Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors and COVID-19 Infection in South Korea

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is known to infect host cells by interacting with ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) expressed in the respiratory epithelium. There have been concerns on whether alterations of ACE2 expression by renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors would contribute to the infectivity and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We performed a case-control study to investigate the association between RAAS inhibitors and risk and severity of COVID-19 infection in South Korea using the population-based data provided by the Korean National Health Insurance System. Of 16 281 subjects with hypertension, there were 950 (5.8%) confirmed COVID-19 cases. After case-control matching, multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis was performed. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% CIs for COVID-19 infection and long-term hospitalization comparing exposure to RAAS inhibitors and nonexposure to RAAS inhibitors was 1.161 (0.958–1.407) and 0.863 (0.533–1.397), respectively. When comparing exposure to RAAS inhibitors and nonexposure to RAAS inhibitors for intensive care unit admission, high-flow oxygen therapy, and death, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) were 1.515 (0.402–5.701), 0.663 (0.272–1.619), and 1.363 (0.513–3.662), respectively. In all analyses, P values were not significant (P>0.05). The present study demonstrates the absence of an identifiable association between the exposure to RAAS inhibitors and risk and severity of COVID-19 infection, supporting the current medical guidelines and recommendations that patients should not discontinue RAAS inhibitors out of a concern that they are at increased risk for infection or severe illness of COVID-19.
Vitamin D receptor(s): In the nucleus but also at membranes?

The genomic actions of the vitamin D are mediated via its biologically most potent metabolite 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR). Activation of VDR by 1,25(OH)2D3 leads to change in the expression of more 1000 genes in various human tissues. Based on (epi)genome, transcriptome and crystal structure data the molecular details of this nuclear vitamin D signalling pathway are well understood. Vitamin D is known for its role on calcium homeostasis and bone formation, but it also modulates energy metabolism, innate and adaptive immunity as well as cellular growth, differentiation and apoptosis. The observation of rapid, non‐genomic effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 at cellular membranes and in the cytosol initiated the question, whether there are alternative vitamin D‐binding proteins in these cellular compartments. So far, the best candidate is the enzyme PDIA3 (protein disulphide isomerase family A member 3), which is found at various subcellular locations. Furthermore, also VDR seems to play a role in membrane‐based responses to vitamin D. In this viewpoint, we will dispute whether these rapid, non‐genomic pathways are a meaningful addition to the genome‐wide effects of vitamin D.
Identification of compounds active against quiescent artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites via the quiescent-stage survival assay (QSA).

BACKGROUND Quiescence is an unconventional mechanism of Plasmodium survival, mediating artemisinin resistance. This phenomenon increases the risk of clinical failures following artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) by slowing parasite clearance and allowing the selection of parasites resistant to partner drugs. OBJECTIVES To thwart this multiresistance, the quiescent state of artemisinin-resistant parasites must be taken into consideration from the very early stages of the drug discovery process. METHODS We designed a novel phenotypic assay we have named the quiescent-stage survival assay (QSA) to assess the antiplasmodial activity of drugs on quiescent parasites. This assay was first validated on quiescent forms from different artemisinin-resistant parasite lines (laboratory strain and field isolates), using two reference drugs with different mechanisms of action: chloroquine and atovaquone. Furthermore, the efficacies of different partner drugs of artemisinins used in ACTs were investigated against both laboratory strains and field isolates from Cambodia. RESULTS Our results highlight that because of the mechanism of quiescence and the respective pharmacological targets of drugs, drug efficacies on artemisinin-resistant parasites may be different between quiescent parasites and their proliferating forms. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the high relevance of adding the chemosensitivity evaluation of quiescent parasites by the specific in vitro QSA to the antiplasmodial drug development process in the current worrisome context of artemisinin resistance.
Voice onset time and formant onset frequencies in Arabic stuttered speech

ABSTRACT Neuromuscular models of stuttering consider that making transitions between phones results in inappropriate temporal arrangements of articulators in people who stutter (PWS). Using this framework, the current study examined the acoustic productions of two fine-grained phonetic features: voice onset time (VOT) and second formant (F2). The hypotheses were that PWS should differ from fluent persons (FP) in VOT duration and F2 onset frequency as a result of the transition deficit for environments with complex phonetic features such as Arabic emphatics. Ten adolescent PWS and 10 adolescent FPs participated in the study. They read and memorized four monosyllabic plain-emphatic words silently. Data were analyzed by Repeated Measures ANOVAs. The positive and negative VOT durations of/t/vs./tˁ/and/d/vs./dˁ/and F2 onset frequency were measured acoustically. Results showed that stuttering was significantly affected by emphatic consonants. PWS had atypical VOT durations and F2 values. Findings are consistent with the atypicality of VOT and F2 reported for English-speaking PWS. This atypicality is realized differently in Arabic depending on the articulatory complexity and cognitive load of the sound.
Some Characteristics of the Common Plants of Range and Meadows in Erzurum in Relation to Life Span, Beginning of the Flowering and Forage Quality

