Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequencies of SLC44A2 alleles encoding human neutrophil antigen‐3 variants in the African American population

BACKGROUND: The human neutrophil antigen‐3 (HNA‐3) epitopes reside on the choline transporter‐like protein‐2 (CTL2). A single‐nucleotide substitution (461G>A; Arg154Gln) on the CTL2 gene (SLC44A2) defines the allele SLC44A2*1, which expresses HNA‐3a, and SLC44A2*2, which expresses HNA‐3b; an additional substitution (457C>T; Leu153Phe) in SLC44A2*1:2 may impact genotyping systems. People who only express HNA‐3b may develop anti‐HNA‐3a. These alloantibodies have been linked to severe transfusion‐related acute lung injury, which may be a reason to screen blood donors for SLC44A2*2 homozygosity. For Caucasian and Asian populations, SLC44A2 allele frequencies are known. Our primary objective was to determine the SLC44A2 allele frequencies in the African American population.
Wireless Networks Efficiency Study Based on Meteorological Data Measurements

Wireless access networks based in millimetre wavelength technologies are mainly impaired by rain. To evaluate the rain effects over a communication system, it is essential to know the temporal and spatial evolution of rainfall rate. For this reason, it is necessary to develop an experimental network which provides the adequate data to study, prevent and compensate the rain fade. In this paper, an experimental rain gauge network is presented. This network comprises weather stations capable of measuring rainfall rate, temperature and humidity. The paper first describes the experimental network for automatic data acquisition as a system based in a distributed process. The design of the experimental network is explained in detail and finally the interest in millimetre wavelength applications is pointed out.
Mapping Soil Salinity/Sodicity by using Landsat OLI Imagery and PLSR Algorithm over Semiarid West Jilin Province, China

