Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
African Swine Fever Circulation among Free-Ranging Pigs in Sardinia: Data from the Eradication Program

African swine fever virus (ASFV), the cause of a devastating disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, has been present in Sardinia since 1978. In the framework of the regional ASF eradication plan, 4484 illegal pigs were culled between December 2017 and February 2020. The highest disease prevalence was observed in the municipality with the highest free-ranging pig density, and culling actions drastically reduced ASFV circulation among these animals. ASFV-antibody were detected in 36.7% of tested animals, which were apparently healthy, thus, the circulation of low-virulence ASFV isolates was hypothesized. ASFV genome was detected in 53 out of 2726 tested animals, and virus isolation was achieved in two distinct culling actions. Two ASFV haemadsorbing strains were isolated from antibody-positive apparently healthy pigs: 55234/18 and 103917/18. Typing analysis revealed that both isolates belong to p72 genotype I, B602L subgroup X; phylogenetic analysis based on whole genome sequencing data showed that they were closely related to Sardinian ASFV strains collected since 2010, especially 22653/Ca/2014. Our data suggested the absence of immune-escaped ASFV variants circulating among free-ranging pigs, indicating that other elements contributed to virus circulation among these animals. Understanding factors behind disease persistence in endemic settings might contribute to developing effective countermeasures against this disease.
Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity of Bambusa Arundinacea

Ethanolic extract of the root part of Bambusa arundinacea was investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Pheritima posthuma. The study involves the determination of paralysis time and death time of the worms in the different doses of the extracts (10, 20 and 50 mg/ml). The extract exhibited significant anthelmintic activity in a dose dependent manner compared to the control. Activity was comparable with the reference standard Pipeazine citrate (15 mg/ml) and Albendazole (10 mg/ml).
Spinel-Type Materials Used for Gas Sensing: A Review

Demands for the detection of harmful gas in daily life have arisen for a period and a gas nano-sensor acting as a kind of instrument that can directly detect gas has been of wide concern. The spinel-type nanomaterial is suitable for the research of gas sensors because of its unique structure. However, the existing instability, higher detection limit, and operating temperature of the spinel materials limit the extension of the spinel material sensor. This paper reviews the research progress of spinel materials in gas sensor technology in recent years and lists the common morphological structures and material sensitization methods in combination with previous works.
NSD3-Induced Methylation of H3K36 Activates NOTCH Signaling to Drive Breast Tumor Initiation and Metastatic Progression

