Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of α-linolenic acid intake on blood lipid profiles：a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract To investigate the effect of ALA intake on blood lipid profiles, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) and ratio of TC to HDL-C. We systematically searched randomized controlled trials of ALA intervention on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and related references up to March 2018. The final values were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) by using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Generalized least square was performed for dose–response analysis. Forty-seven studies with 1305 individuals in the ALA arm and 1325 individuals in the control arm were identified. Compared with control group, dietary intake of ALA significantly reduced the concentrations of TG (WMD −0.101 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.158 to −0.044 mmol/L; P = 0.001), TC (WMD −0.140 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.224 to −0.056 mmol/L; P = 0.001), LDL-C (WMD −0.131 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.191 to −0.071 mmol/L; P < 0.001), VLDL-C (WMD −0.121 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.170 to −0.073 mmol/L; P < 0.001), TC/HDL-C ratio (WMD −0.165 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.317 to −0.013 mmol/L; P = 0.033) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (WMD −0.158 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.291 to −0.025 mmol/L; P = 0.02). There is no effect of ALA intake on HDL-C (WMD 0.008 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.018 to 0.034 mmol/L; P = 0.541). Dose–response analysis indicated that 1 g per day increment of ALA was associated with a 0.0016 mmol/L, 0.0071 mmol/L, 0.0015 and 0.0061 mmol/L reduction in TG (95% CI: −0.0029 to −0.0002 mmol/L), TC (95% CI: −0.0085 to −0.0058 mmol/L), HDL-C (95% CI: −0.0020 to −0.0011 mmol/L) and LDL-C (95% CI: −0.0073 to −0.0049 mmol/L) levels, respectively. The effects of ALA intake on TG, TC and LDL-C concentrations were more obvious among Asian participants, and also more obvious on patients with hyperlipidemia or hyperglycemia compared to healthy individuals. Dietary ALA intervention improves blood lipid profiles by decreasing levels of TG, TC, LDL and VLDL-C. Our findings add to the evidence that increasing ALA intake could potentially prevent risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3-Dimensional architecture of the human multi-tRNA synthetase complex

Abstract In mammalian cells, eight cytoplasmic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS), and three non-synthetase proteins, reside in a large multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC). AARSs have critical roles in interpretation of the genetic code during protein synthesis, and in non-canonical functions unrelated to translation. Nonetheless, the structure and function of the MSC remain unclear. Partial or complete crystal structures of all MSC constituents have been reported; however, the structure of the holo-MSC has not been resolved. We have taken advantage of cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) and molecular docking to interrogate the three-dimensional architecture of the MSC in human HEK293T cells. The XL-MS approach uniquely provides structural information on flexibly appended domains, characteristic of nearly all MSC constituents. Using the MS-cleavable cross-linker, disuccinimidyl sulfoxide, inter-protein cross-links spanning all MSC constituents were observed, including cross-links between eight protein pairs not previously known to interact. Intra-protein cross-links defined new structural relationships between domains in several constituents. Unexpectedly, an asymmetric AARS distribution was observed featuring a clustering of tRNA anti-codon binding domains on one MSC face. Possibly, the non-uniform localization improves efficiency of delivery of charged tRNA’s to an interacting ribosome during translation. In summary, we show a highly compact, 3D structural model of the human holo-MSC.
Patterns and factors influencing oral anticoagulant prescription in people with atrial fibrillation and dementia: Results from UK primary care

Oral anticoagulant (OAC) is recommended for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the OAC utilisation in AF patients with dementia or cognitive impairment (CI) is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of OAC prescriptions in AF patients with dementia/CI and to identify factors associated with OAC treatment within 180 days after dementia/CI diagnosis.
Intraspecific Call Variation in the Mimic Poison Frog Ranitomeya imitator

Abstract: Calls are important premating isolating barriers in frogs; therefore, studying intraspecific variation in calls might allow the assessment of patterns of call divergence during the early stages of speciation. Ranitomeya imitator, a species of dart-poison frog (Dendrobatidae), has undergone extensive color-pattern diversification through a Müllerian mimetic radiation, establishing four distinct morphs in north-central Peru (striped, banded, varadero, and spotted). Partial reproductive isolation exists between certain color morphs, although the specific mechanisms responsible for this isolation are poorly understood. We conducted a species-wide analysis of variation in advertisement calls to investigate whether distinct mimetic morphs show advertisement call differences. We found that different color morphs generally show weak or no differences in advertisement calls, with two exceptions. First, call pulse rates differed between the striped and banded morphs, and that difference coincides geographically with the mimetic transition zone. Second, there is a difference in both note length and dominant frequency between the striped and varadero morphs, which is also geographically coincident with the mimetic transition zone. Future work in this system should attempt to measure the relative importance of different mating cues (color-pattern, body size, and advertisement calls) mediating mate choice in this species.
Biosynthesis of cittilins, unusual ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides from Myxococcus xanthus

