Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Dietary Acculturation among Foreign-Born Blacks in New York City

for the overall dissertation) Background: Black immigration to the US quadrupled between 1980 and 2000, and between 2000 and 2013 it further increased by 56%. The US Census estimates that by 2060, 16.5% of the US Black population will be foreign-born. Half of all foreign-born Blacks (FBBs) in the US, or more than 1.9 million people, are from the Caribbean, and of those, 682,000 were born in Jamaica alone. Besides the Caribbean, there are 1.36 million immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. In New York City, non-Hispanic black Caribbean and West African immigrants constitute 19% and 4%, respectively, of the total foreign-born population. Research is limited on the health of FBBs, as they are often grouped with African Americans. In the US, 56.6% of all Black women and 37.1% of Black men are obese, compared to 36.1% and 33.5% for women and men, respectively, in the overall US population. In NYC, obesity prevalence is significantly lower for African FBBs (20.9%) and Caribbean FBBs (28.7%) compared to US-born Blacks (USBBs) (36.4%). In the US Black population Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is prevalent, 12.7%, compared to 9.4% in the overall population. Self-reported T2D shows
Whole-genome sequencing of leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) and exploration of regulation mechanism of skin color and adaptive evolution

Leopard coral groupers belong to the Plectropomus genus of the Epinephelidae family and are important fish for coral reef ecosystems and the marine aquaculture industry. To promote future research of this species, a high-quality chromosome-level genome was assembled using PacBio sequencing and Hi-C technology. A 787.06 Mb genome was assembled, with 99.7% (784.57 Mb) of bases anchored to 24 chromosomes. The leopard coral grouper genome size was smaller than that of other groupers, which may be related to its ancient status among grouper species. A total of 22 317 protein-coding genes were predicted. This high-quality genome of the leopard coral grouper is the first genomic resource for Plectropomus and should provide a pivotal genetic foundation for further research. Phylogenetic analysis of the leopard coral grouper and 12 other fish species showed that this fish is closely related to the brown-marbled grouper. Expanded genes in the leopard coral grouper genome were mainly associated with immune response and movement ability, which may be related to the adaptive evolution of this species to its habitat. In addition, we also identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with carotenoid metabolism between red and brown-colored leopard coral groupers. These genes may play roles in skin color decision by regulating carotenoid content in these groupers.
Bordetella Dermonecrotic Toxin Is a Neurotropic Virulence Factor That Uses CaV3.1 as the Cell Surface Receptor

