Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response to host density by the parasitoid Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the influence of grapevine variety

Abstract Natural enemies that respond to prey in a density-dependent manner may be able to quickly suppress pest populations before they reach economically damaging levels. Although it is primarily the combination of a natural enemy's functional response and a population numerical response that will influence the maximum number of pests attacked, other factors may influence a density-dependent response. We conducted large-scale field experiments, both artificially inoculating grapevines with larvae and using naturally occurring populations, to quantify and characterize the response of a parasitoid, Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to different densities of its host, the pest of grapevines, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We showed that the response of D. tasmanica to the density of E. postvittana was inversely density-dependent, and that the degree of parasitism was consistently and significantly higher in the grape variety Cabernet Sauvignon compared with Chardonnay. While the significant effect of variety on the degree of parasitism may provide an option for increasing the parasitism of E. postvittana by D. tasmanica, it also highlights how differences in host plant can influence trophic interactions.
Fatigue among Elders in Caregiving and Noncaregiving Roles

Fatigue is a complex symptom prevalent in informal caregiving. When role demands exceed caregiver resources, fatigue ensues and caregiving can be compromised. The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of fatigue among older adults (N = 92) caring for spouses with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or cancer with a control group of older adults (N = 33) whose spouses required no extra care. Caregiving elders reported more fatigue, less energy, and more sleep difficulty than did control participants. All caregiving groups reported similar levels of fatigue, energy, sleep, and self-reported health even though there were marked differences regarding spousal status. Health care providers can support older caregivers in monitoring their own health and in recognizing the need for services that support the caregiving role.
Understanding the Role of Goals in Competitive Crowdsourcing Project Selection

Tournament based crowdsourcing, in which multiple individuals or teams compete on given tasks and compensation is based on winning submissions, requires crowd members to carefully consider their choice of task and allocation of resources. In this paper we explore two factors that potentially impact crowdsourcing task selection, namely perceived ability and perceived competition. We further explore a moderating effect of goal orientation on task participation intention. Our results show a positive link between perceived ability and participation intention, and a negative link between perceived competition and participation intention. Both effects were found to be stronger for those with performance orientation than for those with mastery orientation. Our results provide an important insight for crowdsourcing platforms in terms of balancing demand and submissions for competition to ensure all tasks are
Laparoscopic Management of Gastric Torsion After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Introduction: Gastric volvulus occurs primarily when the stomach suffers torsion on itself due to laxity, elongation, or agenesis of the stomach ligamentous attachments or secondary to diaphragmatic hernias. Gastric torsion after sleeve gastrectomy is a rare complication. We present a case report of 3 patients with gastric torsion after sleeve gastrectomy. Case Description/Technique Description: Three patients with gastric torsion after sleeve gastrectomy were identified. Time between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric torsion symptomatology was 25, 211, and 98 days. Endoscopy established the diagnosis in all patients. Operative findings were organoaxial torsion due to adhesions of the sleeve’s staple line to the liver in all cases. Gastropexy was required in 1 case after laparoscopic lysis of adhesions. Recovery was uneventful for all patients, without torsion recurrence. Discussion: Because sleeve gastrectomy alters the normal stomach attachments, gastric torsion must be considered after sleeve gastrectomy in patients with any degree of obstruction symptoms, at any time of the postoperative course. Endoscopy is a valuable tool for the diagnosis. Laparoscopic torsion reduction by lysis of adhesions is successful, with or without gastropexy.
A 7-Years Active Pharmacovigilance Study of Adverse Drug Reactions Causing Children Admission to a Pediatric Emergency Department in Sicily

Children represent one of the most susceptible groups to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), as a consequence of physiological growth and maturation of different organ systems. The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency, preventability and seriousness of ADRs recorded in the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) of the University hospital of Messina, in Sicily. All the suspected adverse reactions to drugs and vaccines collected from 2012 to 2018 were selected and then analyzed. Only adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with a probable or possible causality assessment were included, according to the Naranjo Algorithm and the World Health Organization criteria; the preventability assessment using Schumock and Thornton criteria was also carried out. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) was used to group ADRs. Of 75,935 admissions to the Pediatric ED, 120 were due to suspected ADRs. The rate of hospital admission due to ADRs (75.8%) was significantly greater than that of patients without ADRs (11.9%). Among pediatric patients with ADRs the median (Q1–Q3) age was 29.5 (12–73.25) months. Most of ADRs were observed in infants and children (43.3% and 41.7%, respectively vs adolescents, 15%). In addition, in children with ADRs, females [41 (14–105)] were older than males [23 (11–45)] (p=0.044). Most adverse reactions were serious (75.8%) and 20.8% were preventable or probably preventable; however, the majority of serious ADRs (93.4%) resulted without sequelae. The reactions were found to be as probable (54.2%) or possible (45.8%). Vaccines (n=63), antibacterials (n=31) and anti-inflammatory medicines (n=14) were the most frequently drugs involved. Organ toxicity mapping due to vaccines was general disorders and administration site conditions (65.1%), nervous disorders (50.2%), cutaneous disorders (35%), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (20.6%). Cutaneous disorders (76%) gastrointestinal (20.7%), general (15.5%), and nervous disorders (8.6%) were the organ toxicity mapping due to drugs. Active pharmacovigilance has an essential role in supporting the development of strategies aimed at intervention to reduce admissions due to ADRs. Our data suggest that ADRs represent the first cause of hospitalization to the Pediatric Emergency Department. Furthermore, according to the literature, vaccines and antibiotics are the most frequent cause of adverse drug reactions in children.
Efficacy of a streptomycin-dependent, live Pasteurella haemolytica vaccine against challenge exposure to Pasteurella haemolytica in cattle.

