Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Human-Milk Substitutes Marketing on Breastfeeding Intention and Practice among Native and Immigrant Brazilians

Background The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes is a global public health policy aiming to protect breastfeeding from the influence of human-milk substitutes marketing. Brazil is one of the few countries substantially implementing it. Most countries adopted selected provisions, including Portugal. Research Aim To explore whether Brazilians’ perspectives about breastfeeding intention and practice are influenced by human-milk substitutes marketing upon migration to Portugal. Methods A qualitative, prospective, cross-sectional survey design was conducted in Brazil and Portugal (2018–2019). Qualitative semi-structured interviews were performed with native (n = 16) and immigrant (n = 15) Brazilians. Women aged 18 or above, mothers of 0–12 month infants, and without contraindications to breastfeed, were eligible for the study. Heterogeneity sampling was employed based on socioeconomic status and infants’ age. Content analysis was conducted using NVivo. Results Brazilian immigrants were more aware of the potential negative influence of human-milk substitutes marketing than natives. Sociocultural factors contributed to Brazilian immigrants being less permeable to the influence of human-milk substitutes marketing in the host country, where a less protective breastfeeding environment was perceived. Conclusions Sociocultural factors including breastfeeding promotion strategies and a strong breastfeeding culture in the home country appear to play a protective role on breastfeeding intention and practice among Brazilians migrating to Portugal.
Butyrate ameliorates maternal high-fat diet-induced fetal liver cellular apoptosis

A maternal high-fat diet (HFD) can impact the offspring’s development of liver steatosis, with fetal development in utero being a crucial period. Therefore, this study investigated the mechanism and whether butyrate can rescue liver injury caused by maternal HFD in the fetus. Pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, prenatal HFD (58% fat) exposure or normal control diet (4.5% fat). The HFD group was fed an HFD 7 weeks before mating and during gestation until sacrifice at gestation 21 days. After confirmation of mating, the other HFD group was supplemented with sodium butyrate (HFSB). The results showed that maternal liver histology showed lipid accumulation with steatosis and shortened ileum villi in HFD, which was ameliorated in the HFSB group (P<0.05). There was increased fetal liver and ileum TUNEL staining and IL-6 expression with increased fetal liver TNF-α and malondialdehyde expression in the HFD group (P<0.05), which decreased in the HFSB group (P<0.05). The fetal liver expression of phospho-AKT/AKT and GPX1 decreased in the HFD group but increased in the HFSB group (P<0.05). In conclusion that oxidative stress with inflammation and apoptosis plays a vital role after maternal HFD in the fetus liver that can be ameliorated with butyrate supplementation.
Age, Individual Resources, and Perceived Expectations for Active Aging: General and Domain-Specific Effects

Exposure to expectations for active aging may be modulated by age and individual resources (socioeconomic status, social integration, and health) via multiple pathways. Using a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of adults aged 17 to 94 (N = 2,007), we investigated the relations between age, individual resources, and perceived expectations for active aging (PEAA) in three domains (physical health, mental health, and social engagement). Across domains, young adults and individuals aged 70+ reported slightly lower PEAA than emerging adults did; no other age differences emerged. Multiple regression showed that a higher subjective socioeconomic status, better perceived general health, and partnership (in older adults) predicted higher PEAA (almost) across domains, whereas church attendance, employment status, and occupational prestige yielded domain- and age-specific effects, which were not always positive. We conclude that the effects of individual resources on PEAA are limited in general but vary depending on life domain and age.
Rock1 is a novel host dependency factor of human enterovirus A71: Implication as a drug target

Human enterovirus A71 (EV‐A71) is the major causative agent of hand‐foot‐and‐mouth disease (HFMD) commonly associated with severe neurological diseases, particularly in children under 5 years of age. Several investigational therapeutic agents and vaccine candidates are being developed. However, no approved drug against EV‐A71 infection is available, and no proven drug target has been identified. Since host kinases are key regulators of multiple signaling pathways in response to viral infections, here we screened a kinase inhibitor library and identified potent inhibitors against EV‐A71 infection. Among the hits, GSK269962A, a Rho Associated Coiled‐Coil Containing Protein Kinase (Rock) inhibitor with potent antiviral activity, was selected for further analysis. We found that this Rock inhibitor not only efficiently suppressed the replication of EV‐A71 in RD cells, but also in human intestinal organoids, in a dose‐dependent manner. Interestingly, small interfering RNA depletion of Rock1, but not Rock2, significantly restricted viral replication in RD cells, indicating that Rock1 is a novel host dependency factor for EV‐A71 replication and can serve as a target for the development of anti‐EV‐A71 therapeutics.
β2-subunit alternative splicing stabilizes Cav2.3 Ca2+ channel activity during continuous midbrain dopamine neuron-like activity

