Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Costa Rican Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Background: Most research in genomics of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been done in subjects of European ancestry, leading to sampling bias and leaving Latin American populations underrepresented. We sought to clinically characterize PD patients of Costa Rican origin and to sequence familial PD and atypical parkinsonism-associated genes in cases and controls. Methods: We enrolled 118 PD patients with 97 unrelated controls. Collected information included demographics, exposure to risk and protective factors, and motor and cognitive assessments. We sequenced coding and untranslated regions in familial PD and atypical parkinsonism-associated genes including GBA, SNCA, VPS35, LRRK2, GCH1, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, VPS13C, and ATP13A2. Results: Mean age of PD probands was 62.12 ± 13.51 years; 57.6% were male. The frequency of risk and protective factors averaged ~45%. Physical activity significantly correlated with better motor performance despite years of disease. Increased years of education were significantly associated with better cognitive function, whereas hallucinations, falls, mood disorders, and coffee consumption correlated with worse cognitive performance. We did not identify an association between tested genes and PD or any damaging homozygous or compound heterozygous variants. Rare variants in LRRK2 were nominally associated with PD; six were located between amino acids p.1620 and 1623 in the C-terminal-of-ROC (COR) domain of Lrrk2. Non-synonymous GBA variants (p.T369M, p.N370S, and p.L444P) were identified in three healthy individuals. One PD patient carried a pathogenic GCH1 variant, p.K224R. Discussion: This is the first study that describes sociodemographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, and genetics of Costa Rican patients with PD, adding information to genomics research in a Latino population.
Discriminatory ability of cervical vertebral maturation stages in predicting attainment of the legal age threshold of 14 years: A pilot study using lateral cephalograms

Purpose In India, the age of 14 years is the legal age threshold for child labour. Therefore, in suspected instances of child labour, age assessment plays a crucial role in determining whether a violation of the law on the employment of children has occurred. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess the discriminatory ability of stages of cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) in predicting the legal age threshold of 14 years. Materials and Methods Routinely taken lateral cephalograms from 408 subjects aged 10 to 18 years were evaluated retrospectively using the CVM stages described by Baccetti et al. Descriptive statistics, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios were calculated for stages 2, 3, and 4 of CVM. Results Real age increased as the CVM stage gradually increased. The results of 2×2 contingency tables showed that CVM stage 4 produced an accuracy of 71% and 73%, a false positive rate of 7% and 18%, and a post-test probability of 59% and 68% for boys and girls, respectively. Conclusion Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the stages of CVM are of limited use for predicting the attainment of the legal age threshold of 14 years. Future studies should investigate whether combinations of skeletal and dental methods could achieve better accuracy and post-test probability.
Circulating Th1 and Th2 Subset Accumulation Kinetics in Septic Patients with Distinct Infection Sites: Pulmonary versus Nonpulmonary

Background Persistent peripheral CD4+T cell differentiation towards T helper (Th)2 rather than Th1 has been proved to be related to immunosuppression and poor prognosis in sepsis. However, it is unclear whether these circulating Th1 and Th2 subtype accumulations differed in septic populations of distinct infection sites and presented different associations with outcomes among patients with pulmonary versus nonpulmonary sepsis. Methods From a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study, seventy-four previously immunocompetent patients with community-acquired severe sepsis within 24 hours upon onset were enrolled. Whole blood was collected on the admission day (D0), 3rd day (D3), and 7th day (D7). The patients were classified as pulmonary (n = 52) and nonpulmonary sepsis (n = 22). Circulating Th1 and Th2 populations were evaluated by flow cytometry, and clinical data related to disease severity and inflammatory response were collected. The associations of circulating Th1 and Th2 subset accumulations with distinct infection sites or outcomes within subgroups were explored. Results Patients with pulmonary sepsis held similar disease severity and 28-day mortality with those of nonpulmonary sepsis. Of note is the finding that circulating Th2 levels on D7 (P = 0.04) as well as Th2/Th1 on D3 (P = 0.01) and D7 (P = 0.04) were higher in the pulmonary sepsis compared with nonpulmonary sepsis while Th1 levels were lower on D0, D3, and D7 (P = 0.01, <0.01, and =0.05, respectively). Compared to 28-day survivors, higher Th2/Th1 driven by increased Th2 were observed among 28-day nonsurvivors on D3 and D7 in both groups. The association between circulatory Th2 populations or Th2/Th1 and 28-day death was detected in pulmonary sepsis (P < 0.05, HR > 1), rather than nonpulmonary sepsis. Conclusions Circulating Th2 accumulation was more apparent among pulmonary sepsis while nonpulmonary sepsis was characterized with the hyperactive circulating Th1 subset among previously immunocompetent patients. This finding suggested that circulating Th1 and Th2 subset accumulations vary in septic subgroups with different infection sites.
Sage Grouse Nest Locations in Relation to Leks

