Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Context-Specific Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior With Cognition in Children

In the present study, we investigated how overall and specific domains of physical activity and sedentary behavior at the age of 7 years were associated with cognition at the age of 11 years in 8,462 children from the Millennium Cohort Study. Data were collected from 2001 to 2013. Participation in domains of physical activity and sedentary behavior at 7 years of age were reported. Activity levels were also measured objectively. Cognition was assessed using the British Ability Scales. General linear models were used to assess longitudinal associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior, measured both objectively and via self-report, with cognition. Analyses were adjusted for prespecified covariates. Sports/physical activity club attendance (B = 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2, 1.1), doing homework (B = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9), and objectively measured sedentary time (B = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.1, 1.4) at age 7 years were positively associated with cognition at age 11 years in final the models. Television viewing was negatively associated with cognition (B = −1.7, 95% CI: −2.4, −1.0), although the association was attenuated to the null after adjustments for baseline cognition. Objectively measured light physical activity was inversely associated with cognition (B = −0.7, 95% CI: −1.3, −0.1). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was also inversely associated with cognition in girls only (B = −1.1, 95% CI: −2.0, −0.3). Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with cognition appear to be context-specific in young people.
Pharmacological characterization of cepharanthin in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Cepharanthin, a bisbenzylisoquinoline (biscolaurine) alkaloid drug, has been reported to improve the symptoms of intractable or steroid-resistant chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). To clarify the mechanism by which the cepharanthin is beneficial to ITP, we examined the effects of cepharanthin on thrombocytopenia in (NZW 2 BXSB) F1 (W/B F1) mice and on the formation of colony forming unit of megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) derived from human CD34-positive progenitor cells. The decrease in platelet numbers in W/B F1 was diminished by the administration of 5 mg/kg cepharanthin for 6 weeks as well as by 2 mg/kg prednisolone. Furthermore, the administration of over 0.2 mg/kg cepharanthin enhanced the therapeutic effect of prednisolone. From the data in this animal model, it is suggested that cepharanthin may prolong the platelet lifespan. The treatment of CD34-positive progenitor cells isolated from cord blood with cepharanthin (over 5 2 10 -10 g/ml) caused an increase in the formation of CFU-MK induced by the cocktail of thrombopoietin, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-3. The addition of 0.1% normal human serum dramatically increased the number of CFU-MK. In contrast, the serum isolated from patients with ITP at the same concentration decreased the number of CFU-MK. However, the simultaneous addition of 5 2 10 -8 g/ml cepharanthin recovered the number of CFU-MK to the level induced by normal serum. These findings indicate that cepharanthin has the potent therapeutic activity not only on the platelet destruction process, but also on the platelet production process of thrombocytopenia in chronic ITP.
A Developmentally Regulated Gene Cluster Involved in Conidial Pigment Biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus, a filamentous fungus producing bluish-green conidia, is an important opportunistic pathogen that primarily affects immunocompromised patients. Conidial pigmentation ofA. fumigatus significantly influences its virulence in a murine model. In the present study, six genes, forming a gene cluster spanning 19 kb, were identified as involved in conidial pigment biosynthesis in A. fumigatus. Northern blot analyses showed the six genes to be developmentally regulated and expressed during conidiation. The gene products of alb1 (for “albino 1”), arp1 (for “aspergillus reddish-pink 1”), andarp2 have high similarity to polyketide synthases, scytalone dehydratases, and hydroxynaphthalene reductases, respectively, found in the dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin pathway of brown and black fungi. The abr1 gene (for “aspergillus brown 1”) encodes a putative protein possessing two signatures of multicopper oxidases. The abr2 gene product has homology to the laccase encoded by the yA gene of Aspergillus nidulans. The function of ayg1 (for “aspergillus yellowish-green 1”) remains unknown. Involvement of the six genes in conidial pigmentation was confirmed by the altered conidial color phenotypes that resulted from disruption of each gene in A. fumigatus. The presence of a DHN-melanin pathway in A. fumigatus was supported by the accumulation of scytalone and flaviolin in the arp1 deletant, whereas only flaviolin was accumulated in the arp2 deletants. Scytalone and flaviolin are well-known signature metabolites of the DHN-melanin pathway. Based on DNA sequence similarity, gene disruption results, and biochemical analyses, we conclude that the 19-kb DNA fragment contains a six-gene cluster which is required for conidial pigment biosynthesis in A. fumigatus. However, the presence of abr1,abr2, and ayg1 in addition to alb1,arp1, and arp2 suggests that conidial pigment biosynthesis in A. fumigatus is more complex than the known DHN-melanin pathway.
Real-World Evidence for Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogues in a 5-Year Multicentre Study of Antiviral-Naive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in China: 52-Week Results

