the effects of different vitamin D3 doses on the progression of NASH, the animals in CDVDG group were randomly assigned into three subgroups with the vitamin D3 dosage of 1, 5, or 10 µg/kg of body weight administered IP twice a week (CDVDG1, CDVDG5 and CDVDG10, respectively). Results After 12 weeks of the experiment period, as compared with the CG, the CDG had an increase in the serum fasting insulin (29.50±0.34 mU/L vs 26.49±0.76 mU/L, p < 0.05), HOMA-IR (homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index) (11.07±0.20 vs 9.07±0.34, p < 0.05) and leptin (569.71±38.97 ng/L vs 408.24±43.71 ng/L, p < 0.01), with no significant difference in the serum fasting blood glucose (8.44±0.11 mM vs 7.70±0.22 mM, p = 0.07). As compared with the CDG, the CDVDG had significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (CDVDG5: 7.70±0.03 mM vs 8.44±0.11 mM, p < 0.05), fasting insulin (CDVDG1, 5, 10 vs CDG: 27.20±0.91 μIU/mL, 22.94±0.90 μIU/mL, 21.47±0.77 μIU/mL vs 29.50±0.34 μIU/mL, respectively, p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (CDVDG5, 10 vs CDG: 7.85±0.32, 7.56±0.59 vs 11.07±0.20, respectively, p<0.01, p<0.05) and leptin (CDVDG5 vs CDG: 445.87±14.98 ng/L vs 569.71±38.97 ng/L, p<0.05) (Fig. 1). In addition, serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin levels in the CDVDG were significantly decreased upon treatment with vitamin D3 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions These results show that vitamin D3 supplementation could effectively control the critical metabolic parameters known to be affected by NASH. The findings suggest that VD3 supplementation could be an effective measure for the treatment of patients with clinical NASH.
Why aren't rabbits and hares larger?

Macroevolutionary consequences of competition among large clades have long been sought in patterns of lineage diversification. However, mechanistically clear examples of such effects remain elusive. Here, we postulated that the limited phenotypic diversity and insular gigantism in lagomorphs could be explained at least in part by an evolutionary constraint placed on them by potentially competing ungulate‐type herbivores (UTHs). Our analyses yielded three independent lines of evidence supporting this hypothesis: (1) the minimum UTH body mass is the most influential predictor of the maximum lagomorph body mass in modern ecoregions; (2) the scaling patterns of local‐population energy use suggest universal competitive disadvantage of lagomorphs weighing over approximately 6.3 kg against artiodactyls, closely matching their observed upper size limit in continental settings; and (3) the trajectory of maximum lagomorph body mass in North America from the late Eocene to the Pleistocene (37.5–1.5 million years ago) was best modeled by the body mass ceiling placed by the smallest contemporary perissodactyl or artiodactyl. Body size evolution in lagomorphs has likely been regulated by the forces of competition within the clade, increased predation in open habitats, and importantly, competition from other ungulate‐type herbivores. Our findings suggest conditionally‐coupled dynamics of phenotypic boundaries among multiple clades within an adaptive zone, and highlight the synergy of biotic and abiotic drivers of diversity.
Increased prevalence of celiac disease and its clinical picture among patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 – observations from a single pediatric center in Central Europe

The aim of our study was to analyze the incidence and the clinical characteristic of celiac disease (CD) in pediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Materials and methods The data of 880 patients with T1DM, 429 girls, mean age 12.14 ±4.0 years was retrospectively retrieved from medical records. Patients with T1DM and CD were selected and a detailed analysis of CD prevalence and its clinical characteristic at the time of CD diagnosis was performed. The data were compared with the previous data from our center published a decade ago. Results CD was suspected in 85/880 patients (9.65%) on the base of results of serological tests, but finally CD was diagnosed in 73/880 patients with T1DM (8.3%), in 53/429 girls (12.3%) and in 20/451 boys (4.4%). Most patients (71%) had CD diagnosed after T1DM onset. The majority of CD patients (72%) was asymptomatic. The CD diagnosis was not associated with inappropriate metabolic control of diabetes. The onset age of diabetes in children with CD was significantly lower than in those without CD (5.8 ±3.6 years vs. 7.56 ±4.0 years, p = 0.04). The prevalence of CD is significantly higher than a decade ago in our center (8.3% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.001). Conclusions In light of increasing prevalence of mainly asymptomatic CD in patients with T1DM, CD screening is necessary. However positive serological tests, which are currently used in screening, and are the first step of diagnostics, in some patients allow only to suspect the CD and further diagnostic steps should be performed.
OPTIMIZATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING SYRUP PRODUCTION FROM "SIM" FRUIT (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) FOR HIGH ANTHOCYANIN CONCENTRATION AND GOOD QUALITY