We tested 2 predictions about the locations of nets of lek-forming species to evaluate a guideline developed to protect sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nesting habitat. Sage grouse (n=37) in southeastern Idaho did not attempt to nest midway between leks, as 1 hypothesis suggests. Neither was there evidence indicating that areas surrounding a lek are important for nesting, as a second hypothesis suggests. Because distribution of sage grouse nests was random with respect to lek location, nesting habitat protection based on either hypothesis affords no special protection for nests
Two new species in Iris series Chinenses (Iridaceae) from south-central China

Abstract Iris dabashanensis C.A. Wilson, sp. nov. and I. probstii C.A. Wilson, sp. nov. from China are described and illustrated. Both species occur on grassy slopes in mountainous regions of south-central China. The former is known from the Daba Mountains in rocky, calcareous soils associated with shrubs or mixed conifer and hardwood forests, while the latter is known from a region of karst terrain beside rice fields or under pine woods in Guizhou Province. Molecular data resolves both species in series Chinenses in a subclade that also includes I. odaesanensis, while morphologically they are similar to I. henryi. These newly described species are two of four members of series Chinenses that occur in south-central China.
Effect of prior general anesthesia or sedation and antiseizure drugs on the diagnostic utility of wireless video electroencephalography in dogs

Abstract Background Ambulatory wireless video electroencephalography (AEEG) is the method of choice to discriminate epileptic seizures from other nonepileptic episodes. However, the influence of prior general anesthesia (GA), sedation, or antiseizure drug (ASD) on the diagnostic ability of AEEG is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives The use of sedation/GA or ASD treatment before AEEG recording may affect the diagnostic ability of AEEG and the time to first abnormality on AEEG. Animals A total of 108 client‐owned dogs undergoing ambulatory AEEG for paroxysmal episodes. Methods Retrospective cohort study. Proportions of diagnostic AEEG and time to first abnormality were compared between dogs that received sedation/GA or neither for instrumentation as well as dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and untreated dogs. Results Ambulatory EEG was diagnostic in 60.2% of all dogs including 49% of the sedation/GA dogs and 68% of dogs that received neither (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02‐5.00; P = .05). The AEEG was diagnostic in 51% of dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and 66% of untreated dogs (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.9‐4.3; P = .11). No difference was found in time to first abnormality between sedation/GA or neither or ASD‐treated or untreated dogs (P = .1 and P = .3 respectively). Ninety‐five percent of dogs had at least 1 abnormality within 277 minutes. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Sedation/GA and concurrent ASD administration were not identified as confounding factors for decreasing AEEG diagnostic capability nor did they delay the time to first abnormality. A 4‐hour minimal recording period is recommended.
Making a Dent in Dent Disease

