Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial differences and determinants of macular thickness profiles in multiethnic Asian population: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study

Aim To evaluate racial differences, and ocular and systemic determinants of macular thickness (MT), measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a normal multiethnic Asian population. Method MT was measured from a 6×6 mm2 central macular area using the Cirrus high-definition OCT (HD-OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The associations between ocular and systemic factors with MT were evaluated using linear regression analyses with generalised estimating equation models to account for intereye correlation. Results 7447 healthy eyes (2577 Chinese, 2072 Malays and 2798 Indians) of 4510 subjects were included. Multivariable analysis showed that older age (per decade, β=−4.39), female gender (β=−5.74), diabetes (β=−1.10), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (β=−3.21), longer axial length (per mm, β=−2.34), flatter corneal curvature (per mm, β=−1.79) and presence of cataract (β=−0.94) were associated with thinner overall average MT (OMT) (all p≤0.026); higher total cholesterol (β=0.44; p=0.010) was associated with thicker OMT. All these factors were also associated with thinner central subfield MT (CSMT) (all p≤0.001), except for cataract, total cholesterol and CKD. Meanwhile, longer axial length (β=2.51; p<0.001) was associated with thicker CSMT. OMT (mean±SD) was thickest in Chinese (279.9±12.5 µm), followed by Malays (276.5±13.7 µm) and Indians (272.4±13.1 µm), with p≤0.003 for all interethnic comparisons. Similar trend was observed for CSMT. Conclusion There are interethnic differences in MT profile among Asians, particularly between Chinese and Indians. Ocular and systemic factors affect MT measurements as well. This Asian-specific information may be incorporated into existing clinical interpretation of macular OCT scans to aid in improving the diagnostic and monitoring accuracy of macular diseases among Asians.
Related Factors of Suicidal Ideation among North Korean Refugee Youth in South Korea

This study investigated the factors associated with suicidal ideation among 174 North Korean refugees (aged 13–27 years) residing in South Korea. Specifically, we compared sociodemographic, familial, social, and psychological characteristics between participants with and without suicidal ideation. Twenty-nine refugees (16.7%) had exhibited suicidal ideation in the past 12 months. These refugees had significantly lower levels of familial cohesion (U = 1459.0; p < 0.001), self-esteem (U = 1032.0; p < 0.001), and resilience (U = 1190.0; p < 0.001), as well as higher levels of expressional suppression (U = 1202.5; p < 0.001) and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (U = 1303.0; p = 0.001), (with Cohen’s d > 0.5), compared to those without suicidal ideation. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the level of emotional suppression and familial cohesion were significantly associated with suicidal ideation, after controlling for the other variables. Familial and individual interventions, particularly those focused on encouraging emotional expression and familial cohesion, will be useful for North Korean refugee youth, who have a high risk of suicide.
A Phase I/IIa Trial Using CD19-Targeted Third-Generation CAR T Cells for Lymphoma and Leukemia

Purpose: The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been effective for patients with CD19+ B-cell malignancies. Most studies have investigated the second-generation CARs with either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory domains in the CAR receptor. Here, we describe the first clinical phase I/IIa trial using third-generation CAR T cells targeting CD19 to evaluate safety and efficacy. Patients and Methods: Fifteen patients with B-cell lymphoma or leukemia were treated with CAR T cells. The patients with lymphoma received chemotherapy during CAR manufacture and 11 of 15 were given low-dose cyclophosphamide and fludarabine conditioning prior to CAR infusion. Peripheral blood was sampled before and at multiple time points after CAR infusion to evaluate the persistence of CAR T cells and for immune profiling, using quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, and a proteomic array. Results: Treatment with third-generation CAR T cells was generally safe with 4 patients requiring hospitalization due to adverse reactions. Six of the 15 patients had initial complete responses [4/11 lymphoma and 2/4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)], and 3 of the patients with lymphoma were in remission at 3 months. Two patients are still alive. Best predictor of response was a good immune status prior to CAR infusion with high IL12, DC-Lamp, Fas ligand, and TRAIL. Responding patients had low monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs; CD14+CD33+HLA−DR−) and low levels of IL6, IL8, NAP3, sPDL1, and sPDL2. Conclusions: Third-generation CARs may be efficient in patients with advanced B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancy with only modest toxicity. Immune profiling pre- and posttreatment can be used to find response biomarkers.
The production and characterization of a BoFLC2 introgressed Brassica rapa by repeated backcrossing to an F1

