Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations in the origins and absence of the common digital arteries of the hand: a cadaveric study

We studied anomalies of the common digital arteries by dissecting 33 fresh cadaver hands under magnification. In the majority of the dissected hands (25 hands), common digital arteries took off from the superficial palmar arch and ran superficial and parallel to the flexor tendons. Variations were found in eight out of 33 hands. In four hands the common digital artery to the second web space was replaced by an atypical vessel, originating from the deep palmar arch, that crossed posterior to the index flexor tendons proximal to the A1 pulley. In eight hands, the common digital artery to the fourth web space was replaced by an atypical deeper vessel, originating from the superficial palmar arch and crossing posterior to the little finger flexors. No nerve anomalies were identified. Unrecognized, these atypical arteries to the second and/or fourth web spaces could lead to vascular complications during surgery, especially pollicization.
A stable tRNA-like molecule is generated from the long noncoding RNA GUT15 in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT The Arabidopsis GUT15 RNA belongs to a class of noncoding RNAs that are expressed from the intergenic regions of protein-coding genes. We show that the RNA polymerase II transcribed GUT15 transcript serves as a precursor for two stable RNA species, a tRNA-like molecule and GUT15-tRF-F5, which are both encoded by the final intron in the GUT15 gene. The GUT15-encoded tRNA-like molecule cannot be autonomously transcribed by RNA polymerase III. However, this molecule contains a CCA motif, suggesting that it may enter the tRNA maturation pathway. The GUT15-encoded tRNA-like sequence has an inhibiting effect on the splicing of its host intron. Moreover, we demonstrate that the canonical tRNA genes nested within introns do not affect the splicing patterns of their host protein-coding transcripts.
Self-rated health and its association with mortality in older adults in China, India and Latin America—a 10/66 Dementia Research Group study

Abstract Background empirical evidence from high-income countries suggests that self-rated health (SRH) is useful as a brief and simple outcome measure in public health research. However, in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) there is a lack of evaluation and the cross-cultural validity of SRH remains largely untested. This study aims to explore the prevalence of SRH and its association with mortality in older adults in LMIC in order to cross-culturally validate the construct of SRH. Methods population-based cohort studies including 16,940 persons aged ≥65 years in China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico in 2003. SRH was assessed by asking ‘how do you rate your overall health in the past 30 days’ with responses ranging from excellent to poor. Covariates included socio-demographic characteristics, use of health services and health factors. Mortality was ascertained through a screening of all respondents until 2007. Results the prevalence of good SRH was higher in urban compared to rural sites, except in China. Men reported higher SRH than women, and depression had the largest negative impact on SRH in all sites. Without adjustment, those with poor SRH showed a 142% increase risk of dying within 4 years compared to those with moderate SRH. After adjusting for all covariates, those with poor SRH still showed a 43% increased risk. Conclusion our findings support the use of SRH as a simple measure in survey settings to identify vulnerable groups and evaluate health interventions in resource-scares settings.
Disentangling Woodland Caribou Movements in Response to Clearcuts and Roads across Temporal Scales

Although prey species typically respond to the most limiting factors at coarse spatiotemporal scales while addressing biological requirements at finer scales, such behaviour may become challenging for species inhabiting human altered landscapes. We investigated how woodland caribou, a threatened species inhabiting North-American boreal forests, modified their fine-scale movements when confronted with forest management features (i.e. clearcuts and roads). We used GPS telemetry data collected between 2004 and 2010 on 49 female caribou in a managed area in Québec, Canada. Movements were studied using a use – availability design contrasting observed steps (i.e. line connecting two consecutive locations) with random steps (i.e. proxy of immediate habitat availability). Although caribou mostly avoided disturbances, individuals nonetheless modulated their fine-scale response to disturbances on a daily and annual basis, potentially compromising between risk avoidance in periods of higher vulnerability (i.e. calving, early and late winter) during the day and foraging activities in periods of higher energy requirements (i.e. spring, summer and rut) during dusk/dawn and at night. The local context in which females moved was shown to influence their decision to cross clearcut edges and roads. Indeed, although females typically avoided crossing clearcut edges and roads at low densities, crossing rates were found to rapidly increase in greater disturbance densities. In some instance, however, females were less likely to cross edges and roads as densities increased. Females may then be trapped and forced to use disturbed habitats, known to be associated with higher predation risk. We believe that further increases in anthropogenic disturbances could exacerbate such behavioural responses and ultimately lead to population level consequences.
of Plant Cell Wall Water Content

Plant cell lumina arc several orders of magnitude larger than cell wall pores. If the membranes of the plant sample are disrupted and the tissue dried out, a 0 value should be reached at which the cell lumina have drained but the cell walls remain relatively hydrated. The water content of membrane-disrupt ed tissues at low 0 may, therefore, serve as a good approximation of plant cell
Sperm conjugation in mammal reproductive function: Different names for the same phenomenon?

