Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of accessory reproductive gland and oxidative stress in male partners of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss couples

Background: Etiologies behind recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in half of the cases remains idiopathic even after an extensive investigation. The role of oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases including male fertility, but its role on male partner of RPL couple is limited. Materials and Methods: Semen samples from fifty male partners of the female with the history of three or more idiopathic primary RPL and fifty controls were obtained and analyzed according to the WHO guidelines along with sperm function tests. Functioning of the accessory gland was evaluated selecting one marker for each gland such as citric acid and fructose. OS markers such as reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase levels were estimated. Statistical analysis was done using independent samples t-test using statistical software SPSS version 14. Results: In RPL group, significantly lower scores were observed for sperm function test than the control group. Fructose and citric acid levels did not show any significant difference between the groups. Among RPL group, 2% and 4.5% of individual have a lower value for fructose and citric acid, respectively. The malondialdehyde concentration and ROS levels were significantly higher in RPL group. While the activity of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant level was significantly lower in RPL males than in the control group. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of evaluation of male factors for sperm function tests, OS markers, and accessory gland assessment along with the conventional parameters. This may help for better pregnancy outcome through proper evaluations and management.
Grit: A Concept Analysis

Abstract The concept of grit, defined as having passion and perseverance for long-term goals, has gained significant recognition in recent years. The idea that being gritty is ultimately more important than innate talent to achieve goals has widespread appeal. This review examined the concept of grit to clarify relationships between constructs and identify future opportunities for research. A systematic search across five databases including CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science yielded 422 records. After screening and assessment for eligibility, 42 articles were retained and reviewed using the Walker and Avant method for concept analysis. Results provided support for passion, perseverance and long-term goals as defining attributes of grit, along with an extensive nomological network of antecedents, consequences, and mediating and moderating variables. Positive thoughts, behaviours and habits appear to play a key preparatory role in achieving long-term goals. Grit was associated with reduced burnout and depression, improved performance and well-being. Further research is needed to understand the best practice approaches for developing grit at both an individual and collective level.
Simulated microgravity disturbs iron metabolism and distribution in humans: Lessons from dry immersion, an innovative ground‐based human model

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of dry immersion, an innovative ground‐based human model of simulated microgravity and extreme physical inactivity, on iron homeostasis and distribution. Twenty young healthy men were recruited and submitted to 5 days of dry immersion (DI). Fasting blood samples and MRI were performed before and after DI exposure to assess iron status, as well as hematological responses. DI increased spleen iron concentrations (SIC), whereas hepatic iron store (HIC) was not affected. Spleen iron sequestration could be due to the concomitant increase in serum hepcidin levels (P < .001). Increased serum unconjugated bilirubin, as well as the rise of serum myoglobin levels support that DI may promote hemolysis and myolysis. These phenomena could contribute to the concomitant increase of serum iron and transferrin saturation levels (P < .001). As HIC remained unchanged, increased serum hepcidin levels could be due both to higher transferrin saturation level, and to low‐grade pro‐inflammatory as suggested by the significant rise of serum ferritin and haptoglobin levels after DI (P = .003 and P = .003, respectively). These observations highlight the need for better assessment of iron metabolism in bedridden patients, and an optimization of the diet currently proposed to astronauts.
Mice Preferentially Use Increases in Cerebral Cortex Spiking to Detect Changes in Visual Stimuli

Whenever the retinal image changes, some neurons in visual cortex increase their rate of firing whereas others decrease their rate of firing. Linking specific sets of neuronal responses with perception and behavior is essential for understanding mechanisms of neural circuit computation. We trained mice of both sexes to perform visual detection tasks and used optogenetic perturbations to increase or decrease neuronal spiking primary visual cortex (V1). Perceptual reports were always enhanced by increments in V1 spike counts and impaired by decrements, even when increments and decrements in spiking were generated in the same neuronal populations. Moreover, detecting changes in cortical activity depended on spike count integration rather than instantaneous changes in spiking. Recurrent neural networks trained in the task similarly relied on increments in neuronal activity when activity has costs. This work clarifies neuronal decoding strategies used by cerebral cortex to translate cortical spiking into percepts that can be used to guide behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Visual responses in the primary visual cortex (V1) are diverse, in that neurons can be either excited or inhibited by the onset of a visual stimulus. We selectively potentiated or suppressed V1 spiking in mice while they performed contrast change detection tasks. In other experiments, excitation or inhibition was delivered to V1 independent of visual stimuli. Mice readily detected increases in V1 spiking while equivalent reductions in V1 spiking suppressed the probability of detection, even when increases and decreases in V1 spiking were generated in the same neuronal populations. Our data raise the striking possibility that only increments in spiking are used to render information to structures downstream of V1.
Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal microbial composition of weaned pigs fed multi-enzyme supplemented diets.