Cittilins are secondary metabolites from myxobacteria comprised of three L-tyrosines and one L-isoleucine forming a bicyclic tetrapeptide scaffold with biaryl and aryl-oxygen-aryl ether bonds. Here we reveal that cittilins belong to the ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) family of natural products, for which only the crocagins have been reported from myxobacteria. A 27 amino acid precursor peptide harbors a C-terminal four amino acid core peptide, which is enzymatically modified and finally exported to yield cittilins. The small biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for cittilin biosynthesis also encodes a cytochrome P450 enzyme and a methyltransferase, whereas a gene encoding a prolyl endopeptidase for the cleavage of the precursor peptide is located outside of the cittilin biosynthetic gene cluster. We confirm the roles of the biosynthetic genes responsible for the formation of cittilins using targeted gene inactivation and heterologous expression in Streptomyces. We also report first steps towards the biochemical characterization of the proposed biosynthetic pathway in vitro. An investigation of the cellular uptake properties of cittilin A connected it to a potential biological function as an inhibitor of the prokaryotic carbon storage regulator A (CsrA).
Use of Intertidal Mangrove by Juvenile Fishes: the Case of Mae Klong Estuary, Inner Gulf of Thailand

A total of 7,664 fish from 63 species and representing 27 families were caught in the Mae Klong Estuary. A total of 4,505 fish (58.78 % of the total catch), representing 31 species are considered to be of economic importance. The family Clupeidae was by far the most speciose (9 species), with Ambassis gymnocephalus numerically dominated the fish community (18.45%, 88.93 ind/km 2 ). Many rare species (30 species in total) were recorded, with abundances of less than 1 ind/km 2 . The total number of species was highest in the hot season (50 species), with total number of individuals was highest in the rainy season (40.88 % of the total catch). 11 species were found in all seasons and at both day and night. No difference was found for stations (R=0.043, P=0.176), and there was a marginal difference between day and night samples (R=0.049, P=0.045). There was a clearly significant difference between seasons (R=0.154, P=0.001), and the greatest difference in assemblage structure is between the dry and the rainy seasons (P=0.003). The catches consisted primarily of juveniles or adults of small- sized fishes, indicating that the Mae Klong Estuary was important of nursery ground for fishes. These diverse fish assemblages have a high value for local communities as a large proportion of the species (>30) are utilized by subsistence fisheries and the findings thus have implications for the management of fisheries resources and mangroves in such estuaries.
Bacillus cereus infection in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae) and their recovery by Argemone mexicana seed extract

Mass mortality of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, was observed in a fish farm of Kulgaria, Burdwan in West Bengal, India. The cumulative mortality rates reached up to 5% of the total fish in the farm per day. The clinical signs of the affected fish showed ulcers on the skin which gradually grew in size and progressed to form ulcerous dermatitis. Clinical signs of catfish experimentally infected with the isolate were similar to those observed in the affected fish of the fish farm. The isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus through biochemical tests and analysis of the isolate by 16S rDNA sequences (97%). With dip treatment (10 min/day) from day 5 to day 15 with Argemone mexicana 1 g/L chloroform: methanol seed extracts, the mortality rate decreased and the treated fish gradually recovered on day 15 and their ulcers completely healed on day 21. The hematological values attained following treatment were very close to that of the normal values (p>0.05). This study is the first time report of B. cereus acting as a pathogen in fish and causing mortality in any fish farm.
Effects of heavy metals on the biology of a N2‐fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum

The effects of copper, nickel, and iron on survival, growth, nutrient uptake (NH, NO, and PO), carbon fixation, nitrate reductase, nitrogenase (CH2 reduction assay), glutamine synthetase (transferase), and alkaline phophatase activities of Anabaena doliolum were studied. About 50% survival of the test alga was scored at 8.0 × 10−3, 8.6 × 10−3, and 0.36 mM of Cu, Ni, and Fe, respectively. However 45, 59, and 57% reductions in final yield were scored, respectively, at LD50 concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Fe. On the basis of the LD50 of the test metals, Ni was the most inhibitory for nutrient uptake. However, the LD50 concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Fe showed different levels of inhibition for different processes. Although metal concentrations higher than LD50 were found to be more inhibitory, 0.54 mM iron generated maximum inhibitory effect as compared to Cu and Ni. The present study demonstrates that the test cyanobacterium exhibits metal and dose-specific responses toward different physiological and biochemical processes.
Short-Term Variations of Biochemical Parameters in Racing Pigeons (Columba livia)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary information on intraindividual variations of biochemical parameters in racing pigeons (Columba livia). Blood was sampled from the basilic vein at 3- to 4-day intervals on 15 occasions in 8 male and 8 female 1- to 3-year-old, healthy racing pigeons. Six clinical chemistry parameters were investigated, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), glucose (GLU), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein (TP), and uric acid. For each parameter, mean, median, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and coefficient of variation were evaluated for the whole group, as well as for each individual separately. A high degree of individuality, measured by the index of individuality (IoI), for certain clinical chemistry analytes was demonstrated even within a small, well-defined group. Only TP (IoI = 0.5) met the criteria for a very high degree of individuality, which is defined as IoI ≤ 0.6. All other analytes had an IoI between 0.7 (AST and CK) and 0.9 (GLU and LDH), indicating a high to medium degree of individuality. Reference values based on the individual patient may help to improve diagnostic interpretation of clinical chemistry values through a better understanding of biological variation in the healthy individual. These data may help overcome the lack of established reference values in rarer species.
Renal complications in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose Emerging data suggest that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has extrapulmonary manifestations but its renal manifestations are not clearly defined. We aimed to evaluate renal complications of COVID-19 and their incidence using a systematic meta-analysis. Design Observational studies reporting renal complications in COVID-19 patients were sought from MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library from 2019 to June 2020. The nine-star Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate methodological quality. Incidence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models. Results We included 22 observational cohort studies comprising of 17,391 COVID-19 patients. Quality scores of studies ranged from 4 to 6. The pooled prevalence of pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease was 5.2% (2.8–8.1) and 2.3% (1.8–2.8), respectively. The pooled incidence over follow-up of 2–28 days was 12.5% (10.1–15.0) for electrolyte disturbance (e.g. hyperkalaemia), 11.0% (7.4–15.1) for acute kidney injury (AKI) and 6.8% (1.0–17.0) for renal replacement therapy (RRT). In subgroup analyses, there was a higher incidence of AKI in US populations and groups with higher prevalence of pre-existing CKD. Conclusions Frequent renal complications reported among hospitalized COVID-19 patients are electrolyte disturbance, AKI and RRT. Aggressive monitoring and management of these renal complications may help in the prediction of favourable outcomes. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO 2020: CRD42020186873 KEY MESSAGES COVID-19 affects multiple organs apart from the respiratory system; however, its renal manifestations are not clearly defined. In this systematic meta-analysis of 22 observational cohort studies, the prevalence of pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in COVID-19 patients was 5.2%. The most frequent renal complication was electrolyte disturbance (particularly hyperkalaemia) with an incidence of 12.5% followed by acute kidney injury (AKI) with an incidence of 11.0%; US populations and groups with higher prevalence of CKD had higher incidence of AKI.
Sputum and serum autoantibody profiles and their clinical correlation patterns in COPD patients with and without eosinophilic airway inflammation

Background Autoimmunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the autoantibody responses and their clinical correlation patterns in COPD patients with and without airway eosinophilic inflammation are unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the autoantibody profiles and their clinical associations in stable COPD patients, stratified by airway inflammatory phenotypes. Methods Matched sputum and serum, obtained from 62 stable COPD patients and 14 age-matched controls, were assayed for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against 13 autoantigens using protein array. A sputum eosinophil count ≥3% was used as cut-off value to stratify COPD patients into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic groups. Correlation network analysis was used to evaluate the correlation patterns among autoantibody and clinical variables in each group. Results There were no significant differences of clinical parameters and autoantibody levels between the two COPD groups. In non-eosinophilic COPD, sputum anti-CytochromeC_IgG and anti-Aggrecan_IgM were significantly higher than those in healthy controls, and prior exacerbation was positively associated with lung function and sputum anti-Collagen-IV_IgG. While in eosinophilic COPD, sputum/serum anti-heat shock protein (HSP)47_IgG, serum anti-HSP70_IgG and serum anti-Amyloid-beta_IgG were significantly lower than those in healthy controls, and no significant correlation between prior exacerbations and lung function was found. Differences were also observed in network hubs, with the network for non-eosinophilic COPD possessing 9 hubs comprising two lung function parameters and seven autoantibodies, compared with eosinophilic COPD possessing 12 hubs all comprising autoantibodies. Conclusions Autoantibody responses were heterogeneous and differentially correlated with the exacerbation risk and other clinical parameters in COPD patients of different inflammatory phenotypes. These findings provide useful insight into the need for personalized management for preventing COPD exacerbations.
Species Boundaries in Pyrrocoma liatriformis and Pyrrocoma scaberula (Asteraceae) Based on AFLP Data