Abstract Dent disease (DD) is a rare kidney disorder caused by mutations in the Cl−/H+ exchanger ClC-5. Extensive physiologic characterization of the transporter has begun to illuminate its role in endosomal ion homeostasis. Nevertheless, we have yet to understand how loss of ClC-5 function in the kidney proximal tubule impairs membrane traffic of megalin and cubilin receptors to cause the low molecular weight proteinuria characteristic of DD. This review identifies open questions that remain to be answered, evaluates the current literature addressing these questions, and suggests new testable models that may link loss of ClC-5 function to tubular proteinuria in DD.
Major histocompatibility complex variation is similar in little brown bats before and after white‐nose syndrome outbreak

Abstract White‐nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has driven alarming declines in North American hibernating bats, such as little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). During hibernation, infected little brown bats are able to initiate anti‐Pd immune responses, indicating pathogen‐mediated selection on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. However, such immune responses may not be protective as they interrupt torpor, elevate energy costs, and potentially lead to higher mortality rates. To assess whether WNS drives selection on MHC genes, we compared the MHC DRB gene in little brown bats pre‐ (Wisconsin) and post‐ (Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania) WNS (detection spanning 2014–2015). We genotyped 131 individuals and found 45 nucleotide alleles (27 amino acid alleles) indicating a maximum of 3 loci (1–5 alleles per individual). We observed high allelic admixture and a lack of genetic differentiation both among sampling sites and between pre‐ and post‐WNS populations, indicating no signal of selection on MHC genes. However, post‐WNS populations exhibited decreased allelic richness, reflecting effects from bottleneck and drift following rapid population declines. We propose that mechanisms other than adaptive immunity are more likely driving current persistence of little brown bats in affected regions.
Identification of a nine-gene prognostic signature for gastric carcinoma using integrated bioinformatics analyses

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinoma (GC) is one of the most aggressive primary digestive cancers. It has unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes and is difficult to diagnose early. AIM To identify prognostic biomarkers for GC patients using comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. METHODS Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases for GC. Overlapping DEGs were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A risk score model was then constructed and its prognostic value was validated utilizing an independent Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE15459). Multiple databases were used to analyze each gene in the risk score model. High-risk score-associated pathways and therapeutic small molecule drugs were analyzed and predicted, respectively. RESULTS A total of 95 overlapping DEGs were found and a nine-gene signature (COL8A1, CTHRC1, COL5A2, AADAC, MAMDC2, SERPINE1, MAOA, COL1A2, and FNDC1) was constructed for the GC prognosis prediction. Receiver operating characteristic curve performance in the training dataset (The Cancer Genome Atlas-stomach adenocarcinoma) and validation dataset (GSE15459) demonstrated a robust prognostic value of the risk score model. Multiple database analyses for each gene provided evidence to further understand the nine-gene signature. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that the high-risk group was enriched in multiple cancer-related pathways. Moreover, several new small molecule drugs for potential treatment of GC were identified. CONCLUSION The nine-gene signature-derived risk score allows to predict GC prognosis and might prove useful for guiding therapeutic strategies for GC patients.
Virulence and resistance determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from pericarditis in diseased broiler chickens in Egypt

