Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mexican and Spanish university students’ Internet addiction and academic procrastination: Correlation and potential factors

The 21st-century problem of Internet addiction is increasing globally, but especially among university students. Not surprisingly, then, problematic Internet use is associated with university students’ academic procrastination. Because studies are scarce in Mexico and Spain has one of the highest rates of Internet addiction in Europe, this paper (i) analyzed the presence and degree of Internet addiction among university students in Mexico and Spain, (ii) determined potential sociodemographic factors influencing Internet addiction, and (iii) established the type of correlation between Internet addiction and academic procrastination. The cross-sectional study design used an online questionnaire to measure problematic Internet use and academic procrastination through convenience sampling at one university in Mexico and one in Spain. The questionnaire contained three sections: participants’ sociodemographic data, the Internet Addiction Test, and the Academic Procrastination Scale. The final sample comprised 758 university students, 387 from Mexico, and 371 from Spain, aged from 18 to 35 (M = 20.08, SD = 3.16). Results revealed similar prevalence rates of problematic and daily Internet use for leisure, potentially influencing Internet addiction in all three models (i.e., Mexico, Spain, and Total). Additionally, significant positive correlation was revealed between problematic Internet use and academic procrastination (p < .001). Finally, findings showed relevant data on Internet addiction’s prevalence in Mexican and Spanish university contexts, along with its influential sociodemographic factors.
Effect of enhanced recovery after surgery program on patient-reported outcomes and function recovery in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on perioperative outcomes, with an emphasis on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and functional recovery. We compared the clinical outcomes in a cohort of 275 patients undergoing liver resection before and after the implementation of ERAS. The PROs were preoperatively and postoperatively compared until 14 days after surgery using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. The patients in the ERAS group experienced fewer symptoms and a shorter functional recovery time than the patients in the non-ERAS group. The group × time interactions were different between the groups for pain (F = 4.70, P = .001) and walking (F = 2.75, P = .03). On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th days after surgery, the ERAS group experienced less pain and more walking than the non-ERAS group. The ERAS group experienced less fatigue (0.407 [95% confidence interval, CI: −0.795, −0.020], P = .035), less sleep interference (0.615 [95% CI: −1.215, −0.014], P = .045), a lower rate of reduced appetite (0.281 [95% CI: −0.442, −0.120], P = .001), and less abdominal distension (0.262 [95% CI: −0.504, −0.020], P = .034) than the non-ERAS group. Those in the ERAS group had a significantly shorter median time from surgery to mild fatigue (5.41 vs 6.87 days, P = .003), mild pain (4.45 vs 6.09 days, P = .001), mild interference when walking (3.85 vs 5.54 days, P < .001), and mild interference when sleeping (5.49 vs 7.43 days, P < .001). ERAS patients were more likely than non-ERAS patients to achieve a functional recovery (5.70 vs 6.79 days, P < .001) status in a shorter time period. The ERAS pathway, operation time, and the minimally invasive approach were independent predictors of functional recovery time. In hepatocellular carcinoma liver resection patients, the primary mechanism of ERAS is to reduce the postoperative interference burden and promote rapid functional recovery.
Relationship between Vitamin Deficiencies and Co-Occurring Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Recently, connections have been made between feeding and eating problems and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and between autism pathophysiology and diet issues. These could explain some of the mechanisms which have not yet been discovered or are not sufficiently characterized. Moreover, there is an increased awareness for micronutrients in ASD due to the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) problems that can be related to feeding issues. For example, levels of vitamins B1, B6, B12, A and D are often reported to be low in ASD children. Thus, in the present mini review we focused on describing the impact of some vitamins deficiencies and their relevance in ASD patients.
The myosin interacting-heads motif present in live tarantula muscle explains tetanic and posttetanic phosphorylation mechanisms