In dopaminergic (DA) Substantia nigra (SN) neurons Cav2.3 R-type Ca2+-currents contribute to somatodendritic Ca2+-oscillations. This activity may contribute to the selective degeneration of these neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD) since Cav2.3-knockout is neuroprotective in a PD mouse model. Here, we show that in tsA-201-cells the membrane-anchored β2-splice variants β2a and β2e are required to stabilize Cav2.3 gating properties allowing sustained Cav2.3 availability during simulated pacemaking and enhanced Ca2+-currents during bursts. We confirmed the expression of β2a- and β2e-subunit transcripts in the mouse SN and in identified SN DA neurons. Patch-clamp recordings of mouse DA midbrain neurons in culture and SN DA neurons in brain slices revealed SNX-482-sensitive R-type Ca2+-currents with voltage-dependent gating properties that suggest modulation by β2a- and/or β2e-subunits. Thus, β-subunit alternative splicing may prevent a fraction of Cav2.3 channels from inactivation in continuously active, highly vulnerable SN DA neurons, thereby also supporting Ca2+ signals contributing to the (patho)physiological role of Cav2.3 channels in PD.
Polyploidization of Hepatocytes: Insights into the Pathogenesis of Liver Diseases

Polyploidization is a process by which cells are induced to possess more than two sets of chromosomes. Although polyploidization is not frequent in mammals, it is closely associated with development and differentiation of specific tissues and organs. The liver is one of the mammalian organs that displays ploidy dynamics in physiological homeostasis during its development. The ratio of polyploid hepatocytes increases significantly in response to hepatic injury from aging, viral infection, iron overload, surgical resection, or metabolic overload, such as that from non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs). One of the unique features of NAFLD is the marked heterogeneity of hepatocyte nuclear size, which is strongly associated with an adverse liver-related outcome, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and liver-related death. Thus, hepatic polyploidization has been suggested as a potential driver in the progression of NAFLDs that are involved in the control of the multiple pathogenicity of the diseases. However, the importance of polyploidy in diverse pathophysiological contexts remains elusive. Recently, several studies reported successful improvement of symptoms of NAFLDs by reducing pathological polyploidy or by controlling cell cycle progression in animal models, suggesting that better understanding the mechanisms of pathological hepatic polyploidy may provide insights into the treatment of hepatic disorders.
High clustering rate and genotypic drug-susceptibility screening for the newly recommended anti-tuberculosis drugs among global extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates

ABSTRACT Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) make TB difficult to control. Global susceptibility data for six newly recommended anti-TB drugs against M/XDR-TB are still limited. Using publicly available whole-genome sequences, we determined the proportion of 513 phenotypically XDR-TB isolates that carried mutations associated with resistance against these drugs (bedaquiline, clofazimine, linezolid, delamanid, pretomanid and cycloserine). Mutations of Rv0678 and Rv1979c were detected in 69/513 isolates (13.5%) for bedaquiline resistance and 79/513 isolates (15.4%) for clofazimine resistance with additional mmpL5 mutations. Mutations conferring resistance to delamanid were detected in fbiB and ddn genes for 11/513 isolates (2.1%). For pretomanid, a mutation was detected in the ddn gene for 3/513 isolates (0.6%). Nineteen mutations of pykA, cycA, ald, and alr genes, conferring resistance to cycloserine, were found in 153/513 isolates (29.8%). No known mutations associated with linezolid resistance were detected. Cluster analysis showed that 408/513 isolates fell within 99 clusters and that 354 of these isolates were possible primary drug-resistant TB (292 XDR-TB, 57 pre-XDR-TB and 5 MDR-TB). Clonal transmission of primary XDR isolates might contribute significantly to the high prevalence of DR-TB globally.
The use of aromatherapy in alleviating anxiety

OBJECTIVES: To determine how the use of essential oils (OE) Lavender and Geranium change the perception of anxiety, and to compare their effectiveness in treating anxiety. METHODS: The sample included students from the first year of nursing school who were randomized into three groups: two groups received OE (in a gel polymer-based) and the other received a placebo (essence of Rose). A previously validated scale was used to assess anxiety. It was administered before the end of 30 and 60 days of use of aromatic gels. RESULTS: The group using Lavender exhibited a reduction of -11.80 in mean scores on the anxiety scale, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although not statistically significant, there was greater efficacy of Lavender EO in reducing anxiety.
Optimization of the production conditions of tri-GOS and lactosucrose from lactose and sucrose with recombinant β -galactosidase

