Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS IN EVOLUTION OF ANT DISPERSAL IN THE MILKWORT FAMILY (POLYGALACEAE)

Abstract A phylogenetic approach was taken to investigate the evolutionary history of seed appendages in the plant family Polygalaceae (Fabales) and determine which factors might be associated with evolution of elaiosomes through comparisons to abiotic (climate) and biotic (ant species number and abundance) timelines. Molecular datasets from three plastid regions representing 160 species were used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree of the order Fabales, focusing on Polygalaceae. Bayesian dating methods were used to estimate the age of the appearance of ant-dispersed elaiosomes in Polygalaceae, shown by likelihood optimizations to have a single origin in the family. Topology-based tests indicated a diversification rate shift associated with appearance of caruncular elaiosomes. We show that evolution of the caruncular elaiosome type currently associated with ant dispersal occurred 54.0–50.5 million year ago. This is long after an estimated increase in ant lineages in the Late Cretaceous based on molecular studies, but broadly concomitant with increasing global temperatures culminating in the Late Paleocene–Early Eocene thermal maxima. These results suggest that although most major ant clades were present when elaiosomes appeared, the environmental significance of elaiosomes may have been an important factor in success of elaiosome-bearing lineages. Ecological abundance of ants is perhaps more important than lineage numbers in determining significance of ant dispersal. Thus, our observation that elaiosomes predate increased ecological abundance of ants inferred from amber deposits could be indicative of an initial abiotic environmental function.
Quantitative studies of bone in postmenopausal women using (18)F-fluoride and (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate.

UNLABELLED Quantitative radionuclide studies of bone using the short-lived tracers (18)F-fluoride and (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) are an alternative method to biochemical markers of bone turnover for investigating the dynamic state of the skeleton. In this study we evaluated their use to quantify bone turnover in women receiving antiresorptive therapy compared with that of untreated control subjects. METHODS The patients were 69 healthy postmenopausal women. Twenty-six women were receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 43 were untreated age-matched control subjects. After bolus injection of (18)F-fluoride (1 MBq), (99m)Tc-MDP (1 MBq), (51)Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (3 MBq), and (125)I-labeled human serum albumin (0.25 MBq), multiple blood samples and urine collections were taken between 0 and 4 h. The clearance to bone mineral K(bone) was first evaluated using the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) on the assumption that the rate constant k(4) for the outflow of tracer from bone was negligibly small. AUC values of K(bone) were then compared with those found using a compartmental model method that allowed k(4) to be fitted as a free parameter. RESULTS Using the AUC method the mean plus minus SD for K(bone) for the 2 tracers were: (18)F-fluoride, 61.8 plus minus 12.0 mL center dot min(-1) (HRT group) versus 67.2 plus minus 12.6 mL center dot min(-1) (control group) (P = 0.045); and (99m)Tc-MDP, 40.3 plus minus 8.2 mL center dot min(-1) (HRT group) versus 44.2 plus minus 7.6 mL center dot min(-1) (control group) (P = 0.024). Values for the 2 tracers in individual patients were moderately well correlated (r = 0.76; P < 0.001). Using the compartmental model method, k(4) for (18)F-fluoride was shown to lie in the range 0--0.0025 min(-1) with a best-fit value of 0.0018 min(-1). Values of K(bone) determined using k(4) = 0.0018 min(-1) were highly correlated with the AUC values (r = 0.989; SEE = 2.05 mL center dot min(-1)) with numeric values that were larger by a factor of 1.53. Analysis of the (99m)Tc-MDP data was more difficult because of uncertainties in protein binding in the extracellular fluid compartment space. The best fit for k(4) was in the range 0.0010--0.0014 min(-1) with values of K(bone) similar to those found using the AUC method. CONCLUSION Values of K(bone) determined using the AUC method were able to differentiate between HRT-treated women and postmenopausal women who were not treated and were highly correlated with those determined using a compartmental model method with nonzero values of k(4).
Quantitative T2* (T2 star) relaxation times predict site specific proteoglycan content and residual mechanics of the intervertebral disc throughout degeneration