Flowering time is an important agronomic trait for Brassica rapa crops, and previous breeding work in Brassica has successfully transmitted other important agronomic traits from donor species. However, there has been no previous attempts to produce hybrids replacing the original Brassica FLC alleles with alien FLC alleles. In this paper, we introduce the creation of a chromosome substitution line (CSSL) containing a homozygous introgression of Flowering Locus C from Brassica oleracea (BoFLC2) into a B. rapa genomic background, and characterize the CSSL line with respect to the parental cultivars. The preferential transmission of alien chromosome inheritance and the pattern of transmission observed during the production of the CSSLs are also discussed.
All three IP3 receptor subtypes generate Ca2+ puffs, the universal building blocks of IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals

ABSTRACT All three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) are intracellular Ca2+ channels that are co-regulated by IP3 and Ca2+. This allows IP3Rs to evoke regenerative Ca2+ signals, the smallest of which are Ca2+ puffs that reflect the coordinated opening of a few clustered IP3Rs. We use total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF) microscopy to record Ca2+ signals in HEK cells expressing all three IP3R subtypes or a single native subtype. Ca2+ puffs are less frequent in cells expressing one IP3R subtype, commensurate with them expressing fewer IP3Rs than wild-type cells. However, all three IP3R subtypes generate broadly similar Ca2+ puffs with similar numbers of IP3Rs contributing to each. This suggests that IP3R clusters may be assembled by conserved mechanisms that generate similarly sized clusters across different IP3R expression levels. The Ca2+ puffs evoked by IP3R2 had slower kinetics and more prolonged durations, which may be due to IP3 binding with greater affinity to IP3R2. We conclude that Ca2+ puffs are the building blocks for the Ca2+ signals evoked by all IP3Rs. Summary: All IP3 receptor subtypes can generate Ca2+ puffs, suggesting that these coordinated openings of clustered IP3Rs are the building blocks of all IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals.
Managing inappropriate utilization of laboratory resources

Abstract Background The inappropriate use of laboratory resources, due to excessive number of tests not really necessary for patient care or by failure to order the appropriate diagnostic test, may lead to wrong, missed or delayed diagnosis, thus potentially jeopardizing patient safety. It is estimated that 5–95% of tests are currently used inappropriately, depending on the appropriateness criteria, thus significantly contributing to the potential of generating medical errors, the third leading cause of death in the US. Content In this review, we discuss the reasons as well as the medical and financial consequences of inappropriate utilization of laboratory tests. We then provide demand management (DM) tools as a means for overcoming this issue and also discuss their benefits, challenges, limitations and requirements for successful implementation. Summary and outlook When based on current evidence, adapted to local conditions and developed in close collaboration with clinicians, DM is a reasonable strategy for progressing toward better management of over- and underuse of laboratory resources.
Prodrug suicide gene therapy for cancer targeted intracellular by mesenchymal stem cell exosomes

Human tumor trophic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from various tissues and MSCs engineered to express the yeast cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyl transferase suicide fusion gene (yCD::UPRT‒MSCs) released exosomes in conditional medium (CM). Exosomes from all tissue specific yCD::UPRT‒MSCs contained mRNA of the suicide gene in the exosome’s cargo. When the CM was applied to tumor cells, the exosomes were internalized by recipient tumor cells and in the presence of the prodrug 5‒fluorocytosine (5‒FC) effectively triggered dose‒dependent tumor cell death by endocytosed exosomes via an intracellular conversion of the prodrug 5‒FC to 5‒fluorouracil. Exosomes were found to be responsible for the tumor inhibitory activity. MSCs transduced with the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene released exosomes causing death of tumor cells in the presence of ganciclovir. The presence of microRNAs in exosomes produced from naive MSCs and corresponding transgene transduced MSCs did not differ significantly. microRNAs from yCD::UPRT‒MSCs were not associated with therapeutic effect. MSC suicide gene exosomes represent a new class of tumor cell targeting drug acting intracellular with curative potential.
Laser-induced alignment of weakly bound molecular aggregates

The rotational and torsional dynamics of the prototypical floppy $\text{indole}(\text{H}_2\text{O})$ molecular cluster was theoretically and computationally analyzed. The time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation was solved for a reduced-dimensionality description of the cluster, taking into account overall rotations and the internal rotation of the water moiety. Based on our results, it became clear that coupling between the internal and the overall rotations are small, and that for typical field strengths in alignment and mixed-field orientation experiments the rigid rotor approximation can be employed to describe the investigated dynamics. Furthermore, the parameter space over which this is valid and its boundaries where the coupling of the internal and overall rotation can no longer be neglected were explored.
Occurrence of High Acetic Acid-Producing Bacteria in Ivorian Cocoa Fermentation and Analysis of Their Response to Fermentative Stress

