Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple genetic variants involved in both autoimmunity and autoinflammation detected in Chinese patients with sporadic Meniere's disease: a preliminary study

Background The mechanisms of Meniere's disease (MD) remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify possible genetic variants associated with immune regulation in MD. Methods The whole immune genome of 16 Chinese patients diagnosed with sporadic MD was sequenced using next-generation sequencing. Results Definite pathological variants of MEFV (c.1223G>A, c.1105C>T), COL7A1 (c.5287C>T), and ADA (c.445C>T) contributing to the clinical phenotype were found in three patients. Limited and likely pathological variants of TLR3 (c.2228G>A) and RAB27A (c.560G>A) were detected in one patient each. The following definite pathological variants impairing the structure and function of translated proteins were detected in 10 patients, and multigene variants occurred in five patients: PRF1 (c.710C>A), UNC13D (c.1228A>C), COLEC11 (c.169C>T), RAG2 (c.200G>C), BLM (c.1937G>T), RNF31 (c.2533G>A), FAT4 (c.11498A>G), PEPD (c.788A>G), TNFSF12 (c.470G>A), VPS13B (c.11972A>T), TNFRSF13B (c.226G>A), ERCC6L2 (c.4613A>G), TLR3 (c.2228G>A), ADA (c.445C>T), PEPD (c.151G>A), and MOGS (c.2470G>A). The following limited pathological variants impairing the structure and function of translated proteins were detected in five patients, with double gene variants identified in one patient: EXTL3 (c.1396G>A), MTHFD1 (c.2057G>A), FANCA (c.2039T>C), LPIN2 (c.1814C>T), NBAS (c.4049T>C), and FCN3 (c.734G>A). Conclusion Patients with sporadic MD carry multiple genetic variants involved in multiple steps of immune regulation, which might render patients susceptible to developing inflammation via both autoimmune and autoinflammation mechanisms upon internal stress.
The problem with confidence: too much and too little results in poorer achievement, inner conflict, and social inhibition

Introduction Confidence is defined as the feelings and thoughts people have during a task that result in judgments about their performance. Evidence suggests that confidence is trait-like, but thus far research on the relative match between confidence and accuracy has been primarily restricted to over-confidence effects, and subject to the methodological flaws involved with using difference scores. We sought to answer an exploratory question in this research, whether discrepancies in ability and confidence in either direction reliably predicted individual differences on a broad-spectrum and commercially available personality test, the California Psychological Inventory (CPI260). Methods Participants were 220 employed adults who had previously taken the CPI260 for career development purposes. They were invited to complete a measure of cognitive ability and confidence in return for feedback on the same. Data were modeled using polynomial regression and response surface analysis, to determine whether and how CPI260 personality traits were associated with matches or mismatches between accuracy and confidence in the same test. Results We identified negative curvilinear effects along the line of disagreement for four CPI260 scales, suggesting that both under- and over-confidence were associated with personality. Discussion In contrast to our expectations, individuals who were under-confident and those who were over-confident had lower achievement potential, less social confidence, and more inner conflict than other individuals in this sample. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that both over-confident and under-confident individuals are aware of potential weaknesses that impede their functioning.
Association between multimorbidity and falls and fear of falling among older adults in eastern China: a cross-sectional study

