Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Variation in Lung Cancer Mortality and Related Men–Women Disparities in Iran from 2011 to 2014

Purpose Lung cancer is considered as a common cause of cancer mortality. The disease represents the second and third causes of deaths from cancer among Iranian women and men, respectively. The present study aimed to evaluate the spatial variations in relative risk of lung cancer mortality in Iran and its relation to common risk factors between men and women and specific risk factors among women. Methods In this ecological study, the lung cancer mortality data were analyzed in Iran during 2011–2014. Besag, York, and Mollie’s (BYM) model and shared component model (SCM) were used to compare the spatial variations of the relative risk of lung cancer mortality by applying OpenBUGS version 3.2. 3 and R version 3.6. 1. Results The median age for death due to lung cancer in Iran is 74 years. During 2011–2014, the age-standardized lung cancer mortality rates among men and women were 12 and 5 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. In addition, almost similar spatial patterns were observed for both men and women. Further, risk factors, which are shared between men and women, were considered as the main cause of variation of lung cancer mortality relative risk in the regions under study for both men and women. The highest impact of the women-specific risk factors was estimated in northeastern and southwestern of the country while the lowest was related to Gilan province in northern part of Iran. Conclusion Based on the spatial pattern, lung cancer risk factors are at relatively high levels in most parts of Iran, especially in the northwest of the country. Regarding the women, the high-risk regions were considerably extended. Further, the highest concentration of the specific risk factors among women was observed in the eastern, central, and southwestern parts. The smoking effect, and the second-smoking effect and environmental pollutions could play more significant roles for men and women, respectively.
Temporal priority and intra‐guild predation in temporary waters: an experimental study using Namibian desert dragonflies

Abstract. 1. Intra‐guild predation between early larval instars of two co‐existing dragonflies, Sympetrum fonscolombii and Trithemis kirbyi, was investigated with respect to temporal advantage and growth. Three situations were simulated experimentally: (1) Sympetrum fonscolombii began development 11 days before T. kirbyi. (2) Trithemis kirbyi began development 11 days before S. fonscolombii. (3) Both species began on the same day.
PSAT1 Regulated Oxidation-Reduction Balance Affects the Growth and Prognosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Introduction A growing number of studies have found that the serine-glycine biosynthesis pathway is highly activated for biosynthesis in cancer progression and metastasis. Phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) catalyzes the second step of the serine-glycine biosynthesis pathway; the effects and mechanism of PSAT1 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains unclear. Materials and Methods The expression of PSAT1 in clinical EOC samples and normal ovarian tissues was conducted by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Survival analysis of PSAT1 in ovarian cancer was performed by using the public database. Following the downregulation of PSAT1, the cell growth, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle in ovarian cancer cells were respectively examined by the soft agar colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis. Then the glutathione (GSH) levels, the GSH/GSSG ratio, the NADPH/NADP ratio, and the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were tested to analyze the oxidation-reduction balance in PSAT1-depleted ovarian cancer cells. Results PSAT1 is markedly over-expressed in clinical EOC samples (n = 90) compared to that in normal ovarian tissues (n = 10), and the expression of PSAT1 is correlated with histological subtype, FIGO stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and the presence of ascites. Public database analysis shows that higher PSAT1 indicates poor survival in EOC patients. Downregulation of PSAT1 in EOC cells inhibits growth, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro. EOC cells with high PSAT1 levels have increased a higher GSH (reduced glutathione)/GSSG (oxidized glutathione) ratio and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. The cancer-killing effects of PSAT1 knockdown are reversed by exogenous glutathione. PSAT1 participates in cancer growth by regulating oxidation-reduction balance. Conclusion Therefore, these results highlight the potential of PSAT1 inhibitors or metabolic substrate deprivation as therapeutic strategies for treating patients with EOC, especially those with advanced stages of cancer.
Antimicrobial profile of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus spp. isolated from dairy cows with clinical mastitis

