Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prescribed Extreme Fire Effects on Richness and Invasion in Coastal Prairie

Abstract Widely-held, untested assumptions in many prairies are that high-intensity fires conducted during droughts will decrease native herbaceous species richness and lead to rapid invasions by alien species. We compared native and exotic herbaceous species richness and aboveground herbaceous biomass one year following the application of high-intensity growing-season fires in Texas coastal prairie. Fires were conducted in June 2008, when precipitation was 96% below the long-term monthly average, at the end of a severe 5-mo drought, resulting in high fire intensities within treatment units. Native forb species richness was greater in burned than unburned areas. In contrast, species richness of native grasses, exotic forbs, and the frequency of King Ranch (KR) bluestem [Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng. ] did not significantly differ between burned and unburned treatments. The potential to use prescribed extreme fire to maintain native herbaceous species richness while not increasing KR bluestem provides preliminary evidence that growing season fires conducted during droughts can be a viable management strategy in coastal prairies. Nomenclature: King Ranch bluestem, Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng. Management Implications: King Ranch (KR) bluestem is an invasive C4 grass introduced from Europe and Asia that has led to declines in the richness of plant, avian, and arthropod species in prairie ecosystems. Managers in Texas Gulf coastal prairies are concerned that using fire to manage woody plant encroachment will trigger rapid invasion by KR bluestem and decrease native herbaceous species richness. The objective of this study was to compare the rapid responses of native and exotic herbaceous species in burned and unburned treatments in a huisache–mesquite-invaded coastal tallgrass prairie. In this study, prescribed fires were conducted in the growing season with special permission during a county-mandated burn ban initiated by a severe, prolonged drought that caused considerable grass curing and the potential for high fire intensities (referred to as prescribed extreme fire). Our results counter previously unsubstantiated assumptions in coastal tallgrass prairies and show that prescribed extreme fire increased native forb species richness while maintaining the richness of native grasses, and not increasing King Ranch bluestem significantly. Because other research has shown burning in the dormant season is more likely to facilitate rapid invasion by KR bluestem, prescribed extreme fires in the growing season might be more effective at maintaining herbaceous species richness in coastal prairies prone to KR bluestem invasion.
RasGRP 4 is Aberrantly Expressed in the Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Controls their Proliferation

Michihito Kono, MD, Shinsuke Yasuda, MD, PhD, Hideyuki Koide, Takashi Kurita, MD, Yuka Shimizu, MD, Yusaku Kanetsuka, MD, Kenji Oku, MD, PhD, Toshiyuki Bohgaki, MD, PhD, Olga Amengual, MD, PhD, Tetsuya Horita, MD, PhD, Takao Koike, MD, PhD, and Tatsuya Atsumi, MD, PhD: Division of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan; Richard L Stevens, PhD: Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tomohiro Shimizu, MD: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan; Tokifumi Majima, MD, PhD: Department of Joint Replacement and Tissue Engineering, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Cholesterol-lowering effect of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Tea consumption has been associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, but potential mechanisms of benefit are ill-defined. While epidemiologic studies suggest that drinking multiple cups of tea per day lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), previous trials of tea drinking and administration of green tea extract have failed to show any impact on lipids and lipoproteins in humans. Our objective was to study the impact of a theaflavin-enriched green tea extract on the lipids and lipoproteins of subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. METHODS Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial set in outpatient clinics in 6 urban hospitals in China. A total of 240 men and women 18 years or older on a low-fat diet with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to receive a daily capsule containing theaflavin-enriched green tea extract (375 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures were mean percentage changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride levels compared with baseline. RESULTS After 12 weeks, the mean +/- SEM changes from baseline in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels were -11.3% +/- 0.9% (P =.01), -16.4% +/- 1.1% (P =.01), 2.3% +/- 2.1% (P =.27), and 2.6% +/- 3.5% (P =.47), respectively, in the tea extract group. The mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides did not change significantly in the placebo group. No significant adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION The theaflavin-enriched green tea extract we studied is an effective adjunct to a low-saturated-fat diet to reduce LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic adults and is well tolerated.
The reemergence of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Because of a complex array of factors, an increasing number of new and reemerging infectious diseases are being recognized in both industrialized and developing countries in the Americas (1,2). The expanding population, living in overcrowded conditions with inadequate housing and sanitary facilities, has been exposed to new diseases and human pathogens. For example, the appearance of the South American arenaviruses (Junin, Machupo, and Guanarito) illustrates how exploitation of new areas for human settlement and agriculture increases the likelihood that new infectious diseases will emerge. Cholera, plague, AIDS, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and urban/periurban visceral leishmaniasis are examples of new and reemerging diseases in the region.
Assessment of the Shear Bond Strength between Nanofilled Composite Bonded to Glass-ionomer Cement Using Self-etch Adhesive with Different pHs and Total-Etch Adhesive

