Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxaliplatin-induced cold hypersensitivity is due to remodelling of ion channel expression in nociceptors

Cold hypersensitivity is the hallmark of oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathy, which develops in nearly all patients under this chemotherapy. To date, pain management strategies have failed to alleviate these symptoms, hence development of adapted analgesics is needed. Here, we report that oxaliplatin exaggerates cold perception in mice as well as in patients. These symptoms are mediated by primary afferent sensory neurons expressing the thermoreceptor TRPM8. Mechanistically, oxaliplatin promotes over‐excitability by drastically lowering the expression of distinct potassium channels (TREK1, TRAAK) and by increasing the expression of pro‐excitatory channels such as the hyperpolarization‐activated channels (HCNs). These findings are corroborated by the analysis of TREK1‐TRAAK null mice and use of the specific HCN inhibitor ivabradine, which abolishes the oxaliplatin‐induced cold hypersensibility. These results suggest that oxaliplatin exacerbates cold perception by modulating the transcription of distinct ionic conductances that together shape sensory neuron responses to cold. The translational and clinical implication of these findings would be that ivabradine may represent a tailored treatment for oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathy.
Progressive polygon encoding of segmentation maps

A new method for the lossy compression of segmentation maps is presented. In the first stage of the proposed algorithm, region boundary segments are coded, providing a coarse polygonal approximation of regions, as well as a complete representation of their adjacency. The second stage consists of the progressive refinement of these segments, until either the desired degree of accuracy is reached, or the target bit-rate is achieved. Rate-distortion curves demonstrate good lossy performance in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 bits per contour point.
Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education

Citizen science and concerns about sustainability can catalyze much-needed synergy between environmental education and science education. Urgent issues such as climate change, food scarcity, malnutrition, and loss of biodiversity are highly complex and contested in both science and society (1). To address them, environmental educators and science educators seek to engage people in what are commonly referred to as sustainability challenges. Regrettably, science education (SE), which focuses primarily on teaching knowledge and skills, and environmental education (EE), which also stresses the incorporation of values and changing behaviors, have become increasingly distant. The relationship between SE and EE has been characterized as “distant, competitive, predatorprey and host-parasite” (2). We examine the potential for a convergence of EE and SE that might engage people in addressing fundamental socioecological challenges.
A single-camera feature-based vision system for helicopter autonomous landing

In this paper a feature based single camera vision system for the safe landing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is proposed. The autonomous helicopter used for tests is required to navigate from an initial to a final position in a partially known environment, to locate a landing area and to land on it. The algorithm proposed for the detection of safe landing areas is based on the analysis of optical flow and of mutual geometric position of different kinds of features, observed from different points of view. Vision allows estimating the position and velocity of a set of features with respect to the helicopter while the onboard, hierarchical, behavior-based control system autonomously guides the helicopter. Results, obtained using real data and a real helicopter in a outdoor scenario, show the appropriateness of the vision-based approach. It does not require any artificial landmark (e.g., helipad), is able to estimate correctly and autonomously safe landing areas and is quite robust to occlusions.
Surface Creep Rate of the Southern San Andreas Fault Modulated by Stress Perturbations From Nearby Large Events

A major challenge for understanding the physics of shallow fault creep has been to observe and model the long‐term effect of stress changes on creep rate. Here we investigate the surface creep along the southern San Andreas fault (SSAF) using data from interferometric synthetic aperture radar spanning over 25 years (ERS 1992–1999, ENVISAT 2003–2010, and Sentinel‐1 2014–present). The main result of this analysis is that the average surface creep rate increased after the Landers event and then decreased by a factor of 2–7 over the past few decades. We consider quasi‐static and dynamic Coulomb stress changes on the SSAF due to these three major events. From our analysis, the elevated creep rates after the Landers can only be explained by static stress changes, indicating that even in the presence of dynamically triggered creep, static stress changes may have a long‐lasting effect on SSAF creep rates.
Acute Perfusion and Diffusion Abnormalities Predict Early New MRI Lesions 1 Week After Minor Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose— Transient ischemic attack and minor stroke are associated with high ischemic recurrence in the first week. We prospectively studied the correlation between baseline diffusion/perfusion deficits and development of new ischemic lesions. Methods— Patients with transient ischemic attack and those with minor stroke (n=50) underwent MRI at admission. Acute perfusion-weighted imaging deficit (Tmax+2-second delay) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volumes were measured planimetrically. Follow-up scans were examined for new DWI/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery lesions at Days 7 and 30. Results— Twenty-eight patients (56%) had acute DWI lesions. New DWI lesions developed in 9 of 50 patients (18%) at 1 week and 11 of 50 (cumulative 22%) at 4 weeks. Patients with new infarcts were more likely to have baseline DWI lesions (&khgr;2=8.264, P=0.003). Baseline DWI lesion volume was significantly larger in those who developed new lesions at Day 7 (median, 13.2 mL; interquartile range, 12 versus median 0.1 mL; interquartile range, 2 mL; P<0.001) and Day 30 (11.1 mL; interquartile range, 13 mL versus 0.1 mL; interquartile range, 13 mL; P<0.001). Thirty-eight patients had baseline perfusion-weighted imaging. Patients with recurrent lesions were more likely to have baseline perfusion deficits (&khgr;2=19.5, P<0.0001). All new lesions developed within the baseline hypoperfused regions. Baseline DWI lesion volume predicted new lesion development at day 7 (OR, 1.17 per mL; CI, 1.05 to 1.30; P=0.005) and Day 30 (OR, 1.39 per mL; CI, 1.03 to 1.26; P=0.009) by regression analysis. Conclusions— Early recurrence of stroke is much more likely in patients with larger baseline DWI and perfusion-weighted imaging lesions. MRI lesion “recurrence” appears to be related to completion of the natural history of the original cerebrovascular syndrome rather than de novo events in most patients.
Renal Function in Ghanaian HIV-Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Case-Control Study

