Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Draft genome assembly of the invasive cane toad, Rhinella marina

Abstract Background The cane toad (Rhinella marina formerly Bufo marinus) is a species native to Central and South America that has spread across many regions of the globe. Cane toads are known for their rapid adaptation and deleterious impacts on native fauna in invaded regions. However, despite an iconic status, there are major gaps in our understanding of cane toad genetics. The availability of a genome would help to close these gaps and accelerate cane toad research. Findings We report a draft genome assembly for R. marina, the first of its kind for the Bufonidae family. We used a combination of long-read Pacific Biosciences RS II and short-read Illumina HiSeq X sequencing to generate 359.5 Gb of raw sequence data. The final hybrid assembly of 31,392 scaffolds was 2.55 Gb in length with a scaffold N50 of 168 kb. BUSCO analysis revealed that the assembly included full length or partial fragments of 90.6% of tetrapod universal single-copy orthologs (n = 3950), illustrating that the gene-containing regions have been well assembled. Annotation predicted 25,846 protein coding genes with similarity to known proteins in Swiss-Prot. Repeat sequences were estimated to account for 63.9% of the assembly. Conclusions The R. marina draft genome assembly will be an invaluable resource that can be used to further probe the biology of this invasive species. Future analysis of the genome will provide insights into cane toad evolution and enrich our understanding of their interplay with the ecosystem at large.
Experimental Studies on State Self-Objectification: A Review and an Integrative Process Model

This paper provides an organizing framework for the experimental research on the effects of state self-objectification on women. We explain why this body of work, which had grown rapidly in the last 20 years, departs from the original formulation of objectification theory (Fredrickson and Roberts, 1997). We compare the different operationalizations of state self-objectification and examine how they map onto its theoretical definition, concluding that the operationalizations have focused mostly on one component of this construct (concerns about one's physical appearance) while neglecting others (adopting a third-person perspective and treating oneself as a dehumanized object). We review the main findings of studies that experimentally induced state self-objectification and examined its affective, motivational, behavioral, cognitive, and physiological outcomes. We note that three core outcomes of this state as specified by objectification theory (safety anxiety, reduced flow experiences, and awareness of internal body states) have hardly been examined so far. Most importantly, we introduce an integrative process model, suggesting that the reported effects are triggered by four different mechanisms: appearance monitoring, experience of discrepancy from appearance standards, stereotype threat, and activation of the “sex object” schema. We propose strategies for distinguishing between these mechanisms and explain the theoretical and practical importance of doing so.
Longitudinal actor, partner, and similarity effects of personality on well-being.

The current study aimed to conceptually replicate previous studies on the effects of actor personality, partner personality, and personality similarity on general and relational well-being by using response surface analyses and a longitudinal sample of 4,464 romantic couples. Similar to previous studies using difference scores and profile correlations, results from response surface analyses indicated that personality similarity explained a small amount of variance in well-being as compared with the amount of variance explained by linear actor and partner effects. However, response surface analyses also revealed that second-order terms (i.e., the interaction term and quadratic terms of actor and partner personality) were systematically linked to couples' well-being for all traits except neuroticism. In particular, most response surfaces showed a complex pattern in which the effect of similarity and dissimilarity on well-being depended on the level and combination of actor and partner personality. In addition, one small but robust similarity effect was found, indicating that similarity in agreeableness was related to women's experience of support across the eight years of the study. The discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for theory and research on personality similarity in romantic relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record
Mean 6-Year Follow-up of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod Patients With Early Onset Scoliosis: A Glimpse of What Happens to Graduates.

BACKGROUND There is no agreement on frequency of distractions of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) but more frequent and smaller amounts of distractions mimic physiological spine growth. The mid- to long-term follow-up and management at skeletal maturity is unknown. OBJECTIVE To analyze patients with mean 6 yr of follow-up and describe the fate of MCGR graduates. METHODS Early onset scoliosis (EOS) patients treated with MCGRs with minimum 4 yr of follow-up and/or at graduation were studied. Parameters under study included Cobb angle, spine and instrumented lengths, and rod distraction gains. Relationship between timing of rod exchanges with changes in rate of lengthening was studied. RESULTS Ten EOS patients with mean 6.1 yr of follow-up were studied. The greatest Cobb angle correction occurred at the initial implantation surgery and was stable thereafter. Consistent gains in T1-12, T1-S1, and instrumented segment were observed. Rate of lengthening reduced after the first year of use but improved back to initial rates after rod exchange. Seven of the ten patients experienced complications with reoperation rate of 40% for rod distraction failure and proximal foundation problems. Only mild further improvements in all radiological parameters were observed pre- and postfinal surgery. No clinically significant curve progression was observed for rod removal only. All postfinal surgery parameters remained similar at postoperative 2 yr. CONCLUSION This study provides an outlook of the end of MCGR treatment. Although this is a fusionless procedure, instrumented segments do experience stiffness limiting further correction and length gain during final surgery whether fusion or rod removal is performed.
The AP-1 Complex is Required for Proper Mucilage Formation in Arabidopsis Seeds

