Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weak whole‐plant trait coordination in a seasonally dry South American stressful environment

Abstract A core question involving both plant physiology and community ecology is whether traits from different organs are coordinated across species, beyond pairwise trait correlations. The strength of within‐community trait coordination has been hypothesized to increase along gradients of environmental harshness, due to the cost of adopting ecological strategies out of the viable niche space supported by the abiotic conditions. We evaluated the strength of trait relationship and coordination in a stressful environment using 21 leaf and stem traits of 21 deciduous and evergreen woody species from a heath vegetation growing on coastal sandy plain in northeastern South America. The study region faces marked dry season, high soil salinity and acidity, and poor nutritional conditions. Results from multiple factor analyses supported two weak and independent axes of trait coordination, which accounted for 25%–29% of the trait variance using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Trait correlations on the multiple factor analyses main axis fit well with the global plant economic spectrum, with species investing in small leaves and dense stems as opposed to species with softer stems and large leaves. The species’ positions on the main functional axis corresponded to the competitor‐stress‐tolerant side of Grime's CSR triangle of plant strategies. The weak degree of trait coordination displayed by the heath vegetation species contradicted our expectation of high trait coordination in stressful environmental habitats. The distinct biogeographic origins of the species occurring in the study region and the prevalence of a regional environmental filter coupled with local homogeneous conditions could account for prevalence of trait independence we observed.
Dyslipidaemia in HIV-infected patients: association with adherence to potent antiretroviral therapy

Metabolic complications are being increasingly recognized among HIV-infected patients treated with potent combination antiretroviral therapies. We sought to assess the association of dyslipidaemia with adherence to protease inhibitor (PI) therapy and with the markers of clinical response to antiretroviral therapy (CD4 count, HIV RNA viral level) through a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Fifty-six HIV-infected patients who were already on, or who were started on PI-containing antiretroviral therapy were monitored for the development of dyslipidaemias. Therapy with PI-containing antiretroviral therapy was significantly associated with elevated serum triglyceride level (>250 mg/dl) (52% vs 8%, P=0.001). Patients with an adherence rate of at least 80% to a PI-containing regimen were significantly more likely to have elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level as compared to patients with an adherence rate of <80% (79% vs 26%, P=0.03). Patients with an adherence rate of at least 80% to a PI-containing regimen were also significantly more likely to have severe hypertriglyceridaemia (>800 mg/dl) as compared to patients with an adherence rate of <80% (21% vs 4%, P=0.04). Viral load at the last study visit did not correlate with total cholesterol (r=-0.39, P=0.30), LDL cholesterol (r=0.57, P=0.30), or triglyceride level (r=0.55, P=0.20). However, there was a significant correlation between the last viral load and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r=0.79, P=0.035), i.e. lower viral load was associated with higher HDL cholesterol level. In conclusion, dyslipidaemia in patients with HIV infection was significantly associated with adherence to PI-containing antiretroviral therapy. Patients who are adherent to PI-containing regimens at least 80% of the time warrant close monitoring for the development of dyslipidaemia.
Stimulus Presentation Strategies for Eliciting the Acoustic Change Complex: Increasing Efficiency