Background HAART is anticipated to result in an increase in long-term survival, but may present with the development of associated complications. The aim of this study was to assess the renal function of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Methods A case-control study (January to May 2013) conducted at the Suntreso Government Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 163 HIV-infected patients (mean age 39.9±10.22) were studied, of which 111 were on HAART (HIV-HAART) and 52 were not (HIV-Controls). Serum urea, creatinine, potassium, sodium, chloride and CD4 counts were measured with the determination of eGFR (CKD-EPI and MDRD). Data was analysed using GraphPad Prism. The Chi-square, t-test, one-way ANOVA and Spearman's correlation were used. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Results Mean CD4 count of HIV-Controls was higher than that of HIV-HAART but was not significant (p = 0.304). But for sodium levels which were higher in HIV-Controls (p = 0.0284), urea (p = 0.1209), creatinine (p = 0.7155), potassium (p = 0.454) and chloride (p = 0.6282) levels did not differ significantly between both groups. All serum biochemical parameters did not differ significantly, irrespective of duration on therapy and CD4 counts. Based on regimen, sodium, chloride, urea and creatinine did not differ significantly between TDF, EVF and NVP-based therapies. Prevalence of CKD (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) in the total population was 9.9% and 3.7% with the MDRD and EPI-CKD equations respectively. Conclusions Renal insufficiency remains prevalent in HIV patients. Changes in renal function occur in HIV infection and over the course of HAART but the difference at either stage is not significant. This suggests the role of HIV infection, HAART and the presence of traditional risk factors but not HAART in itself, in renal dysfunction. We however recommend a close monitoring of patients before and during HAART, to aid in evaluating drug combinations and implement dose modifications when necessary.
Effects of a Twelve-Week Randomized Intervention of Exercise and/or Diet on Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance, and Other Metabolic Parameters in Obese Preadolescent Children

Aims: To compare the short- and long-term effects of intervention programs on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: 162 obese children (6–11 years) were randomly assigned to three 12-week interventions with a 9-month follow-up period: exercise (E): 90 min moderate exercise 3 days/week (n = 52); diet (D): balanced hypocaloric diet, weekly meetings with dietician (n = 55), and diet + exercise (D+E) (n = 55). Changes in anthropometric variables, cardiometabolic profile and psychological outcome were assessed. Results: At 12 weeks BMI-SDS, cardiometabolic profiles, and psychological score improved in all groups. The decrease in BMI-SDS was greater in D and D+E compared with E (p < 0.001), without a significant difference between the first two groups. Waist circumference and LDL cholesterol decreased more in D+E compared with E (p = 0.026 and p = 0.038, respectively). The increase in adiponectin was greater in D and D+E compared with E (p = 0.004). Anthropometric and cardiometabolic variables regressed without significant differences between groups after 9 months. However, BMI-SDS, body fat percentage and LDL cholesterol were lower compared to baseline. Conclusions: Diet alone or combined with exercise are the most effective short-term interventions for weight loss and improved cardiometabolic profiles, without a difference between them. In the long term, obese children need the long-term support of maintenance approaches.
Multiple Rice MicroRNAs Are Involved in Immunity against the Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae1[C][W][OPEN]