The adaptor protein (AP) complexes play crucial roles in vesicle formation in post-Golgi trafficking. Land plants have five types of AP complexes (AP-1 to AP-5), each of which consists of two large subunits, one medium subunit and one small subunit. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis AP-1 complex mediates the polarized secretion and accumulation of a pectic polysaccharide called mucilage in seed coat cells. Previously, a loss-of-function mutant of AP1M2, the medium subunit of AP-1, has been shown to display deleterious growth defects because of defective cytokinesis. To investigate the function of AP-1 in interphase, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing AP1M2-GFP (green fluorescent protein) under the control of the cytokinesis-specific KNOLLE (KN) promoter in the ap1m2 background. These transgenic plants, designated pKN lines, successfully rescued the cytokinesis defect and dwarf phenotype of ap1m2. pKN lines showed reduced mucilage extrusion from the seed coat. Furthermore, abnormal accumulation of mucilage was found in the vacuoles of the outermost integument cells of pKN lines. During seed development, the accumulation of AP1M2-GFP was greatly reduced in the integument cells of pKN lines. These results suggest that trans-Golgi network (TGN)-localized AP-1 is involved in the trafficking of mucilage components to the outer surface of seed coat cells. Our study highlights an evolutionarily conserved function of AP-1 in polarized sorting in eukaryotic cells.
Autism spectrum disorder symptoms from ages 2 to 19 years: Implications for diagnosing adolescents and young adults

This study explored change in social‐communicative symptoms in 140 individuals with childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. Trajectories of caregiver‐reported social‐communicative symptoms were examined for three groups (verbal, delayed speech, minimally verbal) from ages 2 to 19 years. Groups showed comparable levels of social‐communicative impairment at 2 years and significant decreases in overall symptom levels across the 17‐year period (P < .001). Across three subdomains, main effects of time and language (P < .001) reflected patterns of overall improvement, although children with more impaired language tended to have more caregiver‐reported symptoms relative to verbal peers. A significant time‐by‐language interaction (P < .001) reflected that trajectories of socioemotional reciprocity symptoms differed according to patterns of language development. In contrast, improvements in the nonverbal communication domain were seen across language groups, whereas deficits in the development and maintenance of relationships improved for only verbal children. Verbal adults showed significant reductions in the prevalence of kseveral symptoms exhibited during childhood. Improvements suggest that symptoms indicative of ASD in young children may no longer be diagnostic markers in adolescents and adults. Relative stability of several items suggests that impaired facial expression may be a core ASD symptom that warrants more systematic study across the lifespan. Research investigating the manifestation of ASD in older individuals is needed to foster development of appropriate assessment tools and interventions. Differential relationships to developmental factors within the broader social‐communication domain underscores a need to focus on more narrowly defined symptom constructs when exploring links between pathophysiology and observable phenotypes. Autism Research 2019, 12: 89–99. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cellular mechanism of muscle memory facilitates mitochondrial remodelling following resistance training

Referring to the muscle memory theory, previously trained muscles acquire strength and volume much faster than naive muscles. Using extreme experimental models such as synergist ablation or steroid administration, previous studies have demonstrated that the number of nuclei increases when a muscle becomes enlarged, which serves as a cellular muscle memory mechanism for the muscle. In the present study, we found that, when rats were subjected to physiologically relevant resistance training, the number of myonuclei increased and was retained during a long‐term detraining period. The acquired myonuclei were related to a greater degree of muscle hypertrophic and mitochondrial biogenesis processes following subsequent hypertrophic conditions. Our data suggest a cellular mechanism supporting the notion that exposing young muscles to resistance training would help to restore age‐related muscle loss coupled with mitochondrial dysfunction in later life.
Effects of Hand Positions During Video Head-Impulse Test (vHIT) in Patients With Unilateral Vestibular Neuritis

