Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependent viral tropism: understanding viral seasonality and pathogenicity as applied to the avoidance and treatment of endemic viral respiratory illnesses

This review seeks to explain three features of viral respiratory illnesses that have perplexed generations of virologists: (1) the seasonal timing of respiratory illness and the rapid response of outbreaks to weather, specifically temperature; (2) the common viruses causing respiratory illness worldwide, including year‐round disease in the Tropics; (3) the rapid arrival and termination of epidemics caused by influenza and other viruses. The inadequacy of the popular explanations of seasonality is discussed, and a simple hypothesis is proposed, called temperature dependent viral tropism (TDVT), that is compatible with the above features of respiratory illness. TDVT notes that viruses can spread more effectively if they moderate their pathogenicity (thereby maintaining host mobility) and suggests that endemic respiratory viruses accomplish this by developing thermal sensitivity within a range that supports organ‐specific viral tropism within the human body, whereby they replicate most rapidly at temperatures below body temperature. This can confine them to the upper respiratory tract and allow them to avoid infecting the lungs, heart, gut etc. Biochemical and tissue‐culture studies show that ‘wild’ respiratory viruses show such natural thermal sensitivity. The typical early autumn surge of colds and the occurrence of respiratory illness in the Tropics year‐round at intermediate levels are explained by the tendency for strains to adapt their thermal sensitivity to their local climate and season. TDVT has important practical implications for preventing and treating respiratory illness including Covid‐19. It is testable with many options for experiments to increase our understanding of viral seasonality and pathogenicity.
Beyond Wishful Thinking during the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Hope Reduces the Effects of Death Arousal on Hostility toward Outgroups among Conservative and Liberal Media Users for COVID-19 Information

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has made death more salient to individuals, which has partly contributed to the amplification of hostility toward others who have different perspectives from oneself. Recognizing that the politicization of COVID-19 and the resulting polarization have become increasingly critical issues, this study investigates how death-related thinking and hope about the pandemic can affect hostility toward outgroups as well as how conservative and liberal media usages moderate the indirect effects of hope. An online survey experiment of people in the U.S. (N = 759) during the pandemic showed that death arousal reduced hope and that these low levels of hope exacerbated hostility toward outgroups in the pandemic context, confirming the positive impact of hope. Importantly, however, our study did not show that hope had a beneficial impact for heavy conservative media users.
Modeling historic incidence trends implies early field cancerization in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Patterns of cancer incidence, viewed over extended time periods, reveal important aspects of multistage carcinogenesis. Here we show how a multistage clonal expansion (MSCE) model for cancer can be harnessed to identify biological processes that shape the surprisingly dynamic and disparate incidence patterns of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the US population. While the dramatic rise in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in the US has been largely attributed to reflux related increases in the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), the premalignant field in which most EAC are thought to arise, only scant evidence exists for field cancerization contributing to ESCC. Our analyses of incidence patterns suggest that ESCC is associated with a premalignant field that may develop very early in life. Although the risk of ESCC, which is substantially higher in Blacks than Whites, is generally assumed to be associated with late-childhood and adult exposures to carcinogens, such as from tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and various industrial exposures, the temporal trends we identify for ESCC suggest an onset distribution of field-defects before age 10, most strongly among Blacks. These trends differ significantly in shape and strength from field-defect trends that we estimate for US Whites. Moreover, the rates of ESCC-predisposing field-defects predicted by the model for cohorts of black children are decreasing for more recent birth cohorts (for Blacks born after 1940). These results point to a potential etiologic role of factors acting early in life, perhaps related to nutritional deficiencies, in the development of ESCC and its predisposing field-defect. Such factors may explain some of the striking racial differences seen in ESCC incidence patterns over time in the US.
Remembering the romantic past: Autobiographical memory functions and romantic relationship quality

Do the reasons why we think about our memories and share them with others have implications for our romantic relationship quality? In the present series of studies (total N = 1,102), we aimed to answer this question by examining whether the self (e.g., creating a stable self-image), social (e.g., connecting with others) and directive (e.g., guiding future behavior) functions of regular memories (Study 1, Study 2) and relationship memories (Study 2, Study 3) were related to intimacy and satisfaction in the current relationship. We further investigated these links when relationship memories were shared with the romantic partner (Study 3). Results showed no association between the self-reported uses of memory for regular events and relationship quality. In contrast, the social function served by the relationship events was positively associated, and the directive function was negatively associated with intimacy and relationship satisfaction. When the memories were to be shared with the partner, only social function was related, positively, to the relationship satisfaction. Findings were discussed in terms of the importance of considering the self-reported reasons for recalling an event and understanding of the contextual factors in remembering.
In vivo targets of Salmonella FinO include a FinP-like small RNA controlling copy number of a cohabitating plasmid

