Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of traditional and machine learning methods applied to animal breeding

Abstract The current livestock management landscape is transitioning to a high-throughput digital era where large amounts of information captured by systems of electro-optical, acoustical, mechanical, and biosensors is stored and analyzed on a daily and hourly basis, and actionable decisions are made based on quantitative and qualitative analytic results. While traditional animal breeding prediction methods have been used with great success until recently, the deluge of information starts to create a computational and storage bottleneck that could lead to negative long-term impacts on herd management strategies if not handled properly. A plethora of machine learning approaches, successfully used in various industrial and scientific applications, made their way in the mainstream approaches for livestock breeding techniques, and current results show that such methods have the potential to match or surpass the traditional approaches, while most of the time they are more scalable from a computational and storage perspective. This article provides a succinct view on what traditional and novel prediction methods are currently used in the livestock breeding field, how successful they are, and how the future of the field looks in the new digital agriculture era.
Virus inactivation in groundwater in a postglacial lava field in arctic climate

Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis are often connected to contaminated drinking water. The assessment of the water quality relies on the cultivation of indicator bacteria, and little is known of the fate of viruses in groundwater, especially in arctic regions. In Iceland, the groundwater temperature is between 3 and 6°C. The aim of this study was to determine virus inactivation at low temperature in a groundwater microcosm and in a borehole in a postglacial lava field. Two phage species that are commonly used as surrogates for norovirus were used, MS2 and PhiX174. Dialysis bags were used for the samples, and a device was constructed to hold many samples at a time and protect the samples in the borehole. No significant decrease of infective PhiX174 phages in the borehole or of the MS2 phages in the microcosm was observed. A slightly significant decrease of PhiX174 in the microcosm was noticed, with one log reduction time of 476 days. On the other hand, a significant reduction in MS2 was found in the field test, where the time needed for 90% reduction was 12·5 days. The results showed that an infective virus can exist in groundwater for months or years in arctic regions and a great difference may exist between results from microcosm and field tests.
Correlation Between Heart Rate Characteristic Index Score and Severity of Brain Injury in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Background: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains devastating for neonates despite widespread treatment with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). The heart rate characteristic (HRC) index score, a measure of heart rate variability, could prove useful in the management of neonates with HIE as new therapies emerge or when withdrawal-of-support decisions are being considered. Purpose: The main purpose was to describe correlation between HRC index scores and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) severity of injury for neonates with HIE. Methods/Analysis: Low/high HRC index scores retrieved at initiation of TH (baseline), 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, brain MRI severity of injury, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Death/Disability and Death scores were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Independent t tests and linear regression were used to examine relationships for each outcome measure. Results: Twenty-seven neonates were stratified into 2 groups: noninjury (n = 11) and injury (n = 16). Statistically significant relationships were observed. Strikingly, mean low HRC index score for the noninjury group ranged between 0.37 and 0.65 and was between 0.61 and 0.86 for the injury group. Mean high HRC index score for the noninjury group ranged between 0.66 and 1.02 and was between 1.04 and 1.41 for the injury group. Implications for Practice: HRC index score may be a useful guide in the future management of neonates with HIE. Implications for Research: This study established correlations between HRC index and MRI injury scores in neonates treated with TH. Further research is warranted to establish important relationships between brain injury and HRC index scores before this tool can be used clinically for this purpose.
Sex Differences in Recovery From Sprint Interval Exercise

