Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Gender, Sterilization, and Environment on the Spatial Distribution of Free-Roaming Dogs: An Intervention Study in an Urban Setting

Information concerning the factors affecting the circulation and distribution of free-roaming dogs is crucial in developing control actions and limiting the spread of zoonoses. The present study analyzes the influence of gender, sterilization, and environment on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in urban settings. Animals were captured/recaptured in seven consecutive morning sampling efforts conducted at 2-monthly intervals in control and intervention areas in a medium-size town in southeastern Brazil. Capture locations were georeferenced and captured animals were microchipped before being released at their original capture sites. Dogs captured in the intervention area were subjected additionally to surgical sterilization prior to release. Home range (HR) areas were calculated by applying the minimum convex polygon method to dogs that had been captured at least three times. Land coverage zones were determined from satellite images and overlaid on maps of the study areas along with the locations of 22 commercial food outlets. HR areas showed a global mean of 448 m2 and a median of 28 m2, values that were smaller than those reported previously for dogs in rural regions. The median HR of females (64.m2) was higher than that of males (15 m2), while median HRs of animals in the control and intervention areas were similar (27 and 28.5 m2, respectively). Variability of HR was high, although animals with small HRs predominated. Free-roaming dogs grouped primarily in urbanized and transitional regions, and their spatial distribution was positively correlated with locations of commercial food outlets. While sterilization did not influence HR size, the search for food was a key factor in determining mobility and spatial aggregation of free-roaming dogs. Our findings are pertinent in understanding the ecology of free-roaming dogs in urban environments and will be applicable to strategies aimed at promoting animal welfare and preventing the dissemination of zoonoses.
Compressing Tabular Data via Pairwise Dependencies

We propose a method and algorithm for lossless compression of tabular data – including, for example, machine learning datasets, server logs and genomic datasets. Superior compression ratios are achieved by exploiting dependencies between the fields (or "features") in the dataset. The algorithm compresses the records w.r. t. a probabilistic graphical model – specifically an optimized forest, where each feature is a node. The work extends a method known as a Chow-Liu tree by incorporating a more accurate correction term to the cost function, which corresponds to the size required to describe the model itself. Additional features of the algorithm are efficient coding of the metadata (such as probability distributions), as well as data relabeling in order to cope with large datasets and alphabets. We test the algorithm on several datasets, and demonstrate an improvement in the compression rates of between 2X and 5X compared to gzip. The larger improvements are observed for very large datasets, such as the Criteo click prediction dataset which was published as part of a recent Kaggle competition.
An Innovative Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the common chronic lung diseases (CLD) of premature infants, which causes unpredictable consequences to the family and society. Therefore, the pathogenesis and prevention methods of BPD are the focus of current research, and the establishment of an effective and appropriate animal model of BPD in premature infants is the key to the research. In this study, premature rats were exposed to hyperoxia environment. Compared with the air group, the body weight and alveolar radiation count of the hyperoxia group decreased significantly, but there was no significant difference in body length. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of BPD in the lung tissue. The above results proved that under the hyperoxia condition, the BPD animal model of premature infants was successfully established, which provided a new choice for the future research of BPD.
The Cerebral Hemodynamic Response to Pain in Preterm Infants With Fetal Growth Restriction

Background: Preterm infants undergoing intensive care often experience painful procedures such as heel lance for blood sampling. Knowledge of the cerebral hemodynamic response to painful stimuli contributes to understanding of cortical pain processing and the neurovascular network in the preterm brain. Previous research has demonstrated cerebral hemodynamic responses using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) after noxious stimuli in infants appropriately grown for age (AGA). But this has not been studied in infants born small for gestational age after fetal growth restriction (FGR). FGR infants differ in brain development due to utero-placental insufficiency leading to the intrauterine growth restriction, and cerebral response to pain may be altered. Objectives: We aimed to compare the cerebral hemodynamic response to painful stimuli (heel lance) in FGR and AGA infants. Methods: Preterm FGR infants (n = 20) and AGA infants (n = 15) born at 28–32 weeks' gestation were studied at mean ± SD postnatal age of 11.5 ± 2.4 and 10.5 ± 2.4 days, respectively. Infants had baseline echocardiographic assessment of ductus arteriosus and stroke volume. They were monitored with NIRS for changes in tissue oxygenation index (TOI, %), and oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin (ΔO2Hb, ΔHHb, and ΔTHb) in contralateral and ipsilateral cerebral hemispheres, during a heel lance. Results: At baseline, FGR infants had significantly lower TOI, higher heart rate, and lower stroke volume compared to AGA infants. Most infants in both groups showed increase in each of the NIRS parameters in the contralateral hemisphere following heel lance. However, more AGA infants (6/15) showed decreased ΔTHb compared to FGR infants (1/20) (p = 0.016). The magnitude of cerebral hemodynamic response and time to response did not differ between FGR and AGA infants. FGR infants showed larger ΔO2Hb in the contralateral compared to ipsilateral cortex (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Preterm FGR infants have reduced stroke volume and lower cerebral oxygenation compared to AGA infants in the second to third week of life. FGR infants show similar cerebral hemodynamic responses to noxious stimuli compared to AGA infants. However, FGR infants are less likely to have a cerebral vasoconstrictive response, possibly due to cerebrovascular changes following placental insufficiency and brain sparing in-utero.
Integrated Karyotypes of Diploid and Tetraploid Carrizo Citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) as Determined by Sequential Multicolor Fluorescence in situ Hybridization With Tandemly Repeated DNA Sequences