Abstract FinO-domain proteins represent an emerging family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with diverse roles in bacterial post-transcriptional control and physiology. They exhibit an intriguing targeting spectrum, ranging from an assumed single RNA pair (FinP/traJ) for the plasmid-encoded FinO protein, to transcriptome-wide activity as documented for chromosomally encoded ProQ proteins. Thus, the shared FinO domain might bear an unusual plasticity enabling it to act either selectively or promiscuously on the same cellular RNA pool. One caveat to this model is that the full suite of in vivo targets of the assumedly highly selective FinO protein is unknown. Here, we have extensively profiled cellular transcripts associated with the virulence plasmid-encoded FinO in Salmonella enterica. While our analysis confirms the FinP sRNA of plasmid pSLT as the primary FinO target, we identify a second major ligand: the RepX sRNA of the unrelated antibiotic resistance plasmid pRSF1010. FinP and RepX are strikingly similar in length and structure, but not in primary sequence, and so may provide clues to understanding the high selectivity of FinO-RNA interactions. Moreover, we observe that the FinO RBP encoded on the Salmonella virulence plasmid controls the replication of a cohabitating antibiotic resistance plasmid, suggesting cross-regulation of plasmids on the RNA level.
Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patterns of Practice and Outcomes in Japan and Europe

Objectives: The Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database–Congenital section (JCVSD-Congenital) and the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association (ECHSA) Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD) share the same nomenclature. We aimed at comparing congenital cardiac surgical patterns of practice and outcomes in Japan and Europe using the JCVSD-Congenital and ECHSA-CHSD. Methods and Results: We examined Japanese (120 units, 63,365 operations) and European (96 units, 90,098 operations) data in JCVSD-Congenital and ECHSA-CHSD from 2011 to 2017. Patients’ age and weight, periprocedural times, mortality at hospital discharge, and postoperative length of stay were calculated for ten benchmark operations. There was a significantly higher proportion of ventricular septal defect closures and Glenn operations and a significantly lower proportion of coarctation repairs, tetralogy of Fallot repairs, atrioventricular septal defect repairs, arterial switch operations, truncus repairs, Norwood operations, and Fontan operations in JCVSD-Congenital compared to ECHSA-CHSD. Postoperative length of stay was significantly longer following all benchmark operations in JCVSD-Congenital compared to ECHSA-CHSD. Mean STAT mortality score (Society of Thoracic Surgeons European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery mortality score) was significantly higher in JCVSD-Congenital (0.78) compared to ECHSA-CHSD (0.71). Mortality at hospital discharge was significantly lower in JCVSD-Congenital (4.2%) compared to ECHSA-CHSD (6.0%, P < .001). Conclusions: The distribution of the benchmark procedures and age at the time of surgery differ between Japan and Europe. Postoperative length of stay is longer, and the mean complexity is higher in Japan compared to European data. These comparisons of patterns of practice and outcomes demonstrate opportunities for continuing bidirectional transcontinental collaboration and quality improvement.
Investigating the Effects of Threatening Language, Message Framing, and Reactance in Opt-Out Organ Donation Campaigns

Abstract Background Under opt-out organ donation policies, individuals are automatically considered to have agreed to donate their organs in the absence of a recorded opt-out decision. Growing evidence suggests that the language used within organ donation campaigns influences donor intentions and decision-making. Purpose As awareness campaigns to promote opt-out consent in the UK are ongoing, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of language and message framing used in opt-out organ donation campaigns on donor intentions and psychological reactance. Methods Individuals from Scotland and England (N = 1,350) completed this online experiment. Participants were randomized to view one of four messages, designed in the format of a newspaper article, which described the upcoming opt-out system. This followed a 2 × 2 design whereby the degree of threatening language (high threat vs. low threat) and message framing (loss vs. gain) of the newspaper article was experimentally manipulated. Measures of intention (pre-exposure and postexposure) and postmessage reactance (threat to freedom and anger and counter-arguing) were obtained. Results A mixed analysis of variance revealed a significant Group × Time interaction on donor intentions; post hoc analysis revealed that intentions significantly decreased for individuals exposed to the High threat × Loss frame article but significantly increased for those exposed to the High threat × Gain frame article. Conclusions In campaigns to promote opt-out legislation, high-threat language combined with loss-frame messages should be avoided. If high-threat language is used, gain-frame messaging that highlights the benefits of organ donation should also be incorporated.
Fat Talk in College Women: A Response Styles Perspective