This study was carried out on the natural range and meadows of Ataturk University in Erzurum, 1996. Recorded species in the study were separated into 16 grasses, 16 legumes and 60 other families. High percentages of the ungrazed species (approximately % 60) indicate that the rangelands have seriously been degrated. In chemical analysis, grasses had the highest crude cellulose content, while legumes had the highest crude protein content, and legumes and other families had the highest mineral element content. In conclusion some wild species on the district rangelands could successfully be utilized in the range improvement.
EDGE EFFECT IN WETLAND-ARABLE LAND BOUNDARY DETERMINES NESTING SUCCESS OF SCARLET ROSEFINCHES (CARPODACUS ERYTHRINUS) IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Abstract Although the effects of habitat edges on avian nesting success are well documented for forest ecosystems and for forest-interior species, there is almost no evidence for nonforest, agriculturally dominated landscapes, namely for the matrix of shrubby wetlands and agricultural land. In 1995–1998 I searched for and monitored nests of the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) in pristine patches of shrubby wet meadow to evaluate the generality of the “edge effect on nest predation” hypothesis. Predation was the major cause of nest failure, accounting for 92.3% of total nest losses. Microhabitat features of the nest sites were not related to proximity to agricultural edges. The model best describing variation in daily nest-survival rates (DSRs) included nest concealment and distance to agricultural edge. Nest survivorship for the entire nesting period was estimated at 41% (1,143 exposure days, n = 79 nests) for edge nests (<100 m from an edge) and 83% (1,831 exposure days, n = 96) for interior nests, respectively. The DSRs were also consistently higher in large than in small wetland patches. Using habitat-specific demographic parameters, I found that per-capita annual productivity was 66.3% higher in core areas than in edge areas (4.14 and 2.49 fledglings, respectively). Three key components of annual reproductive success—brood size, nest success, and renesting rate—contributed unevenly to variation in site-specific annual per-capita productivity, only the latter two being important predictors. The results indicate that edge habitats may not be perceived as suboptimal by breeding individuals, despite high rates of brood loss there.
Effect of Patient Characteristics on Reported Outcomes Over 12 Months Following Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation: A Retrospective Review of 500 Patients

Low back pain is the leading cause of years lost to disability worldwide. Approximately 15% to 45% of chronic low back pain is due to facet joint arthropathy. Currently, no large‐scale retrospective studies have investigated long‐term clinical predictors of success in individuals receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branches for facet joint arthropathy.
Pontoniine shrimps from the 2003 NORFANZ Expedition, 10 May–16 June (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

A report is presented on a small collection of pontoniine shrimps, from the Tasman Sea, by the 2003 NORFANZ Expedition. The report includes information on 5 taxa, including two species new to science, Periclimenes fenneri and P. tangeroa. Hamiger novaezealandiae Borradaile is now recorded for the first time since 1910.
Male aggression varies with throat color in 2 distinct populations of the mesquite lizard

We describe discrete variation in throat color, an important sexual signal, in males of 2 populations of the mesquite lizard (Sceloporus grammicus). At one locality, males exhibit orange, yellow, and blue morphs; whereas at the other, males exhibit orange, yellow, and white morphs. We performed dyadic agonistic behavior trials in both populations and found that variation in throat color is associated with variation in aggression level. However, the association between color and behavior is not the same between these 2 populations. The association between color and behavior in the mesquite lizard is also not consistent with some of the associations documented in closely related species with variable throat color. Our findings suggest that although the tendency for discrete color variation to signal alternative reproductive tactics is phylogenetically widespread, both the color signals and the behaviors associated with them may change rapidly over evolutionary time.
Effects of SFRP4 overexpression on the production of adipokines in transgenic mice

ABSTRACT Secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) 4 is an extracellular antagonist of Wnt signalling that regulates adipogenesis, and is highly in the visceral adipose tissue of obese individuals. However, it is still unclear how exactly SFRP4 regulates the secretion of adipokines in the adipose tissue in vivo, an event that is closely related to the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing SFRP4 in the liver and investigated SFRP4 role in adipokine secretion in mice on a regular normal diet. In Tg mice, SFRP4 protein was overexpressed in the liver, as compared to wild-type littermates (non-Tg), and released into the blood. Moreover, the size of adipocytes was smaller in the visceral adipose tissue of Tg mice compared to controls. Additionally, SFRP4 overexpression affected the expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation, causing the upregulation of adiponectin and glucose transporter 4, and the downregulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β, in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. However, there was no difference in body weight or body composition between Tg and non-Tg mice. In summary, our data showed that SFRP4 overexpression altered adipocyte size and adipokine secretion, possibly affecting adipocyte differentiation, obesity, and glucose metabolism.
NEW FOSSIL CARNIVORE REMAINS FROM THE STERKFONTEIN HOMINID SITE (MAMMALIA: CARNIVORA)