Carrizo citrange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. , CC] is one of the most widely used rootstocks in citriculture worldwide, but its cytogenetic study has been hampered by its inherent small size, morphological similarity to mitotic chromosomes, and lack of accessible cytological landmarks. In our previous study, a spontaneously occurring tetraploid CC seedling was discovered. The main goals of this study were to elucidate the chromosome constitution and construct the karyotypes of diploid CC rootstock and its corresponding spontaneously occurring tetraploid. To accomplish these, the chromosomal characteristics were investigated by sequential multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with eight properly labeled repetitive DNA sequences, including a centromere-like repeat, four satellite repeats, two rDNAs, and an oligonucleotide of telomeric (TTTAGGG)n repeat. The results nicely demonstrated that these repetitive DNAs are reliable cytogenetic markers that collectively facilitate simultaneous and unequivocal identification of homologous chromosome pairs. Based on chromosome size and morphology together with FISH patterns of repetitive DNAs, an integrated karyotype of CC rootstock was constructed, consisting of 2n = 2x = 12m (1sat) + 6sm with karyotype asymmetry degree being divided into 2B category. Cytogenetically speaking, the variable and asymmetric distribution patterns of these repetitive DNAs were fully confirmed the hybrid nature of CC rootstock. In addition, comparative distribution patterns and chromosomal localizations of these repetitive DNAs convincingly showed that this tetraploid CC material arose from somatic chromosome doubling of diploid CC rootstock. This study revealed, for the first time, the integrated karyotype and chromosomal characteristics of this important citrus rootstock as well as its spontaneously occurring tetraploid plant. Furthermore, this study is a good prospective model for study species with morphologically indistinguishable small chromosomes.
Penser autrement la jeunesse

Devenir adulte n'est pas un objectif en soi, contrairement aux presupposes de bon nombre de sociologues de la jeunesse. C'est pourquoi la question des evenements qui ponctueraient la fin de la jeunesse ne devrait plus constituer le travail central de ce domaine. Cet article propose une nouvelle perspective privilegiant les deux finalites de l'autonomie et de l'independance. Or, pour de nombreux jeunes adultes, l'acces a l'independance economique est retarde, voire impossible. L'autonomie devient difficile a mettre en œuvre entierement du fait de ce decalage, etant donne les normes sociales de reference (qui associent ces deux dimensions pour l'âge adulte). C'est pourquoi les jeunes adultes sont devenus depuis quelques annees un probleme social et politique : l'Etat doit-il leur fournir des ressources economiques afin de leur garantir une simili-independance ? Et sous quelles formes ?
Quality of life, health‐related quality of life and health status in patients having restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: a systematic review

Aim There are numerous studies on quality of life (QoL), health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and health status (HS) in patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis. A systematic review of published literature was conducted to establish the quality of these studies and to determine QoL, HRQoL, and HS in patients after ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.
Mechanistic insights into ventricular arrhythmogenesis of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19

