Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring behavioral responses of sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and crested terns to drone disturbance to define ethical operating thresholds

Drones are being increasingly used in innovative ways to enhance environmental research and conservation. Despite their widespread use for wildlife studies, there are few scientifically justified guidelines that provide minimum distances at which wildlife can be approached to minimize visual and auditory disturbance. These distances are essential to ensure that behavioral and survey data have no observer bias and form the basis of requirements for animal ethics and scientific permit approvals. In the present study, we documented the behaviors of three species of sea turtle (green turtles, Chelonia mydas, flatback turtles, Natator depressus, hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata), saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), and crested terns (Thalasseus bergii) in response to a small commercially available (1.4 kg) multirotor drone flown in Northern Territory and Western Australia. Sea turtles in nearshore waters off nesting beaches or in foraging habitats exhibited no evasive behaviors (e.g. rapid diving) in response to the drone at or above 20–30 m altitude, and at or above 10 m altitude for juvenile green and hawksbill turtles foraging on shallow, algae-covered reefs. Adult female flatback sea turtles were not deterred by drones flying forward or stationary at 10 m altitude when crawling up the beach to nest or digging a body pit or egg chamber. In contrast, flyovers elicited a range of behaviors from crocodiles, including minor, lateral head movements, fleeing, or complete submergence when a drone was present below 50 m altitude. Similarly, a colony of crested terns resting on a sand-bank displayed disturbance behaviors (e.g. flight response) when a drone was flown below 60 m altitude. The current study demonstrates a variety of behavioral disturbance thresholds for diverse species and should be considered when establishing operating conditions for drones in behavioral and conservation studies.
Nightmare and Abnormal Dreams: Rare Side Effects of Metformin?

Background Metformin is widely known as an antidiabetic agent which has significant gastrointestinal side effects, but nightmares and abnormal dreams as its adverse reactions are not well reported. Case Presentation Herein we present a case of 56-year-old male patient with no known history of recurrent nightmares and sleep disorder, experiencing nightmare and abnormal dreams directly after consumption of 750 mg extended release metformin. He reported his dream as an unpleasant experience which awakened him at night with negative feelings. The nightmare only lasted for a night, but his dreams every night thereafter seemed abnormal. The dreams were vivid and indescribable. The disappearance and occurrence of abnormal dreams ensued soon after the drug was discontinued and rechallenged. The case was assessed using Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) probability scale and resulted as probable causality. Conclusion Metformin might be the underlying cause of nightmare and abnormal dreams in this patient. More studies are needed to confirm the association and causality of this findings.
A comprehensive nutritional survey of hospitalized patients: Results from nutritionDay 2016 in China

Aims Prevalence of malnutrition is a common and serious issue responsible for the morbidity and mortality rate among hospitalized patients. We aimed to provide an actual and comprehensive situation of the nutritional characteristics, nutritional support and the risk factors for malnutrition among hospitalized patients in China. Methods We analyzed the data from nutritionDay audit 2016 in China. The international daylong cross-sectional survey was performed on November 10th, 2016 via filling out several questionnaires regarding information on patients’ illness, food intake history, weight change and nutritional care. Re-assessment of patients’ outcome questionnaire was performed 30 days later. Results Total of 781 patients from 9 hospitals and 8 kinds of departments were enrolled in this report. Of these, malnutrition rate was 29.6%. Parenteral nutrition (251/344, 73.0%) was the primary nutrition support form in Chinese hospitals. However, 41.8% (136/325) of patients at nutritional risk or already diagnosed with malnutrition did not received any form of nutritional support, whereas 34.0% (155/456) well-nourished patients did. Patients with malnutrition had extended length of hospital stay and poor 30-day outcomes compared to well-nourished patients. Nutritional support could benefit nutritional risk or malnutrition patients, rather than well-nourished patients. Moreover, major lesion types, self-related health, food intake last week were independent risk factors of malnutrition (all p<0.05). Conclusions Chinese hospital staff is generally lack of knowledge and awareness of malnutrition. Self-related health, major lesion types and food intake are associated with malnutrition.
Fluctuating Environments and Phytoplankton Community Structure: A Stochastic Model

