Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Reappraisal of Relationships Between Crataegus and Mespilus (Rosaceae, Pyreae)—Two Genera or One?

Abstract Mespilus and Crataegus are sister genera in Rosaceae tribe Pyreae. Mespilus has been seen to comprise not only the medlar, Mespilus germanica, of western Eurasia but also the Arkansas, U.S.A. endemic, Mespilus canescens. Crataegus, on the other hand, consists of 140–200 species found throughout the northern hemisphere. Diagnoses of these two genera rely on morphological features of leaves, flowers and fruits. However, character states supposed to be diagnostic of Mespilus occur in species of Crataegus. We used two nuclear (ribosomal ITS and LEAFY intron2) and four intergenic chloroplast DNA regions (trnS-trnG, psbA-trnH, trnH-rpl2, and rpl20-rps12) to estimate the phylogeny of Mespilus and Crataegus. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses all corroborate the sister group relationship between Crataegus and Mespilus, and Crataegus brachyacantha sister to the rest of Crataegus. However, incongruence between chloroplast and nuclear data supports the hypothesis of a hybrid origin for Mespilus canescens, with Crataegus brachyacantha or its ancestor as the maternal parent. Accordingly, we (1) restrict Crataegus section Brevispinae to Crataegus brachyacantha (2) distinguish the Arkansas endemic as a nothospecies; (3) describe a new section and a new nothosection within Crataegus to contain the former species of Mespilus and Crataemespilus; and (4) make two new combinations under Crataegus.
Cleaved high-molecular-weight kininogen inhibits neointima formation following vascular injury

Summary Cleaved high-molecular-weight kininogen (HKa) or its peptide domain 5 (D5) alone exert anti-adhesive properties in vitro related to impeding integrin-mediated cellular interactions. However, the anti-adhesive effects of HKa in vivo remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effects of HKa on leukocyte recruitment and neointima formation following wire-induced injury of the femoral artery in C57BL/6 mice. Local application of HKa significantly reduced the accumulation of monocytes and also reduced neointimal lesion size 14 days after injury. Moreover, C57BL/6 mice transplanted with bone marrow from transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) showed a significantly reduced accumulation of eGFP+-cells at the arterial injury site and decreased neointimal lesion size after local application of HKa or the polypeptide D5 alone. A differentiation of accumulating eGFP+-cells into highly specific smooth muscle cells (SMC) was not detected in any group. In contrast, application of HKa significantly reduced the proliferation of locally derived neointimal cells. In vitro, HKa and D5 potently inhibited the adhesion of SMC to vitronectin, thus impairing their proliferation, migration, and survival rates. In conclusion, application of HKa or D5 decreases the inflammatory response to vascular injury and exerts direct effects on SMC by impeding the binding of integrins to extracellular matrix components. Therefore, HKa and D5 may hold promise as novel therapeutic substances to prevent neointima formation.
Coral host cells acidify symbiotic algal microenvironment to promote photosynthesis

Significance Coral growth and calcification is supported by sugars acquired from symbiotic algae, allowing corals to thrive in otherwise nutrient-poor environments. This symbiosis depends on the coordinated exchange of compounds between partners, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. Here we found that coral host cells acidify the microenvironment where the symbiotic algae reside using a proton pump, the V-type H+-ATPase (VHA), which is present in the host membrane surrounding the algae. Acidification of the algal microenvironment by VHA promotes photosynthesis, demonstrating that the coral host can actively regulate symbiont physiology. This work is an important step toward understanding how animal symbioses function and provides mechanistic models that can help understand the capacity of corals to adapt to global climate change. Symbiotic dinoflagellate algae residing inside coral tissues supply the host with the majority of their energy requirements through the translocation of photosynthetically fixed carbon. The algae, in turn, rely on the host for the supply of inorganic carbon. Carbon must be concentrated as CO2 in order for photosynthesis to proceed, and here we show that the coral host plays an active role in this process. The host-derived symbiosome membrane surrounding the algae abundantly expresses vacuolar H+-ATPase (VHA), which acidifies the symbiosome space down to pH ∼4. Inhibition of VHA results in a significant decrease in average H+ activity in the symbiosome of up to 75% and a significant reduction in O2 production rate, a measure of photosynthetic activity. These results suggest that host VHA is part of a previously unidentified carbon concentrating mechanism for algal photosynthesis and provide mechanistic evidence that coral host cells can actively modulate the physiology of their symbionts.
Remote Response of the Indian Ocean to Interannual SST Variations in the Tropical Pacific