Fossil remains of mammalian carnivores from recent excavations at the Sterkfontein hominid site are described. The sample includes material from the Member 2 deposits, for which a date of 3,0-3,4 million years based on palaeomagnetic data has recently been proposed. New records for the site are Felis caracal (caracal), Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah), Homotherium crenatidens (sabre-toothed cat), Pachycrocuta brevirostris (short-faced hyaena) and Hyaena brunnea (brown hyaena), and the presence of two species of the 'hunting hyaena' Chasmaporthetes is confirmed. An updated checklist of carnivore species present in the various deposits at the site is given.
Banded Versus Nonbanded Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 3 Years of Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare silicone-banded sleeve gastrectomy (BSG) to nonbanded sleeve gastrectomy (SG) regarding weight loss, obesity-related comorbidities, and complications. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA As a primary bariatric procedure, SG leads to excellent weight loss, yet weight regain is a relevant issue in mid- to long-term follow-up. Retrospective analyses suggest that banding a sleeve using a silicone ring may decrease weight regain and improve weight loss. METHODS The banded versus nonbanded sleeve gastrectomy single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted from January 2015 to August 2019. The primary endpoint was defined as excess weight loss 3 years after surgery. Secondary endpoints included the surgery's impact on obesity-related comorbidities, quality of life, and complications. The study was registered under DRKS00007729. RESULTS Among 94 patients randomized, 97% completed 3-year follow-up. Mean initial body mass index was 50.9 kg/m [95% confidence interval (CI), 49.6-52.2]. Mean adjusted excess weight loss 3 years after SG amounted to 62.3% (95% CI, 56.2-68.5) and 73.9% ( 95% CI, 67.8-80.0) after BSG (difference 11.6%, P = 0.0073). Remission of type 2 diabetes occurred in 66.7% (4/6) after SG and in 91.0% (10/11) following BSG (P = 0.21). Three years after surgery, ring implantation correlated with decreased frequency of symptomatic reflux episodes (P = 0.01) but increased frequency of regurgitation (P = 0.03). The rate of major complications was not different between the study groups (BSG, n = 3; SG, n = 2; P = 0.63). Quality of life was better following BSG (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS BSG provided better weight loss than nonbanded SG 3 years after surgery. Regurgitation was the main clinically relevant negative effect after BSG.
Informações biológicas e estimativa do tamanho ideal da colmeia para a abelha tiúba do Maranhão (Melipona compressipes fasciculata Smith - Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Four places in Latin-America have Melipona Illiger, 1806 beekeeping: Mexico, with M. beecheii Bennet, 1831; Northeast Brasil, with M. scutellaris Latreille, 1811; Maranhao State (Brazil) with M. compressipes fasciculata Smith, 1854; Venezuela, in her coast, with M. favosa (Fabricius, 1798). Natural colonies of M. compressipes fasciculata occupied tree holes ranging from 6,5 to 24 1. The average honey production of 60 colonies in hives with capacity of 50.2 1, 41.0, 30.2, 16.5 and 6.2 were respectively 8.4, 6.5, 5.5, 3.3 and 2.0 Kg. Due to lack of bee flowers within the city limits, hives with a volume of 27 1 (30x30x30 cm) were used successfully in our future experiments with M. compressipes fasciculata instead of the ideal size of 40 to 50 liters, since the intense use of biological material did not allow the colonies to reach large sizes.
Field trials of the synthetic sex pheromones of the striped rice borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and of related compounds

The female sex pheromones of Chilo suppressalis (Wlk.) were previously identified as (Z)-11-hexadecenal and (Z)-13-octadecenal. This paper describes field trials of the synthetic pheromones carried out in the Philippines, Korea and Iran during 1975 and 1976. These trials established that the two pheromones in their naturally occurring ratio are attractive to male C. suppressalis in the field. Both pheromones are necessary for efficient attraction, and ratios of the two pheromones close to the naturally occurring ratio are the most attractive. The rate of release of the pheromones was found to be critical in order to obtain an attractant source comparable with the virgin female moth. The bisulphite adducts of the pheromones showed some promise as a slow-release source of attractant material with a long field life. Preliminary experiments were carried out to assess the potential use of the two natural pheromones and of two pheromone “mimics”. (Z)-9-tetradecenyl formate and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl formate, as mating disruptants. All four compounds were shown to interfere with pheromonal communication between the sexes
Chitinase production from Seafood wastes by Plant pathogen Bionectria CBNR BKRR sps and its application in Bioremediation studies

