Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Potential Roles of Ghrelin in Metabolic Syndrome and Secondary Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Although the major causative factors of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are the accumulation of amyloid β and hyperphosphorylated tau, AD can also be caused by metabolic dysfunction. The major clinical symptom of AD is cognitive dysfunction. However, AD is also accompanied by various secondary symptoms such as depression, sleep–wake disturbances, and abnormal eating behaviors. Interestingly, the orexigenic hormone ghrelin has been suggested to have beneficial effects on AD-related metabolic syndrome and secondary symptoms. Ghrelin improves lipid distribution and alters insulin sensitivity, effects that are hypothesized to delay the progression of AD. Furthermore, ghrelin can relieve depression by enhancing the secretion of hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and orexin. Moreover, ghrelin can upregulate the expression of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β. Ghrelin alleviates sleep–wake disturbances by increasing the levels of melatonin, melanin-concentrating hormone. Ghrelin reduces the risk of abnormal eating behaviors by increasing neuropeptide Y and γ-aminobutyric acid. In addition, ghrelin increases food intake by inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis. However, despite the numerous studies on the role of ghrelin in the AD-related pathology and metabolic disorders, there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of ghrelin on secondary symptoms associated with AD. In this mini review, our purpose is to provide the insights of future study by organizing the previous studies for the role of ghrelin in AD-related pathology and metabolic disorders.
Cerebral Pulsed Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion Weighted Imaging Predicts Language and Motor Outcomes in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Rationale and Objectives: To compare cerebral pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) perfusion among controls, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) neonates with normal conventional MRI(HIE/MRI⊕), and HIE neonates with abnormal conventional MRI(HIE/MRI⊖). To create a predictive machine learning model of neurodevelopmental outcomes using cerebral PASL perfusion. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 full-term neonates were evaluated. The cerebral perfusion values were compared by permutation test to identify brain regions with significant perfusion changes among 18 controls, 40 HIE/MRI⊖ patients, and 15 HIE/MRI⊕ patients. A machine learning model was developed to predict neurodevelopmental outcomes using the averaged perfusion in those identified brain regions. Results: Significantly decreased PASL perfusion in HIE/MRI⊖ group, when compared with controls, were found in the anterior corona radiata, caudate, superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus. Both significantly increased and decreased cerebral perfusion changes were detected in HIE/MRI⊕ group, when compared with HIE/MRI⊖ group. There were no significant perfusion differences in the cerebellum, brainstem and deep structures of thalamus, putamen, and globus pallidus among the three groups. The machine learning model demonstrated significant correlation (p < 0.05) in predicting language(r = 0.48) and motor(r = 0.57) outcomes in HIE/MRI⊖ patients, and predicting language(r = 0.76), and motor(r = 0.53) outcomes in an additional group combining HIE/MRI⊖ and HIE/MRI⊕. Conclusion: Perfusion MRI can play an essential role in detecting HIE regardless of findings on conventional MRI and predicting language and motor outcomes in HIE survivors. The perfusion changes may also reveal important insights into the reperfusion response and intrinsic autoregulatory mechanisms. Our results suggest that perfusion imaging may be a useful adjunct to conventional MRI in the evaluation of HIE in clinical practice.
An Intraoperative Model for Predicting Survival and Deciding Therapeutic Schedules: A Comprehensive Analysis of Peritoneal Metastasis in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background and Objective: No specialized prognostic model for patients with gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) exists for intraoperative clinical decision making. This study aims to establish a new prognostic model to provide individual treatment decisions for patients with GCPM. Method: This retrospective analysis included 324 patients with GCPM diagnosed pathologically by laparoscopy from January 2007 to January 2018 who were randomly assigned to different sets (227 in the training set and 97 in the internal validation set). A nomogram was established from preoperative and intraoperative variables determined by a Cox model. The predictive ability and clinical applicability of the PM nomogram (PMN) were compared with the 15th Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma (JCGC) Staging Guidelines for PM (P1abc). Additional external validation was performed using a dataset (n = 39) from the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China. Results: The median survival time was 8 (range, 1–90) months. In the training set, each PMN substage had significantly different survival curves (P < 0.001), and the PMN was superior to the P1abc based on the results of time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve, C-index, Akaike information criterion and likelihood ratio chi-square analyses. In the internal and external validation sets, the PMN was also better than the P1abc in terms of its predictive ability. Of the PMN1 patients, those undergoing palliative resection had better overall survival (OS) than those undergoing exploratory surgery (P < 0.05). Among the patients undergoing exploratory surgery, those who received chemotherapy exhibited better OS than those who did not (P < 0.05). Among the patients who received palliative resection, only PMN1 patients exhibited better OS following chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We developed and validated a simple, specific PM model for patients with GCPM that can predict prognosis well and guide treatment decisions.
Two Compound Heterozygous Variants in SNX14 Cause Stereotypies and Dystonia in Autosomal Recessive Spinocerebellar Ataxia 20