Background In China, the clinical management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is complicated by the use of various-nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NUC) regimens in treatment-naive patients, including NUCs with low genetic barriers to resistance, with/without add-on therapy and de novo NUC combinations. This longitudinal observational study therefore investigated the real-world clinical management and efficacy of NUC therapy in treatment-naive CHB patients in China. Methods Treatment-naive CHB patients initiated on NUC therapy were enrolled from 63 hospitals in tier-2 Chinese cities. Demographic and treatment-specific data were collected, with the objective of reporting real-world treatment patterns and comparing the effectiveness of entecavir (ETV) treatment and lamivudine (LAM)-based treatment. We herein report the first-year data. Results 3,408 NUC-naive patients were enrolled and treated with NUCs (53% ETV, 18% LAM-based, 29% other). Overall, 6.6% of patients modified their initial treatment, with ETV having lower rates of treatment modification than other major NUCs (P<0.05). At week 52, the virological response rate was higher with ETV than with LAM-based treatment (77.0% versus 61.4%; P<0.0001). LAM-based treatment was associated with a higher probability of virological breakthrough and genotypic resistance (21.4% and 19.6%, respectively) than ETV (1.6% and 0.1%, respectively; P<0.0001). Treatment-related adverse events or serious adverse events were uncommon. Conclusions In this nationwide observational study, more than 50% of patients with CHB in tier-2 city hospitals in China initially received ETV therapy. Consistent with clinical trial results, ETV was more effective than LAM-based treatments in a real-world setting, with the rate of treatment modification being relatively low in ETV-treated patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifer: NCT01726439.
The importance of the form of the quota curve and control of non-limiting nutrient transport in phytoplankton models

The description of phytoplankton growth and nutrient acquisition plays a pivotal role in affecting the performance of plankton ecosystem models. A comparison was made between the behaviour of multi-nutrient phytoplankton models with alternative descriptions of the relationships between the nutrient:C quota and growth rate (μ) and for the control of the transport of the non-limiting nutrient. Using Droop kinetics (i.e. employing a hyperbolic curve form fixed by the ratio of maximum: minimum quotas), or conversely a linear quota-μ relationship, gave models that could display behaviour in strong disagreement with that of the optimal model when operated in a dynamic scenario. The appropriate description of the control of the transport of the non-limiting nutrient is also important; in particular, a fixed algal N:P should not be assumed. Behaviour was most likely to be aberrant when P was limiting; behaviour under nutrient limitation when the N:P nutrient supply ratio accorded with Redfield expectations (16:1 mole) was least aberrant. Deviations of model output from expected behaviour would affect the simulation of the dynamics of phytoplankton growth, nutrient cycling, competition and have serious repercussions in models in which the stoichiometric quality of the phytoplankton prey affects zooplankton activity. It is important that the behaviour of phytoplankton behaviour accords with that of the groups they purport to represent. However, we currently lack the data upon which to parameterize such models.
Primitive Reflexes and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder: Developmental Origins of Classroom Dysfunction

