Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term effects of fine particulate air pollution on hospital admissions for hypertension: A time-stratified case-crossover study in Taipei

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to determine whether there was a correlation between fine particle (PM2.5) levels and hospital admissions for hypertension in Taipei, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for hypertension and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 2009 to 2013. The relative risk of hospital admissions was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the single pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), the risk of hospital admissions for hypertension was estimated to increase by 12% on warm days (>23°C) and 2% on cool days (<23°C), respectively. There was no indication of an association between levels of PM2.5 and risk of hospital admissions for hypertension. In two-pollutant model, PM2.5 remained nonsignificant after inclusion of any of the other air pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, or O3) both on warm and cool days, but a numerically greater response was seen on warm days. Data thus indicate that in Taipei, hospital admissions for hypertension occur as a consequence of factors not related to ambient air exposure.
Targeting the MAPK Signaling Pathway in Cancer: Promising Preclinical Activity with the Novel Selective ERK1/2 Inhibitor BVD-523 (Ulixertinib)

Aberrant activation of signaling through the RAS–RAF–MEK–ERK (MAPK) pathway is implicated in numerous cancers, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Although BRAF and MEK-targeted combination therapy has demonstrated significant benefit beyond single-agent options, the majority of patients develop resistance and disease progression after approximately 12 months. Reactivation of ERK signaling is a common driver of resistance in this setting. Here we report the discovery of BVD-523 (ulixertinib), a novel, reversible, ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor with high potency and ERK1/2 selectivity. In vitro BVD-523 treatment resulted in reduced proliferation and enhanced caspase activity in sensitive cells. Interestingly, BVD-523 inhibited phosphorylation of target substrates despite increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In in vivo xenograft studies, BVD-523 showed dose-dependent growth inhibition and tumor regression. BVD-523 yielded synergistic antiproliferative effects in a BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma cell line xenograft model when used in combination with BRAF inhibition. Antitumor activity was also demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo models of acquired resistance to single-agent and combination BRAF/MEK–targeted therapy. On the basis of these promising results, these studies demonstrate BVD-523 holds promise as a treatment for ERK-dependent cancers, including those whose tumors have acquired resistance to other treatments targeting upstream nodes of the MAPK pathway. Assessment of BVD-523 in clinical trials is underway (NCT01781429, NCT02296242, and NCT02608229). Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2351–63. ©2017 AACR.
Effect of fertilization and age of hen on the cholesterol content of chicken egg yolk.

Abstract The cholesterol content of infertile and fertile eggs from White Leghorn hens was compared. In Trials 1 and 2, infertile eggs were collected, a male was introduced, and fertile eggs then collected from the same hens. In Trial 3, two pens of hens were trapnested. The first pen contained hens only, and the second pen contained hens plus a male. After the desired number of eggs were collected from each hen, the male was moved to the other pen. Twenty-one days were allowed to elapse and eggs were again collected. In Trial 1, there were no statistically significant differences between fertile and infertile eggs in wet yolk weight, dry yolk weight, mg. cholesterol per g. dry yolk, or total yolk cholesterol. In Trial 2, fertile eggs were significantly higher than the infertile eggs in dry yolk weight (P
Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Compared to Natural Conception: Differences in Perinatal Outcome

Background/Aim: To compare the pregnancy outcome of singletons conceived after transfer of cryopreserved and thawed embryos (frozen embryo transfer [FET]) to singletons conceived after fresh embryo transfer (fresh ET) and natural conceived singletons. Methods: Using a retrospective data analysis on a study population consisting of 1,261 singletons born after FET and 2,519 singletons born after fresh ET between 2006 and 2015. The control group consisted of singletons born after natural conception. Main outcome measures consisted of birth weight (in grams), gestational age, preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation), being large for gestational age (LGA, above 90th weight percentile adjusted for gestational age) and Apgar scores. Results: Babies born after FET had an increased risk of high birth weight (adjusted OR [AOR]) 2.92; 1.503-3.482) and being LGA (AOR fresh ET vs. FET 1.47; 1.210-1.787) compared to singletons born after fresh ET, as well as higher birth weights compared to natural conceived children. Conclusions: Singletons born after FET have a higher risk of high birth weight and being LGA compared to singletons after fresh ET and compared to natural conceived singletons. We assume that the freezing process might be the underlying cause.
Identifying Anatomical Origins of Coexisting Oscillations in the Cortical Microcircuit