In many mammalian and non‐mammalian species, mature sperm interact within the female reproductive tract or inside the epididymal lumen using cohesive forces. This phenomenon, known as “sperm conjugation,” is sometimes confused with sperm agglutination, which is the result of the interaction of epididymal or ejaculate spermatozoa upon release into culture medium. In addition to “agglutination,” the terms “association,” “rouleaux,” or “rosettes” are employed interchangeably to describe the conjugation phenomenon, which inevitably causes confusion due to the non‐unifying nomenclature. This variety of descriptions is likely due to a poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in such conspicuous cell‐cell interaction as well as the different morphologies that result from such interactions among species. Here, we summarize the published data regarding mammalian sperm conjugation, considering the organisms in which sperm interaction was observed; the particular terminology employed; findings regarding the components that enable sperm to adhere; sperm behavior when deposited in the female reproductive tract; and hypotheses formulated to clarify the biological function and, when known, the mechanisms for sperm interaction. We also propose a new classification system for this phenomenon that might clearly unify the criteria used to describe this behavior. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 884–896, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ascertaining the Success of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for Lumbar Radicular Pain

Objective To explore the outcome differences of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with lumbar radicular pain. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single university-based interventional pain management unit. Patients Fifty-nine patients who had lumbar radicular pain with a recent lumbar MRI and three-month follow-up were included. Methods MRI findings were reviewed for the following items: herniation type (bulging, protrusion, extrusion), herniation location (central, subarticular, foraminal, extraforaminal), high intensity zone (HIZ), and nerve root impingement (NRI). Pain severity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at time of before injection, then two weeks and three months after. Results Pain scores improved significantly in each group ( P < 0.05) at all time points, but there were no statistically significant differences in improvements according to type or location of disc herniation. Pain scores were significantly lower in patients with HIZ at the second week and in patients with NRI at the third month ( P < 0.05). Conclusions TFESI was an effective treatment method in patients with radicular pain, irrespective of the type or location of disc herniation. However, greater improvement in pain may be expected at the second week in patients with HIZ and at the third month in patients with NRI.
Certolizumab pegol for treating axial spondyloarthritis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints. The spectrum of axSpA includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). Evidence has supported the use of TNF alpha inhibitors (TNFi) in treating these diseases, with good efficacy and tolerable safety profiles. Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is an anti-TNF alpha (TNFa) agent with data to support its use in both AS and nr-axSpA. Areas covered: The pharmacologic properties of CZP were reviewed. Data regarding the use and efficacy of CZP in axSpA were reviewed. Quality of life outcomes and safety profiles of CZP in axSpA patients were discussed as well. Expert opinion: While there are several biologics with evidence for improved outcomes in AS, there is less evidence for biologic medications that have good efficacy in nr-axSpA. CZP has good evidence of improved outcomes in terms of clinical efficacy, patient reported outcomes and imaging outcomes in both conditions, with a tolerable safety profile.
The fibronectin synergy site re-enforces cell adhesion and mediates a crosstalk between integrin classes

Fibronectin (FN), a major extracellular matrix component, enables integrin-mediated cell adhesion via binding of α5β1, αIIbβ3 and αv-class integrins to an RGD-motif. An additional linkage for α5 and αIIb is the synergy site located in close proximity to the RGD motif. We report that mice with a dysfunctional FN-synergy motif (Fn1syn/syn) suffer from surprisingly mild platelet adhesion and bleeding defects due to delayed thrombus formation after vessel injury. Additional loss of β3 integrins dramatically aggravates the bleedings and severely compromises smooth muscle cell coverage of the vasculature leading to embryonic lethality. Cell-based studies revealed that the synergy site is dispensable for the initial contact of α5β1 with the RGD, but essential to re-enforce the binding of α5β1/αIIbβ3 to FN. Our findings demonstrate a critical role for the FN synergy site when external forces exceed a certain threshold or when αvβ3 integrin levels decrease below a critical level. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.22264. 001
The Myth of Sexual Symmetry in Marital Violence

A currently fashionable claim is that violence against husbands is about as prevalent as violence against wives; spousal violence has been said to be symmetrical in its extent, severity, intentions, motivational contexts, and even its consequences. The evidence for this alleged symmetry derives from two sources: (I) surveys employing the “Conflict Tactics Scales” (CTS), a checklist of self-reported “acts” perpetrated or experienced, and (2) U.S. homicide data. We criticize the claim of sexual symmetry by reviewing other contradictory survey evidence; by showing that the CTS provides an account of marital violence that is neither reliable nor valid; and by demonstrating that the sexual symmetry of spousal homicide victimization does not reflect sexually symmetrical motivation or action—and is in any case peculiar to the United States. Confining self report data to a checklist of acts, devoid of motives, meanings and consequences cannot insure objectivity, validity or an adequate development of theory to explain violence.
Unravelling Effects of Temperature and Soil Moisture Stress Response on Development of Dry Root Rot [Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.)] Butler in Chickpea