Degeneration alters the biochemical composition of the disc, affecting the mechanical integrity leading to spinal instability. Quantitative T2* MRI probes water mobility within the macromolecular network, a potentially more sensitive assessment of disc health. We determined the relationship between T2* relaxation time and proteoglycan content, collagen content, and compressive mechanics throughout the degenerative spectrum. Eighteen human cadaveric lumbar (L4–L5) discs were imaged using T2* MRI. The T2* relaxation time at five locations (nucleous pulposus or NP, anterior annulus fibrosis or AF, posterior AF, inner AF, and outer AF) was correlated with sulfated‐glycosaminoglycan (s‐GAG) content, hydroxyproline content, and residual stress and strain at each location. T2* relaxation times were significantly correlated with s‐GAG contents in all test locations and were particularly strong in the NP (r = 0.944; p < 0.001) and inner AF (r = 0.782; p < 0.001). T2* relaxation times were also significantly correlated with both residual stresses and excised strains in the NP (r = 0.857; p < 0.001: r = 0.816; p < 0.001), inner AF (r = 0.535; p = 0.022: r = 0.516; p = 0.028), and outer AF (r = 0.668; p = 0.002: r = 0.458; p = 0.041). These strong correlations highlight T2* MRI's ability to predict the biochemical and mechanical health of the disc. T2* MRI assessment of disc health is a clinically viable tool showing promise as a biomarker for distinguishing degenerative changes. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1083–1089, 2014.
21 April 2016 A thermoresponsive polydiolcitrate-gelatin scaffold and delivery system mediates effective bone formation from BMP 9-transduced mesenchymal stem cells

Successful bone tissue engineering requires at the minimum sufficient osteoblast progenitors, efficient osteoinductive factors, and biocompatible scaffolding materials. We previously demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is one of the most potent factors in inducing osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, we investigated the potential use of a biodegradable citrate-based thermosensitive macromolecule, poly(polyethyleneglycol citrateco-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PPCN) mixed with gelatin (PPCNG) as a scaffold for the delivery of BMP9-stimulated MSCs to promote localized bone formation. The addition of gelatin to PPCN effectively enhanced the cell adhesion and survival properties of MSCs entrapped within the gel in 3D culture. Using the BMP9-transduced MSC line immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (iMEFs), we found that PPCNG facilitated BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of iMEFs in vivo and promoted the formation of well-ossified and vascularized trabecular bone-like structures in a mouse model of ectopic bone formation. Histologic evaluation revealed that vascularization of the bony masses retrieved from the iMEFs + PPCNG group was significantly more pronounced than that of the direct cell injection group. Accordingly, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was shown to be significantly higher in the bony masses recovered from the iMEFs + PPCNG group. Taken together, our results suggest that PPCNG may serve as a novel biodegradable and injectable scaffold and carrier for gene and cell-based bone tissue engineering. PaPer
Psychological morbidity among co-residents of older people in rural South India: Prevalence and risk factors

Objective: This study attempted to examine psychological morbidity among co-residents of older people living in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated psychological morbidity among co-residents using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire and psychiatric morbidity among older people using the 10/66 Dementia Research Group’s population-based studies protocol. Socio-demographic data were also collected. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Of 807 residents evaluated, 73 (9.0%) had significant psychological morbidity. Such morbidity was associated with being older, female, poorer, illiterate, currently employed and being a spouse of the older person. A diagnosis of depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms and greater disability in older people were also associated with psychological morbidity among co-residents. Conclusion: Co-residents living with older people have significant psychological morbidity, which needs to be recognised and treated.
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and its relationship with pain.