The present research studied the symptomatologic overlap of AD/HD behaviours and retention of four primitive reflexes (Moro, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex [TLR], Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex [ATNR], Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex [STNR]) in 109 boys aged 7-10 years. Of these, 54 were diagnosed with AD/HD, 34 manifested subsyndromal coordination, learning, emotional and/or behavioural symptoms of AD/HD, and 21 had no (or near to no) symptoms of AD/HD. Measures of AD/HD symptomatology and of the boys’ academic performance were also obtained using the Conners’ rating scale and the WRAT-3, respectively. Results indicated that, in general, boys diagnosed with AD/HD had significantly higher levels of reflex retention than non-diagnosed boys. Results also indicated both direct and indirect relationships between retention of the Moro, ATNR, STNR and TLR reflexes with AD/HD symptomatology and mathematics achievement. The pattern of relationships between these variables was also consistent with the notion of the Moro acting as a gateway for the inhibition of the other three reflexes.
Daily Soil Ingestion Estimates for Children at a Superfund Site

Ingestion of contaminated soil by children may result in significant exposure to toxic substances at contaminated sites. Estimates of such exposure are based on extrapolation of short‐term‐exposure estimates to longer time periods. This article provides daily estimates of soil ingestion on 64 children between the ages of 1 and 4 residing at a Superfund site; these values are employed to estimate the distribution of 7‐day average soil ingestion exposures (mean, 31 mg/day; median, 17 mg/day) at a contaminated site over different time periods. Best linear unbiased predictors of the 95th‐percentile of soil ingestion over 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, and 365 days are 133 mg/day, 112 mg/day, 108 mg/day and 106 mg/day, respectively. Variance components estimates (excluding titanium and outliers, based on Tukey's far‐out criteria) are given for soil ingestion between subjects (59 mg/day)2, between days on a subject (95 mg/day)2, and for uncertainty on a subject‐day (132 mg/day)2. These results expand knowledge of potential exposure to contaminants among young children from soil ingestion at contaminated sites. They also provide basic distributions that serve as a starting point for use in Monte Carlo risk assessments.
Wombats and domestic livestock as potential vectors of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in an agricultural riparian area

Emerging pathogenic diseases are a significant burden on global economies and public health administrators. In Australia, the pathogens Giardia and Cryptosporidium are widespread in riparian areas subject to urban or agricultural contamination. Bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) occur at relatively high densities alongside domestic cattle in agricultural riparian areas in south-eastern Australia and may transmit protozoan pathogens. We assessed the distribution of wombat scats and cattle pats on streambanks and screened them for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The density of wombat scats declined with increasing distance from water while the cover of cattle pats increased with distance fromwater,butonlyatsitessubjectedtolowcattleusage.Wewereunableto findanyCryptosporidiumspeciesorgenotypes known to infect humans in either wombat or cattle faeces. One cattle sample contained Cryptosporidium bovis, a cattle- specific organism unlikely to be zoonotic. Giardia duodenalis (Assemblage E), a non-zoonotic pathogen, was detected in four cattle samples, but no wombat samples tested positive for Giardia. Our results suggest that while wombats represent a low-pathogenriskthereisaneedforconsistentmonitoringofpotentiallyharmfulwaterborneandchlorine-resistantGiardia and Cryptosporidium pathogens in drinking-water catchments.
The value of PE‐10, a monoclonal antibody against pulmonary surfactant, in distinguishing primary and metastatic lung tumours

A new monoclonal antibody (PE‐10) raised against components of pulmonary surfactant has been assessed for its ability to distinguish primary from secondary carcinomas in the lung. We applied this antibody to a series of 107 primary lung carcinomas, 40 adenocarcinomas of other sites, and 26 cases of adenocarcinoma metastatic to lung and pleura. Of the primary lung carcinomas, all the non‐mucinous bronchiolo‐alveolar carcinomas were positive whereas all the mucinous cases were negative; 60% of other types of adenocarcinoma were positive and 10% of large cell undifferentiated carcinomas, 20% of small cell carcinomas and 40% of atypical carcinoids also showed focal positivity. Squamous cell carcinomas were all negative. Adenocarcinomas of the breast, kidney, large bowel and ovaries were all negative, as were all 26 cases of adenocarcinoma metastatic to the lung and pleura. We conclude that this antibody is highly specific and moderately sensitive for primary tumours of the lung.
Synthesis of Boolean networks via semi-tensor product

