Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity among Households with Children? Evidence from the Current Population Survey

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to improve household diet and food security—a pressing problem confronting low-income families in the United States. Previous studies on the issue often ignored the methodological issue of endogenous program participation. We revisit this important issue by estimating a simultaneous equation system with ordinal household food insecurity. Data are drawn from the 2009–2011 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), restricted to SNAP-eligible households with children. Our results add to the stocks of empirical findings that SNAP participation ameliorates food insecurity among adults only, but increases the probabilities of low and very low food security among children. These contradictory results indicate that our selection approach with a single cross section is only partially successful, and that additional efforts are needed in further analyses of this complicated issue, perhaps with longitudinal data. Socio-demographic variables are found to affect food-secure households and food-insecure households differently, but affect SNAP nonparticipants and participants in the same direction. The state policy tools, such as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) and simplified reporting, can encourage SNAP participation and thus ameliorate food insecurity. Our findings can inform policy deliberations.
A Simple Distance Paper-Based Analytical Device for the Screening of Lead in Food Matrices

A simple and rapid distance paper-based analytical device (dPAD) for the detection of lead (Pb) in foods is proposed herein. The assay principle is based on competitive binding between carminic acid (CA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to Pb in a food sample. The paper channels were pre-immobilized with PEI, before reacting with a mixture of the sample and CA. Pb can strongly bind to the CA; hence, the length of the red color deposition on the flow channel decreased as a lower amount of free CA bound to PEI. The dPAD exhibited good linear correlation, with ranges of 5–100 µg·mL−1 (R2 = 0.974) of Pb. Although, the limit of detection (LOD) of this platform was rather high, at 12.3 µg·mL−1, a series of standard additions (8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 µg·mL−1) can be used to interpret the cutoff of Pb concentrations at higher or lower than 2 µg·mL−1. The presence of common metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, nickel, and zinc did not interfere with the color distance readout. The validity of the developed dPAD was demonstrated by its applicability to screen the contamination of Pb in century egg samples. The results obtained from the dPAD are in accordance with the concentration measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) (n = 9). In conclusion, this proposed dPAD, combined with the standard addition method, could be applied for screening Pb contamination in food matrices. This platform is, therefore, potentially applicable for field measurements of Pb in developing countries, because it is cheap and rapid, and it requires no significant laborious instruments.
[89Zr]-Pertuzumab PET Imaging Reveals Paclitaxel Treatment Efficacy Is Positively Correlated with HER2 Expression in Human Breast Cancer Xenograft Mouse Models

Paclitaxel (PTX) treatment efficacy varies in breast cancer, yet the underlying mechanism for variable response remains unclear. This study evaluates whether human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression level utilizing advanced molecular positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is correlated with PTX treatment efficacy in preclinical mouse models of HER2+ breast cancer. HER2 positive (BT474, MDA-MB-361), or HER2 negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells were subcutaneously injected into athymic nude mice and PTX (15 mg/kg) was administrated. In vivo HER2 expression was quantified through [89Zr]-pertuzumab PET/CT imaging. PTX treatment response was quantified by [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) PET/CT imaging. Spearman’s correlation, Kendall’s tau, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. [89Zr]-pertuzumab mean standard uptake values (SUVmean) of BT474 tumors were 4.9 ± 1.5, MDA-MB-361 tumors were 1.4 ± 0.2, and MDA-MB-231 (HER2−) tumors were 1.1 ± 0.4. [18F]-FDG SUVmean changes were negatively correlated with [89Zr]-pertuzumab SUVmean (r = −0.5887, p = 0.0030). The baseline [18F]-FDG SUVmean was negatively correlated with initial [89Zr]-pertuzumab SUVmean (r = −0.6852, p = 0.0002). This study shows PTX treatment efficacy is positively correlated with HER2 expression level in human breast cancer mouse models. Molecular imaging provides a non-invasive approach to quantify biological interactions, which will help in identifying chemotherapy responders and potentially enhance clinical decision-making.
New Laboratory Protocol to Determine the Oxidative Stress Profile of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Using Flow Cytometry

