Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blood Parasites in Owls with Conservation Implications for the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)

The three subspecies of Spotted Owl (Northern, Strix occidentalis caurina; California, S. o. occidentalis; and Mexican, S. o. lucida) are all threatened by habitat loss and range expansion of the Barred Owl (S. varia). An unaddressed threat is whether Barred Owls could be a source of novel strains of disease such as avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) or other blood parasites potentially harmful for Spotted Owls. Although Barred Owls commonly harbor Plasmodium infections, these parasites have not been documented in the Spotted Owl. We screened 111 Spotted Owls, 44 Barred Owls, and 387 owls of nine other species for haemosporidian parasites (Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium, and Haemoproteus spp.). California Spotted Owls had the greatest number of simultaneous multi-species infections (44%). Additionally, sequencing results revealed that the Northern and California Spotted Owl subspecies together had the highest number of Leucocytozoon parasite lineages (n = 17) and unique lineages (n = 12). This high level of sequence diversity is significant because only one Leucocytozoon species (L. danilewskyi) has been accepted as valid among all owls, suggesting that L. danilewskyi is a cryptic species. Furthermore, a Plasmodium parasite was documented in a Northern Spotted Owl for the first time. West Coast Barred Owls had a lower prevalence of infection (15%) when compared to sympatric Spotted Owls (S. o. caurina 52%, S. o. occidentalis 79%) and Barred Owls from the historic range (61%). Consequently, Barred Owls on the West Coast may have a competitive advantage over the potentially immune compromised Spotted Owls.
Independent mechanisms of stimulation of polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase by phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated XRCC1

XRCC1 plays a central role in mammalian single-strand break repair. Although it has no enzymatic activity of its own, it stimulates the activities of polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP), and this function is enhanced by protein kinase CK2 mediated phosphorylation of XRCC1. We have previously shown that non-phosphorylated XRCC1 stimulates the kinase activity of PNKP by increasing the turnover of PNKP. Here we extend our analysis of the XRCC1-PNKP interaction taking into account the phosphorylation of XRCC1. We demonstrate that phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated XRCC1 interact with different regions of PNKP. Phosphorylated XRCC1 binds with high affinity (Kd = 3.5 nM and 1 : 1 stoichiometry) to the forkhead associated (FHA) domain, while non-phosphorylated XRCC1 binds to the catalytic domain of PNKP with lower affinity (Kd = 43.0 nM and 1 : 1 stoichiometry). Under conditions of limited enzyme concentration both forms of XRCC1 enhance the activities of PNKP, but the effect is more pronounced with phosphorylated XRCC1, particularly for the kinase activity of PNKP. The stimulatory effect of phosphorylated XRCC1 on PNKP can be totally inhibited by the presence of excess FHA domain polypeptide, but non-phosphorylated XRCC1 is not susceptible to competition by the FHA domain. Thus, XRCC1 can stimulate PNKP by two independent mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Changes in Ageing Caenorhabditis elegans – What Do We Learn from Superoxide Dismutase Knockouts?

One of the most popular damage accumulation theories of ageing is the mitochondrial free radical theory of ageing (mFRTA). The mFRTA proposes that ageing is due to the accumulation of unrepaired oxidative damage, in particular damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Within the mFRTA, the “vicious cycle” theory further proposes that reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote mtDNA mutations, which then lead to a further increase in ROS production. Recently, data have been published on Caenorhabditis elegans mutants deficient in one or both forms of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD). Surprisingly, even double mutants, lacking both mitochondrial forms of SOD, show no reduction in lifespan. This has been interpreted as evidence against the mFRTA because it is assumed that these mutants suffer from significantly elevated oxidative damage to their mitochondria. Here, using a novel mtDNA damage assay in conjunction with related, well established damage and metabolic markers, we first investigate the age-dependent mitochondrial decline in a cohort of ageing wild-type nematodes, in particular testing the plausibility of the “vicious cycle” theory. We then apply the methods and insights gained from this investigation to a mutant strain for C. elegans that lacks both forms of mitochondrial SOD. While we show a clear age-dependent, linear increase in oxidative damage in WT nematodes, we find no evidence for autocatalytic damage amplification as proposed by the “vicious cycle” theory. Comparing the SOD mutants with wild-type animals, we further show that oxidative damage levels in the mtDNA of SOD mutants are not significantly different from those in wild-type animals, i.e. even the total loss of mitochondrial SOD did not significantly increase oxidative damage to mtDNA. Possible reasons for this unexpected result and some implications for the mFRTA are discussed.
In vitro inhibitory effects of thymol and carvacrol on dendritic cell activation and function

