Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study on telomere protection and telomerase-and-cap-independent mechanisms of telomere maintenance in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

AN SGA APPROACH TO DISCOVER cdc13-1 SUPRESSORS. Telomeres, the DNA-protein complexes at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes, are essential for chromosomal stability. In yeast, the telomeric single-strand binding protein Cdc13p has multiple important roles related to telomere maintenance: • telomeric "capping" protection of telomeres by forming complexes with yKu70/80 and with Stn1p/Ten1p; positive regulation of telomere replication via interaction with Estlp, which is a part of telomerase; • negative regulation of telomerase by the recruitment of telomere elongation suppressors Stnlp and Tenlp. In an attempt to identify genes that are involved in the deleterious outcome of an absence of Cdc13p, we screened the yeast gene knock-out library for genes that could suppress the growth defect of cdc13-1 cells at 33°C. For this purpose, we performed an SGA array experiment. We scored for the ability of double mutant haploids to grow at 33°C. Eventually, we hoped to find the elusive genes involved in telomere 5'-end processing (exonucleases). Based on the comparative analysis of growth properties of the strains (23°C vs 33°C), the initial screen identified up to 111 genes that displayed an apparent growth at 33°C. In order to verify these results, diploids were regenerated, sporulated, microdissected, and haploid double mutants cdc13-1 yfgA were isolated from 38 potential cdc13-1 suppressors. Unfortunately, this verification failed to reproduce a suppression of the growth defect by any of the selected genes at any temperature. While disappointing, the results reemphasize that careful re-examination of large
A study on effectiveness of video assisted counselling in establishing and sustaining appropriate breast feeding practices

Background and Aims: Breast milk is the only food for the neonate with vast benefits. Although breastfeeding process is natural but extensive research has revealed that mother requires active support for establishing and sustaining appropriate breast feeding practices. Due to high patient load, effective counselling of all pregnant ladies becomes a huge task. Video-assisted counselling has been tried for establishing and sustaining breastfeeding practices as it helps mothers to understand the procedure and process better as the video image is animated with a narrative voice. The objective is to study the effectiveness of video assisted breast feeding counselling in establishing and sustaining breast feeding practices. Materials and Methods: A Quasi experimental study was done in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of BRD Medical College Gorakhpur from September 2019 to February 2020. Study subjects were pregnant ladies admitted in labour room for delivery. A total of 60 study subjects were allocated in Video-assisted breast feeding counselling group and same number in routine counselling group. Video-assisted counselling group breast feeding counselling was done with use of two videos (Video 1 is of 5 minute and 34 seconds duration and Video 2 is of 2 minutes and 50 seconds duration) demonstrations in labour room and post natal ward. Routine breast feeding counselling group received routine counselling as done by resident or consultants during their care. After the delivery the study participants were interviewed regarding their profile and breast feeding knowledge, motivation and behaviour and a scoring was done with Min. -0 to Max. 20 score. Result: Higher proportion of early initiation of breast feeding was observed in the video assisted counselling group as compared with the routine counselling group. The mean knowledge score of the subjects' video-assisted counselling group the mean knowledge score was significantly higher. Motivation of mother for breast feeding and improvement in their behaviour and skill in video-assisted counselling group was higher in comparison to routine counselling group. Conclusion: Video-assisted counselling was found effective in successful initiation and establishment of breast feeding.
MiR‐29 coordinates age‐dependent plasticity brakes in the adult visual cortex

Visual cortical circuits show profound plasticity during early life and are later stabilized by molecular “brakes” limiting excessive rewiring beyond a critical period. The mechanisms coordinating the expression of these factors during the transition from development to adulthood remain unknown. We found that miR‐29a expression in the visual cortex dramatically increases with age, but it is not experience‐dependent. Precocious high levels of miR‐29a blocked ocular dominance plasticity and caused an early appearance of perineuronal nets. Conversely, inhibition of miR‐29a in adult mice using LNA antagomirs activated ocular dominance plasticity, reduced perineuronal nets, and restored their juvenile chemical composition. Activated adult plasticity had the typical functional and proteomic signature of critical period plasticity. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies indicated that miR‐29a manipulation regulates the expression of plasticity brakes in specific cortical circuits. These data indicate that miR‐29a is a regulator of the plasticity brakes promoting age‐dependent stabilization of visual cortical connections.
Trimester-Specific Blood Trihalomethane and Urinary Haloacetic Acid Concentrations and Adverse Birth Outcomes: Identifying Windows of Vulnerability during Pregnancy