Spatial heterogeneity in organism and resource distributions can generate temporal heterogeneity in resource access for simple organisms like phytoplankton. The role of temporal heterogeneity as a structuring force for simple communities is investigated via models of phytoplankton with contrasting life histories competing for a single fluctuating resource. A stochastic model in which environmental and demographic stochasticity are treated separately is compared with a model with deterministic resource variation to assess the importance of stochasticity. When compared with the deterministic model, the stochastic model allows for coexistence over a wider range of parameter values (or life‐history types). The model suggests that demographic stochasticity alone is far more important in increasing the possibility of coexistence than environmental stochasticity alone. However, the combined effects of both types of stochasticity produce the largest likelihood of coexistence. Finally, the influence of relative nutrient levels and nutrient pulse frequency on these results is addressed. We relate our findings to variable environment theory with evidence for both relative nonlinearity and the storage effect acting in this model. We show for the first time that temporal dynamics generated by demographic stochasticity may operate like the storage effect at particular spatial scales.
The Properties of Outer Retinal Band Three Investigated With Adaptive-Optics Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose Optical coherence tomography's (OCT) third outer retinal band has been attributed to the zone of interdigitation between RPE cells and cone outer segments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the structure of this band with adaptive optics (AO)-OCT. Methods Using AO-OCT, images were obtained from two subjects. Axial structure was characterized by measuring band 3 thickness and separation between bands 2 and 3 in segmented cones. Lateral structure was characterized by correlation of band 3 with band 2 and comparison of their power spectra. Band thickness and separation were also measured in a clinical OCT image of one subject. Results Band 3 thickness ranged from 4.3 to 6.4 μm. Band 2 correlations ranged between 0.35 and 0.41 and power spectra of both bands confirmed peak frequencies that agree with histologic density measurements. In clinical images, band 3 thickness was between 14 and 19 μm. Measurements of AO-OCT of interband distance were lower than our corresponding clinical OCT measurements. Conclusions Band 3 originates from a structure with axial extent similar to a single surface. Correlation with band 2 suggests an origin within the cone photoreceptor. These two observations indicate that band 3 corresponds predominantly to cone outer segment tips (COST). Conventional OCT may overestimate both the thickness of band 3 and outer segment length.
The inhibitory effects of capillarisin on cell proliferation and invasion of prostate carcinoma cells

Capillarisin (Cap), an active component of Artemisia capillaris root extracts, is characterized by its anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant and anti‐cancer properties. Nevertheless, the functions of Cap in prostate cancer have not been fully explored. We evaluated the potential actions of Cap on the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate carcinoma cells.
β-thalassemia caused by compound heterozygous mutations and cured by bone marrow transplantation: A case report

In the present study, a rare familial case of severe thalassemia with compound spontaneous mutations is reported. A 2.5-year-old boy, who suffered from severe anemia with yellowish skin, enlarged liver and spleen, was provided with a blood transfusion every 20 days to maintain hemoglobin levels between 90 and 100 g/l. Sanger sequencing combined with reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Gap-PCR revealed that the proband was a carrier of 4 compound heterozygous mutations: Hemoglobin subunit β (HBB):IVS-II-654(C>T)β+; Southeast Asian-type-hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (SEA-HPFH); HBB:c316-148G>T; hemoglobin subunit α2 (HBA2):c.46G>A. The father of the proband was identified as a carrier of the heterozygous SEA-HPFH mutation, the mother was a carrier of compound heterozygous mutations of HBB:IVS-II-654(C>T) and HBA2:c.46G>A, and the elder sister was heterozygous for HBB:IVS-II-654(C>T)β+. Based on these genetic results, it was determined that the proband had both of heavy β-thalassemia and α-thalassemia. Upon human leukocyte antigen matching, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was successfully performed on the proband by selecting his HLA-compatible sister as a donor. Following treatment, the proband was revealed to only carry the IVS-II-654(C>T)β+ heterozygous mutation, and further regular blood transfusions have been avoided; BMT results remained normal at six months follow-up.
Static micro-array isolation, dynamic time series classification, capture and enumeration of spiked breast cancer cells in blood: the nanotube–CTC chip

