Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inherent vs. Induced Loop Gain Abnormalities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Unstable ventilatory chemoreflex control, quantified as loop gain, is recognized as one of four key pathophysiological traits that contribute to cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Novel treatments aimed at reducing loop gain are being investigated, with the intention that future OSA treatment may be tailored to the individual's specific cause of apnea. However, few studies have evaluated loop gain in OSA and non-OSA controls and those that have provide little evidence to support an inherent abnormality in either overall chemical loop gain in OSA patients vs. non-OSA controls, or its components (controller and plant gain). However, intermittent hypoxia may induce high controller gain through neuroplastic changes to chemoreflex control, and may also decrease plant gain via oxidative stress induced inflammation and reduced lung function. The inherent difficulties and limitations with loop gain measurements are discussed and areas where further research are required are highlighted, as only by understanding the mechanisms underlying OSA are new therapeutic approaches likely to emerge in OSA.
Producer–scrounger foraging games in starlings: a test of rate-maximizing and risk-sensitive models

Abstract Social foragers obtain food through two tactics: ‘producer’ searches for its food, and ‘scrounger’ exploits food discovered by producer. In the recent literature, two alternative producer–scrounger (P-S) models have been proposed, one rate-maximizing, the other risk-sensitive. Their predictions differ about the effect of food clump density on the equilibrium proportional use of scrounger in a group. The rate-maximizing model predicts no effect, whereas the risk-sensitive model predicts that the proportional use of scrounger should increase with food clump density. These predictions were tested using wild-caught European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris , in an indoor aviary. Increased food clump density resulted in significant increases in the proportional use of scrounger. Proportional use of scrounger was negatively related to food intake variance as assumed by the risk-sensitive model. Thus, scrounger is a risk-averse foraging tactic, and starlings used it in a risk-sensitive fashion. The risk-sensitive model was further challenged by testing its prediction concerning daily food requirement. When producer has a low competitive efficiency, as was found in these starlings, the risk-sensitive model predicts weakly positive effects, if any, of increased requirement on proportional use of scrounger. Results were consistent with this prediction. A significant number of starlings showed consistently positive effects of requirement on proportional use of scrounger, but the magnitude of this increase was non-significant. The results of both experiments taken together show that the proportional use of scrounger tactics within foraging groups may be a risk-sensitive, rather than a rate-maximizing, foraging tactic.
Impact of Dinophysis acuminata Feeding Mesodinium rubrum on Nutrient Dynamics and Bacterial Composition in a Microcosm

The development of Dinophysis populations, producers of diarrhetic shellfish toxins, has been attributed to both abiotic (e.g., water column stratification) and biotic (prey availability) factors. An important process to consider is mixotrophy of the Dinophysis species, which is an intensive feeding of the Mesodinium species for nutrients and a benefit from kleptochloroplasts. During the feeding process, the nutritional status in the environment changes due to the preference of Mesodinium and/or Dinophysis for different nutrients, prey cell debris generated by sloppy feeding, and their degradation by micro-organisms changes. However, there is little knowledge about the role of the bacterial community during the co-occurrence of Mesodinium and Dinophysis and how they directly or indirectly interact with the mixotrophs. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to characterize the environmental changes including those of the prey present, the bacterial communities, and the ambient dissolved nutrients during the co-occurrence of Mesodinium rubrum and Dinophysis acuminata. The results showed that, during the incubation of the ciliate prey Mesodinium with its predator Dinophysis, available dissolved nitrogen significantly shifted from nitrate to ammonium especially when the population of M. rubrum decayed. Growth phases of Dinophysis and Mesodinium greatly affected the structure and composition of the bacterial community. These changes could be mainly explained by both the changes of the nutrient status and the activity of Dinophysis cells. Dinophysis feeding activity also accelerated the decline of M. rubrum and contamination of cultures with okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, and pectenotoxin-2, but their influence on the prokaryotic communities was limited to the rare taxa (<0.1%) fraction. This suggests that the interaction between D. acuminata and bacteria is species-specific and takes place intracellularly or in the phycosphere. Moreover, a majority of the dominant bacterial taxa in our cultures may also exhibit a metabolic flexibility and, thus, be unaffected taxonomically by changes within the Mesodinium-Dinophysis culture system.
The function of stone carrying in the black wheatear, Oenanthe leucura


