Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ISSR analysis of two founding plant species on the volcanic island Surtsey, Iceland: grass versus shrub

Prior to the present study there was limited knowledge about the genetic basis of plant colonization on the 50-year-old island of Surtsey, South Iceland. The aim here was to compare genetic structure of two contrasting species, Festuca rubra (arctic fescue) and Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), which have colonized Surtsey since 1973 and 1993, respectively. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Two census periods were compared: 1996-1997 and 2005-2006. Using six ISSR primers, we obtained 103 and 139 discernible DNA fragments from F. rubra and E. nigrum respectively. Although the two species displayed similarly high genetic diversity indices (h = 0.238 and 0.235; I = 0.384 and 0.380, respectively), they differed significantly in their genetic profiles. Festuca was genetically structured at the subpopulation level (F ST = 0.034, p = 0.007), whereas Empetrum showed a lack of genetic differentiation. A Bayesian STRUCTURE computation further revealed temporal and spatial genetic structure of the species. The early arrival grass F. rubra has expanded from a local genepool. The population was however initially established from different sources, forming a genetic melting pot on Surtsey. On the other hand, the late arrival shrub E. nigrum probably derived from a common source of immigrants.
The Management of Giant Retinal Tears with Silicone Oil

Purpose To report the surgical success of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in the treatment of retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears due to various factors. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 21 eyes of 21 patients with retinal tears 90° or greater that underwent vitrectomy, with injection of perfluorocarbon liquids and silicone oil tamponade. Eight eyes (38.1%) had previous ocular surgery (4 aphakia-pseudophakia, 4 pars plana vitrectomy), 4 eyes (19.0%) had a history of trauma (blunt injuries in 2 and penetrating injury in 2), 3 (14.3%) had high myopia. Six eyes (28.6%) had no known condition predisposing to development of giant retinal tear. Results Retinal attachment was obtained in 17 (80.5%) of 21 eyes, with a mean follow-up of 12.5 months. Visual acuity improved in 15 eyes (71.4%). Conclusions Pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade proved highly effective in giant retinal tears in terms of anatomical and functional results.
Wound Collagen Accumulation in Obese Hyperglycemic Mice

We used C57-BL ob/ob mice as a model to study wound healing in type II (adult-onset) diabetes. Planimetry was used to assess rate of closure in standard open skin wounds. In agreement with previous subcutaneous wound collagen-accumulation studies, closure was slower in the ob/ob mice. Subcutaneous implants were used to evaluate wound collagen accumulation. Weanling mice have collagen accumulation similar to lean littermates (mean 3.43 μg/ cm vs. 3.46 μg/cm), but the same ob/ob animals had decreased wound collagen (mean 2.39 μg/cm vs. 3.02 μg/cm, P < 0.04) when mature. Other ob/ob animals fed a restricted diet (and thus not obese) had normal collagen accumulation at the same age. Neither insulin nor diet restriction restored wound collagen accumulation in phenotypically obese mice. Because collagen accumulation is not improved by measures that control hyperglycemia (insulin and diet restriction) and the defect was seen only in phenotypically obese ob/ob mice, the decreased wound collagen accumulation may be due in part to structural changes in adipose tissue.
Self-perceived oral health among the elderly: a household-based study