Abstract Few studies expressed the β-galactosidase encoding gene from L. plantarum in E. coli so far. In the present study, the recombinant β-galactosidase from L. plantarum FMNP01 was used as a catalyst in transgalactosylation to form tri-GOS and lactosucrose. In the presence of lactose and sucrose, six transfer products were formed in the transgalactosylation reaction with recombinant β-galactosidase L.pFMNP01Gal as a catalyst. Three transfer products were tri-galacto-oligosaccharides (tri-GOS), lactosucrose, and lactulose; the other three transfer products needed to be identified further. Based on a single factor test and response surface methodological approach, the optimal transgalactosylation conditions of the production of tri-GOS and lactosucrose were determined as initial sugar concentration of 50%, lactose: sucrose ratio of 1:2, enzyme concentration of 3 U/mL, and reaction time of 6 h at 50 °C resulting in a maximum tri-GOS concentration of 47.69 ± 1.36 g/L and a maximum lactosucrose concentration of 8.18 ± 0.97 g/L.
Implementation of an electroencephalogram‐guided propofol anesthesia education program in an academic pediatric anesthesia practice

Propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is increasingly popular in pediatric anesthesia, but education on its use is variable and over‐dosage adverse events are not uncommon. Recent work suggests that electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters can guide propofol dosing in the pediatric population. This education quality improvement project aimed to implement a standardized EEG TIVA training program over 12 months in a large pediatric anesthesia division.
Island Perforator Muscle Flaps for Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Lower Extremities: A Retrospective Analysis of 21 Consecutive Cases

Background: One of the procedures for treating chronic osteomyelitis is the management of dead space resulting from aggressive débridement of the marrow cavity. To fill the void created by débridement, various muscle flaps have been recommended by many surgeons for their convenience and antiinfective properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of island perforator muscle flaps for the reconstruction of chronic osteomyelitis débridement defects of the lower extremities and provide indications for the selection of the muscle flap. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremities who underwent reconstruction using the island perforator muscle flap procedure from 2015 through 2018 was conducted. Data were collected on characteristics of the patients, wound site, wound size, surgical procedure, muscle choice, and wound healing. Results: For the 21 patients included in the study, all muscle flaps survived. Wounds healed completely within 4 weeks. No infection relapses were identified during the follow-up period of at least 12 months. Simple primary closure, with no additional incision in the donor site, was achieved in five patients. In eight patients, an additional incision was made to harvest a muscle flap, but both the wound and donor site were closed primarily. Conclusion: The results showed that the island perforator muscle flap is less invasive, easy to harvest, and effective, and can be a good choice for the management of dead space resulting from débridement for chronic osteomyelitis in the lower extremity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Extra‐Poisson Variation in Log‐Linear Models

Pocock et al. (1981) proposed a large sample solution to the problem of fitting regression models to tables of rates when the residual variation is substantially in excess of that expected from Poisson sampling theory. Operationally, their method consists of making iterated weighted least squares fits to approximately normally distributed dependent variables consisting of the observed rates or their logarithms. The variance of each observation is assumed equal to the sampling variance of the (transformed) rate plus an unknown constant representing extraneous sources of variability. Williams (1982) subsequently introduced a similar scheme for handling extra-binomial variation in linear-logistic models whether fitted by weighted least squares or maximum likelihood. This note adapts his procedure to the Poisson case and compares results obtained by different methods with several sets of data. The primary goal is to demonstrate the utility of such procedures and to show that they may be readily implemented using standard software.
Automata-theoretic and datalog-based solutions of monadic second-order logic evaluation problems over structures of bounded-treewidth

We propose automata-theoretic and datalog-based solutions for the Monadic Second Order (MSO) evaluation problem over finite structures of bounded treewidth, and then extend this approach to MSO-definable optimization problems. More precisely, we introduce decompositionautomata which can be thought as a generalization of assignment automata defined in [14]; these automata, running over tree-decompositions of an input structure, directly compute solutions to the considered MSO evaluation problems. The constructive proof of this result provides a direct reduction of the initial MSO evaluation problem to a decomposition-automata evaluation problem. We then use datalog and its optimization techniques to implement the computation mechanism of decomposition automata in order to provide optimized datalog solutions for the initial MSO evaluation problems. Since the automata construction can be completely expressed in datalog, we show that given an MSO formula we can directly define datalog queries that compute the solutions to the considered problems. The resulting datalog programs prove that k-ary MSOdefinable queries over structures of bounded-treewidth are definable in datalog of arity k + 1, generalizing the result of [17] that unary MSO-definable queries are monadic datalog definable, and extending the corresponding result of [14] proven for the case of trees. Finally, we illustrate our approach by applying it in order to solve VERTEX COVER and related optimization problems.
A Comparison