Erratic rainfalls and rise in temperature have become more frequent under the changing scenario of climate particularly in semiarid tropics. As a consequence of it, a drastic shift of chickpea diseases have been recorded throughout the major chickpea growing regions in India and elsewhere. Dry root rot (DRR) caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler [Pycnidial stage: Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid] was found as a potentially emerging constraint to chickpea production than wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris). Increasing incidence of DRR indicate strong influence of climate change variables such as temperature and moisture on the development of disease. The present study therefore was conducted to quantify the role of temperature and soil moisture associated with infection, colonization and development of DRR under controlled environment. The DRR incidence was significantly affected by high temperature and soil moisture deficit. Out of five temperature regimes (15? C, 20? C, 25? C, 30? C and 35? C) and four moisture levels (40%, 60%, 80% and 100%), a combination of high temperature (35? C) and soil moisture content (60%) predisposes chickpea to DRR. The study clearly demonstrates that high temperature coupled with soil moisture deficit is the climate change variables predisposing chickpea to R. bataticola infection, colonization and development.
Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 Alters Cellular Metabolism and Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a maternal hypertensive disorder that affects up to 1 out of 12 pregnancies worldwide. It is characterized by proteinuria, endothelial dysfunction, and elevated levels of the soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1, known as sFlt-1). sFlt-1 effects are mediated in part by decreasing VEGF signaling. The direct effects of sFlt-1 on cellular metabolism and bioenergetics in preeclampsia, have not been established. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether sFlt-1 causes mitochondrial dysfunction leading to disruption of normal functioning in endothelial and placental cells in preeclampsia. Endothelial cells (ECs) and first-trimester trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo) were treated with serum from preeclamptic women rich in sFlt-1 or with the recombinant protein. sFlt-1, dose-dependently inhibited ECs respiration and acidification rates indicating a metabolic phenotype switch enhancing glycolytic flux. HTR-8/SVneo displayed a strong basal glycolytic metabolism, remaining less sensitive to sFlt-1-induced mitochondrial impairment. Moreover, results obtained in ECs exposed to serum from preeclamptic subjects demonstrated that increased sFlt-1 leads to metabolic perturbations accountable for mitochondrial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia. sFlt-1 exacerbated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation in ECs and trophoblasts exposed to serum from preeclamptic women. Forcing oxidative metabolism by culturing cells in galactose media, further sensitized cells to sFlt-1. This approach let us establish that sFlt-1 targets mitochondrial function in ECs. Effects of sFlt-1 on HTR-8/SVneo cells metabolism were amplified in galactose, demonstrating that sFlt-1 only target cells that rely mainly on oxidative metabolism. Together, our results establish the early metabolic perturbations induced by sFlt-1 and the resulting endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction in preeclampsia.
Compounds with inhibitory activity on peristalsis from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica

Abstract Eight compounds were isolated from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.ex A.DC. On the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, holarrhenanan (1) was identified as a new compound, compounds 2–3 were isolated from H. antidysenterica for the first time, and five known compounds were also obtained. Inhibitory effects of some compounds and extracts to the intestinal peristalsis were evaluated. Results showed that the extracts and compounds 4, 6 exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects with tension inhibition rate of 32.77, 32.77% and amplitude inhibition rate of 59.51, 55.98%, respectively on the vitro rabbit intestinal peristalsis.
A complete axiomatic system for proving deductions about recursive programs

Denoting a version of Hoare's system for proving partial correctness of recursive programs by <italic><bold>H</bold></italic>, we present an extension <italic><bold>D</bold></italic> which may be thought of as <italic><bold>H</bold></italic> &ugr; {@@@@,@@@@,@@@@,@@@@} &ugr; <italic><bold>H</bold></italic><supscrpt>-1</supscrpt>, including the rules of <italic><bold>H</bold></italic>, four special purpose rules and inverse rules to those of Hoare. <italic><bold>D</bold></italic> is shown to be a complete system (in Cook's sense) for proving deductions of the form &sgr;<subscrpt>1</subscrpt>,. &sgr;<subscrpt>n</subscrpt> @@@@ &sgr; over a language, the wff's of which are assertions in some assertion language L and partial correctness specifications of the form p(α)q. All valid formulae of L are taken as axioms of <italic><bold>D</bold></italic>. It is shown that <italic><bold>D</bold></italic> is sufficient for proving partial correctness, total correctness and program equivalence as well as other important properties of programs, the proofs of which are impossible in <italic><bold>H</bold></italic>. The entire presentation is worked out in the framework of nondeterministic programs employing iteration and mutually recursive procedures.
Comparison of retinal vascular geometry in obese and non-obese children

