Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VIH2 Regulates the Synthesis of Inositol Pyrophosphate InsP8 and Jasmonate-Dependent Defenses in Arabidopsis[OPEN]

The inositol pyrophosphate InsP8 plays an important role in plant defenses against herbivorous insects and necrotrophic fungi and is a key cofactor of the jasmonate receptor complex. Diphosphorylated inositol polyphosphates, also referred to as inositol pyrophosphates, are important signaling molecules that regulate critical cellular activities in many eukaryotic organisms, such as membrane trafficking, telomere maintenance, ribosome biogenesis, and apoptosis. In mammals and fungi, two distinct classes of inositol phosphate kinases mediate biosynthesis of inositol pyrophosphates: Kcs1/IP6K- and Vip1/PPIP5K-like proteins. Here, we report that PPIP5K homologs are widely distributed in plants and that Arabidopsis thaliana VIH1 and VIH2 are functional PPIP5K enzymes. We show a specific induction of inositol pyrophosphate InsP8 by jasmonate and demonstrate that steady state and jasmonate-induced pools of InsP8 in Arabidopsis seedlings depend on VIH2. We identify a role of VIH2 in regulating jasmonate perception and plant defenses against herbivorous insects and necrotrophic fungi. In silico docking experiments and radioligand binding-based reconstitution assays show high-affinity binding of inositol pyrophosphates to the F-box protein COI1-JAZ jasmonate coreceptor complex and suggest that coincidence detection of jasmonate and InsP8 by COI1-JAZ is a critical component in jasmonate-regulated defenses.
Stimulation‐dependent lymphokine mRNA levels in human mononuclear cells

Steady‐state mRNA levels for lymphokines were studied in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by various agents. The pattern of mRNA levels differed according to the way in which cells were stimulated or activated. Stimulation by anti‐CD3 antibodies led to increased mRNA levels for interferon‐γ but only extremely low levels of interleukin 2 mRNA were detected. In order to observe levels of inter‐leukin 2 mRNA, it was necessary to use phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) in addition to either lectins or anti‐CD3 antibodies. PMA by itself was already able to induce high levels of mRNA for granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Most interestingly, different patterns of lymphokine production were obtained with stimuli yielding the same number of activated cells and the same ratio of activated CD4 and CD8 cells. Thus, different T cell stimuli induced distinct patterns of lymphokine mRNA levels.
Effect of Ioxaglate on the Liver and Pancreas following Selective Visceral Angiography in Man

Selective visceral angiography was performed with the ionic, monoacidic, dimeric contrast medium ioxaglate (280 and 320 mg I/ml). Twenty patients with and without disease of the liver and/or pancreas were prospectively and consecutively studied. Changes in the serum activities of ALAT, ASAT, GT, AP, and pancreatic isoamylase and changes in the level of serum bilirubin, prothrombin index and haematocrit were evaluated sequentially before and after angiography. The total volume of contrast medium ranged from 100 to 340 ml per patient and the median dosage was 3.5 ml per kg body weight. There was no statistically significant elevation within the entire group of patients in the measured parameters after angiography when compared with pre-angiographic values. No clinically important toxic effect on the liver or pancreas induced by the contrast medium was found.
Alpha Span: A Measure of Working Memory

