Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multilevel analysis of short birth interval and its determinants among reproductive age women in developing regions of Ethiopia

Background Short Birth Interval negatively affects the health of both mothers and children in developing nations, like, Ethiopia. However, studies conducted to date in Ethiopia upon short birth interval were inconclusive and they did not show the extent and determinants of short birth interval in developing (Afar, Somali, Gambella, and Benishangul-Gumuz) regions of the country. Thus, this study was intended to assess the short birth interval and its determinants in the four developing regions of the country. Methods Data were retrieved from the Demographic and Health Survey program official database website (http://dhsprogram.com). A sample of 2683 women of childbearing age group (15–49) who had at least two alive consecutive children in the four developing regions of Ethiopia was included in this study. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the independent predictors of short birth interval and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) was used during the model selection procedure. Results In this study, the prevalence of short birth interval was 46% [95% CI; 43.7%, 47.9%]. The multilevel multivariable logistic regression model showed women living in rural area [AOR = 1.52, CI: 1.12, 2.05], women attended secondary education and above level [AOR = 0.27, CI: 0.05, 0.54], have no media exposure [AOR = 1.35, CI: 1.18, 1.56], female sex of the index child [AOR = 1.13, CI:1.07,1.20], breastfeeding duration [AOR = 0.79, CI: 0.77, 0.82], having six and more ideal number of children [AOR = 1.14, CI: 1.09, 1.20] and having preferred waiting time to birth two years and above [AOR = 0.86, CI: 0.78, 0.95] were the predictors of short birth interval. Conclusions The prevalence of short birth intervals in the developing regions of Ethiopia is still high. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia should work on the access of family planning and education in rural parts of the developing regions where more than 90% of the population in these regions is pastoral.
A Critical Role of CD40 and CD70 Signaling in Conventional Type 1 Dendritic Cells in Expansion and Antitumor Efficacy of Adoptively Transferred Tumor-Specific T Cells

Key Points cDC1s are needed for expansion of in vivo restimulated infused T cells in mice. CD40 and CD70 signaling in cDC1s is critical in expansion of infused T cells. Induction and activation of cDC1s enhance efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy. In vivo expansion of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells is a critical determinant of successful adoptive T cell therapy. Emerging evidence indicates Batf3-dependent conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) rarely found within the tumor myeloid compartment are crucial for effector T cell recruitment to the tumor microenvironment. However, the role of cDC1s in expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells remains unclear. In this article, we addressed the role of cDC1s and their costimulatory molecules, CD40, CD70, and CD80/CD86, in expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred in vitro–primed CD8+ T cells recognizing nonmutated tumor-associated self-antigens. We found that TLR/CD40–mediated expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD8+ T cells were abrogated in Batf3−/− mice. Further mechanistic studies using mixed bone marrow chimeric mice identified that CD40 and CD70 but not CD80/CD86 signaling in cDC1s played a critical role in expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells. Moreover, induction and activation of cDC1s by administration of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) and TLR/CD40 agonists augmented expansion of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells, delayed tumor growth, and improved survival. These findings reveal a key role for CD40 and CD70 signaling in cDC1s and have major implications for the design of new vaccination strategies with adoptive T cell therapy. Visual Abstract
Effects of NaCl Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Seedlings

The cutting potted pitaya was used as the material for the study on the changing tendency of physiological index in the tender stem under NaCl stress.The results showed that: The physiological index of pitaya tender stem did not change significantly in the period of 0~14 d,but changed greatly after 28 d when under stress of 0.4% NaCl;The relative conductivity,contents of MDA and soluble saccharides,and the activity of SOD,POD and CAT were significantly increased under stress of 0.8% NaCl,but Pro contents changed erratically;Under stress with 1.2% NaCl,the relative conductivity,contents of MDA and Pro were significantly increased;The contents of soluble saccharides showed the trend of declining-rising-declining.And the SOD,POD and CAT activity raised up remarkably,but the activity was decreased when reached the peak after 14 ~21 d;The physiological and biochemical indices of plants not changed obviously at the Na+concentration of 5 mg/g in soil indicated that pitaya had stronger salt tolerance.
El spot sign y spot sign score en el hematoma cerebral espontáneo: aplicaciones clínicas en la urgencia de neuroradiología

