Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The opposite effect of human leukocyte antigen genotypes in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis: a narrative review of the literature

Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis share several similar clinical and pathogenic characteristics that make some researchers consider a common pathogenesis for these diseases. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes are studied both in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis patients, but to our knowledge, there are no comparative studies of genetic predisposition for sarcoidosis and tuberculosis development. The aim of this review was to analyse the relationship between HLA genotypes and the development of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Original and review articles published in various online databases from 1960 to 2019 were studied. The search results showed opposite effects of the HLA genotypes on predisposition to sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. It was revealed that the genotypes predisposing to the development of sarcoidosis (HLA-DRB1*03/07/15) have protective properties against the development of tuberculosis. Moreover, genotypes causing the development of tuberculosis (HLA-DRB1*04) have a protective effect on the development of sarcoidosis. The results of this narrative review of the literature may allude to the existence of genetic predispositions that lead to the development of an antibacterial or autoimmune response to mycobacteria. The HLA-DRB1*03/07/15 genotypes predispose to the development of sarcoidosis and have protective properties against the development of tuberculosis, while the HLA-DRB1*04 genotype has an opposite effect on the development of these diseases https://bit.ly/2Tl2rj1
A multinational review: Oesophageal cancer in low to middle-income countries

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is an aggressive neoplasm that manifests in the gastrointestinal tract and is the result of numerous factors that can contribute to the development of the disease. These may include old age, nutritional deficiencies, oesophageal obstruction and food ingestion difficulties. Environmental factors serve a large role in increasing the risk of developing OC. Two factors that serve an increasing risk of developing OC are the use of tobacco and the consumption of alcohol. Genetic factors also exhibit a large effect on the risk of developing OC, for example, the causative genes in Black Africans differ from other races. OC is 3–4 times more common among men than women. OC has been previously reported in >450 000 individuals worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. The current review compares OC in low to middle-income countries with developed countries. The incidence of OC, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is high in low and middle-income countries. In developed countries, the incidence of SCC is low compared with adenocarcinoma. The majority of OC cases are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, leading to high mortality rates. The current review aimed to discuss factors that contribute to the development of this disease in different geographical areas and genetic mechanisms governing these findings. The current review also aims to discuss the preventative treatment options for the disease, and also discusses the diagnosis and surveillance in five LMICs, including South Africa, China, Tanzania, India and Brazil.
Lead compounds for the development of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors

We report the identification of three structurally diverse compounds – compound 4, GC376, and MAC-5576 – as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease. Structures of each of these compounds in complex with the protease revealed strategies for further development, as well as general principles for designing SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors. These compounds may therefore serve as leads for the basis of building effective SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors.
LEUCOSIID CRABS FROM PANGLAO, PHILIPPINES, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW SPECIES (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

Thirty-eight species of leucosiid crabs are reported from Panglao in Bohol, the Central Philippines. Of these, three are new to science: Alox bothros, A. chaunos, and Urnalana cristata, while five constitute new records for the Philippines: Leucosia rubripalma Galil, 2003, Myra tumidospina Galil, 2001, Urnalana elata (A. Milne-Edwards, 1874), U. pulchella (Bell, 1855) and U. whitei (Bell, 1855). The new species are described and illustrated, and their affinities with allied taxa discussed Tokoyo triloba Komatsu, Manual & Takeda, 2005, is also synonymised with T. eburnea (Alcock, 1896)
Association of Lipid Profile with Type 2 Diabetes in First-Degree Relatives: A 14-Year Follow-Up Study in Iran

Purpose Dyslipidemia is claimed to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with T2DM are reported to be at higher risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum lipid profile and T2DM incidence in FDRs. Patients and methods Information on 1222 T2DM FDRs during 14 years of follow-up was retrieved. All individuals were examined for diabetes status and dyslipidemia once a year. We used a Bayesian joint longitudinal-survival model to assess the association. Results Our data showed that a 10 mg/dL increase in triglycerides (TG), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol levels during the follow-up period was associated with an increased risk of diabetes by 5%, 29%, and 6.6%, respectively. Moreover, for every one-unit increase in the TG to HDL ratio, the T2DM incidence increased by 35%. Subgroup analysis also showed that the increased risk of diabetes was significant only in female FDRs, so that a 10 mg/dL increase in TG and VLDL cholesterol level and a one-unit increase in TG to HDL ratio in female FDRs resulted in an increased risk of diabetes by 7.8%, 46%, and 64%, respectively. However, analysis of HDL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), TC to HDL, and LDL to HDL cholesterol levels/ratios did not find any statistically significant associations. Conclusion Increases in TG, VLDL, non-HDL cholesterol level, and TG to HDL ratio are associated with an increased risk of T2DM in FDRs, especially in female FDRs.
Nitrogen and Ergosterol Concentrations Varied in Live Jack Pine Phloem Following Inoculations With Fungal Associates of Mountain Pine Beetle