This study demonstrates the functional significance of histone methyltransferase NSD3 in epigenetic regulation of breast cancer stemness, EMT, and metastasis, suggesting NSD3 as an actionable therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer. Histone methyltransferase NSD3 is frequently dysregulated in human cancers, yet the epigenetic role of NSD3 during cancer development remains elusive. Here we report that NSD3-induced methylation of H3K36 is crucial for breast tumor initiation and metastasis. In patients with breast cancer, elevated expression of NSD3 was associated with recurrence, distant metastasis, and poor survival. In vivo, NSD3 promoted malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells, a function comparable to that of HRAS. Furthermore, NSD3 expanded breast cancer-initiating cells and promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition to trigger tumor invasion and metastasis. Mechanistically, the long isoform (full-length transcript) of NSD3, but not its shorter isoform lacking a catalytic domain, cooperated with EZH2 and RNA polymerase II to stimulate H3K36me2/3-dependent transactivation of genes associated with NOTCH receptor cleavage, leading to nuclear accumulation of NICD and NICD-mediated transcriptional repression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, mice harboring primary and metastatic breast tumors with overexpressed NSD3 showed sensitivity to NOTCH inhibition. Together, our findings uncover the critical epigenetic role of NSD3 in the modulation of NOTCH-dependent breast tumor progression, providing a rationale for targeting the NSD3–NOTCH signaling regulatory axis in aggressive breast cancer. Significance: This study demonstrates the functional significance of histone methyltransferase NSD3 in epigenetic regulation of breast cancer stemness, EMT, and metastasis, suggesting NSD3 as an actionable therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer.
Reinforcer pathology's alternative reinforcer hypothesis: A preliminary examination.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The novel theory of Reinforcer Pathology states that the temporal window of integration, measured by delay discounting (DD), determines the value of reinforcers. Based on the Reinforcer Pathology theory, the valuation of alternative reinforcers is positively associated with the length of the temporal window (negatively with rates of discounting). The objective of this article is to test the Reinforcer Pathology theory by reanalyzing data from a prior report (Carr & Epstein, 2018) in order to examine the association between the reinforcing value of alternative reinforcement and the length of the measured temporal window. METHOD Participants (N = 250) who completed an adjusting delay discounting task and the Pleasant Events Schedule (PES) were included in the study. PES provides a measurement of a reinforcement score (a cross-product of PES measures of frequency and pleasantness) for 45 noneating alternative activities. Analysis of Variance and Spearman product-moment correlations were completed. RESULTS Delay discounting was significantly positively correlated with sedentary reinforcement and significantly negatively correlated with cognitively enriching activities. A significant interaction was observed in the preference for between food and cognitive-enriching context as a function ln(k) in predicting the cognitive-enriching activity class. Nonsignificant relationships were also observed with the correlation of delay discounting to the reinforcement of social and physical activities. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide initial support for Reinforcer Pathology theory and indicate that the temporal window over which reinforcers are integrated may be a factor contributing to a preference for some healthy or unhealthy alternative reinforcers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Efficacy of Manual Therapy on Pain, Impact of Disease, and Quality of Life in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Myofascial mobilization has been used as an intervention for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) for acting on ascending nociceptive pathways possibly involved in the central sensitization process, modulating the pain experience. However, there is still a gap in its efficacy compared with another hands-on approach because manual therapy has nonspecific effects, such as placebo. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to review the scientific literature for an overview of the efficacy of manual therapy in pain, disease impact, and quality of life in patients with FM compared with control or other treatments through randomized clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN This study involved systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING This study examined all RCTs evaluating the effect of manual therapy on pain, impact of disease, and quality of life for patients with FM. METHODS Systematic review. The research was performed in 9 databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Lilacs, SciELO, PEDro, and Cochrane. Searches were carried out from the end of the project until September 2019, with no language and year restrictions. Randomized controlled clinical trials that used the following outcome measures were included: Visual Analog Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. The risk of bias and quality of studies was assessed using the PEDro scale; the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool; and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System. RESULTS Seven studies were included (368 patients). The quantitative analysis was performed on 4 studies because of the lack of data in the others. Myofascial release was the most used modality. The level of evidence ranged from very low to moderate, mainly because of the inconsistency and inaccuracy of results. LIMITATIONS The present systematic review presented limitations because of the heterogeneity of the included studies and only a short-term analysis of the intervention results. It was observed that other information, such as pressure, repetition, and/or sustaining manual therapy techniques, could be better described in future protocols, aiming at a better comparison between the techniques and their subsequent reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence of manual therapy in patients with FM, based on a very low to moderate quality of evidence, was inconclusive and insufficient to support and recommend the use of manual therapy in this population. To date, only general osteopathic treatment has achieved clinically relevant pain improvement when compared with control.
Tetrahydrobiopterin compounds modulate intracellular signaling and reactive oxygen species levels in an in vitro model of ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and 4-amino-tetrahydrobiopterin (ABH4) prevent acute rejection after solid organ transplantation. Moreover, BH4 also attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The mechanisms underlying these protective effects are poorly defined. Activation of intracellular signaling proteins, including the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK, p38, and JNK, and the excessive production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) are observed mainly during early reperfusion. While the role of ROS in the initiation and progression of IRI is well understood, the contribution of individual signaling pathways is less clear. Here, we tested the potential effects of BH4 and ABH4 on MAPK activity and mitochondrial ROS levels. During hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R), all three MAPKs were activated during early reoxygenation in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. p38 and JNK activation were further augmented by BH4 and ABH4, whereas ERK activation was not affected. Pretreatment with BH4 and ABH4 reduced the basal mitochondrial ROS levels as well as the H/R-induced increase in ROS. Prolonged incubation with ABH4, however, showed pro-apoptotic effects in cardiomyocytes. These data suggest that a protective effect of BH4 and ABH4 pretreatment may be attributed mainly to their antioxidant capacity. The effects on intracellular signaling are complex and warrant further investigations.
Mo-Based Layered Nanostructures for the Electrochemical Sensing of Biomolecules

Mo-based layered nanostructures are two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with outstanding characteristics and very promising electrochemical properties. These materials comprise nanosheets of molybdenum (Mo) oxides (MoO2 and MoO3), dichalcogenides (MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2), and carbides (MoC2), which find application in electrochemical devices for energy storage and generation. In this feature paper, we present the most relevant characteristics of such Mo-based layered compounds and their use as electrode materials in electrochemical sensors. In particular, the aspects related to synthesis methods, structural and electronic characteristics, and the relevant electrochemical properties, together with applications in the specific field of electrochemical biomolecule sensing, are reviewed. The main features, along with the current status, trends, and potentialities for biomedical sensing applications, are described, highlighting the peculiar properties of Mo-based 2D-nanomaterials in this field.
The Relationship between Abdominal Fat Phenotypes and Insulin Resistance in Non-Obese Individuals after Acute Pancreatitis