Abstract Forsyth, JJ and Burt, D. Sex differences in recovery from sprint interval exercise. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): e41–e48, 2022—The purpose of the study was to examine whether there were differences between men and women in energy metabolism after a bout of sprint interval training (SIT). Sixteen men (mean ± SD [95% confidence interval] for age, stature, body mass, and fat-free mass [FFM] of 25.4 ± 5.9 [22.3–28.6] years, 181.3 ± 7.0 [177.6–185.0] cm, 82.7 ± 13.3 [75.6–89.8] kg, and 69.0 ± 10.6 [63.4–74.6] kg FFM, respectively) and 16 eumenorrheic women (26.1 ± 5.5 [23.1–29.8] years, 164.1 ± 8.7 [159.5–168.7] cm, 72.0 ± 15.4 [63.8–80.2] kg, and 51.6 ± 8.5 [47.0–56.1] kg FFM), tested in the mid-luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, completed a SIT protocol, consisting of 4 × 30-seconds Wingate sprints at 0.065% FFM. Respiratory variables were used to estimate energy metabolism after (post-SIT) and 24 hours after the bout of SIT (24 hours post-SIT). Compared with women, men had significantly higher post-SIT mean fat oxidation rates (0.10 g·min−1 and 0.17 g·min−1, respectively, F(1,30) = 34.82, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.54), energy expenditure (1.28 ± 0.26 and 1.82 ± 0.40 kcal·min−1, respectively, F(1,30) = 20.759, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.41), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption values (1.91 ± 0.60 and 3.02 ± 1.58 L, F(1,30) = 6.882, p < 0.014, ηp2 = 0.19), and lower relative carbohydrate oxidation rates (0.0007 ± 0.0013 and 0.0018 ± 0.0007 g·min−1 per kg FFM, respectively, F(1,30) = 10.506, p < 0.003, ηp2 = 0.26). The higher metabolic values post-SIT for the men compared with the women might be explained by the men having a greater FFM and having exercised at a higher exercise intensity. Practically, these findings could mean that, if prescribing SIT as a strength and conditioning professional, men and women could respond differently in terms of energy expenditure after exercise.
Cardiopatia hipertensiva: aspectos epidemiológicos, prevalência e fator de risco cardiovascular Hypertensive cardiopathy: epidemiological aspects, prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the cardiac complications in arterial hypertension. It’s an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality of patients with hypertension independently of the criteria used for its diagnosis. It’s also an independent risk factor for high blood pressure. Many epidemiological and clinical studies give evidences that the prevalence of LVH, although is small on general population, reaches about 40% on the hypertensive population, ranging from 20% to 90%, depending on the severity and duration of the hypertensive process. Other factors, such as gender, age, ethnic, obesity, diabetes, may also influence its appearance. The risk is proportional to the ventricular mass, irrespective to other factors. LVH is very important on the clinical point of view, because it’s associated to elevations on the incidence of congestive cardiac failure (CCF), ventricular arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular cause. Studies involving hypertensive patients also indicated that LVH is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of brain vascular events. Evidences suggest that the regression of LVH is associated to the decrease of cardiovascular mortality. Thus, the decrease of blood pressure to provide reversion, even partial, or to prevent the forthcoming of LVH, is very positive for the hypertensive patient. This review focuses on three aspects of clinical relevance such as the prevalence of LVH, the related factors to its development and the associated risks to its presence.
Changes in Muscle Strength, Jump, and Sprint Performance in Young Elite Basketball Players: The Impact of Combined High-Speed Resistance Training and Plyometrics