Purpose Childhood obesity is associated with adult cardiometabolic disease. We postulate that the underlying microvascular dysfunction begins in childhood. We thus aimed to compare retinal vascular parameters between obese and non-obese children. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 166 children aged 6 to 12 years old in Malaysia. Ocular examination, biometry, retinal photography, blood pressure and body mass index measurement were performed. Participants were divided into two groups; obese and non-obese. Retinal vascular parameters were measured using validated software. Results Mean age was 9.58 years. Approximately 51.2% were obese. Obese children had significantly narrower retinal arteriolar caliber (F(1,159) = 6.862, p = 0.010), lower arteriovenous ratio (F(1,159) = 17.412, p < 0.001), higher venular fractal dimension (F(1,159) = 4.313, p = 0.039) and higher venular curvature tortuosity (F(1,158) = 5.166, p = 0.024) than non-obese children, after adjustment for age, gender, blood pressure and axial length. Conclusions Obese children have abnormal retinal vascular geometry. These findings suggest that childhood obesity is characterized by early microvascular abnormalities that precede development of overt disease. Further research is warranted to determine if these parameters represent viable biomarkers for risk stratification in obesity.
Hypertension, a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Time to Widen Our Perspective.

See related article, pp 824–832 Hypertension has long been suspected of being, in some patients, a psychosomatic disorder. The impact of daily exposure to life stresses, to anger, or to anxiety on high blood pressure has been studied for decades, but these works showed inconsistent results and, as such, mostly failed to confirm the underlying hypotheses.1 Nevertheless, the role of 2 specific psychological impairments in the development of hypertension is supported by stronger evidence and, as such, deserves further investigation: the repression of the expression of affects2 and the exposure to intensely traumatic life events.1 In particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension in a nationally representative US population sample of 4008 subjects (odds ratio, 2.6–2.9 according to the model),3 and cohorts of 303 223 (odds ratio, 1.6–2.9)4 and 194 319 (hazard ratio, 1.1–1.3) US veterans deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.5 On the other hand, in 3846 wounded US military service members, Stewart et al6 reported increased incidence rates of hypertension (from 6% to 15%) according to the degree of severity of the initial injury. In the current issue of Hypertension , Howard et al7 provide further insights into the …
Dissociation of facial attractiveness and distinctiveness processing in congenital prosopagnosia

According to the influential model of Bruce and Young (1986) socially relevant facial information is processed separately from facial information leading to individual face recognition. In recent years functional imaging has identified a network of distinct occipitotemporal cortex areas for the processing of these two kinds of information. Functionally it is not clear at which processing level the “social” and the “recognition” pathways diverge. The study of subjects with a profound face recognition and learning deficit (congenital prosopagnosia—cPA) promises for a better understanding of this issue. We therefore tested the perception of attractiveness (a cue of prime social importance) and distinctiveness (a facial feature related to recognition) in 14 people with cPA. Although attractiveness ratings were highly consistent with controls, cPA subjects' distinctiveness ratings showed random patterns. This dissociation of normal attractiveness processing and impaired distinctiveness processing in cPA helps to specifies the nature of the impairment in this condition while shedding light on the functional architecture of normal face processing.
Gibberellin antagonizes jasmonate-induced defense against Meloidogyne graminicola in rice.

Gibberellin (GA) regulates various plant growth and developmental processes, but its role in pathogen attack, and especially nematode-plant interactions, still remains to be elucidated. An in-depth characterization of the role of GA in nematode infection was conducted using mutant lines of rice, chemical inhibitors, and phytohormone measurements. Our results showed that GA influences rice-Meloidogyne graminicola interactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Foliar spray of plants with a low concentration of gibberellic acid enhanced nematode infection. Biosynthetic and signaling mutants confirmed the importance of gibberellin for rice susceptibility to M. graminicola infection. Our study also demonstrates that GA signaling suppresses jasmonate (JA)-mediated defense against M. graminicola, and likewise the JA-induced defense against M. graminicola requires SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1)-mediated repression of the GA pathway. In contrast to observations from other plant-pathogen interactions, GA plays a dominant role over JA in determining susceptibility to M. graminicola in rice. This GA-induced nematode susceptibility was largely independent of auxin biosynthesis, but relied on auxin transport. In conclusion, we showed that GA-JA antagonistic crosstalk is at the forefront of the interaction between rice and M. graminicola, and SLR1 plays a central role in the JA-mediated defense response in rice against this nematode.