El crecimiento de los hematomas cerebrales intraparenquimatosos es la principal causa de mortalidad y complicaciones clinicas y radiologicas que sufren estos pacientes en las primeras horas del evento. La capacidad de predecir el riesgo de este crecimiento desde el inicio del evento puede tener implicaciones en el manejo y en el pronostico de los pacientes. Para determinar la evolucion del hematoma cerebral intraparenquimatoso en las primeras horas se utilizo el marcador radiologico spot sign o sangrado activo en la angio-CT de craneo valorando su presencia y ausencia. En caso de que estuviese presente se cuantifico la severidad del mismo mediante el Spot Sign Score. La presencia de spot sign se relaciono con un mayor riesgo de crecimiento del hematoma intraparenquimatoso y con la aparicion de nuevas complicaciones intracraneales en las siguiente 24 horas, asi como con una mayor tasa de mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Asi tambien, se comprobo que presentar un Spot Score de 3 o 4 puntos (sobre 4) se correlaciono con un mayor volumen del crecimiento del hematoma, mayores complicaciones intracraneales a las 24 horas y con mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Los pacientes con un Spot Sign Score de 2 o inferior a 2 presentaron un menor crecimiento en el volumen de su hematoma, menores complicaciones intracraneales y una menor mortalidad intrahospitalaria. En los pacientes anticoagulados existio un mayor numero de spot sign y mayor densidad radiologica medida en Unidades Hounsfield, lo que se correlacionan con Spot Sign Score altos de 3 o 4 y un peor pronostico. No obstante, los pacientes antiagregados no presentaron un mayor incidencia de spot sign, ni un spot sign score mas alto, por lo que no presentan mayores tasas de crecimiento de su hematoma, ni desarrollan mas complicaciones intracraneales en la TC craneo de control a las 24 horas, ni presentan mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria. El spot sign obtuvo una sensibilidad, especificidad y valor predictivo negativo relativamente alto indicando que es una herramienta diagnostica fiable en la deteccion del posible crecimiento de un hematoma intraparenquimatoso.
Endochondral growth zone pattern and activity in the zebrafish pharyngeal skeleton

Endochondral ossification is a major bone forming mechanism in vertebrates, defects in which can result in skeletal dysplasia or craniofacial anomalies in humans. The zebrafish holds great potential to advance our understanding of endochondral growth zone development and genetics, yet several important aspects of its biology remain unexplored. Here we provide a comprehensive description of endochondral growth zones in the pharyngeal skeleton, including their developmental progression, cellular activity, and adult fates.
Hif-1α Inhibitors Could Successfully Inhibit the Progression of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Vitro

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α plays an important role in cancer progression. In various cancers, including thyroid cancer, overexpression of HIF-1α is related to poor prognosis or treatment response. However, few studies have investigated the role of HIF-1α inhibition in thyroid cancer progression. We evaluated the utility of the HIF-1α inhibitor IDF-11774 in vitro utilizing two thyroid cancer cell lines, K1 and BCPAP. Both cell lines were tested to elucidate the effects of IDF-11774 on cell proliferation and migration using soft agar and invasion assays. Here, we found that a reduction of HIF-1α expression in BCPAP cells was observed after treatment with IDF-11774 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, cell proliferation, migration, and anchorage-independent growth were effectively inhibited by IDF-11774 in BCPAP cells but not in K1 cells. Additionally, invasion of BCPAP but not K1 cells was controlled with IDF-11774 in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that promoting the degradation of HIF-1α could be a strategy to manage progression and that HIF-1α inhibitors are potent drugs for thyroid cancer treatment.
Investigation of anti-Parkinson activity of dicyclomine

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The major causative factors that progress the PD are age, genetic abnormalities, environmental factors and degeneration of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra. PD normally exerts a tonic inhibitory effect on striatal cholinergic interneurons. Anticholinergics act by normalizing the disequilibrium between striatal dopamine and acetylcholine-resulted reduction in tremors. Objective This study sought to evaluate the anti-Parkinson potential of dicyclomine in haloperidol (HAL)- and paraquat (PQT)-induced Parkinsonism models in mice. Materials and methods Sixty albino mice were divided into six groups (n = 10) for each model. Group I: received distilled water 1 mL/kg, Group II: diseased group received HAL (1 mg/kg) for consecutive 21 days and PQT (2 mg/kg) every three days for three weeks, Group III: treated with sinemet (20 mg/kg), Group IV–VI: received 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg dose of dicyclomine, respectively, for consecutive 21 days. The effect of treatments on spontaneous locomotor activity and motor co-ordination was evaluated by using open field, rotarod, actophotometer and light and dark box tests. Cataleptic behavior was estimated by the block method and triple horizontal bar apparatus. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress and levels of neurotransmitters were estimated. Results Findings from this study showed that dicyclomine at highest dose level of 160 mg/kg prevented HAL- and PQT-induced PD through enhancement of antioxidant defense system. Conclusion The study concluded that dicyclomine could be the potential drug in the management of Parkinsonism. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Perceptions of Female Genitalia Following Labiaplasty