In the alpha span test, short lists of words are presented and the participant’s task is to mentally reorder the words and give them back in correct alphabetical order. Alpha span is the longest list of words correctly recalled; the article also describes a scoring method in which credit is given for partially correct answers. Alpha span provides a quick and easily completed measure of verbal–numerical working memory (WM), and evidence is presented to show that it is also a valid and reliable measure. One purpose of the article is to present data on age-related differences in WM in participants 17 to 87 years of age. These data show that alpha span is highest in people in their 20s and then declines systematically from the 20s to the 80s. A 2nd purpose is to report data on the reliability of the alpha span measure and explore its relationships with other cognitive measures. The article concludes with some comments on the nature of WM as illustrated by alpha span; specifically, we suggest that WM reflects both domain-general executive functions and specific abilities in the domain tapped by the task in question. Résumé Le test Alpha-span consiste à présenter au participant de courtes listes de mots qu’ils doivent remettre dans l’ordre dans leur tête et redonner en ordre alphabétique. La mesure Alpha-span correspond à la plus longue liste de mots correctement retenus. L’article décrit aussi une méthode de pondération qui accorde des crédits aux réponses partiellement correctes. Le test Alpha-span fournit, rapidement et facilement, une mesure complète de la mémoire verbale-numérique à court terme. De plus, des preuves sont présentées voulant que le test fournisse aussi une mesure valide et fiable. L’un des objectifs de l’article était de présenter des données sur les différences liées à l’âge dans la mémoire à court terme chez des participants de 17 à 87 ans. Ces données démontrent que la mesure Alpha-span est plus élevée chez les personnes dans la vingtaine, puis qu’elle décline systématiquement entre la vingtaine et la quatre-vingtaine. Elle avait comme second objectif de publier des données sur la fiabilité de la mesure Alpha-span et d’examiner ses liens avec d’autres mesures cognitives. L’article conclut en formulant des commentaires sur la nature de la mémoire à court terme telle qu’elle est illustrée par la mesure Alpha-span. Particulièrement, nous suggérons que la mémoire à court terme reflète des fonctions d’exécution domaine-général et les capacités spécifiques du domaine de la tâche en question.
Review: cognitive and psychological outcomes in pediatric heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVE To review empirical literature investigating the cognitive and psychological effects of pediatric heart transplantation. METHODS Electronic and library searches were used to identify empirical studies examining the cognitive and psychological effects of pediatric heart transplantation. Only studies investigating cognitive or psychological outcomes, either prospectively or cross-sectionally, were reviewed. RESULTS Preliminary findings suggest that children and adolescents generally functioned within the normal range on most measures of cognitive functioning post-transplant. However, a complicated transplant course caused by infections or rejections may place these recipients at increased risk for cognitive difficulties post-transplant. Studies also suggested that approximately 20%-24% of pediatric heart transplant recipients experienced significant symptoms of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, behavior problems) during the first year post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS Research suggests that some recipients are at risk for cognitive and psychological difficulties post-transplant and may require additional academic remediation and/or psychological intervention to address these challenges. Given the limited number of empirical studies available at this time, continued research investigating cognitive and psychological outcomes following pediatric heart transplantation is needed.
Peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis.

A case of primary tuberculosis resulting from accidental inoculation through the skin at the time of a laceration demonstrated the characteristic features of the primary tuberculous cutaneous-lymph node complex. This case illustrates the fact that although the primary tuberculous complex is today a rare entity, the treating physician should be aware of its existence, consider this diagnosis in the presence of a skin lesion or peripheral lymphadenitis or both, and always test such patients for tuberculosis.
Reactive oxygen species and phosphatidylserine externalization in murine sickle red cells

Due to their role in oxygen transport and the presence of redox active haemoglobin molecules, red blood cells (RBC) generate relatively high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To counteract the potential deleterious effects of ROS, RBCs have a well‐integrated network of anti‐oxidant mechanisms to combat this oxidative stress. ROS formation is increased in sickle‐cell disease (SCD) and our studies in a murine SCD model showed a significant increase in the generation of ROS when compared with normal mice. Our data also indicated that murine sickle RBCs exhibit a significantly increased ATP catabolism, partly due to the increased activity of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase to regenerate intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels to neutralize the adverse milieu of oxidative stress. Higher ATP consumption by the murine sickle RBCs, together with the increased ROS formation and impairment of the aminophospholipid translocase or flipase may underlie the exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of these cells.
Cognitive functioning in relation to burnout symptoms and social and occupational functioning in a population-based sample of young adults