Abstract Abstract. Mated pairs of the black wheatear, but particularly the males, carry large numbers of relatively heavy (3-9 g on average) stones in flight to nest cavities and other sites in caves and cliffs during the prelaying period of each clutch. The 40-g birds carry on average 1-2 kg of stones during periods of 2-22 days (average 7·8), and stone carrying is therefore costly in terms of time and energy. Five functional explanations for the maintenance of this behaviour are considered. (1) The nest support hypothesis, that stones form a solid base for the nest, is refuted because large horizontal nest cavities with no need for nest support contained as many stones as those in other sites, nests were frequently situated in sites without stones, and stones were carried to sites not subsequently used for nests. (2) The thermoregulation hypothesis, that stones may moderate large diel temperature fluctuations and thus reduce the cost of incubation and brooding, is refuted because nests were frequently situated in sites without stones, there were as many stones in caves where temperatures fluctuated little as in natural cavities where temperatures varied widely, hatching success was unrelated to the number of stones and the cooling rate of nest contents was not affected by the presence of stones. (3) The weather protection hypothesis, that a large number of stones may protect the nest from wind, rain, or dust, is refuted because nests were frequently situated in sites without stones, and no case of nest failure owing to inclement weather was recorded. (4) The anti-predation hypothesis, that stones may prevent predation of nest contents or incubating females, is also refuted because stone carrying prevented use of relatively safe nest sites above 3·5 m, and nests suffering from predation had as many stones as successful nests. (5) The sexual display hypothesis, that pair members use the stone-carrying display to assess the quality of the partner and adjust their relative parental investment accordingly, does account for the behaviour since clutch size was positively and laying date negatively correlated with the number of stones carried to cavities other than nest sites, and the seasonal production of young was positively associated with the seasonal number of stones carried to cavities other than nest sites. The number of stones carried to nest sites had less predictive capacity. Stone carrying was also associated with the extent of paternal care. The behaviour showed a relatively high repeatability within and between seasons, implying strong and consistent differences between individuals. Stone carrying in the black wheatear can therefore be considered a post-mating but prenesting sexual display which allows adjustment of reproductive effort by females to the parental and/or phenotypic quality of partners.
Association between Genetic Variant of Apolipoprotein C3 and Incident Hypertension Stratified by Obesity and Physical Activity in Korea

Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) is an important regulator of lipoprotein metabolism, and has been shown to be strongly associated with hypertriglyceridemia. We tested whether triglyceride-influencing genetic variants at APOC3 (T-455C, C-482T, C1100T, and SstI) are associated with the onset of hypertension (HTN) among Korean adults stratified by lifestyle-related factors in the Ansung–Ansan cohort within the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. After excluding participants with preexisting cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and HTN, a total of 5239 men and women were included at baseline (2001–2002), and followed up for a median of 9.8 years. Carriers of the C allele of C1100T with body mass index <25 kg/m2 showed a significantly lower HTN risk (hazard ratio (HR) than non-carriers: 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77–0.98) after adjusting for covariates. In addition, carriers of the C allele of T-455C and the T allele of C-482T with low physical activity had lower incident HTN than non-carriers (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26; HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.25). Our results suggest that genotype effects in APOC3 on HTN risk have been shown in lean carriers of the C allele of C1100T and in less active people having the C allele of T-455C and T allele of C-482T in a large sample of the Korean population.
Development of predator evasion in Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus L.


Abstract Abstract. Development of evasive behaviour was studied from observations of juvenile Atlantic herring preying on conspecific larvae. Behavioural development was characterized by changes in timing, magnitude, and direction of escape movements. The predominant change as larvae developed was a general delay in responding to attacks. Variability also changed during development. Absolute variability increased for some measures and decreased for others. When relative variability changed through development, it only decreased. Swimming speed in escapes increased, coinciding with morphological developments in the locomotor system. The steady delay in responding to an attack coincided with developments of the mechanosensory system. The response threshold for larvae less than 20 mm in length appeared to increase with larva size, but became constant in larvae greater than 27 mm. The threshold appeared to be determined largely by predator speed and distance, but not size. Escape success depended on rapid acceleration when the predator was very near the prey, rather than prolonged flight initiated early. False alarms differed from responses to attacks, occurring when the predator was further away and moving more slowly. Their frequency diminished rapidly with development, suggesting that larger larvae are better able to judge the magnitude of a threat.
Selective copying in mate choice of female sticklebacks