We demonstrate the rapid and label-free capture of breast cancer cells spiked in blood using nanotube-antibody micro-arrays. 76-element single wall carbon nanotube arrays were manufactured using photo-lithography, metal deposition, and etching techniques. Anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (anti-EpCAM), Anti-human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (anti-Her2) and non-specific IgG antibodies were functionalized to the surface of the nanotube devices using 1-pyrene-butanoic acid succinimidyl ester. Following device functionalization, blood spiked with SKBR3, MCF7 and MCF10A cells (100/1000 cells per 5 μl per device, 170 elements totaling 0.85 ml of whole blood) were adsorbed on to the nanotube device arrays. Electrical signatures were recorded from each device to screen the samples for differences in interaction (specific or non-specific) between samples and devices. A zone classification scheme enabled the classification of all 170 elements in a single map. A kernel-based statistical classifier for the ‘liquid biopsy’ was developed to create a predictive model based on dynamic time warping series to classify device electrical signals that corresponded to plain blood (control) or SKBR3 spiked blood (case) on anti-Her2 functionalized devices with ∼90% sensitivity, and 90% specificity in capture of 1000 SKBR3 breast cancer cells in blood using anti-Her2 functionalized devices. Screened devices that gave positive electrical signatures were confirmed using optical/confocal microscopy to hold spiked cancer cells. Confocal microscopic analysis of devices that were classified to hold spiked blood based on their electrical signatures confirmed the presence of cancer cells through staining for DAPI (nuclei), cytokeratin (cancer cells) and CD45 (hematologic cells) with single cell sensitivity. We report 55%–100% cancer cell capture yield depending on the active device area for blood adsorption with mean of 62% (∼12 500 captured off 20 000 spiked cells in 0.1 ml blood) in this first nanotube–CTC chip study.
Vitamin D treatment attenuates cardiac FGF23/FGFR4 signaling and hypertrophy in uremic rats

Background. Vitamin D deficiency and excess of circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) contribute to cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). FGF23 activates FGF receptor 4 and (FGFR4) calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling in cardiac myocytes, thereby causing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Here, we determined if 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) inhibits FGF23‐induced cardiac signaling and LVH. Methods. 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6 Nx) rats were treated with different doses of calcitriol for 4 or 10 weeks and cardiac expression of FGF23/FGFR4 and activation of calcineurin/NFAT as well as LVH were analyzed. FGFR4 activation and hypertrophic cell growth were studied in cultured cardiac myocytes that were co‐treated with FGF23 and calcitriol. Results. In 5/6Nx rats with LVH, we detected elevated FGF23 expression in bone and myocardium, increased cardiac expression of FGFR4 and elevated cardiac activation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling. Cardiac expression levels of FGF23 and FGFR4 significantly correlated with the presence of LVH in uremic rats. Treatment with calcitriol reduced LVH as well as cardiac FGFR4 expression and calcineurin/NFAT activation. Bone and cardiac FGF23 expression were further stimulated by calcitriol in a dose‐dependent manner, but levels of intact cardiac FGF23 protein were suppressed by high‐dose calcitriol. In cultured cardiac myocytes, co‐treatment with calcitriol blocked FGF23‐induced activation of FGFR4 and hypertrophic cell growth. Conclusions. Our data suggest that in CKD, cardioprotective effects of calcitriol stem from its inhibitory actions on the cardiac FGF23/FGFR4 system, and based on their counterbalancing effects on cardiac myocytes, high FGF23 and low calcitriol synergistically contribute to cardiac hypertrophy.
Decreased Lung Function and All‐Cause Mortality in HIV‐infected Individuals

