Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subcortical brain volume, regional cortical thickness and cortical surface area across attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Objective Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur. We aimed to directly compare all three disorders. The ENIGMA consortium is ideally positioned to investigate structural brain alterations across these disorders. Methods Structural T1-weighted whole-brain MRI of controls (n=5,827) and patients with ADHD (n=2,271), ASD (n=1,777), and OCD (n=2,323) from 151 cohorts worldwide were analyzed using standardized processing protocols. We examined subcortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area differences within a mega-analytical framework, pooling measures extracted from each cohort. Analyses were performed separately for children, adolescents, and adults using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age, sex and site (and ICV for subcortical and surface area measures). Results We found no shared alterations among all three disorders, while shared alterations between any two disorders did not survive multiple comparisons correction. Children with ADHD compared to those with OCD had smaller hippocampal volumes, possibly influenced by IQ. Children and adolescents with ADHD also had smaller ICV than controls and those with OCD or ASD. Adults with ASD showed thicker frontal cortices compared to adult controls and other clinical groups. No OCD-specific alterations across different age-groups and surface area alterations among all disorders in childhood and adulthood were observed. Conclusion Our findings suggest robust but subtle alterations across different age-groups among ADHD, ASD, and OCD. ADHD-specific ICV and hippocampal alterations in children and adolescents, and ASD-specific cortical thickness alterations in the frontal cortex in adults support previous work emphasizing neurodevelopmental alterations in these disorders.
How do Actors in Task-Oriented Situations Process Finely Graded Differences in Ability?

Abstract Much work in status characteristics theory (SCT) rests on an “ordinal comparisons hypothesis” that implies that the actors in a situation cognitively simplify the status information they must process. Simplified distinctions link actors to task outcomes via chains of cognitive associations. Actor's expectations for themselves and each other, the theory asserts, are functions of such chains with the property that longer chains have weaker effects on expectations than shorter chains. Many of the theory's predictions also rest on a “situational reference hypothesis” that says actors in a situation compare themselves with others in the immediate situation. Foddy and Smithson (1996, 1999) proposed alternatives that would partially or fully invalidate many derivations from the theory (e.g., Berger et al. 1998), which depend explicitly on these premises, especially the first. In this paper, I reanalyze Foddy and Smithson's data and report on some computer simulations designed to clarify their results. My analysis shows that the evidence from each of their studies is consistent with SCT's existing information-processing assumptions, a finding that is particularly noteworthy given the nature of the status information in, and the strong demand characteristics of, Foddy and Smithson's experiment.
Interactions between N-Terminal Modules in MPS1 Enable Spindle Checkpoint Silencing

Faithful chromosome segregation relies on the ability of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) to delay anaphase onset until all chromosomes are attached to the mitotic spindle via their kinetochores. MPS1 kinase is recruited to unattached kinetochores to initiate SAC signaling, and is removed from kinetochores once stable microtubule attachments have been formed to allow normal mitotic progression. Here we show that a helical fragment within the kinetochore-targeting NTE module of MPS1 is required for interactions with kinetochores, and also forms intramolecular interactions with its adjacent TPR domain. Bypassing this NTE-TPR interaction results in high MPS1 levels at kinetochores due to loss of regulatory input into MPS1 localization, ineffecient MPS1 delocalization from kinetochores upon microtubule attachment, and SAC silencing defects. These results show that SAC responsiveness to attachments relies on regulated intramolecular interactions in MPS1 and highlight the sensitivity of mitosis to perturbations in the dynamics of the MSP1-NDC80-C interactions.
Prevalence of Zoonotic Parasites in Stray Dogs in Rural Communities Tanzania

The aim of this study was to identify and establish the baseline information on the prevalence of zoonotic parasites in stray dogs in Tanzania. A cross sectional study was conducted in Katavi, Arusha and Rukwa Regions in Tanzania. Intestinal parasites were analyzed from faecal samples collected from 364 dogs using modified sedimentation technique. Sixty-six percentage (66%) of the faecal samples were positive for gastrointestinal parasites while 7% had mixed infections, 27% were negative for the parasites. Higher proportions of the faecal samples were positive for gastrointestinal parasites in Arusha and Rukwa compared to Katavi (p 0.05). There was no association between parasite diversity and parasite positivity rates. Strategies to control the number of stray dogs should be established to minimize the potential health risks to humans, animal populations and environmental health. Keywords: Zoonotic parasites, Stray dogs, Prevalence, Tanzania
Integrated analysis of directly captured microRNA targets reveals the impact of microRNAs on mammalian transcriptome

MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated regulation is widespread, relatively mild but functionally important. Despite extensive efforts to identify miRNA targets, it remains unclear how miRNAs bind to mRNA targets globally and how changes in miRNA levels affects the transcriptome. Here we apply an optimized method for simultaneously capturing miRNA and targeted RNA sites to wildtype, miRNA knockout and induced epithelial cells. We find that abundantly expressed miRNAs can bind to thousands of different transcripts and many different miRNAs can regulate the same gene. Although mRNA sites that are bound by miRNAs and also contain matches to seed sequences confer the strongest regulation, ∼50% of miRNAs bind to RNA regions without seed matches. In general, these bindings have little impact on mRNA levels and reflect a scanning activity of miRNAs. In addition, different miRNAs have different preferences to seed matches and 3’end base-pairing. For a single miRNA, the effectiveness of mRNA regulation is highly correlated with the number of captured miRNA:RNA fragments. Notably, elevated miRNA expression effectively represses existing targets with little impact on newly recognized targets. Global analysis of directly captured mRNA targets reveals pathways that are involved in cancer, cell adhesion and signaling pathways are highly regulated by many different miRNAs in epithelial cells. Comparison between experimentally captured and TargetScan predicted targets indicates that our approach is more effective to identify bona fide targets by reducing false positive and negative predictions. This study reveals the global binding landscape and impact of miRNAs on mammalian transcriptome.
Heritability estimation and genetic correlations for mature weight, visual scores, and growth traits in Nellore cattle

ABSTRACT This study was intended to estimate the genetic associations between growth traits and visual scores with possible changes in mature weight (MW) in 397,900 Nellore animals. A bi-character analysis was performed to estimate the (co)variances and genetic parameters for MW, which comprises the following traits: conformation, finishing precocity, musculature at weaning (WC, WP, and WM) and yearling (YC, YP, and YM), birth weight (BW), weight from birth to weaning (WG), weight from weaning to yearling (YG), and final index [. ]
Postcatalytic spliceosome structure reveals mechanism of 3′–splice site selection

Understanding splicing from the 3′ end The spliceosome removes introns from eukaryotic mRNA precursors and yields mature transcripts by joining exons. Despite decades of functional studies and recent progress in understanding the spliceosome structure, the mechanism by which the 3′ splice site (SS) is recognized by the spliceosome has remained unclear. Liu et al. and Wilkinson et al. report the high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of the yeast postcatalytic spliceosome. The structures reveal that the 3′SS is recognized through non-Watson-Crick base pairing with the 5′SS and the branch point, stabilized by the intron region and protein factors. Science, this issue p. 1278, p. 1283 Cryo–electron microscopy structures of the postcatalytic spliceosome elucidate mechanisms of RNA splicing. Introns are removed from eukaryotic messenger RNA precursors by the spliceosome in two transesterification reactions—branching and exon ligation. The mechanism of 3′–splice site recognition during exon ligation has remained unclear. Here we present the 3.7-angstrom cryo–electron microscopy structure of the yeast P-complex spliceosome immediately after exon ligation. The 3′–splice site AG dinucleotide is recognized through non–Watson-Crick pairing with the 5′ splice site and the branch-point adenosine. After the branching reaction, protein factors work together to remodel the spliceosome and stabilize a conformation competent for 3′–splice site docking, thereby promoting exon ligation. The structure accounts for the strict conservation of the GU and AG dinucleotides at the 5′ and 3′ ends of introns and provides insight into the catalytic mechanism of exon ligation.
Effects of vermicompost and urea on the seed germination and growth parameters of Vigna mungo L. and Vigna radiata L. Wilzek

Growth attributes of Vigna mungo and Vigna radiata crop influenced by level and type of fertilizers. The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effects of organic (vermicompost) and inorganic (urea) fertilizers on the germination percentage and seedling growth of V. radiata (Green gram) and V. mungo (Black gram). Fresh weight and dry weight of tested plant samples at 10th days of growth stage were also determined. Vermicompost was used as organic fertilizer and urea as inorganic fertilizer. Experimental results showed that vermicompost and urea both has positive effect on seedling growth parameters of V. mungo and V. radiata [average root length (6.1cm and 6.7cm)] , shoot length (6.5cm and 8.3cm), leaf area (312.2 sq.cm and 334.1 sq.cm] as compared to control set [average root length (4.4cm and 4.3cm)] , shoot length (6cm and 5.9cm), leaf area (282.7 sq.cm and 305.5 sq.cm). But urea exerts negative effect on seed germination percentage in V. mungo and V. radiata (58% and 50%) as compared to control (77%). Vermicompost exhibited better result in above parameters in comparison to urea. V. mungo showed increased value in comparison considering V. radiata in case of organic, inorganic fertilizer treated as well as control sets. As composition of locally available fertilizers is unknown, the application of these fertilizers for improving germination percentage and growth parameters of tested crop need to be evaluated. Present work may provide the suggestive approach for usage of these tested fertilizers in field level trial.
Productivity and Well-Being of Broiler Chickens Supplemented With Probiotic

