Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution & Development

Funding information Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse, Grant/Award Number: KAW 2012.0155 Abstract The role of developmental bias and plasticity in evolution is a central research interest in evolutionary biology. Studies of these concepts and related processes are usually conducted on extant systems and have seen limited investigation in the fossil record. Here, I identify plasticity‐led evolution (PLE) as a form of developmental bias accessible through scrutiny of paleontological material. I summarize the process of PLE and describe it in terms of the environmentally mediated accumulation and release of cryptic genetic variation. Given this structure, I then predict its manifestation in the fossil record, discuss its similarity to quantum evolution and punctuated equilibrium, and argue that these describe macroevolutionary patterns concordant with PLE. Finally, I suggest methods and directions towards providing evidence of PLE in the fossil record and conclude that such endeavors are likely to be highly rewarding.
TURBULENCE AND SYSTEMIC RISK IN THE EUROPEAN UNION FINANCIAL SYSTEM

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance of the Absorption Ratio (AR), defined as the fraction of the total variance of a set of asset returns explained or “absorbed” by a fixed number of eigenvectors, as a leading indicator of turbulence in the European Union financial markets over the period January 2000 – July 2015. Using an event study methodology centered around financial turbulence episodes, identified with a method based on the Mahalanobis distance, we find that shifts in AR of more than one standard deviation consistently predict crisis episodes in the sample about 20 trading days before they happen, at the aggregate EU level as well as at individual level for most countries in the sample. We offer an interpretation of the ratio as a measure of systemic risk and financial fragility, and suggest its inclusion in the regulatory toolkit of systemic risk measures, to be relied on in combination with other indicators as a signal for the activation of certain macro-prudential policy instruments.
The Effect of Daily Physical Activity on the University Student ’ s Subjective Self-esteem

The following study examined the effects of physical activity against university students’ selfesteem levels in a medium sized city in Sweden. The paper was demarcated to investigate whether sport students differed from social program students on their level of self-esteem due to the amount of physical activity performed. We even took the variable of gender in account for examining the differences. The results showed that the group of sport students did in fact differ from the social program group on self-esteem, in terms of high and moderate physical activity, but not for low physical activity. The same outcome applied to the amount of physical activity performed only. When analyzing the gender differences, the results showed females in favor for having higher self-esteem levels than males across all three conditions of physical activity. Females also tended to perform high and moderate physical activity in a greater sense than males, while low activity had no significant difference. A conclusion was reached and we answered the research question that sport students did in fact have higher self-esteem levels and performed a higher amount of physical activity than social program students. However the differences was not noticeable large between the groups, which could be explained by other environmental and individual factors allowing this paper for further research within the topic and population of university students.
The Routledge Handbook of Language and Humor

Anyone who has ever tried to tell a joke in a language other than his or her own will know how easy it is for it to get lost in translation simply because what often seems so amusing in one language may just not be funny in another. The reason for this, of course, lies in the fact that verbal humor, amongst other things, depends on incongruities that are present in both the language in which it is couched and on a series of cultural features that are often specific to the source culture alone. If the joke plays on the ambiguity of a word or phrase with two or more meanings and you have the good fortune to find that the same word or phrase in the target language has exactly the same meanings as in the source language, your luck is in and your task is almost accomplished. However, in the unlikely event that the words themselves do translate in exactly the same way, the culture-specificity of the joke may well remain an insurmountable challenge. Owing to the fact that good jokes play on the combination of linguistic specificity and highly specific cultural references, recipients need to be knowledgeable enough regarding events, history, people, customs and values of the source culture to be able to know what you are talking about and recognize your attempt at nonseriousness. If you do manage to overcome all these problems with an adequate translation, whether your interlocutor will find it funny or not is yet another problem. Whichever way we look at it, verbal humor does not travel well.
Carpal tunnel syndrome among milking parlor workers in Northern Italy: a comparison of screening approaches

Background: Occupational tasks characterized by repetitive, awkward and forceful movements of the hand and wrist may heighten the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dairy parlor workers. Median nerve impairment can be investigated with ultrasonography (US) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) but a structured questionnaire may help identify early symptoms. Objectives: Our objectives were to: a) compare the sensitivity of US investigations and NCS to detect early signs of CTS; b) explore the correlation of the results of these two tests with CTS symptoms obtained from the administration of a targeted questionnaire. Methods: Forty male milking parlor workers were recruited. The study protocol included: 1) the identification of characteristic CTS symptoms through a targeted questionnaire; 2) US imaging of the carpal tunnel inlet (using a portable ultrasound device; 3) NCS of the distal median nerve. Results: The symptom questionnaire was considered positive if at least one CTS symptom was present within two weeks prior to the examination. The symptom questionnaire showed a high level of specificity (92,6%) and sensitivity (61%) when compared with NCS results. Ultrasound results revealed a prevalence of median neuropathy of 55%, but when compared to NCS, the ultrasound showed quite low predictive values (NPV of 37% and PPV of 38%). Discussion: The symptom questionnaire was associated with the median nerve pathology often seen in CTS. Moreover, the study results have shown the questionnaire to be the most effective screening method when compared to ultrasound.
Low UBE4B expression increases sensitivity of chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells to EGFR and STAT5 inhibition