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa or Rose Myrtle is a wild plant native to Southeast Asia. Its berry or fruit is sweet, edible and medicinally used as a folk remedy for various diseases. The fruit contains high concentration of anthocyanin, a natural polyphenol with powerful antioxidant activity. In this study, Sim fruits harvested from Mang-Den, a highland area in Komtum, were pretreated with pectinase to maximize yield, transmittance (clarify) and anthocyanin in the filtrate. After taste adjustment with sugar and citric acid, the juice was pasteurized for preservation. The extraction by pectinase enzymes was optimized using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extraction condition with 0.1% pectinase at 40 o C in 60 min was optimal for maximum yield of fruit juice (62.93%), clarity (T=38.3%) and amount of anthocyanin (68.52 mg/L). Pasteurization with PU85 8,3 = 9.18 minutes at 85 o C for 4 minutes yielded syrup with good safety and high anthocyanin concentration.
Brain gray matter structures associated with trait impulsivity: A systematic review and voxel‐based meta‐analysis

Trait impulsivity is a multifaceted personality characteristic that contributes to maladaptive life outcomes. Although a growing body of neuroimaging studies have investigated the structural correlates of trait impulsivity, the findings remain highly inconsistent and heterogeneous. Herein, we performed a systematic review to depict an integrated delineation of gray matter (GM) substrates of trait impulsivity and a meta‐analysis to examine concurrence across previous whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometry studies. The systematic review summarized the diverse findings in GM morphometry in the past literature, and the quantitative meta‐analysis revealed impulsivity‐related volumetric GM alterations in prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortices. In addition, we identified the modulatory effects of age and gender in impulsivity‐GM volume associations. The present study advances understanding of brain GM morphometry features underlying trait impulsivity. The findings may have practical implications in the clinical diagnosis of and intervention for impulsivity‐related disorders.
Comparing the Efficacy of Kneeling Stress Radiographs and Weighted Gravity Stress Radiographs to Assess Posterior Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency

Background: Kneeling posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) stress radiographs are commonly used to evaluate PCL laxity. Patients, however, report significant pain, and the method’s reproducibility may be challenged due to its dependence on patient body weight distribution to produce posterior tibial displacement. Weighted gravity stress radiography may offer better reproducibility and comfort than the kneeling technique, but its efficacy has not been studied. Hypothesis: Weighted gravity PCL stress radiographs will be more comfortable and produce similar measurements of side-to-side difference in posterior tibial displacement when compared with the kneeling technique. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 40 patients with nonoperatively or >6 months postoperatively treated PCL injuries (isolated or multiligamentous) underwent bilateral stress radiographs. Weighted gravity and kneeling stress radiographs were acquired, in random order, for each patient, as well as side-to-side difference in posterior tibial displacement between each knee, patient-reported visual analog scale knee pain (100 mm), time to acquire the images, and patient preference for technique. Paired t tests were used to compare the side-to-side difference, pain score, and time to complete the radiographs. Results: There was no difference between the 2 radiographic methods in the mean side-to-side difference (gravity: 6.45 ± 4.61 mm, kneeling: 6.82 ± 4.60 mm; P = .72), time required to acquire radiographs (kneeling: 307.3 ± 140.5 seconds, gravity: 318.7 ± 151.1 seconds; P = .073), or number of radiographs taken to obtain acceptable images (kneeling: 3.6 ± 1.6, gravity: 3.7 ± 1.7; P = .73). Patients reported significantly less knee pain during the weighted gravity views (kneeling: 31.8 ± 26.6, gravity: 4.0 ± 12.0; P < .0001). Of the patients, 88% preferred the weighted gravity method. Conclusion: Weighted gravity stress radiographs produce similar side-to-side differences in posterior tibial translation compared with the kneeling stress technique, but do not rely on patient weightbearing and provide significantly better patient comfort. Clinicians should therefore consider the use of weighted gravity stress radiographs in clinical practice to minimize the pain associated with stress radiography while allowing for accurate decision making.
Device-Independent Discrimination of Falsified Amoxicillin Capsules Using Heterogeneous Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Devices for Training and Testing of a Support Vector Machine

