Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Pollinator Shifts in the Floral Diversification of Iochroma (Solanaceae)

Abstract Differences in floral traits among plant species have often been attributed to adaptation to pollinators. We explored the importance of pollinator shifts in explaining floral divergence among 15 species of Iochroma. We examined four continuously varying floral traits: corolla length, nectar reward, display size, and flower color. Pollinator associations were characterized with a continuously varying measure of pollinator importance (the product of visitation and pollen deposition) for four groups of pollinators: hummingbirds, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. A phylogenetic generalized least squares approach was used to estimate correlations between pollinator groups and floral traits across a sample of Bayesian trees using different models of trait evolution. Multivariate analyses were also employed to identify suites of traits associated with each pollinator group. We found that nonphylogenetic models typically fit the data better than phylogenetic models (Brownian motion, Ornstein–Uhlenbeck), and thus results varied little across trees. Our results indicated that species with high nectar reward and large displays are significantly more likely to be pollinated by hummingbirds and less likely to be pollinated by all groups of insects. Corolla length and flower color did not show any consistently significant associations with pollinator groups. For these two traits, we discuss alternative evolutionary forces, including phylogenetic inertia and community-level factors.
Factors That Identify Industrial Districts: An Application in Spanish Manufacturing Firms

The authors review ideas from the industrial district literature. They argue that district firms possess a number of collective or shared resources that account for firms' membership. These factors include: common reputation, intensity of exchange and combination of resources, and participation of local institutions. Their empirical research drew upon a sample of 220 Spanish manufacturing firms. Findings suggest a significant contribution of the chosen variables to overall discrimination between district member and nonmember firms.
Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease and Death in the Community

Background— Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, induces endothelial dysfunction. Although elevated ADMA has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events and death in referral samples, the prognostic significance of ADMA in the community has not been adequately evaluated. Methods and Results— We related plasma ADMA, l-arginine (Arg), and the ratio of Arg to ADMA to the incidence of cardiovascular disease (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency, angina pectoris, stroke or transient ischemic attack, intermittent claudication, or heart failure) and death in 3320 Framingham Offspring Study participants (1769 women; mean age, 59 years). Over a follow-up period of 10.9 years, 281 individuals of 2956 free of cardiovascular disease at baseline developed incident cardiovascular disease, and 285 participants died. In multivariable models adjusting for established risk factors and other biomarkers (B-type natriuretic peptide, renin, homocysteine, urine albumin excretion, and C-reactive protein), ADMA and the ratio of Arg to ADMA were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted-hazard ratio [HR] per 1-SD increment, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.37; and HR per 1-SD increment, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.93, respectively), whereas Arg was not (HR per 1-SD increment, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.02). We noted effect modification by diabetes status; ADMA was associated with death in individuals without diabetes (adjusted HR per 1-SD increment, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.50) but not in individuals with diabetes (adjusted HR per 1-SD increment, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.16). ADMA, Arg, and the ratio of Arg to ADMA were not associated with cardiovascular disease incidence (P>0.10). Conclusions— In our large community-based sample, ADMA was significantly associated with all-cause mortality, particularly in nondiabetic individuals.
Investigational drugs targeting the prostaglandin E2 signaling pathway for the treatment of inflammatory pain

ABSTRACT Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of pain, inflammation and fever. Although they are effective for a huge number of users, their analgesic properties are not sufficient for several patients and the occurrence of side effects still constitutes a big challenge during long term therapy. Areas covered: This review gives an overview about the first and second generations of NSAIDs (COX1/2 non-selective, COX-2 selective), and their main side effects which gave still an urgent need for safer drugs and for the establishment of novel treatment strategies (improved safety, tolerability, patient convenience). The current developments of a possible third generation NSAID class comprise changes in the formulation of already approved drugs, combination therapies, dual cyclooxygenase-lipoxygenase inhibitors, NO- and H2S-releasing NSAIDs, prostaglandin synthase inhibitors and EP receptor modulators, respectively. Literature search has been done with PubMed NCBI. Expert opinion: Currently, there is no newly developed drug that is superior to the already approved selective and non-selective NSAIDs. Several novel approaches show promising analgesic efficacy but side effects are still an important problem. Solutions might be constituted by combination therapies allowing administration of lower drug doses or by individualized therapies targeting molecules apart from COX, respectively.
Risks and Benefits of Alcohol Consumption : Physical Health Cardiovascular Diseases