Autosomal Recessive Spinocerebellar Ataxia 20, SCAR20, is a rare condition characterized by intellectual disability, lack of speech, ataxia, coarse facies and macrocephaly, caused by SNX14 variants. While all cases described are due to homozygous variants that generally result in loss of protein, so far there are no other cases of reported compound heterozygous variants. Here we describe the first non-consanguineous SCAR20 family, the second Portuguese, with two siblings presenting similar clinical features caused by compound heterozygous SNX14 variants: NM_001350532. 1:c.1195C>T, p.(Arg399*) combined with a novel complex genomic rearrangement. Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), long-range PCR and sequencing was used to elucidate the region and mechanisms involved in the latter: two deletions, an inversion and an AG insertion: NM_001350532. 1:c. [612+3028_698-2759del;698-2758_698-516inv;698-515_1171+1366delinsAG]. In silico analyses of these variants are in agreement with causality, enabling a genotype-phenotype correlation in both patients. Clinical phenotype includes dystonia and stereotypies never associated with SCAR20. Overall, this study allowed to extend the knowledge of the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of SCAR20, and to validate the role of Sorting nexin-14 in a well-defined neurodevelopmental syndrome, which can lead to cognitive impairment. We also highlight the value of an accurate clinical evaluation and deep phenotyping to disclose the molecular defect underlying highly heterogeneous condition such as intellectual disability.
Removal of Interictal MEG-Derived Network Hubs Is Associated With Postoperative Seizure Freedom

Objective: To investigate whether MEG network connectivity was associated with epilepsy duration, to identify functional brain network hubs in patients with refractory focal epilepsy, and assess if their surgical removal was associated with post-operative seizure freedom. Methods: We studied 31 patients with drug refractory focal epilepsy who underwent resting state magnetoencephalography (MEG), and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of pre-surgical evaluation. Using the structural MRI, we generated 114 cortical regions of interest, performed surface reconstruction and MEG source localization. Representative source localized signals for each region were correlated with each other to generate a functional brain network. We repeated this procedure across three randomly chosen one-minute epochs. Network hubs were defined as those with the highest intra-hemispheric mean correlations. Post-operative MRI identified regions that were surgically removed. Results: Greater mean MEG network connectivity was associated with a longer duration of epilepsy. Patients who were seizure free after surgery had more hubs surgically removed than patients who were not seizure free (AUC = 0.76, p = 0.01) consistently across three randomly chosen time segments. Conclusion: Our results support a growing literature implicating network hub involvement in focal epilepsy, the removal of which by surgery is associated with greater chance of post-operative seizure freedom.
Associations of LRP5 Gene With Bone Mineral Density, Bone Turnover Markers, and Fractures in the Elderly With Osteoporosis

Objective: The study aimed to explore the associations of rs4988300 and rs634008 in the low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 5 (LRP5) gene with bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers (BTM), and fractures in elderly patients with osteoporosis (OP). Methods: Our study included 328 unrelated OP patients with or without fractures. Genomic DNA was extracted for genotyping. BTM levels were assessed by electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was employed to measure BMD in the lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur. Basic features between the OP and fracture groups were analyzed using the t-test. The Chi-square test was performed to analyze the differences in allele and genotype frequencies. The associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with BMD and BTM in the subgroups were investigated by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for confounding factors. Results: In both females and males, individuals with fractures exhibited higher BTM levels and lower BMD values than those with OP (P < 0.05). The allele and genotype frequencies of rs4988300 in the subgroups were significantly different (P < 0.05). In both females and males suffering from OP, participants with rs4988300 GG or rs634008 TT presented lower procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels (P < 0.05). Women with OP carrying rs4988300 GG exhibited lower BMD values at FN and TH (P < 0.05). In both females and males with fractures, individuals carrying rs4988300 GG genotype or rs634008 TT genotype exhibited lower PINP levels and BMD values at FN and TH than those with other genotypes (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Rs4988300 and rs634008 polymorphisms in the LRP5 gene are associated with bone phenotypes in the elderly with OP or fractures.
Statistical profiling reveals correlations between the cell response to and structural sequence of Rho-GAPs