Statement of the Problem In the sandwich technique, the undesirable bond between the composite resin and glass-ionomer cement (GIc) is one of the most important factors which lead to the failure of restoration. Total-etch and self-etch adhesives may improve the bond strength based on their pH. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength between the nanofilled composite resin and GIc using different adhesives. Materials and Method In this experimental study, 40 specimens (6×6mm) in 4 groups (n=10) were prepared in acrylic mold. Each specimen contained conventional GI ChemFil Superior with a height of 3mm, bonded to Z350 composite resin with a height measured 3mm. In order to bond the composite to the GI, the following adhesives were used, respectively: A: mild Clearfil SE Bond self-etch (pH=2), B: intermediate OptiBond self-etch (pH=1.4), C: strong Adper Prompt L-Pop (pH=1), and D: Adper Single Bond 2 total-etch (pH=7.2). The shear bond strength was measured by using universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used to analyze the data (p< 0.05). Results The shear bond strength in group A was significantly higher than group B (p= 0.002), C (p< 0.001), and D (p< 0.001). Moreover, the shear bond strength of groups A and B (self-etch) was significantly different from group D (total-etch) (p< 0.001); and C (self-etch) with D (p= 0.024). Conclusion The results of this study showed that applying the mild self-etch adhesive between the composite and the GIc results in stronger shear bond strength compared to intermediate and strong self-etch adhesives. Moreover, the self-etch adhesive increased the shear bond strength between composite resin and GIc more significantly than total-etch adhesive.
Thermal and Visceral Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients With and Without Fibromyalgia

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by both visceral and somatic hyperalgesia, producing a similar effect seen with the central hypersensitivity mechanism in fibromyalgia (FM). ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to compare magnitudes of visceral and thermal hypersensitivity in IBS patients and FM patients with IBS (FM+IBS) compared with healthy controls. MethodsFemale patients with IBS (n=12), FM+IBS (n=12), and control participants (n=13) rated pain intensity to hot water immersion (45 and 47°C) of the hand/foot and to phasic distension of the rectum (35, 55 mm Hg) on a Mechanical Visual Analog Scale. The data were analyzed with 3 separate 1-way analyses of variance with post hoc Tukey tests. ResultsFor both thermal and visceral stimuli, the control group had lower pain ratings than either the IBS or FM+IBS groups (P<0.001). IBS patients rated rectal distension as more painful than the FM+IBS group (P=0.005). During hot water immersion of the foot, the FM+IBS group had higher pain ratings than the IBS group (P<0.001). During hand immersion, FM+IBS and IBS patients did not significantly differ in their pain intensity ratings (P=0.4). ConclusionsFM+IBS patients show greater thermal hypersensitivity compared with IBS patients. However, IBS patients exhibit higher pain ratings to rectal distension compared with FM+IBS patients. This data suggests that regions of primary and secondary hyperalgesia are dependent on the primary pain complaint.
Effects of randomized rosuvastatin compared with placebo on bone and body composition among HIV-infected adults

Background:Statins have a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and lean mass in some studies of HIV-uninfected adults; however, this has never been investigated in the setting of HIV infection. Design:HIV-infected individuals on stable antiretroviral therapy with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 130 mg/dl or less and evidence of heightened immune activation or inflammation were randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily or placebo for 96 weeks. Methods:This was a prespecified interim analysis at 48 weeks. Between-group and within-group differences were compared; multivariable regression models were constructed. Results:Seventy-two individuals were randomized to statin therapy and 75 to placebo. Modest 48-week relative increases in trochanter BMD [0.9%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.9 to 0.6] and total hip BMD (0.6%; 95% CI 0.0–1.1) in the statin arm were significantly greater than placebo (P < 0.05). The relationship between statin use and total hip BMD change was robust to adjustment of age, sex, race and smoking status (P = 0.02) and strengthened by inclusion of baseline (P = 0.01) and week 48 change in soluble tumour necrosis factor-&agr; receptor (sTNFR)-1 (P = 0.009). Relative increases in total body, trunk and limb fat were similar between statin and placebo arms (P ≥ 0.58). Although a significant gain in leg lean mass was seen in the statin arm, this was not significantly different compared with placebo (P = 0.36). Conclusion:The improvements seen in total hip BMD after 48 weeks of rosuvastatin therapy support further potential benefits of statin therapy in HIV, beyond a reduction of cardiovascular risk.
Fast-food and full-service restaurant consumption in relation to daily energy and nutrient intakes among US adult cancer survivors, 2003–2012

