Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The antenna‐specific odorant‐binding protein AlinOBP13 of the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus is expressed specifically in basiconic sensilla and has high binding affinity to terpenoids

Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are crucial in the olfactory pathway of insects. In the present study, the antenna‐enriched OBP AlinOBP13 was investigated because of its potential contribution to the peripheral olfactory perception in the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus. The results of quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR showed that the transcript level of AlinOBP13 was higher in the adult stage than in the nymph stages. The transcript levels of AlinOBP13 in the male and female antennae significantly increased after 4 and 8 h of starvation, respectively. Fine ultrastructures of different types of chemosensilla in both female and male antennae were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical labelling. The results revealed that the anti‐AlinOBP13 antiserum strongly and specifically labelled short basiconic sensilla; this antiserum was restricted to the inner lumen and the cavities below the sensillum base of the sensilla. By contrast, multiporous sensilla trichodea, medium long sensilla basiconica, and aporous sensilla chaetica were not labelled. The present study is the first to report an OBP showing specific expression in the short basiconic sensilla of a member of the Hemipteran species. The results of a fluorescence displacement binding assay indicated that recombinant AlinOBP13 showed a more specific binding preference to terpenoids than to sex pheromones and other classes of chemicals. This binding ability was dramatically affected by pH; higher binding affinities were displayed at pH 10.0 than at pH 7.4 and 5.0. In addition, the results of dose‐dependent electroantennogram recordings from the antennae showed that both female and male adult bugs responded to the terpenoids tested, suggesting an apparent physiological relevance of AlinOBP13 in A. lineolatus chemoreception. The results of this study suggest that AlinOBP13 functions as a specific carrier of terpenoids and provide insights into the mechanism of A. lineolatus in response to green volatiles.
Common diagnostic tests : use and interpretation

The second edition of this guide contains revised and updated chapters from the first edition and completely new chapters on diagnostic reasoning, thyroid function tests, and glycemia tests. Among the tests covered are routine chest radiographs, blood cultures, carcinoembryonic antigen tests, and throat cultures and rapid tests for diagnosis of A streptococcal pharyngitis.
A survey of pyrethroid‐resistant populations of Meligethes aeneus F. in Poland indicates the incidence of numerous substitutions in the pyrethroid target site of voltage‐sensitive sodium channels in individual beetles

The pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus F.) is the most devastating pest of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and is controlled by pyrethroid insecticides. However, resistance to pyrethroids in Europe is becoming widespread and predominant. Pyrethroids target the voltage‐sensitive sodium channel (VSSC), and mutations in VSSC may be responsible for pyrethroid insensitivity. Here, we analysed individual beetles that were resistant to esfenvalerate, a pyrethroid, from 14 populations that were collected from oilseed rape fields in Poland. We screened the VSSC domains that were presumed to directly interact with pyrethroids. We identified 18 heterozygous nucleic acid substitutions, amongst which six caused an amino acid change: N912S, G926S, I936V, R957G, F1538L and E1553G. Our analysis of the three‐dimensional structure of these domains in VSSC revealed that some of these changes may slightly influence the protein structure and hence the docking efficiency of esfenvalerate. Therefore, these mutations may impact the susceptibility of the sodium channel to the action of this insecticide.
Is there still a place for Pearson's chi‐squared test and Fisher's exact test in surgical research?

