Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The MyToolbox EU–China Partnership—Progress and Future Directions in Mycotoxin Research and Management

Affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors along the chain are required to efficiently reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination of crops, feeds and foods. Developing new tools and enhancing existing ones was the mission of MyToolBox—a four-year EU-project that included important Chinese partners and joint research efforts. To identify future directions in mycotoxin research and management in China and their role in China–EU relations, a unique stakeholder workshop including group discussions was organized in Beijing. Six related topics: biocontrol, forecasting, sampling and analysis, silo management, detoxification, and the development of safe use options for contaminated materials were covered. The discussions clearly identified a critical need for smart, integrated strategies to address mycotoxin issues to attain safer food and feed, and to minimize losses and export rejections. Managing data on when, where and the size of mycotoxin contamination events and identifying the institution(s) to manage them are complex issues in China. Studies of microbes and novel, genetically-altered enzymes to limit pre-harvest contamination and to manage post-harvest product detoxification and alternate uses of contaminated materials are in the early stages in China. Further efforts are needed to increase the visibility of mycotoxin problems beyond the scientific and research communities.
Cointegration analysis of broiler meat and broiler feed prices in Turkey

1Department of Animal Health Economics and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fırat University, Elazıg, Turkey 2Department of Livestock Economics and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey 3Department of Animal Health Economics and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey 4Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
Novel Alzheimer risk genes determine the microglia response to amyloid-β but not to TAU pathology

Background Thousands of SNPs associated with risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) do not reach genome-wide significance. When combined, they contribute however to a highly predictive polygenic risk score. The relevance of these subthreshold risk genes to disease, and how their combined predictive power translates into functionally relevant disease pathways, is unknown. We investigate here at the genome-wide level and in an unbiased way to what extent AD risk genes show altered gene expression in the context of increasing Aβ or Tau pathology in mouse models of AD. Methods We used an existing GWAS data set to generate lists of candidate AD genes at different levels of significance. We performed transcriptomic analysis on wild-type and transgenic APP/PS1 (APPtg) and Thy-TAU22 (TAUtg) mouse models at early and late stage of disease. We used unbiased weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify clusters of co-regulated genes responsive to Aβ or TAU pathology. Gene set enrichment was used to identify clusters that were enriched for AD risk genes. Findings Consistent and significant enrichment of AD risk genes was found in only one out of 63 co-expression modules. This module is highly responsive to Aβ but not to TAU pathology. We identify in this module 18 AD risk genes (p-value=9.0e-11) including 11 new ones, GPC2, TREML2, SYK, GRN, SLC2A5, SAMSN1, PYDC1, HEXB, RRBP1, LYN and BLNK. All are expressed in microglia, have a binding site for the transcription factor SPI1 (PU.1), and become significantly upregulated when exposed to Aβ. A subset regulates FC-gamma receptor mediated phagocytosis. Interpretation Genetic risk of AD is functionally translated into a microglia pathway responsive to Aβ pathology. This insight integrates aspects of the amyloid hypothesis with genetic risk associated to sporadic AD.
Decision‐making and best practices for taxonomy‐free environmental DNA metabarcoding in biomonitoring using Hill numbers

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is raising expectations for biomonitoring of organisms that have hitherto been neglected. To bypass current limitations in taxonomic assignments due to incomplete or erroneous reference databases, taxonomy‐free approaches are proposed for biomonitoring at the level of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). This is challenging, because OTUs cannot be annotated and directly compared against classically derived taxonomic data. The application of good stringency treatments to infer the validity of OTUs and clear understanding of the consequences of such treatments is especially relevant for biodiversity assessments. We investigated how common practices of stringency filtering affect eDNA diversity estimates in the statistical framework of Hill numbers. We collected water eDNA samples at 61 sites across a 740‐km2 river catchment, reflecting a spatially realistic scenario in biomonitoring. After bioinformatic processing of the data, we studied how different stringency treatments affect conclusions with respect to biodiversity at the catchment and site levels. The applied stringency treatments were based on the consistent appearance of OTUs across filter replicates, a relative abundance cut‐off and rarefaction. We detected large differences in diversity estimates when accounting for presence/absence only, such that detected diversity at the catchment scale differed by an order of magnitude between the treatments. These differences disappeared when using stringency treatments with increasing weighting of the OTU abundances. Our study demonstrated the usefulness of Hill numbers for biodiversity analyses and comparisons of eDNA data sets that strongly differ in diversity. We recommend best practice for data stringency filtering for biomonitoring using eDNA.
Associations Between Cyberbullying Perpetration, Sleep Quality, and Emotional Distress Among Adolescents

