Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The intergenerational transmission of thinness.

OBJECTIVES To examine intergenerational associations for thinness and to compare maternal and paternal effects. DESIGN Population-based, cross-sectional design using data from the Health Survey for England from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2006. SETTING The Health Survey for England, an annual, national survey representative of the population living in private households in England. PARTICIPANTS Families with children and adolescents aged 2 to 15 years with anthropometric data available for children and adolescents and 2 parents (N = 4423 families, N = 7078 children and adolescents). MAIN EXPOSURE Trained interviewers collected height and weight measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Child/adolescent thinness, categorized using International Obesity Task Force criteria. RESULTS Of 7078 children and adolescents, 402 (5.7%) were categorized as being thin. Thinness was more common in 2- to 5-year-olds (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.13) than in 11- to 15-year-olds and in children and adolescents from ethnic minority (black: 2.28; 1.22-4.26; and Asian: 3.65; 2.76-4.83) than white backgrounds, but no differences were observed by sex or socioeconomic status. The strongest predictor of child/adolescent thinness was parental weight status. The prevalence of thinness was highest (16.2%) when both parents were thinner and progressively lower when both parents were in the upper half of the healthy-weight range (7.8%) or were overweight (5.3%) or obese (2.5%), with no differences in the magnitude of maternal and paternal influences. CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with the idea that many cases of thinness are likely to represent the low end of the healthy distribution of weight and, as such, are likely to have a primarily genetic origin.
aCSM: noise-free graph-based signatures to large-scale receptor-based ligand prediction

MOTIVATION Receptor-ligand interactions are a central phenomenon in most biological systems. They are characterized by molecular recognition, a complex process mainly driven by physicochemical and structural properties of both receptor and ligand. Understanding and predicting these interactions are major steps towards protein ligand prediction, target identification, lead discovery and drug design. RESULTS We propose a novel graph-based-binding pocket signature called aCSM, which proved to be efficient and effective in handling large-scale protein ligand prediction tasks. We compare our results with those described in the literature and demonstrate that our algorithm overcomes the competitor's techniques. Finally, we predict novel ligands for proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, and validate them in silico via a docking protocol, showing the applicability of the method in suggesting ligands for pockets in a real-world scenario. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Datasets and the source code are available at http://www.dcc. ufmg.br/∼dpires/acsm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
KARAKTERISASI KERAGAMAN GENETIK 27 GENOTIPE CABAI BERDASARKAN MARKA SSR (SIMPLE SEQUENCE REPEAT)

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the high economical horticultural comodity in Indonesia and its genetic diversity contributes to the success of breeding programs. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers can be used to analyze genetic diversity among chili pepper genotypes. The aim of this research was to analyze the genetic diversity of twenty-seven genotypes of chili pepper by using 24 SSR markers. The collected data was analyzed using cluster analysis and principle coordinate analysis (PCoA). The result showed that high allele variation (4–17 alleles) was observed among chili pepper genotypes tested, with an average allele number and Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value was 7.708 and 0.758 (0.598–0.920) respectively. All of SSR markers showed PIC value >0.5 which indicated that these markers were suitable for chili pepper diversity studies with a high differentiation and with the average value of genetic diversity was 0.78. The clustering and principle coordinate analysis showed that twenty-seven genotypes of chili pepper were divided into two groups (coefficient of similarity 0.74 in cluster analysis) indicating a high genetic variability among them. Genetic diversity analysis in this study will be useful as an initial basis of selection for appropriate parents with desired traits to assist the breeding program of chili pepper in Indonesia.
Secure Multi-party Differential Privacy

We study the problem of interactive function computation by multiple parties, each possessing a bit, in a differential privacy setting (i.e., there remains an uncertainty in any party's bit even when given the transcript of interactions and all the other parties' bits). Each party wants to compute a function, which could differ from party to party, and there could be a central observer interested in computing a separate function. Performance at each party is measured via the accuracy of the function to be computed. We allow for an arbitrary cost metric to measure the distortion between the true and the computed function values. Our main result is the optimality of a simple non-interactive protocol: each party randomizes its bit (sufficiently) and shares the privatized version with the other parties. This optimality result is very general: it holds for all types of functions, heterogeneous privacy conditions on the parties, all types of cost metrics, and both average and worst-case (over the inputs) measures of accuracy.
Functional Adaptation to Loading of a Single Bone Is Neuronally Regulated and Involves Multiple Bones