Background: Some disinfection by-products (DBPs) are reproductive and developmental toxicants in laboratory animals. However, studies of trimester-specific DBP exposure on adverse birth outcomes in humans are inconsistent. Objective: We examined whether trimester-specific blood and urinary biomarkers of DBP were associated with small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth. Methods: A total of 4,086 blood and 3,951 urine samples were collected across pregnancy trimesters among 1,660 mothers from Xiaogan City, China. Blood samples were quantified for biomarkers of trihalomethanes (THMs): chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. Urine samples were quantified for biomarkers of haloacetic acids (HAA): dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid. Birth outcomes were abstracted at delivery from medical records. We used Poisson regression models with log link functions to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SGA, LBW, and preterm birth across tertiles (or categories) of DBP biomarker concentrations measured across pregnancy trimesters. We also examined the relative exposure differences across gestation comparing adverse outcomes with normal births using mixed-effects models. Results: Blood TCM concentrations in the second trimester were associated with an elevated risk of SGA comparing middle vs. lowest (RR, 2.34; 95% CI: 1.02, 5.35) and highest vs. lowest (RR, 2.47; 95% CI: 1.09, 5.58) exposure groups. Third-trimester blood TCM concentrations were also associated with an increased risk of SGA comparing the second tertile with the first (RR, 2.61; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.92). We found that maternal blood TCM concentrations were significantly higher for SGA compared with non-SGA births across the period from 23 to 34 wk gestation. Other blood and urinary DBP biomarkers examined were unrelated to SGA, LBW, or preterm birth. Conclusion: Blood TCM concentrations in mid to late pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of SGA, whereas other biomarkers of DBPs examined across pregnancy were not associated with birth outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7195
Accuracies of Genomic Prediction for Growth Traits at Weaning and Yearling Ages in Yak

Simple Summary Genomic selection is a new technology in animal breeding after the selection according to the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) value and marker assisted selection. Genomic selection has gradually been used in practical applications over recent years following the advent of high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips for livestock and poultry. Yak are a critical species on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which is of great significance to herders. The early selection of yak could save feeding costs and shorten the generation interval. In the present study, we estimated the accuracy of genomic prediction compared with different classical models for yak early growth traits. The results of cross-validation indicated that the average predictive accuracy ranged from 0.147 to 0.391. The average correlation coefficient between prediction and true phenotype was 0.4. Abstract Genomic selection is a promising breeding strategy that has been used in considerable numbers of breeding projects due to its highly accurate results. Yak are rare mammals that are remarkable because of their ability to survive in the extreme and harsh conditions predominantly at the so-called “roof of the world”—the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. In the current study, we conducted an exploration of the feasibility of genomic evaluation and compared the predictive accuracy of early growth traits with five different approaches. In total, four growth traits were measured in 354 yaks, including body weight, withers height, body length, and chest girth in two early stages of development (weaning and yearling). Genotyping was implemented using the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip. The predictive accuracy was calculated through five-fold cross-validation in five classical statistical methods including genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and four Bayesian methods. Body weights at 30 months in the same yak population were also measured to evaluate the prediction at 6 months. The results indicated that the predictive accuracy for the early growth traits of yak ranged from 0.147 to 0.391. Similar performance was found for the GBLUP and Bayesian methods for most growth traits. Among the Bayesian methods, Bayes B outperformed Bayes A in the majority of traits. The average correlation coefficient between the prediction at 6 months using different methods and observations at 30 months was 0.4. These results indicate that genomic prediction is feasible for early growth traits in yak. Considering that genomic selection is necessary in yak breeding projects, the present study provides promising reference for future applications.
Comparison of Canine Behaviour Scored Using a Shelter Behaviour Assessment and an Owner Completed Questionnaire, C-BARQ

