Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex in the city: sexual selection and urban colonization in passerines

Urbanization leads to a rapid and drastic transformation of habitats, forcing native fauna to manage novel ecological challenges or to move. Sexual selection is a powerful evolutionary force, which is sometimes predicted to enhance the ability of species to adapt to novel environments because it allows females to choose high-quality males, but other times is predicted to reduce the viability of populations because it pushes males beyond naturally selected optima. However, we do not know whether or how sexual selection contributes to the likelihood that animals will establish in urban areas. We use a comparative analysis of passerine birds to test whether traits associated with pre- and post-mating sexual selection predict successful colonization of urban areas. We found that plumage dichromatism was negatively associated with urban tolerance, but found no relationship with sexual size dimorphism or testes mass relative to body mass. While we cannot determine the exact reason why species with high plumage dichromatism occur less in cities, it is likely that urban areas increase the costs of expressing bright coloration due, for instance, to dietary constraints, limited male parental care or increased predation.
A review of Austrocallerya and Pongamia (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) in Australia, and the description of a new monotypic genus, Ibatiria

A review of Austrocallerya J.Compton & Schrire and Pongamia Adans. (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) in Australia, and the description of a new monotypic genus, Ibatiria W.E. Cooper, is presented with the support of fresh, dried, spirit-preserved specimens, molecular phylogenetic analysis of plastid and nuclear data, and illustrations. Three Austrocallerya species are confirmed, described and distinguished for Australia. Two varieties of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre are recognised; P. pinnata var. minor (Benth.) Domin is reinstated and is distinguished from var. pinnata by habitat, leaflet number and width, floral bract length and bracteole length. The new genus, Ibatiria, includes a single species, Ibatiria furfuracea W.E. Cooper, from Queensland’s Wet Tropics Bioregion. A second-step lectotype is designated for Pterocarpus australis Endl. , and lectotypes are designated for Wisteria megasperma F.Muell. and Pongamia glabra var. minor Benth.
Perceptions of Resilience and Coping Among Gender-Diverse Individuals Using Photography

Abstract Gender-diverse individuals (those whose gender and/or sex differ from societal expectations, such as trans or genderqueer) face stigma and discrimination, which can translate into negative health outcomes. Resilience describes the process of overcoming adversity that can mitigate these negative effects. Previous work has focused on trans individuals only or measured resilience without first exploring subjective understandings. Purpose: We sought to explore subjective perceptions of resilience among gender-diverse individuals. Methods: This qualitative study uses longitudinal photo-elicited interviews (in which participants' photos prompt interview discussion) with 21 gender diverse individuals (35 total interviews or a 66% retention rate). Interviews were separated by 6 months and transcripts were analyzed using Dedoose software, with each coded twice by separate coders. Results: Participants' strategies to foster resilience included proactive approaches at both the internal and external levels and distracting/temporary approaches. Two themes, flexibility and awareness, emerged as central facets of resilience trajectories. Flexibility took several forms and was intrinsic to cognitive processes, as well as coping choices, and sought through mental training techniques, such as meditation. Participants demonstrated high levels of awareness by incorporating trauma and health outcomes in gender-diverse populations within their narratives, and through the recognition of the unhelpful aspect of avoidant strategies in building resilience. Conclusions: The diverse ways that individuals perceive their own resilience have implications for resilience research in this group and have the potential to inform the development of strength-based interventions tailored to gender-diverse individuals. Public health interventions targeting resilience have the potential to break the pathway linking adversity to ill health among gender-diverse individuals, thereby reducing health disparities in this group.
Predicting Kinase Inhibitor Resistance: Physics-Based and Data-Driven Approaches

Resistance to small molecule drugs often emerges in cancer cells, viruses, and bacteria as a result of the evolutionary pressure exerted by the therapy. Protein mutations that directly impair drug binding are frequently involved in resistance, and the ability to anticipate these mutations would be beneficial in drug development and clinical practice. Here, we evaluate the ability of three distinct computational methods to predict ligand binding affinity changes upon protein mutation for the cancer target Abl kinase. These structure-based approaches rely on first-principle statistical mechanics, mixed physics- and knowledge-based potentials, and machine learning, and were able to estimate binding affinity changes and identify resistant mutations with remarkable accuracy. We expect that these complementary approaches will enable the routine prediction of resistance-causing mutations in a variety of other target proteins.
Airway management following assessment by virtual bronchoscopy subsequent to failed intubation in a child with tetralogy of Fallot

