Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of Annonaceae and Amaryllidaceae extracts in controlling the Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Annona muricata and Allium fistulosum extracts in controlling Thrips tabaci and to identify the main secondary metabolites. We obtained extracts from A. muricata seeds and of A. fistulosum L. leaves. An in vitro model for evaluating insecticide against T. tabaci was performed. The effect of the extracts was individually and subsequently assessed in mixtures for determining the mean lethal concentration. According to the results obtained with T. tabaci, the A. muricata L. extract showed LC50 = 82.93 mg L-1, the essential oil showed LC50 = 335.29 mg L-1, and the hydrolate showed LC50 = 2348.84 mg L-1. The combinations of extracts reached mortality rates between 50% and 72.62%, which are promising results as alternatives for the comprehensive management of this pest. The analysis of the Annonaceae extract using HPLC indicated the presence of acetogenins and alkaloids, and the analysis of A. fistulosum L. extracts using GC-MS showed the presence of volatile sulfur compounds. The phenol and total flavonoid contents were also determined in the essential oil and in the A. fistulosum L. hydrolate.
Peer-teaching cardiac ultrasound among medical students: A real option

Introduction Teaching cardiac ultrasound (CU) image acquisition requires hands-on practice under qualified instructors supervision. We assessed the efficacy of teaching medical students by their previously trained classmates (teaching assistants [TAs]) compared to teaching by expert trainers (cardiologists or diagnostic medical sonographers. Methods Sixty-six students received 8-hour CU training: 4-hour lectures on ultrasound anatomy and imaging techniques of 6 main CU views (parasternal long [PLAV] and short axis [PSAV]; apical 4-chamber [4ch], 2-chamber [2ch], and 3-chamber [3ch]; and sub costal [SC]) followed by 4 hours of hands-on exercise in groups of ≤5 students under direct supervision of a TA (group A: 44 students) or a qualified trainer (group B: 22 students). Students’ proficiency was evaluated on a 6-minute test in which they were required to demonstrate 32 predetermined anatomic landmarks spread across the 6 views and ranked on a 0–100 scale according to a predetermined key. Results The 6-minute test final grade displayed superiority of group A over group B (54±17 vs. 39±21, respectively [p = 0.001]). This trend was continuous across all 6 main views: PLAV (69±18 vs. 54±23, respectively), PSAV (65±33 vs. 41±32, respectively), 4ch (57±19 vs. 43±26, respectively), 2ch (37±29 vs. 33±27, respectively), 3ch (48±23 vs. 35±25, respectively), and SC (36±27 vs. 24±28, respectively). Conclusions Teaching medical students CU imaging acquisition by qualified classmates is feasible. Moreover, students instructors were superior to senior instructors when comparing their students' capabilities in a practical test. Replacing experienced instructors with TAs could help medical schools teach ultrasound techniques with minimal dependence on highly qualified trainers.
In utero and postnatal VX-770 administration rescues multiorgan disease in a ferret model of cystic fibrosis

In utero and early postnatal functional rescue of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator improves survival in cystic fibrosis ferrets. Tackling cystic fibrosis in the womb Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multiorgan disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Abnormalities are observed early during development. Sun et al. reasoned that early intervention using the approved drug VX-770 (ivacaftor), a CFTR modulator, could prevent the development of such abnormalities. The authors tested the effect of in utero and early postnatal VX-770 administration in a ferret model of CF. Lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and male reproductive pathologies were partially prevented in ferrets treated prior to and following birth. The results suggest that CFTR plays a critical role in early organ development and that prenatal and postnatal treatment might prevent developmental pathologies and onset of disease. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multiorgan disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). In patients with CF, abnormalities initiate in several organs before birth. However, the long-term impact of these in utero pathologies on disease pathophysiology is unclear. To address this issue, we generated ferrets harboring a VX-770 (ivacaftor)–responsive CFTRG551D mutation. In utero VX-770 administration provided partial protection from developmental pathologies in the pancreas, intestine, and male reproductive tract. Homozygous CFTRG551D/G551D animals showed the greatest VX-770–mediated protection from these pathologies. Sustained postnatal VX-770 administration led to improved pancreatic exocrine function, glucose tolerance, growth and survival, and to reduced mucus accumulation and bacterial infections in the lung. VX-770 withdrawal at any age reestablished disease, with the most rapid onset of morbidity occurring when withdrawal was initiated during the first 2 weeks after birth. The results suggest that CFTR is important for establishing organ function early in life. Moreover, this ferret model provides proof of concept for in utero pharmacologic correction of genetic disease and offers opportunities for understanding CF pathogenesis and improving treatment.
Biologically mediated silicification of marine cyanobacteria and implications for the Proterozoic fossil record

