Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased SBPase activity improves photosynthesis and grain yield in wheat grown in greenhouse conditions

To meet the growing demand for food, substantial improvements in yields are needed. This is particularly the case for wheat, where global yield has stagnated in recent years. Increasing photosynthesis has been identified as a primary target to achieve yield improvements. To increase leaf photosynthesis in wheat, the level of the Calvin–Benson cycle enzyme sedoheptulose-1,7-biphosphatase (SBPase) has been increased through transformation and expression of a Brachypodium distachyon SBPase gene construct. Transgenic lines with increased SBPase protein levels and activity were grown under greenhouse conditions and showed enhanced leaf photosynthesis and increased total biomass and dry seed yield. This showed the potential of improving yield potential by increasing leaf photosynthesis in a crop species such as wheat. The results are discussed with regard to future strategies for further improvement of photosynthesis in wheat. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Enhancing photosynthesis in crop plants: targets for improvement’.
A test of the effects of androgens on immunity: no relationship between 11-keto testosterone and immune performance in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

The posited immunosuppressive effects of androgens are a key component of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH). My thesis uses bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) to test two predictions arising from this hypothesis: (1) natural concentrations of the androgen 11-keto testosterone (11-KT) will be negatively related with immunity, and (2) an immunochallenge will lower 11-KT concentration. I found no evidence for a relationship between natural 11-KT concentration and measures of immunity (leukocyte counts, respiratory burst, cytokine gene expression), and an immunochallenge with Vibrio vaccine did not affect 11-KT concentration. I performed a meta-analysis of immunochallenge studies to help interpret my results, and report evidence suggesting that immunochallenges have weaker effects on androgens in fishes compared to other vertebrates. These results suggest that the ICHH may not apply to all vertebrates, though it remains premature to state which factors specific to fish may account for the weaker evidence in favour of immunosuppressive androgens.
Subjective Numeracy and Preference to Stay with the Status Quo

Background: Preference for the status quo, or clinical inertia, is a barrier to implementing treat-to-target protocols in patients with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to examine the influence of subjective numeracy on RA-patient preference for the status quo and to determine whether age modifies this relationship. Methods: RA patients participated in a single face-to-face interview. Numeracy was measured using the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Treatment preference was measured using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis. Results: Of 205 eligible subjects, 156 agreed to participate. Higher subjective numeracy was associated with lower preference for the status quo in a regression model including race, employment, and use of biologics (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.71 [0.52–0.95], P = 0.02). Higher subjective numeracy was protective against status quo preferences among subjects younger than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.64 (0.43–0.94), P = 0.02) but not among older subjects. Conclusions: Subjective numeracy is independently associated with younger, but not older, RA patients’ preferences for the status quo. Our results add to the literature demonstrating age and numeracy differences in treatment preferences and medical decision-making processes.
Associations of Distance to Trauma Care, Community Income, and Neighborhood Median Age With Rates of Injury Mortality

Importance Rural, low-income, and historically underrepresented minority communities face substantial barriers to trauma care and experience high injury incidence and mortality rates. Characteristics of injury incident locations may contribute to poor injury outcomes. Objective To examine the association of injury scene characteristics with injury mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, data from trauma center and emergency medical services provided by emergency medical services companies and designated trauma centers in the state of Maryland from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, were geocoded by injury incident locations and linked with injury scene characteristics. Participants included adults who experienced traumatic injury in Maryland and were transported to a designated trauma center or died while in emergency medical services care at the incident scene or in transit. Exposures The primary exposures of interest were geographic characteristics of injury incident locations, including distance to the nearest trauma center, designation level and ownership status of the nearest trauma center, and land use, as well as community-level characteristics such as median age and per capita income. Main Outcomes and Measures Odds of death were estimated with multilevel logistic regression, controlling for individual demographic measures and measures of injury and health. Results Of the 16 082 patients included in this study, 8716 (52.4%) were white, and 5838 (36.3%) were African American. Most patients were male (10 582; 65.8%) and younger than 65 years (12 383; 77.0%). Odds of death increased by 8.0% for every 5-mile increase in distance to the nearest trauma center (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15; P = .03). Compared with privately owned level 1 or 2 centers, odds of death increased by 49.9% when the nearest trauma center was level 3 (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.06-2.11; P = .02), and by 80.7% when the nearest trauma center was publicly owned (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.39-2.34; P < .001). At the zip code tabulation area level, odds of death increased by 16.0% for every 5-year increase in median age (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30; P = .02), and decreased by 26.6% when the per capita income was greater than $25 000 (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54-0.99; P = .05). Conclusions and Relevance Injury scene characteristics are associated with injury mortality. Odds of death are highest for patients injured in communities with higher median age or lower per capita income and at locations farthest from level 1 or 2 trauma centers.
Perceptions of Older Adults with Heart Failure on Playing an Interactive Digital e-Health Game (IDEG) for Learning About Heart Failure (HF): Prototype Development and Usability Testing