Objetivo: investigar a aupercepcao da saude bucal de idosos e sua relacao com medidas de autocuidado, uso de proteses e de servicos odontologicos, assim como queixas odontologicas e o impacto na vida cotidiana. Metodo: Estudo transversal analitico, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em Fortaleza CE, baseado numa amostra de 95 idosos com 60 anos ou mais de idade, capacitados mentalmente conforme avaliacao pelo Miniexame de Estado Mental. Os parâmetros do estudo incluiram: sexo, grupo etario, raca, escolaridade, renda familiar, praticas de autocuidado, uso e necessidade de proteses, queixas odontologicas, impacto na vida cotidiana, acesso a servicos odontologicos e acesso a informacao. O parâmetro de desfecho foi a autopercepcao em saude bucal. Para testar a associacao entre os parâmetros do estudo e o parâmetro de desfecho calculou-se a razao de prevalencia e aplicaram-se os Testes qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher e Mann-Whitney, alem de regressao multivariadal. Resultado: A autopercecao de saude bucal otima/boa foi mais frequente entre mulheres que homens (p=0,044). A saude bucal tinha um impacto negativo sobre a vida cotidiana em quase um terco dos sujeitos (n=29; 30,5%). O numero mediano dos parâmetros queixas odontologicas e impacto na vida cotidiana foram significantemente menores em sujeitos com autopercepcao otima/boa do que em sujeitos com autopercepcao regular/ruim. Conclusao: Espera-se que os resultados deste estudo possam fortalecer a atencao odontologica em idosos, de modo que se possam manter as condicoes de saude bucal necessarias para que estes possam viver essa etapa da vida com qualidade.
Nuclear DBF-2-related Kinases Are Essential Regulators of Cytokinesis in Bloodstream Stage Trypanosoma brucei

Nuclear DBF-2-related (NDR) kinases are essential regulators of cell cycle progression, growth, and development in many organisms and are activated by the binding of an Mps One Binder (MOB) protein partner, autophosphorylation, and phosphorylation by an upstream STE20 family kinase. In the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, the NDR kinase, PK50, is expressed in proliferative life cycle stages and was shown to complement a yeast NDR kinase mutant cell line. However, the function of PK50 and a second NDR kinase, PK53, in T. brucei has not been determined to date, although trypanosome MOB1 is known to be essential for cytokinesis, suggesting the NDR kinases may also be involved in this process. Here, we show that specific depletion of PK50 or PK53 from bloodstream stage trypanosomes resulted in the rapid accumulation of cells with two nuclei and two kinetoplasts, indicating that cytokinesis was specifically inhibited. This led to a deregulation of the cell cycle and cell death and provides genetic validation of these kinases as potential novel drug targets for human African trypanosomiasis. Recombinant active PK50 and PK53 were produced and biochemically characterized. Both enzymes autophosphorylated, were able to trans-phosphorylate generic kinase substrates in vitro, and were active in the absence of phosphorylation by an upstream kinase. Additionally, both enzymes were active in the absence of MOB1 binding, which was also demonstrated to likely be a feature of the kinases in vivo. Biochemical characterization of recombinant PK50 and PK53 has revealed key kinetic differences between them, and the identification of in vitro peptide substrates in this study paves the way for high throughput inhibitor screening of these kinases.
The dynamics of autonomic nervous system activity and hemodynamic changes in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to assess the dynamics of autonomic nervous system(ANS) and hemodynamic activity changes during uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS We enrolled 36 pregnant women (mean age 29 ± 4.8 years) and a control group of 10 non-pregnant women (mean age 25.9 ± 0.88 years). The examination was performed in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester. Continuous registration of BP, ECG, and cardioimpedance was performed with Task Force Monitor 3040i. ANS activity was measured using the following parameters: HRV, BPV, BRS at rest, and in response to autonomic tests. RESULTS Compared to the 1st trimester, an increase in HR (73 vs. 92 bpm; p < 0.001) and mean BP (80 vs. 85 mmHg, p < 0.01) was observed in the 3rd trimester. In the 1st trimester, the BRS of pregnant women was insignificantly higher than in the controls (24.8 vs. 22.3 ms/mmHg); subsequently, it decreased significantly, to 13.4 ms/mmHg in the 3rd trimester (p = 0.0004). An increase in nLF (39.57 ± 13.75 vs. 58.73 ± 15.55; p = 0.001) and LF/HF ratio (1.03 ± 0.76 vs. 1.85 ± 0.8; p < 0.00002) was revealed in HRV analysis conducted in the 3rd trimester, as compared to the 1st tri- mester, along with a decrease in nHF (60.43 ± 13.71 vs. 41.26 ± 15.55; p < 0.001). An increase in LF/HF-sBPV (1.05 ± 0.48 vs. 1.58 ± 0.44; p = 0.01) was recorded in BPV analysis at rest in the 3rd trimester as compared to the respective 1st trimester value. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that pregnancy is associated with dynamic changes in autonomic balance, namely doubled dominance of the sympathetic component. Hypervolemia seems the major factor responsible for autonomic and hemodynamic changes observed during pregnancy, as it causes an increase in BP and simultaneous decrease in BRS.
Altered expression of p27 and Skp2 proteins in prostate cancer of African-American patients.