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare four strategies for stimulus presentation in terms of their efficiency when generating a speech-evoked cortical acoustic change complex (ACC) in adults and children. Design: Ten normally hearing adults (aged 22 to 31 yrs) and nine normally hearing children (aged 6 to 9 yrs) served as participants. The ACC was elicited using a 75-dB SPL synthetic vowel containing 1000 Hz changes of second formant frequency, creating a change of perceived vowel between /u/ and /i/. The ACC was recorded from Cz using four stimulus formats:Interrupted presentation of a 1-sec stimulus containing a single change from /u/ to /i/ using a 2-sec interonset interval.Interrupted presentation of the same stimulus using a 1-sec interonset interval.Interrupted presentation of a 1.5-sec stimulus containing a change from /u/ to /i/ followed by a reverse change from /i/ to /u/, using a 2-sec interonset interval.Continuous presentation of a stimulus alternating between /u/ and /i/ using a 1-sec repetition interval. ACC magnitude was expressed as the standard deviation of the voltage waveform within a window believed to span the ACC. Noise magnitude was estimated from the variances at each sampling point in the same window. Efficiency was expressed in terms of the ACC to noise magnitude ratio divided by testing time. Results: ACC magnitude was not significantly different for the two directions of second formant change. Reducing interonset interval from 2 to 1 sec increased efficiency by a factor close to two. Combining data from the two directions of change increased efficiency further, by a factor approximating the square root of 2. Conclusion: Continuous alternating stimulus presentation is more efficient than interrupted stimulus presentation in eliciting the ACC. The benefits of eliminating silent periods and doubling the number of acoustic changes presented in a given time period are not seriously offset by a reduction in root mean square response amplitude, at least in young adults and in children as young as 6 yrs.
Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is one of a number of multifunctional proteins that are present in or on all mucosal surfaces throughout the body. Levels of lactoferrin are consistently elevated in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, corneal disease, and periodontitis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lactoferrin have been shown to be present in individuals susceptible to Escherichia coli–induced travelers’ diarrhea and in tear fluid derived from virally associated corneal disease. Here, we review data showing a lactoferrin SNP in amino acid position 29 in the antimicrobial region of lactoferrin that acts against caries associated bacteria. This SNP was initially discovered in African American subjects with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) who had proximal bone loss but minimal proximal caries. Results were confirmed in a genetic association study of children from Brazil with this same SNP who showed a reduced level of caries. In vitro data indicate that lactoferrin from whole saliva derived from subjects with this SNP, recombinant human lactoferrin containing this SNP, or an 11-mer peptide designed for this SNP kills mutans streptococci associated with caries by >1 log. In contrast, the SNP has minimal effect on Gram-negative species associated with periodontitis. Moreover, periodontally healthy subjects homozygous for this lysine (K) SNP have lactoferrin in their saliva that kills mutans streptococci and have reduced proximal decay. The review summarizes data supporting the ecologic plaque hypothesis and suggests that a genetic variant in lactoferrin with K in position 29 when found in saliva and crevice fluid can influence community biofilm composition. We propose that, for caries, this SNP is ethnicity independent and protective by directly killing caries-provoking bacteria (reducing proximal decay). However, the clinical effect of this SNP in LAP is ethnicity dependent, destructive (increases LAP incidence), and complex with mechanisms still to be determined.
Trichomonas vaginalis: an audit of clinical practice and the demography of infected patients at three London genitourinary medicine clinics

This audit aimed to review clinical standards for Trichomonas vaginalis against British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) guidelines. Case notes for patients who had a positive microscopy or culture result were reviewed retrospectively. There was a 0.23% positivity rate for T. vaginalis (n = 84 cases); 96% were female with an average age of 33 years, with proportionally more patients seen in the African/Caribbean population, despite the number of cases being comparable between white (n = 36) and African/Caribbean (n = 34) groups. Seventy percent of patients had both microscopy- and culture-positive results for T. vaginalis. Contact tracing occurred in 87% of patients; 56% of these patients confirmed at least one contact had been treated in the last month. Overall, our data demonstrated a lower positivity rate than expected. Wet microscopy and liquid medium cultures were both important in identifying the infection, but more needs to be done to ensure partner notification has been documented and contacts have been treated.
A New Methodology for Neutrosophic Multi-attribute Decision-making with Unknown Weight Information