Effective self-management can decrease up to 50% of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations. However, self-management by patients with HF remains poor. We describe the development and usability testing of an interactive digital e-health game (IDEG) for older patients with HF in Central Texas, USA. Majority of the participants (5 out of 6) who participated in the usability testing found the game interesting, enjoyable and helpful to play. Developing an IDEG that is satisfying and acceptable to older adults with HF is feasible.
Species-Specific Non-Physical Interference Competition among Mosquito Larvae

Individuals of different sex, size or developmental stage can compete differently and hence contribute distinctively to population dynamics. In species with complex life cycles such as insects, competitive ability is often positively correlated with larval developmental stage. Yet, little is known on how the development and survival of early-instars is influenced by interference from late-instar larvae, especially at low densities when exploitative competition is expected to be negligible. Furthermore, the specificity and mechanisms by which interference competition operates are largely unknown. We performed two complementary experiments aiming to quantify the competitive effects of late instar Ochlerotatus caspius on early instar larvae at low densities and under high resource supply rate. The first experiment examined the net effect of interference by 4th on 1st instar O. caspius larvae, relative to the effect of 1st instars on themselves. The second experiment examined the effect of species-specific, non-physical interference competition (i.e., cage larvae) by 4th on 1st instar O. caspius larvae at low or high densities. Specifically, we compared the responses of O. caspius larvae raised in the presence of caged con- or hetero-specific, Culiseta longiareolata, with that of larvae in the empty-cage control group. As expected, interference from late instar larvae had a net negative effect on the development rate of first instars. In contrast, the presence of caged con-specifics (non-physical interference) accelerated the development rate of O. caspius, however, this pattern was only evident at the low density. Notably, no such pattern was detected in the presence of caged hetero-specifics. These results strongly suggest the existence of species-specific growth regulating semiochemicals.
A case–control study reveals immunoregulatory gene haplotypes that influence inhibitor risk in severe haemophilia A

Summary. Several genes that modify risk of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors in haemophilia A patients have been identified. Aside from the underlying mutations that cause haemophilia A, inhibitor risk appears to be modified by polymorphisms in various cytokines and immunomodulators including IL10, TNFα and CTLA4. HLA haplotypes have not been strong determinants of inhibitor risk. We sought to confirm previous observations on FVIII inhibitor risk‐modifying genes and to test new candidate genes encoding various otherTH1/TH2 cytokines. We also sought to determine whether normal FVIII gene polymorphisms affect inhibitor risk in caucasians. We studied 915 caucasian, severe haemophilia A patients (282 inhibitor cases and 633 non‐inhibitor controls). Genes were analysed using 368 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms starting 20 kb 5′ and ending 10 kb 3′ of each gene’s coding sequence; four other polymorphisms (factor V Leiden & prothrombin 20210 polymorphisms and two in HFE) were also evaluated. Haplotypes that increased inhibitor risk were found in IL10 (OR = 1.33, P = 0.04), IL12 (OR = 1.31, P = 0.04) and IL1α (OR = 2.16, P = 0.034). Protective haplotypes were seen in IL2 (OR = 0.69, P = 0.008) and IL1β (OR = 0.75, P = 0.02). One rare haplotype in the FVIII gene increased the risk of inhibitor development by nearly fourfold (OR = 3.8, P = 0.004). We replicate previous findings for IL10; identify new associations with IL1, IL2 and IL12; and identify a rare FVIII haplotype in caucasians that is associated with increased inhibitor risk.
Isotopes and Trace Elements as Natal Origin Markers of Helicoverpa armigera – An Experimental Model for Biosecurity Pests