PURPOSE The purpose is to investigate the clinical relevance of altered patterns of p27 and Skp2 expression in African-American patients with localized prostate cancer. The abundance of p27, an inhibitor of cell proliferation, is controlled by Skp2-dependent proteolysis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A well-characterized cohort of 162 African-Americans who underwent radical prostatectomy at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of New York between 1990 and 2000 was studied. We analyzed p27 and Skp2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Altered expression of p27 (defined as <40% tumor cells expressing the protein) and Skp2 (defined as > or ==" BORDER="0">20% tumor cells expressing the protein) were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence. RESULTS Altered expression of p27 and Skp2 was observed in 112 of 162 (69.1%) and 93 of 162 (57.4%) cases, respectively. Inverse patterns of Skp2 and p27 protein expression were seen in 87 of 162 (53.7%) cases. A marginally significant association was found between Skp2 overexpression and extracapsular extension (P = 0.065). Moreover, patients with Skp2 overexpression had a 2.77 years decreased median time to PSA recurrence compared with patients with low Skp2 expression; however, the difference was not statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, only tumor grade and stage independently predicted PSA recurrence in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a role for Skp2 overexpression in prostate cancer pathogenesis that might not be exclusively related to p27 degradation. More studies are needed to determine the mechanistic role of Skp2 in prostate cancer.
Mutational Evidence for a Functional Connection between Two Domains of 23S rRNA in Translation Termination

ABSTRACT Nucleotide 1093 in domain II of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA is part of a highly conserved structure historically referred to as the GTPase center. The mutation G1093A was previously shown to cause readthrough of nonsense codons and high temperature-conditional lethality. Defects in translation termination caused by this mutation have also been demonstrated in vitro. To identify sites in 23S rRNA that may be functionally associated with the G1093 region during termination, we selected for secondary mutations in 23S rRNA that would compensate for the temperature-conditional lethality caused by G1093A. Here we report the isolation and characterization of such a secondary mutation. The mutation is a deletion of two consecutive nucleotides from helix 73 in domain V, close to the peptidyltransferase center. The deletion results in a shortening of the CGCG sequence between positions 2045 and 2048 by two nucleotides to CG. In addition to restoring viability in the presence of G1093A, this deletion dramatically decreased readthrough of UGA nonsense mutations caused by G1093A. An analysis of the amount of mutant rRNA in polysomes revealed that this decrease cannot be explained by an inability of G1093A-containing rRNA to be incorporated into polysomes. Furthermore, the deletion was found to cause UGA readthrough on its own, thereby implicating helix 73 in termination for the first time. These results also indicate the existence of a functional connection between the G1093 region and helix 73 during translation termination.
The relationship between cardiac autonomic function and maximal oxygen uptake response to high-intensity intermittent-exercise training

Abstract Major individual differences in the maximal oxygen uptake response to aerobic training have been documented. Vagal influence on the heart has been shown to contribute to changes in aerobic fitness. Whether vagal influence on the heart also predicts maximal oxygen uptake response to interval-sprinting training, however, is undetermined. Thus, the relationship between baseline vagal activity and the maximal oxygen uptake response to interval-sprinting training was examined. Exercisers (n = 16) exercised three times a week for 12 weeks, whereas controls did no exercise (n = 16). Interval-sprinting consisted of 20 min of intermittent sprinting on a cycle ergometer (8 s sprint, 12 s recovery). Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed using open-circuit spirometry. Vagal influence was assessed through frequency analysis of heart rate variability. Participants were aged 22 ± 4.5 years and had a body mass of 72.7 ± 18.9 kg, a body mass index of 26.9 ± 3.9 kg · m−2, and a maximal oxygen uptake of 28 ± 7.4 ml · kg−1 · min−1. Overall increase in maximal oxygen uptake after the training programme, despite being anaerobic in nature, was 19 ± 1.2%. Change in maximal oxygen uptake was correlated with initial baseline heart rate variability high-frequency power in normalised units (r = 0.58; P < 0.05). Thus, cardiac vagal modulation of heart rate was associated with the aerobic training response after 12 weeks of high-intensity intermittent-exercise. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between the aerobic training response and resting heart rate variability need to be established before practical implications can be identified.
APP IN THE ERA OF DEEP LEARNING