Several studies have shown the importance of oxidative stress (OS) in respiratory disease pathogenesis. It has been reported that the nasal epithelium may act as a surrogate for the bronchial epithelium in several respiratory diseases involving OS. However, the sample yields obtained from nasal biopsies are modest, limiting the number of parameters that can be determined. Flow cytometry has been widely used to evaluate cellular OS profiles. It has the advantage that analyses can be performed using a small amount of sample. Therefore, we aimed to set up a new method based on flow cytometry to assess the oxidative profile of human nasal epithelial cells which could be used in research on respiratory diseases. Levels of total nitric oxide, superoxide anion, peroxynitrite, and intracellular peroxides were measured. Reduced thiol levels, such as antioxidant-reduced glutathione and oxidative damaged lipids and proteins, were also analysed. The intracellular calcium levels, plasma membrane potential, apoptosis, and percentage of live cells were also studied. Finally, a strategy to evaluate the mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, mitochondrial mass, and membrane potential, was set up. Using small amounts of sample and a non-invasive sampling technique, the described method enables the measurement of a comprehensive set of OS parameters in nasal epithelial cells, which could be useful in research on respiratory diseases.
Arginine Decarboxylase Is Essential for Pneumococcal Stress Responses

Polyamines such as putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine are small cationic molecules that play significant roles in cellular processes, including bacterial stress responses and host–pathogen interactions. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes several diseases that account for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. As it transits through different host niches, S. pneumoniae is exposed to and must adapt to different types of stress in the host microenvironment. We earlier reported that S. pneumoniae TIGR4, which harbors an isogenic deletion of an arginine decarboxylase (ΔspeA), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of agmatine in the polyamine synthesis pathway, has a reduced capsule. Here, we report the impact of arginine decarboxylase deletion on pneumococcal stress responses. Our results show that ΔspeA is more susceptible to oxidative, nitrosative, and acid stress compared to the wild-type strain. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR indicates that thiol peroxidase, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species and aguA from the arginine deiminase system, could be important for peroxide stress responses in a polyamine-dependent manner. Our results also show that speA is essential for endogenous hydrogen peroxide and glutathione production in S. pneumoniae. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the critical role of arginine decarboxylase in pneumococcal stress responses that could impact adaptation and survival in the host.
In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 Isolated from Domestic Pigeons in Victoria, Australia 2011

Significant mortalities of racing pigeons occurred in Australia in late 2011 associated with a pigeon paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PPMV-1) infection. The causative agent, designated APMV-1/pigeon/Australia/3/2011 (P/Aus/3/11), was isolated from diagnostic specimens in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated eggs and was identified by a Newcastle Disease virus (NDV)-specific RT-PCR and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using reference polyclonal antiserum specific for NDV. The P/Aus/3/11 strain was further classified as PPMV-1 using the HI test and monoclonal antibody 617/161 by HI and phylogenetic analysis of the fusion gene sequence. The isolate P/Aus/3/11 had a slow haemagglutin-elution rate and was inactivated within 45 min at 56 °C. Cross HI tests generated an R value of 0.25, indicating a significant antigenic difference between P/Aus/3/11 and NDV V4 isolates. The mean death time (MDT) of SPF eggs infected with the P/Aus/3/11 isolate was 89.2 hr, characteristic of a mesogenic pathotype, consistent with other PPMV-1 strains. The plaque size of the P/Aus/3/11 isolate on chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells was smaller than those of mesogenic and velogenic NDV reference strains, indicating a lower virulence phenotype in vitro and challenge of six-week-old SPF chickens did not induce clinical signs. However, sequence analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site demonstrated an 112RRQKRF117 motif, which is typical of a velogenic NDV pathotype. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the P/Aus/3/11 isolate belongs to a distinct subgenotype within class II genotype VI of avian paramyxovirus type 1. This is the first time this genotype has been detected in Australia causing disease in domestic pigeons and is the first time since 2002 that an NDV with potential for virulence has been detected in Australia.
Case of Human Infestation with Dermanyssus gallinae (Poultry Red Mite) from Swallows (Hirundinidae)

Dermanyssus gallinae (the poultry red mite, PRM) is an important ectoparasite in the laying hen industry. PRM can also infest humans, causing gamasoidosis, which is manifested as skin lesions characterized by rash and itching. Recently, there has been an increase in the reported number of human infestation cases with D. gallinae, mostly associated with the proliferation of pigeons in cities where they build their nests. The human form of the disease has not been linked to swallows (Hirundinidae) before. In this report, we describe an incident of human gamasoidosis linked to a nest of swallows built on the window ledge of an apartment in the island of Kefalonia, Greece. Mites were identified as D. gallinae using morphological keys and amplifying the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene by PCR. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis and median-joining network supported the identification of three PRM haplogroups and the haplotype isolated from swallows was identical to three PRM sequences isolated from hens in Portugal. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids, while the house was sprayed with deltamethrin. After one week, the mites disappeared and clinical symptoms subsided. The current study is the first report of human gamasoidosis from PRM found in swallows’ nest.
Association between High-Sensitive C-Reactive Protein and the Development of Liver Damage in Japanese Male Workers