Children with congenital anomaly have a higher incidence of a difficult airway. Routine airway assessments have their limitations due to low sensitivity for predicting airway difficulties. We report the successful airway management of a 10-year-old girl with tetralogy of Fallot who had a history of failed intubation. Virtual bronchoscopy revealed subglottic narrowing. Careful planning on the basis of virtual bronchoscopy findings leads to a successful perioperative course. We recommend that virtual bronchoscopy be used as an airway assessment tool in anticipated difficult airway.
Assesment of symptom burden and related factors of patients with lung cancer in a palliative care unit

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Symptom palliation is important in terms of improving quality of life and therapy compliance in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. In this study, we intend to describe the tumor symptoms and related factors with Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) in patients who admitted to a palliative care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and ninety patients with lung cancer who admitted to our tertiary outpatient palliative clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Pathological diagnosis, stage, demographic features, comorbidities, treatment modalities, and ESAS score were recorded. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. RESULTS: There was no relation between stage of disease and ESAS score. The mean sleep variance score was significantly higher in Stage IV patients compared to all other groups (P = 0.038). The scores of cough and how they felt themselves were significantly higher in patients with metastatic lymph node (n = 30; P = 0.016 and P = 0.027, respectively). The presence of diabetes mellitus was found to be significantly related to higher sadness and anxiety score (P = 0.046 and P = 0.023, respectively). Treatment modalities (Group 1: best supportive care [n = 22] and Group 2: others [n = 268]) did not affect the mean ESAS score (P > 0.05). The overall survival and mean ESAS score were not related (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ESAS contributes significantly to improve general medical condition of patients with lung cancer. Comorbidities should be considered along with ESAS during cancer management. Symptom score evaluation and proper palliative treatment is important in lung cancer patients. Anyway, the treatment period of lung cancer is already difficult enough, so physicians should facilitate this process for patients.
Correlation between ultrasonographic evaluation of the airway and Cormack-Lehane view by direct laryngoscopy in the Indian subpopulation

Background: An important aspect of airway management is assessment of the airway to predict difficult intubation. Ultrasonography has recently emerged as a noninvasive tool that is helpful for preoperative airway assessment and management. Patients and Methods: In this study, four sonographic measurements, namely (a) distance of the pre-epiglottic space (PES), (b) distance from epiglottis to the vestibular ligaments' midpoint (EVL), (c) skin to hyoid bone distance (DSHB) and (d) distance from the skin to epiglottis midway between hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage (DSEM) were correlated with the Cormack-Lehane grade obtained by direct laryngoscopy. Results: Of the 77 patients included for data analysis, 19 patients (24% of total) had difficult intubation. Of those with difficult intubation, 63% were female. Pearson's analysis revealed a correlation of Cormack-Lehane grade as weak negative with PES, weak positive with EVL, very weak positive with DSHB and very weak negative with DSEM. To predict difficult airway, the cutoff values for PES, EVL, DSHB and DSEM as determined by the Youden index were found to be 2.8 mm (sensitivity 21.1% and specificity 84.5%), 9.3 mm (sensitivity 36.8% and specificity 86.2%), 12.7 mm (sensitivity 42.1% and specificity 79.3%) and 6.8 mm (sensitivity 21.1% and specificity 87.9%), respectively. The area under the curves of PES, EVL, DSHB and DSEM were all below 0.6. Conclusion: PES, EVL, DSHB and DSEM are poor in predicting difficult intubation. These parameters can, however, be used to rule out difficult intubation because they are all highly specific.
Ambulatory MiniArc Precise Sling under Local Anesthesia for Stress Urinary Incontinence: Feasibility and Outcome

Aims: The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of ambulatory stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery using the MiniArc Precise single-incision urethral sling without increasing the number of complications. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data carried out in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Materials and Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with SUI or stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) treated surgically between November 2011 and November 2013. The MiniArc Precise® sling was inserted under local anesthesia in the ambulatory setting. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and range for quantitative variables. The statistical package used was SPSS version 17.0. Results: Urodynamic studies showed SUI in 78% of cases and stress predominant MUI in 17%. Clinical findings included SUI in 56% of cases and MUI in 44%, with positive stress tests in all participants. The mean intraoperative pain (1–10 Visual Analog Scale) was 2. All patients were satisfied with the use of local anesthesia in the outpatient setting. Perioperative complications did not occur. One case of urinary retention and two cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) developed within this 1st month after operation and were successfully managed conservatively. Midterm complications included eight cases of UTI and four de novo urge incontinence. Conclusions: Placement of the MiniArc Precise sling under local anesthesia is a feasible and safe technique, which when carried out by an experienced surgeon allows to be done as an outpatient basis without increasing the rate of postprocedural complications.
Characteristics of metachronous second primary lung cancers

