Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of alternative irrigation and cropping systems in forage production may alleviate the water scarcity in semiarid regions.

BACKGROUND Strategies to enhance the efficient use of irrigation water require a major shift in irrigation and cropping systems. It was hypothesized that 1) replacing water-demanding crops such as corn silage with more drought-tolerant forages species, 2) adoption of intercropping instead of monoculture, and 3) use of alternative irrigation methods, may alleviate the water shortage in semi-arid regions, while producing high-quality forage. RESULTS Adoption of drip irrigation (DRIP) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) reduced water consumption by 43% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, DRIP produced 11% more biomass than the conventional furrow irrigation. The intercropped ratio of 50% sorghum and 50% amaranth under DRIP maximized forage production and improved irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Principal component analysis indicated that the DRIP increased the dry matter (DM) yield and IWUE, whereas the AFI improved the forage quality. The intercropped ratio of 75% sorghum and 25% amaranth demonstrated the highest yield stability and was considered superior cropping system regardless of the irrigation strategies. CONCLUSIONS DRIP and AFI irrigation strategies were effective in reducing water consumption, with DRIP being the most water-efficient method. Intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 under DRIP resulted in the highest forage yield and IWUE. While sole amaranth had the highest forage quality, intercropping sorghum and amaranth increased DM production with better forage quality than sorghum monoculture. Overall, the combination of DRIP and intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 considered as a suitable strategy for improving forage yield and quality, as well as IWUE. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The association between soluble CD163, disease severity, and ursodiol treatment in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

Introduction: The macrophage activation marker soluble (s)CD163 is associated with disease severity and prognosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment attenuates fibrosis progression in PBC patients, but its effect on macrophage activation is unclear. We examined the effect of UDCA on macrophage activation, as determined by sCD163 levels. Methods: We included 2 cohorts of PBC patients; 1 cohort with prevalent PBC patients, and 1 cohort of incident PBC patients before start of UDCA treatment and with follow-up after 4 weeks and 6 months. We measured sCD163 and liver stiffness in both cohorts. Further, we measured sCD163 and TNF-α shedding in vitro in monocyte-derived macrophages after UDCA and lipopolysaccharide incubation. Results: We included 100 patients with prevalent PBC [93% women, median age 63 y (interquartile range: 51–70)] and 47 patients with incident PBC [77% women, median age 60 y (49–67)]. Prevalent PBC patients had a lower median sCD163 of 3.54 mg/L (2.77–4.72) than incident PBC patients with a median sCD163 of 4.33 mg/L (2.83–5.99) at inclusion. Patients with an incomplete response to UDCA and patients with cirrhosis had higher sCD163 than responders to UDCA and noncirrhosis patients. After 4 weeks and 6 months of UDCA treatment median sCD163 decreased by 4.6% and 9.0%, respectively. In in vitro experiments, UDCA attenuated shedding of TNF-α, but not sCD163, from monocyte-derived macrophages. Conclusion: In PBC patients, sCD163 levels correlated with liver disease severity and treatment response to UDCA. Further, after 6 months of UDCA treatment, we observed a decrease in sCD163, which may be related to the treatment.
Examining the Sexual Double Standards and Hypocrisy in Partner Suitability Appraisals Within a Norwegian Sample

Sexual double standards are social norms that impose greater social opprobrium on women versus men or that permit one sex greater sexual freedom than the other. This study examined sexual double standards when choosing a mate based on their sexual history. Using a novel approach, participants (N = 923, 64% women) were randomly assigned to make evaluations in long-term or short-term mating contexts and asked how a prospective partner's sexual history would influence their own likelihood of having sex (short-term) or entering a relationship (long-term) with them. They were then asked how the same factors would influence the appraisal they would make of male and female friends in a similar position. We found no evidence of traditional sexual double standards for promiscuous or sexually undesirable behavior. There was some evidence for small sexual double standard for self-stimulation, but this was in the opposite direction to that predicted. There was greater evidence for sexual hypocrisy as sexual history tended to have a greater negative impact on suitor assessments for the self rather than for same-sex friends. Sexual hypocrisy effects were more prominent in women, though the direction of the effects was the same for both sexes. Overall, men were more positive about women's self-stimulation than women were, particularly in short-term contexts. Socially undesirable sexual behavior (unfaithfulness, mate poaching, and jealous/controlling) had a large negative impact on appraisals of a potential suitor across all contexts and for both sexes. Effects of religiosity, disgust, sociosexuality, and question order effects are considered.
School Nurse Experiences and Changes to Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