SUMMARY Efficiency in poultry production is based on the balance between nutrition, intestinal health, and animal welfare. With increasing consumer demand for antibiotic suppression of animal feed for growth, the animal nutrition segment has sought new alternatives to optimize production rates and, based on this concept, use probiotics—living microorganisms (beneficial bacteria and yeast) for animal health. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the production and welfare of broilers fed different doses of probiotics. A randomized block experimental design with 4 treatments and 10 replicates of 50 birds (400 birds per treatment) each was employed as follows (Table 2 ): group 1–negative Control (NC): diet with a mixture of chlorohydroxyquinolines as the growth promoter at all phases; group 2: diet with half a dose of probiotic (HD) and chicks inoculated at the hatchery whit 5 × 108 cfu/chick; group 3–positive control (PC): diet with probiotic (dose recommended by the manufacturer) and birds inoculated at the hatchery whit 1 × 109 cfu/chick; group 4: diet with probiotic (double the dose) (DD) and birds inoculated at the hatchery whit 2 × 109 cfu/chick. The evaluated characteristics were performance, carcass yield and carcass parts, incidence of pododermatitis and myopathy lesions, intestinal quality, and bird welfare. The administration of the probiotic at the commercially recommended dose promotes better results in the performance, carcass yield and parts, and behavior and well-being of the birds.
Complementary Application of Inoculant in Post-emergence on Soybean Crop

Objective: Inoculation is an important agricultural practice in soybean cultivation that guarantees high productivity without the external input of nitrogen. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the complementary of liquid inoculant (Bradyrhizobium japonicum), via leaf, in different times and different application rates, affects the nodulation, plant growth and soybean productivity. Study design: A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used, with four replications, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, evaluating the complementary inoculant application, via foliar (0; 75; 150; 225 e 300 mL ha-1), in three stages of vegetative development of the crop (V2, V4 e V6). Location and duration of the study: The study was performed in a commercial area, in the municipality of Sinop, in the northern of Mato Grosso State, between October 2017 and February 2018. Methodology: The cultivation was in soil classified as Red-yellow Latosol with of clayey texture, was in a direct seeding system, using the cultivar NS7901RR. The seeds used were treated and inoculated at sowing, with turfous inoculant and liquid. The experimental units received the complementary applications of inoculant, via pulverization, at 15, 21 and 28 days after emergence, according to the treatment. Results: It was verify that the different times of application of foliar inoculant, does not condition significant differences to the parameters measured in this study. The complementary inoculant application affected, significantly, the leaf chlorophyll index (P <0.05), as well as the dry matter mass of the plants (P <0.001). Up to 300 mL ha-1, a gradual increase in grain yield was verified. Conclusion: The complementary supply of liquid inoculant (B. japonicum), via foliar, in different rates application, affects the nodulation and development of the plants and the productive yield of the crop.
Seed priming improves the germination and growth rate of melon seedlings under saline stress

ABSTRACT: The germination and growth of melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants can be severely affected by excess salts in the soil or irrigation water; however, negative effects of salt stress can be attenuated using appropriate methods of seed priming. Thus, effects of osmopriming as inducer of salt stress tolerance in melon seeds exposed to salinity levels were investigated in this study. Seeds were soaked for 22 h at 25 °C in the dark in distilled water (hydropriming) or 0.5% KNO3 solution (osmopriming), and after drying, were distributed in plastic boxes with blotter paper containing different NaCl solutions prepared with osmotic pressure of 0.0 MPa (control), -0.3 MPa (mild stress), and -0.6 MPa (severe stress). Unprimed dry seeds were taken as control. The plastic boxes were kept into a seed germinator, at 25 °C for 14 days. A completely randomized design in a 3 × 3 factorial schemes with four replicates of 25 seeds was used. Results showed that the seed priming with water and KNO3 may be successfully applied on melon seeds to alleviate the adverse effects of saline stress in initial stages of plant growth. However, under severe salt stress conditions, hydropriming should be used because it results in higher germination and initial growth rate of the seedlings when compared to the osmopriming. Use of unprimed seeds should not be adopted in cultivation areas affected by salinity because they result in low germination rate and reduced initial plant growth.
The Differences of Multiple Intelligence Representation in English and Chinese Textbooks: The Case of EFL & CFL Textbooks in Thailand