A study determined the effects of supplementing corn-based diets for weaned pigs with multi-enzymes on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, fecal score and fecal microbial composition. A total of 132 pigs (initial body weight = 7.23 kg) that had been weaned at 21 d of age and fed a drug-free nursery diet for 7 d were housed in 33 pens of 4 barrows or gilts, blocked by body weight and gender, and fed 3 experimental diets at 11 pens per diet. The diets were corn-based diet without or with multi-enzyme A or B. Multi-enzyme A supplied 4,000 U of xylanase, 150 U of β-glucanase, 3,500 U of protease, and 1,500 U of amylase per kilogram of diet. Multi-enzyme B was the same as multi-enzyme A except that it supplied amylase at 150 U/kg, and that its source of amylase was different from that of multi-enzyme A. All diets contained phytase at 1,000 U/kg. The diets were fed for 35 d in 2 phases; Phase 1 for the first 14 d and Phase 2 for the last 21 d of the trial. Fecal score was determined daily during the first 7 d of the trial. Fecal samples were collected from rectum of 1 pig per pen on d 2, 7, 14 and 35 of the trial for determining bacterial composition. Also, fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen on d 41 and 42 to determine ATTD of nutrients. Multi-enzyme B increased (P & 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) for Phases 1 and 2. For the overall study period, multi-enzyme B increased (P & 0.05) ADG from 262 to 313 g, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) from 419 to 504 g. Multi-enzyme A increased (P & 0.05) overall ADG from 262 to 290 g, but did not affect ADFI. Multi-enzyme A or B did not affect ATTD of gross energy, but increased (P & 0.05) the ATTD of ether extract from 30 to 36 or 37 %, respectively. Multi-enzyme A did not affect fecal score; however, multi-enzyme B tended to decrease (P = 0.09) fecal score, implying that it tended to decrease diarrhea. Firmicutes were the most abundant phylum of fecal bacteria (its relative abundance ranged from 58 to 72%). Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the second and third most abundant phyla of fecal bacteria. Neither multi-enzyme affected fecal bacterial composition. In conclusion, the addition of multi-enzyme A or B to phytase-supplemented corn-based diet for weaned pigs can improve their growth performance and fat digestibility. However, multi-enzyme B was more effective than multi-enzyme A in terms of improving the growth performance of weaned pigs fed corn-based diet.
Association between Use of Hydrochlorothiazide and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Common Data Model Cohort Study in Asian Population

Although hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) has been suggested to increase skin cancer risk in white Westerners, there is scant evidence for the same in Asians. We analyzed the association between the use of hydrochlorothiazide and non-melanoma in the Asian population using the common data model. Methods: A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted using a distributed research network to analyze the effect of HCTZ on skin cancer from 2004 to 2018. We performed Cox regression to evaluate the effects by comparing the use of HCTZ with other antihypertensive drugs. All analyses were re-evaluated using matched data using the propensity score matching (PSM). Then, the overall effects were evaluated by combining results with the meta-analysis. Results: Positive associations were observed in the use of HCTZ with high cumulative dose for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in univariate analysis prior to the use of PSM. Some negative associations were observed in the use of low and medium cumulative doses. Conclusion: Although many findings in our study were inconclusive, there was a non-significant association of a dose-response pattern with estimates increasing in cumulative dose of HCTZ. In particular, a trend with a non-significant positive association was observed with the high cumulative dose of HCTZ.
PARK7 enhances antioxidative‐stress processes of BMSCs via the ERK1/2 pathway

Oxidative stresss in the microenvironment surrounding lesions induces apoptosis of transplanted bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Hence, there is an urgent need for improving antioxidative‐stress processes of transplanted BMSCs to further promote their survival. The present study reports the role and mechanism of Parkinson's disease protein 7 (PARK7) in enhancing antioxidative activity in BMSCs. We used a PARK7 lentivirus to transfect BMSCs to up‐ or downregulate PARK7, and then used H2O2 to simulate oxidative stress in BMSCs in vitro. Overexpression of PARK7 effectively reduced reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, protected mitochondrial membrane potential, and resisted oxidative‐stress‐induced apoptosis of BMSCs, but the expression of PARK7 was downregulated, these results were reversed. At the same time, we also found that overexpression of PARK7 increased extracellular‐regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, as well as upregulated Elk1 phosphorylation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression. In contrast, when U0126 was used to block the ERK1/2 pathway, ERK1/2 and Elk1 phosphorylation levels were downregulated, ERK1/2 nuclear translocation and SOD content were significantly reduced, and PARK7‐overexperssion‐induced antioxidative activity was completely blocked. Collectively, our results suggest that PARK7 overexpression increased antioxidative‐stress processes and survival of BMSCs subjected to H2O2 via activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Our findings may guide the development of a PARK7‐specific strategy for improving the transplantation efficacy of BMSCs.
Haploinsufficiency as a disease mechanism in GNB1‐associated neurodevelopmental disorder