Simple Summary In shelters, it is usual to conduct a standardised behaviour assessment to identify adoption suitability. The information gathered from the assessment is used to identify the behaviour of the dogs, suitability for adoption and to help to match the dog to an ideal home environment. We investigated if the dogs’ behaviour in the home as reported by owners was reflected in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Queensland behaviour assessment, conducted on the same dogs during a visit to the shelter. A total of 107 owners and their dogs aged 1–10 years were assessed in-home, by the owners, and in the shelter, by a researcher. The owners completed a questionnaire (Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ)) prior to the standardised behavioural assessment conducted at the RSPCA Queensland. Regression analysis identified positive correlations between the two for fear, arousal, friendliness and anxiousness, identified in in-home behaviour and the behaviour assessment. This research therefore allowed a greater understanding of current canine behaviour assessment protocols used at the RSPCA Queensland in regard to the predictability of behaviour, behavioural problems and the efficiency and effectiveness of testing procedures. Abstract In shelters, it is usual to conduct a standardised behaviour assessment to identify adoption suitability. The information gathered from the assessment is used to identify the behaviour of the dogs, its suitability for adoption and to match the dog with an ideal home environment. However, numerous studies have demonstrated a lack of predictability in terms of the post-adoption behaviour in these assessments. We investigated if the owners’ perception of dogs’ behaviour in the home was reflected in the RSPCA Queensland behaviour assessment, conducted on the same dogs during a visit to the shelter. A total of 107 owners and their dogs aged 1–10 years were assessed in-home and in the shelter. The owners of the dogs completed a questionnaire (the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) survey) 1–2 weeks before bringing their dog to the shelter for the standardised behavioural assessment conducted at the RSPCA Queensland. An ordinal logistic regression analysis identified positive correlations for fear, arousal, friendliness and anxiousness, identified in in-home behaviour and the behaviour assessment. Furthermore, the behaviours of friendliness, fearfulness, arousal, anxiousness, and aggression were positively predictive between home behaviour and tests in the behaviour assessment. This research therefore led to a greater understanding of current canine behaviour assessment protocols used at the RSPCA Queensland in regard to the predictability of behaviour, behavioural problems and the efficiency, effectiveness and predictability of current behaviour testing procedures.
DNA methylation and cerebellar development, the regulation of Notch and Shh pathway

Abstract Our purpose is to elucidate the roles of some molecules and DNA methylation in cerebellar development. Immunocytochemistry was performed to investigate the expression of activated Notch1 and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), as well as DNA methylation during cerebellar development at various ages. Notch1 could be expressed in neural stem cells, newborn neurons and Purkinje cells during cerebellar development. However, Shh could be expressed mainly in developing radial glia or Bergmann cells specifically. DNA methylation was present during cerebellar development, mainly in neural progenitor cells and developing granule cells. The formation and maturation of both Purkinje cells and Bergmann cells are required for the differentiation and migration of granule cells which were bound to DNA methylation. DNA methylation and Shh and Notch signaling pathways function cooperatively during cerebellar development. The Notch pathway mainly contributes to the differentiation of Purkinje cells, but Shh is often involved in the development of Bergmann cells. DNA methylation is necessary for the differentiation and migration of granule cells. The expression of Notch1 and Shh in Purkinje cells and Bergmann cells, following the initiation of DNA methylation in granule cells, indicates that DNA methylation is regulated by Notch and Shh pathways during cerebellar development.
Risk of hospitalization from drug-drug interactions in the Elderly: real-world evidence in a large administrative database

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of hospitalization associated with the concomitant prescription of 10 highly prevalent drug-drug interactions (DDIs) among all individuals aged ≥65 residing in Bologna’s area, Italy. We used incidence density sampling, and the effect of current (last month) and past (≥30 days before) exposure to DDI was investigated through conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis. Two DDIs were associated with increased hospitalization due to DDI related conditions: ACE-inhibitors/ diuretics plus glucocorticoids (current DDI: OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.94-2.87; past DDI: OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12-1.65) and antidiabetic therapy plus current use of fluoroquinolones (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.61-11.2). Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) increased the risk of re-bleeding in patients taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.24-24.9), while no significant effect was found in those without a history of bleeding episodes. Concomitant prescription of NSAIDs and ACE-inhibitors/diuretics in patients with a history of high-risk conditions was infrequent. Within the pattern of drug prescriptions in the older population of Bologna’s area, we distinguished DDIs with actual clinical consequences from others that might be considered generally safe. Observed prescribing habits of clinicians reflect awareness of potential interactions in patients at risk.
Targeting hepatocyte growth factor/c‐mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor axis in hepatocellular carcinoma: Rationale and therapeutic strategies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The outcome of current standard treatments, as well as targeted therapies in advanced stages, are still unsatisfactory. Attention has been drawn to novel strategies for better treatment efficacy. Hepatocyte growth factor/c‐mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (HGF/c‐Met) axis has been known as an essential element in the regulation of liver diseases and as an oncogenic factor in HCC. In this review, we collected the evidence of HGF/c‐Met as a tumor progression and prognostic marker, discussed the anti‐c‐Met therapy in vitro, summarized the outcome of c‐Met inhibitors in clinical trials, and identified potential impetus for future anti‐c‐Met treatments. We also analyzed the inconsistency of HGF/c‐Met from various publications and offered reasonable explanations based on the current understanding in this area. In conclusion, HGF/c‐Met plays a crucial role in the progression and growth of HCC, and the strategies to inhibit this pathway may facilitate the development of new and effective treatments for HCC patients.
Indications and strategy for active surveillance of adult low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: consensus statements from the Japan Association of Endocrine Surgery task force on management for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