School nurses have faced many professional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus group interviews were employed as a data collection method in this qualitative study to describe the perspectives of school nurses during the pandemic. Themes relevant to school nurse experiences and suggestions for change were identified. School nurses have demonstrated their essential role in facilitating health for students, staff, and families. Policymakers and the public must recognize this value. School nurses are encouraged to leverage opportunities for visibility within and beyond their own communities to enhance recognition of their role. School nurses should also lead the development of additional resources such as web-based health content and practice guidelines. Providing school nurses with resources needed to support their practice is essential so that, in turn, students may be cared for.
Removal of chromatin by salt‐tolerant endonucleases for production of recombinant measles virus

Host cell DNA is a critical impurity in downstream processing of enveloped viruses. Especially, DNA in the form of chromatin is often neglected. Endonuclease treatment is an almost mandatory step in manufacturing of viral vaccines. In order to find the optimal performer, four different endonucleases, two of them salt tolerant, were evaluated in downstream processing of recombinant measles virus. Endonuclease treatment was performed under optimal temperature conditions after clarification and before the purification by flow‐through chromatography with a core shell chromatography medium: Capto™ Core 700. Virus infectivity was measured by TCID50. DNA and histone presence in process and purified samples was determined using PicoGreen™ assay and Western blot analysis using an anti‐histone antibody, respectively. All tested endonucleases allowed the reduction of DNA content improving product purity. The salt‐tolerant endonucleases SAN and M‐SAN were more efficient in the removal of chromatin compared with the non‐salt‐tolerant endonucleases Benzonase® and DENARASE®. Removal of chromatin using M‐SAN was also possible without the addition of extra salt to the cell culture supernatant. The combination of the endonuclease treatment, using salt‐tolerant endonucleases with flow‐through chromatography, using core–shell particles, resulted in high purity and purification efficiency. This strategy has all features for a platform downstream process of recombinant measles virus and beyond.
Effect of Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) V2 in CH59-Like Coil/Helical or β-Sheet Conformations on Time of SIVmac251 Acquisition

Studies suggest that the protection against SIV/simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) acquisition afforded by the SIV/HIV V1 deletion-containing envelope immunogens, delivered by the DNA/ALVAC vaccine platform, requires multiple innate and adaptive host responses. Anti-inflammatory macrophages and tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC-10), together with CD14+ efferocytes, are consistently found to correlate with a vaccine-induced decrease in the risk of SIV/SHIV acquisition. ABSTRACT The monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) NCI05 and NCI09, isolated from a vaccinated macaque that was protected from multiple simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenges, both target an overlapping, conformationally dynamic epitope in SIV envelope variable region 2 (V2). Here, we show that NCI05 recognizes a CH59-like coil/helical epitope, whereas NCI09 recognizes a β-hairpin linear epitope. In vitro, NCI05 and, to a lesser extent, NCI09 mediate the killing of SIV-infected cells in a CD4-dependent manner. Compared to NCI05, NCI09 mediates higher titers of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to gp120-coated cells, as well as higher levels of trogocytosis, a monocyte function that contributes to immune evasion. We also found that passive administration of NCI05 or NCI09 to macaques did not affect the risk of SIVmac251 acquisition compared to controls, demonstrating that these anti-V2 antibodies alone are not protective. However, NCI05 but not NCI09 mucosal levels strongly correlated with delayed SIVmac251 acquisition, and functional and structural data suggest that NCI05 targets a transient state of the viral spike apex that is partially opened, compared to its prefusion-closed conformation. IMPORTANCE Studies suggest that the protection against SIV/simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) acquisition afforded by the SIV/HIV V1 deletion-containing envelope immunogens, delivered by the DNA/ALVAC vaccine platform, requires multiple innate and adaptive host responses. Anti-inflammatory macrophages and tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC-10), together with CD14+ efferocytes, are consistently found to correlate with a vaccine-induced decrease in the risk of SIV/SHIV acquisition. Similarly, V2-specific antibody responses mediating ADCC, Th1 and Th2 cells expressing no or low levels of CCR5, and envelope-specific NKp44+ cells producing interleukin 17 (IL-17) also are reproducible correlates of decreased risk of virus acquisition. We focused on the function and the antiviral potential of two monoclonal antibodies (NCI05 and NCI09) isolated from vaccinated animals that differ in antiviral function in vitro and recognize V2 in a linear (NCI09) or coil/helical (NCI05) conformation. We demonstrate that NCI05, but not NCI09, delays SIVmac251 acquisition, highlighting the complexity of antibody responses to V2.
HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black individuals: social ecological perspectives from key informants interviews