Acetic acid produced during cocoa fermentation impact strongly the quality of fermented and dried cocoa beans and chocolate. The objective of this study was to analyze acid production in Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) and their response to fermentative conditions. AAB strains were isolated from cocoa fermentation and screened for acid production on both solid and liquid media. From 444 isolates, 15 strains yielded 2 to 38.1 g/L of acid in liquid medium. The best acid producers were identified by biochemical typing as Acetobactersp, Acetobacteraceti, A. peroxydans, A. pasteurianus and Gluconobacteroxydans. Most AAB strains showed strong tolerance to alcohol with round 45% of survival growth rate (SGR) under 12 % ethanol. AAB strains growing well at 2 % acetic acid (SGRround 47 %), failed to grow at 3 % of this acid. Lactic acid has the most hindering effect on AAB growth, provoking a drop of SGR from 100 % to less than 25 % at only 1 % of lactic acid. Maximum growth of acidifying AAB strains occurred at 35 °C. This study evidences the diversity of technological performances of AAB involved in Ivorian cocoa fermentation and allows targeting the most valuable strains as starters.
Crop-specific seasonal estimates of irrigation water demand in South Asia

Abstract. Especially in the Himalayan headwaters of the main rivers in South Asia, shifts in runoff are expected as a result of a rapidly changing climate. In recent years, our insight into these shifts and their impact on water availability has increased. However, a similar detailed understanding of the seasonal pattern in water demand is surprisingly absent. This hampers a proper assessment of water stress and ways to cope and adapt. In this study, the seasonal pattern of irrigation-water demand resulting from the typical practice of multiple cropping in South Asia was accounted for by introducing double cropping with monsoon-dependent planting dates in a hydrology and vegetation model. Crop yields were calibrated to the latest state-level statistics of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The improvements in seasonal land use and cropping periods lead to lower estimates of irrigation-water demand compared to previous model-based studies, despite the net irrigated area being higher. Crop irrigation-water demand differs sharply between seasons and regions; in Pakistan, winter (rabi) and monsoon summer (kharif) irrigation demands are almost equal, whereas in Bangladesh the rabi demand is ∼ 100 times higher. Moreover, the relative importance of irrigation supply versus rain decreases sharply from west to east. Given the size and importance of South Asia improved regional estimates of food production and its irrigation-water demand will also affect global estimates. In models used for global water resources and food-security assessments, processes like multiple cropping and monsoon-dependent planting dates should not be ignored.
Characterisation of bananas and cooking bananas cultivated in Colombia : Morphological, physicochemical and functional differentiation between genetic groups, consumption patterns and preferences

The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of 23 varieties cultivated in Colombia were assessed. The study permitted to describe the phenotypic diversity and the heterogeneity within-bunches and within-hands of 47 plants. A sampling strategy was suggested accordingly. Dry matter content helped to significantly discriminate consumption groups or subgroups of bananas (P <_ 0.01): FHIA dessert hybrids (24.6%) < dessert bananas (29.4%) < non plantain cooking bananas (32.0%) < FHIA cooking hybrids (34.2%) < plantains (41.1%). Plantain group showed significantly lower mineral contents for calcium and magnesium on dry weight basis (db) than the dessert banana genetic group, with 8.4 and 90.7 mg/100g db respectively. Wide variation in potassium contents was revealed among varieties (814 to 1550 mg/100g db). FHIA dessert hybrid group showed the highest content with an average amount of 1451 mg/100g db. Onset temperature of starches varied from 59.7 to 67.8°C and permitted to significantly differentiate (P <_ 0.01) dessert bananas (63.2°C), from non plantain cooking bananas (65.7°C), from FHIA hybrids (66.6°C) and plantains (67.1°C). FHIA hybrids (cooking and dessert) are significantly discriminated from dessert banana landraces but not from cooking groups (P<_ 0.01). The amylose content of starches varied from 15.4% to 24.9%. A strong relationship was demonstrated between the consumption mode and the amylose content measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Most amylose contents of dessert bananas were below 19% whereas cooking bananas percentages were higher than 21%. Rheological properties were studied using a standardised protocol by Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) irrespective to the [alpha]amylase content of the flour using silver nitrate 0.002M. Flour pasting temperature was relevant to differentiate dessert bananas (69.5°C) from FHIA dessert hybrids and non plantain cooking bananas (72.8°C), from cooking hybrids and plantains (75.8°C). The cooking ability criterion also helped to differentiate dessert bananas and FHIA hybrids (236s) from cooking bananas (183s) at P<_0.01. The investigation permitted to better understand the selection of the varieties by the producers and the uses by consumers according to the consumption mode. A close relation between selection and uses of cultivars with the morphological, physicochemical and rheological specificities were highlighted for the cultivated Musaceae. Some clones were also pointed out to have a substantial interest for the industry. (Resume d'auteur)
Quantification of match internal load and its relationship with physical fitness and recovery state of professional soccer athletes during the competitive period