Abstract Context: Thyme has been used in traditional medicine for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thymol and carvacrol as two major constituents of thyme on dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and T cell activation. Materials and methods: Splenic DCs were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of the components and then analyzed for MHC II, CD86, and CD40 expression by flow cytometry. The effects of compounds on mitogenic, as well as allogenic T cell responses in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLR) and the release of cytokines were investigated. Results: At 0.1 µg/ml, reduced mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD86 for thymol (80.3 ± 0.2% of untreated control) and CD40 for carvacrol (79.5 ± 0.14%) was observed (p < 0.001). Decreased mitogenic T cell proliferation by thymol [proliferation index (PI) from 0.93 ± 0.11 at 1 µg/ml to 0.42 ± 0.16 at 100 µg/ml (p < 0.01)] and carvacrol [PI from 1.08 ± 0.3 at 1 µg/ml to 0.28 ± 0.1 at 100 µg/ml (p < 0.001)] was seen. Ten micrograms/ml thymol (PI, 0.85 ± 0.04) and carvacrol (PI, 0.89 ± 0.03) inhibited allogenic T cell response (p < 0.05). Decreased IFN-γ level in MLR supernatant from 1441 ± 27.7 pg/ml in untreated cells to 944 ± 32.1 at 10 µg/ml of thymol and of carvacrol (886 ± 31.7 pg/ml) (p < 0.01) was found. IL-4 levels were decreased in the presence of both compounds (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These data showed the suppressive effects of thymol and carvacrol on DCs maturation and function, as well as T cell responses.
Frontal Lobe Dysfunction in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Abstract: Recent data from our laboratory have shown a regionally specific increase in lipid peroxidation in postmortem progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) brain. To extend this finding, we measured activities of mitochondrial enzymes as well as tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in postmortem superior frontal cortex (Brodmann’s area 9; SFC) from 14 pathologically confirmed cases of PSP and 13 age‐matched control brains. Significant decreases (‐39%) in α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex/glutamate dehydrogenase ratio and significant increases (+36%) in tissue MDA levels were observed in the SFC in PSP; no differences in complex I or complex IV activities were detected. Together, these results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation may underlie the frontal metabolic and functional deficits observed in PSP.
A Mechanistic Study on the Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity

Amiodarone- (AM-) induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) is still a matter of research and is poorly understood. In attempting to resolve this issue, we treated Sprague-Dawley rats with AM doses of 80 mg/kg/day/i.p. for one, two, three, and four weeks. The rats were weighed at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were obtained to determine total leukocyte count (TLC). For each group, lung weighing, histopathology, and homogenization were performed. Fresh homogenates were used for determination of ATP content, lipid peroxides, GSH, catalase, SOD, GPx, GR activities, NO, and hydroxyproline levels. The results showed a significant decrease in body weight and GSH depletion together with an increase in both lung weight and lung/body weight coefficient in the first week. Considerable increases in lung hydroxyproline level with some histopathological alterations were apparent. Treatment for two weeks produced a significant increase in BAL fluid, TLC, GR activity, and NO level in lung homogenate. The loss of cellular ATP and inhibition of most antioxidative protective enzymatic system appeared along with alteration in SOD activity following daily treatment for three weeks, while, in rats treated with AM for four weeks, more severe toxicity was apparent. Histopathological diagnosis was mostly granulomatous inflammation and interstitial pneumonitis in rats treated for three and four weeks, respectively. As shown, it is obvious that slow oedema formation is the only initiating factor of AIPT; all other mechanisms may occur as a consequence.
Vocal cord dysfunction in patients with exertional dyspnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate patients for vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) in a military population presenting with symptoms of exertional dyspnea. DESIGN Cross-sectional, controlled study. SETTING Pulmonary disease clinic at an army tertiary care center. PATIENTS Forty military patients with complaints of exertional dyspnea and 12 military asymptomatic control subjects. INTERVENTION Patients underwent direct visualization of vocal cords with flexible laryngoscopy before and after exercise to evaluate for presence of inspiratory vocal cord adduction. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Complete evaluation for all patients consisted of spirometry with flow-volume loops, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and maximum voluntary ventilation at rest; chest radiograph; methacholine bronchoprovocation testing; and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test with expiratory gas analysis. Fifteen percent of patients studied prospectively were found to have VCD, whereas all control subjects were negative for VCD. There was minimal difference in pulmonary function testing between VCD-positive and VCD-negative patients, whereas control subjects had higher spirometric values. Twenty percent of VCD-positive patients had abnormal flow-volume loops compared with 14% of patients without VCD, but after methacholine, 60% of VCD-positive patients developed abnormal flow-volume loops. In the VCD-positive group, 60% had a positive methacholine response, but there was less decrease in FEV(1)/FVC ratio compared with either VCD-negative patients or control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Paradoxical inspiratory vocal cord closure is a frequent occurrence in patients with symptoms of exertional dyspnea and should be strongly considered in their evaluation.
Evidence for a Causal Contribution of Macaque Vestibular, But Not Intraparietal, Cortex to Heading Perception

Multisensory convergence of visual and vestibular signals has been observed within a network of cortical areas involved in representing heading. Vestibular-dominant heading tuning has been found in the macaque parietoinsular vestibular cortex (PIVC) and the adjacent visual posterior sylvian (VPS) area, whereas relatively balanced visual/vestibular tuning was encountered in the ventral intraparietal (VIP) area and visual-dominant tuning was found in the dorsal medial superior temporal (MSTd) area. Although the respective functional roles of these areas remain unclear, perceptual deficits in heading discrimination following reversible chemical inactivation of area MSTd area suggested that areas with vestibular-dominant heading tuning also contribute to behavior. To explore the roles of other areas in heading perception, muscimol injections were used to reversibly inactivate either the PIVC or the VIP area bilaterally in macaques. Inactivation of the anterior PIVC increased psychophysical thresholds when heading judgments were based on either optic flow or vestibular cues, although effects were stronger for vestibular stimuli. All behavioral deficits recovered within 36 h. Visual deficits were larger following inactivation of the posterior portion of the PIVC, likely because these injections encroached upon the VPS area, which contains neurons with optic flow tuning (unlike the PIVC). In contrast, VIP inactivation led to no behavioral deficits, despite the fact that VIP neurons show much stronger choice-related activity than MSTd neurons. These results suggest that the VIP area either provides a parallel and partially redundant pathway for this task, or does not participate in heading discrimination. In contrast, the PIVC/VPS area, along with the MSTd area, make causal contributions to heading perception based on either vestibular or visual signals. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Multisensory vestibular and visual signals are found in multiple cortical areas, but their causal contribution to self-motion perception has been previously tested only in the dorsal medial superior temporal (MSTd) area. In these experiments, we show that inactivation of the parietoinsular vestibular cortex (PIVC) also results in causal deficits during heading discrimination for both visual and vestibular cues. In contrast, ventral intraparietal (VIP) area inactivation led to no behavioral deficits, despite the fact that VIP neurons show much stronger choice-related activity than MSTd or PIVC neurons. These results demonstrate that choice-related activity does not always imply a causal role in sensory perception.
A hybrid approach for modeling financial time series