3 Over the years, scientists have documented the effects of alcohol on many of the body’s organ systems and its role in the development of a variety of medical problems, including cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis, and fetal abnormalities. Alcohol use and abuse contribute to injuries, automobile collisions, and violence. Alcohol can markedly affect worker productivity and absenteeism, family interactions, and school performance, and it can kill, directly or indirectly. On the strength of this evidence, the United States and other countries have expended considerable effort throughout this century to develop and refine effective strategies to limit the negative impact of alcohol (Bruun et al. 1975; Edwards et al. 1994).
Effect of Antihypertensive Agents on Blood Pressure Variability: The Natrilix SR Versus Candesartan and Amlodipine in the Reduction of Systolic Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients (X-CELLENT) Study

To investigate the effect of different antihypertensive agents on blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) and the underlying mechanism, we analyzed the ambulatory BP monitoring data of 577 patients before and after 3-month antihypertensive treatment, in the Natrilix SR Versus Candesartan and Amlodipine in the Reduction of Systolic Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients (X-CELLENT) Study, a multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 4 parallel treatment arms (placebo, candesartan, indapamide sustained release, and amlodipine). Within-subject mean and SD of 24-hour BP, weighted by time interval between consecutive readings, were calculated in 3 time frames (daytime, nighttime, and 24 hours) to evaluate BP and BPV. The mean 24-hour heart rate (HR) and HR variability were calculated with the same algorithms. We found that the 3 antihypertensive drugs had a similar BP-lowering effect (P<0.001 for all), but amlodipine (P<0.007) and indapamide sustained release (P<0.04) were the only agents associated with a significantly decreased BPV after 3-month treatment. On the other hand, the major determinants of BPV at baseline were age, mean BP, and the corresponding HR variability. However, the reduction in BPV by amlodipine was significantly associated with the reduction in BP (P<0.006) and the reduction in HR variability (P<0.02), whereas the corresponding reduction by indapamide sustained release was only associated with the reduction in HR variability at night (P=0.004). In summary, 3-month amlodipine or indapamide sustained release treatment was associated with a significant reduction in BPV, and the mechanism of those reductions was possibly attributable to lowering BP or ameliorating the autonomic nervous system regulation or both. The combination of the 2 agents might help to optimize such properties.
Improve postoperative sleep: what can we do?

Purpose of review We reviewed evidences regarding occurrence, risk factors, harmful effects, prevention, and management of sleep disturbances in patients after surgery. Recent findings Normal sleep is important to maintain physical and mental health. Sleep disturbances frequently occur in patients after surgery. Factors associated with the development of postoperative sleep disturbances include old age, preoperative comorbidity, type of anesthesia, severity of surgical trauma, postoperative pain, environment stress, as well as other factors leading to discomfort of patients. Development of sleep disturbances produces harmful effects on postoperative patients, that is, leading to higher risk of delirium, increased sensitivity to pain, more cardiovascular events, and poorer recovery. Both nonpharmacological and pharmacological measures (such as zolpidem, melatonin, and dexmedetomidine) can be used to improve postoperative sleep. Recent evidences show that sleep promotion may improve patients’ outcome, but requires further evidences. Summary Sleep disturbances are common in patients after surgery and produce harmful effects on postoperative recovery. Sleep-promotion therapy may be helpful to improve postoperative recovery, but long-term effects deserve further study.
Reverse Ranking by Graph Structure: Model and Scalable Algorithms

Distances in a network capture relations between nodes and are the basis of centrality, similarity, and influence measures. Often, however, the relevance of a node u to a node v is more precisely measured not by the magnitude of the distance, but by the number of nodes that are closer to v than u. That is, by the rank of u in an ordering of nodes by increasing distance from v. We identify and address fundamental challenges in rank-based graph mining. We first consider single-source computation of reverse-ranks and design a "Dijkstra-like" algorithm which computes nodes in order of increasing approximate reverse rank while only traversing edges adjacent to returned nodes. We then define reverse-rank influence, which naturally extends reverse nearest neighbors influence [Korn and Muthukrishnan 2000] and builds on a well studied distance-based influence. We present near-linear algorithms for greedy approximate reverse-rank influence maximization. The design relies on our single-source algorithm. Our algorithms utilize near-linear preprocessing of the network to compute all-distance sketches. As a contribution of independent interest, we present a novel algorithm for computing these sketches, which have many other applications, on multi-core architectures. We complement our algorithms by establishing the hardness of computing exact reverse-ranks for a single source and exact reverse-rank influence. This implies that when using near-linear algorithms, the small relative errors we obtain are the best we can currently hope for. Finally, we conduct an experimental evaluation on graphs with tens of millions of edges, demonstrating both scalability and accuracy.
Cytoskeleton-Dependent Transport as a Potential Target for Interfering with Post-transcriptional HuR mRNA Regulons