Remote forcing of sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the Indian Ocean during the course of El Nino- Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events is investigated using NCEP reanalysis and general circulation model (GCM) experiments. Three experiments are conducted to elucidate how SST variations in the equatorial Pacific influence surface flux variations, and hence SST variations, across the Indian Ocean. A control experiment is conducted by prescribing observed SSTs globally for the period 1950-99. In the second experiment, observed SSTs are prescribed only in the tropical eastern Pacific, while climatological SSTs are used elsewhere over the global oceans. In the third experiment, observed SSTs are prescribed in the tropical eastern Pacific, while a variable-depth ocean mixed layer model is used at all other ocean grid points to predict the SST. Composites of surface fluxes and SST over the Indian Ocean are formed based on El Nino and La Nina events during 1950-99. The surface flux variations in the eastern Indian Ocean in all three experiments are similar and realistic, confirming that much of the surface flux variation during ENSO is remotely forced from the Pacific. Furthermore, the SST anomalies in the eastern tropical Indian Ocean are well simulated by the coupled model, which supports the notion of an ''atmospheric bridge'' from the Pacific. During boreal summer and fall, when climatological winds are southeasterly over the eastern Indian Ocean, remotely forced anomalous easterlies act to increase the local wind speed. SST cools in response to increased evaporative cooling, which is partially offset by increased solar radiation associated with reduced rainfall. During winter, the climatological winds become northwesterly and the anomalous easterlies then act to reduce the wind speed and evaporative cooling. Together with increased solar radiation and a shoaling mixed layer, the SST warms rapidly. The model is less successful at reproducing the ENSO-induced SST anomalies in the western Indian Ocean, suggesting that dynamical ocean processes contribute to the east-west SST dipole that is often observed in boreal fall during ENSO events.
Regulating animals with gene drive systems: lessons from the regulatory assessment of a genetically engineered mosquito

ABSTRACTFor the purposes of conservation or suppression of species, gene drive technology has significant potential. Theoretically speaking, with the release of even relatively few animals with gene drive systems in an ecosystem, beneficial or harmful genes could be introduced into the entire wild-type population of that species. Given the profound impact that gene drives could have on species and ecosystems, their use is a highly contentious issue. Communities and groups have differing beliefs about nature and its conservation or preservation, as well as concerns about the ecological safety of the eradication, replacement or enhancement of particular species of animals by means of genetic engineering. For all those reasons, the rigorous regulation of insects and other animals with gene drive systems is crucial. In this paper, we consider the question of whether the United States Food and Drug Administration is prepared to effectively regulate insects and other animals with gene drives.
Interunit handoffs from emergency department to inpatient care: A cross-sectional survey of physicians at a university medical center.

BACKGROUND Emergency department (ED) to inpatient physician handoffs are subject to complex challenges. We assessed physicians' perceptions of the ED admission handoff process and identified potential barriers to safe patient care. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey at a 627-bed tertiary care academic medical center. Eligible participants included all resident, fellow, and faculty physicians directly involved in admission handoffs from emergency medicine (EM) and 5 medical admitting services. The survey addressed communication quality, clinical information, interpersonal perceptions, assignment of responsibilities, organizational factors, and patient safety. Participants reported their responses via a 5-point Likert scale and an open-ended description of handoff-related adverse events. RESULTS Response rates were 63% for admitting (94/150) and 86% for EM physicians (32/37). Compared to EM respondents, admitting physicians reported that vital clinical information was communicated less frequently for all 8 content areas (P < 0.001). Ninety-four percent of EM physicians felt defensive at least "sometimes. " Twenty-nine percent of all respondents reported handoff-related adverse events, most frequently related to ineffective communication. Sequential handoffs were common for both EM and admitting services, with 78% of physicians reporting they negatively impacted patient care. CONCLUSION Physicians reported that patient safety was often at risk during the ED admission handoff process. Admitting and EM physicians had divergent perceptions regarding handoff communication, and sequential handoffs were common. Further research is needed to better understand this complex process and to investigate strategies for improvement.
Ras Signaling Regulates Stem Cells and Amelogenesis in the Mouse Incisor

The role of Ras signaling during tooth development is poorly understood. Ras proteins—which are activated by many upstream pathways, including receptor tyrosine kinase cascades—signal through multiple effectors, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K pathways. Here, we utilized the mouse incisor as a model to study how the MAPK and PI3K pathways regulate dental epithelial stem cells and amelogenesis. The rodent incisor—which grows continuously throughout the life of the animal due to the presence of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells—provides a model for the study of ectodermal organ renewal and regeneration. Utilizing models of Ras dysregulation as well as inhibitors of the MAPK and PI3K pathways, we found that MAPK and PI3K regulate dental epithelial stem cell activity, transit-amplifying cell proliferation, and enamel formation in the mouse incisor.
When children play , they feel better