The problem we tackle concerns forecasting time series in financial markets. AutoRegressive Moving-Average (ARMA) methods and computational intelligence have also been used to tackle this problem. We propose a novel method for time series forecasting based on a hybrid combination of ARMA and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) induced models. Time series from financial domains often encapsulate different linear and non-linear patterns. ARMA models, although flexible, assume a linear form for the models. GEP evolves models adapting to the data without any restrictions with respect to the form of the model or its coefficients. Our approach benefits from the capability of ARMA to identify linear trends as well as GEP’s ability to obtain models that capture nonlinear patterns from data. Investigations are performed on real data sets. They show a definite improvement in the accuracy of forecasts of the hybrid method over pure ARMA and GEP used separately. Experimental results are analyzed and discussed. Conclusions and some directions for further research end the
Fluconazole and Voriconazole Resistance in Candida parapsilosis Is Conferred by Gain-of-Function Mutations in MRR1 Transcription Factor Gene

ABSTRACT Candida parapsilosis is the second most prevalent fungal agent causing bloodstream infections. Nevertheless, there is little information about the molecular mechanisms underlying azole resistance in this species. Mutations (G1747A, A2619C, and A3191C) in the MRR1 transcription factor gene were identified in fluconazole- and voriconazole-resistant strains. Independent expression of MRR1 genes harboring these mutations showed that G1747A (G583R) and A2619C (K873N) are gain-of-function mutations responsible for azole resistance, the first described in C. parapsilosis.
Increased testis growth and sperm production in adult rats following transient neonatal goitrogen treatment: optimization of the propylthiouracil dose and effects of methimazole.

Treatment of male rat pups with the reversible goitrogen 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU), administered by adding 0.1% PTU to the mother's drinking water from birth to day 25, increases their testis size and daily sperm production (DSP) at 160 days of age by up to 80% and 140%, respectively. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of various concentrations of PTU and determine the PTU dose that would maximize testis growth while minimizing side effects such as decreased maternal water consumption and decreased pup growth. Whether this effect was specific to PTU was determined by evaluating the effects of another commonly used goitrogen, methimazole (MMI), in increasing adult testis size and sperm production. Dams were given PTU (0.1-0.0004% w/v) or 0.025% MMI (w/v) in their water from birth to day 25 post partum, then given no further treatment. Thyroxine concentrations were measured in all groups of pups at 25, 35 and 45 days, and testis weight and DSP were determined at 90 days of age. At 25 days of age, thyroxine concentrations were maximally decreased by PTU treatments of 0.0015% or greater; less severe decreases were produced by 0.0004% PTU or 0.025% MMI. Thyroxine concentrations increased in all treated groups at day 35 compared with day 25, and returned to normal by day 45. At 90 days of age, testis weight was increased by about 40% in rats whose mothers had been treated with doses of 0.006% PTU or greater, whereas testis weights in groups given 0.0015 and 0.0004% PTU or 0.025% MMI were increased 31, 15 and 18%, respectively. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Accuracy of estimation of external blood loss by EMS personnel.

BACKGROUND Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel provide care in the out-of-hospital setting. The EMS report, including blood volume estimates, influences hospital management. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of EMS blood volume estimates. METHODS In this prospective, observational study, EMS providers were asked to view four simulated blood loss scenarios in random order. Each scenario used a specific volume of spilled blood corresponding to the loss likely to cause the four classes of hemorrhagic shock. Estimates are reported using median and interquartile ranges. RESULTS Ninety-two EMS providers gave 368 estimates. Only 8% were within 20% of the actual volume. Furthermore, only 24% were within 50% of actual volume. There was no correlation between accuracy and any demographic variable, level of training, or years of EMS experience. CONCLUSION EMS personnel are unable to estimate "blood" volume accurately irrespective of level of training.
Real Parameter Single Objective Optimization using self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm with more strategies