BACKGROUND Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are at a great risk of a fall and fracture, which vitamin D protects against. Vitamin D deficiency is expected to be highly prevalent in LSS patient, and pain is thought to have a profound effect on vitamin D status by limiting activity and sunlight exposure. OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] < 20ng/mL) and its relationship with pain. STUDY DESIGN Nonblinded, cross-sectional clinical study. SETTING University-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. METHODS Consecutive patients who visited the orthopedic outpatient clinic for chronic low back pain and leg pain and were diagnosed as LSS between May 2012 and October 2012 were included. Pain was categorized into 4 groups based on location and severity: 1) mild to moderate back or leg pain; 2) severe back pain; 3) severe leg pain; and 4) severe back and leg pain. Covariates for vitamin D deficiency included age, sex, body mass index, level of education, medical history, season, region of residence, sunlight exposure score and functional disability. 25-OHD level was measured by radioimmunoassay, and bone metabolic status including bone mineral density and bone turnover markers was also measured. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to adjust all risk estimates for covariates. RESULTS The study had 350 patients enrolled. Mean serum 25-OHD level was 15.9 ± 7.1 ng/mL (range, 2.5 ~ 36.6). of the 350 patients, 260 patients out of 350 (74.3%) were vitamin D deficient. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the following patients: 1) medical comorbidity; 2) urban residence rather than rural; 3) lower score for sunlight exposure; and 4) severe leg pain, or severe back and leg pain rather than mild to moderate pain. Pain category was significantly associated with lower sunlight exposure; however, the association between pain category and vitamin D deficiency remained significant even after adjustment for the sunlight exposure. Furthermore, severe back pain, and severe back and leg pain were also associated with higher incidence of osteoporosis and higher level of bone resorption marker (serum CTx). LIMITATIONS The limitation of our study is that due to its cross-sectional design, causal relationships between pain and vitamin D deficiency could not be established. CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in LSS patients (74.3%), and severe pain was associated with higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis which could be potential risk factors or a fall and fracture. As evidenced by the present study, assessment of serum 25-OHD and bone mineral density are recommended in LSS patients with severe pain, and active treatment combining vitamin D, calcium, or bisphosphonate should be considered according to the status of the bone metabolism.
K+ Efflux Is Required for Histone H3 Dephosphorylation by Listeria monocytogenes Listeriolysin O and Other Pore-Forming Toxins

ABSTRACT Chromatin modification triggered by bacteria is a newly described mechanism by which pathogens impact host transcription. Listeria monocytogenes dephosphorylates histone H3 through the action of listeriolysin O (LLO); however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here we show that an unrelated pore-forming toxin, Aeromonas aerolysin, also provokes H3 dephosphorylation (dePH3). As reported for aerolysin, we show that LLO and related toxins induce a pore-dependent K+ efflux and that this efflux is the signal required for dePH3. In addition, LLO-induced K+ efflux activates caspase-1. However, we demonstrate that dePH3 is unlinked to this activation. Therefore, our study unveils K+ efflux as an important signal leading to two independent events critical for infection, inflammasome activation and histone modification.
Subtalar Joint Axis in Patients With Symptomatic Peritalar Subluxation Compared to Normal Controls

Background: The etiology of peritalar subluxation (PTS) is poorly understood and likely mutifactorial. An anatomic predisposition for posterolateral subluxation of the hindfoot has not been previously described or investigated. The aim of the current study was to describe the morphology of the subtalar joint axis (STJA) in patients with symptomatic PTS compared to normal controls. Methods: We identified patients with symptomatic PTS who had undergone operative correction from hospital records. The angle of the axis of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint was made on simulated weight-bearing CT (SWBCT) scans. A control group of patients who had no foot deformity on standing films was used for comparison. The STJA was defined as the angle between the superior talar dome and the posterior facet of the talus on coronal CT scan. The mean, maximum, and minimum STJAs were calculated for each cut from anterior to posterior across the posterior facet. The trend in progression across the posterior facet was also examined. Results: After exclusions, 22 feet in 20 patients were included in the study group and compared to 20 control subjects. It was seen that patients with PTS had an increased valgus orientation of the subtalar joint. In patients with PTS the STJA began in valgus and progressed to even greater valgus from anterior to posterior across the posterior facet. The STJA in control subjects was seen instead to begin in slight varus and transition to valgus at the junction of the anterior and middle third and then increase in valgus as the joint progressed posteriorly. Conclusions: The valgus orientation of the coronal plane of the subtalar joint may represent an anatomic contribution to the etiology of PTS. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.
Role of spectral doppler in the differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lymphadenopathy