ABSTRACT Objectives Rates of HPV infection and HPV-related cancers are elevated in the Black population of the US. Efforts to promote HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening are important to reducing the cancer burden among Black populations. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study guided by social ecological model (SEM) was to describe from the perspective of key informants, the challenges and opportunities for HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black adults. Design Twenty-three key informants participated in individual interviews over zoom video conferencing. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and checked for accuracy prior to data analysis. Two qualitatively trained researchers analyzed the data using content analysis. Results Participants were aged 50 ± 4.1 years, 12 were females, and 18 identified as Black. Participants included health care providers, teachers, church and community leaders. Themes included HPV and cancer literacy, influence of religion, health care provider recommendations, social and cultural influences, accessibility and availability of services, economic constraints, limited community resources, and HPV vaccine mandates. Conclusions SEM factors contribute to low HPV vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening and these factors need to be addressed. Interventions addressing SEM factors peculiar to Black populations may promote HPV vaccination and cancer screening in this population.
Public stigma toward prolonged grief and COVID-19 bereavement: A vignette-based experiment

Abstract We investigated the effects of cause of death and the presence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) on eliciting public stigma toward the bereaved. Participants (N = 328, 76% female; Mage = 27.55 years) were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes describing a bereaved man. Each vignette differed by his PGD status (PGD diagnosis or no PGD diagnosis) and his wife’s cause of death (COVID-19 or brain hemorrhage). Participants completed public stigma measures assessing negative attributions, desired social distance, and emotional reactions. Bereavement with PGD (versus without PGD) elicited large and significantly stronger responses across all stigma measures. Both causes of death elicited public stigma. There was no interaction between cause of death and PGD on stigma. With increased PGD rates expected during the pandemic, the potential for public stigma and reduced social support for people bereaved via traumatic deaths and people with PGD requires mitigation.
Prevalence and Impact of Fatigue on Quality of Life (QOL) of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Fatigue is a typical consequence of cancer that can affect one’s quality of life (QOL). The goal of this review is to provide comprehensive data on the impact of fatigue on QOL of cancer patients. Methods: An electronic data search in Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed for relevant papers; those written in English; those reporting quantitative data; and those including more than one hundred patients who received just chemotherapy were included. Studies involving participants that received other kinds of anti-neoplastic therapies were excluded. Results: A total of 35 papers published between January 2000 and December 2021 were retrieved from the search databases of which (11612 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that fatigue negatively affected QOL with a pooled prevalence of 49% (95% CI; 25.00-74.00) and the significant heterogeneity between articles was (I²=98%, P <0.001). Further, breast cancer contributed to the majority of selected articles with about 55 % (95%CI; 9:00- 94:00), followed by cancer (unspecified) 44% (95%CI; 5:00 – 92:00). Most studies (71%) (95%CI; 4:00 – 99:00) used the brief fatigue inventory (BFI) tool to assess severity of fatigue and 39% (95%CI; 17:00 -68:00) employed the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire to evaluate QOL among cancer survivors. Conclusion: The prevalence of fatigue in cancer patients is high and fatigue has a negative impact on QOL of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Directionality, fatigue needs to be addressed and treated properly for better improvement of health status and QOL in cancer patients.
miR‐29a‐3p promotes the regulatory role of eicosapentaenoic acid in the NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy in microglial cells

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been reported to play an anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative stress role in a series of human diseases, including major depressive disorder. However, its exact mechanism is still largely unknown. Mouse BV‐2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an in vitro inflammatory cell model of depression. Cytotoxic effects were assessed with MTT and lactate dehydrigebase release assays. Cytokine mediators were elevated by western blot and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Autophagy‐relators were determined by immunofluorescence and western blot analyses. Interaction relationships among molecules were evaluated utilizing chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase assays. Methylated miR‐29a‐3p was detected via methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. EPA treatment at 60 μM had no cytotoxic effects on BV2 cells and significantly inhibited the LPS‐induced inflammatory response and NLRP3 inflammasome but activated autophagy, while all these effects were reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3‐MA. Importantly, miR‐29a‐3p exhibited a role similar to that of EPA in LPS‐treated BV2 cells. Mechanistically, EPA treatment elevated miR‐29a‐3p by repressing its promoter methylation. MAPK8 was a direct target of miR‐29a‐3p. Inhibition of miR‐29a‐3p greatly diminished the regulatory roles mediated by EPA in LPS‐treated BV2 cells, while these roles were further impeded after MAPK8 silencing. To conclude, our data demonstrated that EPA treatment alleviated LPS‐induced NLRP3 inflammasomes by activating autophagy via regulation of miR‐29a‐3p/MAPK8 signaling, which further elucidates the potential antidepressant mechanism of EPA.
SUMO1 hinders α‐Synuclein fibrillation by inducing structural compaction