Abstract Yáñez-García, JM, Rodríguez-Rosell, D, Mora-Custodio, R, and González-Badillo, JJ. Changes in muscle strength, jump, and sprint performance in young elite basketball players: the impact of combined high-speed resistance training and plyometrics. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 478–485, 2022—This study aimed to compare the effect of a combined resistance training (RT) and plyometrics on strength, sprint, and jump performance in basketball players of different ages. Thirty three elite basketball players from the same academy were categorized into 3 groups by chronological age: under-13 (U13, n = 11); under-15 (U15, n = 11); and under-17 (U17, n = 11). Players participated in a 6-week strength training program that included 2 sessions each week and consisted of full squats with low loads (45–60% 1 repetition maximum) and low volume (2–3 sets and 4–8 repetitions), jumps, and sprint exercises. All repetitions were performed at maximal intended velocity. In addition to strength training sessions, subjects performed 4 on court basketball training sessions plus 2 official matches per week. After training program, all 3 experimental groups resulted in significant improvements (p < 0.05–0.001) in maximal strength (Δ: 9.2–27.3%; effect size [ES]: 0.38–0.82), countermovement jump height (Δ: 6.6–11.6%; ES: 0.37–0.95), and sprint time in 10 and 20 m (Δ: −3.9 to −0.3%; ES: 0.09–0.69) for all experimental groups. Comparison between groups showed that training program was more effective in inducing improvements in most variables assessed for U13 compared with U15 (ES: 0.11–0.42) and U17 (ES: 0.20–0.43), whereas differences between U15 and U17 were relevant in jump and strength parameters (ES: 0.20–0.35). Therefore, these findings suggest that high-speed RT combined with plyometrics produces increments in several important variables, including strength, jump, and sprint, to yield high performance during a match in young basketball players. However, training program used seems to be generally less effective as the age of the basketball players increased.
Recombinant peptide fusion construction for protein‐templated catalytic palladium nanoparticles

Although peptide‐enabled synthesis of nanostructures has garnered considerable interest for use in catalytic applications, it has so far been achieved mostly via Fmoc based solid phase peptide synthesis. Consequently, the potential of longer peptides in nanoparticle synthesis have not been explored largely due to the complexities and economic constraints of this chemical synthesis route. This study examines the potential of a 45‐amino acid long peptide expressed as fusion to green fluorescence protein (GFPuv) in Escherichia coli for use in palladium nanoparticle synthesis. Fed‐batch fermentation with E. coli harboring an arabinose‐inducible plasmid produced a product containing three copies of Pd4 peptide fused to N‐terminus of GFPuv ((Pd4)3‐GFPuv). Using the intrinsic fluorescence of GFPuv, expression and enrichment of the fusion product was easily monitored. Crude lysate, desalted lysate, and an ion‐exchange enriched fraction containing (Pd4)3‐GFPuv were used to test the hypothesis that high purity of the biologic material used as the nanoparticle synthesis template may not be necessary. Nanoparticles were characterized using a variety of material science techniques and used to catalyze a model Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. Results demonstrated that palladium nanoparticles can be synthesized using the soluble cell extract containing (Pd4)3‐GFPuv without extensive purification or cleavage steps, and as a catalyst the crude mixture is functional.
Inhibitory Interplay of SULT2B1b Sulfotransferase with AKR1C3 Aldo-keto Reductase in Prostate Cancer.

SULT2B1b (SULT2B) is a prostate-expressed hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase, which may regulate intracrine androgen homeostasis by mediating 3β-sulfation of DHEA, the precursor for DHT biosynthesis. The aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3 regulates androgen receptor (AR) activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) by promoting tumor-tissue androgen biosynthesis from adrenal DHEA and also by functioning as an AR-selective coactivator. Herein we report that SULT2B-depleted CRPC cells, arising from stable RNA interference or gene knockout, are markedly upregulated for AKR1C3, activated for ERK1/2 survival signal, and induced for epithelial-to-mesenchymal(EMT)-like changes. EMT was evident from increased mesenchymal proteins and elevated EMT-inducing transcription factors SNAI1 and TWIST1 in immunoblot and single-cell mass cytometry analyses. SULT2B-knockout cells showed greater motility and invasion in vitro; growth escalation in xenograft study; and enhanced metastatic potential predicted on the basis of decreased cell stiffness and adhesion revealed from atomic force microscopy analysis. While AR and androgen levels were unchanged, AR activity was elevated, since PSA and FKBP5 mRNA induction by DHT-activated AR was several-fold higher in SULT2B-silenced cells. AKR1C3 silencing prevented ERK1/2 activation and SNAI1 induction in SULT2B-depleted cells. SULT2B was undetectable in nearly all CRPC metastases from fifty autopsy cases. Primary tumors showed variable and Gleason score independent SULT2B levels. CRPC metastases lacking SULT2B expressed AKR1C3. Since AKR1C3 is frequently elevated in advanced prostate cancer, the inhibitory influence of SULT2B on AKR1C3 upregulation, ERK1/2 activation, EMT-like induction and on cell motility and invasiveness may be clinically significant. Pathways regulating the inhibitory SULT2B-AKR1C3 axis may inform new avenue(s) for targeting SULT2B-deficient prostate cancer.
Reducing Alert Burden in Electronic Health Records: State of the Art Recommendations from Four Health Systems