Background Growing evidence has reported an association between multimorbidity and falls and fear of falling (FOF) in older adults, however, the results regarding this association from China are limited. Our study aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and falls and FOF in older adults in eastern China. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China, which recruited a provincial representative sample of adults aged ≥ 60 years. A structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, history of falls in the past 12 months, and FOF, was administered by all participants. The exposure variable was multimorbidity, which was defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases and medical conditions in the same individual. The outcomes included a history of falls and FOF. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between multimorbidity and falls and FOF in older adults. Results In total of 7,774 participants were included in the analysis, among whom 3,898 (50.1%) were female, with a mean ± standard deviation age is 72.9 ± 8.4 years. Multimorbidity was associated with the increased risk of falling in older adults [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.55–2.36]. The ORs for having experienced single fall and repeated falls were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.42–2.42) and 3.45 (95% CI: 1.47–6.97), respectively, with multimorbidity compared with those without chronic diseases. The older adults with multimorbidity were more likely to report FOF compared with those without chronic diseases (adjusted OR, 1.49; 95%CI:1.30–1.70). Moreover, the association between multimorbidity and FOF remained significant in the older adults with a history of fall (OR, 1.57; 95%CI:1.04–2.38). Conclusion The association between multimorbidity and falls and FOF is significant in the Chinese population and the effects of multimorbidity on falls and FOF do not vary according to the frequency and history of falls in older adults.
Microbiota-dependent influence of prebiotics on the resilience of infant gut microbiota to amoxicillin/clavulanate perturbation in an in vitro colon model

Antibiotic exposure disturbs the developing infant gut microbiota. The capacity of the gut microbiota to recover from this disturbance (resilience) depends on the type of antibiotic. In this study, infant gut microbiota was exposed to a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate (amoxicillin/clavulanate) in an in vitro colon model (TIM-2) with fecal-derived microbiota from 1-month-old (1-M; a mixed-taxa community type) as well as 3-month-old (3-M; Bifidobacterium dominated community type) breastfed infants. We investigated the effect of two common infant prebiotics, 2′-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) or galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), on the resilience of infant gut microbiota to amoxicillin/clavulanate-induced changes in microbiota composition and activity. Amoxicillin/clavulanate treatment decreased alpha diversity and induced a temporary shift of microbiota to a community dominated by enterobacteria. Moreover, antibiotic treatment increased succinate and lactate in both 1- and 3-M colon models, while decreasing the production of short-chain (SCFA) and branched-chain fatty acids (BFCA). The prebiotic effect on the microbiota recovery depended on the fermenting capacity of antibiotic-exposed microbiota. In the 1-M colon model, the supplementation of 2’-FL supported the recovery of microbiota and restored the production of propionate and butyrate. In the 3-M colon model, GOS supplementation supported the recovery of microbiota and increased the production of acetate and butyrate.
In vivo anticoccidial activity and immune response of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves against Eimeria magna and Eimeria media in rabbits

Introduction The aims of this study were to determine the immune response and the anticoccidial activity induced by Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rabbits infected with Eimeria magna and Eimeria media. Methods Thirty-five-day-old rabbits, free from coccidia, were infested with 2.103 oocysts of Eimeria magna and Eimeria media, then received the acetone extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at different doses by oral gavage. Results and discussion The inhibition of the excretion of oocysts was evaluated by the McMaster technique and the levels of cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and immunoglobulin IgG were assayed by the ELISA method. The in vivo efficacy on E. magna and E. media oocysts was 95.43% and 96.53% for Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at 1000 mg/kg bw against 98% for the positive control. Interestingly the plant extracts increased the production of interleukin (IL) and immunoglobulins (Ig) compared to controls. Plasma IL-4 levels (pg/ml) in rabbits were 128.94 and 131.38; those of IL-12 (pg/ml) were 395.55 and 426.56, and then for those of IgG (μg/ml) were 14.70 and 13.94 respectively with the acetone extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina on D14 PT at 1000 mg/kg bw. This study indicates that Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina can be used as an alternative to synthetic anticoccidials. These plants could be used to increase the resistance of the immune system of rabbits to infestations of Eimeria species in rabbit farms.
Protecting RNA quality for spatial transcriptomics while improving immunofluorescent staining quality