This paper gives a systematic survey on the semi-tensor product approach to logical systems such as Boolean (control) networks. First the history of Boolean networks is reviewed, and the mathematical frameworks for Boolean network, Boolean control network, and probabilistic Boolean (control) network respectively are presented. Then the semi-tensor product of matrices is introduced as a fundamental tool of this approach. Using it, two key techniques for this approach: (1) algebraic (or matrix) expression of logic; and (2) the state space description of logical dynamics, are introduced. The topological structure of Boolean network is analyzed via this approach. Finally, some control problems are investigated, which include controllability and observability, realization, disturbance decoupling, stability and stabilization, optimal control, identification, etc. In one word, the paper intends to provide a comprehensive guideline to the theory of synthesis and control of Boolean networks.
Isolation and Characterization of Partial Sequence of merA Gene from Mercury Resistant Bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Sario River Estuary Manado

The most common bacterial mercury resistance mechanism is based on the reduction of Hg 2+ to Hg 0 , which is dependent on the mercuric reductase enzyme (merA) activity. The aims of this research were to isolate and characterize merA gene fragment of mercury resistant bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate A1.1. 1. The gene fragment was amplified by PCR using previously designed primer pairs. Plasmid DNAs were used as template. The result showed that the partial sequence of merA gene has been found on plasmid DNA of mercury resistant bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates A1.1. 1. The nucleotide sequence of the merA gene consists of 285 base pairs (bp) which encodes deduced 94 amino acids of mercury reductase merA protein. The merA protein sequence of isolate A1.1. 1 has 99% similarity with some strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae deposited in Gen Bank. There is a gene mutation that causes the deduced amino acid threonine was replaced by serine at position 524 (Thr→Ser) in the merA protein of Klebsiella pneumonia as the accession number: AAR91471.1.
Peroxiredoxin Functions as a Peroxidase and a Regulator and Sensor of Local Peroxides*

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) contain an active site cysteine that is sensitive to oxidation by H2O2. Mammalian cells express six Prx isoforms that are localized to various cellular compartments. The oxidized active site cysteine of Prx can be reduced by a cellular thiol, thus enabling Prx to function as a locally constrained peroxidase. Regulation of Prx via phosphorylation in response to extracellular signals allows the local accumulation of H2O2 and thereby enables its messenger function. The fact that the oxidation state of the active site cysteine of Prx can be transferred to other proteins that are less intrinsically susceptible to H2O2 also allows Prx to function as an H2O2 sensor.
Effect of Cdk5 Antagonist on L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACT Increased cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) has associated with the development of L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (LID). To explore the mechanisms underlying the action of Cdk5 in the development of LID, we examined the impact of treatment with Cdk5 inhibitor, roscovitine, on the severity of LID in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by 6-OHDA. The expressions of Cdk5 and phosphorylation of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) in the striatum of LID rats were determined by Western blotting. The result showed that the induction of LID upregulated the expression of Cdk5 and phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at Thr34. Roscovitine inhibited apomorphine-stimulated rotations in PD rats and enhanced L-dopa-induced abnormal involuntary movement (AIM), but downregulated the expression of Cdk5 in LID rats. These findings suggest that up-regulated expression of Cdk5 may compensate the high levels of phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at Thr34 in LID rats. Therefore, modulation of Cdk5 for therapy of human PD should be carefully reconsidered.
Two‐dimensional liquid chromatography system for online top‐down mass spectrometry