A streptomycin-dependent, live Pasteurella haemolytica vaccine was given in 1 or 2 doses to 2 groups of weaned calves; 2 other groups of calves were not vaccinated. All calves in the vaccinated groups and calves in 1 of the nonvaccinated groups were stressed by transport, intratracheally inoculated with bovine herpesvirus type-1 (Cooper strain), and then intratracheally inoculated with P haemolytica type A1. The 4th group of calves (nonvaccinated controls) was not stressed and were not intratracheally inoculated with virus or bacteria. Mean daily weight gains, total clinical sign scores, lung lesion scores, plasma fibrinogen concentrations, and antibody titers against P haemolytica were determined at various intervals. Calves that had been vaccinated twice had greater mean daily weight gains and lower total clinical sign scores and lung lesion scores than did nonvaccinated, challenge-exposed calves, but the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05). Calves vaccinated once had the greatest mean daily weight gains, the lowest total clinical sign scores, and the lowest lung lesion scores when compared with the other 2 challenge-exposed groups of calves. Mean daily weight gains and total clinical sign scores of calves vaccinated once were significantly different (P less than 0.05) than those of calves vaccinated twice. Nonvaccinated, nonchallenge-exposed control calves did not develop clinical signs of disease, did not develop lung lesions, and had consistently positive daily weight gains, and had scores in these areas that were significantly different (P less than 0.05) from those of all challenge-exposed groups of calves. Increases in plasma fibrinogen concentrations corresponded to infection with P haemolytica. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Differentiating Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius through SDS-PAGE analysis

Compound K (CK) is one of the principal metabolites of ginseng in human body which has been reported to exert diverse pharmaceutical activities including anticarcinogenic and antitumor effects on different lineages of cancer cells. However, the effect and mechanism of CK on colon cancer cells are not fully understood. In the present study the screening process was conducted with 12 different ginsenosides and metabolites, which showed CK was the most potent growth inhibitory compound against HT-29 colon cancer cells. The IC50 value of CK was 12.7 μM at 72 h. Cellular responses and growth pattern was analyzed simultaneously after CK treatment by Real Time Cellular Analysis (RTCA) method. CK treatment at specific concentration and time-point represented characteristic cytostatic stage in growth profile of HT-29 cells, and flow cytometric analysis showed that CK induced G1 phase arrest in cell cycle distribution followed by apoptosis. The G1 phase arrest was accompanied by down-regulation of cyclin D3, CDK6, and up-regulation of p21WAF-1/CIP1, and apoptosis was evidenced by inactivation of p-Bcl-2 and p-Akt. These results demonstrated that CK caused growth inhibition of HT-29 cells by blocking cells in G1 phase and inducing apoptosis.
Probabilistic Assessment of Available Transfer Capacity via Market Linearization

Uncertainties associated with bus loading and components' availability lead to uncertainties in different system variables based on the system physical and economical relationships. Line flows, bus voltages, different prices, and other variables and indices, such as available transfer capacity (ATC), are stochastic and cannot be expressed as a determined quantity. Traditionally, in order to model the stochastic nature of power systems, a stochastic power flow algorithm is used. In this paper, stochastic-algebraic method is applied to find the probability density function (pdf) of ATC. The algorithm linearizes the optimal power flow formulation and uses Gram-Charlier expansion to find the pdf of the ATC, based on the statistical moments. The main contribution of this paper is that the market clearing equations are linearized instead of the power flow equations. In addition, in most of previous studies, the effects of system uncertainties have been neglected in ATC calculations. The other advantage of the proposed method is that the program execution time is very short. The proposed method is tested on the IEEE Reliability Test System, and the results are compared with those drawn using Monte Carlo simulation to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Development and Application of an MRT-qPCR Assay for Detecting Coinfection of Six Vertically Transmitted or Immunosuppressive Avian Viruses