Bordetella pertussis, which causes pertussis, a contagious respiratory disease, produces three major protein toxins, pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, and dermonecrotic toxin (DNT), for which molecular actions have been elucidated. The former two toxins are known to be involved in the emergence of some clinical symptoms and/or contribute to the establishment of bacterial infection. In contrast, the role of DNT in pertussis remains unclear. Our study shows that DNT affects neural cells through specific binding to the T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel that is highly expressed in the central nervous system and leads to neurological disorders in mice after intracerebral injection. These data raise the possibility of DNT as an etiological agent for pertussis encephalopathy, a severe complication of B. pertussis infection. ABSTRACT Dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) is one of the representative toxins produced by Bordetella pertussis, but its role in pertussis, B. pertussis infection, remains unknown. In this study, we identified the T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel CaV3.1 as the DNT receptor by CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-wide screening. As CaV3.1 is highly expressed in the nervous system, the neurotoxicity of DNT was examined. DNT affected cultured neural cells and caused flaccid paralysis in mice after intracerebral injection. No neurological symptoms were observed by intracerebral injection with the other major virulence factors of the organisms, pertussis toxin and adenylate cyclase toxin. These results indicate that DNT has aspects of the neurotropic virulence factor of B. pertussis. The possibility of the involvement of DNT in encephalopathy, which is a complication of pertussis, is also discussed. IMPORTANCE Bordetella pertussis, which causes pertussis, a contagious respiratory disease, produces three major protein toxins, pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, and dermonecrotic toxin (DNT), for which molecular actions have been elucidated. The former two toxins are known to be involved in the emergence of some clinical symptoms and/or contribute to the establishment of bacterial infection. In contrast, the role of DNT in pertussis remains unclear. Our study shows that DNT affects neural cells through specific binding to the T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel that is highly expressed in the central nervous system and leads to neurological disorders in mice after intracerebral injection. These data raise the possibility of DNT as an etiological agent for pertussis encephalopathy, a severe complication of B. pertussis infection.
Clergy attitudes toward vaccines and vaccine advocacy: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Background: Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have affected members of religious communities. While major religions support vaccines, the views of individual clergy who practice and propagate major faith traditions are unclear. Our objective was to explore clergy attitudes toward vaccines and vaccine advocacy. Methods: In 2018–2019, we conducted qualitative interviews with clergy in Colorado and North Carolina. We inductively analyzed transcripts using a grounded theory approach, developing codes iteratively, resolving disagreements by consensus, and identifying themes. Results: We interviewed 16 clergy (1 Buddhist, 3 Catholic, 2 Jewish, 1 Hindu, 1 Islamic, 7 Protestant, and 1 Unity). Analyses yielded seven themes: attitudes toward vaccines, congregational needs, public health climate, perceived responsibility, comfort and competing interests, reported advocacy efforts, and clergy health advocacy goals. Most clergy had positive vaccination attitudes and were open to vaccine advocacy, although discomfort with medical concepts and competing interests in their congregations influenced whether many had chosen to advocate for vaccines. Over half reported promoting vaccination in various contexts. Conclusions: In our sample, U.S. clergy held complex attitudes toward vaccines, informed by experience and social norms as much as religious beliefs or Scriptures. Clergy may be open to vaccine advocacy, but a perceived lack of relevance in their faith communities or a lack of medical expertise may limit their advocacy efforts in diverse contexts. Amidst growing vaccine hesitancy, pediatricians could partner with clergy in their communities, answer questions about vaccines, raise awareness of recent outbreaks, and empower clergy in joint educational events.
Excessive and Problematic Smartphone Use and Poor Mental Health in Adolescents

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. *Corresponding Author: Young Gyu Cho https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1017-8884 Tel: +82-2-2270-0097, Fax: +82-2-2268-0971, E-mail: jacobel@hanmail.net https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.41. 2E • Korean J Fam Med 2020;41:73-74
Amelioration of Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic, Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Ficus benghalensis in Behavioral Experimental Models

Background and Objectives: Ficus benghalensis (FB) is a commonly found tree in Pakistan and its various parts have folkloric importance in managing neurological ailments. In the present study, methanolic extract of its bark has been tested on an experimental animal model to evaluate memory-enhancing, anxiolytic and antidepressant activities to validate the claimed therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract of freshly isolated bark was prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical studies and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis for the presence of phytocomponents. To evaluate its effect on spatial learning, passive-avoidance test–step through (PAT-ST), Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were carried out. Open-field (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests were employed to explore the anti-anxiety potential of FB while a forced swimming test (FST) was utilized to assess its anti-depressant prospective. FB doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg with positive and negative controls given to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Results: phytochemical studies showed the presence of various phytoconstituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolics and anthraquinones. The presence of synephrine, aspargine, glucose, fructose and fatty acids was revealed by GC–MS analysis. FB administration led to significant improved memory retention when evaluated through passive avoidance (p < 0.05), Y-maze (p < 0.05) and Morris water maze (p < 0.05) tests in a scopolamine model of amnesic rats. When tested by open field and elevated plus maze tests, FB demonstrated anxiety-resolving characteristics (p < 0.05) as animals dared to stay in open areas more than a control group. Mobility time was increased and immobility time was reduced (p < 0.05–0.01) in rats treated with FB, unveiling the anti-depressant importance of F. benghalensis. Conclusion: methanolic extract of F. benghalensis bark furnished scientific proof behind folkloric claims of the memory improving, anxiety-reducing and depression-resolving characteristics of the plant. These activities might be possible due to interaction of its phytoconstituents with serotonergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic and GABAergic systems in the brain.
Evaluation of Viral Inactivation in Suspension Containing 20% Albumin by Pasteurization Method