Rho-GTPase-activating proteins (Rho-GAPs) are essential upstream regulators of the Rho family of GTPases. Currently, it remains unclear if the phenotypic change caused by perturbations to a Rho-GAP is predictable from its structural sequence. Here we analyze the relationship between the morphological response of cells to the silencing of Rho-GAPs and their primary structure. For all possible pairs of 57 different Rho-GAPs expressed in MCF10A epithelial cells, the similarity in the Rho-GAP silencing-induced morphological change was quantified and compared to the similarity in the primary structure of the corresponding pairs. We found a distinct correlation between the morphological and structural similarities in a specific group of RhoA-targeting Rho-GAPs. Thus, the family-wide analysis revealed a common feature shared by the specific Rho-GAPs.
Proficiency Testing for bacterial whole genome sequencing in assuring the quality of microbiology diagnostics in clinical and public health laboratories

The adoption of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data over the past decade for pathogen surveillance, and decision-making for infectious diseases has rapidly transformed the landscape of clinical microbiology and public health. However, for successful transition to routine use of these techniques, it is crucial to ensure the WGS data generated meet defined quality standards for pathogen identification, typing, antimicrobial resistance detection and surveillance. Further, the ongoing development of these standards will ensure that the bioinformatic processes are capable of accurately identifying and characterising organisms of interest, and thereby facilitate the integration of WGS into routine clinical and public health laboratory setting. A pilot proficiency testing (PT) program for WGS of infectious agents was developed to facilitate widely applicable standardisation and benchmarking standards for WGS across a range of laboratories. The PT participating laboratories were required to generate WGS data from two bacterial isolates, and submit the raw data for independent bioinformatics analysis, as well as analyse the data with their own processes and answer relevant questions about the data. Overall, laboratories used a diverse range of bioinformatics tools and could generate and analyse high-quality data, either meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements. This pilot has provided valuable insight into the current state of genomics in clinical microbiology and public health laboratories across Australia. It will provide a baseline guide for the standardisation of WGS and enable the development of a PT program that allows an ongoing performance benchmark for accreditation of WGS-based test processes.
Credit, Equity, and Mortgage Refinancings

Using a unique loan level data set that links individual household credit ratings with property and loan characteristics, the authors test the extent to which homeowners' credit ratings and equity affect the likelihood that mortgage loans will be refinanced as interest rates fall. Their logit model estimates strongly support the importance of both the credit and equity variables. Furthermore, the authors' results suggest that a change in the overall lending environment over the past decade has increased the probability that a homeowner will refinance.
Effects of a 16-Week Online Classroom Physical Activity Integration Course on Student-Level Outcomes

ABSTRACT Background Teachers can help students meet physical activity (PA) recommendations by integrating PA into the classroom. Few studies have evaluated student PA after teacher-received professional development. Purpose: This study measured student PA outcomes from an online, 16-week course for teachers on classroom PA integration. Course-enrolled (“intervention”) teachers were asked to integrate 30 minutes of daily PA into their classrooms and collaborate with teachers in their school, referred to as “PA Partners. ” Methods: Eighty-two students from the classrooms of seven teachers (3 intervention, 4 PA Partners) wore accelerometers during school at the beginning and end of the 16-week course. Multilevel mixed effect models were used to examine PA pre to post. Results: At the beginning of the course, students with intervention teachers spent a larger percentage of time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than students of PA Partners. MVPA did not change across the duration of the course for intervention students, but MVPA for students of PA Partners increased significantly (boys: 3.3%; girls: 1.6%; p < .01). Discussion: Findings suggest the course had ancillary impacts on non-enrolled PA Partners. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators should encourage interpersonal-level resources from the social ecological model when training teachers to integrate classroom PA. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica. org/trn-Webinars
The complex evolution of the HSP70 gene family

The 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family contains several isoforms localized in different subcellular compartments. The cytosolic isoforms have been classified into stress-inducible HSP70s and constitutive heat shock cognates (HSC70s), but occasional reports of “constitutive HSP70s” and the lack of cross-phylum comparisons have been a source of confusion in the evolution of the metazoan HSP70 family. Here we provide novel insights into the evolutionary history of this important molecular chaperone. We first cloned two HSP70 genes from the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, an emerging model in evolutionary genetics, and confirmed their stress inducibility. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses of 100 full-length HSP70 family member genes revealed an ancient duplication that gave rise to two lineages from which all metazoan cytosolic HSP70s descend. One lineage contains a relatively small number of Lophotrochozoan and Ecdysozoan genes, none of which have been shown to be constitutively expressed. The second included both inducible and constitutive genes from diverse phyla. Species-specific duplications are present in both lineages, and in the second there are well-supported phylum-specific clades for Rotifera, Nematoda, and Chordata. Some genes in this lineage have likely independently acquired stress inducibility, which may explain the sporadic distribution of genes designated as “HSP70” or “HSC70” in previous analyses. Consistent with the history of diversification within each group, stress-inducible members of the second lineage show lower purifying selection pressure compared to constitutive members. These results illustrate the evolutionary history of the HSP70 family independent from their expression patterns, encouraging the development of new nomenclature based on evolutionary history.
Horizontal Transmission of Salmonella typhimurium in Broiler Chicks