ABSTRACT Labiaplasty – a common form of female genital cosmetic surgery involving the removal of portions of the labia minora – is becoming increasingly popular, yet little research has examined perceptions of postoperative labia relative to perceptions of unaltered labia. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine perceptions of preoperative and postoperative labia. A sample of 4513 participants – 42% women, 56% men, and 3% non-binary (Mage 27.01, SD age = 9.97) – was shown a randomized series of “before-and-after” images of labiaplasty procedures. Participants rated each image on how well it matched societal ideals, their personal ideal, and perceived normalcy in appearance. Our hypothesis that postoperative labia would be evaluated more favorably than preoperative labia on these constructs was supported. Individuals who specified their gender outside of the binary rated labia more positively overall; women rated labia more negatively than participants of other genders. Ratings were consistently low overall for both pre- and postoperative labia, suggesting critically negative perceptions of female genitalia. Our findings highlight a need for interventions and education to encourage more positive and accurate views of women’s bodies.
The limited capacity of visual temporal integration in cats

It has been long known that prolonging stimulus duration may increase the perceived brightness of a visual stimulus. The interaction between intensity and duration generally follows a rule, such as that described in Bloch's law. This visual temporal integration relationship has been identified in human subjects and in non-human primates. However, although auditory temporal integration has been extensively studied in the cat, visual temporal integration has not. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine visual temporal integration in the cat. We trained five cats to respond when a brief luminance change was detected in a fixation dot. After training, we measured the success rate of detecting the luminance change with varying durations at threshold, subthreshold, and suprathreshold luminance levels. Psychometric functions showed that prolonging stimulus duration improved task performance, more noticeably for stimuli below 100 ms than beyond. Most psychometric functions were better fit to an exponential model than to a linear model. The gradually saturated performance observed here, as in previous studies, can be explained by the “leaky integrator” hypothesis, that is, temporal integration is only valid below a critical duration. Overall, we developed a task whereby visual temporal integration was successfully demonstrated in the cat. The effect of stimulus duration on detection success rate displayed a pattern generally consistent with previous human and non-human primate findings on visual temporal integration.
Evaluation of Endurance of Core Muscles in Female Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability

Purpose: Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common sport related injuries. It is estimated that most of the individuals who suffer from LAS develop chronic ankle instability(CAI), therefore detection of contributing factors to this injury is essential. The aim of present study was to evaluate the endurance of core muscles in patients with chronic ankle instability in female athletes. Methods: Fifteen athletes with CAI (Mean±S.D: age=25±3.5years, height=167.6±8.5cm, weight=64/8±6/1kg) and fifteen healthy female athletes (Mean±S.D: age 26±4.2 years, height=168.9±4.7 cm, weight=62.1±7.3kg) were selected with non-probability sampling. We used the method of McGill to assess endurance of core muscles that include trunk flexors, trunk extensors and bilateral side flexors. Data were analyzed using MANOVA test and independent sample t-test (p≤0.05). Results: Athletes with CAI showed significant difference in the time of endurance tests in relation to healthy athletes (f=13.18, p= 0.00). The most related muscle endurance to CAI were back extensors (PES=0.62) and after that, trunk flexors (PES=0.51), right side flexors (PES=0.38) and left side flexors (PES=0.31), respectively. There were no significant differences in the ratios of flexor / extensor and right side flexors / left side flexors tests. Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, the endurance of core muscles was lower in patients with CAI, so it would be suggested that trainers, physicians and athletes consider core endurance assessment in prevention and rehabilitation to avoid athletes from ankle sprain and instability.
The potential of milk fatty acids as biomarkers for methane emissions in dairy cows: a quantitative multi-study survey of literature data

SUMMARY Relationships between milk fatty acids (MFA) and methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cattle were explored. Data from a total of 12 studies including 39 treatments were gathered in the database. Methane was expressed as daily emissions (g/d), relative to dry matter intake (g/kg), milk production (g/kg milk) and body weight (g/kg). The univariate correlations between MFA and CH4 were based on absolute means and on relative changes of each treatment compared with its corresponding control. Saturated fatty acids, odd- and branched-chain FA and long-chain poly-unsaturated FA were positively related to CH4, while cis- and trans-isomers of mono-unsaturated FA were negatively related to CH4. However, most of the coefficients of determination (R 2) of these univariate regressions ranged from 0·2 to 0·7, indicating that individual MFA only explain a limited part of the variation in CH4. Significant relationships between MFA and CH4 varied depending on the unit in which emissions were expressed. Similarly, some MFA seemed more suited to predict relative changes in CH4 emissions rather than absolute amounts. The present findings contribute to the exploration of the potential of MFA as biomarkers for CH4 emissions from dairy cattle, although differences between studies in the detail of MFA analysis and hence the number of MFA reported in the current study, complicates this kind of literature survey.
Modeling HIV Transmission from Sexually Active Alcohol-Consuming Men in ART Programs to Seronegative Wives