Background: There may be an association between cognitive functioning and burnout, but this has previously been investigated in only few studies, all using clinical samples. Aims: This study aimed at examining the relationship of cognitive functioning with burnout symptoms and social and occupational functioning in a population-based sample of young adults. Methods: Neuropsychological tests assessing verbal and visual short-term memory, verbal long-term memory, general intelligence, attention, psychomotor processing speed and executive functioning were administered to a population-based sample of working young adults aged 22–35 years (n=225). Burnout was measured with the Maslach Burnout Survey—General Survey (MBI-GS) and social and occupational functioning with examiner-rated Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Results: Higher scores in the MBI-GS related to better performance in tests of verbal working memory and general intelligence. Lower SOFAS associated with poorer performance in tests assessing verbal attention, memory and learning. Conclusions: In a representative population sample of young adults, self-reported symptoms of burnout are not associated with difficulties in cognitive functioning. However, examiner-rated lower social and occupational functioning is related to problems in verbal attention, memory and learning, suggesting the importance of evaluating and enhancing cognitive functioning among those with difficulties in social and occupational functioning.
More ACTIONS needed to reach a consensus on adjunctive antidepressant therapy for negative symptoms of schizophrenia

ABSTRACT FROM: Barnes TR, Leeson VC, Paton C, et al . Antidepressant Controlled Trial For Negative Symptoms In Schizophrenia (ACTIONS): a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial. Health Technol Assess 2016;20:1–46. Persistent negative symptoms which do not respond to antipsychotic regimens are experienced by 15–20% of patients with schizophrenia.1 Antidepressants have been the most studied augmentation strategy in these patients;2 however, previous findings are inconsistent in terms of their potential benefits. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, 15-centre pragmatic trial, 62 patients with schizophrenia with persistent primary negative symptoms were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either citalopram (20 mg/day) or placebo as an adjunctive therapy to the baseline ongoing stable dose of second generation antipsychotic treatment for 48 weeks. Patients were excluded in case of receiving any antidepressants or any drug that risked interaction with citalopram at baseline. Between-group differences in Heinrich's Quality of Life Scale (QLS) score at weeks …
The Potential of a Placebo/Nocebo Effect in Pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogenetic testing holds great promise to improve health outcomes and reduce adverse drug responses through enhanced selection of therapeutic agents. Since drug responses can be manipulated by verbal suggestions, it is of particular interest to understand the potential impact of pharmacogenetic test results on drug response. Placebo and nocebo-like effects may be possible due to the suggestive nature of pharmacogenetic information that a drug will or will not likely lead to improved health outcomes. For example, pharmacogenetic testing could provide further reassurance to patients that a given drug will be effective and/or cause minimal side effects. However, pharmacogenetic information could adversely affect drug response through negative expectations that a drug will be less than optimally effective or cause an adverse response, known as a nocebo-like effect. Therefore, a patient’s perceived value of testing, their understanding of the test results, and the manner in which they are communicated may influence therapeutic outcome. As such, physicians should consider the potential effect of pharmacogenetic test results on therapeutic outcome when communicating results to patients. Studies are needed to investigate the impact of pharmacogenetic information of therapeutic outcome.
A Theoretical Justification for Coincidence of Wavelet Maxima at a Particular Scale Pair in an Event-Based Pitch Detection Method

A theoretical justification has been provided for coincidence of wavelet maxima at a particular scale pair in an event-based pitch detection method. The scale pair to be selected for true pitch estimation in case of multiple scale pairs giving coincidence of wavelet maxima is also indicated, based on this theory. Examples, involving both male and female voice, are provided that demonstrate validity of the theory presented.
Raised serum levels of interleukin‐18 is associated with disease progression and may contribute to virological treatment failure in HIV‐1‐infected patients