Soil salinity and sodicity can significantly reduce the value and the productivity of affected lands, posing degradation, and threats to sustainable development of natural resources on earth. This research attempted to map soil salinity/sodicity via disentangling the relationships between Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) imagery and in-situ measurements (EC, pH) over the west Jilin of China. We established the retrieval models for soil salinity and sodicity using Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR). Spatial distribution of the soils that were subjected to hybridized salinity and sodicity (HSS) was obtained by overlay analysis using maps of soil salinity and sodicity in geographical information system (GIS) environment. We analyzed the severity and occurring sizes of soil salinity, sodicity, and HSS with regard to specified soil types and land cover. Results indicated that the models’ accuracy was improved by combining the reflectance bands and spectral indices that were mathematically transformed. Therefore, our results stipulated that the OLI imagery and PLSR method applied to mapping soil salinity and sodicity in the region. The mapping results revealed that the areas of soil salinity, sodicity, and HSS were 1.61 × 106 hm2, 1.46 × 106 hm2, and 1.36 × 106 hm2, respectively. Also, the occurring area of moderate and intensive sodicity was larger than that of salinity. This research may underpin efficiently mapping regional salinity/sodicity occurrences, understanding the linkages between spectral reflectance and ground measurements of soil salinity and sodicity, and provide tools for soil salinity monitoring and the sustainable utilization of land resources.
Direct and Indirect Impacts of Infestation of Tomato Plant by Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The impacts of infestation by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) on sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) settling on tomato were determined in seven separate experiments with whole plants and with detached leaves through manipulation of four factors: durations of aphid infestation, density of aphids, intervals between aphid removal after different durations of infestation and the time of whitefly release, and leaf positions on the plants. The results demonstrated that B. tabaci preferred to settle on the plant leaves that had not been infested by aphids when they had a choice. The plant leaves on which aphids were still present (direct effect) had fewer whiteflies than those previously infested by aphids (indirect effect). The whiteflies were able to settle on the plant which aphids had previously infested, and also could settle on leaves with aphids if no uninfested plants were available. Tests of direct factors revealed that duration of aphid infestation had a stronger effect on whitefly landing preference than aphid density; whitefly preference was the least when 20 aphids fed on the leaves for 72 h. Tests of indirect effects revealed that the major factor that affected whitefly preference for a host plant was the interval between the time of aphid removal after infestation and the time of whitefly release. The importance of the four factors that affected the induced plant defense against whiteflies can be arranged in the following order: time intervals between aphid removal and whitefly release > durations of aphid infestation > density of aphids > leaf positions on the plants. In conclusion, the density of aphid infestation and time for which they were feeding influenced the production of induced compounds by tomatoes, the whitefly responses to the plants, and reduced interspecific competition.
Proton Pump Inhibitor and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist Use and Iron Deficiency.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) suppress gastric acid production, which can inhibit iron absorption. However, few data exist regarding whether these medications increase the risk of clinical iron deficiency. METHODS A community-based case-control study evaluated the association between acid-suppressing medication use and the subsequent risk of iron deficiency. It contrasted 77,046 patients with new iron deficiency diagnoses (January 1999-December 2013), with 389,314 controls. Medication exposures, outcomes, and potential confounders used electronic databases. We excluded patients with pre-existing risk factors for iron deficiency. Associations were estimated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Among cases, 2343 (3.0%) received a prior ≥2-year supply of PPIs and 1063 (1.4%) received H2RAs (without PPI use). Among controls, 3354 (0.9%) received a prior ≥2-year supply of PPIs and 2247 (0.6%) H2RAs. Both ≥2 years of PPIs (adjusted odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.35-2.64) and ≥2 years of H2RAs (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.46-1.71) were associated with an increased subsequent risk for iron deficiency. Among PPI users, the associations were stronger for higher daily doses (>1.5 vs <0.75 PPI pills/d; P value interaction = .004) and decreased after medication discontinuation (P-trend < .001). Some of the strongest associations were among persons taking >1.5 pills per day for at least 10 years (odds ratio, 4.27; 95% CI, 2.53-7.21). No similar strong associations were found for other commonly used prescription medications. CONCLUSIONS Among patients without known risk factors for iron deficiency, gastric acid inhibitor use for ≥2 years was associated with an increased subsequent risk of iron deficiency. The risk increased with increasing potency of acid inhibition and decreased after medication discontinuation.
Tetrodotoxin for Moderate to Severe Cancer-Related Pain: A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Design Trial

Objective This study evaluated subcutaneous injections of tetrodotoxin (TTX) for the treatment of moderate to severe, inadequately controlled cancer-related pain. Methods Eligible patients were randomized to receive TTX (30 μg) or placebo subcutaneously twice daily for four consecutive days. Efficacy was assessed using pain and composite endpoints (including pain and quality of life measures), and safety was evaluated using standard measures. Results 165 patients were enrolled at 19 sites in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with 149 patients in the primary analysis “intent-to-treat” population. The primary analysis supports a clinical benefit of TTX over placebo based on the pain endpoint alone with a clinically significant estimated effect size of 16.2% (p = 0.0460). The p value was nominally statistically significant after prespecified (Bonferroni Holm) adjustment for the two primary endpoints but not at the prespecified two-sided 5% level. The mean duration of analgesic response was 56.7 days (TTX) and 9.9 days (placebo). Most common adverse events were nausea, dizziness, and oral numbness or tingling and were generally mild to moderate and transient. Conclusions Although underpowered, this study demonstrates a clinically important analgesic signal. TTX may provide clinically meaningful analgesia for patients who have persistent moderate to severe cancer pain despite best analgesic care. This clinical study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00725114).
A polymorphism rs4705341 in the flanking region of miR-143/145 predicts risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a polymorphism rs4705341 in the flanking region of miR-143/145 on the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The rs4705341 polymorphism was analyzed in 1002 cases and 1062 controls using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We found a significantly reduced CRC susceptibility with miR-143/145 rs4705341 in homozygote comparison (adjusted OR = 0.66, 95%CI, 0.50-0.88, P = 0.004), dominant genetic model (adjusted OR = 0.80, 95%CI, 0.67-0.96, P = 0.015), recessive genetic model (adjusted OR = 0.73, 95%CI, 0.56-0.94, P = 0.016), and allele comparison (adjusted OR = 0.83, 95%CI, 0.73-0.94, P = 0.004). Stratification analysis showed that the rs4705341 was related to differentiated status, clinical stage I-II, and patients without lymph node metastasis. Moreover, patients with rs4705341GG had a longer overall survival (adjusted HR = 5.57, 95%CI, 0.95-32.68). These findings indicate that the miR-143/145 rs4705341 may be used as a potential biomarker for the development and prognosis of CRC.
Acetate supply and utilization by the tissues of sheep in vivo