Bionectria CBNR BKRR, isolated from the marine soils of Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu was used successfully for the biodegradation of four different sea food wastes-Crab shell, Snail shell, Shrimp shell, Fish scales to produce highly active chitinase enzyme. The crude chitinase so extracted was characterized and maximum activity was calculated from the reaction mixture containing, 2 ml crude enzyme, 0.5 ml of 10% colloidal chitin, pH 6 and a reaction time of 10 min at 50°C incubation temperature. Maximum chitinase enzyme activity was obtained in the case of fish scales (5.8 U/min) Shrimp wastes (4.0 U/min), followed by Snail shell (3.9 U/min), Crab shell (3.7 U/min). The amount of seafood wastes degraded was as follows-Crab shell (0.27g), Snail shell (0.01g), Shrimp shell (0.42g) and Fish scales (1.64g). The results indicated that Bionectria CBNR BKRR is efficient fungus to produce highly active chitinase when grown in statistically optimized medium containing Snail shell, Crab shell, Fish scales and Shrimp shells as substrates.
Establishment and rapid spread of the bitou seed fly, Mesoclanis polana Munro (Diptera: Tephritidae), in eastern Australia

The establishment and spread of the seed fly Mesoclanis polana Munro, an introduced biological control agent for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.) Norlindh, is described. From an initial release of 124 adult flies in August 1996, the species occupied virtually the entire range of bitou bush by October 1998, from Rainbow Beach in the north to Tathra in the south, a distance of over 1200 km. Early data on abundance are provided.
Degradation characteristic of tomato pomace, soybean hull and peanut pod in the rumen using nylon bag technique.

Degradation characteristics of three by-product, were studied using the nylon bag technique. Nylon bags technique were conducted in two rumen fistulated Brahman-Thai native crossbred steers. They were offered ad libitum rice straw and received concentrate at 0.5% BW. Nylon bags containing 3.0 g of each by- product were immersed in duplicate at each time point in the ventral rumen of each steer for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The data were fitted to the equation P = a+b (1-e ) and effective degradability were calculated using -ct a theoretical rumen out flow rate of k = 0.05/h. The treatments were 1) tomato pomace, 2) soybean hull and 3) peanut pod assigned according to a completely randomize design with four replication. The results indicate that the rapidly soluble fraction (a), potentially degradable fraction (b), degradation rate (c) and potential degradation (a+b) of DM, OM and CP were different among treatments (p<0.01). The effective degradability of DM, OM and CP are the same between soybean hull and peanut pot, but differences with tomato pomace. This data is necessary to screen by-product for nutritive value before using them in ruminant production systems.
Physiological and Quality Response of Guava Fruits to Posture during Storage

Fruits from the winter season crop of guava (Psidlum guajava L.) were harvested at the green mature stage and stored at ambient conditions in three postures: 1) natural, pedicel end vertically upward; 2) reverse, pedicel end vertically downward; and 3) horizontal, pedicel end sideways. Fruits in the natural posture showed minimum physiological loss in weight, ripening percentage, ethylene and CO 2 evolution rates, and maximum soluble solids and ascorbic acid concentrations during storage. Organ- oleptic rating and other characteristics indicate that guava fruits should be packed in the natural posture to retain better quality for longer periods. Guava is a productive and remunerative crop. Its nutritive value is also high. It bears two annual crops under north Indian condi- tions, i.e. during the summer rainy and win- ter dry seasons. Generally, the winter crop is preferred, due to its high quality and longer shelf life.
NGS-based approaches for the diagnosis of intellectual disability and other genetically heterogeneous developmental disorders

Some monogenic disorders are characterized by a vast genetic heterogeneity. In individuals with similar clinical phenotype, causative mutations can be found in one gene from a subset described as implicated in the disease. Such genetic heterogeneity limits considerably the diagnostic offer for the patients, and a majority is left without molecular diagnosis. We developed an alternative diagnostic approach by targeted high throughput sequencing (specific to the coding regions of genes of interest by a technique of exon capture) through three genetically heterogeneous disorders: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (19 genes reported), leukodystrophies (50 genes), and intellectual disability (>400 genes). In light of its efficiency, this approach has since been implemented in diagnostic routine for Bardet-Biedl syndrome and intellectual disability (80% and 25% of diagnostic yields respectively, significantly higher than those of previous methods). Beyond diagnosis, this approach allows unbiased means to assess the contribution of each gene in the disease and highlight recurrent genes, and establish new correlations genotype to phenotype, overall providing much insight in the genetics of a particular disease.