Rationale: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with pulmonary disease and worse lung function, but the relationship of lung function with survival in HIV is unknown. Objectives: To determine whether lung function is associated with all‐cause mortality in HIV‐infected individuals. Methods: HIV‐infected participants from cohorts in three locations underwent pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator spirometry and determination of single‐breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO) in 2008‐2009, computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the chest for quantitative emphysema and airway measures, and echocardiography for estimated left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and tricuspid regurgitant velocity. Bivariate analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine whether decreased lung function was independently associated with increased all‐cause mortality. Models were adjusted for covariates including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, self‐reported hepatitis C status, HIV viral levels, CD4+ T‐cell counts, hemoglobin, antiretroviral therapy, and illicit drug use. Results: Overall, 396 HIV‐infected participants underwent pulmonary function testing. Thirty‐two participants (8%) died during a median follow‐up period of 69 months. A post‐bronchodilator FEV1‐to‐FVC ratio less than 0.7 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10‐5.58) and a DlCO less than 60% (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.08‐4.82) were independently associated with worse mortality. Also, hepatitis C (HR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.22‐5.89) and baseline plasma HIV RNA level (HR per ln RNA copies/ml, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.22‐1.86) were associated with mortality in HIV‐infected participants. The only CT or echocardiographic measure associated with greater mortality in univariate analysis was greater wall thickness of medium‐sized airways (HR for wall area percent, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.18; P = 0.051), but none of the CT or echocardiogram measures were associated with mortality in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Airflow obstruction and impaired diffusing capacity appear to be associated with all‐cause mortality in HIV‐infected persons over an average of 6 years of follow‐up. These data highlight the importance of lung dysfunction in HIV‐infected persons and should be confirmed in larger cohorts and with extended follow‐up periods. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT00869544, NCT01326572).
What do popular YouTubeTM videos say about vaccines?

BACKGROUND The unregulated social network YouTube TM has become an increasingly popular source of information on health topics such as vaccine safety. With a reach of over one billion users per month, the potential for misinformation is significant. METHODS Using the keywords 'vaccine safety' and 'vaccines and children', 87 of the most widely viewed YouTubeTM videos were identified and analyzed for content, author status and view count. RESULTS The range of view counts was 25 532 to 6 229 835, with a median of 62 075 views per video. Most videos (n = 74, 85.1%) were devoted exclusively to the topic of vaccination. The three most common sources of these YouTubeTM videos were consumers (27.6%), TV-based or Internet-based news (26.4%) and individual health professionals (25.3%). Top topics covered were autism causality (47.1% of videos), undisclosed or poorly understood risks (42.5%), adverse reactions (40.2%) and thimerosol or mercury in vaccines (36.8%). The majority of videos (65.5%) discouraged the use of vaccines. CONCLUSION Health professionals should be aware of the widely disseminated vaccination information available on the Internet and should appreciate its possible effect on the public.
Is rheumatoid arthritis associated with reduced immunogenicity of the influenza vaccination? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: To determine whether immunogenicity and safety of the influenza vaccination in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are significantly different from those in a healthy population. Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched on 31 August 2016. Studies were included when they met the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, methodological quality and outcomes. The primary outcome was seroprotection (SP) rate after immunization. Results: Thirteen studies were included. The SP rates did not significantly differ between the RA patients and healthy controls for the H3N2 (RR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.13, p = .64) and B strain (RR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.84 to 1. 08, p = .44). Nevertheless, RA was associated with a significant decrease in SP rate for the H1N1 strain (RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.86, p < .001). RA patients receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy, TNF blockers, rituximab and other biologics responded to the H1N1 strain significantly less than healthy controls in SP rate, whereas those receiving steroids did not. Non-adjuvanted vaccination had a significantly lower SP rate than in healthy controls, whereas adjuvanted vaccination did not. RA was associated with an increase in adverse events (RR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.08, p = .04). Conclusions: Immunogenicity was significantly different between RA patients and healthy controls for the H1N1 strain, but not for the H3N2 or B strains. Adverse event rates were higher in RA patients. Adjuvant and special kinds of immunosuppressive biologics may play an important role in immunogenicity of inactivated influenza vaccines for RA patients.
Comparative Physicochemical Evaluation of a Marketed Herbomineral Formulation: Naga Bhasma