An online metal‐free weak cation exchange‐hydrophilic interaction LC/RPLC system has been developed for sensitive, high‐throughput top‐down MS. Here, we report results for analyzing PTMs of core histones, with a focus on histone H4, using this system. With just ∼24 μg on‐column of core histones (H4, H2B, H2A, and H3) purified from human fibroblasts, 41 H4 isoforms were identified, with the type and location of PTMs unambiguously mapped for 20 of these variants. Compared to corresponding offline studies reported previously, the online weak cation exchange‐hydrophilic interaction LC/RPLC platform offers significant improvement in sensitivity, with several orders of magnitude reduction in sample requirements and a reduction in the overall analysis time. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first online 2‐D LC‐MS/MS characterization of core histone mixture at the intact protein level.
New evidence for geographic variation in the role of human papillomavirus in tonsillar carcinogenesis

Aims: Our previous studies of tonsillar cancers from New South Wales, Australia, and Jilin Province in the north‐east of China, provided evidence that the proportion of these cancers attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) varies geographically. This study provides the first data on HPV in tonsillar cancers from Hong Kong. Methods: A total of 49 Hong Kong tonsillar cancers were analysed for HPV DNA by PCR/sequencing and for p16INK4A, retinoblastoma (pRb) protein, cyclin D1 and p53 expression by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry as evidence of virus causality. Results were compared with those from New South Wales and Jilin Province. Results: Of the 31 Hong Kong cancers with amplifiable DNA, nine (29%) were HPV positive by PCR compared with 46% from New South Wales and 0% from Jilin Province. HPV positivity correlated with female gender, young age, over‐expression of p16INK4A and loss of pRb and cyclin D1. Five‐year disease‐specific survival for patients with HPV positive and HPV negative cancers was 82 and 42%, respectively. Relationships between HPV status and cell protein expression in Hong Kong cancers were consistent with those from New South Wales and Jilin Province. The proportion of HPV‐associated cancers reflected the relative incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in these regions. Conclusions: HPV is responsible for a small proportion of tonsillar cancers in Hong Kong patients. Differences in the proportions of tumours attributable to HPV in Hong Kong, New South Wales and Jilin Province may be due to environmental, cultural or genetic factors in the different populations.
Measurement of topography using polarimetric SAR images

A processing technique for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data has been developed which produces profiles of terrain slopes and elevations in the azimuthal (or along-track) direction. This technique estimates the average shift in orientation angle of copolarization backscatter caused by azimuthal tilts of the scattering plane. Using P-band data, tests of this technique have been made for an area in the Black Forest near Villingen/Schwenningen in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The radar measured slope and derived elevation profiles have low rms errors and high correlation values when compared with a stereo-photograph digital-elevation map (DEM) for the area. This algorithm is capable of adaptively making transitions from the forested areas to nearby regions with open-terrain. Subsequent tests of the algorithm have been conducted using polarimetric SAR L-band data for a mountainous, nonforested, region in the Mojave Desert (Ft. Irwin, CA) where an accurate DEM also was available. Complete elevation and slope mapping of the terrain in two dimensions using this technique is possible when azimuthal elevation profiles are produced throughout the range extent of the SAR image.
Measuring the speed of recognising facially expressed emotions

Faces provide identity- and emotion-related information—basic cues for mastering social interactions. Traditional models of face recognition suggest that following a very first initial stage the processing streams for facial identity and expression depart. In the present study we extended our previous multivariate investigations of face identity processing abilities to the speed of recognising facially expressed emotions. Analyses are based on a sample of N=151 young adults. First, we established a measurement model with a higher order factor for the speed of recognising facially expressed emotions (SRE). This model has acceptable fit without specifying emotion-specific relations between indicators. Next, we assessed whether SRE can be reliably distinguished from the speed of recognising facial identity (SRI) and found latent factors for SRE and SRI to be perfectly correlated. In contrast, SRE and SRI were both only moderately related to a latent factor for the speed of recognising non-face stimuli (SRNF). We conclude that the processing of facial stimuli—and not the processing of facially expressed basic emotions—is the critical component of SRE. These findings are at variance with suggestions of separate routes for processing facial identity and emotional facial expressions and suggest much more communality between these streams as far as the aspect of processing speed is concerned.