The ubiquitous mRNA binding protein human antigen R (HuR), a member of the embryonal lethal abnormal vision protein family has a critical impact on the post-transcriptional control of AU-rich element bearing mRNA regulons implied in inflammation, senescence, and carcinogenesis. HuR in addition to mRNA stability can affect many other aspects of mRNA processing including splicing, polyadenylation, translation, modulation of miRNA repression, and intracellular mRNA trafficking. Since many of the identified HuR mRNA targets (“HuR mRNA regulons”) encode tumor-related proteins, HuR is not only discussed as an useful biomarker but also as promising therapeutic target for treatment of various human cancers. HuR which is most abundantly localized in the nucleus is translocated to the cytoplasm which is fundamental for most of the described HuR functions on target mRNAs. Accordingly, an elevation in cytoplasmic HuR was found in many tumors and correlated with a high grade of malignancy and a poor prognosis of patients. Therefore, direct interference with the intracellular trafficking of HuR offers an attractive approach to intervene with pathologically deregulated HuR functions. Data from several laboratories implicate that the integrity of the cytoskeleton is critical for HuR-mediated intracellular mRNA localization and translation. This review will particularly focus on drugs which have proven a direct inhibitory effect on HuR translocation. Based on the results from those studies, we will also discuss on the principle value of targeting cytoskeleton-dependent transport of HuR by natural or synthetic inhibitors as a potential therapeutic avenue for interfering with dysregulated post-transcriptional HuR mRNA regulons and related tumor cell functions. In spite of that, interfering with cytoplasmic HuR transport could highlight a so far underestimated action of microtubule inhibitors clinically used for cancer chemotherapy.
The influence of convective outflow on water vapor mixing ratios in the tropical upper troposphere: An analysis based on UARS MLS measurements

The source of increased water vapor mixing ratios over the central and eastern tropical Pacific region during the 1992 El Niño event is examined using measurements of upper tropospheric water vapor provided by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. Horizontal winds on isentropic surfaces are combined with ISCCP cloud information to provide back‐trajectory calculations free of high clouds. These calculations show that the water vapor mixing ratio of an air parcel in the cloud‐free regions of the eastern Pacific decreases to approximately one‐half of its original value within the first 30 hours after encountering deep convection. This analysis also finds a larger number of air parcels encountering deep convection within 30 hours of observation, and therefore having higher mixing ratios, in March–April 1992 compared to March–April 1994. Hence, increased deep convection over the equatorial central and eastern Pacific in 1992 contributed to the moistening of the downstream tropical upper troposphere.
HMGA2 is associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition and can predict poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective High-mobility group protein 2 (HMGA2) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins play key roles in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the clinical significance of HMGA2 and its relationship with EMT markers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unclear. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of HMGA2, E-cadherin, and vimentin in NPC. Methods Using immunohistochemistry, HMGA2, E-cadherin, and vimentin expression levels were evaluated in NPC (n=124) and non-tumoral inflammatory nasopharynx (n=20) tissues. The association of HMGA2 and EMT markers with clinicopathological characteristics and relationships between the protein levels and overall survival were analyzed. Results Compared with non-tumorous tissues, HMGA2 and vimentin levels were markedly increased in NPC tissues, whereas decreased E-cadherin levels were observed (P<0.001). Moreover, HMGA2 expression was positively correlated with vimentin levels (r=0.431, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with E-cadherin amounts (r=−0.413, P<0.001) in NPC tissues. The expression of all three proteins correlated significantly with tumor N stage, TNM stage, and 2-year metastasis. Furthermore, significant correlations were found for T stage, N stage, TNM stage, HMGA2, E-cadherin, and vimentin (all P<0.013) with poor prognosis (univariate analysis). However, multivariate analyses showed that only HMGA2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.683, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.185–6.077, P=0.018) and N stage (HR: 7.892, 95% CI: 2.731–22.807, P<0.001) were independent predictors of poor prognosis. Conclusion These results demonstrated that HMGA2, an independent prognostic factor, may promote NPC progression and metastasis, and is significantly associated with EMT proteins. Therefore, HMGA2 may be considered a potential therapeutic target in NPC.
The Medial Orbital Strut in the Prevention of Postdecompression Dystopia in Dysthyroid Ophthalmopathy