In comparison to bulk sequencing or single cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics preserves the spatial information in tissue slices and can even be mapped to immunofluorescent stainings, allowing translation of gene expression information into their spatial context. This enables to unravel complex interactions of neighboring cells or to link cell morphology to transcriptome data. The 10× Genomics Visium platform offers to combine spatial transcriptomics with immunofluorescent staining of cryo-sectioned tissue slices. We applied this technique to fresh frozen mouse brain slices and developed a protocol that still protects RNA quality while improving buffers for immunofluorescent staining. We investigated the impact of various parameters, including fixation time and buffer composition, on RNA quality and antibody binding. Here, we propose an improved version of the manufacturer protocol, which does not alter RNA quality and facilitates the use of multiple additional antibodies that were not compatible with the manufacturer protocol before. Finally, we discuss the influence of various staining parameters, which contribute to the development of application specific staining protocols.
Effects of different dietary lipid sources (perilla, fish, and soybean oils) on growth, lipid metabolism, antioxidant, and immune status in Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus)

Introduction Perilla oil is a natural vegetable oil rich in alpha-linolenic acid extracted from Perilla seeds. Fish oil is a commonly used animal fat containing a large amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Soybean oil is a commonly used vegetable oil rich in linoleic acid. This study aimed to determine whether perilla, fish, or soybean oil can be used as a lipid source in the diet of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus). Methods Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were created by adding 3.0% each of soybean oil (SO), fish oil (FO), and perilla seed oil (PSO). Eight adolescent giant salamanders were fed in rectangular tanks for 98 days with a total of 96 giant salamanders (mean body weight = 75.20g) and were fed an experimental diet until satiation. Results and Discussion The viscerosomatic index and crude lipid content of muscle were found to be considerably lower and the muscle crude protein was substantially higher in the PSO group than in the other groups (P<0.05). Linoleic acid levels were highest in SO, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels were highest in FO, and α-linolenic acid levels were highest in PSO in A. davidianus muscle tissue (P<0.05). The results of study indicate that the PSO diet can significantly increase the total antioxidative capabilities in the liver and intestine, by elevating the activities of total superoxide dismutase, carnitine transferase-1, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the liver. Meanwhile, the immunoglobulin M and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher in the blood (P<0.05). Furthermore, it significantly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde, plasma endotoxin, D-lactic acid, and total cholesterol levels, and plasma alkaline phosphatase, diamine oxidase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase activities (P<0.05). Therefore, perilla, fish, and soybean oils can be used as single lipid sources for A. davidianus with respect to growth performance. On the other hand, perilla oil can enhance crude protein content of muscle, increase Immunoglobulin M(IgM) content and Alkaline phosphatase(AKP) enzyme activity, promote lipid metabolism, and maintain the health of the liver and intestine in A. davidianus.
Epidemiologic, clinical, and serum markers may improve discrimination between bacterial and viral etiologies of childhood pneumonia

Background Discrimination of bacterial and viral etiologies of childhood community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is often challenging. Unnecessary antibiotic administration exposes patients to undue risks and may engender antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to develop a prediction model using epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data to differentiate between bacterial and viral CAP. Methods Data from 155 children with confirmed bacterial or mixed bacterial and viral infection (N = 124) and viral infection (N = 31) were derived from a comprehensive assessment of causative pathogens [Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research-Pneumonia in Pediatrics (PEER-PePPeS)] conducted in Indonesia. Epidemiologic, clinical and biomarker profiles (hematology and inflammatory markers) were compared between groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for varying biomarker levels was used to characterize performance and determine cut-off values for discrimination of bacterial and mixed CAP versus viral CAP. Diagnostic predictors of bacterial and mixed CAP were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Results Diarrhea was more frequently reported in bacterial and mixed CAP, while viral infections more frequently occurred during Indonesia’s rainy season. White blood cell counts (WBC), absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were significantly higher in bacterial and mixed cases. After adjusting for covariates, the following were the most important predictors of bacterial or mixed CAP: rainy season (aOR 0.26; 95% CI 0.08–0.90; p = 0.033), CRP ≥5.70 mg/L (aOR 4.71; 95% CI 1.18–18.74; p = 0.028), and presence of fever (aOR 5.26; 95% CI 1.07–25.91; p = 0.041). The model assessed had a low R-squared (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.490) but good calibration (p = 0.610 for Hosmer Lemeshow test). The combination of CRP and fever had moderate predictive value with sensitivity and specificity of 62.28 and 65.52%, respectively. Conclusion Combining clinical and laboratory profiles is potentially valuable for discriminating bacterial and mixed from viral pediatric CAP and may guide antibiotic use. Further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to validate this model.
Inflammatory microRNAs in cardiovascular pathology: another brick in the wall

The regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs) is mainly mediated by their effect on protein expression and is recognized in a multitude of pathophysiological processes. In recent decades, accumulating evidence has interest in these factors as modulatory elements of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Furthermore, additional biological processes have been identified as new components of cardiovascular disease etiology. In particular, inflammation is now considered an important cardiovascular risk factor. Thus, in the present review, we will focus on the role of a subset of miRNAs called inflamma-miRs that may regulate inflammatory status in the development of cardiovascular pathology. According to published data, the most representative candidates that play functional roles in thromboinflammation are miR-21, miR-33, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-223. We will describe the functions of these miRNAs in several cardiovascular pathologies in depth, with specific emphasis on the molecular mechanisms related to atherogenesis. We will also discuss the latest findings on the role of miRNAs as regulators of neutrophil extracellular traps and their impact on cardiovascular diseases. Overall, the data suggest that the use of miRNAs as therapeutic tools or biomarkers may improve the diagnosis or prognosis of adverse cardiovascular events in inflammatory diseases. Thus, targeting or increasing the levels of adequate inflamma-miRs at different stages of disease could help mitigate or avoid the development of cardiovascular morbidities.
Subsequence characterizations of statistical convergence of double sequences

The concept of statistical convergence of a sequence was flrst introduced by H. Fast (4) in 1951. Recently, in the literature, the concept of statistical convergence of double sequences has been considered. The main result in this paper is a theorem that gives meaning to the statement: S = fsijg converges statistically to L if and only if most of the \subsequences" of S converge statistically to L. The results presented here are analogues of the \single sequence" results of the third author (8).
Experiments of Perturbing Initial Conditions in the Development of Mesoscale Ensemble Prediction System for Heavy Rainstorm Forecasting

A Mesoscale Ensemble Prediction System(MEPS) is under development at Wuhan Heavy Rain Institute of CMA aiming for heavy rain forecasting.The initial results from the experiments of perturbing atmospheric initial conditions(ICs) are reported.With a 45 km-WRF model(NCAR ARW),a 11- member ensemble was integrated into 36 h using NCEP reanalysis as control analysis.A series of experiments were performed to explore the possible path of establishing an operational MEPS by examining various IC perturbation strategies including random and breeding approaches as well as the relative impact between perturbation's spatial structure and perturbation size.The heavy rainstorm case of May 24～25, 2006 was chosen for this study because it was a bust of then operational forecast.The focus was the forecast of 24 h accumulated precipitation.In this case study,we can see the follows:(1) The spatial structure of IC perturbation played a critical and primary role in ensemble spread growth followed by the perturbation size.Dynamically well-constrained breeding perturbation performed much better than random one in all aspects of ensemble forecasting. (2) The ensemble forecasts provided more valuable information than the single deterministic control run.For example,a greater than 20%probability was predicted over an observed major heavy rainstorm center which was completely missed by the operational control forecast. Averaged over a major heavy rainstorm subregion,the observed rainfall amount fell within the envelope of ensemble forecasts but was severely underestimated by the control forecast during the most intensive precipitation period.The ensemble mean forecast is also a much improved forecast comparing to the control forecast in this case. (3)A reasonably good spread skill relation was demonstrated in this experiment.For example,with breeding perturbation,the spatial structure of ensemble spread resembled quite well the absolute error of the ensemble mean forecast in large scale pattern although such relation was poor in quantity.
UV-induced feather color change reflects its porphyrin content