Both type 2 prediabetes/diabetes (T2DM) and new-onset prediabetes/diabetes after acute pancreatitis (NODAP) are characterized by impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin action. Although the outcomes of NODAP and T2DM are different, it is unknown whether drivers of insulin resistance are different in the two types of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the associations between abdominal fat phenotypes and indices of insulin sensitivity in non-obese individuals with NODAP, T2DM, and healthy controls. Indices of insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS), Raynaud index, triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index, Matsuda index) were calculated in fasting and postprandial states. Fat phenotypes (intra-pancreatic fat, intra-hepatic fat, skeletal muscle fat, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat) were determined using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Linear regression and relative importance analyses were conducted. Age, sex, and glycated hemoglobin A1c were adjusted for. A total of 78 non-obese individuals (26 NODAP, 20 T2DM, and 32 healthy controls) were included. Intra-pancreatic fat was significantly associated with all the indices of insulin sensitivity in the NODAP group, consistently in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Intra-pancreatic fat was not significantly associated with any index of insulin sensitivity in the T2DM and healthy controls groups. The variance in HOMA-IS was explained the most by intra-pancreatic fat (R2 = 29%) in the NODAP group and by visceral fat (R2 = 21%) in the T2DM group. The variance in the Raynaud index was explained the most by intra-pancreatic fat (R2 = 18%) in the NODAP group and by visceral fat (R2 = 15%) in the T2DM group. The variance in the TyG index was explained the most by visceral fat in both the NODAP group (R2 = 49%) and in the T2DM group (R2 = 25%). The variance in the Matsuda index was explained the most by intra-pancreatic fat (R2 = 48%) in the NODAP group and by visceral fat (R2 = 38%) in the T2DM group. The differing association between intra-pancreatic fat and insulin resistance can be used to differentiate NODAP from T2DM. Insulin resistance in NODAP appears to be predominantly driven by increased intra-pancreatic fat deposition.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Content of Active Spinal Cord Injured Patients

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objective Platelet-rich plasma has potential uses for patients with spinal cord injuries. However, no study has quantified the cellular and growth factor content of platelet-rich plasma in this population. This study aimed to analyze (1) platelet-rich plasma content of spinal cord injury subjects and (2) the effect of high-intensity interval exercise on their platelet-rich plasma. Design Ten spinal cord injury patients and 10 controls were enrolled. At rest, platelet-rich plasma was created from both groups. The spinal cord injury group then performed high-intensity interval exercise and underwent a second blood draw to create post–high-intensity interval exercise platelet-rich plasma. Complete blood counts and growth factor analysis (via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was performed on all platelet-rich plasma. Results The spinal cord injury group had lower platelets (305,700 ± 85,697/μl vs 380,800 ± 57,301/μl, P = 0.015) and transforming growth factor β (12.84 ± 1.58 vs 14.33 ± 0.63 ng/ml, P = 0.023). Four minutes of high-intensity interval exercise increased the platelets (305,700 ± 85,697/μl to 399,200 ± 96,251/μl, P = 0.004), leukocytes (906 ± 930 vs 2504 ± 3765/μl, P = 0.002) and transforming growth factor β (12.84 ± 1.58 to 14.28 ± 1.21 ng/ml, P = 0.020). Conclusions Spinal cord injury patients have fewer platelets and transforming growth factor β in their platelet-rich plasma at baseline compared with controls. Exercise increased platelet, leukocyte, and transforming growth factor β yield, compensating for the baseline deficits.
Results of a feasibility study of Helpers Stay Quit Training for smoking relapse prevention.