GNB1 encodes a subunit of a heterotrimeric G‐protein complex that transduces intracellular signaling cascades. Disruptions to the gene have previously been shown to be embryonic lethal in knockout mice and to cause complex neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. To date, the majority of variants associated with disease in humans have been missense variants in exons 5‐7.
The relationship between circulating lipids and breast cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization study

Background A number of epidemiological and genetic studies have attempted to determine whether levels of circulating lipids are associated with risks of various cancers, including breast cancer (BC). However, it remains unclear whether a causal relationship exists between lipids and BC. If alteration of lipid levels also reduced risk of BC, this could present a target for disease prevention. This study aimed to assess a potential causal relationship between genetic variants associated with plasma lipid traits (high-density lipoprotein, HDL; low-density lipoprotein, LDL; triglycerides, TGs) with risk for BC using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods and findings Data from genome-wide association studies in up to 215,551 participants from the Million Veteran Program (MVP) were used to construct genetic instruments for plasma lipid traits. The effect of these instruments on BC risk was evaluated using genetic data from the BCAC (Breast Cancer Association Consortium) based on 122,977 BC cases and 105,974 controls. Using MR, we observed that a 1-standard–deviation genetically determined increase in HDL levels is associated with an increased risk for all BCs (HDL: OR [odds ratio] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04–1.13, P < 0.001). Multivariable MR analysis, which adjusted for the effects of LDL, TGs, body mass index (BMI), and age at menarche, corroborated this observation for HDL (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.10, P = 4.9 × 10−4) and also found a relationship between LDL and BC risk (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07, P = 0.02). We did not observe a difference in these relationships when stratified by breast tumor estrogen receptor (ER) status. We repeated this analysis using genetic variants independent of the leading association at core HDL pathway genes and found that these variants were also associated with risk for BCs (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06–1.16, P = 1.5 × 10−6), including locus-specific associations at ABCA1 (ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily A Member 1), APOE-APOC1-APOC4-APOC2 (Apolipoproteins E, C1, C4, and C2), and CETP (Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein). In addition, we found evidence that genetic variation at the ABO locus is associated with both lipid levels and BC. Through multiple statistical approaches, we minimized and tested for the confounding effects of pleiotropy and population stratification on our analysis; however, the possible existence of residual pleiotropy and stratification remains a limitation of this study. Conclusions We observed that genetically elevated plasma HDL and LDL levels appear to be associated with increased BC risk. Future studies are required to understand the mechanism underlying this putative causal relationship, with the goal of developing potential therapeutic strategies aimed at altering the cholesterol-mediated effect on BC risk.
Comparison of Traditional and Novel Drying Techniques and Its Effect on Quality of Fruits, Vegetables and Aromatic Herbs

Drying is known as the best method to preserve fruits, vegetables, and herbs, decreasing not only the raw material volume but also its weight. This results in cheaper transportation and increments the product shelf life, limiting the food waste. Drying involves the application of energy in order to vaporize and mobilize the moisture content within the porous products. During this process, the heat and mass transfer occurs simultaneously. The quality of dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and aromatic herbs is a key problem closely related to the development and optimization of novel drying techniques. This review reports the weaknesses of common drying methods applied for fruits, vegetables, and aromatic herbs and the possible options to improve the quality of dried products using different drying techniques or their combination. The quality parameters under study include color, bulk density, porosity, shrinkage, phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity, sugars, proteins, volatile compounds, and sensory attributes. In general, drying leads to reduction in all studied parameters. However, the behavior of each plant material is different. On the whole, the optimal drying technique is different for each of the materials studied and specific conditions must be recommended after a proper evaluation of the drying protocols. However, a novel or combined technique must assure a high quality of dried products. Furthermore, the term quality must englobe the energy efficiency and the environmental impact leading to production of sustainable dried products.
Horse ooplasm supports in vitro preimplantation development of zebra ICSI and SCNT embryos without compromising YAP1 and SOX2 expression pattern