In this paper, we present multi-attribute decision-making problem with neutrosophic assessment. We assume that the information about attribute weights is incompletely known or completely unknown. The ratings of alternatives with respect to each attributes are considered as single-valued neutrosophic set to catch up imprecise or vague information. Neutrosophic set is characterized by three independent degrees namely truth- membership degree (T), indeterminacy-membership degree (I), and falsity-membership degree (F). The modified grey relational analysis method is proposed to find out the best alternative for multi-attribute decision- making problem under neutrosophic environment. We establish a deviation based optimization model based on the ideal alternative to determine attribute weight in which the information about attribute weights is incompletely known. Again, we solve an optimization model with the help of Lagrange functions to find out the completely unknown attributes weight. By using these attributes weight we calculate the grey relational coefficient of each alternative from ideal alternative for ranking the alternatives. Finally, an illustrative example is provided in order to demonstrate its applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Concentration of fish serum albumin (FSA) in the aqueous extract of Indonesian Perciformes fishes’ muscle tissue

Fish serum albumin (FSA) is an aquatic resource that has potential to be developed as nutraceutical. Therefore, research was undertaken to assess albumin levels in the aqueous extract of muscle tissue of several Perciformes commonly available at a local fish market in Indonesia. Three random replicates for each of 17 Perciformes species were collected and assessed for their FSA content by application of a reversed-phase (C4) HPLC analytical method. Results of these analyses showed that the albumin concentration of the extracts was in the range 3.49–12.61 g/L, and that they varied significantly (P < 0.05) between species and families. This finding may mean that FSA levels are species and family dependent, something that could be investigated in future studies. As fishes from the family Scrombidae showed the highest concentration (12.61 g/L) of FSA, they would likely have the most value as a source for production of albumin-based nutritional and/or clinical products.
Troglitazone improves blood flow by inhibiting neointimal formation after balloon injury in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats.

Troglitazone (TGZ) is an antidiabetic agent of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class that potentiates insulin action. In addition to its effects on insulin action, TGZ has an antiproliferative effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), of which proliferation is a prominent feature of retenosis after balloon injury, as well as atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of TGZ on intimal formation and blood flow after balloon injury in insulin-resistant Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats to see whether the decrease in insulin resistance could minimize VSMC proliferation and could maintain blood flow. OLETF rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes, develop spontaneous hyperglycemia after the age of 24 weeks. Balloon injury was applied to the left common carotid arteries of the rats with a 2F Fogarty catheter. Two weeks after the balloon injury, blood flow velocity was measured with Doppler ultrasonography, and histomorphometric analyses of the common carotid arteries were performed. The neointimal formation caused by VSMC proliferation was inhibited by TGZ treatment by as much as 80% (0.197 +/- 0.013 mm(2) v 0.157 +/- 0.011 mm(2), P <. 05). The ratio of neointimal to medial area also decreased by 22% with TGZ treatment (1.651 +/- 0.148 v 1.292 +/- 0.083, P <.05). These effects of TGZ in OLETF rats were accompanied by alterations in plasma insulin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. To look into the relationship between VSMC proliferation and hyperinsulinemia, we used a [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation assay to investigate the effects of TGZ on VSMC proliferation. Insulin (at a concentration of 17.3 nmol/L) significantly stimulated DNA synthesis (236.6% +/- 7.4%, P <.001), and TGZ significantly inhibited the insulin-induced DNA synthesis in VSMCs (106.43% +/- 4.23%, P <.001) in a dose-dependent manner. In balloon-injured arteries of the untreated group, systolic blood flow velocity decreased by 61% compared with uninjured arteries (P <.05). However, there was no significant difference in systolic blood flow velocity between injured and uninjured arteries in the treated group (0.906 +/- 0.043 v 0.991 +/- 0.066 meters per second [m/s], P = not significant [NS]). The systolic blood flow of injured arteries was improved by 143% in the treated group (P <.01). These data suggest that TGZ is a potent inhibitor of VSMC proliferation both in vivo and in vitro through a direct effect on VSMCs, and that TZDs might be very useful in the treatment and prevention of restenosis after balloon injury.
Doxazosin inhibits retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and G(1)-->S transition in human coronary smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin (Dox) inhibits multiple mitogenic signaling pathways in human vascular smooth muscle cells. This broad antiproliferative activity of Dox occurs through a novel mechanism unrelated to its blocking the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor. Flow cytometry demonstrated that Dox prevents mitogen-induced G(1)-->S progression of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal reduction of S-phase transition by 88+/-10.5% in 20 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor and 1 micromol/L insulin (P+I)-stimulated cells (P<0.01 for 10 micromol/L Dox versus P+I alone) and 52+/-18.7% for 10% FBS-induced mitogenesis (P<0.05 for 10 micromol/L Dox versus 10% FBS alone). Inhibition of G(1) exit by Dox was accompanied by a significant blockade of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) phosphorylation. Hypophosphorylated Rb sequesters the E2F transcription factor, leading to G(1) arrest. Adenoviral overexpression of E2F-1 stimulated quiescent CASMCs to progress through G(1) and enter the S phase. E2F-mediated G(1) exit was not affected by Dox, suggesting that it targets events upstream from Rb hyperphosphorylation. Downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory protein p27 is important for maximal activation of G(1) cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase holoenzymes to overcome the cell cycle inhibitory activity of Rb. In Western blot analysis, p27 levels decreased after mitogenic stimulation (after P+I, 43+/-1.8% of quiescent cells [P<0.01 versus quiescent cells]; after 10% FBS, 55+/-7.7% of quiescent cells [P<0. 05 versus quiescent cells]), whereas the addition of Dox (10 micromol/L) markedly attenuated its downregulation (after P+I, 90+/-8.3% of quiescent cells [P<0.05 versus P+I alone]; after 10% FBS, 78+/-8.3% of quiescent cells [P<0.05 versus 10% FBS alone]). Furthermore, Dox inhibited cyclin A expression, an E2F regulated gene that is essential for cell cycle progression into the S phase. The present study demonstrates that Dox inhibits CASMC proliferation by blocking cell cycle progression from the G(0)/G(1) phase to the S phase. This G(1)-->S blockade likely results from an inhibition of mitogen-induced Rb hyperphosphorylation through prevention of p27 downregulation.
Traveling-Wave-Based Line Fault Location in Star-Connected Multiterminal HVDC Systems