Multiple microRNAs differentially responsive to the infection of the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and identify two that elevated resistance to the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are indispensable regulators for development and defense in eukaryotes. However, the miRNA species have not been explored for rice (Oryza sativa) immunity against the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, the most devastating fungal pathogen in rice production worldwide. Here, by deep sequencing small RNA libraries from susceptible and resistant lines in normal conditions and upon M. oryzae infection, we identified a group of known rice miRNAs that were differentially expressed upon M. oryzae infection. They were further classified into three classes based on their expression patterns in the susceptible japonica line Lijiangxin Tuan Hegu and in the resistant line International Rice Blast Line Pyricularia-Kanto51-m-Tsuyuake that contains a single resistance gene locus, Pyricularia-Kanto 51-m (Pikm), within the Lijiangxin Tuan Hegu background. RNA-blot assay of nine of them confirmed sequencing results. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay showed that the expression of some target genes was negatively correlated with the expression of miRNAs. Moreover, transgenic rice plants overexpressing miR160a and miR398b displayed enhanced resistance to M. oryzae, as demonstrated by decreased fungal growth, increased hydrogen peroxide accumulation at the infection site, and up-regulated expression of defense-related genes. Taken together, our data indicate that miRNAs are involved in rice immunity against M. oryzae and that overexpression of miR160a or miR398b can enhance rice resistance to the disease.
The Advantages of Choosing Antiobsessive Therapy According to Decision-Making Functioning

Objective: Previous studies stressed the role of decision-making functioning in predicting antiobsessive treatment outcome with serotonin reuptake inhibitors drugs in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nevertheless, the use of an augmentation strategy with atypical antipsychotic drugs has proved to be effective in obsessive-compulsive patients nonresponding to serotonin reuptake inhibitors treatment. We investigated whether the performance at the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a used neuropsychologic task which assesses decision-making, can be an effective criterion for pharmacologic treatment choice in these patients and whether the use of different treatment strategies, according IGT performance, can increase the rate of antiobsessive outcome. Method: Thirty patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder were treated in a single-blind design with fluvoxamine plus placebo or fluvoxamine plus risperidone according to their IGT performance. Treatment outcome was recorded after 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Patients with good IGT performance showed a good antiobsessive treatment outcome with fluvoxamine only, while only adopting an augmentation strategy with risperidone, the number of responders patients within the subjects with bad IGT performance increased. Conclusions: IGT performance may be considered an effective criterion for pharmacologic treatment choice in obsessive-compulsive patients given that antiobsessive treatment outcome is increased to 85% of responders choosing an appropriate drug strategy according to the IGT performance.
Identifying species of moths (Lepidoptera) from Baihua Mountain, Beijing, China, using DNA barcodes

DNA barcoding has become a promising means for the identification of organisms of all life-history stages. Currently, distance-based and tree-based methods are most widely used to define species boundaries and uncover cryptic species. However, there is no universal threshold of genetic distance values that can be used to distinguish taxonomic groups. Alternatively, DNA barcoding can deploy a “character-based” method, whereby species are identified through the discrete nucleotide substitutions. Our research focuses on the delimitation of moth species using DNA-barcoding methods. We analyzed 393 Lepidopteran specimens belonging to 80 morphologically recognized species with a standard cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing approach, and deployed tree-based, distance-based, and diagnostic character-based methods to identify the taxa. The tree-based method divided the 393 specimens into 79 taxa (species), and the distance-based method divided them into 84 taxa (species). Although the diagnostic character-based method found only 39 so-identifiable species in the 80 species, with a reduction in sample size the accuracy rate substantially improved. For example, in the Arctiidae subset, all 12 species had diagnostics characteristics. Compared with traditional morphological method, molecular taxonomy performed well. All three methods enable the rapid delimitation of species, although they have different characteristics and different strengths. The tree-based and distance-based methods can be used for accurate species identification and biodiversity studies in large data sets, while the character-based method performs well in small data sets and can also be used as the foundation of species-specific biochips.
Associations between interleukin-23R and interleukin-12B polymorphisms and psoriasis susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin (IL)-23 R and IL-12B polymorphisms confer susceptibility to psoriasis. Methods: The authors conducted a meta-analysis on associations between the IL-23 R and IL-12B polymorphisms and psoriasis susceptibility. Results: A total of 14 comparison studies were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis identified a significant association between psoriasis and 2 alleles of the rs11209026 and rs7530511 polymorphisms in Europeans (odds ratio [OR] = 0.624, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.565–0.697, p < 1.0 × 10−8; OR = 0.804, 95% CI = 0.743–0.869, p = 3.0 × 10−7, respectively). Meta-analysis of IL-12B showed a significant association between the 2 alleles of the rs6887695 and rs3212227 polymorphisms and the risk of developing psoriasis (OR = 0.710, 95% CI = 0.673–0.749, p < 1.0 × 10−8; OR = 0.684, 95% CI = 0.639–0.731, p < 1.0 × 10−8, respectively). Stratification by ethnicity identified an association between the rs6887695 and rs3212227 polymorphisms and psoriasis in Europeans. Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that the IL-23 R (rs11209026 and rs7530511) polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis risk in Europeans and that the IL-12B (rs6887695 and rs3212227) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in Europeans.
Occupational burnout among radiographers, sonographers and radiologists in Australia and New Zealand: Findings from a national survey