Background: The rollout of antiviral therapy in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) has reduced HIV transmission rates at the potential risk of resistant HIV transmission. We sought to predict the risk of wild type and antiviral resistance transmissions in these settings. Methods: A predictive model utilizing viral load, ART adherence, genital ulcer disease, condom use, and sexual event histories was developed to predict risks of HIV transmission to wives of 233 HIV+ men in 4 antiretroviral treatment centers in Maharashtra, India. Results: ARV Therapy predicted a 5.71-fold reduction in transmissions compared to a model of using condoms alone, with 79.9%, of remaining transmissions resulting in primary ART-resistance. Conclusions: ART programs reduce transmission of HIV to susceptible partners at a substantial increased risk for transmission of resistant virus. Enhanced vigilance in monitoring adherence, use of barrier protections, and viral load may reduce risks of resistant HIV transmissions in LMIC settings.
Protocol for a single-centre, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, superiority trial on the effects of time-restricted eating on body weight, behaviour and metabolism in individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes: the REStricted Eating Time (RESET) study

Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) on change in body weight and describe changes in behaviour and metabolism in individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Methods and analysis The REStricted Eating Time (RESET) study is a randomised controlled parallel-group open-label trial. 100 women and men with (1) overweight (body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2) and prediabetes (glycated haemoglobin 39–47 mmol/mol); or (2) obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) will be randomised to a control group (habitual living) or TRE (self-selected 10-hours eating window within the period from 06:00 to 20:00 in a 1:1 ratio. Testing is scheduled at baseline and after 6 weeks (mid-intervention), 3 months (post-intervention) and 6 months (follow-up). The primary outcome is change in body weight after 3 months of intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition; measures of glucose metabolism including glycaemic variability, hormones and metabolites; subjective and metabolic markers of appetite, food preferences and reward; dietary intake; physical activity, sleep, chronotype; gastric emptying, gastrointestinal transit time and motility; respiratory and glycolytic capacities; the plasma proteome and metabolome; blood pressure, resting heart rate and heart rate variability; and resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. Motivation and feasibility will be examined based on interviews at baseline and after 3 months. After the 3-month intervention, a 3-month follow-up period and subsequent testing are scheduled to assess maintenance and longer-term effects. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-18059188) and the Danish Data Protection Agency. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results from the study will address whether TRE is effective and feasible in improving health outcomes in individuals at risk of lifestyle-related diseases and can potentially inform the design of feasible health recommendations. Trial registration number NCT03854656.
Genomic plasticity of pathogenic Escherichia coli mediates d-serine tolerance via multiple adaptive mechanisms

Significance Pathogens ensure infection of favored sites in the body by responding to chemical signals. One chemical abundant in urine, the amino acid d-Ser, is toxic to EHEC and reduces expression of the machinery used for host cell attachment, making the bladder an unfavorable environment. We observed that under d-Ser stress, EHEC acquires genetic changes that lead to blocking d-Ser uptake into the cell or activating a silent enzyme for degrading d-Ser. This prevents growth inhibition and, critically, inhibits the repression of attachment machinery normally caused by d-Ser. These findings highlight the importance of pathogen evolution in determining how host molecules regulate colonization. These interactions underpin a process known as niche restriction that is important for pathogen success within the host. The molecular environment of the host can have profound effects on the behavior of resident bacterial species. We recently established how the sensing and response of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) to d-serine (d-Ser) resulted in down-regulation of type 3 secretion system-dependent colonization, thereby avoiding unfavorable environments abundant in this toxic metabolite. However, this model ignores a key determinant of the success of bacterial pathogens, adaptive evolution. In this study, we have explored the adaptation of EHEC to d-Ser and its consequences for pathogenesis. We rapidly isolated multiple, independent, EHEC mutants whose growth was no longer compromised in the presence of d-Ser. Through a combination of whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomics, we showed that tolerance could be attributed to disruption of one of two d-Ser transporters and/or activation of a previously nonfunctional d-Ser deaminase. While the implication of cytoplasmic transport in d-Ser toxicity was unsurprising, disruption of a single transporter, CycA, was sufficient to completely overcome the repression of type 3 secretion system activity normally associated with exposure to d-Ser. Despite the fact that this reveals a mechanism by which evolution could drive a pathogen to colonize new niches, interrogation of sequenced E. coli O157:H7 genomes showed a high level of CycA conservation, highlighting a strong selective pressure for functionality. Collectively, these data show that CycA is a critically important conduit for d-Ser uptake that is central to the niche restriction of EHEC.