Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Jack-of-all-trades" egg mimicry in the brood parasitic Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo?

Parasitism of multiple host species by a generalist poses the difficulty of overcoming a potentially diverse array of host defenses. In some generalist avian obligate brood parasites, selection for egg mimicry by hosts has given rise to host-specific races (gentes), each of which lays an egg that mimics that of its favored host. However, it is unknown how generalist parasites lacking races are able to circumvent egg rejection by hosts. The Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo, Chalcites basalis, is a generalist brood parasite that exploits a diversity of hosts yet is reported to lay monomorphic eggs. Using reflectance spectrometry and visual modeling, we tested for egg polymorphisms in Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo eggs laid in the nests of 17 host species. We found that the host species possess broadly similar egg phenotypes that differ subtly but significantly from one another in their color and luminance. However, the Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo does not mimic this diversity, thus ruling out the existence of host-specific egg color and luminance phenotypes that are visible to birds but hidden from humans. Instead, our analyses support the idea that the Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo egg is a jack-of-all-trades mimic, lying in an intermediate position in avian visual space between the eggs of its various hosts. We suggest that jack-of-all-trades mimicry may be favored among brood parasites that parasitize hosts with a narrow range of egg phenotypes and where individual female brood parasites exploit multiple host species.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in the Adult Population of Porto-Novo (Benin)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus in the adult population of Porto-Novo. Methods: A cross-sectional study with random sampling, stratified cluster, was used. Fasting blood glucose was measured in capillary blood (Accu-Chek Active). Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose ≥ 1.26 g/L, and fasting hyperglycemia in non-diabetic fasting glucose ≥ 1.10 and < 1.26 g/L. Results: The survey involved 240 individuals. The sex ratio was 0.48. The mean age was 46 ± 13 years (range 25 - 80 years). The prevalence of hyperglycemic patients was 7.9%. The prevalence of diabetes was 6.7%, including 3.3% of unknown diabetes, half of diabetics. The prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia without diabetes was 1.2%. The risk factors for diabetes type 2 onset were a family history of diabetes (p = 0.017), older age (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.005) and abdominal obesity (NCEP: p = 0.044; FID: p = 0.001). Conclusion: These high figures confirm the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Benin, documented in many developing countries.
Interactions between dendritic cells and T lymphocytes in pathogenesis of nasal polyps

The aim of the present study was to investigate the functional status of dendritic cells (DCs) in nasal polyps (NP) and their interactions with T lymphocytes. The interactions between DC and T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of NP was also studied. The expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)1a and CD83 in NP was detected using immunohistochemistry and the ratio of CD83 DC/CD1a+DC was counted. The distribution of DCs in NP and normal inferior turbinate mucosa (nITM) was evaluated using double immunostaining (CD1a/CD40) and low illumination fluorescence microscopy. The number of CD1a+ cells, CD83+ cells and CD1a/CD40-dual positive cells in was significantly higher in NP tissues compared with nITM. Furthermore, the density of DCs observed in NP was significantly greater than that observed in nITM. The ratio of CD83 DC/CD1a+DC in NP was significantly higher compared with in nITM tissues. The results of the present study revealed significant infiltration of DCs in NP, with the majority being mature DCs. DCs are able to interact with T cells via the CD40/CD40L costimulatory factor, thus serving an important role in the development and progression of NP.
Effects of High Levels of Antimycin A on Aquatic Invertebrates in a Warmwater Arizona Stream