Marek’s disease virus (MDV), reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), avian reovirus (ARV), chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), and fowl adenovirus (FAdV) are important causes of disease in poultry. To investigate the infection status of the above six viruses in chickens in China, 1,187 samples from chicken flocks were collected and tested using a newly developed multiplex reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (MRT-qPCR) assay in the study. A series of validation tests confirmed that the MRT-qPCR assay has high specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability. As for six detected pathogens, CIAV had the highest detection ratio, while ARV was not detected in any samples. In the spleen samples, the coinfection rate for MDV and CIAV was 1.6%, and that for REV and CIAV was 0.4%. In the bursa samples, the coinfection rate for FAdV and CIAV was 0.3%, and that for IBDV and CIAV was 1%. In the thymus samples, the coinfection rates for MDV and CIAV and for REV and CIAV were both 0.8%. Our study indicates that the coinfection of these viruses was existing in chickens in China. Through the detection of clinical samples, this study provides data on the coinfections of the above six pathogens and provides a basis for the further study of viral coinfection in chickens.
Current Insights in the Development of Efficacious Vaccines Against RSV

Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, 2 Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States, Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States, Departamento de
Use of panel testing for detection of antinuclear antibody in a resource-limited setting: an appraisal

ABSTRACT Objectives: Despite an increase in the incidence of systemic connective tissue diseases (CTD), panel testing for detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is not a routine practice in many health centers of the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, the data on its significance is scanty. Methods: To evaluate utility of panel testing, line immunoassay (LIA) and indirect immunofluorescence antinuclear antibody test (IIF-ANA) were performed in 321 cases of CTD. Results: Out of 321 serum samples screened by the above tests, 227 were positive and 18 were negative by both LIA and IIF-ANA. Additional 11/321 (3.4%) cases were picked up by LIA. SSA was most common specificity in these cases followed by SSA/SSB, SSB, Ro-52, Jo-1, dsDNA and nRNP/Sm. Conclusion: Use of LIA along with IF-ANA and ELISA improves sensitivity of CTD screening.
Risk factors for asthma and atopy

Purpose of reviewThe aim of this article is to provide information on risk factors associated with the development of atopy and asthma in childhood. Recent findingsSeveral gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to asthma and allergy; complex gene–environmental interactions, however, appear to play a key role in the development of the disease. Early life sensitization to aeroallergens, presence of atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis, maternal smoking during pregnancy and children's environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, lower respiratory tract infections with respiratory syncytial virus and potentially with other viruses including rhinovirus and metapneumovirus, exposure to air pollutants, several perinatal factors other than maternal smoking, are among factors associated with an increased risk for development of chronic asthma. SummaryThe prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases is increasing progressively. Those who are involved in the care of young children should be prepared to recognize risk factors for development of these diseases and to appreciate the role of gene–environment interactions. Preventive measures established at an early age may modify the natural history of asthma and other allergic diseases.
Cerium and Its Oxidant-Based Nanomaterials for Antibacterial Applications: A State-of-the-Art Review

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria remain a serious and global problem in human health. Herein, the discovery and application of antibiotics, which has attracted much attention in the past years, has helped to cure numerous infectious diseases and made huge contributions in the biomedical field. However, the widespread use of the broad-spectrum antibiotics has led to serious drug resistance for many human bacterial pathogens. In particular, bacterial drug resistance decreases therapeutic effects and leads to high mortality. Inspiringly, the introduction of nanomaterials in the biomedical field makes it possible to overcome the difficulty in bacterial drug resistance attributed to their unique antibacterial mechanism. Recently, a variety of metal- and metal oxide-based nanomaterials have been fully integrated in antibacterial applications and achieved excellent performances. Among them, cerium- and cerium oxide-based nanomaterials have received much attention worldwide. Remarkably, cerium oxide nanoparticles with lower toxicity act as effective antibacterial agents owing to their unique functional mechanism against pathogens through the reversible conversion of oxidation state between Ce(III) and Ce(IV). This article provides an overview of the state-of-the-art design and antibacterial applications of cerium- and cerium oxide-based materials. The first part discusses the underlying antibacterial mechanisms for cerium- and cerium oxide-based materials currently applied in biomedicine. The second part focuses on various antibacterial-related materials and their applications. In addition, the existing problems and future perspectives of the cerium- and cerium oxide-based materials make up the third part of this review. This paper could provide the possible mechanisms for antibacterial activities, various designs of cerium- and cerium oxide-based materials, and related antibacterial properties.
Computer conferencing for guidance and support in the OU