A new differential evolution algorithm for single objective optimization is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm uses a self-adaptation mechanism for parameter control, divides its population into more subpopulations, applies more DE strategies, promotes population diversity, and eliminates the individuals that are not changed during some generations. The experimental results obtained by our algorithm on the benchmark consisting of 25 test functions with dimensions D = 10, D = 30, and D = 50 as provided for the CEC 2013 competition and special session on Real Parameter Single Objective Optimization are presented.
Racial Differences in Vascular Risk Factors and Outcomes of Patients With Intracranial Atherosclerotic Arterial Stenosis

Background and Purpose— Atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis is an important cause of stroke in blacks, yet there are limited data on vascular risk factors and outcome. We analyzed the vascular risk factors and outcomes of blacks and whites in the Warfarin versus Aspirin for Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) trial. Methods— Baseline characteristics and outcomes (ischemic stroke, brain hemorrhage, or vascular death combined and ischemic stroke alone) were compared between blacks (n=174) and whites (n=331) using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results— Blacks were significantly (P<0.05) more likely than whites to be/have: female, hypertension history, diabetes history, higher LDL, higher total cholesterol, lower triglycerides, unmarried, unemployed, nonprivate insurance, no insurance, stroke as qualifying event, <70% stenosis, symptomatic anterior circulation vessel, no antithrombotic medication before qualifying event, and no family history of myocardial infarction. Blacks more frequently reached an end point of ischemic stroke, brain hemorrhage or vascular death (28% versus 20%; hazard ratio of 1.49, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.17, P=0.03), had a higher 2-year event rate (0.28 versus 0.19), and reached the end point of ischemic stroke alone (25% versus 16% at 2 years; hazard ratio of 1.62, P=0.017). In multivariate analysis, race was associated with ischemic stroke (P=0.0488) but not with the end point ischemic stroke, brain hemorrhage or vascular death (P=0.188). Conclusions— Blacks with intracranial stenosis are at higher risk of stroke recurrence than whites. This risk warrants additional study of factors contributing to stroke in blacks and highlights the need for aggressive risk factor management in blacks to prevent recurrence.
The difference between blacks' and whites' attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia.

Researchers have consistently found that blacks are more opposed to legalizing voluntary euthanasia than are whites. Although sketchy and untested, theories for this race difference attribute it either to a difference between the two groups' levels of fundamentalism, or to a difference between the two groups' levels of fear regarding of giving others the power to end one's life. Data from the General Social Survey (GSS) and the Ohio Death and Dying Survey (DANDS) are used to examine to what extent these two variables, along with socioeconomic status and political conservatism, account for blacks' greater opposition toward legalizing voluntary euthanasia. An exploratory structural equation model of attitudes toward physician-assisted suidde, though based on limited data, suggests that all four variables are important in explaining the difference between blacks' and whites' attitudes toward legalizing voluntary euthanasia.
Validation of an Instrument to Measure Older Adults' Expectations Regarding Movement (ERM)

Background Many individuals with Parkinson's disease are not diagnosed and treated. Attitudes about aging and related help-seeking may affect the timely diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Our objectives were to develop measures of older adults' expectations regarding movement with aging, specifically related to parkinsonism, and their beliefs about seeking healthcare for the diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism. Methods We established content and face validity from interviews with experts, review of the literature, and pre-testing with key informants. Two 9-item instruments resulted: Expectations Regarding Movement (ERM) and Healthcare Seeking Beliefs for parkinsonism (HSB). These instruments were administered to 210 older adults at senior centers to investigate internal consistency and construct validity. Results 192 (91%) of the older adults completed more than 90% of the survey. The mean age was 76; 17 (9%) reported parkinsonism. Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.90). Factor analysis supported construct validity of the ERM and HSB scores. Older age, lower education, worse self-reported health and African American race each were associated with lower ERM scores, but not HSB scores. Conclusion The ERM, a brief measure of expectations regarding movement with aging, shows reliability and validity. This scale may be useful in identifying older adults at increased risk for under-identification of Parkinson's disease. Further work is needed to measure healthcare seeking for parkinsonism.