Abstract Previous investigations into the morphology of Pyrrocoma liatriformis sensu lato in northern Idaho and adjacent Washington have revealed two distinct morphologies that correspond to their geographical ranges. These same populations and individuals have been analyzed using AFLP data. Over 400 loci were identified among all individuals using two sets of AFLP adaptors. The data are in agreement with the morphological data and separate the populations from the Snake River Canyon/Camas Prairie from those of the Palouse grasslands. Data clustering methodologies using both presence/absence data for all individuals and allele frequencies for each population produced similar results. We suggest the name P. scaberula be resurrected to encompass the populations from the Snake River Canyon and Camas Prairie.
MOBILE TELEPHONY RADIATION EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGANISMS

A number of serious non thermal biological effects, ranging from changes in cellular function like proliferation rate changes or gene expression changes to cell death induction, decrease in the rate of melatonin production and changes in electroencephalogram patterns in humans, population declinations of birds and insects, and small but statistically significant increases of certain types of cancer, are attributed in our days to the radiations emitted by mobile telephony antennas of both handsets and base stations. This chapter reviews briefly the most important experimental, clinical and statistical findings and presents more extensively a series of experiments, concerning cell death induction on a model biological system. Mobile telephony radiation is found to decrease significantly and non thermally insect reproduction by up to 60%, after a few minutes daily exposure for only few days. Both sexes were found to be affected. The effect is due to DNA fragmentation in the gonads caused by both types of digital mobile telephony radiation used in Europe, GSM 900MHz, (Global System for Mobile telecommunications), and DCS 1800MHz, (Digital Cellular System). GSM was found to be even more bioactive than DCS, due to its higher intensity under equal conditions. The decrease in reproductive capacity seems to be non-linearly depended on radiation intensity, exhibiting a peak for intensities higher than 200 μW/cm 2 and an intensity “window” around 10μW/cm 2 were it becomes maximum. In terms of the distance from a mobile phone antenna, the intensity of this “window”corresponds under usual conditions to a distance of 20-30 cm. The importance of different parameters of the radiation like intensity, carrier frequency and pulse repetition frequency, in relation to the recorded effects are discussed. Finally, this chapter describes a plausible biophysical and biochemical mechanism which can explain the recorded effects of mobile telephony radiations on living organisms.
Hospitalized Patients Accessing Information on Prescribed Medications from the Bedside Terminal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Studies have documented the impact of various types of health care information technology (HIT) on patient outcomes. However, literature on the HIT products is largely for outpatients and little is known about those for hospitalized patients. In 2014, a Korean hospital developed an inpatient portal known as the Smart Bedside Station (SBS). A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the associated factors for accessing the medication view menu (Today’s Medication) on the SBS using data from October 2018 through September 2019. A root cause analysis with expert review was conducted to identify additional barriers for accessing the medication view menu. Approximately 92.58% of the study population accessed the SBS at least once during their hospital stay. However, 99.20% of accessed patients used the SBS for entertainment purposes (e.g., television) and 40.16% viewed the medication information. Younger age, higher education, and certain jobs were significant associated factors for accessing the medication information. In conclusion, this study revealed strong associations between accessing the medication view menu on the SBS and a number of associated factors. Based on the results, further research is warranted to suggest new items to access the medication view menu by hospitalized patients.
The Nucleolus and PARP1 in Cancer Biology

The nucleolus has been known for a long time to fulfill crucial functions in ribosome biogenesis, of which cancer cells can become addicted to in order to produce sufficient amounts of proteins for cell proliferation. Recently, the nucleolus has emerged as a central regulatory hub in many other cancer-relevant processes, including stress sensing, DNA damage response, cell cycle control, and proteostasis. This fostered the idea that nucleolar processes can be exploited in cancer therapy. Interestingly, a significant proportion of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) molecules are localized in the nucleolus and PARP1 also plays crucial roles in many processes that are important in cancer biology, including genome maintenance, replication, transcription, and chromatin remodeling. Furthermore, during the last years, PARP1 came into focus in oncology since it represents a promising target of pharmacological PARP inhibitors in various types of cancers. Here, we provide an overview of our current understanding on the role of PARP1 in nucleolar functions and discuss potential implications in cancer biology and therapy.