Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Arthropod Communities in Transgenic Bt and Conventional Cotton in Australia

Abstract Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has had a major impact on the Australian cotton industry by largely controlling lepidopteran pests. However, it also may have other impacts on the invertebrate community that need to be identified. We compared the canopy invertebrate community in sprayed conventional, unsprayed conventional, and unsprayed Bt cotton over three seasons using suction sampling methods. We found that the diversity or species richness of the beneficial communities was reduced in the sprayed crops at two sites. Although spraying had the strongest effect on the community, there was a slight difference between the total community in unsprayed conventional and Bt crops, with crop type accounting for 4.5% of the variance between these communities. Out of over 100 species groups examined, the most consistent differences between unsprayed Bt and conventional communities were higher numbers of Helicoverpa in conventional crops (as would be expected) and slightly higher numbers of Chloropidae and Drosopillidae (Diptera), damsel bugs (Hemiptera, Nabidae), and jassids (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in conventional crops. With the advent of Bollgard II and the possibility that 80% of the cotton crop in Australia could be transgenic, the effects of these small differences in the transgenic and conventional communities should be monitored over the long-term to assess if any modifications to cotton management practices need to be made.
Shoulder Impingement: Relationship of Clinical Symptoms and Imaging Criteria

Objective:To establish, in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, (1) the relationship between pain and shoulder function, as determined by the Constant score, and morphological findings, as determined by radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and (2) the relationship between acromial shape and minimum acromiohumeral distance (AHD). Design:Cross-sectional study. Setting:Tertiary care center. Patients:Forty-seven patients (33 males and 14 females; mean age, 51.7 years) with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome who had failed to respond to conservative therapy for at least 6 months. Interventions:The Constant score was determined preoperatively; acromial shape (type I, flat; type II, curved; and type III, hooked) was evaluated on preoperative outlet view radiographs and oblique sagittal T1-weighted MRIs; AHD was evaluated on preoperative anteroposterior radiographs and oblique coronal T1-weighted MRIs. Main Outcome Measures:Correlation coefficients and the simple kappa statistic were calculated. Student t test and mean differences with 95% confidence limits were reported for group comparisons. Results:The Constant score was fairly correlated with AHD (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) but not with acromial shape. Patients with an AHD ≤7 mm on MRI scored significantly lower than those with an AHD >7 (mean difference, 18.5; P < 0.01). Acromial shape and AHD were not correlated, neither on radiographs nor on MRI. Conclusions:AHD seems to better reflect the clinical status of patients with subacromial impingement, but without rotator cuff tears, than acromial shape. Acromial shape is not a good descriptor of subacromial space narrowing.
The Hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain HN878 Induces a Potent TH1 Response followed by Rapid Down-Regulation1

The HN878 strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is regarded as “hypervirulent” due to its rapid growth and reduced survival of infected mice when compared with other clinical isolates. This property has been ascribed due to an early increase in type I IFNs and a failure to generate TH1-mediated immunity, induced by a response to an unusual cell wall phenolic glycolipid expressed by the HN878 isolate. We show, however, that although type I IFN does play an inhibitory role, this response was most apparent during the chronic disease stage and was common to all M. tuberculosis strains tested. In addition, we further demonstrate that the HN878 infection was associated with a potent TH1 response, characterized by the emergence of both CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets secreting IFN-γ. However, where HN878 differed to the other strains tested was a subsequent reduction in TH1 immunity, which was temporally associated with the rapid emergence of a CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD223+IL-10+ regulatory T cell population. This association may explain the paradoxical initial emergence of a TH1 response in these mice but their relatively short time of survival.
BMP-2 inhibits the tumorigenicity of cancer stem cells in human osteosarcoma OS99-1 cell line