Ocular dystopia with inferomedial displacement of the globe is an unusual but well-recognized complication of bony orbital decompression. It is caused by displacement of the muscle cone and orbital connective tissue system into the maxillary and ethmoidal sinuses. We illustrate a surgical variation of bony orbital decompression leaving intact a strut of bone at the maxillary-ethmoid junction. This bony strut reduces inferomedial displacement of the muscle cone and provides a medial supporting “ledge” in cases requiring late orbital reconstruction.
Mechanical Properties, Morphological Properties, and Cure Characteristics of Sisal Fiber/Natural Rubber Composites: Effects of Fiber and Compatibilizer Content

Sisal fiber/natural rubber (NR) composites were prepared by the incorporation of sisal fiber into NR at various content (10, 20, 30 phr) using a two-roll mill. Natural rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (NR-g-MA) prepared in house was used to improve interfacial adhesion between sisal fiber and NR matrix. NR-g-MA contents were varied. Mechanical properties, morphologies, and cure characteristics of the composites were studied. Maximum torque, modulus at 100% strain (M100), modulus at 300% strain (M300), and hardness of the composites increased with increasing fiber content while scorch time, cure time, tensile strength, and elongation at break decreased. The addition of NR-g-MA into the composites gave a positive impact on M100, M300, tensile strength, and hardness. Moreover, increasing NR-g-MA content resulted in increased scorch time, cure time, maximum torque, M100, M300, tensile strength, and hardness of the composites. SEM micrographs of the composites revealed that the addition of NR-g-MA into the composites improved the interfacial interaction between sisal fiber and NR matrix. In addition, the compatibilized NR composites exhibited higher specific tensile strength and modulus than the carbon black/NR composites.
A Natural Silk Fibroin Protein‐Based Transparent Bio‐Memristor

The recent discovery of nanoelectronics memristor devices has opened up a new wave of enthusiasm and optimism in revolutionizing electronic circuit design, marking the beginning of new era for the advancement of neuromorphic, high‐density logic and memory applications. Here a highly non‐linear dynamic response of a bio‐memristor is demonstrated using natural silk cocoon fibroin protein of silkworm, Bombyx mori. A film that is transparent across most of the visible spectrum is obtained with the electronic‐grade silk fibroin aqueous solution of ca. 2% (wt/v). Bipolar memristive switching is demonstrated; the switching mechanism is confirmed to be the filamentary switching as observed by probing local conduction behavior at nanoscale using scanning tunneling microscopy. The memristive transition is elucidated by a physical model based on the carrier trapping or detrapping in silk fibroin films and this appears to be due to oxidation and reduction procedures, as evidenced from cyclic voltammetry measurements. Hence, silk fibroin protein could be used as a biomaterial for bio‐memristor devices for applications in advanced bio‐inspired very large scale integration circuit design as well as in biologically inspired synapse links for energy‐efficient neuromorphic computing.
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Does Educational Status Impact Adult Mortality in Denmark? a Twin Approach

which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To disentangle an independent effect of educational status on mortality risk from direct and indirect selection mechanisms, the authors used a discordant twin pair design, which allowed them to isolate the effect of education by means of adjustment for genetic and environmental confounding per design. The study is based on data from the Danish Twin Registry and Statistics Denmark. Using Cox regression, they estimated hazard ratios for mortality according to the highest attained education among 5,260 monozygotic and 11,088 dizygotic same-sex twin pairs born during 1921–1950 and followed during 1980–2008. Both standard cohort and intrapair analyses were conducted separately for zygosity, gender, and birth cohort. Educational differences in mortality were demonstrated in the standard cohort analyses but attenuated in the intrapair analyses in all subgroups but men born during 1921– 1935, and no effect modification by zygosity was observed. Hence, the results are most compatible with an effect of early family environment in explaining the educational inequality in mortality. However, large educational differences were still reflected in mortality risk differences within twin pairs, thus supporting some degree of independent effect of education. In addition, the effect of education may be more pronounced in older cohorts of Danish men. Consistent evidence has shown that socioeconomically advantaged individuals, whether expressed in terms of education , income, or occupation, tend to have better health than disadvantaged individuals (1). In many cases, these socioeconomic health differentials are not confined to a small marginalized group of society but are expressed as a gradient over the full spectrum of social stratification (2). The mechanisms underlying the social patterning of disease and the way contributing factors are interrelated are still poorly understood, but among the most common explanations are those emphasizing 1) material conditions (e.g., lack of basic amenities and access to services), 2) lifestyle and behavioral factors, and 3) psychological interpretations that emphasize direct and indirect effects of stress due to being lower in the socioeconomic hierarchy (3). However, the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health need not reflect a causal relation. Instead, it could be due to selection processes, working either directly by selection of healthier individuals into higher socioeconomic positions or indirectly via genetic or other background factors influencing both SEP and health (4). Although the different hypotheses that seek to explain the social inequality …