So far, there have been many research achievements about foreign language textbooks which apply multiple intelligence theory, but not the contrast study of different types of foreign language textbooks. This research studies locally-designed English and Chinese textbooks in primary schools in Thailand and analyses the distribution of multiple intelligence shown in activity parts of textbooks. From contrast, we find that among textbooks used by pupils, the ones which are most spatial intelligent in activity show similarity, meanwhile, different languages types such as Chinese and English lead to discrepancy of other intelligences. This paper is made to explain the factors and then provide a reference to future multiple intelligence design of textbooks which use English and Chinese as the second language.
Immunoregulatory impact of human mesenchymal-conditioned media and mesenchymal derived exosomes on monocytes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well known due to their immunomodulatory effect, but the exact mechanisms have not been defined. Several studies demonstrated that the exerted immunoregulatory effect of these cells could be mediated by paracrine factors to illustrate, cytokines, chemokine, and among which, extracellular vesicles are one of them to play a crucial role. Moreover, it is assumed that extracellular vesicles are an essential player in intracellular communication by transferring their component. In this respect, the efficiency of conditioned media and exosomes was compared to illustrate a practical approach to cell-free based therapies. In the current study, we investigated the effect of both MSCs conditioned media (MSC-CM) and MSCs-derived exosomes on the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this regard, isolated PBMCs were treated with MSC-CM and MSC-derived exosome as separated groups. Expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers was evaluated by Real-time PCR and ELISA. The immunoregulatory effect of MSC-CM on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes, such as IL-12b, iNOS, EGR-2, IL-10 with an exception in case of IL-6 was more significant. Whereas in protein levels IL-10 showed the most substantial difference in exosome treated groups. It could be assumed that MSC-CM has more immunoregulatory impact on monocyte in contrast with exosomes.Taken together, by considering the recent approaches to cell-free therapy and the immunoregulatory impact of MSCs, yet relatively little is known about the efficacy of human-MSC-CM and secreted exosome compared with each other.
Toxic Hematological Effects of Vespa orientalis Venom in the Rat, Rattus albus

The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs. eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.
Effect of Thermotherapy on the Acquisition of Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Abstract The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the most detrimental insect pest of citrus crops due to its role as a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), the bacterial causal agent of huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease. Trees infected with Las decline rapidly and fruit production decreases until eventual tree death. Few treatment options for infected trees are available for disease management. A technique called “thermotherapy” is under development to reduce bacterial titers in infected trees; however, the effect of these treatments on the transmission cycle of Las is not known. Field and laboratory assays were conducted to determine whether thermotherapy treatment reduced Las acquisition by D. citri. Trees in the field were treated with a mobile heat treatment system. Potted trees in the laboratory were treated in a steam chamber. We monitored acquisition rates in D. citri following thermal treatment of Las-positive Citrus sinensis (L.) (Rutaceae). Psyllid acquisition and Las titer in thermotherapy-treated trees were compared with untreated Las-positive and untreated Las-negative trees. Our results confirmed the efficacy of whole-tree thermotherapy on Las in potted citrus trees. In contrast, thermotherapy did not significantly reduce plant Las titers or acquisition of Las by D. citri under field conditions. These results suggest that further development of field application methods is needed to determine the utility of thermotherapy as a tool for huanglongbing management.
Transcription Initiation Studies With Bacillus Subtilis Promoters Containing Curved DNA.

Many promoters contain a curved DNA component essential for high levels of transcription activity. The present work approached the study of these unusual DNA structures in a twofold manner. First, promoter binding by RNA polymerase from Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli was examined using a collection of promoters containing DNA curvature. Promoter binding by both RNA polymerases was governed primarily by the nucleotide sequence at the highly conserved -10 and -35 regions of the promoters. However, the B. subtilis RNA polymerase bound preferentially to promoters with curved DNA upstream of the -35 region. Binding by the E. coli RNA polymerase was only modestly affected by DNA curvature. The second approach was to characterize the mechanism involved in transcription stimulation by this curved or intrinsically bent DNA. Generally, the mechanisms proposed for transcription initiation involve enzyme conformational changes leading to strand separation. Formation of RNA polymerase-promoter complexes that involve significant conformational changes is sensitive to changes in temperature. A goal in the second part of this work was to test if curved DNA influenced a step in transcription initiation that was sensitive to temperature changes. The formation of open promoter complexes was measured using a B. subtilis phage promoter containing curved DNA upstream of the -35 region and mutants of this promoter in which the curved DNA sequences were displaced upstream. Open promoter complexes were measured by (1) a run-off transcription assay limited to a single