Protecting a nation's primary production sector and natural estate is heavily dependent on the ability to determine the risk presented by incursions of exotic insect species. Identifying the geographic origin of such biosecurity breaches can be crucial in determining this risk and directing the appropriate operational responses and eradication campaigns, as well as ascertaining incursion pathways. Reading natural abundance biogeochemical markers using mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for tracing ecological pathways as well as provenance determination of commercial products and items of forensic interest. However, application of these methods to trace insects has been underutilised to date and our understanding in this field is still in a phase of basic development. In addition, biogeochemical markers have never been considered in the atypical situation of a biosecurity incursion, where sample sizes are often small, and of unknown geographic origin and plant host. These constraints effectively confound the interpretation of the one or two isotope geo-location markers systems that are currently used, which are therefore unlikely to achieve the level of provenance resolution required in biosecurity interceptions. Here, a novel approach is taken to evaluate the potential for provenance resolution of insect samples through multiple biogeochemical markers. The international pest, Helicoverpa armigera, has been used as a model species to assess the validity of using naturally occurring δ2H, 87Sr/86Sr, 207Pb/206Pb and 208Pb/206Pb isotope ratios and trace element concentration signatures from single moth specimens for regional assignment to natal origin. None of the biogeochemical markers selected were individually able to separate moths from the different experimental regions (150–3000 km apart). Conversely, using multivariate analysis, the region of origin was correctly identified for approximately 75% of individual H. armigera samples. The geographic resolution demonstrated with this approach has considerable potential for biosecurity as well as other disciplines including forensics, ecology and pest management.
Ecological Correlates of Group-Size Variation in a Resource-Defense Ungulate, the Sedentary Guanaco

For large herbivores, predation-risk, habitat structure and population density are often reported as major determinants of group size variation within and between species. However, whether the underlying causes of these relationships imply an ecological adaptation or are the result of a purely mechanistic process in which fusion and fragmentation events only depend on the rate of group meeting, is still under debate. The aim of this study was to model guanaco family and bachelor group sizes in contrasting ecological settings in order to test hypotheses regarding the adaptive significance of group-size variation. We surveyed guanaco group sizes within three wildlife reserves located in eastern Patagonia where guanacos occupy a mosaic of grasslands and shrublands. Two of these reserves have been free from predators for decades while in the third, pumas often prey on guanacos. All locations have experienced important changes in guanaco abundance throughout the study offering the opportunity to test for density effects. We found that bachelor group size increased with increasing density, as expected by the mechanistic approach, but was independent of habitat structure or predation risk. In contrast, the smaller and territorial family groups were larger in the predator-exposed than in the predator-free locations, and were larger in open grasslands than in shrublands. However, the influence of population density on these social units was very weak. Therefore, family group data supported the adaptive significance of group-size variation but did not support the mechanistic idea. Yet, the magnitude of the effects was small and between-population variation in family group size after controlling for habitat and predation was negligible, suggesting that plasticity of these social units is considerably low. Our results showed that different social units might respond differentially to local ecological conditions, supporting two contrasting hypotheses in a single species, and highlight the importance of taking into account the proximate interests and constraints to which group members may be exposed to when deriving predictions about group-size variation.
Acid suppression in patients treated with endoscopic therapy for the management of gastroesophageal varices: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Endoscopic therapy is the cornerstone choice for the management of varices and variceal hemorrhage. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of acid suppression in patients treated with endoscopic therapy for gastroesophageal varices. Methods: All eligible studies were searched via the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Incidence of bleeding, mortality, ulcers, chest pain, and dysphagia after endoscopic therapy and length of stay were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the types and major indications of endoscopic treatments. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated. Results: Nine studies with 1470 patients were included. Acid suppression could significantly decrease the incidence of bleeding (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.19–0.81, P = 0.01) and diminish the ulcer size (OR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.38–1.57, P = 0.48) after endoscopic therapy. The subgroup analyses showed that acid suppression could significantly decrease the incidence of bleeding in patients undergoing prophylactic EVL, rather than in patients undergoing therapeutic EVL. There was no significant difference in the incidence of mortality, ulcers, chest pain, and dysphagia and length of stay between patients treated with and without acid suppression. Conclusion: Acid suppression might be considered in patients undergoing prophylactic EVL for gastroesophageal varices.
Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on High-Intensity Endurance Performance in Cyclists: A Double-Blind, Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Background While the ergogenic effect of sodium bicarbonate (BICA) on short-term, sprint-type performance has been repeatedly demonstrated, little is known about its effectiveness during prolonged high-intensity exercise in well-trained athletes. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of BICA on performance during exhaustive, high-intensity endurance cycling. Methods This was a single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Twenty-one well-trained cyclists (mean ± SD: age 24±8 y, BMI 21.3±1.7, VO2peak 67.3±9.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) were randomly allocated to sequences of following interventions: oral ingestion of 0.3 g·kg−1 BICA or 4 g of sodium chloride (placebo), respectively. One h after ingestion subjects exercised for 30 min at 95% of the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) followed by 110% IAT until exhaustion. Prior to these constant load tests stepwise incremental exercise tests were conducted under both conditions to determine IAT and VO2peak. Analysis of blood gas parameters, blood lactate (BLa) and gas exchange measurements were conducted before, during and after the tests. The main outcome measure was the time to exhaustion in the constant load test. Results Cycling time to exhaustion was improved (p<0.05) under BICA (49.5±11.5 min) compared with placebo (45.0±9.5 min). No differences in maximal or sub-maximal measures of performance were observed during stepwise incremental tests. BICA ingestion resulted in an increased pH, bicarbonate concentration and BLa before, throughout and after both exercise testing modes. Conclusion The results suggest that ingestion of BICA may improve prolonged, high-intensity cycling performance. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00006198.
Impact of Obesity on the Clinical Profile of a Population-Based Sample with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Aims To characterize the distribution of BMI in a population-based sample of COPD patients and to evaluate the impact of obesity on their health status, exercise tolerance, systemic inflammation and comorbidity. Methods A population-based sample of 3,797 subjects aged 40–80 years from the EPI-SCAN study was selected. Subjects were categorized according their body mass index (BMI) as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2). Subjects were evaluated with post-bronchodilator spirometry and 6-minute walk tests. Smoking habits, respiratory symptoms, generic and specific quality of life, daily physical activities, comorbidities and systemic inflammatory biomarkers were recorded. Results The prevalence of obesity or being overweight was higher in the 382 COPD patients than in the subjects without airflow limitation (29.4%, 95%CI 24.8–33.9% vs. 24.3, 95%CI 22.9–25.8; and 44.7%, 95%CI 39.7–49.6% vs. 43.0%, 95%CI 41.3–44.6, respectively; p = 0.020). In the COPD subgroup, obese subjects presented more dyspnea and less chronic cough, chronic bronchitis or chronic phlegm than normal-weight patients, as well as a worse health status. Moreover, reduced exercise tolerance and higher plasmatic C-reactive protein levels were found in the obese patients, who also presented a greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio 4.796, 95%CI 1.806–12.736, p = 0.002). Conclusions In a population-based sample, obesity is more prevalent in COPD patients than in subjects without airflow limitation. Furthermore, obesity affects the clinical manifestations, quality of life and exercise tolerance of COPD patients, and it may contribute to a phenotype characterized by increased systemic inflammation and greater frequency of cardiovascular comorbidity.
An Improved Feedback Coding Scheme for the Wire-Tap Channel