Previous research has sought to quantify head impact exposure using wearable kinematic sensors. However, many sensors suffer from poor accuracy in estimating impact kinematics and count, motivating the need for additional independent impact exposure quantification for comparison. Here, we equipped seven collegiate American football players with instrumented mouthguards, and video recorded practices and games to compare video-based and sensor-based exposure rates and impact location distributions. Over 50 player-hours, we identified 271 helmet contact periods in video, while the instrumented mouthguard sensor recorded 2,032 discrete head impacts. Matching video and mouthguard real-time stamps yielded 193 video-identified helmet contact periods and 217 sensor-recorded impacts. To compare impact locations, we binned matched impacts into frontal, rear, side, oblique, and top locations based on video observations and sensor kinematics. While both video-based and sensor-based methods found similar location distributions, our best method utilizing integrated linear and angular position only correctly predicted 81 of 217 impacts. Finally, based on the activity timeline from video assessment, we also developed a new exposure metric unique to American football quantifying number of cross-verified sensor impacts per player-play. We found significantly higher exposure during games (0.35, 95% CI: 0.29-0.42) than practices (0.20, 95% CI: 0.17-0.23) (p<0.05). In the traditional impacts per player-hour metric, we observed higher exposure during practices (4.7) than games (3.7) due to increased player activity in practices. Thus, our exposure metric accounts for variability in on-field participation. While both video-based and sensor-based exposure datasets have limitations, they can complement one another to provide more confidence in exposure statistics.
ROLE OF TOTAL PLANT DRY WEIGHT IN THE ASSESSMENT OF VARIATION FOR SALINITY TOLERANCE IN Gossypium hirsutum (L.)

The study was conducted in the green house of Plant Breeding and Genetics Department with the cooperation of the staff working in the saline Agriculture Laboratories, Dep artment of Soil Sciences, University of Agriculture to assess the response of eighteen cotton varieties to four NaCl levels i. e. 100, 150, 200 and 250 mm and one without added salt. Based upon total plant dry weight examined for preliminary varietal comparison were significantly affected by salinity, yet varieties ranging from more tolerant to highly sensitive were identif ied base upon relative and absolute salt tolerant. Cultivars NlAB-78, B821, MNH-93, BH-36, BH-74, CIM-434, S-12 and S-14 were categorized as most tolerant to NaCl and cultiv ars CIM-1100, CIM-109, CIM-240 and FH-682 were proved to be moderately tolerant. The cultivars Karishma, Raishmi, SL S-1, and RH-1 were identified as the most sensitive to salinity. This data revealed differing tolerant of the cultiv ars and consequently existence of variation in salt tolerance in Gossypium hirsutum (L) . On the basis of high broad sense heritabiliti es, a potentially useful advance in NaCl tolerance seems possible to achieve by the selecting individual pla nt at the seedling stage.
The Diet of Two Sympatric Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Subspecies Wintering at Freshwater Fishery Sites in England and Wales

The recent increase in Cormorant numbers in the UK and the increasing use of inland feeding sites by the birds have created conflicts at many freshwater fisheries. Information on the prey composition of Cormorants foraging at such sites is important in understanding these conflicts and in providing a sound basis for management. Two subspecies of Great Cormorant, the continental subspecies Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis and the Atlantic subspecies Phalacrocorax carbo carbo occur in the UK and forage sympatrically. This study presents information on the winter diet of over 1400 Cormorants shot at inland fishery sites over an eleven-year period. A wide range of prey species were identified, but five fish species compromised almost 80% of the prey items recorded by number, and most prey items were small (≤10 cm). Dietary differences, in terms of the species, sizes and number of fish consumed, were apparent between birds of different sex and subspecies, consistent with the differing sizes of the birds. The largest birds (male P. c. carbo) tended to consume fewer, larger fish and the smallest birds (female P. c. sinensis) more, smaller items. Bird size also appears to influence foraging site selection, with male P. c. carbo more likely to forage on fisheries, such as put-and-take trout fisheries, where larger prey items were available.
Feather mites of the genus Brephosceles Hull, 1934 (Acariformes: Alloptidae) from the European storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus (Procellariiformes: Hydrobatidae)

Abstract Three feather mite species of the genus Brephosceles Hull, 1934 (Alloptidae: Alloptinae) were found on the European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (Procellariiformes: Hydrobatidae), in the Mediterranean Sea and North-east Atlantic Ocean. Brephosceles holoplax sp. n. is described as a new species; B. pelagicus (Vitzthum, 1921) and B. longirostris (Vitzthum, 1921) comb. n. formerly known only from females are redescribed from both sexes. The latter species has been transferred from the genus Alloptes Canestrini, 1879. All descriptions are supported by DNA barcode data.