Significance Muscle contracts when myosin heads on the thick filaments bind to actin in the thin filaments, producing force, thin filament sliding, and sarcomere shortening. Two important questions on how muscle works are: 1) How myosin heads of a thick filament are “turned on” to enable their binding to actin; and 2) how, after a tetanus, a muscle produces a stronger twitch force than the twitch force produced before the tetanus (posttetanic potentiation). Muscles from tarantula provide insights into both questions: 1) Tarantula thick filaments are not primarily activated by mechanical stress, as in vertebrates, but by phosphorylation; 2) posttetanic potentiation in tarantula muscles occurs by phosphorylated heads that remain released and disordered. Striated muscle contraction involves sliding of actin thin filaments along myosin thick filaments, controlled by calcium through thin filament activation. In relaxed muscle, the two heads of myosin interact with each other on the filament surface to form the interacting-heads motif (IHM). A key question is how both heads are released from the surface to approach actin and produce force. We used time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction to study tarantula muscle before and after tetani. The patterns showed that the IHM is present in live relaxed muscle. Tetanic contraction produced only a very small backbone elongation, implying that mechanosensing—proposed in vertebrate muscle—is not of primary importance in tarantula. Rather, thick filament activation results from increases in myosin phosphorylation that release a fraction of heads to produce force, with the remainder staying in the ordered IHM configuration. After the tetanus, the released heads slowly recover toward the resting, helically ordered state. During this time the released heads remain close to actin and can quickly rebind, enhancing the force produced by posttetanic twitches, structurally explaining posttetanic potentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that, in addition to stretch activation in insects, two other mechanisms for thick filament activation have evolved to disrupt the interactions that establish the relaxed helices of IHMs: one in invertebrates, by either regulatory light-chain phosphorylation (as in arthropods) or Ca2+-binding (in mollusks, lacking phosphorylation), and another in vertebrates, by mechanosensing.
The Cell Wall Material of the Wood Parasite Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma.

The polymeric components of the cell wall material (AIR) of the holoparasite Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma. , known as a tonic in traditional oriental medicine. were characterised by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The parasite grows on the roots of Haloxylon ammodendron, a dicotyledonous plant used in reforestation of deserts and steppes. AIR accounting for 16.1% of the original dry drug mass represents a complex of protein, lignin and polysaccharides. In contrast to woody tissues, an amylose-rich starch as well as pectic-like polysaccharides were the major polysaccharide components of AIR. Xylan represents the main hemicellulosic component and resembles in primary structure the 4-O-methyl-D-glucurono-D-xylan type present in angiosperms, to whom the host plant belongs.
Transformation of the Drosophila Sex-Manipulative Endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii and Persisting Hurdles for Functional Genetic Studies

Dozens of bacterial endosymbiont species have been described and estimated to infect about half of all insect species. However, only a few them are tractable in vitro, which hampers our understanding of the bacterial determinants of the host-symbiont interaction. Developing a transformation method for S. poulsonii is a major step toward genomic engineering of this symbiont, which will foster basic research on endosymbiosis. This could also open the way to practical uses of endosymbiont engineering through paratransgenesis of vector or pest insects. ABSTRACT Insects are frequently infected by bacterial symbionts that greatly affect their physiology and ecology. Most of these endosymbionts are, however, barely tractable outside their native host, rendering functional genetics studies difficult or impossible. Spiroplasma poulsonii is a facultative bacterial endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster that manipulates the reproduction of its host by killing its male progeny at the embryonic stage. S. poulsonii, although a very fastidious bacterium, is closely related to pathogenic Spiroplasma species that are cultivable and genetically modifiable. In this work, we present the transformation of S. poulsonii with a plasmid bearing a fluorescence cassette, leveraging techniques adapted from those used to modify the pathogenic species Spiroplasma citri. We demonstrate the feasibility of S. poulsonii transformation and discuss approaches for mutant selection and fly colonization, which are persisting hurdles that must be overcome to allow functional bacterial genetics studies of this endosymbiont in vivo. IMPORTANCE Dozens of bacterial endosymbiont species have been described and estimated to infect about half of all insect species. However, only a few them are tractable in vitro, which hampers our understanding of the bacterial determinants of the host-symbiont interaction. Developing a transformation method for S. poulsonii is a major step toward genomic engineering of this symbiont, which will foster basic research on endosymbiosis. This could also open the way to practical uses of endosymbiont engineering through paratransgenesis of vector or pest insects.
Long-Term Outcomes in Stroke Patients with Cognitive Impairment: A Population-Based Study

This study assesses five year outcomes of patients with cognitive deficits within the first three months after stroke. Population-based data from the South London Stroke Register between 1995 and 2018 were studied. Cognitive function was assessed using the Abbreviated-Mental-Test or Mini-Mental-State-Examination. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were constructed, to evaluate relative risks (RRs) and associations between post-stroke deterioration in cognitive function during the first three months on dependency, mortality, depression and institutionalisation. A total of 6504 patients with first-ever strokes were registered with a mean age of 73 (SD: 13.2). During the first three months post-stoke, approximately one-third of these stroke survivors either cognitively improved (37%), deteriorated (30%) or remained unchanged (33%). Post-stroke cognitive impairment was associated with increases, in five years, of the risks of mortality, dependency, depression and being institutionalised by RRs 30% (95% confidence interval: 1.1–1.5), 90% (1.3–2.6), 60% (1.1–2.4) and 50% (1.1–2.3), respectively. Deterioration in cognitive function by 10% or more between seven days and three months was associated with an approximate two-fold increased risk in mortality, dependency, and being institutionalised after one year, compared to stable cognitive function; RRs 80% (1.1–3.0), 70% (1.2–2.4) and two-fold (1.3–3.2), respectively. Monitoring further change to maintain cognitive abilities should be a focus to improve outcomes.
A History of the Domestic Chicken from Antiquity to the 19th Century