Pl@ntNet is a large-scale participatory platform and information system dedicated to the production of botanical data through image-based plant identification. In June 2015, Pl@ntNet mobile front-ends moved from classical hand-crafted visual features to deep-learning based image representations. This paper gives an overview of today’s Pl@ntNet architecture and discusses how the introduction of convolutional neural networks did improve the whole workflow along the years.
Surveillance of Human Papilloma Virus Using Reference Laboratory Data for the Purpose of Evaluating Vaccine Impact

Nationwide positivity rates of high-risk human papillomavirus for the United States before and since the introduction of a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 2006 would provide insight into the population impact of HPV vaccination. Data for high-risk HPV testing results from January 1, 2004 to June 1, 2013 at a national reference laboratory were retrospectively analyzed to produce 757,761 patient records of women between the ages of 14 and 59. Generalized linear models and finite mixture models were utilized to eliminate sources of bias and establish a population undergoing standard gynecological screening. Unadjusted positivity rates for high-risk HPV were 27.2% for all age groups combined. Highest rates occurred in women aged 14 to 19. While the positivity rates decreased for all age groups from 2004 to 2013, the higher age categories showed less downward trend following vaccine introduction, and the two age categories 20 to 24 and 25 to 29 showed a significantly different downward trend between pre- and post-vaccine time periods (-0.1% per year to -1.5% per year, and 0.4% per year to -1.5% per year, respectively). All other age groups had rates of change that became less negative, indicating a slower rate of decline.
Geographies of resilience

In disaster science, policy and practice, the transition of resilience from a descriptive concept to a normative agenda provides challenges and opportunities. This paper argues that both are needed to increase resilience. We briefly outline the concept and several recent international resilience-building efforts to elucidate critical questions and less-discussed issues. We highlight the need to move resilience thinking forward by emphasizing structural social-political processes, acknowledging and acting on differences between ecosystems and societies, and looking beyond the quantitative streamlining of resilience into one index. Instead of imposing a technical-reductionist framework, we suggest a starting basis of integrating different knowledge types and experiences to generate scientifically reliable, context-appropriate and socially robust resilience-building activities.
Characterization of mutagenic principles and carcinogenicity of dill weed and seeds.

Among the various kinds of spices tested, the aqueous extracts of dill weed from Anethum graveolens L. and dill seeds from A. sowa D.C. (Umbelliferae), exhibited a mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium, strains TA98 and TA100. The aqueous methanol extracts were fractionated by the mutation assay using the strain TA98 with S-9 Mix. Isorhamnetin 3-sulfate (persicarin) and quercetin 3-sulfate were characterized as the mutagenic principles. Carcinogenicity was not observed for dill weed and seeds when the diets containing these in 33% were administered for 450 and 410 days, respectively, to the inbred strain ACI rats.
The pharmacokinetics of oral itraconazole in AIDS patients

Abstract— To test the hypothesis that absorption of orally administered itraconazole may be reduced in patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), 8 patients with AIDS were given two 100 mg capsules of itraconazole for 15 days. Plasma levels were measured by HPLC hourly for the first 8 h following ingestion, then at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h on days 1, 8 and 15. Peak plasma levels occurred after approximately 4 h. Mean peak plasma concentrations were 446 ± 196 and 530 ± 214 ng mL−1 at days 8 and 15. The area under the curve over 24 h (AUC0–24) was 2105 ± 1241, 7679 ± 3838 and 8748 ± 4385 ng mL−1 h for days 1, 8 and 15, respectively. Steady‐state was achieved after one week of dosing. There was no evidence of hepatotoxicity and one patient stopped itraconazole due to a rash. It may be concluded that the absorption of oral itraconazole capsules is reduced in AIDS patients, by a factor of approximately 50%, when compared with normal volunteers. AIDS patients may require higher doses of itraconazole than used in non‐AIDS patients to achieve comparable plasma levels.
Practical Visualization of Local Vibration Data Collected over Large Concrete Elements