ABSTRACT Neuroblastoma is the most common malignancy in infants. Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in neuroblastoma tumors underlies resistance to chemotherapeutics. UBE4B, an E3/E4 ubiquitin ligase involved in EGFR degradation, is located on chromosome 1p36, a region in which loss of heterozygosity is observed in approximately one-third of neuroblastoma tumors and is correlated with poor prognosis. In chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells, depletion of UBE4B yielded significantly reduced cell proliferation and migration, and enhanced apoptosis in response to EGFR inhibitor, Cetuximab. We have previously shown that UBE4B levels are inversely correlated with EGFR levels in neuroblastoma tumors. We searched for additional targets of UBE4B that mediate cellular alterations associated with tumorogenesis in chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells depleted of UBE4B using reverse phase protein arrays. The expression of STAT5a, an effector protein downstream of EGFR, doubled in the absence of UBE4B, and verified by quantitative immunoblotting. Chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells were treated with SH-4-54, a STAT5 inhibitor, and observed insignificant effects on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. However, SH-4-54 significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of Cetuximab in naïve SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cells. Interestingly, in UBE4B depleted SK-N-AS cells, SH-4-54 significantly potentiated the effect of Cetuximab rendering cells increasingly sensitive an otherwise minimally effective Cetuximab concentration. Thus, neuroblastoma cells with low UBE4B levels were significantly more sensitive to combined EGFR and STAT5 inhibition than parental cells. These findings may have potential therapeutic implications for patients with 1p36 chromosome LOH and low tumor UBE4B expression.
Chronic dental inflammation and acute myocardial infarction : evaluation of a possible relationship

In der vorliegenden Studie sollte ein möglicher Zusammenhang zwischen zahnärztlichen Infektionsprozessen und dem Vorliegen von akuten Myokardinfarkten (AMI) untersucht werden. An der Untersuchung nahmen 80 Patienten nach akutem Myokardinfarkt teil, die ein Durchschnittsalter von 63,2 Jahren aufwiesen. Als Vergleichsgruppe sind 80 herzgesunde Patienten gleicher Geschlechtsverteilung und Altersgruppe untersucht worden. Neben der zahnärztlichen Untersuchung, die DMFT-Werte, Attachmentlevel (AL), Sondierungstiefe (ST) und Entzündungswerte (BOP, PSI) umfasste, wurden OPG-Aufnahmen angefertigt. Als internistische Daten (AMI-Patienten) wurden C-reaktives Protein (CRP), LDL, Leukozyten und CK berücksichtigt. Die zahnärztliche Untersuchung der Herzpatienten erfolgte nach positivem Votum der regionalen Ethikkomission und des Bundesamtes für Strahlenschutz. Es zeigte sich, dass Herzpatienten im Vergleich zur Kontrolle eine ungünstigere Mundgesundheit aufwiesen; es lag ein signifikant höherer Anteil fehlender Zähne vor (p = 0,001), erhöhte PSI-Werte (p = 0,001), signifikant mehr apikale Herde (p = 0,001) aber weniger Wurzelkanalfüllungen (p = 0,063). Es lag eine schwache, nicht signifikante Korrelation zwischen den CRP-Werten und der Anzahl der apikalen Herde vor. Keine Korrelationen fanden sich zwischen der Zahl der Leukozyten, den LDL-Werten und den zahnärztlichen Befunden. Die Studie belegte, dass AMI-Patienten im Vergleich zu herzgesunden Patienten eine deutlich schlechtere Zahngesundheit aufwiesen. Zur Vermeidung weiterer möglicher Risikofaktoren für Herzerkrankungen erscheint die frühzeitige Therapie chronischer oraler Infektionsherde sinnvoll.
Polymerized ionic liquid-containing interpenetrating network solid polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

The practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) with high energy density is hindered by uneven lithium deposition during battery cycling. To mitigate this process, in this work, an interpenetrating polymer network solid polymer electrolyte (IPN SPE) is prepared by introducing a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL), poly(diallyldimethylammonium) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [P(DADMA-TFSI)] to a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based network SPE. Compared with the virgin SPE, the newly developed IPN SPE exhibited improved ionic conductivity, excellent lithium dendrite resistance and battery performance, which was attributed to the homogeneous, immobilized ion network provided by the PIL-containing IPN. Furthermore, the effects of ionic conductivity and homogenized ion distribution were quantitatively delineated by galvanostatic cycling and polarization measurements at current densities that were below and above the estimated Sand's critical current density based on the Chazalviel model. Full battery tests also showed excellent discharge capacity, cycle life, and Coulombic efficiency. Our results suggest that the PIL-containing IPN SPEs provide a promising system for stabilizing lithium electrodeposition and fabricating high performance LMBs.
Effects of SR-BI rs5888 and rs4238001 variations on hypertension

Abstract Background Scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), involved in reverse cholesterol pathway, is a multilipoprotein receptor and capable of binding HDL, LDL and VLDL. SR-BI may contribute to the development of hypertension due to accumulation of cholesterol in the vessel wall via transporting lipoproteins. Therefore, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between SR-BI rs5888 and rs4238001 variants in the patient with hypertension. Materials and methods Seventy three subjects diagnosed with hypertension and 76 healthy subjects constituted the patient and control group, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction protocol was performed to detect variations of rs5888 and rs4238001. The results were analyzed with the SPSS 22 program and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and discussion SR-BI rs4238001 variation did not show significant difference between patient and control group (p > 0.05). In the SR-BI rs5888 variation; normal homozygous CC and heterozygous CT carriers had an average 2-fold lower risk of hypertension than those carrying the TT genotype (p < 0.05). Conclusion SR-BI rs5888 TT variant may increase hypertension risk by reducing lipid transport to the liver from the vessel wall.
Ethyl pyruvate inhibits LPS induced IPEC-J2 inflammation and apoptosis through p38 and ERK1/2 pathways

ABSTRACT The endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria threatens the intestinal health of livestock. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has been shown to regulate intestinal immunity and protect against cell and tissue damage. In this study, it was first verified that EP could reduce the secretion of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in LPS-induced IPEC-J2 cells. Then, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of inflammatory factors induced by LPS in IPEC-J2 cells. It was found that LPS induced the upregulation of 377 genes and the downregulation of 477 genes compared to Vehicle; LPS+EP induced the upregulation of 258 genes and the downregulation of 240 genes compared to Vehicle; and LPS+EP induced the upregulation of 373 genes and the downregulation of 188 genes compared to LPS (fold change > 1.5 and FDR < 0.01). Their enrichment pathways included the MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and other pathways. Furthermore, the mRNA level of cytokines associated with inflammation and apoptosis enriched in the MAPK pathway was verified by qRT-PCR. Western blots and immunofluorescence revealed that EP significantly inhibited phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 protein expression levels (P < 0.05). The apoptosis due to LPS reduced by EP was significantly inhibited, as shown by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. According to the results, EP inhibited the expression of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β as well as apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 in LPS-induced IPEC-J2 cells.
Update on the management of febrile neutropenia in hematologic patients

Febrile neutropenia is a common complication in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving chemotherapy, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a therapeutic challenge in this high-risk patient population, since inadequate initial empirical antibiotic treatment can seriously compromise prognosis. Besides, reducing antimicrobial exposure is a cornerstone in the fight against resistance.
The longitudinal association between alcohol consumption and muscle strength: A population-based prospective study

Objectives: Studies have investigated the association between alcohol consumption and muscle mass and muscle disease. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and muscle strength remains unclear. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between alcohol consumption and changes in muscle strength. Methods: This study evaluated 326 Japanese men and women over a 2-year period, assessing alcohol consumption using a brief, self-administered diet-history questionnaire. Muscle strength was assessed using a digital grip dynamometer. Results: In a non-adjusted model, alcohol consumption was positively correlated with a decline in muscle strength (p for trend = 0.002). After adjusting model 1 for age, sex, and body mass index, adjusting model 2 for health status and fully adjusting model 3, there was a significant positive association between alcohol consumption and a decline in muscle strength, and this association showed no change over the 2-year period (p for trend = 0.006). Conclusion: In this Japanese population, high alcohol consumption was associated with a greater decline in muscle strength. Future studies are needed to ascertain whether this relationship is present in other populations.
Computational Mathematics Compatible Maxwell solvers with particles I : conforming and non-conforming 2 D schemes with a strong Ampere law