Fisher first described his exact test for 2 ¥ 2 tables of frequencies in 1925. He used it to analyse a ‘thought’ experiment that originated in the claim by a colleague, Dr Muriel Bristol, that she could tell by taste whether milk or tea had been added first to a teacup. She was told in advance that there would be four cups to which tea was added first, four to which milk was. Thus, both the column and the row marginal totals were fixed in advance – so-called double conditioning. The test involves listing all possible permutations of the entries in a 2 ¥ 2 table, with the proviso that the column and row totals remain constant (see Appendix 1). In passing, it should be said that Yates’ correction for continuity to the Pearson’s chi-squared test, which he described in 1934 as an approximation to the Fisher’s test, is irrelevant nowadays because of the ubiquity and power of personal computers. So, too, are Cochran’s rules for preferring the Fisher’s test to Pearson’s chi-squared if n < 40 or the smallest expected frequency is <5. Both these tests are popular with surgical investigators, as judged by the number of articles in four ‘general’ surgical journals with Impact Factors ranging from 1.34 to 7.90 – ANZ Journal of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, Annals of Surgery, and Surgery – in which they were used (Table 2A). Researchers in disciplines such as physiology, pharmacology, clinical chemistry and even internal medicine usually measure the outcomes of their studies on continuous scales – as concentrations, pressures, rates and so forth. However, surgeons and surgical researchers usually express the outcomes of their studies on categorical scales. These scales may be unordered (for such variables as sex, state of origin and type of hip prosthesis) or ordered (for such variables as the stages of malignant tumours, socioeconomic status and age-group). Whether the categories are unordered or ordered, the results can usually be presented in the form of tables of frequencies. These are called r ¥ c or two-way tables, where r refers to rows and c to columns (and sometimes to the number of rows and columns). The simplest is the 2 ¥ 1 table, or single binomial. A more familiar form is the 2 ¥ 2 table, or contingency table. I have previously addressed the matter of how best to evaluate 2 ¥ 2 tables. In what follows, I shall describe 2 ¥ 1 tables and their analysis. Then, I shall remind readers of how best to analyse 2 ¥ 2 tables that consist of two independent binomials, deal with 2 ¥ c tables in which the columns are either unordered or ordered and, finally, with more complex r ¥ c tables. Table 1 A stereotype 2 ¥ 2 table of frequencies
An insight into the functional role of thioredoxin reductase, a selenoprotein, in maintaining normal native microbiota in the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum)

Tick selenoproteins have been associated with antioxidant activity in ticks. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), also a selenoprotein, belongs to the pyridine nucleotide‐disulphide oxidoreductase family of proteins and is an important antioxidant. Molecular interactions between native microbiota and tick hosts have barely been investigated to date. In this study, we determined the functional role of TrxR in tick feeding and in maintenance of the native microbial community. TrxR transcript levels remained high and microbial load was reduced throughout tick attachment to the vertebrate host. RNA interference (RNAi) showed that depletion of TrxR activity did not interfere with tick haematophagy or phenotype but did reduce the viability of the microbiome within the tick tissues, presumably by perturbing redox homeostasis. The transcriptional activity of various antioxidant genes remained unaffected whereas the antioxidant genes Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and selenoprotein M (SelM) were significantly down‐regulated in salivary glands of the ticks subjected to RNAi. The perturbed TrxR enzymatic activity in the knocked‐down tick tissues negatively affected the bacterial load as well. Furthermore, we observed the altered bacterial profiles in TrxR‐silenced tick tissues. Taken together, these results indicate an essential functional role for TrxR in maintaining the bacterial community associated with ticks.
An integrative algorithmic approach towards knowledge discovery by bioinformatics

In this thesis we describe different approaches aiding in the utilization of the exponentially growing amount of information available in the life sciences. Briefly, we address two issues in molecular biology, on sequence analysis, and on text mining. The former issue addresses the problem how to determine remote sequence homology especially when the sequence similarity is very low. For this a visualisation tool is introduced that combines sequence alignment, domain prediction and phylogeny. The second topic on text mining centres on the question how to unambiguously formulate queries for efficient information retrieval. It tackles the problem of gene nomenclature — one in two gene symbols being ambiguous - by introducing a new text-clustering- and taxonomy-based disambiguation methodology.
A cytochrome P450 gene plays a role in the recognition of sex pheromones in the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura

Cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) genes are involved in fundamental physiological functions, and might be also associated with the olfactory recognition of sex pheromones in beetles and moths. A P450 gene, Spodoptera litura CYP4L4 (SlituCYP4L4), was cloned for the first time from the antennae of S. litura. SlituCYP4L4 was almost exclusively expressed in the adult stage and predominantly expressed in the adult antennae. In situ hybridization showed that SlituCYP4L4 localized mainly at the base of the long sensilla trichoidea, which responds to sex pheromone components. Pretreatment with an S. litura sex pheromone significantly reduced the expression levels of SlituCYP4L4, consistent with other genes involved in sex pheromone recognition. The expression level of SlituCYP4L4 was different in moths collected with different ratios of sex pheromone lures and collected in different geographical locations. After gene knockdown of SlituCYP4L4 in the antennae, the electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female moths to (9Z,11E)‐tetradecadienyl acetate or (9Z,12E)‐tetradecadienyl acetate were significantly decreased. In contrast, EAG responses to plant volatiles and sex pheromones of other moth species were not significantly influenced in these moths. SlituCYP4L4 was also expressed in the gustatory tissues and sensilla, which suggests that SlituCYP4L4 may have other functions in the chemosensory system. Our results have shown for the first time the function of a CYP gene with appendage‐specific expression in insect sex pheromone recognition, especially in adult moths.
Transcriptional regulation of the vitellogenin gene through a fecundity‐related single nucleotide polymorphism within a GATA‐1 binding motif in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Identifying the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) with functions in insect fecundity promises to provide novel insight into genetic mechanisms of adaptation and to aid in effective control of insect populations. We previously identified several SNPs within the vitellogenin (Vg) promoter region between a high‐fecundity population (HFP) and a low‐fecundity population (LFP) of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Here, we found that an A‐to‐T (HFP allele to LFP allele) transversion at nucleotide −953 upstream of Vg in a Nilaparvata lugens GATA‐1 (NlGATA‐1) binding motif is associated with the level of Vg transcription. We also characterized NlGATA‐1, containing a double CX2CX17CX2C zinc finger, which has been implicated in the activation of Vg gene expression. Knockdown of the NlGATA‐1 gene results in a reduced basal level of expression of the Vg gene and fewer offspring of N. lugens in vivo, whereas overexpression of NlGATA‐1 in cells increased Vg promoter activity. Moreover, upon cotransfection with NlGATA‐1 expression vector, the luciferase activities of Vg reporter vectors with the A allele were significantly higher than those with the T allele. These findings support a mechanism in which a SNP within the promoter of Vg is associated with the level of Vg transcription by altering the binding activity of NlGATA‐1 and subsequently affecting fecundity in N. lugens.
Best Interests, Patient Participation and the Mental Capacity Act 2005

This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Medical Law Review following peer review. This article analyses the best interests standard as applied in the context of healthcare decisions in light of the participative elements introduced by the Mental Capacity Act (EW). It begins with a brief consideration of the best interests standard as it developed at common law. The article shows that, while the courts gradually developed a more systematic approach to best interests, judges remained largely resistant to facilitating participation by patients lacking capacity. The article examines the changes brought about by the MCA in this regard. It explores the policy basis for this aspect of the MCA and shows why the participative model represents the most appropriate response to decision-making for people lacking mental capacity. The article argues that notwithstanding the attractions of the MCA’s participative framework from a policy perspective, this approach to best interests gives rise to important practical and conceptual questions, which the article then explores. The article examines the difficulties in delivering genuine participation at a practical level and identifies the risk that patient participation will become a tokenistic endeavour.
Folate intake in a Portuguese female student population and its relation to body mass index, physical activity level and intake of other nutrients

BACKGROUND: Poor compliance to current recommendations of folic acid intake has been observed. Insufficient intakes of folate have been linked to neural tube defects in birth, anemia, neuropsychiatric disorders, some cancers and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine folate intake and its relationship with body mass index, physical activity level and intake of other nutrients among female Portuguese university students. METHODS: 67 female students with ages between 19 and 25 years old participated in the study. Dietary intake was assessed by prospective three days food records; physical activity level was evaluated based on reported time spent in several activities. RESULTS: Mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.1 ± 0.4 kg/m 2 (normal weight); mean physical activity level was 1.57 ± 0.02 (low active physical activity level). Mean folate intake was 193.3 ± 9.4g/day, below the recommended dietary allowance of 400g/day. A high prevalence of inadequate folate intake was found (49.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Folate intake was not associated with physical activity categories or BMI values. A positive correlation was found between folate intake, vitamin C and vitamin A intakes. No correlation was found between folate intake and macronutrient intake.
Manual vs. automated: the diabetic retinopathy screening debate

Systematic screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been identified as a cost-effective use of health service resources,1-4 with national screening programmes based on digital photography being implemented across Europe. In Scotland, images are captured at local screening centres and sent electronically to one of nine regional grading centres, where they are manually graded using a three-level system (Figure 1).
Technology for Improving the Quality of Life for Patients Suffering from Vascular Insufficiency.