AIM: In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of metachronous second primary lung cancer (MSPLC) and the differences between primary lung cancer (PLC) and metachronous lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively studied. MSPLC tumor cases and a new diagnosis of PLC were evaluated. Clinical, radiological, and demographic findings of the two groups, previous histopathologic diagnosis of MSPLC, histopathologic diagnosis of lung cancer in both groups, stages of treatment, and treatment history were recorded. All data were analyzed using the Chi-square, t-test, Kaplan–Meier, and Log-rank method. In all tests, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 53 (16.1%) cases in MSPLC group and 277 (83.9%) cases in the PLC group. There were no statistically significant differences between clinical, radiological, and demographic findings, cancer histopathologies, tumor stages, oncological, and surgical treatment characteristics of the cases (P > 0.05). The most frequent primary cancers were laryngeal carcinoma (11 cases) in the MSPLC group, with higher age (64 and 61, P = 0.01, respectively). Tumor size was smaller (44 mm and 52 mm, respectively) than the PLC group (P = 0.03). All other characteristics of both groups (P > 0.05) and survival were similar (15 months and 17 months, P = 0.87, respectively). CONCLUSION: Among the lung cancers diagnosed in our clinic, 16% were detected as MSPLC. MSPLC group were older than the PLC group and tumor size is lower than the PLC group. There was no significant difference in treatment options and survival between the two groups.
Retrospective Multicenter Long-Term Follow-up Analysis of Prognostic Risk Factors for Recurrence-Free, Metastasis-Free, Cancer-Specific, and Overall Survival After Curative Nephrectomy in Non-metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

We evaluated prognostic risk factors of recurrence-free survival (RFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) outcomes in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (nmRCC) after curative nephrectomy during long-term follow-up. The medical records of 4,260 patients with nmRCC who underwent curative nephrectomy between 2000 and 2012 from five Korean institutions and follow-up after postoperative 1 month until December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed for RFS, MFS, OS, and CSS. During the median 43.86 months of follow-up, 342 recurrences, 127 metastases, and 361 deaths, including 222 cancer-specific deaths, were reported. In addition to the unreached median survival of RFS and MFS, the median OS and CSS times were 176.75 and 227.47 months, respectively. Multivariable analyses showed that nephrectomy type (laparoscopy vs. open), pathological T stages, and nuclear grade were common significant risk factors for survival, and the baseline ASA, hemoglobin, and pathological N stage were common factors only for RFS, OS, and CSS (p < 0.05). Further, tumor necrosis for MFS; platelet count, extent (partial vs. radical) of surgery, and lymphovascular invasion for RFS; baseline diabetes, hypertension, age, body mass index, extent of surgery, and pathological sarcomatoid differentiation for OS; and baseline diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, and pathological sarcomatoid differentiation for CSS were additionally significant risk factors (p < 0.05). RFS, MFS, OS, and CSS were significantly different depending on the pathological T stages (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this large-numbered, long-term follow-up study revealed significant factors affecting the survival of patients with nephrectomized nmRCC.
Asthaxanthin Improves Aerobic Exercise Recovery Without Affecting Heat Tolerance in Humans

Objectives: To examine the supplementation effects of the xanthophyll carotenoid Astaxanthin on physical performance and exertional heat strain in humans. Design: A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Methods: Twenty two male participants (Age: 23.14 ± 3.5 y, height: 175 ± 6 cm, body mass: 69.6 ± 8.7 kg, % body fat: 16.8 ± 3.8) received placebo (PLA, n = 10) or Astaxanthin (ATX, n = 12) 12 mg/day Per os (P.O), for 30 days, and were tested pre and post-supplementation with a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 Max) test and the heat tolerance test (HTT) (2 h walk at 40°C, 40% relative humidity (RH), 5 kph, 2% incline). NIH database registration no. NCT02088242. Gas exchange, Heart rate (HR), Relative perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate were measured during the VO2 Max test. Heart rate (HR), rectal (Trec), and skin (Tskin) temperatures, RPE, and sweat rate (SR) were monitored in the HTT. Serum heat shock protein 72 (HSP72), Creatine phospho-kinase (CPK), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid profile were measured before and after the test. Results: The rise in blood lactate caused by the VO2 Max test was significantly diminished in the ATX group (9.4 ± 3.1 and 13.0 ± 3.1 mmole*l−1 in the ATX and PLA groups, respectively P < 0.02), as was the change in oxygen uptake during recovery (−2.02 ± 0.64 and 0.83 ± 0.79% of VO2 Max in the ATX and PLA group, respectively, p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the anaerobic threshold or VO2 Max. In the HTT, no significant physiological or biochemical differences were observed (HR <120 bpm, Trec rose by ~1°C to <38°C, no difference in SR). Conclusions: Astaxanthin supplementation improved exercise recovery. No benefit was observed for ATX over PLA in response to heat stress. Further examination of Astaxanthin in higher exertional heat strain is required.
Central Application of Aliskiren, a Renin Inhibitor, Improves Outcome After Experimental Stroke Independent of Its Blood Pressure Lowering Effect