Background: The aim of this study is to identify the effects of hand positions (head and jaw) on the video head-impulse test (vHIT). Methods: Eighty-six healthy volunteers and sixty-seven patients with unilateral vestibular neuritis (UVN) were recruited for this study. Different hand positions (head and jaw) were used in the vHIT of horizontal semicircular canals in healthy volunteers and UVN patients. All the obtained horizontal vHIT gains were analyzed. Results: It was observed that when horizontal vHIT was performed with the head hand position, the number of head impulses that produced overhigh vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains was more than that with the jaw hand position (p < 0.01), irrespective of whether the test was performed in healthy volunteers or UVN patients. The gains obtained were lower when the jaw hand position was used than that obtained when the head hand position was used (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference existed in the mean head velocity between the two hand positions (p > 0.05). Using the head hand position has greater a chance to elicit in UVN patients normal horizontal vHIT gains with refixation saccades than using the jaw hand position (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The jaw hand position can increase the accuracy of vHIT in determining the lesion side.
Pooling analysis on prognostic value of PHH3 expression in cancer patients

Background Various studies have evaluated the significance of phosphohistone-H3 (PHH3) expression in cancer patients, but controversy over its reliability remains. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the prognostic relevance of PHH3 expression in cancer patients. Patients and methods Nineteen studies, including 4803 patients, were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The correlation of PHH3 expression level with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival was analyzed. Results Overall, the results suggest that high expression of PHH3 can predict a poor OS (HR=2.66, 95% CI=1.74–4.08, P<0.001), disease-free survival (HR=3.40, 95% CI=1.47–7.87, P=0.004), and recurrence-free survival (HR=2.80, 95% CI=1.61–4.85, P<0.001) in cancer patients. The subgroup analysis showed that highly expressed PHH3 was significantly related to breast cancer (HR=5.66, 95% CI=2.72–11.78, P<0.001) and urogenital tumors (HR=3.01, 95% CI=1.78–5.09, P<0.001). Furthermore, no significant difference was found between Asian (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.08–3.63, P=0.026) and Caucasian populations (HR=3.01, 95% CI=1.87–4.85, P<0.001) regarding OS and PHH3 expression. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that high expression of PHH3 may serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in patients with cancer.
Population DNA methylation studies in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework

Abstract Epigenetic changes represent a potential mechanism underlying associations of early-life exposures and later life health outcomes. Population-based cohort studies starting in early life are an attractive framework to study the role of such changes. DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mechanism in population research. We discuss the application of DNA methylation in early-life population studies, some recent findings, key challenges and recommendations for future research. Studies into DNA methylation within the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease framework generally either explore associations between prenatal exposures and offspring DNA methylation or associations between offspring DNA methylation in early life and later health outcomes. Only a few studies to date have integrated prospective exposure, epigenetic and phenotypic data in order to explicitly test the role of DNA methylation as a potential biological mediator of environmental effects on health outcomes. Population epigenetics is an emerging field which has challenges in terms of methodology and interpretation of the data. Key challenges include tissue specificity, cell type adjustment, issues of power and comparability of findings, genetic influences, and exploring causality and functional consequences. Ongoing studies are working on addressing these issues. Large collaborative efforts of prospective cohorts are emerging, with clear benefits in terms of optimizing power and use of resources, and in advancing methodology. In the future, multidisciplinary approaches, within and beyond longitudinal birth and preconception cohorts will advance this complex, but highly promising, the field of research.
School-based Prevention for Adolescent Internet Addiction: Prevention is the Key. A Systematic Literature Review

Adolescents’ media use represents a normative need for information, communication, recreation and functionality, yet problematic Internet use has increased. Given the arguably alarming prevalence rates worldwide and the increasingly problematic use of gaming and social media, the need for an integration of prevention efforts appears to be timely. The aim of this systematic literature review is (i) to identify school-based prevention programmes or protocols for Internet Addiction targeting adolescents within the school context and to examine the programmes’ effectiveness, and (ii) to highlight strengths, limitations, and best practices to inform the design of new initiatives, by capitalizing on these studies’ recommendations. The findings of the reviewed studies to date presented mixed outcomes and are in need of further empirical evidence. The current review identified the following needs to be addressed in future designs to: (i) define the clinical status of Internet Addiction (IA) more precisely, (ii) use more current psychometrically robust assessment tools for the measurement of effectiveness (based on the most recent empirical developments), (iii) reconsider the main outcome of Internet time reduction as it appears to be problematic, (iv) build methodologically sound evidence-based prevention programmes, (v) focus on skill enhancement and the use of protective and harm-reducing factors, and (vi) include IA as one of the risk behaviours in multi-risk behaviour interventions. These appear to be crucial factors in addressing future research designs and the formulation of new prevention initiatives. Validated findings could then inform promising strategies for IA and gaming prevention in public policy and edu-cation.
Transzygomatic approach plus mini-peeling of middle fossa for devascularization of sphenoid wing meningiomas. Technical note