Bark beetles form symbiotic associations with multiple species of fungi that supplement their metabolic needs. However, the relative contributions of each symbiont to the nutrition of bark beetles have been largely unexplored. Thus, we evaluated the ability of three fungal symbionts of mountain pine beetle to concentrate nitrogen and produce ergosterol while infecting phloem of a novel host jack pine. Ergosterol was used as proxy to determine the fungal biomass (hyphal density) in the current study. We inoculated 80 trees in two forest stands with one of the three fungal species or a non-fungal (control) agar. Six weeks later, we collected phloem from the necrotic lesions induced by the fungi, uninfected tissues adjacent to lesions, and non-inoculated control trees. We found that nutritional contributions varied with fungal species. Nitrogen in lesions was higher in trees inoculated with Ophiostoma montium or control trees, relative to Grosmannia clavigera or Leptographium longiclavatum. Furthermore, concentrations of ergosterol were higher in O. montium lesions compared to other tissues or treatments. These results suggest that O. montium differs from G. clavigera and L. longiclavatum in terms of acquiring nitrogen from host tissues and producing ergosterol.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Birth Weight among Term Newborns in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia

Introduction Birth weight has emerged as the pointer of infant wellbeing and the fundamental focus of infant health policy. Low birth weight predisposes newborns to loads of health disarray like underweight, stunting, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, mental retardation, physical, and neurodevelopment problems which results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weights in term newborns. Objective This study designed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among term newborns in Dilla town, Southern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used on 472 term newborns. The study setting includes three health centers (Dilla, Wallemi, and Tumetecha) within Dilla town and Dilla University referral hospital from September 1, 2018, to January 30, 2019. The study subjects were mothers with term newborns delivered in the above institutions and those delivered at home and received care within the first 24 hours after delivery in the above health care settings. Results A total of 161 (34.1%) of the term newborns were low birth weight. Divorced mothers, rural residents, maternal age <20 years old, unwanted and unintended pregnancy, no ANC follow-up, no dietary counsel, no foliate supplementation, and cigarette smoking have shown an association with low birth weight of neonates. Conclusions Even though the method of sampling used in this study has its confines, the prevalence of low birth weight in this study was higher than the estimate in Ethiopia. Therefore, it is recommended that special attention should be given to pregnant mothers to get adequate rest, additional diet, and antenatal services available and accessible to all pregnant women.
Prognostic and Clinicopathological Significance of X-Box-Binding Protein 1 and N-Acetyltransferase 1 in Gallbladder Cancer

Background: X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) and N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) are involved in oncogenesis and progression of many human cancer types. However, the roles of XBP1 and NAT1 in gallbladder cancer (GBC) are never reported. Methods: We examined XBP1 and NAT1 expression in GBC and matched adjacent non-tumor tissues via Western blotting. Then, we assayed XBP1 and NAT1 expression in 215 GBCs, including 69 squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinomas (SC/ASCs) and 146 adenocarcinomas (ACs) with immunohistochemistry. Their prognostic and clinicopathological significance was further evaluated using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test, Kaplan–Meier univariate survival analysis, and log-rank tests. Results: XBP1 expression was upregulated, and NAT1 expression was downregulated in GBC. Immunohistochemical results showed that XBP1 expression was negatively associated with NAT1 expression in GBC, including SC/ASC and AC. The rate of patients with an age of more than 45 years, positivity of lymph node metastasis, and invasion were significantly higher in SC/ASC than those in AC (all P < 0.05). The percentage of XBP1-positive and NAT1-negative expression was significantly higher in the cases with poor differentiation, advanced tumor, nodes, and metastases (TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis, invasion, and only receiving biopsy in GBC, SC/ASC, and AC (all P < 0.05). XBP1-positive and NAT1-negative expression was positively related to larger tumor size (>3 cm) in GBC and AC. There was a negative association between XBP1 and NAT1 expression in GBC, SC/ASC, and AC (all P < 0.05). Positive XBP1 and negative NAT1 expression was closely associated with decreased overall survival in GBC, SC/ASC, and AC patients (all P < 0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that positive XBP1 or negative NAT1 expression was an independent factor for poor prognosis in gallbladder SC/ASC and AC patients. Conclusions: This study indicates that positive XBP1 and negative NAT1 expression are closely associated with the clinicopathological and biological behaviors and poor prognosis in GBC.
Short-term effects of air pollution on exacerbations of allergic asthma in Užice region, Serbia