To gain further insight into the possible role of interleukin (IL)‐18 in HIV‐1 infection we examined serum levels of IL‐18 in various clinical and immunological stages of HIV‐1 infection during cross‐sectional (n = 41) and longitudinal testing (n = 20) and during HAART (n = 21, 24 months follow‐up). Our main findings were that HIV‐1‐infected patients had significantly raised IL‐18 levels comparing healthy controls, particularly in those with advanced disease, that while HAART induced a marked decline in IL‐18, virological treatment failure was associated with persistently raised IL‐18 levels during such therapy and that our in vitro experiments showed an IL‐18‐mediated up‐regulation of the HIV‐1 coreceptor CXCR4 and the pro‐apoptotic mediator TRAIL in PBMC from HIV‐1‐infected patients receiving HAART. HIV‐1 infection appears to be characterized by persistently raised IL‐18 levels and during HAART, such a pattern was associated with virological treatment failure, possibly contributing to immunodeficiency and HIV‐1 replication in these patients.
Reports and Studies in Forestry and Natural Sciences

Programmers read through their source code for many reasons: comprehension, investigation, even curiosity. During code review, programmers read over other people’s code, a process vitally important to ensuring that poor quality code does not get committed into their product’s code repository. Code reviewing is a form of reading that consists of skimming the text to identify beacons (e
Neurogenic inflammation in allergen-challenged obese mice: a missing link in the obesity-asthma association?

ABSTRACT Aim: A number of studies have shown an association between obesity and asthma. Controversy remains on the mechanisms supporting this association. In this study we aimed to assess neurogenic inflammation in a model of diet-induced obesity and allergen-challenged mice. Methods: High fat diet-induced (HFD) obese Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Glucose, insulin, OVA-specific IgE and substance P (SP), and the main tachykinin involved in neurogenic inflammation, were quantified in sera. Cell counts were performed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The extent of peribronchial infiltrates was estimated on lung tissue sections and inflammation was score based on inflammatory cell counts surrounding the bronchi. Results: Obesity per se and allergen-sensitization per se increased serum SP (P = .027, P = .004, respectively). Further increased was observed in obese-sensitized mice (P = .007). Obese-sensitized mice also showed higher insulin (P = .0016), OVA-specific IgE (P = .016), peribronchial inflammatory score (P = .045), and tendency for higher glycemia. The interaction of obesity and asthma on SP levels was confirmed (P = .005, R2 = 0.710). SP was positively correlated with metabolic (glycemia, r = 0.539, P = .007) and allergic inflammation parameters (BALF eosinophils, r = 0.445, P = 0.033; BALF mast cells, r = 0.574, P = .004; peribronchial inflammation score, r = 0.661, P < .001; and OVA-specific IgE, r = 0.714, P < .001). Conclusions: Our findings provide support to the neurogenic inflammation link between obesity and asthma in mice. These two conditions independently increased SP and the presence of both pathologies further increased this level. Neurogenic inflammation may be a previously unrecognized mechanism beyond the obese-asthma phenotype. Further studies are need to confirm this role of SP in human obesity-asthma association.
Dynamics of rifting and modes of extension on icy satellites

[1] A simple numerical model of extension in icy satellite shells is developed. Thinning of the ice weakens the shell, promoting further extension. If lateral flow in the lower part of the shell is unimportant, extension is opposed and wide rifts are generated; if lateral flow is rapid, localized extension is favored and narrow rifts are produced. Thick shells or high strain rates favor the development of narrow rifts; low strain rates favor wide rifting. It is proposed that bands, extensional features on Europa, are narrow rifts, while groove lanes on Ganymede are wide rifts. The existence of wide rifting on Ganymede is consistent with previous estimates of a conductive shell thickness at the time of rifting of 4–8 km and a strain rate of 10 � 15 s � 1 ) strain rates at the time of rifting. Whether this shell thickness applies to present-day Europa depends on the age of band formation, which is poorly known. The difference between rifting behavior on Ganymede and Europa is due to either higher strain rates or higher shell thicknesses on Europa during rifting. The mean stresses required to cause the observed rifting are � 0.2 MPa for Ganymede and � 0.3 MPa for Europa. These values are comparable to estimates derived from flexural features. INDEX TERMS: 5475 Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Tectonics (8149); 6218 Planetology: Solar System Objects: Jovian satellites; 8109 Tectonophysics: Continental tectonics—extensional (0905); 8160 Tectonophysics: Rheology—general; KEYWORDS: Europa, Ganymede, extension, faulting, ice
Expression of Fibrosis-Related Genes in Canine Chronic Hepatitis

