Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide Association study of facial morphology identifies novel genetic loci in Han Chinese

Human face is a heritable surface with many complex sensory organs. In recent years, many genetic loci associated with facial features have been reported in different populations, yet there is a lack for the Han Chinese population. We report a genome-wide association analysis of 3D normal human faces in 2659 Han Chinese with two groups of phenotypes, the partial and whole face phenotypes and the distance and angle phenotypes. We found significant signals in five genomic regions with traits related to nose or eyes, including rs970797 in 2q31.1 near HOXD1 and MTX2, rs16897517 in 8q22.2 at intron of VPS13B, rs9995821 in 4q31.3 near DCHS2 and SFRP2, rs12636297 in 3q23 near PISRT1, and rs12948076 in 17q24.3 near SOX9 and CASC17. We visualized changes in facial morphology by comparing the volume of local areas and observed that these nose-related loci were associated with different features of the nose, including nose prominence, nasion height, and nostril shape, suggesting that the nose underlies precise genetic regulation. These results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between genetic loci and human facial morphology. Author Summary Human face as a combination of delicate sensory organs has a strong genetic component, as evidenced by the identical appearance in twins and shared facial features in close relatives. Although facial genetics have been studied in different populations, our knowledge between genetic markers with facial features is still limited. In this paper, we found genetic variants associated with nose and eyes through a large-scale high-resolution 3D facial genetic study on the Han Chinese population. We observed that these nose-related loci were associated with different features of the nose, including nose prominence, nasion height, and nostril shape, which suggests the nose underlies precise genetic regulation. Intriguingly, we noted that genes (DCHS2 and SFRP2) related to one of these loci are differentially expressed in human and chimp cranial neural crest cells, which plays a crucial role in the early formation of facial morphology. The ongoing genetic studies of facial morphology will improve our understanding of human craniofacial development, and provide potential evolution evidence of human facial features.
07. Movements, mating and parturition in a female aspic viper, Vipera aspis , in western France

The aspic viper, Vipera aspis, is a small venomous viviparous snake of the western Palearctic region. It is heliothermic, basking in the sun to regulate body temperature. A capital breeder, females accumulate large amounts of energy before reproduction resulting in low reproductive frequency. Most females in western France apparently only reproduce once during their lifetime (Bonnet et al., 2002). Compared to non-pregnant females, pregnant females increase basking time substantially, display higher thermal preferenda and thermoregulate more precisely around thermal set points. Body temperature ranges of female V. aspis are within the highest level of thermal precision reported in squamates (Angilletta 2009; Lorioux et al., 2013). The advantages of attaining thermal optima on the developing embryos are larger fitter offspring and fewer stillborn. However, this strategy compels pregnant females to bask in more open locations compared to nonpregnant females, which increases predation risk (Lourdais et al., 2004) especially from predatory birds (Naulleau et al., 1997: Lourdais et al., 2013). Most research on V. aspis in western France has been undertaken in Department 44 (Loire–Atlantique; 47°03’ N, 02°00’ W) in a habitat consisting of a mosaic of meadows and regenerating scrubland (e.g. Bonnet et al., 1999; Bonnet et al., 2002; Lourdais et al., 2014). However, behaviour and reproductive strategy may differ in other regions and habitats (e.g. Luiselli & Zuffi, 2002; Altweg et al., 2005) and hence additional observations are of interest. This note describes movements in a female V. aspis during 2014 and 2015 in western France, but in a fragmented landscape in Department 85 (Vendee; 46°27`N;1°53`W) approximately 80km to the north of the Department 44 study locality, when mating and parturition were observed.
A temporal record of the past with a spectrum of time constants in the monkey entorhinal cortex

Significance Many brain regions, notably the hippocampus, contain a record of the recent past with time cells, neurons that fire in sequence, each at a specific time after a triggering event. The origin of this neural timeline has been unclear. This paper reports a timing signal in the entorhinal cortex (EC), which provides input to the hippocampus. Rather than firing sequentially, all EC neurons activated shortly after a stimulus and then decayed at a variety of rates. Because different neurons decay at different rates, one can reconstruct how far in the past the stimulus was presented by noting which neurons are still active. These results align well with the theoretical proposal that the brain represents the real Laplace transform of the past. Episodic memory is believed to be intimately related to our experience of the passage of time. Indeed, neurons in the hippocampus and other brain regions critical to episodic memory code for the passage of time at a range of timescales. The origin of this temporal signal, however, remains unclear. Here, we examined temporal responses in the entorhinal cortex of macaque monkeys as they viewed complex images. Many neurons in the entorhinal cortex were responsive to image onset, showing large deviations from baseline firing shortly after image onset but relaxing back to baseline at different rates. This range of relaxation rates allowed for the time since image onset to be decoded on the scale of seconds. Further, these neurons carried information about image content, suggesting that neurons in the entorhinal cortex carry information about not only when an event took place but also, the identity of that event. Taken together, these findings suggest that the primate entorhinal cortex uses a spectrum of time constants to construct a temporal record of the past in support of episodic memory.
OCCURRENCE OF Yersinia enterocolitica SEROTYPE O:9, AND Citrobacter freundii, TWO POTENTIAL HUMAN PATHOGENS IN THE THROATS OF TROPICAL PIGS OF GRENADA ORIGIN