Regulation of load‐induced bone formation is considered a local phenomenon controlled by osteocytes, although it has also been hypothesized that functional adaptation may be neuronally regulated. The aim of this study was to examine bone formation in multiple bones, in response to loading of a single bone, and to determine whether adaptation may be neuronally regulated. Load‐induced responses in the left and right ulnas and humeri were determined after loading of the right ulna in male Sprague‐Dawley rats (69 ± 16 days of age). After a single period of loading at −760‐, −2000‐, or −3750‐μϵ initial peak strain, rats were given calcein to label new bone formation. Bone formation and bone neuropeptide concentrations were determined at 10 days. In one group, temporary neuronal blocking was achieved by perineural anesthesia of the brachial plexus with bupivicaine during loading. We found right ulna loading induces adaptive responses in other bones in both thoracic limbs compared with Sham controls and that neuronal blocking during loading abrogated bone formation in the loaded ulna and other thoracic limb bones. Skeletal adaptation was more evident in distal long bones compared with proximal long bones. We also found that the single period of loading modulated bone neuropeptide concentrations persistently for 10 days. We conclude that functional adaptation to loading of a single bone in young rapidly growing rats is neuronally regulated and involves multiple bones. Persistent changes in bone neuropeptide concentrations after a single loading period suggest that plasticity exists in the innervation of bone.
Randomized controlled trial of an oral CGRP receptor antagonist, MK-0974, in acute treatment of migraine

Objective: To determine an effective and tolerable dose of a novel oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, MK-0974, for the acute treatment of migraine. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, clinical trial with a two-stage, adaptive, dose-ranging design. Patients were allocated to treat a moderate or severe migraine attack with MK-0974 (25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, or 600 mg), rizatriptan 10 mg, or placebo taken orally. The primary endpoint was pain relief (reduction to mild or none) 2 hours after dosing. Secondary endpoints included pain freedom at 2 hours and sustained pain relief at 24 hours. A prespecified, blinded, automated interim analysis was used to discontinue randomization to less effective doses. Results: Per the adaptive study design, the four lowest MK-0974 groups (25, 50, 100, 200 mg) were discontinued due to insufficient efficacy. For the remaining treatment groups, the estimated pain relief proportions at 2 hours were 300 mg (n = 38) 68.1%, 400 mg (n = 45) 48.2%, 600 mg (n = 40) 67.5%, rizatriptan 10 mg (n = 34) 69.5%, and placebo (n = 115) 46.3%. The prespecified primary efficacy hypothesis test, which compared the average 2-hour pain relief response proportion of the combined 300, 400, and 600 mg MK-0974 groups to placebo, was significant (P = 0.015). A generally similar efficacy pattern was seen for other endpoints. MK-0974 was generally well tolerated and there did not appear to be an increase in adverse events with increasing dose. Conclusions: The novel, orally administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, MK-0974, was effective and generally well tolerated for the acute treatment of migraine.
Thrombocytopenia in vivax and falciparum malaria: an observational study of 131 patients in Karnataka, India

Abstract Background: Thrombocytopenia has been reported in the majority of malaria studies. Some but not all studies suggest the possible role of platelets in the pathology of severe malaria. We assess the association of admission platelet count with malaria complications and mortality in vivax and falciparum malaria. Methods: This is a prospective, observational study of patients aged 18 years and above admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 2004 to July 2006 in Manipal, India. Malaria was diagnosed based on clinical features along with positive Quantitative Buffy Coat method (QBC MP) or thin blood smear examination (Giemsa stain). Platelet counts were measured using Coulter LH 756 Analyser. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count <150×109/l. Results: A total of 131 consecutive patients were included. Sixty patients (46%) were infected with Plasmodium vivax and the rest with Plasmodium falciparum. Forty-six (35%) patients had non-severe and 24 (18%) had severe falciparum infection. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia was similar in vivax and falciparum malaria. Patients with severe falciparum malaria had a statistically significant lower platelet count (P = 0·01) compared to non-severe falciparum malaria. Severe malaria patients with renal failure (P = 0·02) or hyperparasitaemia (P = 0·03) had a statistically significant lower mean platelet count compared to non-severe falciparum malaria. Patients with involvement of more than one organ system had a lower mean platelet count compared to those with single organ involvement. Conclusions: The incidence of thrombocytopenia was similar in vivax and falciparum malaria. The admission platelet count is significantly lower in patients who have hyperparasitaemia and acute renal failure compared to patients without complications.
Deconfinement ind=1: Asymptotic and half-asymptotic particles

The notion of deconfinement in two d=1 models, the Schwinger model and the Heisenberg chain, is re-examined. Both have half-asymptotic excitations (where particles and antiparticles must alternate) and also truly asymptotic particles which are half as many in number. The two kinds of particles are related by a complicated transformation. The main purpose of this note is to highlight the relationship between asymptotic and half-asymptotic particles. The relevance of our findings to higher dimensions is briefly discussed.
Rapid and highly variable warming of lake surface waters around the globe