Pigmentary coloration is widespread in animals. Its evolutionary and ecological features are often attributed to the property of predominant pigments; therefore, most research has focused on predominant pigments such as carotenoids in carotenoid-based coloration. However, coloration results from predominant pigments and many other minority pigments, and the importance of the latter is overlooked. Here, we focused on porphyrin, an “uncommon” pigment found in bird feathers, and investigate its importance in the context of feather color changes in the barn swallow Hirundo rustica. We found that the “pheomelanin-based coloration” of the barn swallow faded after the irradiation of UV light, and this effect was particularly strong in the feathers of young swallows (nestlings and fledglings, here). We also found that it is not the predominant pigment, pheomelanin, but protoporphyrin IX pigment that showed the same pattern of depigmentation after the irradiation of UV light, particularly in the feathers of young swallows. In fact, the abovementioned age-dependent feather color change was statistically explained by the amount of porphyrin in the feathers. The current study demonstrates that a minority pigment, porphyrin, explains within-season dynamic color change, an ecological feature of feather coloration. The porphyrin-mediated rapid color change would benefit young birds, in which feather coloration affects the parental food allocation during a few weeks before independence, but not later. Future studies should not ignore these minor but essential pigments and their evolutionary and ecological functions. Significance statement Predominant pigments are assumed to determine animal coloration and its ecological features. It is then not surprising that the evolutionary and ecological features of animal coloration are often attributed to the chemical properties of predominant pigments. However, coloration results from predominant pigments and several other minority pigments. By irradiating UV light on reddish throat feathers of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, we examined within-season dynamic color change in relation to a minority pigment, porphyrin, which has not previously been examined but is a candidate pigment for feather color change, because porphyrin can be easily photodegraded. We found that not the predominant pigment, pheomelanin, but porphyrin pigments explained the feather color change. Minor pigments and their chemical properties should not be dismissed to understand the ecological and evolutionary functions of animal coloration.
ON THE EXTENSION OF ARMENDARIZ RINGS

For a monoid M, we introduce the concept of 3-M-Armendariz rings, which is a generalization of M-Armendariz rings, and investigate its properties. The results prove that the subrings of 3-M-Armendariz rings are 3-M-Armendariz rings. Every ring satisfying condition (P) is 3-M-Armendariz for any unique product monoid M. If a ring R is 3-M-Armendariz and sat- isfies condition (P), then S3(R) is 3-M-Armendariz. Sufficient and necessary conditions are given for a ring R to be 3-M-Armendariz. AMS Subject Classification: 16U20, 16N60, 16U99
An inequality for the Takagi function

(where, throughout this paper, R, Z, and N denote the sets of real numbers, integers, and positive integers, respectively, N0 = N∪{0}, and dist(x,Z) = inf{ |x−s| : s ∈ Z }). Functions of this type have been investigated by several authors (e.g. [3], [7], and [10]) as convenient examples for continuous nowhere differentiable functions. In particular, function T is usually cited as “van der Waerden’s function” (e.g. [1], [2]). However, as it was also mentioned by Knopp [7], function T had been constructed earlier by Takagi [9] on the interval [0, 1] in a somewhat different way. Namely, Takagi determined T (x) with the aid of the dyadic expansion of x. It seems therefore historically correct to call T the Takagi function. More historical and mathematical details can be found, for instance, in Kairies’ paper [6]. Recently, Hazy and Pales have discovered that the Takagi function plays a specific role in the theory of approximately convex functions. Namely, in order to extend the celebrated theorem of Bernstein and Doetsch for approximately midconvex functions, they have proved the following result [4, Theorem 4]. Theorem A. Let X be a normed linear space and let D ⊂ X be an open convex set. Suppose that e and δ are nonnegative real numbers, f : D → R fulfils the inequality