Background: Sphenoid wing meningiomas account for 20% of supratentorial meningiomas. The main supply of these tumors is provided by branches of the middle and accessory meningeal arteries. Surgical resection of meningiomas requires early tumor devascularization. Our objective is to present the role of transzygomatic approach plus mini-peeling of the anterior third of the middle fossa in the extradural identification and coagulation of branches of middle and accessory meningeal arteries involved in tumor supply. Methods: Ten formalin-fixed, silicone-injected cadaveric heads were used. On each side a transzygomatic approach plus mini-peeling of the anterior third of the middle fossa was performed. Between 2005 and 2017, the authors applied this technique for the resection of sphenoid wing meningiomas in 28 patients. Results: The mean age of patients was 54 years. Thirteen tumors could be classified as medial-third type, 6 as middle-third type, and 4 tumors were lateral-third type. Five tumors represented combined types. Of these, 3 tumors involved the medial and middle-third of the sphenoid wing and 2 involved the entire wing. Surgical resection was classified as Simpson I/II in 24 patients (86%). There were no permanent deficits or postoperative mortality. Conclusions: The transzygomatic approach combined with mini-peeling of the anterior third of the middle fossa is effective in allowing early devascularization of sphenoid wing meningiomas. These maneuvers are particularly important during resection of large tumors.
Analysing health data sources to inform chronic disease management decisions of health insurers: A mixed methods study

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: Both health care providers and payers recognize the need to improve chronic disease care. Chronic disease management relies on high-quality health information for people with, and at risk of developing, chronic diseases. This article focuses on the health insurance sector and investigates ways that payment claims data and other data sources can provide useful information to support chronic disease management interventions. Methods and Results: In this mixed methods study, we first examine methods of selecting target populations from insurance claims data for common chronic conditions—diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. The analysis of claims data reveals data quality issues and indicates that other data sources should be considered to provide additional information. We undertake a qualitative review of factors influencing the development of information systems for chronic disease management that use multiple data sources. Conclusions: Claims data should be supplemented with other data to inform chronic disease management. The article proposes a conceptual framework with four domains that need to be considered when developing chronic disease information systems using multiple data sources—information requirements, data sources, data collection, and information systems integration. There are policy and organizational factors that influence framework implementation.
Incidence, prevalence, mortality and chronic renal damage of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis in a 20-year population-based cohort.

Background True population-based clinical and outcomes data are lacking for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN). Therefore we aimed to estimate the incidence, prevalence and mortality of AAGN, as well as the relationship between the grade of chronic renal damage at presentation and renal and non-renal outcomes. Methods Patients with AAGN were identified among a population-based incident cohort of 57 Olmsted County residents diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in 1996-2015. Incidence rates were age and sex adjusted to the 2010 US white population. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence was calculated for 1 January 2015. Survival rates were compared with expected rates in the Minnesota population. Chronic renal damage was assessed by chronicity score (CS) on biopsies performed at diagnosis. Results Thirty-four (60%) patients had AAGN. Of these, 65% had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 74% were myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA positive. The annual incidence of AAGN was 2.0/100 000 population [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.7] and the overall prevalence was 35/100 000 (95% CI 24-47). Mortality for AAGN was increased (P < 0.001), whereas mortality for AAV without glomerulonephritis did not differ from the general population. Minimal to mild CS predicted recovery of renal function at 1 year; clinical diagnosis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis versus MPA) and ANCA specificity (proteinase 3 versus MPO) did not. This observation was replicated in an independent cohort of 38 newly diagnosed AAGN patients seen at our centre over the 1999-2014 period. Conclusions The annual incidence and prevalence of AAGN in Minnesota are 2.0/100 000 and 35/100 000, respectively. Mortality is worse compared with AAV patients without glomerulonephritis. More advanced renal damage at diagnosis predicts less renal recovery.
Resolving Surface Displacements in Shenzhen of China from Time Series InSAR

Over the past few decades, the coastal city of Shenzhen has been transformed from a small fishing village to a mega city as China’s first Special Economic Zone. The rapid economic development was matched by a sharp increase in the demand for usable land and coastal reclamation has been undertaken to create new land from the sea. However, it has been reported that subsidence occurred in land reclamation area and around subway tunnel area. Subsidence and the additional threat of coastal inundation from sea-level rise highlight the necessity of displacement monitoring in Shenzhen. The time Series InSAR technique is capable of detecting sub-centimeter displacement of the Earth’s surface over large areas. This study uses Envisat, COSMO-SkyMed, and Sentinel-1 datasets to determine the surface movements in Shenzhen from 2004 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2017. Subsidence observed can be attributable to both land reclamation and subway construction. Seasonal displacements are likely to be associated with precipitation. The influence of ocean tidal level changes on seasonal displacement is not strongly evident from the results and requires further investigations. In general, InSAR has proven its ability to provide accurate measurements of ground stability for the city of Shenzhen.