This study placed the phenomenon of college women’s fat talk within response styles theory. We predicted that with increasing trait body dissatisfaction there would be an increase in rumination leading to a greater frequency of fat talk. We also predicted that neuroticism would moderate this mediation pathway, and that these effects would occur over and above body size. A survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 212 college women with a mean age of 22.04 years (SDage = 2.61). A bootstrap analysis utilizing PROCESS software supported the predicted moderated-mediation model. Thus, those college women higher in both trait body dissatisfaction and neuroticism would experience greater rumination and engage more frequently in fat talk. Implications of applying a response styles perspective for future research and fat talk interventions are discussed.
Phylogenomic and ecological analyses reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of global pines

Significance Understanding what determines the distribution of biodiversity remains one of the great challenges in evolutionary biology and ecology. The Northern Hemisphere conifers do not follow a latitudinal diversity gradient and show a unique distribution pattern, that is most species are distributed at middle latitudes. To reveal the mechanisms underlying this pattern, we investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of the largest conifer genus Pinus. We find that the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary museum for Pinus, and particularly, topography has played the most important role in pine diversification. Moreover, our results indicate that pine’s preference of warm and somewhat drier habitats could be helpful for their adaptation to the Anthropocene climate warming, which is important for biodiversity conservation and forest management. How coniferous forests evolved in the Northern Hemisphere remains largely unknown. Unlike most groups of organisms that generally follow a latitudinal diversity gradient, most conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere are distributed in mountainous areas at middle latitudes. It is of great interest to know whether the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary cradle or museum for conifers and how evolutionary and ecological factors have driven their spatiotemporal evolution. Here, we investigated the macroevolution of Pinus, the largest conifer genus and characteristic of northern temperate coniferous forests, based on nearly complete species sampling. Using 1,662 genes from transcriptome sequences, we reconstructed a robust species phylogeny and reestimated divergence times of global pines. We found that ∼90% of extant pine species originated in the Miocene in sharp contrast to the ancient origin of Pinus, indicating a Neogene rediversification. Surprisingly, species at middle latitudes are much older than those at other latitudes. This finding, coupled with net diversification rate analysis, indicates that the midlatitude region has provided an evolutionary museum for global pines. Analyses of 31 environmental variables, together with a comparison of evolutionary rates of niche and phenotypic traits with a net diversification rate, found that topography played a primary role in pine diversification, and the aridity index was decisive for the niche rate shift. Moreover, fire has forced diversification and adaptive evolution of Pinus. Our study highlights the importance of integrating phylogenomic and ecological approaches to address evolution of biological groups at the global scale.
Conventional Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in an Experimental Model of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Quantitative Immunocytochemical Analysis of Intracellular γ‐Aminobutyric Acid in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

The sensory cell somata in the DRG contain all equipment necessary for extensive GABAergic signaling and are able to release GABA upon depolarization. With this study, we hypothesize that pain relief induced by conventional dorsal root ganglion stimulation (Con‐DRGS) in animals with experimental painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is related to the release of GABA from DRG neurons. With use of quantitative immunocytochemistry, we hypothesize DRGS to result in a decreased intensity of intracellular GABA‐immunostaining in DRG somata.
Association between the Persistence of Obesity and the Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Purpose There remains controversy about relationship between obesity and gastric cancer. We aimed to examine the association using obesity-persistence. Materials and Methods We analyzed a nationwide population-based cohort which underwent health check-up between 2009 and 2012. Among them, those who had annual examinations during the last 5 years were selected. Gastric cancer risk was compared between those without obesity during the 5 years (never-obesity group) and those with obesity diagnosis during the 5 years (non-persistent obesity group; persistent obesity group). Results Among 2,757,017 individuals, 13,441 developed gastric cancer after median 6.78 years of follow-up. Gastric cancer risk was the highest in persistent obesity group (incidence rate [IR], 0.89/1,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 1.197; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.117 to 1.284), followed by non-persistent obesity group (IR, 0.83/1,000 person-years; HR, 1.113; 95% CI, 1.056 to 1.172) compared with never-obesity group. In subgroup analysis, this positive relationship was true among those < 65 years old and male. Among heavy-drinkers, the impact of obesity-persistence on the gastric cancer risk far increased (non-persistent obesity: HR, 1.297; 95% CI, 1.094 to 1.538; persistent obesity: HR, 1.351; 95% CI, 1.076 to 1.698). Conclusion Obesity-persistence is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in a dose-response manner, especially among male < 65 years old. The risk raising effect was much stronger among heavy-drinkers.
Perception and first defense responses against Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola in Phaseolus vulgaris L.: identification of Wall-Associated Kinase receptors.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is attacked by several pathogens such as the biotrophic gamma-proteobacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Pph). In order to study the Pph-bean interaction during the first stages of infection, leaf disks of a susceptible bean variety named Riñón were infected with a pathogenic Pph. Using this experimental system, six new putative Wall-Associated Kinase (WAKs) receptors, previously identified in silico, were tested. These six bean WAKs (PvWAKs) showed high protein sequence homology to the well-described Arabidopsis WAK1 (AtWAK1) receptor and, by phylogenetic analysis, clustered together with AtWAKs. The expression of PvWAK1 increased at very early stages after the Pph infection. Time course experiments were performed to evaluate the accumulation of apoplastic H2O2, Ca2+ influx, total H2O2, antioxidant enzymatic activities, lipid peroxidation, and the concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA), as well as the expression of six defense-related genes - MEKK-1, MAPKK, WRKY33, RIN4, PR1 and NPR1. The results showed that overexpression of PR1 occurred 2 h after Pph infection without a concomitant increase in SA levels. Although apoplastic H2O2 increased after infection, the oxidative burst was neither intense nor rapid and an efficient antioxidant response did not occur, suggesting that the observed cellular damage was due to the initial increase in total H2O2 at early time points after infection. In conclusion, the Riñón variety can perceive the presence of Pph, but this recognition only results in a modest and slow activation of host defenses, leading to high susceptibility to Pph.
The sesamoid bone in the long abductor muscle tendon of the first digit in the dog

The sesamoid bone in the tendon of the m. abductor digiti primi longus is considered present in most dog breeds and is described to be radiologically detectable at the level of the carpus from the age of 4 months. However, an extensive investigation of this sesamoid bone has not been conducted before. The aim of this study was therefore to determine its prevalence in different dog breeds, to describe its histological development, and to determine the age at which it becomes radiologically visible. The prevalence of the sesamoid bone was assessed on radiographic images of the carpus or by dissection of the carpal region in 743 adult dogs of 115 breeds. Its development was studied by dissection and histological analysis in 45 puppies and its timing of radiological appearance was evaluated in 209 puppies. At least one sesamoid bone was present in all adult dogs, except for 14 dogs of six breeds of predominantly the small breed category. The lowest prevalence rate of 38.46% was exhibited in the French bulldog. The histological development could be divided into five stages. The first radiographic appearance corresponded to the coalescence of smaller ossification centers into one big nucleus (stage 4). The mean time of radiographic appearance was 108.4 days. This study provides extensive data on the prevalence and timing of the radiographic appearance of a sesamoid at the carpus of the dog. The data on radiographic appearance may be helpful in the age estimation of puppies.
ToxR Mediates the Antivirulence Activity of Phenyl-Arginine-β-Naphthylamide To Attenuate Vibrio cholerae Virulence

Multidrug efflux systems belonging to the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family are ubiquitous in Gram-negative bacteria and are critical for antimicrobial resistance. This realization has led to efforts to develop efflux pump inhibitors (EPI) for use as adjuvants for antibiotic treatment of resistant organisms. ABSTRACT Multidrug efflux systems belonging to the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family are ubiquitous in Gram-negative bacteria and are critical for antimicrobial resistance. This realization has led to efforts to develop efflux pump inhibitors (EPI) for use as adjuvants for antibiotic treatment of resistant organisms. However, the functions of RND transporters extend beyond antimicrobial resistance to include physiological functions that are critical for pathogenesis, suggesting that EPIs could also be used as antivirulence therapeutics. This was documented in the enteric pathogen Vibrio cholerae, in which EPIs were shown to attenuate the production of the critical virulence factors cholera toxin (CT) and the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP). In this study, we investigated the antivirulence mechanism of action of the EPI phenyl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAβN) on V. cholerae. Using bioassays, we documented that PAβN inhibited virulence factor production in three epidemic V. cholerae isolates. Transcriptional reporter studies and mutant analysis indicated that PAβN initiated a ToxR-dependent regulatory circuit to activate leuO expression and that LeuO repressed the expression of the critical virulence activator aphA to attenuate CT and TCP production. The antivirulence activity of PAβN was found to be dependent on the ToxR periplasmic sensing domain (PPD), suggesting that a feedback mechanism was involved in its activity. Collectively, the data indicated that PAβN inhibited V. cholerae virulence factor production by activating a ToxR-dependent metabolic feedback mechanism to repress the expression of the ToxR virulence regulon. This suggests that efflux pump inhibitors could be used as antivirulence therapeutics for the treatment of cholera and perhaps that of other Gram-negative pathogens.