Previously, based on high ALDH activity, we showed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) could be identified as ALDHbr cells from an aggressive human osteosarcoma OS99-1 cell line. In this study, we evaluate the impact of BMP-2 on CSCs.Three types of BMP receptors were expressed in freshly sorted ALDHbr cells. In vitro, growth of the sorted ALDHbr cells was inhibited by BMP-2. Using RT-PCR analysis, BMP-2 was found to down-regulate the expression of embryonic stem cell markers Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox-2, and up-regulate the transcription of osteogenic markers Runx-2 and Collagen Type I. In vivo, all animals receiving ALDHbr cells treated with BMP-2 did not form significant tumors, while untreated ALDHbr cells developed large tumor masses in NOD/SCID mice. Immunostaining confirmed few Ki-67 positive cells were present in the sections of tumor containing ALDHbr cells treated with BMP-2. These results suggest that BMP-2 suppresses tumor growth by reducing the gene expression of tumorigenic factors and inducing the differentiation of CSCs in osteosarcoma. BMP-2 or BMP-2-mimetic drugs, if properly delivered to tumor and combined with traditional therapies, may therefore provide a new therapeutic option for treatment of osteosarcoma.
The influence of external sodium ions on the sodium pump in erythrocytes.

1. A study has been made of the interaction between Na(+) and K(+) on the adenosine triphosphatase activity of erythrocyte ;ghosts', and on the K(+) influx and Na(+) efflux of intact erythrocytes. The adenosine triphosphatase activity and the ion movements were greater at a low external K(+) concentration in the absence of Na(+) than they were in the presence of 150mm-Na(+). The inhibition by external Na(+) of K(+) influx had an inhibitory constant of 5-10mm. 2. Activation by K(+) of kidney microsomal adenosine triphosphatase was retarded by Na(+), and activation by Na(+) was retarded by K(+). Fragmented erythrocyte membranes behaved similarly. 3. These observations suggest that there is competition between Na(+) and K(+) at the K(+)-sensitive site of the membrane.
Self-poisoning suicide attempts among students in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND This study aim was to describe the epidemiology of intentional self-poisoning among students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on self-poisoned students admitted to Loghman-Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Variables studied included age, sex, substance abuse, personal history, familial history and the immediate precipitant for the suicide attempt. RESULTS A total of 248 students (200 F and 48 M) studied. The mean age was 16.3+/-1.42 years. Self poisoning with a pharmaceutical agent was the most common attempt modality (87.5%). The most common precipitant for the suicide attempt was family conflict (54.4%), followed by romantic disappointment (29.4%). The most common psychiatric disorders were adjustment disorder (84.3%). and depression (18.1%). CONCLUSION The emphasis in student suicide prevention programs must be on early identification of students at risk, and appropriate treatment of episodes of psychopathology.
Flavor symmetry breaking in the 1/Nc expansion.

The breaking of flavor SU(3) symmetry in the axial vector couplings and magnetic moments of baryons is analyzed in the 1/{ital N}{sub {ital c}} expansion. A simple meson loop graph which is known to be of order {radical}{ital m}{sub {ital s}} and leading order in 1/{ital N}{sub {ital c}} correctly predicts the pattern of symmetry breaking in the magnetic moments. It is, however, not possible to use this graph to predict the magnitude of the breaking. The situation with the axial vector couplings is less clear. In this case the breakings are relatively small and do not appear to follow an obvious pattern. Nevertheless there is a clear indication that, with symmetry breaking taken into account, the {ital F}/{ital D} ratio [defined in the presence of SU(3) breaking] is considerably less than the SU(6) value of 2/3. With sizable uncertainty, we find {ital F}/{ital D}{approx_equal}0.44. The quantity 3{ital F}-{ital D} which is relevant for the analysis of spin-dependent deep inelastic scattering is considerably smaller than the SU(6) value of unity. The new value 3{ital F}-{ital D}=0.28{plus_minus}0.09 is consistent with vanishing strange-quark spin in the nucleon. {copyright} {ital 1995 The American Physical Society. }
Evaluation of the Scaling Factor Bias Influence on the Probability of Collapse Using S a (T1) as the Intensity Measure