Abstract Previous studies demonstrate that cyberbullying perpetration and sleep quality likely have vital linkages to each other and to emotional distress. In this article, we examine the bidirectional association between cyberbullying perpetration, sleep quality, and emotional distress in a longitudinal data set with two waves of data collection (T1 and T2, 8 months apart). The participants included 661 Chinese junior high school students (n = 661; mean age, 14.02; 61.4% male) who filled out the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory–Cyberbullying Subscale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Results revealed that cyberbullying and sleep quality would predict each other over time, and significant bidirectional relationships were found between sleep quality and emotional distress across T1 and T2. Cyberbullying at T1 would not predict the emotional distress at T2, whereas emotional distress at T1 was associated with cyberbullying at T2.
Repeated Wingate sprints is a feasible high-quality training strategy in moderate hypoxia

Sprint-interval training (SIT) is efficient at improving maximal aerobic capacity and anaerobic fitness at sea-level and may be a feasible training strategy at altitude. Here, it was evaluated if SIT intensity can be maintained in mild to moderate hypoxia. It was hypothesized that 6 x 30 s Wingate sprint performance with 2 min active rest between sprints can be performed in hypoxic conditions corresponding to ~3,000 m of altitude without reducing mean power output (MPO). In a single-blinded, randomized crossover design, ten highly-trained male endurance athletes with a maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) of 68 ± 5 mL O2 × min-1 × kg-1 completed 6 x 30 s all-out Wingate cycling sprints separated by two-minute active recovery on four separate days in a hypobaric chamber. The ambient pressure within the chamber on each experimental day was 772 mmHg (~0 m), 679 mmHg (~915 m), 585 mmHg (~ 2,150 m), and 522 mmHg (~3,050 m), respectively. MPO was not different at sea-level and up to ~2,150 m (~1% and ~3% non-significant decrements at ~915 and ~2,150 m, respectively), whereas MPO was ~5% lower (P<0.05) at ~3,050 m. Temporal differences between altitudes was not different for peak power output (PPO), despite a main effect of altitude. In conclusion, repeated Wingate exercise can be completed by highly-trained athletes at altitudes up to ~2,150 m without compromising MPO or PPO. In contrast, MPO was compromised in hypobaric hypoxia corresponding to ~3,050 m. Thus, SIT may be an efficient strategy for athletes sojourning to moderate altitude and aiming to maintain training quality.
Clinician and computer: a study on patient perceptions of artificial intelligence in skeletal radiography

Background Up to half of all musculoskeletal injuries are investigated with plain radiographs. However, high rates of image interpretation error mean that novel solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) are being explored. Objectives To determine patient confidence in clinician-led radiograph interpretation, the perception of AI-assisted interpretation and management, and to identify factors which might influence these views. Methods A novel questionnaire was distributed to patients attending fracture clinic in a large inner-city teaching hospital. Categorical and Likert scale questions were used to assess participant demographics, daily electronics use, pain score and perceptions towards AI used to assist in interpretation of their radiographs, and guide management. Results 216 questionnaires were included (M=126, F=90). Significantly higher confidence in clinician rather than AI-assisted interpretation was observed (clinician=9.20, SD=1.27 vs AI=7.06, SD=2.13), 95.4% reported favouring clinician over AI-performed interpretation in the event of disagreement. Small positive correlations were observed between younger age/educational achievement and confidence in AI-assistance. Students demonstrated similarly increased confidence (8.43, SD 1.80), and were over-represented in the minority who indicated a preference for AI-assessment over their clinicians (50%). Conclusions Participant’s held the clinician’s assessment in the highest regard and expressed a clear preference for it over the hypothetical AI assessment. However, robust confidence scores for the role of AI-assistance in interpreting skeletal imaging suggest patients view the technology favourably. Findings indicate that younger, more educated patients are potentially more comfortable with a role for AI-assistance however further research is needed to overcome the small number of responses on which these observations are based.
Sexual orientation predicts men’s preferences for sexually dimorphic face-shape characteristics: A replication study