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether a causative relationship exists between the development of liver damage and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) levels by long-term follow-up in Japanese workers. Methods: The target participants comprised 7830 male workers in a Japanese steel company. The prospective cohort study was performed over a 6-year period, and annual health screening information was analyzed by pooled logistic regression. The endpoint, regarded as the development of liver damage, was defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 40 IU/L. Results: A significant relationship between the development of liver damage and increased HsCRP levels was observed after adjusting for confounding factors such as various physiological and blood chemistry parameters and lifestyle factors. The odds ratio of a 1.5-fold increase in HsCRP was 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.10, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results suggested that an increase of HsCRP is associated with the development of liver damage.
The Differences in the Whole-Brain Functional Network between Cantonese-Mandarin Bilinguals and Mandarin Monolinguals

Cantonese-Mandarin bilinguals are logographic-logographic bilinguals that provide a unique population for bilingual studies. Whole brain functional connectivity analysis makes up for the deficiencies of previous bilingual studies on the seed-based approach and helps give a complete picture of the brain connectivity profiles of logographic-logographic bilinguals. The current study is to explore the effect of the long-term logographic-logographic bilingual experience on the functional connectivity of the whole-brain network. Thirty Cantonese-Mandarin bilingual and 30 Mandarin monolingual college students were recruited in the study. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to investigate the whole-brain functional connectivity differences by network-based statistics (NBS), and the differences in network efficiency were investigated by graph theory between the two groups (false discovery rate corrected for multiple comparisons, q = 0.05). Compared with the Mandarin monolingual group, Cantonese-Mandarin bilinguals increased functional connectivity between the bilateral frontoparietal and temporal regions and decreased functional connectivity in the bilateral occipital cortex and between the right sensorimotor region and bilateral prefrontal cortex. No significant differences in network efficiency were found between the two groups. Compared with the Mandarin monolinguals, Cantonese-Mandarin bilinguals had no significant discrepancies in network efficiency. However, the Cantonese-Mandarin bilinguals developed a more strongly connected subnetwork related to language control, inhibition, phonological and semantic processing, and memory retrieval, whereas a weaker connected subnetwork related to visual and phonology processing, and speech production also developed.
Comparison of Volume-Guaranteed or -Targeted, Pressure-Controlled Ventilation with Volume-Controlled Ventilation during Elective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

For perioperative mechanical ventilation under general anesthesia, modern respirators aim at combining the benefits of pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) in modes typically named “volume-guaranteed” or “volume-targeted” pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV-VG). This systematic review and meta-analysis tested the hypothesis that PCV-VG modes of ventilation could be beneficial in terms of improved airway pressures (Ppeak, Pplateau, Pmean), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), or arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2) in adults undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Three major medical electronic databases were searched with predefined search strategies and publications were systematically evaluated according to the Cochrane Review Methods. Continuous variables were tested for mean differences using the inverse variance method and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Based on the assumption that intervention effects across studies were not identical, a random effects model was chosen. Assessment for heterogeneity was performed with the χ2 test and the I2 statistic. As primary endpoints, Ppeak, Pplateau, Pmean, Cdyn, PaO2, and PaCO2 were evaluated. Of the 725 publications identified, 17 finally met eligibility criteria, with a total of 929 patients recruited. Under supine two-lung ventilation, PCV-VG resulted in significantly reduced Ppeak (15 studies) and Pplateau (9 studies) as well as higher Cdyn (9 studies), compared with VCV [random effects models; Ppeak: CI −3.26 to −1.47; p < 0.001; I2 = 82%; Pplateau: −3.12 to −0.12; p = 0.03; I2 = 90%; Cdyn: CI 3.42 to 8.65; p < 0.001; I2 = 90%]. For one-lung ventilation (8 studies), PCV-VG allowed for significantly lower Ppeak and higher PaO2 compared with VCV. In Trendelenburg position (5 studies), this effect was significant for Ppeak only. This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that volume-targeting, pressure-controlled ventilation modes may provide benefits with respect to the improved airway dynamics in two- and one-lung ventilation, and improved oxygenation in one-lung ventilation in adults undergoing elective surgery.
Comparative Studies on Crystallinity, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polyketone Grown on Plasma Treated CVD Graphene