Background: Participation in organized leisure-time activities (OLTA) has been linked to healthy youth development. This study aimed to assess whether participation in OLTA is associated with both physical and mental health in adolescents, and whether this association differs by pattern of activity participation, age and gender. Methods: The present study was based on data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in the Czech Republic. This data concerned 10,503 adolescents (49.2 % boys) aged 11, 13 and 15. A cluster analysis was carried out to obtain patterns of activity participation and yielded five groups (all-rounders, artists, individual sports, team sports and inactive). The association between participation in types of OLTA and physical and mental health was analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender. We also assessed interactions between types of OLTA and gender and age. Results: Participation in OLTA was associated with better self-rated health and higher life satisfaction regardless of gender or age. Participation in team or individual sports was associated with better general health and less frequent health complaints in boys, while participation in art activities was associated with lower occurrence of health complaints in girls and 11-year-olds. Conclusion: Participation in OLTA is associated with better physical and mental health in adolescents. The association varies by pattern of activity participation and is partly genderand age-specific.
A systematic review exploring the presence of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress in alcohol and other drug clinicians

The terms secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma are often used in literature to describe emotional consequences for health professionals working with traumatised clients. While research has paid some attention to social workers, care givers and other health professions in contact with traumatised clients, little specific attention has been paid to clinicians working in the alcohol and drug field. This article reports on a systematic review of literature that looked at what had been said about one or more of the three terms outlined above, for professionals that work within the alcohol and drug field. The aim of this review is twofold. Firstly, to increase awareness of an issue that appears to have gone unnoticed within this sector. Secondly, to highlight the importance of such awareness for clinicians and those involved in managing services within this sector. The current review found few published papers that investigated these terms with reference to alcohol and drug clinicians. However, the available literature reviewed did show that alcohol and drug clinicians are at risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. No literature was found that discussed vicarious trauma. The implications of this absence of literature are discussed, particularly with reference to the health and wellbeing of alcohol and drug clinicians. Recommendations for future research in this area are discussed.
Engagement Promotes Abstinence in a Web-based Cessation Intervention: Cohort Study

Background Web-based smoking cessation interventions can have a public health impact because they are both effective in promoting cessation and can reach large numbers of smokers in a cost-efficient manner. Their potential impact, however, has not been realized. It is still unclear how such interventions promote cessation, who benefits most, and how to improve their population impact. Objective To examine the effectiveness of a highly promoted Web-based smoking cessation intervention to promote quit behavior over time, identify the most effective features, and understand who is most likely to use those features by using unweighted and weighted analyses to estimate the impact in the broader pool of registered site users. Methods A sample of 1033 new adult registrants was recruited from a Web-based smoking cessation intervention by using an automated study management system. Abstinence was assessed by self-report through a mixed-mode follow-up (online survey with telephone follow-up for nonrespondents) at 1, 3, and 6 months. Software tracked respondents’ online activity. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine predictors of website utilization and how utilization promoted abstinence using unweighted and weighted data. Results The 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at 6 months ranged from 20.68% to 11.13% in the responder and intent-to-treat samples, respectively. Predictors of abstinence in unweighted analyses included number of visits to the website as well as accessing specific interactive or engaging features. In weighted analyses, only number of visits was predictive of abstinence. Motivation to quit was a key predictor of website utilization, whereas negative partner support decreased the likelihood of increasing visits or accessing engaging features. Conclusions Engagement is critical to promoting smoking cessation. The next generation of Web-based smoking cessation interventions needs to maximize the initial engagement of all new visitors and work to retain those smokers who proceed to register on the site.
Title Behaviour theory and soft transport policy measures

The aim is to propose a theoretical grounding of soft transport policy measures to reduce car use. A general conceptual framework is first presented to clarify how hard and soft transport policy measures impact on car-use reduction. Two different behavioural theories that have been used to account for car use and car-use reduction are then integrated in a self-regulation theory that identifies three stages of the process of voluntarily changing car use, setting a car-use reduction goal, forming a plan for achieving the goal, and initiating and executing the plan. A number of techniques are described that facilitate the different stages of the process of car-use reduction.
Interrogating the Venom of the Viperid Snake Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii by a Combined Approach of Electrospray and MALDI Mass Spectrometry

The complete sequence characterization of snake venom proteins by mass spectrometry is rather challenging due to the presence of multiple isoforms from different protein families. In the present study, we investigated the tryptic digest of the venom of the viperid snake Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii by a combined approach of liquid chromatography coupled to either electrospray (online) or MALDI (offline) mass spectrometry. These different ionization techniques proved to be complementary allowing the identification a great variety of isoforms of diverse snake venom protein families, as evidenced by the detection of the corresponding unique peptides. For example, ten out of eleven predicted isoforms of serine proteinases of the venom of S. c. edwardsii were distinguished using this approach. Moreover, snake venom protein families not encountered in a previous transcriptome study of the venom gland of this snake were identified. In essence, our results support the notion that complementary ionization techniques of mass spectrometry allow for the detection of even subtle sequence differences of snake venom proteins, which is fundamental for future structure-function relationship and possible drug design studies.
Graphene oxide chemically decorated with Ag–Ru/chitosan nanoparticles: fabrication, electrode processing and immunosensing properties