This article is the first of a series where we develop and analyze structure-preserving finite element discretizations for the time-dependent 2D Maxwell system with long-time stability properties, and propose a charge-conserving deposition scheme to extend the stability properties in the case where the current source is provided by a particle method. The schemes proposed here derive from a previous study where a generalized commuting diagram was identified as an abstract compatibility criterion in the design of stable schemes for the Maxwell system alone, and applied to build a series of conforming and non-conforming schemes in the 3D case. Here the theory is extended to account for approximate sources, and specific chargeconserving schemes are provided for the 2D case. In this article we study two schemes which include a strong discretization of the Ampere law. The first one is based on a standard conforming mixed finite element discretization and the long-time stability is ensured by a Raviart-Thomas finite element interpolation for the current source, thanks to its commuting diagram properties. The second one is a new non-conforming variant where the numerical fields are sought in fully discontinuous spaces. Numerical experiments involving Maxwell and Maxwell-Vlasov problems are then provided to validate the stability of the proposed methods. Math. classification. 35Q61, 65M12, 65M60, 65M75.
Expression Pattern of Selected Toll-like Receptors (TLR’s) in the PBMC’s of Severe and Non-severe Dengue Cases

ABSTRACT Objective: The role of TLR’s in the pathogenesis of dengue is not explored well. Differential expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was reported in dengue cases. In the present study in order to understand the expression pattern of various TLR’s, including TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9, mRNA levels were determined in various dengue study groups compared to control groups, at the time of admission and around defervescence using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Methods: A total of 88 dengue cases with 32 severe and 56 non-severe cases were involved in the study. Gene expression pattern of the study groups was compared with 31 other febrile illness (OFI) cases and 63 healthy controls. Transcript levels of the target genes were estimated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples collected from cases and controls using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: We have noted a significant alteration in the levels of all TLR’s in dengue and OFI cases compared to healthy controls at the time of admission. Interestingly we have noted a significant alteration in the levels of TLR9 in severe and non-severe cases during defervescence. The same was not detected in the OFI group. Conclusion: The present study found a change in TLR’s during dengue infection. This suggests us to explore the TLR’s as therapeutic candidate for anti-dengue virus strategies. However, in order to ascertain the involvement of TLR’s in the disease pathology and its role as biomarkers for prognosis, a complete dynamics of TLR’s expression needs to be studied.
Immunosuppression in inflammatory cardiomyopathy and parvovirus B19 persistence

Figure 1 Changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), grade of inflammation and parvovirus B19 (B19V) copy number following 6 months of immunosuppressive treatment. LVEF change between baseline and after 6 months of treatment with prednisolone (1 mg/kg once daily tapered by 10 mg biweekly) and 100 mg azathioprine in addition to standard heart failure medication was not different between B19V-positive (A) and -negative (B) patients (LVEF 9.4± 14.0%, n = 51 vs. LVEF 9.7 ± 11.8%, n = 17, P = 0.9023). Transcriptionally active patients (determined as copy numbers/μg mRNA) are shown in red. The grade of inflammation (defined as grade I ≥14 leucocytes/mm2 including up to 4 monocytes/mm2 with the presence of CD3-positive T-lymphocytes ≥ 7 cells/mm2 and grade II if > 2X grade I counts) was significantly reduced in both B19V-positive (C) and -negative (D) patients by a mean of 0.86± 0.63 (n = 51) and 0.82± 0.63 (n = 17) grade points, respectively. (E) B19V viral loads after treatment (determined as copy numbers/μg DNA) were not significantly varied from baseline; lines representing patients who were B19V-negative at baseline are shown in red; 53 patients showed detectable B19V DNA before or after treatment. Haemodynamic improvement was found in both B19V-positive and -negative patients with biopsy-proven myocardial inflammation, and analysed subgroups, justifying anti-inflammatory treatment. In the univariate analysis, left ventricular improvement was independent of the presence or absence of virus, the virus load or the presence or magnitude of the mRNA copy numbers. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. All patients have signed an informed consent according to the local ethics committee (application no. EA2/140/16). Paired t-test was used to compare the results at the two time points (before vs. after treatment). EF, ejection fraction. to a cardiac bioportfolio without clinical significance.1 However, B19V DNA is also found in the majority of chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy patients with low copy numbers, questioning whether this finding contributes to the disease and influences treatment implications.2–4 Current European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommendations support an anti-inflammatory treatment regime in inflammatory cardiomyopathy patients when active cardiac infection is excluded.5 Whether this precaution holds true for patients with B19V persistence, which does not principally represents an active infection, is under discussion.4 To gain insights into immunosuppressive treatment effects of B19V-negative and -positive patients with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)-proven inflammatory cardiomyopathy, we compared the changes in systolic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, %), B19V viral genome copy numbers (B19V DNA2) and grade of inflammation of 51 consecutive B19V-positive patients [33 men