Silicification was a major mode of fossilization in Proterozoic peritidal environments, but marine silica concentrations and the chemical and biological mechanisms that drove microbial silicification and formation of early diagenetic chert in these environments remain poorly constrained. Here, we use taphonomy experiments to demonstrate that photosynthetically active cyanobacteria that are morphologically analogous to the oldest cyanobacterial fossil, Eoentophysalis, mediate the formation of magnesium-rich amorphous silica in seawater that is undersaturated with respect to silica. These results show that microbes in Proterozoic tidal environments may have mediated their own silicification at lower silica concentrations than previously assumed.
Effect of salt mixture on flavor of reduced‐sodium restructured bacon with ultrasound treatment

Abstract Flavor loss from sodium reduction is a large challenge faced in the meat industry. The effects of salt mixture (KCl: CaCl2 = 1:1, w/w) content (0%–1.0%) on flavor of reduced‐sodium (1.5% NaCl) restructured bacon with ultrasound treatment (UT, 600 w for 30 min) were investigated. The results showed that 0.5% salt mixture (0.25% KCl and 0.25% CaCl2) could significantly (p < .05) enhance the lipid oxidation, the protein oxidation, and the formation of free amino acids of reduced‐sodium UT‐restructured bacon and could also markedly (p < .05) improve its flavor and the overall quality of sensory evaluation via promoting the release of five kinds of volatile phenolic compounds (o‐cresol, m‐cresol, 2‐methoxy‐phenol, 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol, and 2‐methoxy‐5‐methylphenol) and the formation of five kinds of volatile aldehyde compounds (hexanal, nonanal, decanal, furfural, and 5‐methyl furfural). It is interesting to understand the mechanism for the effect of salt mixture on flavor and to efficiently develop a technique for improving the flavor of reduced‐sodium products in the meat industry.
The Sensitivity of Teacher Value-Added Scores to the Use of Fall or Spring Test Scores

Papay (2011) noticed that teacher value-added measures (VAMs) from a statistical model using the most common pre/post testing timeframe–current-year spring relative to previous spring (SS)–are essentially unrelated to those same teachers’ VAMs when instead using next-fall relative to current-fall (FF). This is concerning since this choice–made solely as an artifact of the timing of statewide testing–produces an entirely different ranking of teachers’ effectiveness. Since subsequent studies (grades K/1) have not replicated these findings, we revisit and extend Papay’s analyses in another Grade 3–8 setting. We find similarly low correlations (.13–.15) that persist across value-added specifications. We delineate and apply a literature-based framework for considering the role of summer learning loss in producing these low correlations.
Preferred stock issuance in the restaurant industry and financial distress