Evidence demonstrates that health care professionals are more prone to burnout than other professionals due to the emotionally taxing interactions they have with their patients on a daily basis. The aims of this study were to measure occupational burnout levels among sonographers, radiographers and radiologists and to examine predictors of burnout according to demographic characteristics.
Secondary antibody responses in vitro to L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30- L-tyrosine10 (GAT) by (responder X nonresponder)F1 spleen cells stimulated by parental GAT-macrophages

The development of IgG L-glutamic Acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT)- specific plaque-forming cell responses in vitro by virgin and immune (responder X nonresponder)F1 spleen cells after stimulation with responder and nonresponder parental GAT-macrophages (Mphi) was investigated. Virgin F1 spleen cells developed comparable primary responses to both parental GAT-Mphi. By contrast, F1 spleen cells from mice immunized with GAT or responder parental GAT-Mphi developed secondary responses after stimulation with only responder parental GAT- Mphi. Spleen cells from F1 mice immunized with nonresponder parental GAT-Mphi developed secondary responses to these GAT-Mphi, but failed to respond to responder parental GAT-Mphi. These results are discussed in the context of genetic restrictions regulating Mphi-T-cell interactions in secondary antibody responses and the possible expression of Ir-gene function in Mphi.
Low intelligence test scores in 18 year old men and risk of suicide: cohort study

Abstract Objective To examine the association between intelligence test scores in men, measured at age 18, and subsequent suicide. Design Record linkage study of the Swedish military service conscription register (1968-94) with the multi-generation register, cause of death register and census data. Four tests were performed at conscription covering logic, language, spatial, and technical skills. Setting Sweden. Participants 987 308 Swedish men followed up for 5-26 years. Main outcome measure Suicide. Results 2811 suicides occurred during follow up. The risk of suicide was two to three times higher in those with lowest compared with the highest test scores. The strongest associations were seen with the logic test: for each unit increase in test score the risk of suicide decreased by 12% (95% confidence interval 10% to 14%). Associations were only slightly attenuated when we controlled for parents' socioeconomic position. Greatest risks were seen among poorly performing offspring of well educated parents. Conclusions Performance in intelligence tests is strongly related to subsequent risk of suicide in men. This may be due to the importance of cognitive ability in either the aetiology of serious mental disorder or an individual's capacity to solve problems while going through an acute life crisis or suffering from mental illness.
Global practical tracking of a class of nonlinear systems using linear sampled-data control

This paper considers the problem of global practical tracking via sampled-data control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Under a lower triangular linear growth condition, a sampled-data state feedback controller is first constructed such that the states are globally bounded and the error between the system output and the reference signal will be rendered smaller than a given tolerance. When only the output of the system is measurable, a sampled-data output feedback controller, whose observer and control law are both linear, is constructed to solve the global practical tracking problem.
Impact of south Indian Ocean Dipole on tropical cyclone genesis over the South China Sea

This study investigates the impact of the south Indian Ocean Dipole (SIOD) on the frequency of tropical cyclones (TCs) over the South China Sea (SCS) in summer (May–August) and winter (September–December) for 1975–2012. The frequency of TCs over the SCS shows significant inter‐annual variations in the two seasons and relatively obvious inter‐decadal variability in summer. A prominent relationship occurs between the TC generation over the SCS and the SIOD, and the latter can be regarded as a good predictor of the former on inter‐annual scale. In winter, vertical circulation is obvious due to a strong SIOD induces intensified ascending motions and high sea surface temperature over the northern SCS with sufficient moisture that supplies a favourable environment for TC formation. The impact of SIOD is weaker in summer but a convergent zone with upwards motion also can be found over northeastern SCS. In addition, the SIOD and El Niño–Southern Oscillation are two primary impacting factors in winter and TC numbers increase when La Niña and positive SIOD events occur simultaneously. However, the SIOD is a dominant and independent impacting factor in summer and El Niño events just play a secondary role.
High Frequency Mammalian Nerve Conduction Block: Simulations and Experiments

High frequency alternating current (HFAC) sinusoidal waveforms can block conduction in mammalian peripheral nerves. A nerve simulation software package was used to simulate HFAC conduction block in a mammalian axon model. Eight axon diameters from 7.3 mum to 16 mum were tested using sinusoidal waveforms between 1 kHz to 40 kHz. Block was obtained between 3 kHz to 40 kHz and the current threshold for block increased linearly with frequency above 10 kHz. Conduction block was also obtained for all axon diameters, and the block threshold varied inversely with diameter. Upon initiation, the HFAC waveform produced one or more action potentials. These simulation results closely parallel previous experimental results of high frequency motor block of the rat sciatic nerve. During steady state HFAC block, the axons showed a depolarization of multiple nodes, suggesting a possible depolarization mechanism for HFAC conduction block