Abstract Abstract. There is evidence that female three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. , prefer to mate with males whose nests contain eggs rather than with males with empty nests. While there is consensus on this point, a dispute exists about whether this preference should be attributed to a direct effect of the eggs on the female's entering the nest or, alternatively, to a positive impact of the eggs on the courtship behaviour and breeding coloration of the male. In the field experiment reported here females strongly preferred nests with eggs over empty nests. Additionally, females were less likely to enter risky nests with eggs: nests that contained fewer eggs than one average clutch or more eggs than the average nest content of parental males in this population. However, in the field possible differences in male attractiveness were not controlled for. In supplementary laboratory experiments the effect on female choice of possible changes in male attractiveness (intensified courtship and coloration) as a result of the presence of eggs in the nest was tested. Other differences in male attractiveness as a result of differences in male quality (body size, breeding coloration before the test, territory quality and size) were controlled for. When females had no access to the nests, they showed no preference for males with eggs in their nests in simultaneous choice tests. These results, together with the earlier published data, make it likely that the preference of females for nests with eggs is partly a direct consequence of the eggs themselves. So female sticklebacks are influenced by the mate choice behaviour of other females, but remain selective as to the actual nest content.
Successful homing of magnet-carrying white-chinned petrels released in the open sea

Abstract During the incubation period, white-chinned petrels, Procellaria aequinoctialis , repeatedly make foraging trips of several thousand kilometres in the open ocean from their small isolated breeding island. To test whether these birds rely on geomagnetic information to home, we displaced five individuals and released them in the open sea 300–360 km from home. They were prevented both from using route-based information during the passive displacement from the breeding island to the release site, and from using the geomagnetic field at the release site and on their way home (by carrying a mobile magnet on the head). They were equipped with satellite transmitters to record their homing movements. The five petrels homed efficiently (in 17–32 h) along paths that were on average slightly less than twice the homing distance. This showed that, at least when within a few hundred kilometres of home, white-chinned petrels are able to home successfully by relying only on nongeomagnetic site-dependent information. Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Patterns in the diving behaviour of the pochard, Aythya ferina: a test of an optimality model

Abstract Abstract. Foraging divers face a trade-off between obtaining oxygen at the surface and food underwater. Houston & Carbone (1992, Behav. Ecol. 3, 255-265) developed models to predict the allocation of time over the dive cycle for aerobic divers that maximize gross and net rates of energy intake under a range of conditions. To test some of these predictions diving experiments on the pochard were conducted. The costs and benefits of foraging were manipulated by varying water depth, food concentration and depth of the substrate covering the food. Each stage of the dive cycle was positively correlated with water depth, and the trends were qualitatively similar to the predictions of the models. Food concentration did not significantly affect foraging time: only small effects were predicted. Foraging time (predicted to decrease independently of recovery time, as energy costs during foraging increase) decreased in relation to increasing substrate depth (used to increase foraging costs), while recovery time was not significantly affected. An additional experiment was conducted to determine whether the birds could assess foraging areas that differ in water depth and food concentration. When offered two options, the birds changed their mean preference from a higher to a lower food concentration as the depth of the higher concentration option increased. However, they switched their preference earlier than expected based on estimates of the net rates of gain obtained from these options. This suggests that factors other than energetics influence the choice of foraging areas.
Sexual cannibalism and its relation to male mating success in sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans (Haglidae: Orthoptera)

Abstract Abstract. Female sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans , feed on the fleshy hind wings of males during copulation, and consume haemolymph flowing from the wounds they inflict. In a laboratory experiment, the mating success of males whose hind wings had been surgically removed (treated) was compared with that of males whose hind wings were left intact (untreated). Treated males called as much as untreated males and were mounted as quickly as untreated males. Some males were able to secure matings even though they had no hind wings. However, the possession of hind wings significantly increased a male's chances of successfully transferring a spermatophore once a female had mounted. Males without hind wings obtained significantly fewer matings, and appeared more vulnerable to injuries inflicted by females on other body parts.
Development and Quality Evaluation of Galactogogue Product Enriched with Garden Cress for Lactating Women

Pregnancy and lactation periods are the most nutritionally demanding times of a woman’s life. The body needs enough nutrients every day to support the growth of the baby and the maintenance of the mother’s body (Foster, 2009). Inadequate nutrition during lactation is reflected on both the quality and quantity of milk secreted. Galactogogues are foods that help to produce more milk. Lactating mothers are given special preparations during this time which supply iron, protein, calcium and Bcomplex vitamins (Ramadas et al., 2011).
Chungkookjang with High Contents of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Improves Insulin Sensitizing Activity in Adipocytes and Neuronal Cells