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to offer insights into why restaurant firms issue preferred stock despite the disadvantage of using preferred stock as compared to debt. This disadvantage is due to the fact that debt interest payments but not preferred stock dividends provide tax-deductible savings for the issuing firm. We empirically examine the proposition that restaurant firms issuing preferred stock are more financially distressed than non-issuing firms. Specifically, we analyze five financial ratios that are related to financial distress. They are debt ratio, retained earnings to total assets, times interest earned, net profit margin, and return on assets. Data from 56 restaurant firms issuing preferred stock between 1980 and 2016 were compared to a control group of non-issuing restaurant firms. Results from the multivariate analysis of variance lend robust support to the financial distress explanation as well as other explanations. We believe this is the first analysis of the usage of preferred stock by restaurant companies. Our findings should be a significant consideration for restaurant firms contemplating the issue of preferred stock and also an important consideration for potential investors in these firms.
Alternative Oxidase Capacity of Mitochondria in Microsporophylls May Function in Cycad Thermogenesis1[OPEN]

Enlarged mitochondria with increased rates of alternative respiration may account for the striking heat-producing ability of male cones in the gymnosperm Cycas revoluta. Cone thermogenesis is a widespread phenomenon in cycads and may function to promote volatile emissions that affect pollinator behavior. Given their large population size and intense and durable heat-producing effects, cycads are important organisms for comprehensive studies of plant thermogenesis. However, knowledge of mitochondrial morphology and function in cone thermogenesis is limited. Therefore, we investigated these mitochondrial properties in the thermogenic cycad species Cycas revoluta. Male cones generated heat even in cool weather conditions. Female cones produced heat, but to a lesser extent than male cones. Ultrastructural analyses of the two major tissues of male cones, microsporophylls and microsporangia, revealed the existence of a population of mitochondria with a distinct morphology in the microsporophylls. In these cells, we observed large mitochondria (cross-sectional area of 2 μm2 or more) with a uniform matrix density that occupied >10% of the total mitochondrial volume. Despite the size difference, many nonlarge mitochondria (cross-sectional area <2 μm2) also exhibited a shape and a matrix density similar to those of large mitochondria. Alternative oxidase (AOX) capacity and expression levels in microsporophylls were much higher than those in microsporangia. The AOX genes expressed in male cones revealed two different AOX complementary DNA sequences: CrAOX1 and CrAOX2. The expression level of CrAOX1 mRNA in the microsporophylls was 100 times greater than that of CrAOX2 mRNA. Collectively, these results suggest that distinctive mitochondrial morphology and CrAOX1-mediated respiration in microsporophylls might play a role in cycad cone thermogenesis.
Acetic acid treatment for toe web infection caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa combined with fungal infection: A case series of ten patients

Gram‐negative bacterial toe web infection (GNBTWI) caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa combined with fungal infection has variety of treatments. However, these treatments have been poorly described in the literature. Our retrospective study describes patients that had been treated in our medical center with acetic acid combined with local antifungal treatment, to evaluate evidences for the appropriateness of this treatment. Ten patients with evidence of GNBTWI caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa combined with local fungal infection which have been treated with acetic acid in Emek Medical Center were identified. Eight patients (80%) had a complete response while two patients (20%) showed only a partial response. Side effects were minimal and included temporary stinging sensation. Acetic acid is a relatively cheap ingredient with minimal side effect profile and highly effective outcomes as a treatment for GNBTWI caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and should be considered as an adjuvant treatment.
A Prediction Model for Severe AKI in Critically Ill Adults That Incorporates Clinical and Biomarker Data.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Critically ill patients with worsening AKI are at high risk for poor outcomes. Predicting which patients will experience progression of AKI remains elusive. We sought to develop and validate a risk model for predicting severe AKI within 72 hours after intensive care unit admission. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We applied least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression methodology to two prospectively enrolled, critically ill cohorts of patients who met criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, enrolled within 24-48 hours after hospital admission. The risk models were derived and internally validated in 1075 patients and externally validated in 262 patients. Demographics and laboratory and plasma biomarkers of inflammation or endothelial dysfunction were used in the prediction models. Severe AKI was defined as Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage 2 or 3. RESULTS Severe AKI developed in 62 (8%) patients in the derivation, 26 (8%) patients in the internal validation, and 15 (6%) patients in the external validation cohorts. In the derivation cohort, a three-variable model (age, cirrhosis, and soluble TNF receptor-1 concentrations [ACT]) had a c-statistic of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.91 to 0.97). The ACT model performed well in the internal (c-statistic, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.96) and external (c-statistic, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.97) validation cohorts. The ACT model had moderate positive predictive values (0.50-0.95) and high negative predictive values (0.94-0.95) for severe AKI in all three cohorts. CONCLUSIONS ACT is a simple, robust model that could be applied to improve risk prognostication and better target clinical trial enrollment in critically ill patients with AKI.
Inhibition of the lncRNA SAF drives activation of apoptotic effector caspases in HIV-1–infected human macrophages