Abstract Restoration of native fish to freshwater habitats often requires nonnative fish removal via chemicals such as antimycin A. Despite widespread use, there are limited field studies quantifying the effects of antimycin A on aquatic macroinvertebrates. We studied the immediate and short-term effects of antimycin A on macroinvertebrates during a fish renovation project in Fossil Creek, Arizona. We employed before–after control–impact (BACI) designs to measure the effects of antimycin A (at extraordinarily high levels of >54 and >100 μg/L) on macroinvertebrate drift, density, and species composition. We used the Hilsenhoff biotic index, a measure of invertebrate pollution tolerance, to study changes in species composition. At the highest dose (>100 μg/L), drift was five times the pretreatment drift level and invertebrate standing stocks in pools and riffles decreased immediately. Densities rebounded in riffles within 5 months but remained depressed in pools. At the lower concentration (>54 μg/L), macro.
Aberrant DNA methylation profile and frequent methylation of KLK10 and OXGR1 genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Investigating aberrant DNA methylation in the cancer genome may identify genes that play an important role in tumor progression. In this study, we combined differential methylation hybridization and a CpG microarray platform to characterize methylation profiles and identify novel candidate genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The genomic DNA of 21 paired adjacent normal and HCC samples was used, and results were analyzed by hierarchical clustering. Twenty‐seven hypermethylated candidates and 38 hypomethylated candidates were obtained. Six candidate genes from the hypermethylated group were validated by combined bisulfite restriction analysis; two genes, human kallikrein 10 gene (KLK10) and oxoglutarate (α‐ketoglutarate) receptor 1 gene (OXGR1), were further analyzed by bisulfite sequencing. The DNA hypermethylation status of KLK10 and OXGR1 were subsequently examined in HCC cell lines and clinical samples using methylation‐specific PCR. In 49 HCC samples, 46 (94%) showed that at least one of these two genes was highly methylated. Moreover, KLK10 and OXGR1 mRNA levels were inversely correlated (r = −0.435 and −0.497, P < 0.05) with DNA methylation as examined in paired adjacent normal and tumor samples. Statistical analyses further indicated that KLK10 hypermethylation was significantly associated with cirrhosis (P = 0.042) and HCV infection (P = 0.017) as well as inversely associated with HBV infection (P = 0.023). Furthermore, restoration of KLK10 and OXGR1 expression reduced the ability of anchorage‐independent growth, and sensitized HCC cells to doxorubicin‐ or 5‐fluorouracil‐induced cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the hypermethylated KLK10 and OXGR1 are frequent in HCC and may be useful as markers for clinical application. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating headstarting as a management tool: post-release success of green iguanas (Iguana iguana) in Costa Rica.

Headstarting has become a popular tool employed by wildlife managers to help animal species- specifically those lacking or providing minimal parental care-offset extinction. However, many researchers challenge the conservation value of headstarting and urge proponents to monitor headstarted individuals following release into the wild to evaluate the success of headstart programs. As part of an experimental headstarting program managed by the Iguana Verde Foundation in Costa Rica, we conducted a 1.5-month radiotelemetry study of 11 headstarted 2 year old green iguanas (Iguana iguana) following their release into the wild at the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Headstarted iguanas were compared to their wild counterparts (two radiotelemetered and 18 opportunistically-encountered) with respect to changes in growth, arboreal microhabitat use, social aggregation, activity ranges and movements. Male and female headstarted iguanas exhibited similar behaviours and headstarted iguanas were similar to wild iguanas for most variables measured. Thus, the headstarted green iguanas were clearly capable of short-term (1.5-month) survival in the wild and their apparently normal behaviours reflected the suitable conditions under which they were raised. The results provide insight into the ecology of green iguanas and will help guide headstarting and reintroduction programs for iguanas at this location and endangered iguanas elsewhere. Key words:
Improvement of a Venus-Based Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation Assay to Visualize bFos-bJun Interaction in Living Cells

Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay makes it possible to visualize protein-protein interactions in living cells. In this assay, Venus, a bright-yellow variant of green fluorescent protein, is known to produce fluorescent backgrounds due to non-specific interactions. In this study we found that the V150A mutation increased by 8.6-fold the signal-to-noise ratio in the BiFC assay of bFos-bJun interaction.
Integrin β3 Inhibition Enhances the Antitumor Activity of ALK Inhibitor in ALK-Rearranged NSCLC