Oscillations are omnipresent in neural population signals, like multi-unit recordings, EEG/MEG, and the local field potential. They have been linked to the population firing rate of neurons, with individual neurons firing in a close-to-irregular fashion at low rates. Using a combination of mean-field and linear response theory we predict the spectra generated in a layered microcircuit model of V1, composed of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons and based on connectivity compiled from anatomical and electrophysiological studies. The model exhibits low- and high-γ oscillations visible in all populations. Since locally generated frequencies are imposed onto other populations, the origin of the oscillations cannot be deduced from the spectra. We develop an universally applicable systematic approach that identifies the anatomical circuits underlying the generation of oscillations in a given network. Based on a theoretical reduction of the dynamics, we derive a sensitivity measure resulting in a frequency-dependent connectivity map that reveals connections crucial for the peak amplitude and frequency of the observed oscillations and identifies the minimal circuit generating a given frequency. The low-γ peak turns out to be generated in a sub-circuit located in layer 2/3 and 4, while the high-γ peak emerges from the inter-neurons in layer 4. Connections within and onto layer 5 are found to regulate slow rate fluctuations. We further demonstrate how small perturbations of the crucial connections have significant impact on the population spectra, while the impairment of other connections leaves the dynamics on the population level unaltered. The study uncovers connections where mechanisms controlling the spectra of the cortical microcircuit are most effective.
Mitochondrial damage‐associated molecular patterns as potential proinflammatory mediators in post–platelet transfusion adverse effects

Platelet concentrates (PCs) are the most common blood components eliciting nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (NHTRs), such as allergic transfusion reactions and febrile reactions. However, the precise mechanisms of NHTRs in PC transfusion remain largely unknown. Previous studies reported that mitochondria‐derived damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) could be important mediators of innate cell inflammation. Platelets (PLTs) represent a major reservoir of mitochondria in the blood circulation. The aim of this study was to determine the possible involvement of mitochondrial DAMPs in NHTRs.
Disease control by chemical and biological fungicides in cultivated mushrooms: button mushroom, oyster mushroom and shiitake

The most commonly cultivated basidiomycetes worldwide and in Serbia are button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.) and shiitake (Lentinus edodes). Production of their fruiting bodies is severely afflicted by fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens that are able to cause diseases which affect yield and quality. Major A. bisporus fungal pathogens include Mycogone perniciosa, Lecanicillium fungicola, and Cladobotryum spp. , the causal agents of dry bubble, wet bubble, and cobweb disease, respectively. Various Trichoderma species, the causal agents of green mould, also affect all three kinds of edible mushrooms. Over the past two decades, green mould caused by T. aggressivum has been the most serious disease of button mushroom. Oyster mushroom is susceptible to T. pleurotum and shiitake to T. harzianum. The bacterial brawn blotch disease, caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii, is distributed globally. Disease control on mushroom farms worldwide is commonly based on the use of fungicides. However, evolution of pathogen resistance to fungicides after frequent application, and host sensitivity to fungicides are serious problems. Only a few fungicides are officially recommended in mushroom production: chlorothalonil and thiabendazol in North America and prochloraz in the EU and some other countries. Even though decreased sensitivity levels of L. fungicola and Cladobotryum mycophilum to prochloraz have been detected, disease control is still mainly provided by that chemical fungicide. Considering such resistance evolution, harmful impact to the environment and human health, special attention should be focused on biofungicides, both microbiological products based on Bacillus species and various natural substances of biological origin, together with good programs of hygiene. Introduction of biofungicides has created new possibilities for crop protection with reduced application of chemicals. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31043]
Adverse obstetric outcomes during delivery hospitalizations complicated by suicidal behavior among US pregnant women

Objective The effects of suicidal behavior on obstetric outcomes remain dangerously unquantified. We sought to report on the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes for US women with suicidal behavior at the time of delivery. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of delivery hospitalizations from 2007–2012 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. From the same hospitalization record, International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify suicidal behavior and adverse obstetric outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using logistic regression. Results Of the 23,507,597 delivery hospitalizations, 2,180 were complicated by suicidal behavior. Women with suicidal behavior were at a heightened risk for outcomes including antepartum hemorrhage (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.47–3.74), placental abruption (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.17–3.66), postpartum hemorrhage (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.61–3.37), premature delivery (aOR = 3.08; 95% CI: 2.43–3.90), stillbirth (aOR = 10.73; 95% CI: 7.41–15.56), poor fetal growth (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.10–2.62), and fetal anomalies (aOR = 3.72; 95% CI: 2.57–5.40). No significant association was observed for maternal suicidal behavior with cesarean delivery, induction of labor, premature rupture of membranes, excessive fetal growth, and fetal distress. The mean length of stay was longer for women with suicidal behavior. Conclusion During delivery hospitalization, women with suicidal behavior are at increased risk for many adverse obstetric outcomes, highlighting the importance of screening for and providing appropriate clinical care for women with suicidal behavior during pregnancy.
Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition

Abstract This study aimed to describe the body composition and physiological changes which take place during the in-season and recovery periods of a group of natural bodybuilders. Natural male bodybuilders (n = 9) were assessed 16 (PRE16), 8 (PRE8), and 1 (PRE1) week(s) before, and 4 (POST4) weeks after a bodybuilding competition. Assessments included body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), serum hormones, and 7-day weighed food and training diaries. Change in parameters was assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Dietary protein intake remained high throughout the study period (2.8–3.1 g kg−1 d−1). Fat mass (FM) was significantly reduced from PRE16 to PRE1 (8.8 ± 3.1 vs. 5.3 ± 2.4 kg, P < .01). There was a small decrease in lean mass (LM) from PRE8 to PRE1 (71.8 ± 9.1 vs. 70.9 ± 9.1 kg, P < .05). No changes in RMR were observed (P > .05). Large reductions in total and free testosterone (16.4 ± 4.4 vs. 10.1 ± 3.6 nmol L−1, P < .05; 229.3 ± 72.4 vs. 116.8 ± 76.9 pmol L−1, P < .05), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (27.0 ± 7.7 vs. 19.9 ± 7.6 nmol L−1, P < .05) occurred between PRE16 and PRE1. LM and IGF-1 increased from PRE1 to POST4 (70.9 ± 9.1 vs. 72.5 ± 8.5 kg, P < .05; 19.9 ± 7.6 vs. 25.4 ± 9.3 nmol L−1, P < .05). Despite substantial reductions in FM, participants maintained almost all of their LM. The reduction in anabolic hormone concentration is likely attributable to the prolonged negative energy balance, despite a high dietary protein intake.
New KEL*01M and KEL*02M alleles: structural modeling to assess the impact of amino acid changes

The KELL antigens are carried by the well‐folded and highly polymorphic glycoprotein KELL, belonging to the M13 family of metalloproteases. Anti‐KEL, particularly anti‐KEL1, are clinically significant. We retrospectively investigated genomic DNA from samples with uncertain KEL1 or KEL2 phenotype and identified six novel Kmod alleles. We then considered a model of the protein three‐dimensional (3D) structure to assess the impacts of the amino acid changes.
Drawing Sensors with Ball-Milled Blends of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Graphite

The synthetically tunable properties and intrinsic porosity of conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) make them promising materials for transducing selective interactions with gaseous analytes in an electrically addressable platform. Consequently, conductive MOFs are valuable functional materials with high potential utility in chemical detection. The implementation of these materials, however, is limited by the available methods for device incorporation due to their poor solubility and moderate electrical conductivity. This manuscript describes a straightforward method for the integration of moderately conductive MOFs into chemiresistive sensors by mechanical abrasion. To improve electrical contacts, blends of MOFs with graphite were generated using a solvent-free ball-milling procedure. While most bulk powders of pure conductive MOFs were difficult to integrate into devices directly via mechanical abrasion, the compressed solid-state MOF/graphite blends were easily abraded onto the surface of paper substrates equipped with gold electrodes to generate functional sensors. This method was used to prepare an array of chemiresistors, from four conductive MOFs, capable of detecting and differentiating NH3, H2S and NO at parts-per-million concentrations.
Divergent selection for growth in Japanese quail under split and complete nutritional environments. 1. Genetic and correlated responses to selection.

Japanese quail were divergently selected for 4-wk body weight under two different nutritional environments. In one environment quail were divergently selected for high and low body weight (H and L) under a split diet (SD) with quail having the opportunity to self-select feed from high protein and high energy diets. In the other environment, quail were similarly selected (H and L) under a normal (28% protein) complete diet (CD). After 11 generations of selection, H-SD and H-CD lines were 48.9 and 49.7% higher in 4-wk body weight than controls. Quail from L-SD and L-CD lines were 46.5 and 45.4% lower in 4-wk body weight than controls. Realized heritabilities for 4-wk body weight were . 36 +/- . 03, . 30 +/- . 03, . 52 +/- . 02, and . 47 +/- . 03 for H-SD, L-SD, H-CD, and L-CD lines, respectively. Selection differentials were significantly higher in the SD than in the CD environment. Changes in 2-wk, adult body, and egg weight across generations paralleled that of the trait under selection (4-wk body weight). Selection also resulted in decreased hatchability and egg production with increased age to sexual maturity in both environments. The SD environment was determined to be a stress environment because of birds' inferior growth there compared with growth in the CD environment. Rate of growth, however, to reach adult body size was superior for L-SD quail once the stress environment was removed. There was also evidence that eggs were larger for quail in the SD than the CD environment.
Social dimensions related to anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India