Epidemiological studies suggest that pharmacological reduction of systemic hypertension lowers incidence and severity of stroke. However, whether the reduction of blood pressure per se or the compounds used to reduce hypertension are responsible for this effect received little attention. In the current study we therefore aimed to investigate whether Aliskiren, a renin-inhibitor used to treat arterial hypertension, may improve outcome in a mouse model of ischemic stroke when applied centrally and in a dose not affecting blood pressure. Male C57BL/6 mice received 0.6, 2.0, or 6.0 μg Aliskiren or vehicle by intracerebroventricular injection as a pre-treatment and were then subjected to 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Infarct volume, brain edema formation, mortality, antioxidant effects, and functional outcome were assessed up to seven days after MCAo. Central administration of Aliskiren (0.6 or 2.0 μg) had no effect on systemic blood pressure but significantly reduced infarct volume and brain edema formation, blunted mortality, and improved neurological outcome up to 1 week after MCAo. Due to the central and prophylactic administration of the compound, we cannot make any conclusions about the potency of Aliskiren for acute stroke treatment, however, our study clearly demonstrates, that in addition to lowering blood pressure Aliskiren seems to have a direct neuroprotective effect. Hence, renin-inhibitors may be an effective addition to prophylactic treatment regimens in stroke patients.
The Life Cycle of the Acropora Coral-Eating Flatworm (AEFW), Prosthiostomum acroporae; The Influence of Temperature and Management Guidelines

As coral aquaculture is increasing around the world for reef restoration and trade, mitigating the impact of coral predators, pathogens and parasites is necessary for optimal growth. The Acropora coral-eating flatworm (AEFW), Prosthiostomum acroporae (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Prosthiostomidae) feeds on wild and cultivated Acropora species and its inadvertent introduction into reef tanks can lead to the rapid death of coral colonies. To guide the treatment of infested corals we investigated the flatworm’s life cycle parameters at a range of temperatures that represent those found in reef tanks, coral aquaculture facilities and seasonal fluctuations in the wild. We utilized P. acroporae from a long-term in vivo culture on Acropora species to examine the effects of temperature (3°C increments from 21-30°C) on flatworm embryonation period, hatching success, hatchling longevity, and time to sexual maturity. Our findings show that warmer seawater shortened generation times; at 27°C it took, on average, 11 days for eggs to hatch, and 35 days for flatworms to reach sexual maturity, giving a minimum generation time of 38 days, whereas at 24°C the generation time was 64 days. Warmer seawater (24–30°C) also increased egg hatching success compared to cooler conditions (21°C). Taken together these results indicate that warmer temperatures lead to higher population densities of P. acroporae. Temperature significantly increased the growth rate of P. acroporae, with individuals reaching a larger size at sexual maturity in warmer temperatures, but it did not influence hatchling longevity. Hatchlings, which can swim as well as crawl, can survive between 0.25 to 9 days in the absence of Acropora, and could therefore disperse between coral colonies and inter-connected aquaria. We used our data to predict embryonation duration and time to sexual maturity at 21°C-30°C, and discuss how to optimise current treatments to disrupt the flatworm’s life cycle in captivity.
IL-1β Blockade Attenuates Thrombosis in a Neutrophil Extracellular Trap-Dependent Breast Cancer Model

Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing thrombosis, comorbidity that has been associated with increased neutrophil counts and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) modulates the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a cytokine that promotes cancer-associated neutrophilia and NET generation. Herein, we combined a murine breast cancer model with a flow-restriction thrombosis model to evaluate whether the IL-1β blockade could interfere with cancer-associated thrombosis. Mice bearing metastatic 4T1 tumors exhibited high neutrophil counts as well as elevated expression of G-CSF and IL-1β in their tumors. On the other hand, mice bearing non-metastatic 67NR tumors showed no elevation in neutrophil counts and displayed low expression levels of G-CSF and IL-1β in their tumors. 4T1 tumor-bearing mice but not 67NR tumor-bearing mice exhibited a NET-dependent prothrombotic state. Pharmacological blockade of IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) decreased the primary growth of 4T1 tumors and reduced the systemic levels of myeloperoxidase, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and G-CSF, without interfering with the neutrophil counts. Most remarkably, the blockade of IL-1R abolished the prothrombotic state observed in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Overall, our results demonstrate that IL-1β might be a feasible target to attenuate cancer-associated thrombosis, particularly in cancer types that rely on increased G-CSF production and involvement of NET formation.