Introduction Many time-series studies have shown a positive association between air pollution and asthma exacerbation. However, till now only one study in Serbia has examined this relationship. Aim To examine the associations between air pollution and asthma emergency department (ED) visits in the Užice region, Serbia. Material and methods A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied to 424 ED visits for asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region, Serbia, in 2012–2014. Data about ED visits were routinely collected in the Užice Health Centre. The daily average concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black carbon (BC) were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity and air pressure). Results Statistically significant associations were observed between ED visits for asthma and 3-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.23; 95% CI: 1.05–9.95), and between ED visits for asthma with coexisting allergic rhinitis and 0-day lag exposure to NO2 (OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 0.94–2.65), 2-day lag exposure to SO2 (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.02–3.80), and 3-day lag exposure to PM10 (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.17–4.84). Conclusions Exposure to ambient air pollution in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for asthma, particularly during the heating season.
Distribution of Pectobacterium Species Isolated in South Korea and Comparison of Temperature Effects on Pathogenicity

Pectobacterium, which causes soft rot disease, is divided into 18 species based on the current classification. A total of 225 Pectobacterium strains were isolated from 10 main cultivation regions of potato (Solanum tuberosum), napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis), and radish (Raphanus sativus) in South Korea; 202 isolates (90%) were from potato, 18 from napa cabbage, and five from radish. Strains were identified using the Biolog test and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity and swimming motility were tested at four different temperatures. Pectolytic activity and plant cell-wall degrading enzyme (PCWDE) activity were evaluated for six species (P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, Pcc; P. odoriferum, Pod; P. brasiliense, Pbr; P. versatile, Pve; P. polaris, Ppo; P. parmentieri, Ppa). Pod, Pcc, Pbr, and Pve were the most prevalent species. Although P. atrosepticum is a widespread pathogen in other countries, it was not found here. This is the first report of Ppo, Ppa, and Pve in South Korea. Pectobacterium species showed stronger activity at 28°C and 32°C than at 24°C, and showed weak activity at 37°C. Pectolytic activity decreased with increasing temperature. Activity of pectate lyase was not significantly affected by temperature. Activity of protease, cellulase, and polygalacturonase decreased with increasing temperature. The inability of isolated Pectobacterium to soften host tissues at 37°C may be a consequence of decreased motility and PCWDE activity. These data suggest that future increases in temperature as a result of climate change may affect the population dynamics of Pectobacterium.
Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma Manifested with Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Positive Anti-RNA Polymerase III Antibody: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc) is a rare disease in which patients present with internal organ manifestations of systemic sclerosis in the absence of cutaneous findings. They tend to have serological markers characteristic of systemic sclerosis (SSc), including positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anticentromere antibodies (ACA). The disease has been rarely reported in the literature, and the diagnosis can be easily missed due to a lack of relevant skin findings. Here we report a patient who presented with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding with angioectasia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), positive ANA, positive ACA, and positive anti-RNA polymerase III antibody. The constellation of all these findings has, to our knowledge, never been described in the literature. The purpose of presenting this case is to raise the clinician’s awareness of the occurrence of this disease when similar internal organs manifestations of scleroderma are encountered, and to monitor for the development of other internal manifestations and intervene promptly and accordingly.
Establishment and Spread of Typhlodromalus manihoti (Acari: Phytoseiidae), an Introduced Phytoseiid Predator of Mononychellus tanajoa (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Africa

The phytoseiid predator Typhlodromalus manihoti Moraes was introduced into the cassava belt of Africa from South America against the exotic mite pest Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) beginning in 1988. The 1st population to become established was released in 1989. Establishments are now found in Benin, Burundi, Ghana, and Nigeria where they cover an area estimated at 4,300 km2. T. manihoti dispersed at a rate of 3.3 km/yr, spreading 5 times faster during the dry compared with the wet season and in proportion to the frequency of surrounding cassava fields. Populations of T. manihoti fluctuated with the seasonal abundance of M. tanajoa . Established populations of T. manihoti comprised a quarter of the phytoseiids found on cassava with a higher proportion present during the dry season. T. manihoti was recovered from 12 species of plants including 5 Euphorbiaceae in addition to cassava. Evidence of T. manihoti establishment in only part of the cassava belt suggests the search for other natural enemies of M. tanajoa in Africa should continue.
Macrophage Subpopulations and the Acute Inflammatory Response of Elderly Human Skeletal Muscle to Physiological Resistance Exercise