Many researchers have proposed that straight men prefer women’s faces displaying feminine shape characteristics at least partly because mating with such women will produce healthier offspring. Although a prediction of this adaptation-for-mate-choice hypothesis is that straight men will show stronger preferences for feminized versus masculinized versions of women’s faces than will gay men, only one previous study has directly tested this prediction. Here we directly replicated that study by comparing 623 gay and 3163 straight men’s preferences for feminized versus masculinized versions of faces. Consistent with the adaptation-for-mate-choice hypothesis of straight men’s femininity preferences, we found that straight men showed significantly stronger preferences for feminized female faces than did gay men. Consistent with previous research suggesting that gay men place a premium on masculinity in potential romantic partners, we also found that gay men showed significantly stronger preferences for masculinized versions of male faces than did straight men. Together, these findings indicate the sexual orientation contributes to individual differences in men’s face preferences.
Metabolomics of Interstitial Fluid, Plasma and Urine in Patients with Arterial Hypertension: New Insights into the Underlying Mechanisms

There is growing evidence that lymphatic system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Here, for the first time, the metabolome of interstitial fluid is analyzed in patients with arterial hypertension. Due to ethical issues to obtain human interstitial fluid samples, this study included only oncological patients after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). These patients were matched into hypertensive (n = 29) and normotensive (n = 35) groups with similar oncological status. Simultaneous evaluation of interstitial fluid, plasma, and urine was obtained by combining high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy with chemometric analysis. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) provided a clear differentiation between the hypertension and normotensive group, with the discrimination visible in each biofluid. In interstitial fluid nine potential metabolomic biomarkers for hypertension could be identified (creatinine, proline, pyroglutamine, glycine, alanine, 1-methylhistidine, the lysyl group of albumin, threonine, lipids), seven distinct markers in plasma (creatinine, mannose, isobutyrate, glycine, alanine, lactate, acetate, ornithine), and seven respectively in urine (methylmalonate, citrulline, phenylacetylglycine, fumarate, citrate, 1-methylnicotinamide, trans-aconitate). Biomarkers in plasma and urine allowed for the identification of specific biochemical pathways involved in hypertension, as previously suggested. Analysis of the interstitial fluid metabolome provided additional biomarkers compared to plasma or urine. Those biomarkers reflected primarily alterations in the metabolism of lipids and amino acids, and indicated increased levels of oxidative stress/inflammation in patients with hypertension.
Annexin A1 drives macrophage skewing towards a resolving phenotype to accelerate the regeneration of muscle injury through AMPK activation

Understanding the circuits that promote an efficient resolution of inflammation is crucial to deciphering the molecular and cellular processes required to promote tissue repair. Macrophages play a central role in the regulation of inflammation, resolution and repair/regeneration. Using a model of skeletal muscle injury and repair, herein we identify Annexin A1 (AnxA1) as the extracellular trigger of macrophage skewing towards a pro-reparative phenotype. Brought into the injured tissue initially by migrated neutrophils, and then over-expressed in infiltrating macrophages, AnxA1 activates FPR2/ALX receptors and the downstream AMPK signalling cascade leading to macrophage skewing, dampening of inflammation and regeneration of muscle fibres. Mice lacking AnxA1 in all cells or in myeloid cells only display a defect in this reparative process. In vitro experiments recapitulated these properties, with AMPK null macrophages lacking AnxA1-mediated polarization. Collectively, these data identify the AnxA1/FPR2/AMPK axis as a novel pathway in skeletal muscle injury regeneration.
Impact of Tumor LINE-1 Methylation Level and Neoadjuvant Treatment and Its Association with Colorectal Cancer Survival

Recent studies suggest that long-interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) hypomethylation is commonly found in colorectal cancer (CRC), and is associated with worse prognosis. However, the utility of LINE-1 methylation on the prognosis of CRC is still controversial, and may be due to the fact that some clinical and pathological features may affect LINE-1 methylation. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of tumor LINE-1 methylation in CRC, through their association with the CRC clinical and pathological characteristics. Survival of sixty-seven CRC patients was evaluated according to the median of tumor LINE-1 methylation, as well as pathological and oncological variables. We also studied the association between LINE-1 methylation and pathological features, and finally, we assessed the overall and disease-free survival of LINE1 methylation, stratified by neoadjuvant treatment and further checked by multivariate Cox regression to assess the statistical interactions. LINE-1 was hypomethylated in the CRC tumor with respect to the tumor adjacent-free area (p < 0.05), without association with any other clinical and oncological features, nor with overall and disease-free survival rates for CRC. Relevantly, in neoadjuvant treatment, LINE-1 methylation was associated with survival rates. Thus, disease-free and overall survival rates of treated CRC patients were worse in the hypomethylated LINE-1 tumors than those with normal LINE-1 methylation (p = 0.004 and 0.0049, respectively). Indeed, LINE-1 was hypermethylated more in the treated patients than in the non-treated patients (p < 0.05). The present study showed that tumor LINE-1 hypomethylation was associated with worse survival rates in only treated patients. Our data suggest an interactive effect of neoadjuvant treatment and tumor LINE-1 methylation, which could be a specific-tissue biomarker to predict survival of the treated patients, and help to personalize treatment in CRC.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Ampithoe lacertosa Spence Bate, 1858 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Ampithoidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of a herbivorous amphipod, Ampithoe lacertosa, has been determined for the first time in the present study. The total mitogenome length of A. lacertosa was 14,607 bp with 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. lacertosa belonged to the families Caprellidae, Hyalellidae, Hyalidae, and Talitridae in the same clade, and to the suborder Senticaudata within Amphipoda. This is the first record of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the family Ampithoidae.
Application of Proteomic Technologies to Assess the Quality of Raw Pork and Pork Products: An Overview from Farm-To-Fork