1. The supply and utilisation of acetate has been estimated simultaneously in the whole animal and tissues of sheep using a combination of isotope-dilution and arteriovenous-difference techniques. Animals were made alloxandiabetic and acetate metabolism was compared when stabilized to normal metabolite levels with insulin (ITA sheep) and when food and insulin had been withdrawn for 36 h (fasted, diabetic sheep). 2. Acetate was simultaneously produced and utilized by all tissues. The exogenous (or gut) supply of acetate was the most important determinant of circulating acetate level. Endogenous acetate was produced mainly in the liver; 77 and 94% in fasted, diabetic and ITA sheep respectively. The production of endogenous acetate remained fairly constant and was not related to ketogenesis, which supports the idea that circulating acetate is largely a product of fermentation. The liver, gut and muscle utilized 17, 25 and 54% respectively (96% total) of the acetate entry rate in ITA sheep; a similar percentage utilization was found in fasted, diabetic sheep. 3. Acetate is largely oxidized to carbon dioxide in the gut and muscles of sheep and may account for 30–40% of their oxidative metabolism. This figure is similar to that for the whole animal. The total acetate taken up by the liver could account for 30% of the oxygen consumption; however, the liver may not directly oxidize all the utilized acetate. 4. The over-all conclusion from this study is that acetate is largely of dietary origin and the major factor determining its rate of utilization is the arterial concentration.
Comparison of Two Components of Propolis: Caffeic Acid (CA) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest of Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-231

Studies show that caffeic acid (CA) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) are compounds with potent chemopreventive effects. Breast cancer is a common form of aggressive cancer among women worldwide. This study shows a comparison of CA and CAPE activity on triple-negative human caucasian breast adenocarcinoma line cells (MDA-MB-231). MDA-MB-231 cells were treated by CA and CAPE with doses of from 10 to 100 µM, for periods of 24 h and 48 h. Cytotoxicity MTT tests, apoptosis by Annexin V, and cell cycle with Dead Cell Assays were performed. Cytotoxic activity was greater for CAPE compared to CA (both incubation times, same dosage). IC50 values for CAPE were 27.84 µM (24 h) and 15.83 µM (48 h) and for CA > 10,000 µM (24 h) and > 1000 µM (48 h). Polyphenols induced apoptosis, while CAPE (dose dependently), induced a higher apoptotic effect. CAPE also induced cell cycle arrest in S phase (time and dose dependently), CA did it only for 50 and 100 µM. A dose dependent decline was seen for the G0/G1 phase (CAPE, 48 h), as well as elimination of phase G2/M by 100 µM of CAPE (only mild effect for CA). Comparing CA and CAPE activity on MDA-MB-231, CAPE clearly showed better activity for the same dosages and experiment times.
An Invasive Plant Promotes Its Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbioses and Competitiveness through Its Secondary Metabolites: Indirect Evidence from Activated Carbon