In this first worldwide synthesis of in situ and satellite‐derived lake data, we find that lake summer surface water temperatures rose rapidly (global mean = 0.34°C decade−1) between 1985 and 2009. Our analyses show that surface water warming rates are dependent on combinations of climate and local characteristics, rather than just lake location, leading to the counterintuitive result that regional consistency in lake warming is the exception, rather than the rule. The most rapidly warming lakes are widely geographically distributed, and their warming is associated with interactions among different climatic factors—from seasonally ice‐covered lakes in areas where temperature and solar radiation are increasing while cloud cover is diminishing (0.72°C decade−1) to ice‐free lakes experiencing increases in air temperature and solar radiation (0.53°C decade−1). The pervasive and rapid warming observed here signals the urgent need to incorporate climate impacts into vulnerability assessments and adaptation efforts for lakes.
Determinants of the Nuclear Localization of the Heterodimeric DNA Fragmentation Factor (Icad/Cad)

Programmed cell death or apoptosis leads to the activation of the caspase-activated DNase (CAD), which degrades chromosomal DNA into nucleosomal fragments. Biochemical studies revealed that CAD forms an inactive heterodimer with the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), or its alternatively spliced variant, ICAD-S, in the cytoplasm. It was initially proposed that proteolytic cleavage of ICAD by activated caspases causes the dissociation of the ICAD/CAD heterodimer and the translocation of active CAD into the nucleus in apoptotic cells. Here, we show that endogenous and heterologously expressed ICAD and CAD reside predominantly in the nucleus in nonapoptotic cells. Deletional mutagenesis and GFP fusion proteins identified a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) in ICAD and verified the function of the NLS in CAD. The two NLSs have an additive effect on the nuclear targeting of the CAD–ICAD complex, whereas ICAD-S, lacking its NLS, appears to have a modulatory role in the nuclear localization of CAD. Staurosporine-induced apoptosis evoked the proteolysis and disappearance of endogenous and exogenous ICAD from the nuclei of HeLa cells, as monitored by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Similar phenomenon was observed in the caspase-3–deficient MCF7 cells upon expressing procaspase-3 transiently. We conclude that a complex mechanism, involving the recognition of the NLSs of both ICAD and CAD, accounts for the constitutive accumulation of CAD/ICAD in the nucleus, where caspase-3–dependent regulation of CAD activity takes place.
Detection of airway ischaemic damage after lung transplantation by using autofluorescence imaging bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVES Airway complications related to ischaemia are a major cause of morbidity after lung transplantation. Early detection of airway ischaemia and optimal management of the anastomotic site could reduce the risk of airway complications. Autofluorescence imaging (AFI) bronchoscopy has been increasingly recognized as an effective technique for detecting abnormal mucosal thickening. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AFI bronchoscopy can facilitate the detection of airway ischaemic damage in lung transplant patients. METHODS Twenty Landrace pigs were used to create a tracheal autotransplantation model. A four-ring length of trachea was excised and implanted orthotopically. The tracheal autograft was observed on postoperative days 0, 2, 4 and 7 with AFI bronchoscopy. The extent and origin of graft autofluorescence were examined using histology and measured according to fluorescence intensity. RESULTS The lesions on the tracheal autografts appeared as bright green fluorescence on AFI bronchoscopy. On confocal fluorescence microscopy, high-intensity green fluorescence was observed in the elastin fibre layer of the submucosa. The fluorescence intensity of elastin was significantly higher in the graft showing fluorescence than the graft that did not show fluorescence and that at the control site. CONCLUSIONS Bright green fluorescence was seen in an elastin fibre layer in the submucosa, which was likely a result of epithelial sloughing. There is a close relationship between the bright green fluorescence pattern observed using AFI bronchoscopy and airway ischaemic damage. We conclude that AFI bronchoscopy may detect airway ischaemic damage after lung transplantation.
Phytochemicals as Antidepressants: The Involvement of Serotonin Receptor Function, Stress Resistance and Neurogenesis