Background: Healthy diet is an essential component in cancer survivorship care planning. Cancer survivors should be particularly prudent regarding their daily food choices, with an aim of ensuring safe consumption, reducing risk of recurrence or other comorbidity, and improving quality of life. Objective: We aimed to examine the impacts of fast-food and full-service restaurant consumption on daily energy and nutrient intakes among US adult cancer survivors. Methods: Nationally representative data of 1308 adult cancer survivors came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2012 waves. First-difference estimator was adopted to address confounding bias from time-invariant unobservables like personal food/beverage preferences by using within-individual variations in diet and restaurant consumption status between two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Results: Fast-food and full-service restaurant consumption, respectively, was associated with an increase in daily total energy intake by 125.97 and 152.26 kcal and sodium intake by 312.47 and 373.75 mg. Fast-food consumption was significantly associated with a decrease in daily vitamin A intake by 119.88 µg and vitamin K intake by 30.48 µg, whereas full-service restaurant consumption was associated with an increase in daily fat intake by 8.99 g and omega-6 fatty acid intake by 3.85 g, and a decrease in vitamin D intake by 0.93 µg. Compared with fast-food and full-service restaurant consumption at home, consumption away from home led to further reduced diet quality. Conclusions: Individualized nutrition counseling and food assistance programs should address cancer survivors’ overall dining-out behavior rather than fast-food consumption alone.
Ultraino: An Open Phased-Array System for Narrowband Airborne Ultrasound Transmission

Modern ultrasonic phased-array controllers are electronic systems capable of delaying the transmitted or received signals of multiple transducers. Configurable transmit–receive array systems, capable of electronic steering and shaping of the beam in near real-time, are available commercially, for example, for medical imaging. However, emerging applications, such as ultrasonic haptics, parametric audio, or ultrasonic levitation, require only a small subset of the capabilities provided by the existing controllers. To meet this need, we present Ultraino, a modular, inexpensive, and open platform that provides hardware, software, and example applications specifically aimed at controlling the transmission of narrowband airborne ultrasound. Our system is composed of software, driver boards, and arrays that enable users to quickly and efficiently perform research in various emerging applications. The software can be used to define array geometries, simulate the acoustic field in real time, and control the connected driver boards. The driver board design is based on an Arduino Mega and can control 64 channels with a square wave of up to 17 Vpp and $\pi $ /5 phase resolution. Multiple boards can be chained together to increase the number of channels. The 40-kHz arrays with flat and spherical geometries are demonstrated for parametric audio generation, acoustic levitation, and haptic feedback.
When Sex Primes Love: Subliminal Sexual Priming Motivates Relationship Goal Pursuit

The studies reported here provide, for the first time, experimental evidence to support the claim that sexual interest and arousal are associated with motives to form and maintain a close relationship. In five studies, sex-related representations were cognitively primed, either subliminally or supraliminally, by exposing participants to erotic words or pictures as compared with neutral words or pictures. The effects of “sexual priming” on the tendencies to initiate and maintain a close relationship were assessed using various cognitive–behavioral and self-report measures. Supporting the hypotheses, subliminal but not supraliminal exposure to sexual primes increased (a) willingness to self-disclose, (b) accessibility of intimacy-related thoughts, (c) willingness to sacrifice for one's partner, and (d) preference for using positive conflict-resolution strategies. The article discusses implications of these findings for the role of sex in close relationships and offers a conceptualization of possible relational motives of the sexual behavioral system.
Levels of analysis in etiological research on schizophrenia

Etiological research spanning domains of inquiry as diverse as social psychology and molecular genetics has identified a number of potential factors that likely contribute to the development and clinical manifestation of schizophrenia. In this article, we first highlight the challenges inherent in developing cogent etiological models that represent both the diversity of suspected causal influences and their mechanisms of action. Then, using our own research program as a heuristic context, we present a general analytical framework for identifying and integrating multiple types of etiologic factors across different levels of analysis in the prediction of schizophrenia. In recognition of the myriad complexities of multifactorial causation, we argue that a multilevel causal perspective is required for the development and advancement of a fully nuanced theory of schizophrenia etiology and pathophysiology.
Navigating the Decision Space: Shared Medical Decision Making as Distributed Cognition