Small Ubiquitin‐like Modifier 1 (SUMO1) is an essential protein for many cellular functions, including regulation, signaling, etc., achieved by a process known as SUMOylation, which involves covalent attachment of SUMO1 to target proteins. SUMO1 also regulates the function of several proteins via non‐covalent interactions involving the hydrophobic patch in the target protein identified as SUMO Binding or Interacting Motif (SBM/SIM). Here, we demonstrate a crucial functional potential of SUMO1 mediated by its non‐covalent interactions with α‐Synuclein, a protein responsible for many neurodegenerative diseases called α‐Synucleinopathies. SUMO1 hinders the fibrillation of α‐Synuclein, an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that undergoes a transition to β‐structures during the fibrillation process. Using a plethora of biophysical techniques, we show that SUMO1 transiently binds to the N‐terminus region of α‐Synuclein non‐covalently and causes structural compaction, which hinders the self‐association process and thereby delays the fibrillation process. On the one hand, this study demonstrates an essential functional role of SUMO1 protein concerning neurodegeneration; it also illustrates the commonly stated mechanism that IDPs carry out multiple functions by structural adaptation to suit specific target proteins, on the other. Residue‐level details about the SUMO1‐α‐Synuclein interaction obtained here also serve as a reliable approach for investigating the detailed mechanisms of IDP functions.
Bob Dewar and turbulence theory: lessons in creativity and courage

Some of the contributions that Bob Dewar made to plasma turbulence theory are recounted and put into historical perspective. Some remarks are made on the transition to turbulence and bifurcation analysis of models for the low-high confinement transition in tokamaks. However, the focus of the paper is on renormalized oscillation-center theory, to which Dewar made pioneering, creative and courageous contributions. The relationship of that approach to the formalism of Martin, Siggia, and Rose is discussed briefly.
Comparative Evaluation of Standard RT-PCR Assays and Commercial Real-Time RT-PCR Kits for Detection of Lassa Virus

Lassa virus (LASV) is a significant human pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever in West Africa. Increased traveling around the world raises the risk of imported cases to other countries. ABSTRACT Lassa virus (LASV) is a causative agent of hemorrhagic fever epidemic in West Africa. In recent years, it has been transmitted several times to North America, Europe, and Asia. Standard reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real-time RT-PCR are extensively used for early detection of LASV. However, the high nucleotide diversity of LASV strains complicates the development of appropriate diagnostic assays. Here, we analyzed LASV diversity clustered with geographic location and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of two standard RT-PCR methods (GPC RT-PCR/1994 and 2007) and four commercial real-time RT-PCR kits (namely, Da an, Mabsky, Bioperfectus, and ZJ) to detect six representative LASV lineages using in vitro synthesized RNA templates. The results showed that the GPC RT-PCR/2007 assay had better sensitivity compared to the GPC RT-PCR/1994 assay. The Mabsky and ZJ kits were able to detect all RNA templates of six LASV lineages. Contrastingly, the Bioperfectus and Da an kits failed to detect lineages IV and V/VI. The limit of detection for lineage I with the Da an, Bioperfectus, and ZJ kits were significantly higher than that of the Mabsky kit at an RNA concentration of 1 × 1010 to 1 × 1011 copies/mL. The Bioperfectus and Da an kits detected lineages II and III at an RNA concentration of 1 × 109 copies/mL, higher than that of the other kits. In conclusion, the GPC RT-PCR/2007 assay and the Mabsky kit were suitable assays for the detection of LASV strains based on good analytical sensitivity and specificity. IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV) is a significant human pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever in West Africa. Increased traveling around the world raises the risk of imported cases to other countries. The high nucleotide diversity of LASV strains clustered with geographic location complicates the development of appropriate diagnostic assays. In this study, we showed that the GPC reverse transcription (RT)-PCR/2007 assay and the Mabsky kit are suitable for detecting most LASV strains. Future assays for molecular detection of LASV should be based on specific countries/regions along with new variants.
Baicalin and baicalein attenuate hyperuricemic nephropathy via inhibiting PI3K/AKT/NF‐κB signalling pathway

Inflammation and apoptosis are main pathological processes that lead to the development of hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). This study aims to explore whether baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BAI) can relieve the damage through PI3K/AKT/NF‐κB signal pathway and provide more reliable and precise evidence for the treatment of HN.