INTRODUCTION Most smoking quit attempts end in relapse, and interventions focused on relapse prevention are lacking. Helpers Stay Quit (HSQ) is a novel behavioral relapse prevention intervention that teaches newly abstinent smokers to offer a "helping conversation" (HC) to help others quit tobacco. METHODS Pre-post intervention feasibility study with state quitline participants ≥ 14 days abstinent. Measures at baseline, 3- and 6 months included: smoking status, offering of HCs, and cessation self-efficacy. Primary outcomes: self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence; offering HCs. Cox models explored association of HCs with relapse. Preliminary effects analysis using propensity score matching compared 30-day abstinence of quitline clients with study sample at 7-months. RESULTS Participants (N=104) were: mean age of 53 years (SD 13.9 years), 48.1% male, mean of cigarettes smoked/day of 16.2 (SD 9.7). Compared to participants who remained abstinent (n=82), relapsers (n=22) had fewer HCs over 6 months (2.6 vs. 7.2 (95%CI: 1.4, 7.8, p = 0.006). Using adjusted Cox regression, the hazard ratio of relapse for each HC was 0.85 (95%CI: 0.74, 0.99, p = 0.03). Compared to a matched sample of quitline clients not exposed to HSQ, study participants were 49% more likely to report 30-day abstinence at 7-month quitline follow-up (95% CI: 40%, 59%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS HSQ, delivered to newly abstinent smokers who received standard quitline treatment, was associated with less self-reported relapse. These promising preliminary study results warrant further research to evaluate HSQ as a novel behavioral intervention to prevent smoking relapse. IMPLICATIONS To date, behavioral interventions for smoking relapse prevention that teach abstainers cessation skills to apply to themselves have not shown effectiveness. This feasibility study examines the preliminary efficacy of a conceptually novel, "help others" behavioral intervention approach for relapse prevention in newly abstinent smokers recruited from a state quitline. Helpers Stay Quit teaches the newly abstinent smoker communication and listening skills to encourage other smokers in their personal social network to quit. Exploratory analysis using propensity score matching suggest that participants exposed to HSQ were significantly more likely to self-report 30-day abstinence at quitline 7-month follow-up than other quitline clients.
The gluten challenge is still the best option for children with a difficult diagnosis like non‐coeliac gluten sensitivity

Gluten-related diseases, such as coeliac disease, wheat allergy and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, are increasingly being diagnosed in children. Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is an unclear and controversial entity, unlike the other two conditions. The recommended diagnosis is a double-blind, placebo-controlled gluten provocation test. Similarly, the test may be performed on children with suspected gluten-related diseases in very specific circumstances and under medical supervision. One example is patients who have started a gluten-free diet without undergoing a duodenal biopsy.
Blood Lead Concentrations and Mortality in Korean Adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with Mortality Follow-Up

Previous studies have consistently reported an increase in mortality risk, even at low levels of blood lead. The average blood lead concentration in the Korean population has steadily decreased but is still higher than that of developed countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between mortality and blood lead concentrations for adults in Korea. We used the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2013) linked Cause of Death data, which are followed by 2018. A total of 7308 subjects who aged over 30 at the baseline examination were included in the analyses. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios of mortality from non-accidental causes and cancer mortality. The estimated hazard ratios (95% CI) for comparison of the second and third tertile group with the lowest tertile group were 2.01 (1.20, 3.40) and 1.91 (1.13, 3.23) for non-accidental mortality and 3.42 (95% CI: 1.65, 7.08) and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.09, 4.70) for cancer mortality, respectively. The dose–response relationship also showed significant increase in the risk of mortality at blood lead level between 1.5 and 6.0 μg/dL. Our findings suggest that potent policies to lower lead exposure are required for the general Korean population.
Geographic Variation in Egg Size, Clutch Size and Date of Laying of Australian Raptors (Falconiformes and Strigiformes)

Approximately 5000 clutches of eggs, and associated data, in oological collections and the field, were used to describe date of laying, egg size and clutch size of all 24 diurnal raptors, and eight owls occurring in Australia. Within families, smaller species tended to have larger clutches and to lay later than larger species. Several patterns in geographic variation were detected. For several species, date of laying occurred about 2-3 days later for every degree of latitude southwards. Weak clinal variation in clutch size was found for ten species: clutch size of some Australasian falcons varied with latitude; that of the true eagles and three milvine kites varied with longitude. Weak clinal variation in egg size was found for ten species, seven conforming to Bergmann's latitudinal rule for body size. Some evidence was found for: the existence of a contested subspecies, the small northern subspecies of Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus didimus, north of 23°; the subspecific separation of the Osprey into the northern race Pandion haliaetus melvillensis, and southern race P. h. cristatus with larger, broader eggs; the subspecific separation of the large Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax fleayii from the mainland population; and the recognition of a small, western race of the Brown Falcon Falco berigora occidentalis.
Man's Responsibility for Nature-Ecological Problems and Western Traditions

It is a tribute to the clarity and straightforwardness of Man's Responsibility for Nature that certain fundamental observations will strike every reader. The author's "sense of alarm" and pervasive concern at our vandalizing the biosphere, his reasoned refusal to abandon Western technological and scientific traditions for some mystical, primitive, or authoritarian redress of the ecological crisis, and his conviction that fruitful reform must be generated from within our own historical traditions prompt reflection. The structure of this work is quite unique among works that treat ecology and environmental policy. It interrelates a historical examination of the roots of Western attitudes toward nature with methodological analysis of current attempts to find a precise solution path and ethic for ecological crises. Passmore then submits the whole question to critical evaluation. "And all the while I have had in mind my overarching intention: to consider whether the solution of ecological problems demands a moral or metaphysical revolution" (p. x). He delineates rival Christian traditions in the West as the "conser-