Abstract Broiler breeder flocks and hatcheries have been identified as reservoirs of salmonellae and potential sources of Salmonella infection for highly susceptible day-old chicks. Once salmonellae have colonized the gastrointestinal tract of the chick, the bacteria replicate and are shed into the environment to contaminate it and to colonize other chicks. Salmonella will continue to cycle throughout the broiler flock via bird to bird contact, and any facilities that have house the flock will become a potential reservoir for future flocks. The present studies were conducted to evaluate horizontal transmission of Salmonella typhimurium from challenged chicks (seeders) to non-challenged broiler chicks (contacts). Data from the present study suggest that the spread of Salmonella from seeder chicks to contact chicks is dependent on the Salmonella challenge dose and not the number of chicks originally exposed. Horizontal transmission of Salmonella to unchallenged contact chicks from seeders initially challenged with 100 Salmonella or more will limit the effectiveness of any post-hatchery Salmonella control program after they leave the hatchery.
Frequency Response of the Face Fly, Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae), to Lighting-schedule Shifts at Varied Intervals

Separate groups of face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer, were subjected throughout a life span to shifts of a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D). These shifts were repeated as a 6-h lengthening of the dark span at intervals ranging from 2 to 11 days. Mortality was highest in groups of face flies shifted every 2 or 9 days. This response summarized at ca. 50% overall mortality suggests the operation of a rhythmic component with a period of ca. 7 days, a so-called circaseptan rhythm. Analysis of survival data shows longest survival times for the groups shifted every 5 to 6 days, a result agreeing with that on mortality.
>Corna - An Open Source Python Tool For Natural Abundance Correction In Isotope Tracer Experiments

Background Stable isotope-based approaches are used in the field of metabolomics for quantification and identification of metabolites, discovery of new pathways and measurement of intracellular fluxes. In these experiments, often performed with mass spectrometry (MS), data must be corrected for natural abundance of isotopes. Various stand-alone tools with their own separate data formats and learning curves exist for correction of data collected at different resolutions, for tandem MS, and for different number of tracer elements. Results We present a Python package, Corna, that combines natural abundance correction workflows for several experimental conditions and can be used as a one-stop-shop for stable isotope labeled experiments. We validate the algorithms in Corna with published tools, where available, and include new features, such as correction of two tracer elements, that are not yet implemented in any existing software application as per our knowledge. We also present the integration of Corna with an existing open source peak integration software. The integrated workflow can reduce processing times for a typical stable isotope based workflow from days to hours for a familiar user. Conclusions Algorithmic advancements have been keeping up with the developments in mass spectrometry technologies and have been the focus of most existing tools for natural abundance correction. However, in this high throughput era, it is also important to recognize user experience, and integrated and reproducible workflows. Corna has been written in Python and is designed for users who have access to large amounts of data from different kinds of experiments and want to integrate a natural abundance correction tool seamlessly in their pipelines. The latest version of Corna can be accessed at https://github.com/raaisakuk/NA_Correction.
TAXA DE PRENHES EM NOVILHAS NELORES COLOCADAS A DESAFIO AOS QUATORZE MESES NO NORDESTE DO MARANHÃO.

Currently, Brazil haves the biggest commercial floc k f the world esteem in 199,5 million heads of bov ines, with increase of 5% to 2011, when we will reach the number of 205,9 million head. The raised age which the females are submitted the sum or Artificial Insemination (AI), had practical the inadequate ones of nutricional ha ndling during the breeding, can lead to the delay in the manifestatio n of the first rutting and ovulation, increase of t he interval between childbirths, weans of rickety year-old calves and o ccurrence of reproductive patologiesin the puerperi um. The use of practical adjusted as it weans of the females to th e eight months, monthly weight verification, format ion of lots of heifers with higher weight the average of the flock to be p r gnant, and establishment of breeding season, is p ractical that they favor the production precocious of year-old calves, without however, to harm the corporal development of these females, and reducing the discarding of the females. The int roduction of nelore mixed heifers to the 14 months old, with weight > the 290 kg/PV in reproduction in the region north o f the state of the Maranhão, resulted in pregnancy rates varying between 58 – 75%, increasing the year-old calf prod uction/year, reduction of the age to the first chil db rth, it enjoys increasing it of the flock, and increasing the econ omic viability of the cattle one. Keys-words: reproduction, breeding season, heifers