Mood disorders are among the most prevalent forms of mental illness and a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Depression is one of the top ten causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide based on a survey by the World Health Organization (Berton and Nestler, 2006). Depression (major depressive disorder, major depression, unipolar depression, clinical depression) is a chronic, recurring and potentially life-threatening mood disorder that has been estimated to affect 21% of the world population (Schechter et al., 2005). It is estimated that 40% of the risk for depression is genetic, though the specific genes involved in the risk is still limited understanding. The other 60% non-genetic risk remains poorly defined, with suggestions as diverse as acute or chronic stress, childhood trauma, viral infections and even random processes during brain development might be involved (Akiskal, 2000; Berton and Nestler, 2006). Stress occurs in every day life. Among psychiatric disorders, depression is probably the most common stress-related diseases. The theoretical premise is that depression is the outcome of an eventual inability to cope with a stream of dissimilar unpleasant stimuli imposed by the environment (Ferretti et al., 1995). The link between genetic predisposition and life stressors in the etiology of depression remains unclear because the mode of transmission of mood disorders is likely to be complex. However, interactions between a genetic predisposition and some environmental stressors are probably necessary to induce depression (Caspi and Moffitt, 2006). In addition, not only the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, but also brain neuronal systems, including the monoaminergic systems and in particular the serotonin (5-HT) containing neuronal one, play critical roles in stressrelated disorders (Lanfumey et al., 2008; Xu et al., 2006). The structural alterations of neurons in stress-induced depression, such as a progressive decrease in the volume of the frontal cortex and hippocampus, have also been found to be related to dysfunctions of HPA axis, abnormalities in 5-HT and its receptors (Drevets, 2000; Reines et al., 2008; Tsuji et al., 2001). But, so far, no clear consensus has evolved in pathological mechanism of interneuronal communication and post-receptor signal transduction of depression.
The Emerging Role of Combination Angiogenesis Inhibitors and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

The advent of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) a decade ago revolutionized the treatment paradigm in advanced metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with improved survival rates compared to the pre-TKI era. Monotherapy with VEGF TKIs has remained first-line. However, sequencing of different TKIs, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been the subject of controversy in the treatment landscape of metastatic RCC. First-line treatment further evolved with the approval of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in intermediateand poor-risk patients based on an overall survival (OS) benefit demonstrated in the CheckMate214 trial as well as a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit of cabozantinib in the CABOSUN trial. Optimal sequencing, patient selection, and understanding resistance pathways continue to be prominent concerns. Efforts to bypass resistance mechanisms have led to the study of combination therapies. Given enhancement of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) T-cell mediated effects by VEGF-mediated immunosuppression, the combination of VEGF inhibitors and ICIs in treatment-naı̈ve locally advanced and metastatic RCC has shown promise. Available results of phase III trials utilizing these combinations are discussed herein.
Role of Small Business Strategic Alliances in the Perception of Benefits and Disadvantages of E-Commerce

Despite the proclaimed advantages of small-business strategic alliances, little research has been carried out to determine whether these structures promote the benefits and/or “cushion” the disadvantages arising from ecommerce adoption for member businesses. There has also been a lack of research into comparing e-commerce use in those small businesses that are members of a strategic alliance to those that have opted to remain outside such arrangements. This chapter aims to correct the situation by presenting IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING This chapter appears in the book, Advanced Topics in Electronic Commerce, vol. 1 edited by Mehdi Khosrow-Pour © 2005, Idea Group Inc. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB11310
Enhanced tomato disease resistance primed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus

Roots of most terrestrial plants form symbiotic associations (mycorrhiza) with soil- borne arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Many studies show that mycorrhizal colonization enhances plant resistance against pathogenic fungi. However, the mechanism of mycorrhiza-induced disease resistance remains equivocal. In this study, we found that mycorrhizal inoculation with AMF Funneliformis mosseae significantly alleviated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani Sorauer. AMF pre-inoculation led to significant increases in activities of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX) in tomato leaves upon pathogen inoculation. Mycorrhizal inoculation alone did not influence the transcripts of most genes tested. However, pathogen attack on AMF-inoculated plants provoked strong defense responses of three genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins, PR1, PR2, and PR3, as well as defense-related genes LOX, AOC, and PAL, in tomato leaves. The induction of defense responses in AMF pre-inoculated plants was much higher and more rapid than that in un-inoculated plants in present of pathogen infection. Three tomato genotypes: a Castlemart wild-type (WT) plant, a jasmonate (JA) biosynthesis mutant (spr2), and a prosystemin-overexpressing 35S::PS plant were used to examine the role of the JA signaling pathway in AMF-primed disease defense. Pathogen infection on mycorrhizal 35S::PS plants led to higher induction of defense-related genes and enzymes relative to WT plants. However, pathogen infection did not induce these genes and enzymes in mycorrhizal spr2 mutant plants. Bioassays showed that 35S::PS plants were more resistant and spr2 plants were more susceptible to early blight compared with WT plants. Our finding indicates that mycorrhizal colonization enhances tomato resistance to early blight by priming systemic defense response, and the JA signaling pathway is essential for mycorrhiza-primed disease resistance.