In this work, we report a facile way to control crystalline structures of polyketone (PK) films by combining plasma surface treatment with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. The crystalline structure of PKs grown on plasma-treated graphene and the resulting thermal and mechanical properties were systematically discussed. Every graphene sheet used in this work was produced by CVD method and the production of PKs having different crystallinity were performed on the O2- and N2-doped graphene sheets. It was evident that the CVD-grown graphene sheets acted as the nucleating agents for promoting the crystallization of β-form PK, while suppressing the growth of α-form PK crystals. Regardless of the increase in surface roughness of graphene, surface functionality of the CVD-grown graphene was found to be an important factor in determining the crystalline structure of PK. N2 plasma treatment of the CVD-grown graphene promoted growth of the β-form PK, whereas the O2 plasma treatment of CVD graphene led to transformation of the unoriented β-form PK into the oriented α-form PK. Thus, the resulting thermal and mechanical properties of the PKs were highly dependent on the surface functionality of the CVD graphene. The method of controlling crystalline structure of the PKs suggested in this study, is expected to be very effective in realizing the PK with good processability, heat resistance and mechanical properties.
Effect of the Genotypic Variation of an Aphid Host on the Endosymbiont Associations in Natural Host Populations

Simple Summary The host–endosymbiont complex could be a key determinant in spread and maintenance of the infection polymorphism of endosymbionts. Variation among host–endosymbiont complexes can contribute to genetic variation of a host species and then provide the necessary material for the operating coevolutionary dynamics. We studied the seasonal dynamic of facultative endosymbiont infections among different host clones of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae and whether their presence affects the total hymenopteran parasitism of aphid hosts at the field level. We observed that aphid infections in the field with endosymbionts increase over time, by favoring particular aphid clones closely associated with endosymbionts, but without an effect of endosymbionts on parasitism rate in the host populations. Our results highlight the importance of host–endosymbiont couples in shaping the prevalence and distributions of symbionts throughout nature and the success of their hosts as pests. Abstract Understanding the role of facultative endosymbionts on the host’s ecology has been the main aim of the research in symbiont–host systems. However, current research on host–endosymbiont dynamics has failed to examine the genetic background of the hosts and its effect on host–endosymbiont associations in real populations. We have addressed the seasonal dynamic of facultative endosymbiont infections among different host clones of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae, on two cereal crops (wheat and oat) and whether their presence affects the total hymenopteran parasitism of aphid hosts at the field level. We present evidence of rapid seasonal shifts in the endosymbiont frequency, suggesting a positive selection of endosymbionts at the host-level (aphids) through an agricultural growing season, by two mechanisms; (1) an increase of aphid infections with endosymbionts over time, and (2) the seasonal replacement of host clones within natural populations by increasing the prevalence of aphid clones closely associated to endosymbionts. Our results highlight how genotypic variation of hosts can affect the endosymbiont prevalence in the field, being an important factor for understanding the magnitude and direction of the adaptive and/or maladaptive responses of hosts to the environment.
The Role of Antibiotic Resistant A. baumannii in the Pathogenesis of Urinary Tract Infection and the Potential of Its Treatment with the Use of Bacteriophage Therapy

Acinetobacter baumannii are bacteria that belong to the critical priority group due to their carbapenems and third generation cephalosporins resistance, which are last-chance antibiotics. The growing multi-drug resistance and the ability of these bacteria to form biofilms makes it difficult to treat infections caused by this species, which often affects people with immunodeficiency or intensive care unit patients. In addition, most of the infections are associated with catheterization of patients. These bacteria are causative agents, inter alia, of urinary tract infections (UTI) which can cause serious medical and social problems, because of treatment difficulties as well as the possibility of recurrence and thus severely decrease patients’ quality of life. Therefore, a promising alternative to standard antibiotic therapy can be bacteriophage therapy, which will generate lower costs and will be safer for the treated patients and has real potential to be much more effective. The aim of the review is to outline the important role of drug-resistant A. baumannii in the pathogenesis of UTI and highlight the potential for fighting these infections with bacteriophage therapy. Further studies on the use of bacteriophages in the treatment of UTIs in animal models may lead to the use of bacteriophage therapy in human urinary tract infections caused by A. baumannii in the future.