Objective: This study was performed to probe the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes profiling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens. Materials and methods: The samples (n = 250) collected from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens were bacteriologically examined. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion technique. The isolates were genotypically studied for the presence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene traits. Finally, the nucleotide sequence of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) was analyzed. Results: P. aeruginosa was isolated from 45 samples (18%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed multidrug resistance in most of the recovered P. aeruginosa isolates, whereas colistin and imipenem were the furthermost in vitro-sensitive antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance genes, such as blaCTX, fox, and mexR, were prevalent in 100%, 80%, and 100% of the isolates, respectively. PCR confirmed virulence genes such as toxA, exoY, lasB, and lasI in 100%, 60%, 80%, and 80% of the isolates, respectively. Nucleotide sequence analysis of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) revealed a high correlation between P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chickens in the present study with PAO1 (reference strain) and with other sequences published on the GenBank representing different localities worldwide. Conclusion: It could be concluded that P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chickens in the current study is highly virulent bacteria, resisting most of the therapeutic agents which not only bear hazards for poultry industry but also represent a public health concern.
The Role of Lifestyle Factors in Controlling Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients in Two Health Facilities in Urban Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Despite efforts to combat hypertension by pharmacotherapy, hypertension control rates remain low. Lifestyle modifications of individuals diagnosed with hypertension have prospects for the prevention and control of hypertension. This study assessed the effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on blood pressure control among adults in urban Accra. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 360 diagnosed hypertensive patients who were ≥18 years old, selected from two secondary-level referral hospitals in the Greater Accra Region, were interviewed. Demographic information, diet components, and exercise assessments as well as blood pressure measurements were taken. Chi-squared tests and binomial logistic regression were used to determine the association between demographic and lifestyle factors with blood pressure control. Area under the receiver-operator curves (AUROC) was used to identify lifestyle factors predicting optimal blood pressure control among patients diagnosed with hypertension. Results Approximately 54.2% of participants had no knowledge of either causes or complications of hypertension. Similarly, 52.5% of patients that had not achieved blood pressure control lacked knowledge of causes or complications of hypertension. Longer time since diagnosis of 2–5 years (AOR = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.47)) and 6–10 years (AOR = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.50)) and diets, mainly composed of meat (AOR = 0.13 (95% CI: 0.02–0.70)) and starch (AOR = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03–0.79)), predicted poor blood pressure control compared to patients diagnosed within a year and diets without meat and starch as main components, respectively. Additionally, engaging in some physical activity of 30 minutes to one hour (AOR = 5.64 (95% CI: 2.08–15.32)) and more than an hour (AOR = 11.38, 95% CI: 2.01–64.47)) predicted blood pressure control. Conclusion The study concludes that increased physical activity, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and reduced intake of carbohydrates, meat, and fat have a positive influence on blood pressure control. Lifestyle modifying factors have a key role in complementing pharmacotherapy in hypertension control.
The Impact of a Six‐Year Climate Anomaly on the “Spanish Flu” Pandemic and WWI

The H1N1 “Spanish influenza” pandemic of 1918–1919 caused the highest known number of deaths recorded for a single pandemic in human history. Several theories have been offered to explain the virulence and spread of the disease, but the environmental context remains underexamined. In this study, we present a new environmental record from a European, Alpine ice core, showing a significant climate anomaly that affected the continent from 1914 to 1919. Incessant torrential rain and declining temperatures increased casualties in the battlefields of World War I (WWI), setting the stage for the spread of the pandemic at the end of the conflict. Multiple independent records of temperature, precipitation, and mortality corroborate these findings.
Effects of Marginal Excess or Deficiency of Dietary Methionine on Antibody Production in Growing Broilers

メチオニン(Met)による飼料中含硫アミノ酸(SAA)レベルが,ブロトラーにおける羊赤血球(SRBC)とブルセラ•アボルタス死菌(Ba)の一次抗体価に与える影響を検討した. 試験1では,粗蛋白質含量(CP)19,6%でSAA 0.56%の低蛋白質飼料のコーンスターチをDL-Metで0,0.37,0. 59または0. 74%代替した飼料とNRC飼養標準に準拠したCP 23%でSAA 0.93%の飼料を調製し,7日齢の雄ブロイラーに21日間給与した. 試験2では,CP 23%でSAA 0.49%の飼料のグリシンを0,0.22,0. 44または0. 66%のDL-Metと置換してSAA含量を0. 72,0.93そして1. 15%に設定した飼料を調製し,10日齢の雄ブロイラーに17日間給与した. また,SAA 0.49%の飼料摂取量と同量となるように飼料を給与する等量給与試験も行った. いずれの飼料とも代謝エネルギー含量は3. 2kcal/gに調製した. 試験1において,低蛋白質飼料給与条件下のSRBC抗体価は,Met添加により低下する傾向にあったが,Met添加の影響は統計的に有意ではなかった. また,NRC飼養標準に合致した飼料を給与した鶏のSRBC抗体価は,低蛋白質飼料にMetを添加した鶏のそれよりも高い値を示した. 試験2において,同一CP含量の飼料を自由摂取させた条件下では,Metによる飼料中SAAレベルの増加にともなってSRBC抗体価は増加する傾向にあったが,統計的に有意ではなかった. また,等量給与条件下では,SRBC抗体価に対して飼料中SAAレベルは影響を及ぼさなかった. Ba抗体価は,試験1,2とも,Metによる飼料SAAレベルの影響を受けなかった. 以上の結果は飼料中Metの欠乏及び過剰とも抗体産生に大きく影響しないことを示している.
Effect of surface medium on visual search for orientation and size features