Secondary metabolites released by invasive plants can increase their competitive ability by affecting native plants, herbivores, and pathogens at the invaded land. Whether these secondary metabolites affect the invasive plant itself, directly or indirectly through microorganisms, however, has not been well documented. Here we tested whether activated carbon (AC), a well-known absorbent for secondary metabolites, affect arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses and competitive ability in an invasive plant. We conducted three experiments (experiments 1–3) with the invasive forb Solidago canadensis and the native Kummerowia striata. Experiment 1 determined whether AC altered soil properties, levels of the main secondary metabolites in the soil, plant growth, and AMF communities associated with S. canadensis and K. striata. Experiment 2 determined whether AC affected colonization of S. canadensis by five AMF, which were added to sterilized soil. Experiment 3 determined the competitive ability of S. canadensis in the presence and absence of AMF and AC. In experiment 1, AC greatly decreased the concentrations of the main secondary metabolites in soil, and the changes in concentrations were closely related with the changes of AMF in S. canadensis roots. In experiment 2, AC inhibited the AMF Glomus versiforme and G. geosporum but promoted G. mosseae and G. diaphanum in the soil and also in S. canadensis roots. In experiment 3, AC reduced S. canadensis competitive ability in the presence but not in the absence of AMF. Our results provided indirect evidence that the secondary metabolites (which can be absorbed by AC) of the invasive plant S. canadensis may promote S. canadensis competitiveness by enhancing its own AMF symbionts.
What makes the Sino‐Himalayan mountains the major diversity hotspots for pheasants?

The Sino‐Himalayas have higher species richness than adjacent regions, making them a global biodiversity hotspot. Various mechanisms, including ecological constraints, energetic constraints, diversification rate (DivRate) variation, time‐for‐speciation effect and multiple colonizations, have been posited to explain this pattern. We used pheasants (Aves: Phasianidae) as a model group to test these hypotheses and to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that have generated the extraordinary diversity in these mountains.
Can Citizens Discern? Information Credibility, Political Sophistication, and the Punishment of Corruption in Brazil

When are citizens most likely to hold politicians to account for wrongdoing? In a crowded information environment, political accountability requires that credible information about politician behavior is available and that citizens are able to identify credible information as such. Focusing on this second requirement, we argue that the ability to discern more credible from less credible information is increasing in citizens’ cognitive and political sophistication. Using data from an original survey experiment in Brazil, we show that all citizens react negatively to corruption allegations but that more politically sophisticated respondents are the most likely to discern between sources of information that differ in their credibility. In particular, they are more skeptical of low-credibility sources than their less sophisticated counterparts. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism that may link increasing education with control of political corruption: educated citizens are better able to discern, and therefore act on, credible corruption accusations.
Influenza-Associated Parotitis During the 2014–2015 Influenza Season in the United States

Background During the 2014-2015 influenza season in the United States, 256 cases of influenza-associated parotitis were reported from 27 states. We conducted a case-control study and laboratory investigation to further describe this rare clinical manifestation of influenza. Methods During February 2015-April 2015, we interviewed 50 cases (with parotitis) and 124 ill controls (without parotitis) with laboratory-confirmed influenza; participants resided in 11 states and were matched by age, state, hospital admission status, and specimen collection date. Influenza viruses were characterized using real-time polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing. We compared cases and controls using conditional logistic regression. Specimens from additional reported cases were also analyzed. Results Cases, 73% of whom were aged <20 years, experienced painful (86%), unilateral (68%) parotitis a median of 4 (range, 0-16) days after onset of systemic or respiratory symptoms. Cases were more likely than controls to be male (76% vs 51%; P = .005). We detected influenza A(H3N2) viruses, genetic group 3C.2a, in 100% (32/32) of case and 92% (105/108) of control specimens sequenced (P = .22). Influenza B and A(H3N2) 3C.3 and 3C.3b genetic group virus infections were detected in specimens from additional cases. Conclusions Influenza-associated parotitis, as reported here and in prior sporadic case reports, seems to occur primarily with influenza A(H3N2) virus infection. Because of the different clinical and infection control considerations for mumps and influenza virus infections, we recommend clinicians consider influenza in the differential diagnoses among patients with acute parotitis during the influenza season.
Computation of Weakly-Compressible Highly-Viscous Polymeric Liquid Flows