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for common screening of falsified medicines in the field by means of a device-independent universal discrimination approach. In order to provide a useful discrimination tool to protect people from low-quality medical products, not only is a low-cost and portable screening device necessary, but a reference library is also essential. The authors believe that a device-dependent reference library inhibits near-infrared spectroscopy from becoming a popular screening tool. In this study, to develop a device-independent method, discrimination performance is evaluated using different devices for training and testing. The training data sets for the reference library were prepared using a bench-top Fourier transform near-infrared spectrophotometer, and predictive discrimination was performed using the spectral data by a low-cost and portable wavelength dispersive near-infrared spectrophotometer. A near-infrared spectrum-based support vector machine was used for these purposes, but the screening resulted in low accuracy thought to be caused by the intrinsically device-dependent features of the spectra data. Thus, principal component analysis was performed to collect the proper components to discriminate low-quality products from standard products. The principal component score-based support vector machine was able to produce highly accurate results, identifying falsified products with no false positive cases. Graphical Abstract
Examining the Relationship Between Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Emotion Regulation in Self-Injury

Abstract Objective The objective of the current study was to investigate whether mindfulness and self-compassion are negatively associated with engagement in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and whether emotion dysregulation would mediate this relation. Method 343 participants (82.2% female; M age = 23.98; SD = 7.47) were recruited from university and community settings, and completed online questionnaires. Two groups of participants were created: those with lifetime engagement in NSSI (n = 153) and a comparison group with no prior engagement in NSSI (n = 190). Results First, two one-way MANOVAs revealed significant mean differences (NSSI/comparison) across the self-compassion dimensions and specific mindfulness facets. Second, logistic regressions revealed that the self-coldness dimension of self-compassion significantly predicted engagement in NSSI, and specific mindfulness facets (nonjudging and acting with awareness) were found to negatively predict NSSI engagement. Lastly, mediation analyses revealed that emotion dysregulation fully mediated the relationships between both mindfulness total and self-coldness, and NSSI group status. Conclusion The present study demonstrates preliminary support for the protective role of key mindfulness facets and potential risk of the self-coldness aspect of self-compassion in NSSI engagement. Implications for potential use of treatment protocols may include teaching key aspects of mindfulness and self-compassion as healthier and kinder alternatives to coping with dysregulated emotions. Highlights Mindfulness and self-compassion significantly differ between NSSI/comparison groups Key mindfulness facets and self-compassion dimensions negatively predict engagement in NSSI Emotion dysregulation fully mediates self-coldness and mindfulness with NSSI group status
Transepithelial Laser versus Alcohol Assisted Photorefractive Keratectomy Safety and Efficacy: 1-Year Follow-up of a Contralateral Eye Study

Purpose To compare single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) to conventional alcohol assisted epithelial removal then photorefractive keratectomy (AAPRK) regarding pain, epithelial healing, visual acuity, corneal haze measured subjectively and objectively, higher order aberrations changes, contrast sensitivity and vector analysis of astigmatic correction with one year follow-up. Methods A prospective double-blind randomized study of 29 subjects (58 eyes) who underwent myopic aberration-free laser correction by smart pulse technology using Schwind Amaris 1050 Hz with 1-year follow-up. Right eye was randomly treated by AAPRK or TPRK. Postoperative assessment was performed on day 1 and 3, at 1st week, and 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. Patients were assessed for pain, epithelial healing, visual acuity, corneal haze, astigmatic correction, higher order aberrations and contrast sensitivity. Results Epithelial healing was complete by the 3rd day in 62.1% of AAPRK eyes and in 89.7% of TPRK eyes. First day postoperative pain was higher in TPRK group (p = 0.0134). The decimal uncorrected visual acuity at 12 months was 1.47 ± 0.39 and 1.57 ± 0.38 in the AAPRK and TPRK groups respectively (p = 0.3719). Post-photorefractive keratectomy haze reached a final level of 0.04 ± 0.14 and 0.02 ± 0.1 in AAPRK and TPRK groups respectively (p = 0.5607). Contrast sensitivity was comparable in low and high frequency cycles per degree. Vector analysis of astigmatic correction showed correction index at one year of 0.99 and 1.05 for AAPRK and TPRK groups respectively. Conclusions Alcohol assisted and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy have comparable results regarding safety and efficacy.
Macaque monkey trigeminal blink reflex circuits targeting orbicularis oculi motoneurons