Objective: The current investigation was designed to point out the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus spp. causing acute clinical mastitis and their pattern of antibiotic resistance in dairy cows. Materials and methods: Milk was sampled from 128 dairy cows with 191 infected quarters during the period from August 2017 to December 2018. Bacterial species were isolated from the milk samples and identified based on colony morphology and biochemical tests. Multiplex PCR was done for confirmatory detection of the Streptococcus spp. isolates. Results: The chief isolation percentages, from the sampled milk, were Escherichia coli (26%), then Staphylococcus aureus (23%), and Streptococcus dysagalactiae (23%), then Streptococcus agalactiae (20.1%), and finally coagulase-negative Staphylococci (7.7%). In confirmed PCR streptococci isolates, the antibiotic resistance genes have been detected, including macrolides antibiotic resistance genes (ermB and mefA genes), lincosamides antibiotic resistance genes (linB gene), and tetracycline resistance genes (tetM and tetO genes). Age, parity number, cleaning of bedding materials, cleaning of milking facilities, and utensils and udder cleaning practice were significant risk factors for multidrug-resistant streptococcal mastitis in dairy cows. Conclusion: The results of this study explored the phenotypic and genotypic traits of Streptococcus spp. which constitute a usual cause of acute clinical mastitis in dairy cows. The ermB, mefA, tetM, and tetO antibiotic-resistant genes were identified in streptococci isolates from dairy cows’ milk with acute clinical mastitis, indicating a public health hazard. Thus, veterinary clinical breakpoints are needed to improve surveillance data, improve the hygiene regimen on the farms, and promote the wise use of antimicrobials.
Two new species of Ophiostomatales (Sordariomycetes) associated with the bark beetle Dryocoetes alni from Poland

Abstract Bark beetles belonging to the genus Dryocoetes (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are known vectors of fungi, such as the pathogenic species Grosmannia dryocoetidis involved in alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) mortality. Associations between hardwood-infesting Dryocoetes species and fungi in Europe have received very little research attention. Ectosymbiotic fungi residing in Ceratocystiopsis and Leptographium (Ophiostomatales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) were commonly detected in previous surveys of the Dryocoetes alni-associated mycobiome in Poland. The aim of this study was to accurately identify these isolates and to provide descriptions of the new species. The identification was conducted based on morphology and DNA sequence data for six loci (ITS1-5.8S, ITS2-28S, ACT, CAL, TUB2, and TEF1-α). This revealed two new species, described here as Ceratocystiopsis synnematasp. nov. and Leptographium alneumsp. nov. The host trees for the new species included Alnus incana and Populus tremula. Ceratocystiopsis synnemata can be distinguished from its closely related species, C. pallidobrunnea, based on conidia morphology and conidiophores that aggregate in loosely arranged synnemata. Leptographium alneum is closely related to Grosmannia crassivaginata and differs from this species in having a larger ascomatal neck, and the presence of larger club-shaped cells.
Evaluation of internal and shell stiffness in the differential diagnosis of breast non-mass lesions by shear wave elastography

BACKGROUND The diagnostic specificity of conventional ultrasound for breast non-mass lesions (NMLs) is low at approximately 21%-43%. Shear wave elastography (SWE) can distinguish benign from malignant lesions by evaluating the internal and peripheral stiffness. SWE has good reproducibility and high diagnostic efficacy. However, there are very few independent studies on the diagnostic value of SWE in breast NMLs. AIM To determine the value of SWE in the differential diagnosis of breast NMLs. METHODS This study enrolled a total of 118 patients with breast NMLs who underwent SWE examinations in the Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and The Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2019 to January 2020. The internal elastic parameters of the lesions were recorded, including maximum (Emax), mean (Emean) and minimum elastic values and the standard deviation. The following peripheral parameters were noted: Presence of a “stiff rim” sign; Emax, and Emean elasticity values within 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm from the edge of NMLs. The receiver operating characteristic curve of each parameter was drawn, and the areas under the curve were calculated. RESULTS Emax, Emean and elastic values, and the standard deviation of the internal elastic values in malignant NMLs were significantly higher than those in benign NMLs (P < 0.05). The percentage with the “stiff rim” sign in malignant NMLs was significantly higher than that in the benign group (P < 0.05), and Emax and Emean at the shell of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm in the malignant group were all higher than those in the benign group (P < 0.05). Of the surrounding elasticity values, Emax of the shell at 2.5 mm in malignant NMLs had maximum areas under the curve of 0.900, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 94.57% and 85.86%, respectively. CONCLUSION The “stiff rim” sign and multiple quantitative elastic values within and around the lesion had good diagnostic performance in the differential diagnosis of breast NMLs. Emax in peripheral tissue had better diagnostic efficiency than other parameters.
Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid on Germination in Lead Polluted Petri Dish of Citrullus lanatus (Thunberg) Matsumura and Nakai, Cucurbitaceae

Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunberg) Matsumura and Nakai is a tropical fruit vegetable. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a popular phytohormone while lead (Pb) is a common environmental pollutant in urban and sub-urban centers. C. lanatus were obtained from Benin City with a view to study the effects of IAA on their germination in Pb polluted environment. Germination percentage without IAA and Pb treatment in petri dish was significant after ten days. Hastened germination was observed when IAA and lead were used. About 100 % germination was recorded after seven days. This suggests that water melon seeds can initiate growth even in lead polluted environment. Optimum level of 5 ppm IAA with the different levels of lead treatments may be recommended. Most important was that higher concentrations of Pb in the control (without IAA) did not inhibit seedling shoot nor root growth. Longest seedling shoot length (cm) was 10.33 ± 1.24 and 12.13 ± 2.06 on the seventh and eighth day respectively with the combined treatment levels of 1 ppm IAA and 15 ppm Pb. On the ninth day, 15.27 ± 0.96 was obtained from 1 ppm IAA and 20 ppm Pb. Longest seedling root length (cm) values were recorded from the combined treatment levels of 0 ppm IAA and 10 ppm Pb for the seventh (9.10 ± 0.47) and ninth (10.37 ± 1.81) day respectively and 0 ppm and 15 ppm Pb on the eighth (9.37 ± 0.84) day. Significant means were also obtained with the treatment level of 0 and 20 ppm IAA. This present study suggest the germination of C. lanatus under Pb polluted environment may be rescued with optimum IAA.
Technical Evaluation of Soft Mist Inhaler Use in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Proper inhaler technique is highly relevant to the effective management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The tiotropium bromide spray (TBS) (Spiriva® Respimat®) is a soft mist inhaler (SMI) preferred by patients to pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) because of its convenience in use. However, the technique of using TBS inhaler in the real world is unclear. Objective To evaluate techniques in using TBS inhaler and investigate the association between the patient characteristics and the correct use of TBS inhaler. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 74 COPD patients who used TBS inhaler device for more than 3 months. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The technique of using TBS inhaler was evaluated step by step. Incorrect use was defined as the patient’s inability to complete the key steps in the inhalation manoeuvre. The percentage of incorrect use was compared between the groups. Risk factors related to incorrect use were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 74 participants, only 2 (2.7%) patients completed all the steps correctly, and 48 (64.9%) patients misused the key steps in the inhalation manoeuvre. Incorrect preparation of the TBS inhaler for the first use was the most frequently misused step, accounting for 77.0%. Factors associated with misuse of TBS inhaler included the educational background (p=0.010), living state (p=0.031) and COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p=0.005) of the patients. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that the COPD duration was significantly associated with the incorrect use (p=0.019). Compared with patients with a higher educational background, patients with an elementary school background [OR 11652.99, CI: 22.72–5975697.72], junior high school background [OR 7187.78, CI: 16.41–3146787] and high school background [OR 1563, CI: 4.27–572329.67] were more likely to misuse TBS inhaler. Patients living with their spouses alone were also more likely to commit errors in using TBS inhaler as compared with those living with their children [OR 12.29, CI of 1.14–1.96]. Clinical factors like the COPD symptoms were relative to the technical use of the device. Better technique was accompanied by a lower CAT score [OR 1.49, CI of 1.14–1.96]. Conclusion The incorrect use of TBS inhaler was common in COPD patients. Healthcare providers should not only teach the patients about the drug preparation but help them use the inhaler correctly. Special attention should be paid to patients with a short COPD duration and a low educational background and those who live without the company of their children. Proper use of TBS inhaler can significantly improve the symptom control of COPD patients.
MINIMUM POPULATION SIZE OF MOUNTAIN PLOVERS BREEDING IN WYOMING

Abstract As human disturbance of natural landscapes increases, so does the need for information on declining, threatened, and potentially threatened native species. Proposed listing of the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1999 was found unwarranted in 2003, but this species remains of special concern to management agencies and conservation groups. Whereas large concentrations of breeding Mountain Plovers occur in Montana and Colorado, estimates of the numbers of Mountain Plovers in Wyoming have ranged from only 500 to 1,500 individuals and are based largely on conjecture. In 2002, we visited all known breeding locales in the state to define areas of concentrated sightings in the Laramie, Shirley, Washakie, Great Divide, and Big Horn basins. In 2003, we used distance sampling to estimate breeding bird densities in these five areas. We pooled these estimates and applied the resulting density to a minimum occupied range for the Mountain Plover based on the documented sightings and a previously derived home-range size of 56.6 ha ± 21.5 (SD) to generate a minimum population estimate for the state. Average Mountain Plover density was 4.47 ± 0.55 (SE) birds/km2. We calculated a minimum population estimate of 3,393 birds for Wyoming. The Mountain Plover population breeding in Wyoming appears to contribute substantially to a revised continental population estimate of 11,000 to 14,000 birds. Our approach may have applications to quantifying minimum population status of other uncommon species or species of special conservation concern using current database records, such as those compiled in Natural Heritage Programs at the state level.
Phenotypic and Genomic Characterization of Virulence Heterogeneity in Multidrug-Resistant ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae During Inter-Host Transmission and Evolution