Aims We investigate mechanisms for potential pro-arrhythmic effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) alone, or combined with azithromycin (AZM), in Covid-19 management supplementing the limited available experimental cardiac safety data. Methods We integrated patch-clamp studies utilizing In Vitro ProArrhythmia Assay (CiPA) Schema IC50 paradigms, molecular modelling, cardiac multi-electrode array and voltage (RH237) mapping, ECG studies, and Ca2+ (Rhod-2 AM) mapping in isolated Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts with human in-silico ion current modelling. Results HCQ blocked IKr and IK1 with IC50s (10±0.6 and 34±5.0 μM) within clinical therapeutic ranges, INa and ICaL at higher IC50s, leaving Ito and IKs unaffected. AZM produced minor inhibition of INa, ICaL, IKs, and IKr,, sparing IK1 and Ito. HCQ+AZM combined inhibited IKr and IK1 with IC50s of 7.7±0.8 μM and 30.4±3.0 μM, sparing INa, ICaL and Ito. Molecular modelling confirmed potential HCQ binding to hERG. HCQ slowed heart rate and ventricular conduction. It prolonged PR, QRS and QT intervals, and caused prolonged, more heterogeneous, action potential durations and intracellular Ca2+ transients. These effects were accentuated with combined HCQ+AZM treatment, which then elicited electrical alternans, re-entrant circuits and wave break. Modelling studies attributed these to integrated HCQ and AZM actions reducing IKr and IK1, thence altering cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Conclusions Combined HCQ+AZM treatment exerts pro-arrhythmic ventricular events by synergetically inhibiting IKr, IKs with resulting effects on cellular Ca2+ signalling, and action potential propagation and duration. These findings provide an electrophysiological basis for recent FDA cardiac safety guidelines cautioning against combining HCQ/AZM when treating Covid-19.
HORMONAL REGULATION

The growth both of interest and of knowledge of the hormonal regulation of the body is exemplified by the publication of the reports presented to the " Journees Medicales de Paris Internationales" for 1937.1 They form a volume of 850 pages, contributed by chemists, biologists, and clinicians, most of whom have been engaged in active research on the subject in different countries. Professor Carnot's introduction is perhaps somewhat of the nature of a rhapsody, but he rightly emphasizes the part in this advance that has been played respectively by work on the chemical structure of hormones, histological studies of the glands themselves, clinical observation, and particularly by the recognition of the mutual interplay between nervous and glandular mechanisms. All this has led to a much more accurate conception not only, of the integration of the endocrine system but of the integration of the body as a whole. Even more, endocrinology is seen to have relationship with carcinogenetic substances, vitamins, and vegetable auxins, thus taking its appropriate place in a scheme of general biology. Nothing has done more to clarify our views on the endocrine system than the realization of the manifold functions of the hypothalamus. Itself the mechanism controlling the expression of the emotions, it has ties on the one side with the cerebral cortex and on the other with the vegetative nervous system. In addition to this it is in such close relations with the pituitary body anatomically and physiologically that one may justifiably speak of a unit-the hypothalamic-pituitary apparatus. Indeed the nervous portion of this apparatus has even been observed to take on secretory functions after ablation of the glandular portion. This apparatus thus falls into line with the general law that nervous mechanisms operate through chemical intermediaries, or, as Hopkins phrased it, chemical substances locally produced interpret for the tissues the messages received from the nerves. Doubtless the endocrine glands exert an autonomous activity of their own; here, as Professor Loeper says in his admirably balanced summing-up, they work in silence and in secret. But we now see, as we did not at first, that this is only one half of the story. For through the sympathetic and parasympathetic, and also through the moderator action of the anterior pituitary, the whole endocrine system can be influenced by the central nervous system and mobilized for the benefit of the body as a whole. It is of course also true that the glands in their
Medium Optimization for Exopolysaccharide Production in Liquid Culture of Endophytic Fungus Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12

Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12, an endophytic fungus from Dioscorea zingiberensis, is a high producer of spirobisnaphthalenes with various bioactivities. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by this fungus also shows excellent antioxidant activity. In this study, the experimental designs based on statistics were employed to evaluate and optimize the medium for EPS production in liquid culture of Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12. For increasing EPS yield, the concentrations of glucose, peptone, KH2PO4, MgSO4·7H2O and FeSO4·7H2O in medium were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Both the fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD) were applied to optimize the main factors which significantly affected EPS production. The concentrations of glucose, peptone and MgSO4·7H2O were found to be the main effective factors for EPS production by FFD experimental analysis. Based on the further CCD optimization and RSM analysis, a quadratic polynomial regression equation was derived from the EPS yield and three variables. Statistical analysis showed the polynomial regression model was in good agreement with the experimental results with the determination coefficient (adj-R2) as 0.9434. By solving the quadratic regression equation, the optimal concentrations of glucose, peptone and MgSO4·7H2O for EPS production were determined as 63.80, 20.76 and 2.74 g/L, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the predicted EPS yield reached the maximum (13.22 g/L). Verification experiment confirmed the validity with the actual EPS yield as 13.97 g/L, which was 6.29-fold in comparison with that (2.22 g/L) in the original basal medium. The results provide the support data for EPS production in large scale and also speed up the application of Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12.
Neural speech tracking but not alpha lateralization supports listening success in a large cohort of aging individuals