Nanosheets of graphene oxide were chemically decorated with hybrid nanoparticles of a silver–ruthenium bipyridine complex (Ag@[Ru(bpy)3]2+) core and chitosan shell. The oxygenated groups of graphene oxide and the abundant amine groups in the chitosan layer on the surface of the hybrid nanoparticles allow functionalization reactions to occur. Changes in the optical, chemical and structural properties of graphene oxide occurred because the hybrid nanoparticles were studied using spectroscopy and microscopic techniques. Electrodes modified with hybrid nanoparticles-graphene oxide (HNPs-GO) displayed amplified steady-state anodic (IpA) and cathodic (IpC) peak currents with correlation coefficients of 0.9987 (IpA1), 0.9952 (IpA2) and 0.9964 (IpC1). Using the monoclonal antibody Listeria monocytogenes, a HNPs-GO immunosensor could specifically detect L. monocytogenes contaminated in buffer and milk, with a concentration range from 102 to 107 cells per mL and detection limit of 2 cells per mL. Our results suggest that selective optimization of the bio-recognition elements on the HNPs-GO electrode may find prospective use in food processing industries.
The word frequency effect in first- and second-language word recognition: A lexical entrenchment account

We investigate the origin of differences in the word frequency effect between native speakers and second-language speakers. In a large-scale analysis of English word identification times we find that group-level differences are fully accounted for by the individual language proficiency scores. Furthermore, exactly the same quantitative relation between word frequency and proficiency is found for monolinguals and three different bilingual populations (Dutch–English, French–English, and German–English). We conclude that the larger frequency effects for second-language processing than for native-language processing can be explained by within-language characteristics and thus need not be the consequence of “being bilingual” (i.e., a qualitative difference). More specifically, we argue that language proficiency increases lexical entrenchment, which leads to a reduced frequency effect, irrespective of bilingualism, language dominance, and language similarity.
Memory Systems, Processing Modes, and Components

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a major theoretical debate in the memory domain regarding the multiple memory systems and processing modes frameworks. The components of processing framework argued for a middle ground: Instead of neatly divided memory systems or processing modes, this framework proposed the existence of numerous processing components that are recruited in different combinations by memory tasks and yield complex patterns of associations and dissociations. Because behavioral evidence was not sufficient to decide among these three frameworks, the debate was largely abandoned. However, functional neuroimaging evidence accumulated during the last two decades resolves the stalemate, because this evidence is more consistent with the components framework than with the other two frameworks. For example, functional neuroimaging evidence shows that brain regions attributed to one memory system can contribute to tasks associated with other memory systems and that brain regions attributed to the same processing mode (perceptual or conceptual) can be dissociated from each other. Functional neuroimaging evidence suggests that memory processes are supported by transient interactions between a few regions called process-specific alliances. These conceptual developments are an example of how functional neuroimaging can contribute to theoretical debates in cognitive psychology.
A novel calcimimetic agent, evocalcet (MT-4580/KHK7580), suppresses the parathyroid cell function with little effect on the gastrointestinal tract or CYP isozymes in vivo and in vitro

Cinacalcet hydrochloride (cinacalcet), an oral calcimimetic agent has been widely used for the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In sharp contrast to vitamin D receptor activators, cinacalcet suppresses SHPT without inducing hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia. Nevertheless, some patients remain refractory to SHPT with this agent, as the dose cannot be sufficiently increased due to gastrointestinal symptoms. In order to resolve this issue, we have developed a newly synthesized calcimimetic agent, evocalcet (MT-4580/KHK7580). In a rat model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, oral administration of evocalcet efficiently suppressed the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). With regard to the gastro-intestinal effects, cinacalcet induced a significant delay in gastric emptying in rats, while evocalcet did no marked effects on it. Evocalcet also demonstrated the less induction of emesis compared to cinacalcet in common marmosets. The pharmacological effects of evocalcet were observed at lower doses because of its higher bioavailability than cinacalcet, which may have contributed to the reduced GI tract symptoms. In addition, evocalcet showed no substantial direct inhibition of any CYP isozymes in in vitro liver microsome assay, suggesting a better profile in drug interactions than cinacalcet that inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. These findings suggest that evocalcet can be a better alternative to cinacalcet, an oral calcimimetic agent, with a wider safety margin.