Abstract IN CONTEMPLATING our domestic species of today, many interesting questions arise; how much has human manipulation altered the species? how were these changes effected, and with what rapidity? This paper attempts to trace the dispersal of the chicken from its point of origin; to learn something of the selective practices of bygone societies and to study the development of poultry husbandry and breeding methods up to the nineteenth century. THE HISTORY OF ITS DISTRIBUTION It is generally assumed that the domestic chicken belonging to the Mediterranean breeds is descended from either one or all four species of Jungle Fowl inhabiting South Eastern Asia, although in the case of the heavy Asiatic breeds, the relationship is less clear-cut (Hutt, 1949). The exact date of its domestication, however, cannot be ascertained with certainty. Fossil and subfossil remains of the chicken have been reported from several places. Lambrecht (1933) cites several cases in …
Aspirin differentially regulates endotoxin-induced IL-12 and TNF-α production in human dendritic cells

Objective : In the development of autoimmune diseases, dendritic cells (DC) play critical roles. Here, we examined the effect of aspirin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DC activation. Methods : The monocyte-derived DC were established. The cytokine production was measured by ELISA, reverse transcriptase/ polymerase chain reaction, or intracellular staining analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cell surface molecules was determined by flow cytometry. Results : Aspirin inhibited LPS-induced DC maturation and costimulatory molecules expression. Aspirin, at therapeutic concentrations, also decreased LPS-induced IL-12 and IL-10 production. In contrast, the LPS-induced TNF- f production was enhanced by aspirin. The differential effects of aspirin on IL-12 and TNF- f production may not be due to down-regulation of cyclooxygenase activities. Conclusion : The various effects of aspirin on LPS-stimulated DC may influence the understanding of the diverse immunomodulatory mechanisms of this anti-inflammatory drug.
Field Bioenergetics of Mammals - What Determines Field Metabolic Rates

Field metabolic rates (FMRs) of 61 species of mammals, as measured with doubly labelled water, range from 29 kJ day-1 (0.34 W) in pipistrel bats to 49 MJ day-1 (570 W) in northern elephant seals, which is a range of 1678 times. Most of this variation is due to differences in body mass; the least-squares, log-log regression of mammalian FMR on body mass (kJ day-1 = 5.27 g0.723) has a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.961, indicating that variation in log(body mass) accounts for 96% of variation in log(FMR). The scaling of FMR in marsupials (kJ day-1 = 10.83 g0.582, 17 species) differs significantly from that in eutherian mammals (kJ day-1 = 4.63 g0.762, 44 species), and the respective r2-values (0.978 and 0.972) indicate that these taxonomic infraclasses explain another 1% of variation in log(FMR). After adjusting for mass and infraclass effects, residual variation is still substantial (2.5-fold among marsupials and 6-fold among eutherians). What accounts for this variation? Neither taxonomic order (or family within the Marsupialia), diet category (e.g. herbivore, camivore), nor habitat (e.g. marine, tundra) explained much residual variation, except that desert-dwelling eutherians had significantly lower FMRs than expected for eutherians of their mass. The failure of taxonomic and ecological categories to account for residual variation may be due, in part, to small sample sizes and skewed distributions of these categories along the mass axis, but it seems likely that other sources of variation, such as season, sex, age, ambient temperature, daily behaviour pattern and food availability may have large effects on FMR that are not accounted for in this analysis.
Proteomics of Brucella: Technologies and Their Applications for Basic Research and Medical Microbiology