Successful speech comprehension requires the listener to differentiate relevant from irrelevant sounds. Most studies on this problem address one of two candidate neural auditory filter solutions: Selective neural tracking of attended versus ignored speech in auditory cortex (“neural speech tracking”), and the lateralized modulation of alpha power in wider temporo–parietal cortex. However, how the two neural filter strategies relate to one another and to single-trial behavioral outcome still lacks understanding. Using an unprecedentedly large, age-varying sample (N=I55; age=39–80 years) in a demanding dual-talker task, we observed attentional–cue-driven modulation of both neural filters. Trial-to-trial neural filter states varied independently of one another and speak to a functional trade-off between neurobiological attentional filter mechanisms. Single-trial models support the functional relevance of neural speech tracking, but not alpha lateralization, to overt behavior: Stronger neural speech tracking at the state- and trait-level led to more accurate and faster responses, respectively. Notably, increased chronological age and hearing loss hindered listening success but did not systematically affect the fidelity of neural filter strategies nor their impact on behavior. Our results functionally integrate behavior with trial-by-trial changes in neural state and highlight the translational potential of neural speech tracking in audiological settings. Such large-scale analyses, however, caution against simplified accounts of neural filtering strategies for behavior often derived from younger, smaller samples. Significance statement Successful listening crucially depends on intact attentional filters that separate relevant from irrelevant information. Research into their neurobiological implementation has focused on one of two filter strategies: the lateralization of alpha power and selective neural speech tracking. Closing the gap between hitherto separate lines of research, we used electroencephalography and a dual-talker task in a large sample of aging listeners to directly relate state- and trait-level changes in neural filter strategies and to probe their functional relevance to listening success. We demonstrate the co-existence of largely independent neural filters that establish alternating regimes of strong alpha lateralization and neural speech tracking. Additionally, our results support neural speech tracking but not alpha lateralization as a potential neural marker of listening success.
Cytokine stimulation of T lymphocytes regulates their capacity to induce monocyte production of tumor necrosis factor‐α, but not interleukin‐10: Possible relevance to pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis

Previous studies in the laboratory have shown that the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The mechanisms involved in regulating monocyte/macrophage cytokine production are not yet fully understood, but are thought to involve both soluble factors and cell/cell contact with other cell types. We and others have previously demonstrated that T cells activated through the T cell receptor/CD3 complex induce monocyte TNF‐α production by contact‐mediated signals. In this report, we investigated further whether T cells activated by cytokines in the absence of T cell receptor stimulation also regulate monocyte cytokine production. T cells were activated in an antigen‐independent manner using the cytokines interleukin (IL)‐15 or IL‐2 alone, or in combination with IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Subsequently, T cells were fixed and incubated with monocytes. Fixed, cytokine‐stimulated T cells induced monocytes to secrete TNF‐α in a dose‐dependent manner, but did not induce secretion of IL‐10, a potent endogenous down‐regulator of TNF‐α and other pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Stimulation of monocyte TNF‐α was markedly inhibited when T cells were physically separated from monocytes within the tissue culture well, confirming that T cell contact is necessary. T cell acquisition of monocyte‐activating capacity was shown to be dependent on the period of cytokine stimulation, with T cells activated for 8 days more effective than T cells activated for shorter periods. Addition of interferon‐γ or granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor to the T cell/monocyte cultures enhanced T cell induction of monocyte TNF‐α by threefold and ninefold, respectively. The results from this model of cognate interaction suggest that cytokine‐stimulated T cells, interacting with macrophages in the rheumatoid synovial membrane, may contribute to the continuous excessive production of TNF‐α observed in the RA joint, and to the imbalance of pro‐inflammatory cytokines over anti‐inflammatory cytokines.
Evolutionary constraints on structural similarity in orthologs and paralogs

Although a quantitative relationship between sequence similarity and structural similarity has long been established, little is known about the impact of orthology on the relationship between protein sequence and structure. Among homologs, orthologs (derived by speciation) more frequently have similar functions than paralogs (derived by duplication). Here, we hypothesize that an orthologous pair will tend to exhibit greater structural similarity than a paralogous pair at the same level of sequence similarity. To test this hypothesis, we used 284,459 pairwise structure‐based alignments of 12,634 unique domains from SCOP as well as orthology and paralogy assignments from OrthoMCL DB. We divided the comparisons by sequence identity and determined whether the sequence‐structure relationship differed between the orthologs and paralogs. We found that at levels of sequence identity between 30 and 70%, orthologous domain pairs indeed tend to be significantly more structurally similar than paralogous pairs at the same level of sequence identity. An even larger difference is found when comparing ligand binding residues instead of whole domains. These differences between orthologs and paralogs are expected to be useful for selecting template structures in comparative modeling and target proteins in structural genomics.