In this article, an original multidimensional presentation format for nondestructive evaluation point test spectral data is proposed. Time domain signals from air‐coupled impact‐echo (IE) tests are transformed into the frequency domain and arranged along x and y coordinates of the tested surface to give a 3‐D data set volume. Spectral amplitude is indicated by gray scale, giving rise to a “fourth” dimension of information within the data volume. This presentation, which stacks data in both spatial and spectral domains, includes all spectral data up to a natural frequency threshold (5–6 kHz) to isolate the response generated by near‐surface delamination defects. Visual interpretation of the dense data set of spectral information within the volume is enabled by incorporating transparency/opacity control on the data set, where higher spectral amplitudes are associated with more opacity. Consistent rule‐based criteria for optimal image parameter determination for a given test structure are established to optimize application for defect detection. Application of this data manipulation and visualization technique to IE data collected from two different reinforced concrete samples demonstrates improved near‐surface delamination detection as compared with conventional data presentation formats.
Descriptive epidemiology of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in Great Britain: the first five months

In February 2001, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was confirmed in Great Britain. A major epidemic developed, which peaked around 50 cases a day in late March, declining to under 10 a day by May. By mid-July, 1849 cases had been detected. The main control measures employed were livestock movement restrictions and the rapid slaughter of infected and exposed livestock. The first detected case was in south-east England; infection was traced to a farm in north-east England to which all other cases were linked. The epidemic was large as a result of a combination of events, including a delay in the diagnosis of the index case, the movement of infected sheep to market before FMD was first diagnosed, and the time of year. Virus was introduced at a time when there were many sheep movements around the country and weather conditions supported survival of the virus. The consequence was multiple, effectively primary, introductions of FMD virus into major sheep-keeping areas. Subsequent local spread from these introductions accounted for the majority of cases. The largest local epidemics were in areas with dense sheep populations and livestock dealers who were active during the key period. Most affected farms kept both sheep and cattle. At the time of writing the epidemic was still ongoing; however, this paper provides a basis for scientific discussion of the first five months.
Exclusion and Cooperation in Diverse Societies: Experimental Evidence from Israel

It is well-established that in diverse societies, certain groups prefer to exclude other groups from power and often from society entirely. Yet as many societies are diversifying at an increasingly rapid pace, the need for cross-group cooperation to solve collective action problems has intensified. Do preferences for exclusion inhibit the ability of individuals to cooperate and, therefore, diminish the ability for societies to collectively provide public goods? Turning to Israel, a society with multiple overlapping and politically salient cleavages, we use a large-scale lab-in-the-field design to investigate how preferences for exclusion among the Jewish majority predict discriminatory behavior toward Palestinian Citizens of Israel. We establish that preferences for exclusion are likely symbolic attitudes, and therefore stable and dominating of other attitudes; are held especially strongly by low-status majority group members; and powerfully predict costly non-cooperation. This preferences/behavior relationship appears unaffected by mitigating factors proposed in the intergroup relations literature. The demonstrated influence of symbolic attitudes on behavior calls for further examination of the social roots of exclusionary preferences.
Automated cell counts on CSF samples: A multicenter performance evaluation of the GloCyte system

Automated cell counters have replaced manual enumeration of cells in blood and most body fluids. However, due to the unreliability of automated methods at very low cell counts, most laboratories continue to perform labor‐intensive manual counts on many or all cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. This multicenter clinical trial investigated if the GloCyte System (Advanced Instruments, Norwood, MA), a recently FDA‐approved automated cell counter, which concentrates and enumerates red blood cells (RBCs) and total nucleated cells (TNCs), is sufficiently accurate and precise at very low cell counts to replace all manual CSF counts.