Brucellosis is a global zoonosis caused by Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacteria of the genus Brucella (B.). Proteomics has been used to investigate a few B. melitensis and B. abortus strains, but data for other species and biovars are limited. Hence, a comprehensive analysis of proteomes will significantly contribute to understanding the enigmatic biology of brucellae. For direct identification and typing of Brucella, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization—time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI—TOF MS) has become a reliable tool for routine diagnosis due to its ease of handling, price and sensitivity highlighting the potential of proteome-based techniques. Proteome analysis will also help to overcome the historic but still notorious Brucella obstacles of infection medicine, the lack of safe and protective vaccines and sensitive serologic diagnostic tools by identifying the most efficient protein antigens. This perspective summarizes past and recent developments in Brucella proteomics with a focus on species identification and serodiagnosis. Future applications of proteomics in these fields are discussed.
Combination of Bacillus licheniformis and Salinomycin: Effect on the Growth Performance and GIT Microbial Populations of Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary The beneficial effects of Bacillus spp. probiotic preparations used for poultry are well-documented and characterized by growth performance improvement and positive modulation of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota. Moreover, the favorable influence of salinomycin has been frequently studied as an ionophore coccidiostat, as well as an antimicrobial agent. However, limited data are available in terms of the parallel usage of both Bacillus licheniformis DSM 28710 and salinomycin in poultry diets. From a practical point of view, evaluating the potential interactions between this species and agent is crucial to assess their parallel usage, and the current study confirmed the positive effect of their mixture on the modulation of pH value in the crop and ceca, as well as the GIT microbiota, especially in the jejunum and ceca. Additionally, the results obtained in this study show positive effects of B. licheniformis on the growth performance, as well as the influence of both experimental factors used separately in the case of GIT microbiota modulations. Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Bacillus licheniformis and salinomycin supplementation in broiler diets as individual factors or in combination on the growth performance, GIT morphometry, and microbiota populations. Four hundred one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments (10 replicates, 10 birds each). The following treatments were applied: NC—no additives; NC + SAL—salinomycin addition (60 mg/kg diet), NC + PRO—B. licheniformis DSM 28710 preparation (1.6 × 109 CFU/kg; 500 mg/kg diet), and NC + SAL + PRO—combination of salinomycin and B. licheniformis. Probiotic administration resulted in improvement (p < 0.05) of the performance parameters, including body weight gain (1–10 d, and 11–22 d) and feed conversion ratio (11–22 d, 1–36 d). An interaction (p < 0.05) between experimental factors was observed in terms of lower pH values in the crop (tendency, p = 0.053) and ceca. Both factors lowered the alpha diversity and Enterobacteriaceae and promoted Bacillaceae communities in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Interactions were also observed in terms of reducing Clostridiaceae in the ceca. In conclusion, the combined use of B. licheniformis and salinomycin in broilers’ diets had beneficial effects.
The Polygenic Score Catalog: an open database for reproducibility and systematic evaluation

Polygenic [risk] scores (PGS) can enhance prediction and understanding of common diseases and traits. However, the reproducibility of PGS and their subsequent applications in biological and clinical research have been hindered by several factors, including: inadequate and incomplete reporting of PGS development, heterogeneity in evaluation techniques, and inconsistent access to, and distribution of, the information necessary to calculate the scores themselves. To address this we present the PGS Catalog (www.PGSCatalog.org), an open resource for polygenic scores. The PGS Catalog currently contains 192 published PGS from 78 publications for 86 diverse traits, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, cancers, as well as traits like BMI and blood lipids. Each PGS is annotated with metadata required for reproducibility as well as accurate application in independent studies. Using the PGS Catalog, we demonstrate that multiple PGS can be systematically evaluated to generate comparable performance metrics. The PGS Catalog has capabilities for user deposition, expert curation and programmatic access, thus providing the community with an open platform for polygenic score research and translation.
Lifestyle Characteristics and Gene Expression Analysis of Colletotrichum camelliae Isolated from Tea Plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] Based on Transcriptome

Colletotrichum camelliae is one of the most serious pathogens causing anthracnose in tea plants, but the interactive relationship between C. camelliae and tea plants has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the gene expression changes in five different growth stages of C. camelliae based on transcriptome analysis to explain the lifestyle characteristics during the infection. On the basis of gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparisons of germ tube (GT)/conidium (Con), appressoria (App)/Con, and cellophane infectious hyphae (CIH)/Con groups, the cellular process in the biological process category and intracellular, intracellular part, cell, and cell part in the cellular component category were significantly enriched. Hydrolase activity, catalytic activity, and molecular_function in the molecular function category were particularly enriched in the infection leaves (IL)/Con group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that the DEGs were enriched in the genetic information processing pathway (ribosome) at the GT stage and the metabolism pathway (metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolism) in the rest of the stages. Interestingly, the genes associated with melanin biosynthesis and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZys), which are vital for penetration and cell wall degradation, were significantly upregulated at the App, CIH and IL stages. Subcellular localization results further showed that the selected non-annotated secreted proteins based on transcriptome data were majorly located in the cytoplasm and nucleus, predicted as new candidate effectors. The results of this study may establish a foundation and provide innovative ideas for subsequent research on C. camelliae.