The trigeminal blink reflex plays an important role in protecting the corneal surface from damage and preserving visual function in an unpredictable environment. The closing phase of the human reflex, produced by activation of the orbicularis oculi (ObOc) muscles, consists of an initial, small, ipsilateral R1 component, followed by a larger, bilateral R2 component. We investigated the circuitry that underlies this reflex in macaque (Macaca fascicularis and Macaca mulatta) monkeys by the use of single and dual tracer methods. Injection of retrograde tracer into the facial nucleus labeled neurons in the principal trigeminal nucleus, and in the spinal nucleus pars oralis and interpolaris, bilaterally, and in pars caudalis, ipsilaterally. Injection of anterograde tracer into the principal trigeminal nucleus labeled axons that directly terminated on ObOc motoneurons, with an ipsilateral predominance. Injection of anterograde tracer into pars caudalis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus labeled axons that directly terminated on ipsilateral ObOc motoneurons. The observed pattern of labeling indicates that the reticular formation ventromedial to the principal and spinal nuclei also contributes extensive bilateral input to ObOc motoneurons. Thus, much of the trigeminal sensory complex is in a position to supply a monosynaptic drive for lid closure, and the adjacent reticular formation can supply a disynaptic drive. These findings indicate that the assignment of the R1 and R2 components of the blink reflex to different parts of the trigeminal sensory complex cannot be exclusively based on subdivision connectional relationships with facial motoneurons. The characteristics of the R2 component may be due, instead, to other circuit properties.
Comparative study of different transplantation methods of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells in the treatment of erectile dysfunction caused by cavernous nerve injury

We aimed to compare intracavernosal injection (ICI), tail vein injection (IV), and periprostatic injection (PPI) of adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) for their ability to improve erectile function in cavernous nerve injury‐induced erectile dysfunction (CNIED) rats and to explore the possible mechanism. Eighty‐four male SD rats were divided into the sham group (n = 6), BCNI group (bilateral CN crush injury, n = 6), PBS‐ICI group (n = 6), PBS‐IV group (n = 6), PBS‐PPI group (n = 6), ADSC‐ICI group (n = 18), ADSC‐IV group (n = 18) and ADSC‐PPI group (n = 18). ADSCs were labelled with 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU), and six rats each in the ADSC‐ICI group, ADSC‐IV group, and ADSC‐PPI group were sacrificed 2, 7, and 28 days after injection. EdU‐labelled ADSCs were tracked by immunofluorescence staining. The intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)‐positive nerve fibres in the dorsal penile nerve and the smooth muscle/collagen ratio in the cavernosum between groups were also evaluated. ADSCs can significantly improve erectile function through ICI or IV. The two are similar in efficacy and superior to PPI. The mechanism may be that after CN injury, ADSCs are recruited to around the MPG and secrete a variety of neurotrophic factors that promote the repair of the CN, thereby improving erectile function.
Sex and age-related differences in cerebral blood flow investigated using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging

Adequate cerebral blood flow (CBF) is essential to a healthy central nervous system (CNS). Previous work suggests that CBF differs between men and women, and declines with age and certain pathologies, but a highly controlled systematic study across a wide age range, and incorporating white matter (WM) regions, has not been undertaken. Here, we investigate age- and sex-related differences in CBF in gray matter (GM) and WM regions in a cohort (N = 80) of cognitively unimpaired individuals over a wide age range. In agreement with literature, we find that GM regions exhibited lower CBF with age. In contrast, WM regions exhibited higher CBF with age in various cerebral regions. We attribute this new finding to increased oligodendrocyte metabolism to maintain myelin homeostasis in the setting of increased myelin turnover with age. Further, consistent with prior studies, we found that CBF was higher in women than in men in all brain structures investigated. Our work provides new insights into the effects of age and sex on CBF. In addition, our results provide reference CBF values for the standard ASL protocol recommended by the ISMRM Perfusion Study Group and the European ASL in Dementia consortium. Thus, these results provide a foundation for further investigations of CNS perfusion in a variety of settings, including aging, cerebrovascular diseases, and dementias.