This paper presents a novel algorithm to determine the location of dc line faults in an HVDC system with multiple terminals connected to a common point, using only the measurements taken at the converter stations. The algorithm relies on the traveling-wave principle, and requires the fault-generated surge arrival times at the converter terminals. With accurate surge arrival times obtained from time-synchronized measurements, the proposed algorithm can accurately predict the faulty segment as well as the exact fault location. Continuous wavelet transform coefficients of the input signal are used to determine the precise time of arrival of traveling waves at the dc line terminals. Performance of the proposed fault-location scheme is analyzed through detailed simulations carried out using the electromagnetic transient simulation software PSCAD. The algorithm does not use reflected waves for its calculations and therefore it is more robust compared to fault location algorithms previously proposed for teed transmission lines. Furthermore, the algorithm can be generalized to handle any number of line segments connected to the star point.
Bacterial Functional Redundancy along a Soil Reclamation Gradient

ABSTRACT A strategy to measure bacterial functional redundancy was developed and tested with soils collected along a soil reclamation gradient by determining the richness and diversity of bacterial groups capable of in situ growth on selected carbon substrates. Soil cores were collected from four sites along a transect from the Jamari tin mine site in the Jamari National Forest, Rondonia, RO, Brazil: denuded mine spoil, soil from below the canopy of invading pioneer trees, revegetated soil under new growth on the forest edge, and the forest floor of an adjacent preserved forest. Bacterial population responses were analyzed by amending these soil samples with individual carbon substrates in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). BrdU-labeled DNA was then subjected to a 16S-23S rRNA intergenic analysis to depict the actively growing bacteria from each site. The number and diversity of bacterial groups responding to four carbon substrates (l-serine, l-threonine, sodium citrate, and α-lactose hydrate) increased along the reclamation-vegetation gradient such that the preserved forest soil samples contained the highest functional redundancy for each substrate. These data suggest that bacterial functional redundancy increases in relation to the regrowth of plant communities and may therefore represent an important aspect of the restoration of soil biological functionality to reclaimed mine spoils. They also suggest that bacterial functional redundancy may be a useful indicator of soil quality and ecosystem functioning.
Barriers to the provision of oral health education among Mongolian dentists.