Introduction: Differentiating benign from malignant lymphadenopathy is often a diagnostic challenge to medical professionals and multiple non invasive modalities from palpation to MRI have been used. Histopathology remains the gold standard but imaging modalities are frequently used. The main objective of our study is to assess the accuracy of spectral Doppler in differentiating benign and malignant lymphadenopathy. Methods: A prospective study was done in patients with cervical nodes and the Doppler study was done primarily assessing the spectral doppler features and the diagnosis was compared with histopathology. Results: Reactive nodes usually showed hilar vascularity. Metastatic nodes showed Peripheral and chaotic multifocal vascular signals. Resistive Index and Pulsatility Index were the most important markers among the spectral parameters for the differentiation of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy. RI and PI of malignant nodes was significantly higher than benign nodes. PSV of the nodes was not much different but EDV was low in metastatic nodes. EDV> 11.1 cm/s has 100% negative predictive value for nodal metastasis, and EDV<3.4 cm/s has 100% specificity and PPV for metastasis. Tubercular nodes shows indeterminate doppler characteristics. Conclusion: Colour doppler sonography is a highly efficacious investigation for differentiation of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy Colour doppler can be used to prevent unnecessary invasive biopsy in many patients particularly in those patients where we get very low values of RI and PI and very high values for EDV. RI is the single most important parameter in the differentiation of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy. Cut off value of 0.7 for RI and 1.3 for PI, yield acceptable sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.
O enriquecimento ambiental como estratégia neuroprotetora na hipóxia-isquemia encefálica neonatal : a função da barreira hematoencefálica e o perfil neuroinflamatório no hipocampo de ratos

Abbreviations: AJs, adherens junctions; ANOVA, analysis of variance; BBB, blood-brain barrier; CTEE, control exposed to environmental enrichment; CTSE, control maintained in standard environment; EE, environmental enrichment; GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein; GLUT1, glucose transporter 1; HI, hypoxia-ischemia; HIEE, hypoxiaischemia exposed to environmental enrichment; HISE, hypoxia-ischemia maintained in standard environment; PND, postnatal day; TJs, tight junctions. ∗ Corresponding author at: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 sala 107, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. E-mail addresses: rdfisioterapia@gmail.com (R. Diaz), patymiguel@msn.com (P.M. Miguel), bruninhaferrary@hotmail.com (B.F. Deniz), heloisadconfortim@gmail.com (H.D. Confortim), silvia.barbosa@ufrgs.br (S. Barbosa), mo padilha@hotmail.com (M.C.P. Mendonç a), hofling@unicamp.br (M.A. da Cruz-Höfling), lenir.orlandi@ufrgs.br (L.O. Pereira). http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu. 2016.06. 006 0736-5748/© 2016 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 36 R. Diaz et al. / Int. J. Devl Neuroscience 53 (2016) 35–45
Garrotes, Springs, Ratchets, and Whips: Putting Dynamin Models to the Test

The GTPase dynamin is essential for clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Numerous new and exciting discoveries regarding dynamin function in vivo and in vitro have led to various models in which dynamin functions directly in membrane fission and the release of clathrin‐coated vesicles from the plasma membrane. This would make dynamin unique among GTPases in its ability to act as a mechanochemical enzyme. Here we review the various models and their supporting data. We then discuss new findings that raise doubts as to whether dynamin breaks the paradigm that governs regulatory GTPases.
Management of synchronized network activity by highly active neurons