We introduce a high-resolution time-marching pressure-correction algorithm to accommodate weakly-compressible highly-viscous polymeric liquid flows at low Mach number. As the incompressible limit is approached (0 ≈ Ma), the consistency of the compressible scheme is highlighted in recovering equivalent incompressible solutions. In the viscous-dominated regime of low Reynolds number (zone of interest), the algorithm treats the viscous part of the equations in a semi-implicit form. Two discrete representations are proposed to interpolate density: a piecewise-constant form with gradient recovery and a linear interpolation form, akin to that on pressure. Numerical performance is considered on a number of classical benchmark problems for viscous polymeric liquid flows to highlight consistency, accuracy and stability properties. Validation bears out the high quality of performance of both compressible flow implementations, at low to vanishing Mach number. Neither linear, nor constant density interpolations schemes degrade the second-order accuracy of the original incompressible fractional-staged pressure-correction scheme. The piecewise-constant interpolation scheme is advocated strongly as the preferred method of choice, with its advantages of order retention, yet efficiency in implementation.
BmAly Is an Important Factor in Meiotic Progression and Spermatid Differentiation in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

Abstract The Drosophila melanogaster “ always early” gene ( Dmaly ), which is required for G2/M cell-cycle control and spermatid differentiation, is one of the meiotic arrest genes. To study the Bombyx mori aly gene ( Bmaly ), the cDNA of Bmaly was cloned and sequenced, and the results showed that the open reading frame of Bmaly is 1,713 bp in length, encoding 570 amino acid residues, in which a domain in an Rb-related pathway was found. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence of conserved regions showed that Aly from different insects gathered together, except for DmAly and Culex quinquefasciatus Aly, which were not clustered to a subgroup according to insect order. The Bmaly gene was inserted into expression vector pGS-21a(+) and then the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to immunize mice to prepare the antibody against BmAly. Immunofluorescence examination showed that BmAly was distributed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of BmN cell. The Bmaly gene expression could not be detected in the silk gland, malpighian tubule, fat body, or midgut of the silkworm. Expression levels of the Bmaly gene were detected in the gonadal tissues, where the levels in the testes were 10 times higher than that in the ovaries. Moreover, Bmaly expression was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at different stages of B . mori testis development, at which fifth instar was relatively grossly expressed. The result suggested Bmaly was abundantly expressed in primary spermatocytes and prespermatids. To further explore the function of Bmaly , Bmaly siRNA was injected into third and fourth instar silkworm larvae, which markedly inhibited the development of sperm cells. These results together suggest that Bmaly is a meiotic arrest gene that plays an important role in spermatogenesis.
A study on the efficacy and safety of combining dental surgery with tonsillectomy in pediatrics

Purpose Few data exist on combining pediatric surgical procedures under a single general anesthetic encounter (general anesthesia). We compared perioperative outcomes of combining dental surgical procedures with tonsillectomy during one anesthetic vs separate encounters. Methods We classified elective tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy and restorative dentistry as combined (group C) or separate (group S). Outcomes included anesthesia time, recovery duration, the need for overnight hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Results Patients aged 4±1 years underwent tonsillectomy and dental surgery in combination (n=7) or separately (n=27). No differences were noted in total anesthesia time (C: median: 150, interquartile range [IQR]: 99, 165 vs S: median: 109, IQR: 92, 132; 95% CI of difference in median: −58, +10 minutes; P=0.115) and total recovery time (C: median: 54, IQR: 40, 108 vs S: median: 72, IQR: 58, 109; 95% CI of difference in median: −16, +48 minutes; P=0.307). The need for overnight stay (C: 4 of 7, S: 20 of 27; P=0.394) did not differ between the groups. No postoperative complications were noted in either group. Conclusion These preliminary data support the potential feasibility of combining dental procedures with tonsillectomy during a single anesthetic encounter. Such care may not only reduce costs but also limit parental work absences and increase convenience for patient families. When compared with procedures performed separately, combined procedures did not result in increased morbidity or significant changes in postoperative outcomes.