Several equids have gone extinct and many extant equids are currently considered vulnerable to critically endangered. This work aimed to evaluate whether domestic horse oocytes support preimplantation development of zebra embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI, zebroid) and cloning, and to study the Hippo signaling pathway during the lineage specification of trophectoderm cells and inner cell mass cells. We first showed that zebra and horse sperm cells induce porcine oocyte activation and recruit maternal SMARCA4 during pronuclear formation. SMARCA4 recruitment showed to be independent of the genetic background of the injected sperm. No differences were found in blastocyst rate of ICSI hybrid (zebra spermatozoon into horse egg) embryos relative to the homospecific horse control group. Interestingly, zebra cloned blastocyst rate was significantly higher at day 8. Moreover, most ICSI and cloned horse and zebra blastocysts showed a similar expression pattern of SOX2 and nuclear YAP1 with the majority of the nuclei positive for YAP1, and most SOX2+ nuclei negative for YAP1. Here we demonstrated that horse oocytes support zebra preimplantation development of both, ICSI and cloned embryos, without compromising development to blastocyst, blastocyst cell number neither the expression of SOX2 and YAP1. Our results support the use of domestic horse oocytes as a model to study in vitro zebra embryos on behalf of preservation of valuable genetic.
Alpaca Field Behaviour When Cohabitating with Lambing Ewes

Simple Summary In order to appreciate how alpacas function as guardian animals and how suitable they are in protecting a herd we first need to better understand how these animals behave while coexisting with other livestock. This study examined the field behaviour of two alpacas placed with 180 lambing ewes, including the level of diurnal activity, distances travelled and activity budgets. Alpacas generally behaved similarly in relation to diurnal activity levels and time spent on behaviours such as grazing, walking and standing. Alpacas and lambing ewes shared similar diurnal patterns in relation to levels of activity and were observed to flock together at night and camp in the same location. As a result of this study we were able to catalogue the range and frequency of field behaviours exhibited by alpacas cohabiting with lambing ewes. This data provides insight into how alpacas might behave in a guardian role, adds to the limited body of research in this area and may assist producers reduce predator-related livestock loss. Abstract A common strategy to reduce predator attack on livestock is the deployment of guardian alpacas. However, little research has been conducted on the behaviour of this species while housed with other livestock. This study monitored two male alpacas cohabitating with 180 lambing ewes in order to quantify field behaviour in two phases. Phase one assessed diurnal patterns of alpacas and lambing ewes using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) collars recording data over 41 days, in combination with observational recordings. Phase two developed an alpaca behavioural ethogram through continuous observations from 05:30 to 19:30 h over a 3-day period. The two alpacas shared similar behaviours with commonality of distance travelled, and both species exhibited an increase in activity level based on speed between the times of 05:00 and 17:00 h. The GNSS data indicated that the alpacas flocked with the ewes at night sharing the same resting location, however, would spend time during the day on the outskirts of the paddock. Alpacas were observed to spend the majority of the observation period in two behavioural states: grazing (57%) and resting (27%). As a result of this study we were able to catalogue a range and frequency of field behaviours which alpacas exhibit while cohabitating with lambing ewes. However, further research is needed to determine in more detail how these behaviours correspond with the effectiveness of this species as a livestock guardian.
The art of attrition: development of robust oat microsatellites

Microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are important tools for genetic analyses, especially those targeting diversity. The primary objective of this study was to develop robust oat-based microsatellite markers from newly enriched genomic libraries to expand on a relatively small existing oat SSR toolbox. Microsatellite motifs characterized by (CA/GT), (AAT/TTA), (ATG/TAC) and (CATC/GTAG) repeats were targeted for enrichment. Preliminary screening showed that 90% of clones from the (CA/GT) and 79% of the clones from the (ATG/TAC) libraries contained repeats, while < 11% of the clones from (AAT/TTA) and (CATC/GTAG) libraries contained repeats. Subsequent sequencing of 1536 clones from the (CA/GT) and (ATG/TAC) libraries resulted in 539 and 578 SSRs for which primers were designed, respectively. A total of 246 SSRs were polymorphic across 11 oat lines. One hundred and twenty-five of the markers produced highly reproducible assays that interrogated 369 alleles at 193 loci. Of these, 79 robust assays interrogated 146 codominant alleles. These markers will be useful for a wide range of genetic analyses in oat including assessment of diversity and marker-assisted breeding.