Significance Tissue resident macrophages are long-lived, self-replenishing myeloid cells. They harbor and support HIV-1 replication, but unlike CD4+ T cells, do not succumb to virus-induced cell death. Here, we have screened a panel of 90 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) and identified a lncRNA, SAF, that plays a critical role in the resistance of HIV-1–infected macrophages to activation of apoptotic caspases. We have further shown that down-regulation of SAF expression with siRNA treatment can activate effector caspase-3/7 specifically in virus-infected macrophages without affecting the uninfected and bystander cells. Overall, our study describes the approach of modulating the lncRNA SAF for targeted elimination of HIV-1–infected macrophages that can lead to reduction and potential clearance of these viral reservoir cells. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) impart significant regulatory functions in a diverse array of biological pathways and manipulation of these RNAs provides an important avenue to modulate such pathways, particularly in disease. Our knowledge about lncRNAs’ role in determination of cellular fate during HIV-1 infection remains sparse. Here, we have identified the impact of the lncRNA SAF in regulating apoptotic effector caspases in macrophages, a long-lived cellular reservoir of HIV-1, that are largely immune to virus-induced cell death. Expression of SAF is significantly up-regulated in HIV-1–infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) compared with bystander and virus-nonexposed cells. A similar enhancement in SAF RNA expression is also detected in the HIV-1–infected airway macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage of HIV-1–infected individuals. Down-regulation of SAF with siRNA treatment increases caspase-3/7 activity levels in virus-infected MDMs. This induction of apoptotic caspases occurs exclusively in HIV-1–infected macrophages and not in bystander cells, leading to a significant reduction in HIV-1 replication and overall viral burden in the macrophage culture. This study identifies targeting of the lncRNA SAF as a potential means to specifically induce cell death in HIV-1–infected macrophages.
Aire-expressing ILC3-like cells in the lymph node display potent APC features

The autoimmune regulator (Aire) serves an essential function for T cell tolerance by promoting the “promiscuous” expression of tissue antigens in thymic epithelial cells. Aire is also detected in rare cells in peripheral lymphoid organs, but the identity of these cells is poorly understood. Here, we report that Aire protein–expressing cells in lymph nodes exhibit typical group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC3) characteristics such as lymphoid morphology, absence of “classical” hematopoietic lineage markers, and dependence on ROR&ggr;t. Aire+ cells are more frequent among lineage-negative ROR&ggr;t+ cells of peripheral lymph nodes as compared with mucosa-draining lymph nodes, display a unique Aire-dependent transcriptional signature, express high surface levels of MHCII and costimulatory molecules, and efficiently present an endogenously expressed model antigen to CD4+ T cells. These findings define a novel type of ILC3-like cells with potent APC features, suggesting that these cells serve a function in the control of T cell responses.
Combined application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and steel slag improves plant growth and reduces Cd, Pb accumulation in Zea mays.