Abstract Objective To examine various sociodemographic aspects related to consumption of micronutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables (GLV), which will be helpful in modifying dietary habits, a strategy that merits consideration for prevention of anaemia. Design Cross-sectional study for collecting data on socio-economic and anthropometric (weight, height) variables, Hb, dietary pattern (FFQ) and peripheral smear examination for classifying nutritional and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA). Setting Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India. Subjects Rural women (n 418) of childbearing age (15–35 years). Results Mean Hb was 11·07 g/dl. Seventy-seven per cent of the women were anaemic (Hb < 12 g/dl) and 28 % had IDA, indicating that a large proportion of the women had nutritional anaemia. Higher prevalence of IDA was associated with several sociodemographic and maternal parameters, but multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant (P < 0·05) risk of IDA with lower body weight (<40 kg), short maternal height (<145 cm), younger age at marriage (<19 years) and higher parity (≥2). Various socio-cultural reasons associated with low consumption of GLV included non-cultivation of GLV, priority for selling them rather than home consumption, dislike of GLV by husband and children, and lack of awareness about different recipes for GLV. Conclusions Our findings highlight that low consumption of GLV, which are treasures of micronutrients including Fe, is associated with genuine social reasons. This indicates a need for developing action programmes to improve nutritional knowledge and awareness leading to enhanced consumption of Fe-rich foods for preventing anaemia in rural India.
In vivo limestone solubilization in commercial Leghorns: role of dietary calcium level, limestone particle size, in vitro limestone solubility rate, and the calcium status of the hen.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the possible interaction of particle size, in vitro limestone solubility rate, and the Ca status of the hen, respectively, with dietary Ca level and in vivo Ca solubilization in laying hens. The in vivo Ca solubilization in hens was determined by subtracting Ca recovered as limestone in the excreta (by repeated washing) from Ca fed as limestone. Limestones of two different particle sizes [. 5 to . 8 mm (small) versus 2 to 5 mm (large)] with the same in vitro solubility rates were used in Experiment 1. Limestones of two different in vitro solubility rates (4 versus 10%/15 min in .079 N HCl) with the same particle size in Experiment 2 were assessed for in vivo Ca solubilization. In both experiments, laying hens were fed diets containing graded levels of Ca: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0%. In Experiment 3, hens fed a Ca-deficient (1%) diet for 1 wk were compared with hens fed a diet containing 3.75% Ca to assess in vivo Ca solubilization as influenced by graded dietary Ca levels: 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% Ca. In vivo Ca solubilization in hens was influenced (P less than .05) by dietary Ca level (inverse relationship), limestone particle size (large particle greater than small particle), and Ca status of hens (Ca-deficient hens greater than normal hens). In vivo Ca solubilization in laying hens, for the particle size tested, was not influenced by in vitro limestone solubility rate. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Implementing a novel movement-based approach to inferring parturition and neonate caribou calf survival

In ungulates, parturition is correlated with a reduction in movement rate. With advances in movement-based technologies comes an opportunity to develop new techniques to assess reproduction in wild ungulates that are less invasive and reduce biases. DeMars et al. (2013, Ecology and Evolution 3:4149–4160) proposed two promising new methods (individual- and population-based; the DeMars model) that use GPS inter-fix step length of adult female caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to infer parturition and neonate survival. Our objective was to apply the DeMars model to caribou populations that may violate model assumptions for retrospective analysis of parturition and calf survival. We extended the use of the DeMars model after assigning parturition and calf mortality status by examining herd-wide distributions of parturition date, calf mortality date, and survival. We used the DeMars model to estimate parturition and calf mortality events and compared them with the known parturition and calf mortality events from collared adult females (n = 19). We also used the DeMars model to estimate parturition and calf mortality events for collared female caribou with unknown parturition and calf mortality events (n = 43) and instead derived herd-wide estimates of calf survival as well as distributions of parturition and calf mortality dates and compared them to herd-wide estimates generated from calves fitted with VHF collars (n = 134). For our data, the individual-based method was effective at predicting calf mortality, but was not effective at predicting parturition. The population-based method was more effective at predicting parturition but was not effective at predicting calf mortality. At the herd-level, the predicted distributions of parturition date from both methods differed from each other and from the distribution derived from the parturition dates of VHF-collared calves (log-ranked test: χ2 = 40.5, df = 2, p < 0.01). The predicted distributions of calf mortality dates from both methods were similar to the observed distribution derived from VHF-collared calves. Both methods underestimated herd-wide calf survival based on VHF-collared calves, however, a combination of the individual- and population-based methods produced herd-wide survival estimates similar to estimates generated from collared calves. The limitations we experienced when applying the DeMars model could result from the shortcomings in our data violating model assumptions. However despite the differences in our caribou systems, with proper validation techniques the framework in the DeMars model is sufficient to make inferences on parturition and calf mortality.