Simple Summary The swine industry has an important interest in becoming more efficient and innovative, fitting with the consumer demand in terms of pork quality, meat pig welfare conditions, and the environmental aspects. This paper deals with the productive (breed, diet, stress) and technological (aging, cooking) factors that affect fresh pork and elaborates the quality of products by using proteomic tools for assessing. These technologies are a relevant approach in the meat science field to decipher the underlying mechanisms and post-mortem changes in the muscle and biofluids proteome of pigs because their study will allow better management of the outcomes such as meat quality variation and defects. In general, these new developments in molecular techniques can help researchers to control and assess this quality through biomarkers. Additionally, as food safety and pork product authentication/adulteration to avoid fraud can be evaluated with these high-throughput proteomic tools, hence they were tackled. Finally, another relevant point addressed focused on the search of bioactive peptides with a beneficial effect on human health from added-value products such as dry-cured ham. Overall, this review describes the current and emerging proteomics studies dealing with raw pork and pork products from the farm to fork. Abstract The quality assurance of pork meat and products includes the study of factors prior to slaughter such as handling practices, diet and castration, and others during the post-mortem period such as aging, storage, and cooking. The development over the last two decades of high-throughput techniques such as proteomics offer great opportunities to examine the molecular mechanisms and study a priori the proteins in the living pigs and main post-mortem changes and post-translational modifications during the conversion of the muscle into the meat. When the most traditional crossbreeding and rearing strategies to improve pork quality were assessed, the main findings indicate that metabolic pathways early post-mortem were affected. Among the factors, it is well documented that pre-slaughter stress provokes substantial changes in the pork proteome that led to defective meat, and consequently, novel protein biomarkers should be identified and validated. Additionally, modifications in pork proteins had a strong effect on the sensory attributes due to the impact of processing, either physical or chemical. Maillard compounds and protein oxidation should be monitored in order to control proteolysis and volatile compounds. Beyond this, the search of bioactive peptides is becoming a paramount goal of the food and nutraceutical industry. In this regard, peptidomics is a major tool to identify and quantify these peptides with beneficial effects for human health.
Preparation and Characterisation of Poly(methyl metacrylate)-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites for Denture Bases

Introduction of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) aims to improve the mechanical, microbiological and tribological properties of dental prosthesis bases. The aim of the research was to assess the polymerisation time and the change in the colour of the new biomaterial. Samples with the 1 wt% and 2 wt% content of TiO2 additionally modified by ultrasounds were created. The effectiveness of ultrasounds was assessed by comparing the average size of conglomerates in a liquid acrylic resin monomer by means of a dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The biomaterial structure was assessed by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The colour change was analysed by means of a colorimetric test and provided in the CIE (Commission internationale de l’éclairage) L*a*b* and RGB (Red Green Blue) colour palette. It was observed during the DLS test that the ultrasonic homogenisation process caused an increase in the suspension heterogeneity. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of nanoparticles sized below 100 nm, which constitutes a ground for calling the new biomaterial a nanocomposite. The addition of TiO2 NPs as well as the ultrasounds result in the reduction of the average PMMA polymerisation time. The obtained data reveal that the addition of both 1 wt% and 2 wt% causes a considerable change in the PMMA colour: its whitening. To summarise, the reduced polymerisation time of the new biomaterial fully enables performance of standard procedures related to creation of dental prosthesis bases. Due to the considerable change in the colour, the clinical application is limited to performance of repairs or relining of the prosthesis, where the new material is located in an unaesthetic zone.