Amplitude scaling is a common approach to modify recorded ground motions to achieve a desired intensity level. The possible bias introduced by scaling the amplitude of ground motions when using the first-mode spectral ordinate as the intensity measure is evaluated using intensity-based analyses. This study evaluates whether upward scaling introduces bias in lateral displacement demands, but more importantly, in the probability of collapse. The latter, which is of utmost importance, has received little attention in previous studies. Analyses were conducted using degrading single-degree-of-freedom and multiple-degree-offreedom systems with different fundamental periods of vibration and normalized strengths subjected to different sets of recorded accelerograms requiring different scale factors to reach a target intensity. The results demonstrate that this type of amplitude scaling introduces a bias in which lateral displacement demands and collapse estimates are increasingly overestimated with an increasing scale factor and that the bias is strongly dependent on the period and lateral strength of the system. Furthermore, the bias is considerably larger in collapse risk estimates.
Resting heart rate as a tool for risk stratification in primary care

Background: Several selected population-based studies have emphasized the significance of resting heart rate as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. However, there are no data available for using resting heart rate as a cardiovascular risk predictor in contemporary primary care. Thus, the aim of our analysis was to examine the clinical value of the measurement of resting heart rate in a large, unselected population-based cohort of primary care subjects under the conditions of contemporary primary prevention. Design: Prospective, population-based cohort study. Methods: We examined a subgroup of 5320 unselected primary care subjects free of coronary artery disease from the nationwide, longitudinal Diabetes Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation Targets and Essential Data for Commitment of Treatment (DETECT) cohort study, which was conducted from 2003 to 2008. Results: During the follow-up time of 5 years, 258 events were reported. Elevated resting heart rate was not associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events (HR = 0.75, p = 0.394), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.71, p = 0.616) or major cardiovascular events (HR = 0.77, p = 0.376). By cross-sectional analysis, elevated heart rate clustered with markers of the metabolic syndrome, like increased blood pressure (systolic: OR = 5.54, p < 0.0001; diastolic: OR = 3.82, p < 0.0001), elevated fasting plasma glucose levels (OR = 8.84, p < 0.0001), hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 22.16, p = 0.001), and obesity (body mass index OR = 0.89, p < 0.0001). Assessment of resting heart rate in clinical practice had minimal and non-significant additional prognostic value compared to established cardiovascular risk factors as judged by C statistics (C = 0.001, p = 0.979). Conclusion: The measurement of resting heart rate in the daily routine of primary care does not provide incremental prognostic information for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Validation of Amelogenesis Imperfecta Inferred from Amelogenin Evolution