Background Multidrug-resistant (MDR) ST11 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is emerging in China. Purpose The aim of this study was to track the transmission and evolution of hvKp. Materials and Methods A retrospective study focused on Kp infection was conducted. Clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Whole-genome sequencing of Kp strains was performed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed and a transmission map was constructed. Sequence type, and antimicrobial and virulence-associated genes were characterized. Strains with some combination of the virulence genes, prmpA, prmpA2, iucA, iroB, and peg-344, were defined as hvKp. Kp virulence phenotypes were evaluated using the Galleria mellonella model. Results All 33 Kp strains were MDR-Kp and 13 (39.4%) were hvKp. Most hvKp strains (84.6%, 11/13) were hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Two unique combinations of virulence-associated genes were detected among hvKp strains. Eleven cases were associated with prmpA2+iucA and two strains presented with peg-344+prmpA+prmpA2+iucA. Surprisingly, two community-acquired MDR-hvKp infection cases were identified. Eight hvKp strains (61.5%, 8/13) exhibited a hypervirulent phenotype in the G. mellonella model. Five MDR-hvKp strains with the hypervirulence phenotype originated from a single cluster. Additionally, nine clones were identified among the two clades, six of which were hvKp. Moreover, the hvKp in clade 1 carried the IncHI1B plasmid replicon, whereas none of the hvKp strains in clade 2 harbored IncHI1B. These data, showing that different hvKp clones distributed into separate clades, indicate that transmission and evolution occurred within the hospital. Conclusion During inter-host evolution and transmission, various virulence clusters of the epidemic clone, MDR-ST11, converged, conferring phenotypic virulence heterogeneity and spread within the hospital and possibly the community. Mobile/conjugative genetic elements associated with virulence-encoding gene clusters might emerge and have been transmitted within the hospital, suggesting that enhanced ongoing surveillance is essential.
A Linear Relationship Between a Body Shape Index and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis Based on a Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the association between a body shape index (ABSI) and incident type 2 diabetes and to explore the shape of their relationship in a cohort of Japanese adults. Patients and Methods Data from 15,462 Japanese adults aged 18–79 years attending the NAGALA study (NAfld in the Gifu Area, Longitudinal Analysis) were used. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Blood samples were measured for serum lipid, glucose, and HbA1c. The risk of incident type 2 diabetes according to ABSI was estimated using multivariate Cox regression models. We examined a potential nonlinear relationship using a smoothing function analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, and BMI. Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, systolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), a linear relationship was observed between ABSI and risk of type 2 diabetes. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for incident type 2 diabetes with ABSI (10−2 m11/6kg−2/3) were 1.51 (1.13, 2.01) (p=0.005). When ABSI was handled as categorical variable, the HRs and 95% CIs in the quartile 2 to 4 versus the quartile 1 were 0.97 (0.67, 1.41), 1.21 (0.85, 1.72) and 1.30 (0.92, 1.83), respectively (P for trend = 0.046). Subgroup analyses showed that the association stably existed in different subgroups including gender, age, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, and BMI. Conclusion ABSI was linearly associated with an elevated risk of incident type 2 diabetes across the full range of ABSI, independent of gender, age, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, SBP, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Selection equilibrium for hatchery and wild spawning fitness in integrated breeding programs

Some salmon hatchery programs intentionally integrate the wild and hatchery population by taking naturally spawned fish as some fraction of the broodstock and allowing hatchery progeny to constitute some fraction of the adults spawning in the wild. This circumvents some ecological concerns about the effects of hatchery fish on the "wild" population while still reaping some of the benefits of increased potential for harvest, but it increases some genetic concerns. Here, we model phenotypic evolution in the integrated population to investigate the effects on natural spawning fitness at the joint selection and demographic equilibrium. We find a potential, but not a certainty, depending on quantitative aspects of the management interacting with biological characteristics of the stock, for substantial erosion of natural spawning fitness, compared with the original wild population, including the possibility of runaway selection driving natural spawning fitness effectively to zero. The vulnerability to such evol.
Diurnal Skipper Pelopidas mathias (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) Pollinates Habenaria radiata (Orchidaceae)

ABSTRACT: The genus Habenaria is one of the largest orchid genera, and although it has a broad distribution, its main centers of diversity are in Brazil, eastern Asia, and central and southern Africa. Despite its diversity, little is known about the pollinators of this genus, but the few published reports to date indicate that Habenaria sp. are mainly pollinated by moths. Here we report that the diurnal skipper Pelopidas mathias can act as a pollinator for the population of Habenaria radiata in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Previous reports have shown that another diurnal skipper, Parnara guttata, is one of the pollinators of H. radiata in Fukuoka Prefecture. The observation that two butterflies from the family Hesperiidae transfer pollinia for populations of H. radiata separated by approximately 600 km provides strong evidence that H. radiata utilizes diurnal skippers as one of its main pollinators.