Abstract Background Electronic health record (EHR) alert fatigue, while widely recognized as a concern nationally, lacks a corresponding comprehensive mitigation plan. Objectives The goal of this manuscript is to provide practical guidance to clinical informaticists and other health care leaders who are considering creating a program to manage EHR alerts. Methods This manuscript synthesizes several approaches and recommendations for better alert management derived from four U.S. health care institutions that presented their experiences and recommendations at the American Medical Informatics Association 2019 Clinical Informatics Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The assembled health care institution leaders represent academic, pediatric, community, and specialized care domains. We describe governance and management, structural concepts and components, and human–computer interactions with alerts, and make recommendations regarding these domains based on our experience supplemented with literature review. This paper focuses on alerts that impact bedside clinicians. Results The manuscript addresses the range of considerations relevant to alert management including a summary of the background literature about alerts, alert governance, alert metrics, starting an alert management program, approaches to evaluating alerts prior to deployment, and optimization of existing alerts. The manuscript includes examples of alert optimization successes at two of the represented institutions. In addition, we review limitations on the ability to evaluate alerts in the current state and identify opportunities for further scholarship. Conclusion Ultimately, alert management programs must strive to meet common goals of improving patient care, while at the same time decreasing the alert burden on clinicians. In so doing, organizations have an opportunity to promote the wellness of patients, clinicians, and EHRs themselves.
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Outcomes Following High-Risk Surgery.

Importance Palliative care has the potential to improve care for patients and families undergoing high-risk surgery. Objective To characterize the use of perioperative palliative care and its association with family-reported end-of-life experiences of patients who died within 90 days of a high-risk surgical operation. Design, Setting, and Participants This secondary analysis of administrative data from a retrospective cross-sectional patient cohort was conducted in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. Patients who underwent any of 227 high-risk operations between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015, were included. Exposures Palliative-care consultation within 30 days before or 90 days after surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes were family-reported ratings of overall care, communication, and support in the patient's last month of life. The VA surveyed all families of inpatient decedents using the Bereaved Family Survey, a valid and reliable tool that measures patient and family-centered end-of-life outcomes. Results A total of 95 204 patients underwent high-risk operations in 129 inpatient VA Medical Centers. Most patients were 65 years or older (69 278 [72.8%]), and the most common procedures were cardiothoracic (31 157 [32.7%]) or vascular (23 517 [24.7%]). The 90-day mortality rate was 6.0% (5740 patients) and varied by surgical subspecialty (ranging from 278 of 7226 [3.8%] in urologic surgery to 875 of 6223 patients [14.1%] in neurosurgery). A multivariate mixed model revealed that families of decedents who received palliative care were 47% more likely to rate overall care in the last month of life as excellent than those who did not (odds ratio [OR], 1.47 [95% CI, 1.14-1.88]; P = .007), after adjusting for patient's characteristics, surgical subspecialty of the high-risk operation, and survey nonresponse. Similarly, families of decedents who received palliative care were more likely to rate end-of-life communication (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.09-1.87]; P = .004) and support (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.01-1.71]; P = .05) components of medical care as excellent. Of the entire cohort, 3374 patients (3.75%) had a palliative care consultation, and 770 patients (0.8%) received it before surgery. Of all decedents, 1632 (29.9%) had a palliative care consultation, with 319 (5.6%) receiving it before surgery. Conclusions and Relevance Receipt of a palliative consultation was associated with better ratings of overall end-of-life care, communication, and support, as reported by families of patients who died within 90 days of high-risk surgery. Yet only one-third of decedents was exposed to palliative care. Expanding integration of perioperative palliative care may benefit patients undergoing high-risk operations and their families.
A dual-action peptide-containing hydrogel targets wound infection and inflammation