By using a visual search task, this study examined the encoding of orientation and size for stimuli defined in five different surface media: luminance, color, texture, relative motion, and binocular disparity. Results indicated a spatially parallel analysis of size and orientation features for all surface media, with the possible exception of binocular disparity. The data also revealed a search rate asymmetry in the orientation task for all media: Parallel or shallow search functions were obtained for oblique targets in vertical distractors, whereas steeper serial search functions were obtained for vertical targets in oblique distractors. No consistent asymmetry was found for the large and small targets in the size task. There seemed to be common principles of coding in all these different media, suggesting either a single analysis of shape features applied to a common representation or multiple analyses, one for each surface medium, with each extracting a similar set of features. The shared coding principles may facilitate the use of redundancy across media to reduce ambiguities in the locations and shapes of contours in the visual scene. Language: en
Study of impact of manual biochemistry practicals vs practicals using automation techniques in first-year MBBS students -

Background: Biochemistry being considered as one of the fundamental science subjects taught during the first year of medical course, is proposed to be taught in the right perspective to medical students; since it forms the basic for General Medicine. Innovative curriculum with case-based learning is proven to develop the academic performance of biochemistry in medical students. Objective: To study the impact of manual and automated technique practicals on students’ knowledge, skills, and attitude and its perception by the students. Materials and Methods: The 150 voluntary participants were first-year MBBS students who consented to undergo study. They were asked to perform practical of estimation of urinary sugar using Uristik and using Benedict’s test (manual method). Knowledge was tested by questionnaire. Result: Statistically significant difference was found between automated method when compared with manual method. Conclusion: From this study, we found early clinical exposure to automated method was better than traditional manual method for medical students in Indian scenario. However, it was also noted that automated method requires extra efforts by the students to learn the accurate interpretation of the results. But, students were satisfied more by automated method.
Nonlinear Waves, Solitons and Chaos

1. Introduction 2. Linear waves and instabilities in infinite media 3. Convective and non-convective instabilities group velocity in unstable media 4. A first look at surface waves and instabilities 5. Model equations for small amplitude waves and solitons weakly nonlinear theory 6. Exact methods for fully nonlinear waves and solitons 7. Cartesian solitons in one and two space dimensions 8. Evolution and stability of initially one-dimensional waves and solitons 9. Cylindrical and spherical solitons in plasmas and other media 10. Soliton metamorphosis 11. Non-coherent phenonemena Appendices References.
Adrenal Steroids and Tumor Antigens in Plasma and Cyst Fluid of Women with Gross Cystic Breast Disease

It has been shown that there is an increased risk of breast cancer in women with gross cystic breast disease (GCBD). ' The risk does not seem linked to the lesion per se, because carcinoma has never been observed at the site of the cyst, but rather to the particular hormonal status of these patients. In women at high risk (e.g., with a family history of the disease) it is possible that the breast tissue is more sensitive to prolonged, moderately unbalanced hormonal stimuli? GCBD has its maximum incidence in the perimenopausal period when ovarian activity is somewhat irregular. This disease is characterized by one or more cysts containing a fluid that is rich in protein and steroid hormones. ) Recently various antigens generally present in the serum of women with ovarian and breast cancer have been the subject of research in cyst fluid.4 The aim of the present study was to investigate and discuss the possible relationships between steroid hormones and tumor antigens in the plasma and cyst fluid of women with GCBD.