Purpose: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive cancers are sensitive to small-molecule ALK kinase inhibitors, but most cases experience failure following treatment. Hence, additional drug targets and combination therapeutic treatments are needed. We investigated gene expression that is regulated by the expression of ALK and explored its roles in cancer progression and therapeutic implication. Experimental Design: We screened ALK-rearranged non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization and then conducted multiplex gene expression analysis. We also performed a clinicopathologic analysis to validate the findings. Additional cellular experiments, including inhibition and migration assays, and in vivo lung cancer model studies were performed. Results: Among patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC, integrin β3 (ITGB3) was one of the overexpressed genes in comparison with that in ALK-negative NSCLC (P = 0.0003). ALK and integrin β3 expression were positively correlated, and we discovered that high integrin β3 mRNA expression was associated with metastasis and more advanced tumor stages (P < 0.005; P < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that inhibition of both ALK and integrin β3 led to increased drug sensitivity in vitro and in vivo (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: We discovered a positive correlation between ALK and integrin β3 expression levels in ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Our findings suggest that high integrin β3 expression in ALK-rearranged NSCLC is associated with tumor progression and a worse prognosis. This finding demonstrates the prognostic value of integrin β3 and provides a rationale for combination treatment with ALK and integrin β3 inhibitors in patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(17); 4162–74. ©2018 AACR.
Incidence of dementia and Alzheimer disease in 2 communities: Yoruba residing in Ibadan, Nigeria, and African Americans residing in Indianapolis, Indiana.

CONTEXT Alzheimer disease (AD) represents a major and increasing public health problem. If populations were identified with significantly lower or higher incidence rates of AD, the search for risk factors in the genesis of AD could be greatly enhanced. OBJECTIVE To compare incidence rates of dementia and AD in 2 diverse, elderly community-dwelling populations. DESIGN The Indianapolis-Ibadan Dementia Project, a longitudinal, prospective population-based study consisting of a baseline survey (1992-1993) and 2 subsequent follow-up waves after 2 years (1994-1995) and 5 years (1997-1998). Each wave followed a 2-stage design, with an in-home screening interview followed by a full diagnostic workup of a subsample of participants based on screening performance. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 2459 community-dwelling Yoruba residents of Ibadan, Nigeria, without dementia, and 2147 community-dwelling African American residents of Indianapolis, Ind, without dementia (all aged 65 years or older). The cohorts were followed up for a mean of 5.1 years and 4.7 years, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incident cases of dementia and AD in each of the 2 populations. RESULTS The age-standardized annual incidence rates were significantly lower among Yoruba than among African Americans for dementia (Yoruba, 1.35% [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13%-1.56%]; African Americans, 3.24% [95% CI, 2.11%-4.38%]) and for AD (Yoruba, 1.15% [95% CI, 0.96%-1.35%]; African Americans, 2.52% [95% CI, 1.40%-3.64%]). CONCLUSION This is the first report of incidence rate differences for dementia and AD in studies of 2 populations from nonindustrialized and industrialized countries using identical methods and the same group of investigators in both sites. Further explorations of these population differences may identify potentially modifiable environmental or genetic factors to account for site differences in dementia and AD.
A New Two-Dimensional Map with Hidden Attractors

The investigations of hidden attractors are mainly in continuous-time dynamic systems, and there are a few investigations of hidden attractors in discrete-time dynamic systems. The classical chaotic attractors of the Logistic map, Tent map, Henon map, Arnold’s cat map, and other widely-known chaotic attractors are those excited from unstable fixed points. In this paper, the hidden dynamics of a new two-dimensional map inspired by Arnold’s cat map is investigated, and the existence of fixed points and their stabilities are studied in detail.
Evidence for the Essential Role of Myosin Subfragment-2 in Muscle Contraction: Functional Communication between Myosin Head and Subfragment-2