Little attention has been paid to the combined use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and steel slag (SS) for ameliorating heavy metal polluted soils. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of SS and AMF-Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Glomus versiforme (Gv) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri) on plant growth and Cd, Pb uptake by maize grown in soils added with 5 mg Cd kg-1 and 300 mg Pb kg-1 soil. The combined usage of AMF and SS (AMF + SS) promoted maize growth, and Gv + SS had the most obvious effect. Meanwhile, single SS addition and AMF + SS decreased Cd, Pb concentrations in maize, and the greater reductions were found in combined utilization, and the lowest Cd, Pb concentrations of maize appeared in Gv + SS. Single SS amendment and AMF + SS enhanced soil pH and decreased soil diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd, Pb concentrations. Furthermore, alone and combined usage of AMF and SS increased contents of soil total glomalin. Our research indicated a synergistic effect between AMF and SS on enhancing plant growth and reducing Cd, Pb accumulation in maize, and Gv + SS exerted the most pronounced effect. This work suggests that AMF inoculation in combination with SS addition may be a potential method for not only phytostabilization of Pb-Cd-contaminated soil but maize safety production.
Scholarly Activity Support Systems in Internal Medicine Residency Programs: A National Representative Survey in Japan

Objective To describe the clinical research support systems in Japanese board certification programs of internal medicine and to assess the relationship between these support systems and the scholarly activities of residents. Methods In 2018, a 26-item web questionnaire was mailed to 542 points of contact of hospitals listed as certified residency programs of internal medicine in order to obtain information about the presence of a research support system and scholarly activity from 2016. We used hospital characteristic data from the Japanese Diagnostic Procedure Combination database, a national inpatient database, and the annual report of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Results A total of 228 hospitals (42%) responded to the survey. There were regular research lectures in 129 hospitals (57%), protected time (time to perform research during working hours) in 53 hospitals (23%), research consultations in 175 hospitals (77%), regular journal clubs in 213 hospitals (77%), regular research conferences in 151 hospitals (66%), data warehouses in 139 hospitals (61%), and financial research support from the hospital budget in 140 hospitals (61%). A multivariate analysis showed that none of the research support systems were related to the number of conference presentations. In contrast, protected time [odds ratio (OR) 3.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-9.39] and regular research conferences (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.14-4.23) were related to the presence of clinical research presentations in scientific conferences hosted by residents. Conclusion Protected time and regular research conferences were related to the scholarly activity of residents in Japanese teaching hospitals.
Glutathione transferase plays a major role in flufenacet resistance of ryegrass (Lolium spp.) field populations.

BACKGROUND Herbicides inhibiting the synthesis of very long-chain fatty acids (HRAC group K3 , WSSA group 15), such as flufenacet, play an important role in weed management strategies, particularly when herbicide resistance to inhibitors with other modes of action, such as acetolactate synthase or acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase), has already evolved. So far, only a few cases of resistance towards inhibitors of the synthesis of very long-chain fatty acids have been described. In this study, we characterized the level of flufenacet resistance in several Lolium spp. field populations and investigated the resistance mechanism. RESULTS The screening for flufenacet resistance revealed the ability of Lolium spp. populations from several continents to survive flufenacet treatments at and above the field rate. This study demonstrates the way in which flufenacet is detoxified in resistant weed populations. Glutathione was found to be conjugated to flufenacet in Lolium spp. seedlings, and there was evidence that glutathione transferase activity was enhanced in protein extracts from flufenacet-resistant seedlings. A significant correlation was found between the resistance factor obtained by biotests and the degradation half-time of flufenacet in ryegrass plants obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CONCLUSION At present, flufenacet resistance is not widespread; however, in certain Lolium spp. populations resistance levels could reach agronomic relevance due to detoxification by glutathione transferases. In Europe especially, only a few herbicide modes of action are registered for the control of Lolium spp. and therefore it is becoming increasingly important to apply best management practices to prevent the spread of flufenacet resistance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cardio‐ankle vascular index and circulating CD34‐positive cell levels as indicators of endothelial repair activity in older Japanese men

The cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) reflects functional arterial stiffness, which is related to endothelial dysfunction. CD34‐positive cells carry out an important function in endothelial repair. However, there have been no reports assessing the association between CAVI and the number of circulating CD34‐positive cells.