Increasing evidence supports the idea that spontaneous brain activity may have an important functional role. Cultured neuronal networks provide a suitable model system to search for the mechanisms by which neuronal spontaneous activity is maintained and regulated. This activity is marked by synchronized bursting events (SBEs)—short time windows (hundreds of milliseconds) of rapid neuronal firing separated by long quiescent periods (seconds). However, there exists a special subset of rapidly firing neurons whose activity also persists between SBEs. It has been proposed that these highly active (HA) neurons play an important role in the management (i.e. establishment, maintenance and regulation) of the synchronized network activity. Here, we studied the dynamical properties and the functional role of HA neurons in homogeneous and engineered networks, during early network development, upon recovery from chemical inhibition and in response to electrical stimulations. We found that their sequences of inter-spike intervals (ISI) exhibit long time correlations and a unimodal distribution. During the network's development and under intense inhibition, the observed activity follows a transition period during which mostly HA neurons are active. Studying networks with engineered geometry, we found that HA neurons are precursors (the first to fire) of the spontaneous SBEs and are more responsive to electrical stimulations.
The land crab Johngarthia planata (Stimpson, 1860) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Gecarcinidae) colonizes human-dominated ecosystems in the continental mainland coast of Mexico

Abstract The land crab Johngarthia planata (Stimpson, 1860) has been reported from the Baja California Peninsula and several oceanic islands in the Eastern Pacific as well as inshore islands of the Mexican, Costa Rican and Colombian coast. However, the species has not been observed on the continental mainland, as it is likely that the high diversity of terrestrial predators/competitors make the establishment of mainland populations nearly impossible. In this contribution, several new records of this species that have been observed in urban areas along the continental Pacific coast of Mexico are reported. These records demonstrate that the presence of humans does not necessarily have a negative impact on land crab species. Indeed, the presence of humans may actually discourage the presence of native crab predators/competitors and hence increase the likelihood of a successful mainland settlement of land crab species that are otherwise island and peninsula restricted. The presence of Johngarthia planata is ecologically relevant for coastal forests because gecarcinid crabs significantly influence plant recruitment and Johngarthia planata is considerably larger than the mainland species Gecarcinus quadratus.
Frictionless air flow blade fan for thermal management of electronics

This paper introduces a miniaturized frictionless fan concept, which is similar to a piezo-electric driven fan principle. This type of fan has been employed for the enhancement of heat transfer by increasing the fluid circulation in regions which are otherwise stagnant. The introduced fan is based on a flexible blade whose vibration is driven by means of a magnetic field. As opposed to the piezo-electric fan, the blade material can be based on a polymer or steel blade. A static mechanical FE-analysis has shown good potential for a reliable, frictionless (i.e. highly reliable) fan compared to the piezo-electric one or to small axial or radial fans. A flow rate of ~11 l/min could be reached. This is 1/3 below to the compared piezo-electric fan. But the advantage of the introduced fan compared to the piezo-electric fan is its low driving voltage of 2.5 V instead of 120 V. The paper will describe the principle and first experimental results.
Faculty Evaluation of Surgery Clerkship Students: Important Components of Written Comments

Quiet 0.96 Intelligence 0.93 Clinical reasoning skills 0.91 Fund of knowledge 0.91 Work ethic 0.89 Overall performance 0.88 Future life as a physician 0.85 Role on team 0.85 Will improve in time 0.83 Organization 0.81 Interpersonal skills with patients 0.79 Evidence of study 0.79 Written and/or oral skills 0.75 Professionalism 0.74 Motivation 0.73 Participates during rounds/conferences 0.68 Prepares for and participates in patient care activities 0.62 Initiative 0.60 Clinical skills 0.58 Interpersonal skills with staff 0.49 Miscellaneous; no category 0.20 General comments such as ‘‘nice guy’’ 0.17