The model of wiretap channel (WTC) is important as it constitutes the essence of physical layer security. Recently, it has been shown that a noiseless feedback channel from the legitimate receiver to the transmitter helps to increase the secrecy capacity of the WTC. However, the present feedback strategy focuses only on generating the key from the feedback signal and using this key to protect part of the transmitted message. This secret key-based feedback strategy has been proved to be optimal only for some degraded cases. In this paper, we propose a new feedback strategy for the WTC, where the feedback signal is not only used to generate the key but also used to generate cooperative information helping the legitimate parties to improve their encoding and decoding performance. We show that the proposed new strategy performs better than the already existing one, and the results are further explained via a binary example.
Postexposure prophylaxis after hepatitis C occupational exposure in the interferon-free era

Purpose of review Healthcare personnel are at risk for occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens. Primary prevention remains the first line of defense, but secondary prevention measures known to be effective should be implemented when percutaneous exposures occur. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major infectious cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Chronic HCV treatment has changed dramatically, with many all-oral directly acting anti-HCV antiviral (DAA) regimens now available. Evidence for the use of DAAs as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after occupational exposures to HCV is summarized here. Recent findings Little new evidence supports the use of antivirals in acute HCV infection. Several preliminary studies have examined the use of DAAs or host target agents in chronic HCV treatment. Effective HCV PEP requirements likely include pan-genotypic activity and a high barrier to resistance. One investigational DAA has shown promising results as an efficacious option for all genotypes in chronic HCV treatment and may ultimately represent a potential HCV PEP agent. Summary Insufficient supporting data exist to endorse the use of DAAs for PEP after HCV occupational exposures; additional studies examining efficacy, duration, and cost-effectiveness are needed. Development of more oral drugs possessing a high barrier of resistance and equal activity against all HCV genotypes is anticipated.