Purpose. the aim of the study was to determine the level of physical fitness, internal load, and recovery regarding 5 consecutive official professional soccer games and to correlate the physical fitness with the internal load and recovery variables. Methods. the total of 11 male professional soccer athletes performed an incremental treadmill test, which allowed to assess their physical fitness, and then participated in 5 official soccer matches held within 8.3 ± 3.7 days. After each match, the perceived recovery, perceived muscle soreness, creatine kinase concentration, and session rating of perceived exertion were registered. the effect of the 5 consecutive games was tested with the repeated measures ANOVA and the correlations were examined with the spearman coefficient. the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results. the internal load and recovery variables were similar throughout the games (p > 0.05). significant correlations were found between internal load and physical fitness ( = 0.66) and between strain and recovery ( = –0.61). Conclusions. the results suggest that soccer athletes with better aerobic fitness weary more during the game and present higher strain in the season; however, they recover faster between games.
Composition of shrimp populations (Crustacea: Decapoda) in non-vegetated areas of two river islands in a Brazilian Amazon estuary

This study investigates the shrimp found in non-vegetated areas of an estuary of the Amazon River. We ascertained the input of juveniles, species' biometrics and the influence of environmental factors on the abundance of species. The samples were collected monthly, from August 2006 to July 2007, in two places in the estuary, each next to an island. For collecting, we used a manual trawl to perform three hauls per month, totaling 36 samples per site. The abundance of shrimps was estimated as a function of the density of specimens per unit area. We used the Spearman's correlation to test the hypothesis that there is significant correlation between the average of the environmental variables measured and variations in shrimp density. The Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney tests showed that there were significant differences in environment factors (temperature and salinity) among the months and sites. We obtained 6,091 shrimps, from which 5,231 (85.88%) were caught off the Arapiranga Island and 860 (14.12%) off the Mosqueiro Island, Palaemonidae and Penaeidae were the only families recorded. Five species were collected: Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862), Macrobrachium surinamicum Holthuis, 1948, Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758), Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), and Farfantepenaeus subtilis (Perez-Farfante, 1967). The latter (pink shrimp) was found for the first time in oligohaline environments (0-8). Macrobrachium amazonicum was the most abundant species. The recruitment of M. amazonicum juveniles was continuous throughout the year. The population of M. surinamicum was composed by juveniles and adults and that of F. subtilis exclusively by juveniles. The environmental factors analyzed were variable throughout the year and seem to explain the patterns of shrimp species occurrence in the region, the variation in their abundance and juvenile recruitment.
Uncertainty Assessment of Future Hydroclimatic Predictions: A Comparison of Probabilistic and Scenario-Based Approaches

Abstract During the last decade, numerous studies have been carried out to predict future climate based on climatic models run on the global scale and fed by plausible scenarios about anthropogenic forcing to climate. Based on climatic model output, hydrologic models attempt then to predict future hydrologic regimes at regional scales. Much less systematic work has been done to estimate climatic uncertainty and to assess the climatic and hydrologic model outputs within an uncertainty perspective. In this study, a stochastic framework for future climatic uncertainty is proposed, based on the following lines: 1) climate is not constant but rather varying in time and expressed by the long-term (e.g., 30 yr) time average of a natural process, defined on a finescale; 2) the evolution of climate is represented as a stochastic process; 3) the distributional parameters of a process, marginal and dependence, are estimated from an available sample by statistical methods; 4) the climatic uncertainty is the result of.
Cooperative Breeding and Adolescent Siblings

In humans, alloparents are usually thought to be grandmothers and adolescent girls. Although many studies have examined the influence of grandmothers on child outcomes, fewer have explored the effect of adolescents on such outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that in a community of Ecuadorian Shuar horticulturists, adolescent girls would have a positive influence on the growth and development of younger siblings. We measured height, weight, and skin fold thicknesses of children and young adults and computed body mass indexes (BMIs). Contrary to predictions, adolescent girls had a strong, significant negative impact and boys had a positive impact on child growth and nutrition: the age‐standardized BMI of children with all adolescent sisters was 1.7 SD below the age‐standardized BMI of children with all adolescent brothers. In this population, adolescent girls have many mating opportunities, whereas adolescent boys do not. It is therefore possible that instead of pursuing marriage opportunities, adolescent boys might have invested in younger siblings.