he risks of transmitting viral infections by blood and plasma derived products such as coagulation concentrates immunoglobulin and albumin solutions have long been known and still remain an area of concern (1-8). Emerging pathogens still represent a serious challenge, as demonstrated by West Nile Virus in the US and more recently by chikungunya virus in the Indian Ocean (9). The Pasteurization was the first specific viral inactivation method applied to plasma products. Pasteurization was introduced as early as the 1940s in order to remove the hepatitis virus in the albumin solution (10). To study the efficacy of virus inactivation during pasteurization, albumin solution 20% vials were spiked with model viruses such as HSV-1 and polio virus type 1 as enveloped and nonenveloped viruses respectively. Virus stock titers were 1× 10 6 TCID50/mL (tissue culture infectious dose 50% per ml) for HSV-1 and 1×10 6.5 TCID50/mL for polio virus in Vero cell culture. The virus –spiked albumin solutions were treated by heating at 60 oC for 10 hr. Viral infectivity was tested in cell culture (Vero) using standard micro titration assay (11). Seventy two hours after inoculation, virus-induced cytopathic effect was scored and infectivity titers were calculated according to the Reed and Muench Method and expressed as log 10 TCID50/ml. The inactivation kinetics of HSV-1 and poliovirus type-1 as model viruses by pasteurization were investigated. Results are shown in figures 1 and 2. It was observed that HSV-1 and poliovirus type-1 were completely inactivated within one and two hours respectively. The reduction factors after the full ten hours period were at
Predictors of Cognitive Improvement Following Treatment for Late-Life Depression

Objective: Cognitive impairment is frequently comorbid with late-life depression (LLD) and often persists despite remission of mood symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Increasing understanding of factors that predict improvement of cognitive symptoms in LLD is useful to inform treatment recommendations. Methods: We used data from 2 randomized clinical trials of geriatric depression to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors (resilience, quality of life) and clinical factors (age of depression onset, severity of depression, apathy) with subsequent cognitive outcomes. One hundred sixty-five older adults with major depression who had completed one of 2 clinical trials were included: (1) methylphenidate plus placebo, citalopram plus placebo, and citalopram plus methylphenidate or (2) citalopram combined with Tai Chi or health education. A comprehensive neuropsychiatric battery was administered; 2 measures of cognitive improvement were examined, one defined as an increase in general cognitive performance score of at least 1 standard deviation and the other 0.5 standard deviation pre–post treatment. Results: At posttreatment, 59% of participants had remitted, but less than a third of those who remitted showed cognitive improvement (29%). Cognitive improvement was observed in 18% of nonremitters. Lower baseline depression severity, greater social functioning, and depression onset prior to 60 years of age were significantly associated with cognitive improvement. None of the other measures, including baseline apathy, resilience, and depression remission status, were significantly associated with cognitive improvement. Conclusions: Lower severity of depression, earlier onset, and greater social functioning may predict improvement in cognitive functioning with treatment for depression in LLD.
A nine-gene signature related to tumor microenvironment predicts overall survival with ovarian cancer

Mounting evidence suggests that immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial regulator of carcinogenesis and therapeutic efficacy in ovarian cancer (OC). In this study, 593 OC patients from TCGA were divided into high and low score groups based on their immune/stromal scores resulting from analysis utilizing the ESTIMATE algorithm. Differential expression analysis revealed 294 intersecting genes that influencing both the immune and stromal scores. Further Cox regression analysis identified 34 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as prognostic-related genes. Finally, the nine-gene signature was derived from the prognostic-related genes using a Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Cox regression. This nine-gene signature could effectively distinguish the high-risk patients in the training (TCGA database) and validation (GSE17260) cohorts (all p < 0.01). A time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the nine-gene signature had a reasonable predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.707, AUC =0.696) in both cohorts. In addition, this nine-gene signature is associated with immune infiltration in TME by Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA), and can be used to predict the survival of patients with OC.
A fine-scale genetic map for vervet monkeys.

Despite its important biological role, the evolution of recombination rates remains relatively poorly characterized. This owes, in part, to the lack of high-quality genomic resources to address this question across diverse species. Humans and our closest evolutionary relatives, anthropoid apes, have remained a major focus of large-scale sequencing efforts, and thus recombination rate variation has been comparatively well-studied in this group - with earlier work revealing a conservation at the broad- but not the fine-scale. However, in order to better understand the nature of this variation, and the time-scales on which substantial modifications occur, it is necessary to take a broader phylogenetic perspective. I here present the first fine-scale genetic map for vervet monkeys based on whole genome population genetic data from ten individuals, and perform a series of comparative analyses with the great apes. The results reveal a number of striking features. Firstly, owing to strong positive correlations with diversity and weak negative correlations with divergence, analyses suggest a dominant role for purifying and background selection in shaping patterns of variation in this species. Secondly, results support a generally reduced broad-scale recombination rate compared to the great apes, as well as a narrower fraction of the genome in which the majority of recombination events are observed to occur. Taken together, this dataset highlights the great necessity of future research to identify genomic features and quantify evolutionary processes that are driving these rate changes across primates.
Effect of Angiotensin II on ENaC in the Distal Convoluted Tubule and in the Cortical Collecting Duct of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Deficient Mice

Background Angiotensin II stimulates epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) by aldosterone‐independent mechanism. We now test the effect of angiotensin II on ENaC in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and cortical collecting duct (CCD) of wild‐type (WT) and kidney‐specific mineralocorticoid receptor knockout mice (KS‐MR‐KO). Methods and Results We used electrophysiological, immunoblotting and renal‐clearance methods to examine the effect of angiotensin II on ENaC in KS‐MR‐KO and wild‐type mice. High K+ intake stimulated ENaC in the late DCT/early connecting tubule (DCT2/CNT) and in the CCD whereas low sodium intake stimulated ENaC in the CCD but not in the DCT2/CNT. The deletion of MR abolished the stimulatory effect of high K+ and low sodium intake on ENaC, partially inhibited ENaC in DCT2/CNT but almost abolished ENaC activity in the CCD. Application of losartan inhibited ENaC only in DCT2/CNT of both wild‐type and KS‐MR‐KO mice but not in the CCD. Angiotensin II infusion for 3 days has a larger stimulatory effect on ENaC in the DCT2/CNT than in the CCD. Three lines of evidence indicate that angiotensin II can stimulate ENaC by MR‐independent mechanism: (1) angiotensin II perfusion augmented ENaC expression in KS‐MR‐KO mice; (2) angiotensin II stimulated ENaC in the DCT2/CNT but to a lesser degree in the CCD in KS‐MR‐KO mice; (3) angiotensin II infusion augmented benzamil‐induced natriuresis, increased the renal K+ excretion and corrected hyperkalemia of KS‐MR‐KO mice. Conclusions Angiotensin II‐induced stimulation of ENaC occurs mainly in the DCT2/CNT and to a lesser degree in the CCD and MR plays a dominant role in determining ENaC activity in the CCD but to a lesser degree in the DCT2/CNT.
Anti-inflammatory activity of the dietary supplement Houttuynia cordata fermentation product in RAW264.7 cells and Wistar rats

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. has been used as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments in Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. In Thailand, H. cordata fermentation products (HCFPs) are commercially produced and popularly consumed throughout the country without experimental validation. Anti-inflammatory activity of H. cordata fresh leaves or aerial parts has previously been reported, however, the anti-inflammatory activity of the commercially available HCFPs produced by the industrialized process has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of the selected industrialized HCFP. LPS-induced RAW264.7 and carrageenan-induced paw edema models were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of HCFP. The phenolic acid components of HCFP aqueous and methanolic extracts were investigated using HPLC analysis. In RAW264.7 cells, the HCFP aqueous and methanolic extracts reduced NO production and suppressed LPS-stimulated expression of PGE2, iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in a concentration-dependent manner, however, less effect on COX-2 level was observed. In Wistar rats, 3.08 and 6.16 mL/kg HCFP reduced paw edema after 2 h carrageenan stimulation, suggesting the second phase anti-edematous effect similar to diclofenac (150 mg/kg). Whereas, 6.16 mL/kg HCFP also reduced paw edema after 1 h carrageenan stimulation, suggesting the first phase anti-edematous effect. Quantitative HPLC revealed the active phenolic compounds including syringic, vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic and ferulic acids, which possess anti-inflammatory activity. Our results demonstrated for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of the industrialized HCFP both in vitro and in vivo, thus validating its promising anti-inflammation potential.
Early-start and conventional-start peritoneal dialysis: a Chinese cohort study on outcome

Abstract Background Early-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective option for patients need unplanned dialysis. However, there are few studies on the long-term prognosis of early-start PD patients. Methods In this retrospective study, 635 eligible patients from 1 March 1996 to 30 September 2016 were included, and divided into three groups according to the duration of break-in period: 3 days or less, 4–13 days and more than 14 days. Patients started PD within 2 weeks and after 2 weeks were defined as early-start and conventional-start, respectively. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome measures were peritonitis free survival and technical survival. Mechanical and infectious complications in the first 180 days were also analyzed. Results Early-start PD patients were more likely to have higher serum total carbon dioxide and creatinine levels and lower serum albumin, Kt/v, creatinine clearance (Ccr) and residual glomerular filtration rate (rGFR) levels at the start of PD. The median follow-up period was 30 months (interquartile range, 13-53 months). A worse survival was observed in the early-start group than that in the conventional-start group (p < 0.001), even adjustment for the covariates (HR 1.549, 95%CI 1.104–2.173, p = 0.011). In the subgroup analysis, in patients commencing PD after 2006 early-start and conventional-start PD patients had comparable survival. No differences were observed in the rate of infectious and mechanical complications, peritonitis-free survival and technique survival between early-start and conventional-start PD patients. Conclusions Early-start PD could be a safe and effective strategy for patients needing unplanned dialysis initiation with the progress of technology on PD.
Severe below-maintenance feed intake increases methane yield from enteric fermentation in cattle

The relationship between feed intake at production levels and enteric CH4 production in ruminants consuming forage-based diets is well described and considered to be strongly linear. Unlike temperate grazing systems, the intake of ruminants in rain-fed tropical systems is typically below maintenance requirements for part of the year (dry seasons). The relationship between CH4 production and feed intake in animals fed well below maintenance is unexplored, but changes in key digestive parameters in animals fed at low levels suggest that this relationship may be altered. We conducted a study using Boran yearling steers (n 12; live weight: 162·3 kg) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to assess the effect of moderate to severe undernutrition on apparent digestibility, rumen turnover and enteric CH4 production of cattle consuming a tropical forage diet. We concluded that while production of CH4 decreased (1133·3–65·0 g CH4/d; P < 0·0001), over the range of feeding from about 1·0 to 0·4 maintenance energy requirement, both CH4 yield (29·0−31·2 g CH4/kg DM intake; P < 0·001) and CH4 conversion factor (Ym 9·1–10·1 MJ CH4/MJ gross energy intake; P < 0·01) increased as intake fell and postulate that this may be attributable to changes in nutrient partitioning. We suggest there is a case for revising emission factors of ruminants where there are seasonal nutritional deficits and both environmental and financial benefits for improved feeding of animals under nutritional stress.