Molecular regulation of fibrosis in chronic canine hepatitis is poorly understood. The authors employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the expression levels of genes reported to be related to fibrosis in other species (human, mouse, and rat) and to elucidate the relationship of these genes with the degree of fibrosis and the presence or absence of ascites and/or jaundice in dogs with hepatitis. Nine fibrosis-related genes were assayed: PDGFB, PDGFD, MMP2, TIMP1, THBS1, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGFB1, and TGFB2. Liver samples of 15 dogs with chronic hepatitis and 4 healthy control dogs were obtained via laparoscopic biopsy and subjected to histologic and quantitative PCR analyses. The expression of all 9 genes showed significant positive correlation (P < .01, r > .70) with the degree of fibrosis. Furthermore, the expression levels of all genes except TGFB1 were significantly higher (P < .05) in dogs with hepatic failure–related symptoms (ascites/jaundice). Results suggest that these 9 genes are integral to the development of fibrosis in canine chronic hepatitis.
Genome-Wide Transcription and Functional Analyses Reveal Heterogeneous Molecular Mechanisms Driving Pyrethroids Resistance in the Major Malaria Vector Anopheles funestus Across Africa

Pyrethroid resistance in malaria vector, An. funestus is increasingly reported across Africa, threatening the sustainability of pyrethroid-based control interventions, including long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). Managing this problem requires understanding of the molecular basis of the resistance from different regions of the continent, to establish whether it is being driven by a single or independent selective events. Here, using a genome-wide transcription profiling of pyrethroid resistant populations from southern (Malawi), East (Uganda), and West Africa (Benin), we investigated the molecular basis of resistance, revealing strong differences between the different African regions. The duplicated cytochrome P450 genes (CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b) which were highly overexpressed in southern Africa are not the most upregulated in other regions, where other genes are more overexpressed, including GSTe2 in West (Benin) and CYP9K1 in East (Uganda). The lack of directional selection on both CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b in Uganda in contrast to southern Africa further supports the limited role of these genes outside southern Africa. However, other genes such as the P450 CYP9J11 are commonly overexpressed in all countries across Africa. Here, CYP9J11 is functionally characterized and shown to confer resistance to pyrethroids and moderate cross-resistance to carbamates (bendiocarb). The consistent overexpression of GSTe2 in Benin is coupled with a role of allelic variation at this gene as GAL4-UAS transgenic expression in Drosophila flies showed that the resistant 119F allele is highly efficient in conferring both DDT and permethrin resistance than the L119. The heterogeneity in the molecular basis of resistance and cross-resistance to insecticides in An. funestus populations throughout sub-Saharan African should be taken into account in designing resistance management strategies.
Prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest

See related research article by Reinier and colleagues on page [1705][1] and at [www.cmaj. ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.101512][2] Major advances have been made in understanding the causes of and treatments for cardiovascular disease, and mortality related to such disease has been reduced. However,
Investigating Orbital Magnetic Moments in Spinel-Type MnV2O4 Using X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism

Element-specific magnetic structures, particularly orbital magnetic moments, of spinel-type MnV2O4 were investigated using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). X-ray absorption and XMCD spectra clearly reveal that the Mn2+ (d5) and V3+ (d2) states are coupled antiferromagnetically. Analyses of XMCD spectra using magneto optical sum rules revealed that small but finite orbital magnetic moments remain in both V and Mn 3d states, which accounts for the antiferro-type orbital ordering in the V sites of MnV2O4 with coexisting complex and real orbital states. Additionally, the Cr doping effect in MnV2O4 was examined. The XMCD spectra of Cr 3+ (d3) L-edges exhibited the substitution of Cr ions to the V sites ferromagnetically, with low conductivity through the suppression of the orbital ordering.