BACKGROUND The question of how to manage patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC; T1aN0M0) has recently become an important clinical issue. Two Japanese centers have conducted prospective clinical trials of active surveillance (AS) for low-risk PTMC since the 1990s, reporting favorable outcomes. This policy has thus seen gradual adoption worldwide to avoid overtreatment. Not all PTMCs are suitable for AS, however, and many physicians still hesitate to apply the management policy in daily clinical practice. A task force on management for PTMC created by the Japan Association of Endocrine Surgery collected and analyzed bibliographic evidence and has produced the present consensus statements regarding indications and concrete strategies for AS to facilitate the management of adult patients diagnosed with low-risk PTMC. SUMMARY These statements provide indications for AS in adult patients with T1aN0M0 low-risk PTMC. PTMCs with clinical lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis due to carcinoma invasion, or protrusion into the tracheal lumen warrant immediate surgery. Tumors suspected of aggressive subtypes on cytology are recommended for immediate surgery. Immediate surgery is also recommended for tumors adherent to the trachea or located along the course of the RLN. Practical strategies include diagnosis, decision-making, follow-up and monitoring related to the implementation of AS. The rate of low-risk PTMC progression is lower in older patients. However, we recommend continuing AS as long as circumstances permit. Future tasks in optimizing management for low-risk PTMC are also described, including molecular markers and patient-reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS An appropriate multidisciplinary team is necessary to accurately evaluate primary tumors and lymph nodes at the beginning of and during AS, and to adequately reach a shared-decision with individual patients. If appropriately applied, AS of low-risk PTMC is a safe management strategy offering favorable outcomes and preserves quality of life at low cost.
A randomized controlled trial with a delayed‐type hypersensitivity model using keyhole limpet haemocyanin to evaluate adaptive immune responses in man

Keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) immunization is a clinical model for the evaluation of human antibody responses. The current study evaluated the anti‐KLH antibody response after KLH immunization and the delayed‐type hypersensitivity response following intradermal KLH administration, using objective imaging techniques.
Foraging behavior of solitary bees : Implications for outcrossing of a neotropical forest tree species

Most flowering plants of neotropical forests display adaptations for animal pollination (see references cited by Frankie, Baker & Opler (1974a) and by Frankie (1975, 1976)), but, since little information is available on the foraging behaviour of the animals involved, there has been considerable speculation as to whether widely spaced, conspecific plants in these forests are selfor cross-pollinated (Corner 1954; Baker 1959; Fedorov 1966; Ashton 1969; Bawa 1974). Bees constitute one of the major groups of visitors to a large proportion of tree species occurring in certain lowland forests (Janzen 1967; Frankie 1975). The potential for interplant movement of bees in Central America has been emphasized by Janzen (1971, 1974), who found that certain euglossine bees in Lowland Wet forests may forage over distances of several kilometres. Janzen has also suggested that members of other bee genera (e.g. Bombus, Centris, Ptiloglossa and Xylocopa) may forage over similar distances. Experimental studies on the nature of breeding systems of tree species in a Costa Rican Dry forest indicate that of the tested species (many of which are bee-pollinated), most have obligate outbreeding systems (Bawa 1974). Bawa's findings strongly imply that bees and other anthophilous animals effect pollination through inter-plant movement. However, patterns of pollinator foraging behaviour in relation to breeding systems have yet to be experimentally investigated for any neotropical plant species. In this paper experimental data are presented on the breeding system of a papilionaceous tree, Andira inermis (Swartz) H.B. K. , and on the movements of its pollinators. Early experiments (detailed below) showed that A. inermis is self-incompatible. The flowers show clear adaptation for pollination by bees. The specific questions asked in this study were as follows. (i) What kinds of bees visit Andira flowers and what are their patterns of inter-tree movements ?