This article describes the UK Open University's FirstClass Computer conferencing system and its role in student support taking as an example the particular the way it is used for course choice. It suggests that whilst there are students who use it freely and apparently derive benefit from it, there are also substantial issues to be addressed about its relative unpopularity with students as a support medium. Institutions using computer conferencing may need to address issues about student antipathy towards it.
Bacterial Interference of Penicillin-Sensitive and -Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae by Streptococcus Oralis in an Adenoid Organ Culture: Implications for the Treatment of Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children and Adults

Objectives: The role of the viridans group of streptococci (Streptococcus oralis) in the prevention of colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated in an adenoid organ culture system. Methods: The adenoids from 10 patients who were undergoing adenoidectomy for either hypertrophy or recurrent otitis media were used. Results: Streptococcus oralis Parker and S oralis Booth (two organisms isolated from the nasopharynges of patients undergoing adenoidectomy only and patients undergoing adenoidectomy and bilateral tympanostomy with tubes, respectively) uniformly inhibited both penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant S pneumoniae. Although both strains of S oralis inhibited the growth of both S pneumoniae strains, strain Parker provided more complete inhibition than did strain Booth. Conclusions: The results indicate that some strains of S oralis may inhibit the growth of the most serious pathogens in the nasopharynx. It is therefore possible that colonization of inhibitory strains of viridans streptococci may be used in the nasopharynx as a relatively safe and inexpensive approach to prevention of recurrent otitis media in some children and of recurrent suppurative sinusitis in both children and adults.
Dectin-1 Facilitates IL-18 Production for the Generation of Protective Antibodies Against Candida albicans

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is one of the leading causes of death among immunocompromised patients. Because of limited effective therapy treatment options, prevention of IC through vaccine is an appealing strategy. However, how to induce the generation of direct candidacidal antibodies in host remains unclear. Gpi7 mutant C. albicans is an avirulent strain that exposes cell wall β-(1,3)-glucans. Here, we found that vaccination with the gpi7 mutant strain could protect mice against invasive candidiasis caused by C. albicans and non-albicans Candida spp. The protective effects induced by gpi7 mutant relied on long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) secreting protective antibodies against C. albicans. Clinically, we verified a similar profile of IgG antibodies in the serum samples from patients recovering from IC to those from gpi7 mutant-vaccinated mice. Mechanistically, we found cell wall β-(1,3)-glucan of gpi7 mutant facilitated Dectin-1 receptor dependent nuclear translocation of non-canonical NF-κB subunit RelB in macrophages and subsequent IL-18 secretion, which primed protective antibodies generation in vivo. Together, our study demonstrate that Dectin-1 engagement could trigger RelB activation to prime IL-18 expression and established a new paradigm for consideration of the link between Dectin-1 mediated innate immune response and adaptive humoral immunity, suggesting a previously unknown active vaccination strategy against Candida spp. infection.
Hemodynamics and Hemorrhagic Transformation After Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke

Hemorrhagic transformation remains a potentially catastrophic complication of reperfusion therapies for the treatment of large-vessel occlusion ischemic stroke. Observational studies have found an increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with elevated blood pressure as well as a high degree of blood pressure variability, suggesting a link between hemodynamics and hemorrhagic transformation. Current society-endorsed guidelines recommend maintaining blood pressure below a fixed threshold of 180/105 mmHg regardless of thrombolytic or endovascular intervention. However, given the high recanalization rates with mechanical thrombectomy, it is unclear if the same hemodynamic goals from the pre-thrombectomy era apply. Also, individual patient factors such as the degree of reperfusion, infarct size, and collateral status likely need to be considered. In this review, we will discuss current evidence linking hemodynamics to hemorrhagic transformation after mechanical thrombectomy. In addition, we will review the clinical relevance of cerebral autoregulation in stroke, highlighting recent studies that have harnessed autoregulatory physiology to define and trend individualized limits of autoregulation. This review will go on to emphasize the translatability of this approach to stroke management. Finally, we will discuss novel statistical approaches like trajectory analysis to post-thrombectomy hemodynamics.
Grief following the loss of a newborn twin compared to a singleton

This study, involving five level III neonatal intensive care units, investigated whether there are any differences between parental grief following the death of a newborn twin and parental grief following the death of a newborn singleton. A total of 142 parents were examined using the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS): 72 who had lost a newborn twin and 70 matched controls who had lost a newborn singleton 0.5–3.5 years previously. We found that bereaved twin parents did not differ in grief reactions from bereaved singleton parents (PGS: F= 0.00, p= 0.962). This held true both for the short and the long term (F= 0.13, p= 0.721). Mothers showed more grief than fathers (F= 8.16, p= 0.005). In conclusion, grief in bereaved twin parents should be taken as seriously as grief in bereaved singleton parents. The present guidelines regarding care for the latter ought to be adapted to meet the needs of the former.