In 1971, Harrington et al. put forward a hypothesis, in which helix-coil transition in the hinge region of myosin subfragment-2 (S-2) contributes to muscle contraction. The helix-coil transition hypothesis has been, however, ignored by muscle investigators over many years. In 1992, we worked with him to examine the effect of polyclonal antibody to myosin subfragment-2 (anti-S-2 antibody), and found that the antibody eliminated Ca2+-activated isometric force generation of skinned vertebrate muscle fibers without affecting MgATPase activity. Further studies using the same antibody indicated functional communication between myosin head and myosin S-2, including regulation of binding strength between myosin head and actin filament during Ca2+-activated contraction in vertebrate muscle fibers. These findings indicate that the swinging lever arm hypothesis, in which muscle contraction results from active rotation of myosin head converter domain, is incomplete because it ignores of the role of myosin S-2. Much more experimental work is necessary to reach full understanding of muscle contraction mechanism at the molecular level.
Leadership Behavior, Organizational Culture, and Teacher Performance

The behavior of school leadership and organizational culture are important factors related to the performance of teachers. Based on the concept, the purpose of the study to determine the relationship of principal leadership behavior, organizational culture and performance of teachers, with a quantitative approach, and involved 70 teachers as well as a population sample. The technique of collecting data using questionnaires, and data analysis used descriptive and inferential analysis techniques (simple correlation analysis and multiple correlation analysis). General conclusions are positive and significant correlation between the behavior of the leadership, organizational culture, with the performance of teachers in vocational Masohi City District and the District of Central Maluku Amahei
Oxidation Behavior of Zr-based Amorphous Alloys at 400˚- 450˚C in Air

<em><span lang="EN-US">The study of oxidation behavior of amorphous alloys based on Zirconium with 2 variations in composition was carried out: Zr<sub>64.5</sub>Cu<sub>17</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5 </sub>and Zr<sub>69.5</sub>Cu<sub>12</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5 </sub>at temperatures of 400 - 450˚C in air. Amorphous Zr-based alloys were thermally characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) to determine the crystallization temperature and glass transition temperature. The oxidation characterization was carried out using a Thermo gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) at temperatures of 400, 425, and 450˚C for 4 hours in air. The phase analysis of the oxidation product was identified using X-Ra</span><span>y Diffaction</span><span lang="EN-US"> (XRD). Based on DSC data the crystallization temperature for Zr<sub>64.5</sub>Cu<sub>17</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5</sub> and Zr<sub>69.5</sub>Cu<sub>12</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5 </sub>is 426 and 442˚C respectively. The oxidation kinetics of the two alloys follow parabolic law and the oxidation rate increases with the addition of temperature. Oxides formed during isothermal oxidation in the Zr<sub>64.5</sub>Cu<sub>17</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5 </sub>and Zr<sub>69.5</sub>Cu<sub>12</sub>Ni<sub>11</sub>Al<sub>7.5</sub> alloys are t-ZrO<sub>2</sub> (tetragonal) as the dominant phase and ZrO<sub>2</sub> (monoclinic) and CuO as the minor phase. The intermetallic phase is also formed in both samples, t-Zr<sub>2</sub>Ni and Zr<sub>2</sub>Cu. </span></em>
Factors Influencing the Zarit Burden Interview in a Japanese Community: Activities of Daily Living and Depressive State