In the practice of Ayurveda, where herbomineral formulations are said to be made biocompatible through specific processes like Shodhana and Marana, the western medical science on the contrary has raised the safety concerns of these formulations in the recent past. In the present study, comparative physico-chemical analysis of Naga bhasma, a herbo-mineral preparation having a reputation of miraculous drug commonly used to treat several health disorders, was carried out using five marketed formulations through analytical methods like differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray difraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and also subjected for particle size analysis and estimation of trace and heavy metals to access the safety of these formulation. The results revealed variable observations regarding particle size, metal form and content of lead. The presence of free lead in five different formulations indicated towards the possible risk of severe side effects to the consumer. Present findings certainly put doubt over the safety of this formulation but at the same time, variation in the results with all five formulations also indicated that these formulations were not prepared as per the mentioned Ayurvedic text. Hence, enforcement of strict regulatory guidelines is strongly warranted before launching into the market. Further, a series of biological studies need to be conducted before taking any final verdict on the safety of this formulation.
Dopamine D4 receptor isoform mRNA and protein are expressed in the rat cortical collecting duct.

We reported previously [ Am. J. Physiol. 271 ( Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 40): F391-F400, 1996] that dopamine inhibits vasopressin (AVP)-dependent water permeability and Na+ transport in the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) apparently through a D4 dopamine receptor. The present experiments used RT-PCR of total RNA extracted from microdissected rat CCD to determine whether the D4and D1A dopamine receptor isoforms are expressed. Specific primers were used to amplify three regions of the D4 cDNA. All three gave products with 98-100% nucleotide identity to the known rat D4 sequence; however, there was an extra 6-bp insert at the 3' end of the second transmembrane region that was identical to the human and mouse sequences but which had not been documented in the rat sequence. D4 receptor protein was also localized exclusively to the CCD and medullary collecting ducts by immunohistochemistry. Two regions of the D1A dopamine receptor message were also amplified by RT-PCR of RNA from rat CCD and were verified by sequencing and immunohistochemistry. We conclude that both D4 and D1A dopamine receptors are expressed in the rat CCD, but the physiological effects are attributable to a D4 receptor.
Mechanisms of Resistance to Antibody–Drug Conjugates

Drug resistance limits the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Despite attempts to develop curative anticancer treatments, tumors evolve evasive mechanisms limiting durable responses. Hence, diverse therapies are used to attack cancer, including cytotoxic and targeted agents. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC) are biotherapeutics designed to deliver potent cytotoxins to cancer cells via tumor-specific antigens. Little is known about the clinical manifestations of drug resistance to this class of therapy; however, recent preclinical studies reveal potential mechanisms of resistance. Because ADCs are a combination of antibody and small molecule cytotoxin, multifactorial modes of resistance are emerging that are inherent to the structure and function of the ADC. Decreased cell-surface antigen reduces antibody binding, whereas elevated drug transporters such as MDR1 and MRP1 reduce effectiveness of the payload. Inherent to the uniqueness of the ADC, other novel resistance mechanisms are emerging, including altered antibody trafficking, ADC processing, and intracellular drug release. Most importantly, the modular nature of the ADC allows components to be switched and replaced, enabling development of second-generation ADCs that overcome acquired resistance. This review is intended to highlight recent progress in our understanding of ADC resistance, including approaches to create preclinical ADC-refractory models and to characterize their emerging mechanisms of resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(12); 2825–34. ©2016 AACR.