A study to determine the occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica and Citrobacter freundii, two potential human pathogens in the throats of tropical pigs of Grenada origin and the antimicrobial pattern of the isolates was carried out. During a period of 30 days (15 September 2017 to 15 October 2017), throat swabs from a total of 97 weaned pigs were sampled to isolate and characterize Y. enterocolitica by serotyping and resistance testing, and to isolates C. freundii. Of the pigs tested, four (4.1%) pigs were positive for Y. enterocolitica. The four Yersinia-positive pigs included one (2.4%) of 41 male pigs and three (5.4%) of 56 female pigs. There were no significant differences between the proportions of Yersinia-positive male and female pigs (p = 0.8437). Of these four Yersinia-positive pigs, two were mixed with C. freundii, one had slight contamination, and the other was pure. All belonged to serotype 0:9. There were 31 pigs positive for C. freundii, and all showed mixed growth. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests against 14 drugs indicated that all isolates of Y. enterocolitica were susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, two classes of antimicrobials recommended for the treatment of Y. enterocolitica infection in humans.
Essential Oil Composition of Tanacetum parthenium from Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey

120 Normal 0 21 false false false HR X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Obicna tablica"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium L. ), which belongs to the family Asteraceae, is a perennial herbaceous plant with small flowers like chamomile. In this study, we investigated the essential oil composition of Tanacetum parthenium collected from Gumushane Province, Turkey. Forty-four components representing 86.04% of the oil were identified in the essential oil of aerial parts of T. parthenium obtained by hydrodistillation and examined by GC and GC-MS. The main component of the sample was camphor (39.47%), followed by guaiol (5.21%), caryophyllene oxide (3.91%), bornyl acetate (3.09%), (E)-verbenol (2.68%), camphene (2.29%) and α-cadinol (2.12%). Presence of camphor highlighted the potential of this plant as a drug source in the alternative medicine due to its antiseptic, antipruritic, aphrodisiac, contraception and lactation suppressant effects. Guainol was found in this study for the first time in T. parthenium . In addition, other important finding was the lack of trans- chrysanthenyl acetate in our T. parthenium sample.
Neural Mechanisms of Reward Prediction Error in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Few studies have explored neural mechanisms of reward learning in ASD despite evidence of behavioral impairments of predictive abilities in ASD. To investigate the neural correlates of reward prediction errors in ASD, 16 adults with ASD and 14 typically developing controls performed a prediction error task during fMRI scanning. Results revealed greater activation in the ASD group in the left paracingulate gyrus during signed prediction errors and the left insula and right frontal pole during thresholded unsigned prediction errors. Findings support atypical neural processing of reward prediction errors in ASD in frontostriatal regions critical for prediction coding and reward learning. Results provide a neural basis for impairments in reward learning that may contribute to traits common in ASD (e.g., intolerance of unpredictability).
Nestin selectively facilitates the phosphorylation of the Lissencephaly-linked protein doublecortin (DCX) by cdk5/p35 to regulate growth cone morphology and Sema3a sensitivity in developing neurons