Objective: Reducing the burden on the caregiver contributes to maintaining or enhancing quality of life of people with disability since caregiver support is indispensable to them. Methods: The Japanese short version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J-ZBI_8) was administered to 167 families of 243 community-dwelling disabled Japanese adults covered by the long-term care insurance system in Japan to clarify the relationship between burden of care and the disability. The status of the disabled adults was evaluated by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Frenchay Activity Index (FAI), and Japan Stroke Scale (Depression Scale) (JSS-D). J-ZBI_8 was predicted from the FIM using the classification and regression tree (CART) method. Results: Rank correlation coefficients between the J-ZBI_8 score and disabled adults’ motor and sensory subscores of the FIM, FAI, and JSS-D were -0.205, -0.249, -0.205 and 0.396, respectively. J-ZBI_8 score showed a relatively high relationship to depression. According to the CART method, FIM motor subscore (FIMM) was divided to 3 groups, FIMM less than 20, FIMM from 20 to 79, and FIMM of 80 or more. Scattergram indicated that FIM motor subscore of subjects whose caregiver had a high J-ZBI_8 score ranged at the mid-level of activities of daily living. Conclusion: Since assisting movement of subjects who need a great deal of help is a harder burden of care than simply moving the subject without considering the subject’s desires, the burden of the care of subjects who can perform a few ADL is more severe than the burden of care of completely bedridden subjects.
International Journal of Management Sciences and Business Research, 2014 ISSN (2226-8235) Vol-3, Issue 8

Author Detail: ZHAO Yuan-jun Glorious sun school of business and management Donghua University Shanghai China 200051 Abstract: Venture capital (VC) has been playing an increasingly important role in the growth of early-stage companies around the globe. In addition to providing equity financing, venture capitalists also involve heavily in the management of investee companies and provide a number of value-added services. However, Gompers (1996) notes that VCs have strong incentives to grandstand by taking investee firms public prematurely in order to exit and realize investment returns early. Hence, the net impact of VC involvement on firm performance remains unclear. Using a sample of companies listed on the Shenzhen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) board between 2004 and 2012, this paper examines the impact of VC on the short-term and long-term firm performance in emerging markets, particularly China. Empirical results show that compared with non-VC backed firms, VC backed firms are generally younger and smaller at the time of their initial public offering (IPO), as well as exhibit greater IPO underpricing. Moreover, although VC and non-VC backed firms do not exhibit differential performance during the lockup period, the former experience significantly greater decline in accounting performance as well as poorer stock return after the expiration of the lockup period. Additional analyses show that the level of underpricing and decline in firm performance are negatively associated with the age of VC firms. These results provide empirical evidence in accordance with Gompers (1996) grandstanding hypothesis, suggesting that VC firms in China have strong incentives to take firms public prematurely in order to exit and realize investment returns early. This strategic behavior in turn has a negative impact on the long-term performance and well-being of investee companies. We further partition the subsample of VC-backed firms into those backed by stateowned VC firms and those backed by nonstateowned VC firms. Empirical evidence shows that companies invested by non-stateowned VC firms tend to underperform those backed by stateowned VC firms, suggesting that stateowned VC firms have less incentive to grandstand.
Silibinin Induced Human Glioblastoma Cell Apoptosis Concomitant with Autophagy through Simultaneous Inhibition of mTOR and YAP

Silibinin, also known as silybin, is the major flavonolignan isolated from Silybum marianum. Although previous reports demonstrated that silibinin exhibits significant tumor suppressor activities in various cancers by promoting cell apoptosis, it was also shown to trigger autophagy to counteract apoptosis induced by exogenous stresses in several types of cells. However, there is no report to address the role of silibinin induced autophagy in human A172 and SR glioblastoma cells. Our study showed that silibinin treatment not only inhibited the metabolic activities of glioblastoma cells but also promoted their apoptosis through the regulation of caspase 3 and PARP-1 in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Meanwhile, silibinin induced autophagy through upregulation of microtubule-associated protein a light chain 3- (LC3-) II. And autophagy inhibition with chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent, significantly enhanced silibinin induced glioblastoma cell apoptosis. Moreover, silibinin dose-dependently downregulated the phosphorylation levels of mTOR at Ser-2448, p70S6K at Thr-389, and 4E-BP1 at Thr-37/46. Furthermore, the expression of YAP, the downstream effector of Hippo signal pathway, was also suppressed by silibinin. These results suggested that silibinin induced glioblastoma cell apoptosis concomitant with autophagy which might be due to simultaneous inhibition of mTOR and YAP and silibinin induced autophagy exerted a protective role against cell apoptosis in both A172 and SR cells.