A peptide-containing hydrogel treats both wound infection and inflammation. Double defense Wound infections can increase risk of systemic complications, such as sepsis, and can be difficult to treat due to growing antimicrobial resistance. Puthia et al. developed a hydrogel containing a thrombin-derived peptide, TCP-25, that kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. The hydrogel was effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and clinical bacterial isolates in vitro, and treated murine models of subcutaneous infections and porcine partial thickness wound infections. Bioactive cleavage fragments of the peptide were similar to those found in human wound fluid. Results suggest that this dual-action anti-inflammatory and antibacterial peptide-functionalized hydrogel is a promising approach for wound healing. There is a clinical need for improved wound treatments that prevent both infection and excessive inflammation. TCP-25, a thrombin-derived peptide, is antibacterial and scavenges pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide, thereby preventing CD14 interaction and Toll-like receptor dimerization, leading to reduced downstream immune activation. Here, we describe the development of a hydrogel formulation that was functionalized with TCP-25 to target bacteria and associated PAMP-induced inflammation. In vitro studies determined the polymer prerequisites for such TCP-25–mediated dual action, favoring the use of noncharged hydrophilic hydrogels, which enabled peptide conformational changes and LPS binding. The TCP-25–functionalized hydrogels killed Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in vitro, as well as in experimental mouse models of subcutaneous infection. The TCP-25 hydrogel also mediated reduction of LPS-induced local inflammatory responses, as demonstrated by analysis of local cytokine production and in vivo bioimaging using nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) reporter mice. In porcine partial thickness wound models, TCP-25 prevented infection with S. aureus and reduced concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. Proteolytic fragmentation of TCP-25 in vitro yielded a series of bioactive TCP fragments that were identical or similar to those present in wounds in vivo. Together, the results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of TCP-25 hydrogel, a wound treatment based on the body’s peptide defense, for prevention of both bacterial infection and the accompanying inflammation.
When is parenteral nutrition indicated in the hospitalized, acutely ill patient?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review discusses current practices regarding appropriate indications for parenteral nutrition in acutely ill hospitalized patients. We address-specific indications for parenteral nutrition in the perioperative period, and in inflammatory bowel disease, oncology, hepatobiliary, critical care and end-stage renal disease patients. RECENT FINDINGS Acutely ill hospitalized patients can develop intestinal failure requiring parenteral nutrition. Recent studies have provided insight into the main indications. The most common indications for inpatient parenteral nutrition include postsurgical complications, including prolonged ileus, sepsis, fistula and leaks, and bowel obstruction, predominantly malignant. Severe or complicated inflammatory bowel disease and cancer treatment-related mucosal enteropathies (mucositis, enterocolitis, gut graft-versus-host disease) are the next commonest indications. Less frequent indications are primary motility disorders and inability to secure enteral access for enteral nutrition. Gastrointestinal failure of the intensive care patient is a separate entity resulting from multiple mechanisms, including an enteropathy and dysmotility. SUMMARY Despite the wider availability of nutrition support teams, use of parenteral nutrition is not without risk. The risks and benefits of parenteral nutrition in the acute setting need to be carefully considered even when it is indicated.
Role of microRNAs in remodeling the tumor microenvironment (Review)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that are known to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNA expression is often deregulated in several human cancers, affecting the communication between tumor stroma and tumor cells, among other functions. Understanding the role of miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for fully elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression and exploring novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The present review focused on the role of miRNAs in remodeling the tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on their impact on tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to treatment, as well as their potential clinical applications.