PURPOSE To study barriers to providing oral health education (OHE) to their patients among Mongolian dentists. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was carried out in 2000 among practising dentists (n = 250) in the capital city of Mongolia. The response rate was 98%. Barriers to OHE were measured by six statements describing problems that might interfere with dentists' OHE activities and attitudes towards it by a statement about its importance; all answers were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly agree-strongly disagree). Self-perceived competency in providing OHE was measured by means of a 4-point scale of competency (very to not at all competent) and preventive knowledge by 14 statements related to preventive dentistry. Dentists' work-related backgrounds were work experience in years, type of practice (state or private) and field of practice (general practice or speciality field). Statistical evaluation was carried out by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Poor appreciation of OHE by patients (85%) followed by insufficient teaching materials (73%) and time constraint due to the huge demand for curative care (59%) were the most commonly agreed-upon barriers. Concerning their attitudes towards and competency in providing OHE, 88% of the dentists agreed that OHE should be statutory, and 85% perceived themselves at least quite competent. Dentists' years of work experience were positively, but preventive knowledge score negatively associated with their agreeing about barriers to OHE activities. CONCLUSION Despite appreciation of OHE, Mongolian dentists seem to face practical barriers to providing OHE activities.
Determinants of the effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 in type 2 diabetes.

GLP-1 lowers blood glucose in fasting type 2 diabetic patients. To clarify the relation of the effect of GLP-1 to obesity, blood glucose, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity, GLP-1 (1.2 pmol/kg.min) was infused iv for 4-6 h into 50 fasting type 2 diabetic patients with a wide range of age, body mass index, HbA1c, and fasting plasma glucose. The effectiveness of GLP-1 was evaluated by calculation of a glucose disappearance constant for each individual (Kg, linear slope of log-transformed plasma glucose), and by the lowest stable glucose level (Nadir plasma glucose) obtained during the infusion. Grouped according to fasting plasma glucose (<10, 10-15, >15 mmol/liter), Kg values were 0.45 +/- 0.03, 0.38 +/- 0.04, and 0.28 +/- 0.04%/min (P = 0.005), and Nadir plasma glucose values were 4.7 +/- 0.1 (3.9-5.9), 5.8 +/- 0.4 (4.3-8.4), and 8.7 +/- 1.4 (6.2-18.7) mmol/liter (P = 0.0003). Nonresponders were not identified. Multiple regression analysis with Kg or Nadir plasma glucose as the dependent parameter and body mass index, age, gender, diabetes duration, and significantly correlated parameters (in multiple regression for Kg: fasting plasma glucose, fasting nonesterified fatty acid, dipeptidyl peptidase activity, peak insulin, and the logarithm of beta-cell function; and for Nadir plasma glucose: fasting plasma glucose, fasting nonesterified fatty acid, dipeptidyl peptidase activity, delta glucagon decrement, F-GLP-1 total, logarithm of beta-cell function, and Kg) as independent parameters resulted in fasting plasma glucose as the only significant predictor of Kg, and fasting plasma glucose and Kg as predictors of Nadir plasma glucose. Kg and Nadir plasma glucose were neither influenced by treatment nor by neuropathy per se. In conclusion, GLP-1 lowers plasma glucose in type 2 diabetes regardless of severity, but glucose elimination is faster and obtained glycemic level lower in patients with the lower fasting plasma glucose. Not all patients can be expected to reach normoglycemia.