Despite increasing prominence, little is known about the cognitive processes underlying shared decision making. To investigate these processes, we conceptualize shared decision making as a form of distributed cognition. We introduce a Decision Space Model to identify physical and social influences on decision making. Using field observations and interviews, we demonstrate that patients and physicians in both acute and chronic care consider these influences when identifying the need for a decision, searching for decision parameters, making actionable decisions Based on the distribution of access to information and actions, we then identify four related patterns: physician dominated; physician-defined, patient-made; patient-defined, physician-made; and patient-dominated decisions. Results suggests that (a) decision making is necessarily distributed between physicians and patients, (b) differential access to information and action over time requires participants to transform a distributed task into a shared decision, and (c) adverse outcomes may result from failures to integrate physician and patient reasoning. Our analysis unifies disparate findings in the medical decision-making literature and has implications for improving care and medical training.
Investigation of Sialidase of Plasmodium berghei Infected Albino Mice in the Pathology of Malaria

Malaria is a major public health problem in the world in general and developing countries in particular, and it is becoming more difficult to manage particularly in areas of multi-drug resistance. Hence, the study was designed to carry out the sialidase activity in the Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice. Albino mice free from infection were experimentally infected with Plasmodium berghei. The animals showed detectable parasitemia on day 4 post-infection with about 30 % of parasitemia recorded before death of animal. Packed cell volume (PCV) level decreased with increase in the post infection days. Erythrocyte surface sialic acid (ESA) decreased while sialic acid from the serum and brain increased with increase in the level of parasitemia. The activity of the sialidase also increased both during infection and treatment compared to the pre-infection values. In addition, it was found that Plasmodium berghei produced sialidase. The partially purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS PAGE with molecular weight of 54.8 kDa. Inhibitory study of the neem leaf and stem bark on the sialidase revealed mixed competitive inhibition pattern.
NAD(P)H Oxidase 4 Mediates Transforming Growth Factor-β1–Induced Differentiation of Cardiac Fibroblasts Into Myofibroblasts

Human cardiac fibroblasts are the main source of cardiac fibrosis associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) irreversibly converts fibroblasts into pathological myofibroblasts, which express smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin) de novo and produce extracellular matrix. We hypothesized that TGF-β1–stimulated conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts requires reactive oxygen species derived from NAD(P)H oxidases (Nox). We found that TGF-β1 potently upregulates the contractile marker SM α-actin mRNA (7.5±0.8-fold versus control). To determine whether Nox enzymes are involved, we first performed quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and found that Nox5 and Nox4 are abundantly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts, whereas Nox1 and Nox2 are barely detectable. On stimulation with TGF-β1, Nox4 mRNA is dramatically upregulated by 16.2±0.8-fold (n=3, P<0.005), whereas Nox5 is downregulated. Small interference RNA against Nox4 downregulates Nox4 mRNA by 80±5%, inhibits NADPH-driven superoxide production in response to TGF-β1 by 65±7%, and reduces TGF-β1–induced expression of SM α-actin by 95±2% (n=6, P<0.05). Because activation of small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smads) 2/3 is critical for myofibroblast conversion in response to TGF-β1, we also determined whether Nox4 affects Smad 2/3 phosphorylation. Depletion of Nox4 but not Nox5 inhibits baseline and TGF-β1 stimulation of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation by 75±5% and 68±3%, respectively (n=7, P<0.0001). We conclude that Nox 4 mediates TGF-β1–induced conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts by regulating Smad 2/3 activation. Thus, Nox4 may play a critical role in the pathological activation of cardiac fibroblasts in cardiac fibrosis associated with human heart failure.
Wheeze, cough, atopy, and indoor environment in the Scottish Highlands

A questionnaire which included items on wheeze, cough, eczema, hay fever, and indoor environment, including parental smoking habits, pet ownership, heating and cooking methods, home insulation, damp, mould, and years lived in their houses, was given to 1801 children, aged 12 and 14 from the Highland Region in Scotland. Of the 1537 (85%) who replied, 267 (17%) reported current wheeze, 135 (9%) cough for three months in the year, 272 (18%) eczema, and 317 (21%) hay fever. There was no consistent relationship between respiratory symptoms and indoor environment although cough was associated with damp, double glazing, and maternal smoking. The prevalence of wheeze, cough, and atopy was higher in children who had lived in more than one house during their lifetime. These results suggest that increasing mobility of families in recent years may be more important in the aetiology of asthma than exposure to any one individual allergen or pollutant.
Avaliação das medidas de pressão arterial comparando o método tradicional e o padrão-ouro

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating arterial pressure measurements comparing the traditional and the gold standard methods in an emergency public service. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, in which arterial systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressure measurements obtained by nursing professionals by means of the traditional method were compared with those obtained using the gold standard technique. RESULTS: Study participants were 229 patients, 69% were women and the mean age was 50 years. The comparison between the two methods showed that the mean value of the arterial systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressures was higher using the gold standard technique. CONCLUSION: Divergences were found between the measurements obtained using the recommended technique and the risk classification.