We used the evolutionary analysis of amelogenin (AMEL) in 80 amniotes (52 mammalian and 28 reptilian sequences) to aid in the genetic diagnosis of X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (AIH1). Out of 191 residues, 77 were found to be unchanged in mammals, and only 34 in amniotes. The latter are considered crucial residues for enamel formation, while the 43 residues conserved only in mammals could indicate that they play new, important roles for enamel formation in this lineage. The 5 substitutions leading to AIH1 were validated when the mammalian dataset was used, and 4 of them with the amniote dataset. These 2 sequence datasets will facilitate the validation of any human AMEL mutation suspected of involvement in AIH1. This evolutionary analysis also revealed numerous residues that appeared to be important for correct AMEL function, but their role remains to be elucidated.
Multimodal interventions (chewing gum, early oral hydration and early mobilisation) on the intestinal motility following abdominal gynaecologic surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of chewing gum, early oral hydration and early mobilisation on the time of first bowel sounds, first passage of flatus and first defecation following abdominal gynaecologic surgery. BACKGROUND A major complication of abdominal surgical procedures is paralytic ileus which results in patient discomfort, prolonged length of hospital stay and increased cost of treatment. DESIGN Prospective randomised case-control study. METHODS Women who underwent abdominal gynaecological surgery for benign disorders under general anaesthesia were randomised into eight groups according to different combinations of interventions consisting of chewing gum, early oral hydration and early mobilisation. The effects of these interventions on the time of first bowel sounds, first passage of flatus and first defecation following abdominal gynaecologic surgery were investigated. The data were analysed using chi-square tests, t-test for independent samples, Tukey's HSD test, pairwise comparison test, one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS It was found that the time when bowel sounds were heard was shorter, the time first passage of flatus was shorter and first defecation occurred earlier in the 1st group of women who chew gum, were hydrated orally and were mobilised early after surgery than the other groups. It was also determined that these periods were longest in the women who did not receive any intervention and received the routine hospital care when compared with other groups. Duration of hospital stay was shorter in the women who chew gum, were hydrated orally and were mobilised early than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Early oral feeding, early mobilisation and chewing gum are effective methods in terms of preventing paralytic ileus following abdominal gynaecological surgery, improving patient comfort and shortening the duration of hospitalisation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses may cause early recovery, improve the patient comfort, prevent paralytic ileus and shorten the duration of hospitalisation after gynaecologic abdominal surgery by recommending gum chewing, early mobilisation and early hydration.
SAFETY TESTING OF PROTECTIVE GLOVES

When working with explosive materials, the worker’s hands are usually the most exposed body part and highly endangered by fragment atio effects. Several kinds of protective gloves are available. Existing standa rds describe testing procedures for the testing of protective gloves for mechanical risks, but seem to not realistically simulate fragmentation effects. An ex p rimental setup was developed to test the performance of protective gloves under conditions similar to exploding glass ware in direct vicinity to the protected hand . The test should take the effects of fragments and shrapnel on the protected hand int o account and be fairly reproducible.
Internal Migration and Poverty Dynamic Analysis Using a Bayesian Approach: The Tunisian Case

We explore the relationship between internal migration and poverty in Tunisia. We present a methodology combining potential outcomes approach with multiple imputation to highlight the effect of internal migration on poverty states. We find that probability of being poor decreases when leaving the poorest regions (the west areas) to the richer regions (greater Tunis and the east regions). Keywords—Internal migration, Bayesian approach, poverty dynamics, Tunisia.
Current issues and new directions in Psychology and Health: The potential contribution of health psychology to developing effective interventions to reduce tobacco smoking

This issue of Psychology and Health illustrates well the breadth of research being undertaken in the study of the psychology of smoking. The studies are diverse but from the perspective of a researcher whose main area of study is tobacco use, but who is also a Health Psychologist, a common thread is evident: there is considerable promise in the ideas emerging from Health Psychology for the study of smoking, but so far it has not delivered interventions that are demonstrably better than those that derive from a simple view of smoking as a conflict between concern over the harms of smoking and the often strong want or need to smoke arising from social and pharmacological reward and punishment. To establish this common thread this editorial will briefly summarise what seem to be the key findings of each study and set this in the context of past and possible future research. Balmford, Borland, and Burney (2010) report secondary analyses from a study of the effectiveness of telephone counselling which appear to show that predictors of quit attempts at 3-month follow-up differ in those who had recently made a quit attempt from those who had not. There is a question of how robust these findings are given that there was no direct statistical test of the interaction between past quit attempts and the predictors, only an interpretation of differences in the size of associations. Also, the nature of the sample may have played a role in that all the participants had volunteered to take part in an intervention study. Considering this in the context of past research, there appear to be some strongly held views in the field about predictors of quit attempts in population samples (e.g. self-efficacy, gender), but the results are not fully consistent and no systematic review has yet been published to determine whether these views are warranted. Such a review needs to take longitudinal studies of population samples and predict separately the incidence of quit attempts and the success of quit attempts. Such a review will need to acknowledge the possibility of the kind of moderator effect reported in this study. de Leeuw, Scholte, Vermulst, and Engels (2010) report results from a longitudinal study of adolescents which confirm previous findings that parental discussions about smoking with children that were respectful and constructive were associated with non-smoking status in the children at later time points. This association was over and above a generally supportive parenting style. Even with longitudinal studies, establishing causal associations is problematic in this area. There are now a large number of such studies of adolescent smoking and impressionistically a picture is emerging of vulnerability factors and triggers that promote or protect against smoking uptake. The picture is complicated by different definitions of uptake, but as with the previous study the time is now ripe for a systematic review so that we can
Möbius' syndrome: features and etiology.