The current model for repair of damaged tissue includes immune cells, mediating the progression from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory environment. How this process changes with aging in human skeletal muscle under conditions of physiological exercise loading remains unclear. To investigate this, 25 elderly males (mean age 70 ± SD 7 years), as well as 12 young (23 ± 3 years) and 12 elderly (74 ± 3 years) females, performed a unilateral bout of heavy resistance leg extension exercise. Biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis muscle of the rested (control) leg, and post exercise from the exercised leg at 4.5 h, and on days 1, 4, and 7 for the male participants, or on day 5 for the female participants. Total macrophages (CD68+) as well as pro- (CD11b+) and anti-inflammatory (CD163+, CD206+) subpopulations were identified on sections by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression levels of COL1A1, TNF-a, CD68, myostatin, TCF7L2, IL-1B, IL-1R, IL-10, and Ki67 were determined by real-time RT-PCR. At rest, the muscle tissue from the elderly vs. young females was characterized by higher gene expression levels of CD68, IL-10, lower myostatin mRNA, and trends for a greater number of macrophages, while COL1A1 mRNA post exercise values were greater in the elderly vs young. For the male participants, mRNA levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1B, IL-1R were elevated in the early phase following exercise, followed by increases in COL1A1 and Ki67 on days 4 and 7. In general, exercise induced increases in all types of macrophages counted in the elderly, but not in young, individuals. Cells expressing CD68, CD11b, and CD206 simultaneously were the most frequently observed cell type, which raises the possibility that pure pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages populations do not exist in healthy human skeletal muscle within the spectrum of tissue remodeling induced by physiological exercise designed to induce hypertrophy. Together these data provide insight into the time course of macrophage activity and associated molecular targets in human skeletal muscle in the context of aging and exercise.
Phylogeny of Nolana (Nolaneae, Solanoideae, Solanaceae) as inferred from granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of Nolana (Nolaneae, Solanaceae) were constructed using partial sequences (ca. 891 bp) of the granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) or the waxy gene. Nolana, with 89 species, is primarily distributed in coastal Chile (49 spp.) and Peru (43 spp.), and of these, four species are recorded in Peru and Chile, and another from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Our phylogenetic analysis, utilizing a sampling of 63 of the 89 species, supports the monophyly of Nolana and recovered three clades with 95%-100% bootstrap support. Nolana sessiliflora is the sister taxon to the remainder of the genus. Two large, highly supported clades are evident; one containing taxa from Chile, Peru and the Galapagos Islands, and another containing taxa from Chile and Peru. Nolana galapagensis, an endemic to the Galapagos Islands, is suggested to be sister to N. arenicola in a clade that also includes N. adansonii from southern Peru and northern Chile. These two species differ substantially in habitat preference, habit, leaf shape, and mericarp morphology. The monophyly is confirmed for a morphologically cohesive group composed of N. acuminata, N. baccata, N. elegans, N. reichei, N. parviflora, N. pterocarpa, and N. paradoxa, a clade of essentially Chilean species.
Riparian forest strips as habitat for breeding birds in Boreal forests

Riparian forest strips are usually protected from logging for their buffer effect on aquatic habitats. However, their value to terrestrial wildlife is unknown. From 1989 to 1992, we compared bird abundance and species composition in 5 experimental riparian forest strips (20-m, 40-m, 60-m, and control [>300 m wide], intact strips, and 20-m-wide thinned strips), in boreal balsam fir (Abies balsamea) stands, for 3 years following clear-cutting. Bird densities increased 30-70% (P 0.05) thereafter to approximately pretreatment levels. The 20- and 40-m-wide riparian strips had highest mean bird densities, but also the fastest (P < 0.05) decreases thereafter. By the third year after clear-cutting, forest-dwelling species were less (P = 0.01) abundant than ubiquitous species in the 20-m strips. The golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa), Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus), blackpoll warbler (Dendroica striata), and black-throated green warbler (D. virens) became nearly absent in 20-m strips. The removal of 33% of the trees in some 20-m strips resulted in a <20% decline of bird densities, a moderate effect that combined with the greater effect of strip narrowness. There was evidence that 60-m-wide strips are required for forest-dwelling birds. Bird populations may continue to decline in strips before regeneration of adjacent clear-cuts provides suitable habitat for forest-dwelling species
The role of monoamine oxidase A in HPV-16 E7-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and HIF-1α protein accumulation in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Our previous studies have found that human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E7 oncoprotein promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein accumulation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is highly expressed in NSCLC tissues. Here, we further explored the role of MAOA in HPV-16 E7-induced EMT and HIF-1α protein accumulation in A549 and NCI-H460 NSCLC cells. Our results showed that HPV-16 E7 enhanced MAOA expression in NSCLC cells. Additionally, MAOA knockout inhibited HPV-16 E7-induced migration, invasion, and EMT, and significantly reduced HPV-16 E7-induced ROS generation and HIF-1α protein accumulation via promoting its degradation. Furthermore, MAOA knockout suppressed HPV-16 E7-induced ERK1/2 activation. In vivo, MAOA knockout inhibited tumor growth, metastasis, and the expression of EMT-related markers and HIF-1α proteins induced by HPV-16 E7 in NCI-H460 NSCLC subcutaneous xenograft and in situ intrapulmonary models of nude mice. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that MAOA plays a key role in EMT and HIF-1α protein accumulation induced by HPV-16 E7 in NSCLC cells, suggesting that MAOA may be a potential therapeutic target for HPV-related NSCLC.