Nestin, an intermediate filament protein widely used as a marker of neural progenitors, was recently found to be expressed transiently in developing cortical neurons in culture and in developing mouse cortex. In young cortical cultures, nestin regulates axonal growth cone morphology. In addition, nestin, which is known to bind the neuronal cdk5/p35 kinase, affects responses to axon guidance cues upstream of cdk5, specifically, to Sema3a. Changes in growth cone morphology require rearrangements of cytoskeletal networks, and changes in microtubules and actin filaments are well studied. In contrast, the roles of intermediate filament proteins in this process are poorly understood, even in cultured neurons. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanism by which nestin affects growth cone morphology and Sema3a sensitivity. We find that nestin selectively facilitates the phosphorylation of the lissencephaly-linked protein doublecortin (DCX) by cdk5/p35, but the phosphorylation of other cdk5 substrates is not affected by nestin. We uncover that this substrate selectivity is based on the ability of nestin to interact with DCX, but not with other cdk5 substrates. Nestin thus creates a selective scaffold for DCX with activated cdk5/p35. Lastly, we use cortical cultures derived from DCX knockout mice to show that the effects of nestin on growth cone morphology and on Sema3a sensitivity are DCX-dependent, thus suggesting a functional role for the DCX-nestin complex in neurons. We propose that nestin changes growth cone behavior by regulating the intracellular kinase signaling environment in developing neurons. Significance Statement Nestin, an intermediate filament protein highly expressed in neural progenitors, was recently identified in developing neurons where it regulates growth cone morphology and responsiveness to the guidance cue Sema3a. Changes in growth cone morphology require rearrangements of cytoskeletal networks, but the roles of intermediate filaments in this process are poorly understood. We now report that nestin selectively facilitates phosphorylation of the lissencephaly-linked doublecortin (DCX) by cdk5/p35, but the phosphorylation of other cdk5 substrates is not affected. This substrate selectivity is based on preferential scaffolding of DCX, cdk5, and p35 by nestin. Additionally, we demonstrate a functional role for the DCX-nestin complex in neurons. We propose that nestin changes growth cone behavior by regulating intracellular kinase signaling in developing neurons.
Analysis of Hypersensitivity in Fragrance Series by Patch Testing

Introduction: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory disorder, which occurs as a result of repeated contact with an allergen. Fragrances are the products obtained naturally or produced synthetically. The purpose of this study is to detect the fragrance allergens producing ACD. Materials and Methods: This is an open-label prospective observational study. Patients of age above 18 years with history of using cosmetic products with dermatitis lesions over face, neck, axilla and hands were included. Patch testing was done with fragrance series by using the standard technique. The results were interpreted on day 2 and day 4 as recommended by International Contact Dermatitis Research Group criteria. Results: Totally 27 patients were included in this study. Of them, 12 were males and 15 were females; the mean age was 43 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 12.5 months. The most common site of involvement was hands. Housewives and office workers were the most commonly affected occupational groups. The most commonly used category of cosmetic product was talcum powders by 13 (48.1%) patients. In this study, 85.18% patients showed at least one fragrance antigen positivity. Fragrance mix II is the most frequent allergen in this study. Discussion: We conclude that the fragrance mix II is an important marker to find out fragrance allergy. Hand dermatitis is the most common presentation in patients with fragrance allergy. Perfumed talcum powders, soaps and perfumes are the leading sources of sensitization to fragrance allergens.
Cytochrome-P450 2C9 Polymorphisms: Contribution to Warfarin Sensitivity and Prevalence in Egyptian Population

Cytochrome P450 2C9 is the main enzyme for degradation of many drugs including the most widely prescribed oral anticoagulant; warfarin. It is polymorphic with three common allelic variants: The wild type CYP2C9*1(the most active), and CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 both have less catalytic activity . The distribution of CYP2C9 variants varies greatly from one population to another. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of CYP2C9 polymorphims in the dose requirement of warfarin in Egyptian population and to estimate the prevalence of different CYP2C9 alleles and genotypes in the Egyptian population. One hundred and ninety six patients on warfarin therapy (INR target between 2.0 and 3.0) and 150 normal subjects were included in the present study. The genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP. Results: Allele frequencies in the Egyptian population sample were 70%, 20.1% and 9.9% for CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 respectively. Cases carrying either CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 required lower doses of warfarin for proper therapeutic response than those with the wild allele. Conclusion: There is high frequency of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variants amoung Egyptian population. These two variants are related to lower warfarin dose requirements which may lead to over anticoagulation and unstable anticoagulant response.
Acetylcholinesterase, Specific Acetylcholinesterase and Total Protein Concentrations in the Brain Regions of Broiler Chickens Fed Dietary Monosodium Glutamate

The study was carried out to examine the effect of varied levels of dietary monosodium glutamate on acetylcholinesterase, specific acetylcholinesterase and total protein concentrations in the brain regions of broiler chickens. Three hundred (300) day – old unsexed Abor – acre chickens were randomly assigned to diets: A, B, C, D, E and F containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg MSG respectively. Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed ad – libitum and provided with clean water for 8 weeks (56 days) after which 2 birds per replicates were slaughtered. The brains were removed, dissected into different regions comprising of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The different parts of the brain were homogenized to determine the acetylcholinesterase and total protein which were also used in the assessment of the specific acetylcholinesterase of the brain. No significant differences were observed in the acetylcholinesterase activity of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum except for the medulla. Likewise, the dietary monosodium glutamate did not influence the activities of the total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase of the olfactory lobe portion of the brain. The dietary monosodium glutamate exerted significant effects on the total protein of other brain parts studied and which invariably resulted in significant changes in the specific acetylcholinesterase of the optic lobe, cerebellum and medulla except for the optic lobe. This study revealed that monosodium glutamate added to broilers diet above 0.75 g/kg significantly altered the concentration of the brain acetylcholinesterase, total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase thereby impaired brain functions.
Yetişkin Bireylerde Gıda Neofobi Düzeyinin Belirlenmesi (Determination of Food Neophobia Level in Adult Individuals)