We hypothesized that soybeans fermented with Bacillus spp. for 48 h (chungkookjang) would be rich in poly-γ-glutamate (γ-PGA) and would have greater efficacy for improving insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, min6 cells, and PC12 neuronal cells. We screened 20 different strains of B. subtillus and B. amyloliquefaciens spp. for γ-polyglutamate (PGA) production and their anti-diabetic and anti-dementia activities in cell-based studies. Chungkookjang made with two B. amyloliquefaciens spp. (BA730 and BA731) were selected to increase the isoflavonoid and γ-PGA. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was higher in 3T3-L1 adipocytes given both chungkookjang extracts than in the cells given vehicle (control). The ethanol extract of BA731 (BA731-E) increased the uptake the most. Triglyceride accumulation decreased in BA731-E and BA731-W and the accumulation increased in BA730-W and BA730-E. The mRNA expression of fatty acid synthetase and acetyl CoA carboxylase was much lower in BA731-E and BA731-W and it was higher in BA730-W than the control. BA730-E and BA730-W also increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ activity. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion increased with the high dosage of BA730-W and BA730-E in insulinoma cells, compared to the control. Insulin contents and cell survival in high glucose media were higher in cells with both BA731-E and BA730-E. Triglyceride deposition and TNF-α mRNA expression were lower in BA731 than the control. The high-dosage treatment of BA730-E and BA731-E increased differentiated neuronal cell survival after treating amyloid-β(25-35) compared to the control. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor, indices of neuronal cell proliferation, were higher in BA730 and BA731 than in the control. Tau expression was also reduced in BA731 more than the control and it was a similar level of the normal-control. In conclusion, BA730 increased PPAR-γ activity and BA731 enhanced insulin sensitivity in the brain and periphery. BA730 and BA731 prevented and alleviated the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease with different pathways.
Honey bees transfer olfactory memories established during flower visits to a proboscis extension paradigm in the laboratory

To see what effects learning in one context can exercise upon subsequent learning in other contexts the relation between olfactory learning performance of honey bees,Apis melliferaL. , in a restrained classical conditioning paradigm for the proboscis extension reflex and chemosensory experience under natural circumstances was investigated. The effects of food-source odours and of the hive's odour on subsequent laboratory proboscis extension performance were tested. There was a transfer effect for odours from a food source to proboscis extension reflex conditioning in the laboratory: bees extended their proboscis in response to food-source odour and showed resistance to its extinction. Hive odour had no detectable effect. Thus, the observed transfer effect for food-source odours was likely to be caused by memories established during foraging rather than by within-hive experience with the scent of harvested food. The observed transfer effect for odours from a food source thus points to a surprisingly weak role of context for the retrieval of olfactory memories established during foraging. Furthermore, it offers an experience-based explanation for variability in honey bee proboscis extension learning.
High Serum sCD40 and a Distinct Colonic T Cell Profile in Ulcerative Colitis Associated With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is a strong association between primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] and ulcerative colitis [UC], but the immunological link between the two diseases is obscure. We compared serum cytokine profiles of patients with PSC-UC and UC, and investigated a number of selected cytokines in colonic biopsy samples. We also assessed the presence and activation of T cells in peripheral blood and colonic mucosa. METHODS Serum samples from 22 patients with PSC-UC, 28 patients with UC, and 19 controls were analysed by a proximity extension assay including 92 inflammatory cytokines. Biopsies from caecum, sigmoid colon, and rectum were collected from the same patients. Quantitative analysis for IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A/ E/F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-27 was carried out on tissue homogenates. T cell phenotype was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS By multivariate analysis we identified a cluster of serum cytokines with higher levels in PSC-UC, and sCD40 in particular was strongly associated with this patient group. In contrast, colonic cytokines were only modestly increased in PSC-UC, whereas several Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-associated cytokines were increased in UC. Patients with PSC-UC had increased colonic levels of CXCR3-positive CD8+ T cells but fewer CD25-positive CD4+ T cells. An increased CRTH2/CXCR3-quote indicated a predominance of Th-2 type CD4+ T cells in UC patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals different cytokine profiles and T cell profiles in PSC-UC and UC, with higher systemic levels of cytokines in PSC-UC, and a more pronounced colonic inflammation in UC. Serum sCD40 could potentially be investigated as a marker for PSC in UC.
Causal inference with multiple concurrent medications: A comparison of methods and an application in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

This paper investigates different approaches for causal estimation under multiple concurrent medications. Our parameter of interest is the marginal mean counterfactual outcome under different combinations of medications. We explore parametric and non-parametric methods to estimate the generalized propensity score. We then apply three causal estimation approaches (inverse probability of treatment weighting, propensity score adjustment, and targeted maximum likelihood estimation) to estimate the causal parameter of interest. Focusing on the estimation of the expected outcome under the most prevalent regimens, we compare the results obtained using these methods in a simulation study with four potentially concurrent medications. We perform a second simulation study in which some combinations of medications may occur rarely or not occur at all in the dataset. Finally, we apply the methods explored to contrast the probability of patient treatment success for the most prevalent regimens of antimicrobial agents for patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis.