Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Down-regulation of proangiogenic microRNA-126 and microRNA-132 are early modulators of diabetic cardiac microangiopathy

Aim Microangiopathy due to endothelial dysfunction is a major contributing factor to the development of diabetes-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dysregulation of endothelial-specific microRNAs (miRs) is correlated with impaired angiogenesis and cell survival. We investigated the profile of two angiomiRs, miR-126, and miR-132, in the plasma of type 2 diabetic individuals without any known history of CVD as well as in the cardiac tissues collected from diabetics undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods and results The presence of diabetes alone significantly decreased both angiomiRs in the plasma and the myocardium. The down-regulation of angiomiRs was also associated with reduced capillaries and arterioles and increased endothelial cell apoptosis, the hallmark of microangiopathy. Importantly, a time course study in a type 2 diabetic mouse model confirmed that the down-regulation of angiomiRs preceded endothelial apoptosis as well as alterations in the density of the microvasculature. Finally, therapeutic overexpression of both angiomiRs in diabetic aortic rings and human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to high glucose (HG) abrogated the deleterious effects of diabetes and HG on cell survival and proliferation and restored their angiogenic potential. Conclusions These novel findings demonstrate that the down-regulation of angiomiRs is a major underlying mechanism for the development of microangiopathy in diabetic hearts. Therefore, therapeutic restoration of angiomiRs could become a potential approach to combat the cardiovascular complications of diabetes.
High prevalence of I179S mutation in patients with late‐onset metachromatic leukodystrophy

To the Editor: Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD; McKusick 250100), an inherited metabolic disorder, leads to demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous system and is caused by deficient arylsulfataseA enzyme activity (ARSA; EC3.1.6.1) which initiates the degradation of sulfatide – an essential component of the myelin. Four types of MLD are known: late infantile (0–2years), early juvenile (4–6years), late juvenile (8–17years), and adult. Mutation I179S was first described in a juvenile MLD patient in compound heterozygosity with E7S2195. The frequency of I179S was 2% among 100 MLD patients with different types of the disease. It was found in two adults and two juveniles (1). Considering our previous results, I179S seemed to occur very frequently in Polish MLD patients as it was observed in three out of nine individuals (2). In the present study we performed a screen for this mutation in 34 unrelated MLD patients from Poland: 13 with late infantile, nine with early juvenile, six with late juvenile, and six with adult-type MLD. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method described by Berger et al. (2) was used. The prevalence of I179S in the whole group of subjects was 10% (7/68 alleles) and this mutation accounted for 17% of examined alleles (2/12) in adults and as much as 42% (5/12 alleles) in late juvenile MLD patients (Fig. 1). It was not found in late infantile patients nor in early juvenile, which confirms previous observations that I179S causes MLD of late-onset types (1–6). Earlier findings obtained in a group of 25 unrelated MLD patients from Central Europe revealed a I179S frequency of 12% in the whole group, 20% in adult and 15% in juvenile patients (2). As I179S was observed exclusively in late-onset MLD patients, with particularly high prevalence in late juveniles, it seems likely that I179S encodes for an MLD-allele with residual ARSA activity
Confocal laser endomicroscopy: a novel method for prediction of relapse in Crohn’s disease

Background and study aims: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) has been shown to predict relapse in ulcerative colitis in remission, but little is currently known about its role in Crohn’s disease. The aim of this study was to identify reproducible CLE features in patients with Crohn’s disease and to examine whether these are risk factors for relapse. Patients and methods: This was a single-center prospective feasibility study of CLE imaging in patients with Crohn’s disease. CLE imaging was performed in the terminal ileum and four colorectal sites, and was correlated with histopathology and macroscopic appearance. Clinical relapse, defined as the need for treatment escalation or surgical intervention, was recorded during follow-up. Results: The study included 50 patients: 39 with Crohn’s disease (20 in remission), and 11 controls. Ileal fluorescein leakage and microerosions were significantly more frequent in patients with endoscopically active Crohn’s disease compared with patients with inactive Crohn’s disease and controls (P = 0.005 and (P = 0.006, respectively). The same applied to colorectal fluorescein leakage and vascular alterations ((P = 0.043 and (P = 0.034, respectively). During a 12-month follow-up period, ileal fluorescein leakage and microerosions were significant risk factors for relapse in the subgroup of patients in remission (log rank (P = 0.009 and (P = 0.007, respectively) as well as in the entire group of patients with Crohn’s disease (log rank (P = 0.006 and (P = 0.01, respectively). Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility was almost perfect (κ > 0.80) or substantial (κ > 0.60) for the majority of CLE parameters. Conclusions: CLE can identify reproducible microscopic changes in the terminal ileum that are risk factors for relapse in patients with otherwise inactive Crohn’s disease. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01738529).
au Improving the Use of Species Distribution Models in Conservation Planning and Management under Climate Change

Choice of variables, climate models and emissions scenarios all influence the results of species distribution models under future climatic conditions. However, an overview of applied studies suggests that the uncertainty associated with these factors is not always appropriately incorporated or even considered. We examine the effects of choice of variables, climate models and emissions scenarios can have on future species distribution models using two endangered species: one a short-lived invertebrate species (Ptunarra Brown Butterfly), and the other a longlived paleo-endemic tree species (King Billy Pine). We show the range in projected distributions that result from different variable selection, climate models and emissions scenarios. The extent to which results are affected by these choices depends on the characteristics of the species modelled, but they all have the potential to substantially alter conclusions about the impacts of climate change. We discuss implications for conservation planning and management, and provide recommendations to conservation practitioners on variable selection and accommodating uncertainty when using future climate projections in species distribution models. OPEN ACCESS Citation: Porfirio LL, Harris RMB, Lefroy EC, Hugh S, Gould SF, et al. (2014) Improving the Use of Species Distribution Models in Conservation Planning and Management under Climate Change. PLoS ONE 9(11): e113749. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone. 0113749 Editor: Lalit Kumar, University of New England, Australia Received: September 17, 2014 Accepted: October 29, 2014 Published: November 24, 2014 Copyright: 2014 Porfirio et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data Availability: The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. The modelled projections are available through the Tasmanian Partnership for Advanced Computing (TPAC) portal (https://dl.tpac.org.au/ tpacportal/). The literature review data were submitted as a database in the supplementary informant ion, as a ZIP file. Funding: This research is an output from the Landscapes and Policy Research Hub. The hub is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Research Programme and involves researchers from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), The Australian National University (ANU), Murdoch University, the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC), Griffith University and Charles Sturt University (CSU). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone. 0113749 November 24, 2014 1 / 21
In vivo Rearing of Thripinema nicklewoodi (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae) and Prospects as a Biological Control Agent of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract Methods are described for the in vivo production of the nematode Thripinema nicklewoodi (Siddiqi), an obligate parasite and potential biological control agent of western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). Nematode infection is not lethal but causes sterilization of adult female hosts. Both fertilization and horizontal transmission of T. nicklewoodi is achieved in 1.5-ml microcentrifuge tubes (infection arenas), in the presence of 100% humidity, a temporary food source and preferably a damp substrate. Following exposure to infection arenas, F. occidentalis are reared on excised bean leaves Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) in polypropylene containers for 2 wk at 25°C to allow the reproduction and development of a single generation of nematodes within infected hosts’s abdominal cavity. To identify infected hosts after this incubation period, thrips are isolated in microcentrifuge tubes and monitored for free-living nematodes being released along with frass. Infected thrips are reintroduced back into infection arenas to inoculate further thrips to maintain the culture. We documented the output of the rearing procedure using a standard method and following simple manipulation of several individual parameters of the infection technique. The standard method was the most efficient, and resulted in an increased (output/input) ratio of infected thrips of ≈2; i.e., the number of infected thrips approximately doubles each generation. Monitoring infected thrips revealed that nematodes were first released between 12–14 d postinfection and for an average of 7.9 d at 25°C; highlighting the potential to reuse infective thrips between infection arenas. The possibility of using T. nicklewoodi as an inoculative agent against F. occidentalis infesting floricultural crops is discussed.
The cardiovascular risk factor profile of Estonian school children

This cross‐sectional study was undertaken to assess the occurrence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Estonian school children after the socioeconomic changes of the early 1990s. A total of 1018 9‐, 12‐ and 15‐y‐old randomly selected children were studied for lipid and lipoprotein profiles, blood pressure, weight, height, regular smoking, physical activity and family history of premature cardiovascular disease. In 11–24 % of the children, total cholesterol levels were at or above the risk cut‐off of 5.2 mmol l‐1, 3‐5% of the children were considered to be obese and 6‐12% had blood pressure higher than the age‐ and gender‐specific 95th percentile of height. Of the 15‐y‐old girls and boys, 1% and 10%, respectively, admitted being daily smokers. Five percent of girls and 20% of boys smoked at least once a week. Ten to 18% of children reported little physical activity. According to age groups, 17‐25% of the children had a family history of premature cardiovascular disease. The occurrence of three or more risk factors simultaneously characterized only the older age group, in which 2.3% of girls and 3.5% of boys exhibited clustering of potential cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings showed a relatively low frequency of obesity and low mean blood lipid levels with a high proportion of smokers among children in late puberty, implying that preventive efforts should focus on pubertal children to prevent adverse health behaviour.
Twenty-four hour steroid avoidance immunosuppressive regimen in liver transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the efficacy and safety of an immunosuppressive regimen of steroid avoidance in combination with induction therapy and tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-two adult liver transplant recipients were randomized into 2 groups: standard protocol group (n=41) in which steroids were withdrawn 3 months after the operation, and a 24-hour steroid avoidance group (n=41) in which steroids were eliminated within 24 hours. The incidence of acute rejections, infections (bacterial, fungal, and cytomegalovirus), and metabolic complications were analyzed between the groups. RESULTS The incidence of early posttransplant diabetes mellitus and the average dosage of insulin consumption among diabetic recipients were significantly higher in recipients in the standard protocol group than in the 24-hour avoidance group (P < .05). In addition, the incidence of hypertension and infection during the follow-up were also higher in patients of the standard protocol group (P < .05). The incidence of hypertension in the early posttransplant period, hyperlipemia, and acute rejection during the follow-up were comparable between the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Twenty-four hour steroid avoidance combined with induction therapy and tacrolimus maintenance is a safe and efficient immunosuppression strategy that can significantly reduce posttransplant infections and other complications owing to long-term use of steroids, without increasing the risk of acute rejection.
Adaptation for rodent pollination in Leucospermum arenarium (Proteaceae) despite rapid pollen loss during grooming.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants are adapted for rodent pollination in diverse and intricate ways. This study explores an extraordinary example of these adaptations in the pincushion Leucospermum arenarium (Proteaceae) from South Africa. METHODS Live trapping and differential exclusion experiments were used to test the role of rodents versus birds and insects as pollinators. To explore the adaptive significance of geoflory, inflorescences were raised above ground level and seed production was compared. Captive rodents and flowers with artificial stigmas were used to test the effect of grooming on the rate of pollen loss. Microscopy, nectar composition analysis and manipulative experiments were used to investigate the bizarre nectar production and transport system. KEY RESULTS Differential exclusion of rodents, birds and insects demonstrated the importance of rodents in promoting seed production. Live trapping revealed that hairy-footed gerbils, Gerbillurus paeba, and striped field mice, Rhabdomys pumilio, both carried L. arenarium pollen on their forehead and rostrum, but much larger quantities ended up in faeces as a result of grooming. Terrarium experiments showed that grooming exponentially diminished the pollen loads that they carried. The nectar of L. arenarium was found to be unusually viscous and to be presented in a novel location on the petal tips, where rodents could access it without destroying the flowers. Nectar was produced inside the perianth, but was translocated to the petal tips via capillary ducts. In common with many other rodent-pollinated plants, the flowers are presented at ground level, but when raised to higher positions seed production was not reduced, indicating that selection through female function does not drive the evolution of geoflory. CONCLUSIONS Despite the apparent cost of pollen lost to grooming, L. arenarium has evolved remarkable adaptations for rodent pollination and provides the first case of this pollination system in the genus.
Computed Tomographic Morphometric Analysis of Pediatric Clival Screw Placement at the Craniovertebral Junction

Study Design. A computed tomography-based morphometric measurement of the pediatric craniovertebral junction for clival screw placement. Objective. To identify morphometric differences of the pediatric clivus at different ages and establish guidelines for pediatric clival screw fixation. Summary of Background Data. Anterior fixation of the pediatric craniovertebral junction, a viable alternative to posterior occipital-cervical fixation, requires clival screw placement. The morphology of the pediatric clivus may be associated with greater difficulty in adequate purchase because of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (clival fissure). Methods. Morphometric analysis was conducted on computed tomographic scans of the craniocervical junction in 87 pediatric patients who were assigned into groups based on their ages (2–5 yr, 6–9 yr, 10–13 yr, and 14–16 yr). Measurements were made of the sagittal and axial planes to determine the clival length, widest and narrowest clival diameter, clival fissure distance, clival-cervical angle, and putative screw lengths. Results. The mean clival length, widest diameter, narrowest diameter, fissure distance, and putative screw lengths were 29.4 mm, 28. 9 mm, 17.3 mm, 21.9 mm, and 9.6 mm, respectively. These measurements were significantly different among the groups and highly correlated to age (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in clival-cervical angle among the groups, with a mean angle of 129.2°± 6.4°. A clival screw (ø3.5 mm) was accommodated for all children older than 10 years, 89% of children aged 6 to 9 years, and 80% of children aged 2 to 5 years. Conclusion. A clival screw fixation is feasible in the pediatric craniovertebral junction, particularly in children aged 10 years or older. The dimensions of the clivus were highly dependent on age. We suggest that all pediatric patients should undergo high-resolution, thin-slice computed tomography preoperatively to assess suitability for clival screw fixation. Level of Evidence: 3
Robust filtering of discrete-time linear systems with parameter dependent Lyapunov functions

Robust filtering of linear time-invariant discrete-time uncertain systems is investigated through a new parameter dependent Lyapunov matrix procedure. Its main interest relies on the fact that the Lyapunov matrix used in stability checking does not appear in any multiplicative term with the uncertain matrices of the dynamic model. We show how to use such an approach to determine high performance H/sub 2/ robust filters by solving a linear problem constrained by linear matrix inequalities (LMI). The results encompass the previous works in the quadratic Lyapunov setting. Numerical examples illustrate the theoretical results.
Brain tissue segmentation in 4D CT using voxel classification

A method is proposed to segment anatomical regions of the brain from 4D computer tomography (CT) patient data. The method consists of a three step voxel classification scheme, each step focusing on structures that are increasingly difficult to segment. The first step classifies air and bone, the second step classifies vessels and the third step classifies white matter, gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid. As features the time averaged intensity value and the temporal intensity change value were used. In each step, a k-Nearest-Neighbor classifier was used to classify the voxels. Training data was obtained by placing regions of interest in reconstructed 3D image data. The method has been applied to ten 4D CT cerebral patient data. A leave-one-out experiment showed consistent and accurate segmentation results.
Metamorphosis delay in Xenopus laevis (Daudin) tadpoles exposed to a 50 Hz weak magnetic field

Purpose: The experiment was performed to prove that exposure to a relatively weak extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field retards tadpoles' development. Methods: Two cohorts of Xenopus laevis laevis (Daudin) tadpoles were exposed during their immature period (∼60 days) to a 50 Hz magnetic field of 63.9 ≤ B ≤ 76.4 μT rms (root mean square, average values) magnetic flux density in a solenoid. At the same time, as controls, two comparable cohorts were reared in two aquariums remote from the solenoid. Cohorts' degree of development was quantified by daily inspections of animal limbs and attributing them to a stage of the Nieuwkoop and Faber () classification. The experiment was replicated three times. Results: (a) Mean developmental rate of exposed cohorts was reduced with respect to controls (0.43 vs. 0.48 stages/day, p < 0.001) starting from early larval stages; (b) Exposure increased the mean metamorphosis period of tadpoles by 2.4 days compared with the controls (p < 0.001); (c) Maturation rates of exposed and control tadpoles changed during maturation period; and (d) Important mortality, malformations or teratogenic effects were not observed in exposed matured tadpoles. Conclusion: A long-term exposure of X. laevis tadpoles to a relatively weak 50 Hz magnetic field causes a sub-lethal effect that slows down their larval developmental rate and delays their metamorphosis.
Divergence maintained by climatic selection despite recurrent gene flow: a case study of Castanopsis carlesii (Fagaceae)

Local adaptation to different environments has the potential to maintain divergence between populations despite recurrent gene flow and is an important driver for generating biological diversity. In this study, we investigate the role of adaptation in the maintenance of two parapatric varieties of a forest tree. We used sequence variation of chloroplastic DNA and restriction site‐associated DNA to investigate the genetic structure of two varieties of Castanopsis carlesii in subtropical China and relate it to climatic variation. We used niche reconstruction methods to investigate niche differentiation between the two varieties and to estimate the past distribution of this species. A deep divergence was observed between the two varieties, but evidence of introgression and genetic admixture was detected in two phenotypically and geographically intermediate populations. Niche reconstruction suggests that the distribution of the two varieties was disjunct during periods of global cooling and that the two varieties occupy significantly different niches. The genetic structure was mainly driven by environmental factors, and 13 outlier loci under divergent selection were correlated with climatic variation. These results suggest that the two varieties evolved in allopatry and came back into secondary contact after the last glacial maximum and that they are an evolutionary example of divergence maintained by climatic selection despite recurrent gene flow.
Skin Cancer Classification Using K-Means Clustering

Detection of skin cancer gives the best chance of being diagnosed early. Biopsy method for skin cancer detection is much painful. Human interpretation contains difficulty and subjectivity therefore automated analysis of skin cancer affected images has become important. This paper proposes an automatic medical image classification method to classify two major type skin cancers: Melanoma, and Non-melanoma. In this paper, we have used the color and texture features in combination which gives better results than using color or gray level information alone. We have used k-means clustering algorithm to segment the lesion. The features are extracted by six different color-texture feature extractors from the segmented images. Classification accuracy of our proposed system is evaluated on four different types of classifiers and their values are compared with one another. The results of the proposed system are computed on five different classification rate in order to perform better analysis of our proposed system.