Geleneksel olmayan, farklı ülke mutfaklarına ait yiyecek ve içecekleri tüketmeye çekinme anlamına gelen gıda neofobisi, son yıllarda birçok akademik çalışmaya konu olmuştur. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de yaşayan bireylerin gıda neofobisi düzeyini belirlemek ve gıda neofobi düzeyi ile bireylerin demografik değişkenleri arasındaki ilişkiyi açıklamayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden yararlanılmış, veri toplama aracı olarak anket tekniği kullanılmıştır. Veriler 2017 yılının Kasım ve Aralık aylarında Ankara ve İstanbul’da farklı özel şirketlerde çalışan bireylerden elde edilmiştir. Ölçekte yer alan 11 ifade gıda neofobisi olarak tek boyutta toplanmıştır. Gıda neofobisi boyutunda katılımcıların bazı betimleyici istatistiklerine göre anlamlı farklılıklar elde edilmiştir. Katılımcıların genel gıda neofobi düzeyi literatürdeki diğer çalışmaların sonuçlara göre düşük çıkmıştır. Ayrıca gıda neofobi düzeyini eğitim ve yurt dışına çıkma durumunun etkilediği görülmüştür. Diğer demografik değişkenlerde ise farklılık gözlemlenmemiştir.
Effects of intensified silviculture on timber production and its economic profitability in boreal Norway spruce and Scots pine stands under changing climatic conditions

The aim of this study was to examine how intensified silviculture affects timber production (sawlogs and pulpwood) and its economic profitability (net present value [NPV], with 2 per cent interest rate) based on forest ecosystem model simulations. The study was conducted on Norway spruce and Scots pine stands located on medium-fertile upland forest sites under middle boreal conditions in Finland, under current climate and minor climate change (the RCP2.6 forcing scenario). In intensified silviculture, improved regeneration materials were used, with 10–20 per cent higher growth than the unimproved materials, and/or nitrogen (N) fertilization of 150 kg ha−1, once or twice during a rotation of 50–70 years. Compared to the baseline management regime, the use of improved seedlings, alone or together with N fertilization, increased timber production by up to 26–28 per cent and the NPV by up to 32–60 per cent over rotation lengths of 60–70 years, regardless of tree species (although more in spruce) or climate applied. The use of improved seedlings affected timber yield and NPV more than N fertilization. Minor climate change also increased these outcomes in Scots pine, but not in Norway spruce.
A Study on Efficacy and Tolerability of Miltefosine for Childhood Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Bihar.

mg/kg per day because a higher dose should lead to greater efcacy and because concordance of pediatric and adult dosing would facilitate treatment after registration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar as an open-label, trial involving 160 patients from October 2016 to September 2018. The data was analysed using SPSS Software. In the present study, Miltefosine was given orally at 2.5 mg/kg once per day for 28 days. All the patients were hospitalized, and administration of medication was directly observed by us. We included children, 2–11 years of age of both male and female sex, and had VL suspected on the basis of clinical presentation (fever, splenomegaly determined by palpation, anemia, and cytopenia) and conrmed by the demonstration of amastigotes in splenic aspirate specimens. The parasite load was graded on a logarithmic scale [19], whereby 1+ equals 1–10 amastigotes per 1000 high-power elds (HPFs), and 6+ equals >100 amastigotes per HPF. Exclusion criteria were values for the formed elements of the blood suggesting a premorbid state and The present study to observe the efcacy of Miltefosine in VL, in Bihar by evaluating the usage of adult dosage of Miltefosine (2.5 mg/kg/d for 28 days) in 160 children (age, 2–11 years). Materials and Methods : Our study is an open-label, clinical trial involving 160 patients admitted at JLNMCH, Bhagalpur, Bihar who were parasitologically proven cases of VL who received Miltefosine and were followed up for the following one year. Results: Out of 160 children, 2 died of pneumonia, other 158 patients demonstrated no parasites after treatment and improved clinically. 6 patients relapsed, 2 patients lost follow-up. Cure rate was 94% . Side effects included vomiting or diarrhea (each 25%) and transient elevations in the AST level (55%). Conclusions: The present study concludes that Miltefosine is effective, well tolerated, and easily administrable oral drug in the treatment of VL in Children in resource poor country like India.