PURPOSE To review the clinical features and possible aetiology of all cases of Möbius' syndrome presented at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney, Australia, from 1963 through 1995. METHODS All charts of patients suffering from Möbius' syndrome were reviewed, and each patient was thoroughly assessed by a geneticist and a pediatric ophthalmologist. RESULTS Patterns of systemic and ocular clinical features became evident. Of 23 patients in the series, 10 (43%) had a history significant events in utero. CONCLUSIONS All patients suffering from Möbius' syndrome require thorough assessment by a multidisciplinary team including a geneticist or pediatrician and a pediatric ophthalmologist. Significant vascular events of pregnancy may explain some cases of fetal vascular disruption to the brainstem.
Heterotopic ossification after cervical total disc replacement: determination by CT and effects on clinical outcomes.

OBJECT Heterotopic ossification (HO) after cervical total disc replacement (TDR) has been reported to impede artificial disc motion. In all previously reported cases of HO, assessment was based on plain radiographs. The authors hypothesized that CT scan is a more sensitive and accurate detector. The aims of this study were to assess the actual incidence of HO and its effect on outcome in a cohort of patients undergoing cervical TDR with the Bryan disc and to compare HO detection by means of plain radiographs and CT. METHODS The authors retrospectively assessed data from medical records, radiological studies, and clinical evaluations of patients who underwent 1- or 2-level cervical TDR with the Bryan disc and were followed up for more than 12 months. The presence and grading of HO according to the McAfee classification were assessed by CT scan, and these findings were compared with findings on plain radiographs. Thirty-six patients (mean age 46.61 ± 7.24 years; range 29-60 years; 21 men and 15 women) who underwent Bryan TDR at 52 levels were included in the study. The mean duration of CT follow-up was 19.03 ± 4.64 months; the mean duration of clinical follow-up was 26.78 ± 7.20 months. RESULTS On the basis of CT, HO was identified in 18 (50%) of 36 patients and 25 (48.1%) of 52 levels treated. Grade 1 HO was present in 9 of the levels treated (17.3%), Grade 2 in 13 levels (25.0%), Grade 3 in 2 levels (3.8%), and Grade 4 in 1 level (1.9%). Nineteen (76%) of the 25 affected levels were in patients who had undergone 2-level TDR. There was no significant association with patient sex or disc pathology. There was a tendency for HO development among older patients, but this finding was not statistically significant (mean age 48.8 ± 6.8 in patients with HO vs 44.4 ± 7.2 in those without HO, p = 0.065). Although HO was found in 25 levels, 96.2% of the treated levels (50 of 52) had segmental range of motion on dynamic (flexion and extension) radiographs. The concordance between HO grading by CT and radiography was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.822 (lower limit of 95% CI: 0.710, p < 0.001). Patients who had HO had the same clinical success rate as those who did not (94.4% vs 94.4%, p = 1.00). The visual analog scale scores for neck and arm pain were significantly improved in both the HO and the non-HO group. CONCLUSIONS The rate of HO detected by CT scan in this cohort of patients undergoing cervical TDR with a Bryan disc was 48.1% per level treated and 50% per patient with minimal limitation of segmental motion (96.2% of levels remained mobile), but plain radiograph is an acceptable detection tool. Two-level surgery has a higher risk of HO, although development of HO does not affect clinical outcome.