LIVINGSTON, FREDERICK JERARD. Technology for Improving the Quality of Life for Patients Suffering from Vascular Insufficiency. (Under the direction of Edward Grant.) This research describes technology for improving the quality of life for patients suffering from vascular insufficiency. It has been estimated that half of the U.S. population suffers from some form of vascular disease. This number is expected to rise as the population ages and obesity becomes more prevalent. The two main objectives of this research is: (1) ambulatory treatment of vascular disorders, (2) remote screening of the vascular system. The first objective is to achieved with the development of a new wireless and wearable device that provides pneumatically sensed and controlled compression suitable for the treatment of lower limb edema in ambulatory patients. This device uses smart algorithms to apply and monitor compression regionally to the thigh, calf, and ankle. This system can accurately apply static and dynamic pressure to the vascular system in an energy efficient and compact way. The unit can operate continuously for a full day of compression treatment using a 9V Lithium battery. This unit is small enough 140x66x28mm (5.5x2.6x1.1 inches) to fit into a large pant’s pocket. Advantage of this system over other compression garments is: (1) regional pressure profiles, (2) dynamic and static compression, (3) minimal creeping, (4) ambulatory and real-time monitoring. This new instrument should be seen as a first step for improving the life of ambulatory patients with vascular insufficiency. The second objective of this research is to provide technology for the remote diagnostic study of the vasculatory system. Remote diagnostic tools will provide the early detection of serious vasculatory disorders, such as strokes, and heart attacks. These diagnostics are accomplished by the development of portable ambulatory ultrasound devices. This research describes: (1) the electrical design of a high-resolution, portable, and low-cost bi-directional Doppler ultrasonic system. This system uses programmable oscillators, Flip-flops, programmable amplifiers, and filters. (2) Mechanical design tools for the accurate simulation of ultrasound devices derived from the KLM model design, and (3) a client for real-time signal processing of ultrasound data for quantifiable blood velocities measurements. All the hardware and software have been tested and validated. © Copyright 2014 by Frederick Jerard Livingston All Rights Reserved Technology for Improving the Quality of Life for Patients Suffering from Vascular Insufficiency by Frederick Jerard Livingston A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Electrical Engineering Raleigh, North Carolina 2014
Recent Considerations in Industrial Hearing Conservation

Colorado Hearing and Speech Center, Denver, Colorado. There has been an increasing demand over recent years for the participation of audiologists in industrial hearing conservation programs. This participation has occurred in varying degrees from "moonlighting" in industrial consulting, to conducting and directing training courses for industrial personnel, to full time employment in industrial settings. The increasing demands placed on industry by the federal regulation of occupational noise exposure, along with the growing specter of state worker's compensation laws, require that the hearing professional be as well versed as possible with all aspects of industrial hearing conservation if he or she is going to be involved even to a limited extent. This article will attempt to familiarize the reader with current federal regulations governing occupational noise exposure and the broad-reaching implications of those regulations for audiologists involved in industrial hearing conservation. In addition, guidelines for conducting a "minimum" noise survey and state worker's compensation considerations will be presented.
Wound-care teams for preventing and treating pressure ulcers.

BACKGROUND Pressure ulcers, which are localised injury to the skin or underlying tissue, or both, occur when people are unable to reposition themselves to relieve pressure on bony prominences. Pressure ulcers are often difficult to heal, painful and impact negatively on the individual's quality of life. The cost implications of pressure ulcer treatment are considerable, compounding the challenges in providing cost effective, efficient health service delivery. International guidelines suggest that to prevent and manage pressure ulcers successfully a team approach is required. Therefore, this review has been conducted to clarify the role of wound-care teams in the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of wound-care teams in preventing and treating pressure ulcers in people of any age, nursed in any healthcare setting. SEARCH METHODS In April 2015 we searched: The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE and EBSCO CINAHL. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered RCTs that evaluated the effect of any configuration of wound-care teams in the treatment or prevention of pressure ulcers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed titles and, where available, abstracts of the studies identified by the search strategy for their eligibility. We obtained full versions of potentially relevant studies and two review authors independently screened these against the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS We identified no studies that met the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We set out to evaluate the RCT evidence pertaining to the impact of wound-care teams on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. However, no studies met the inclusion criteria. There is a lack of evidence concerning whether wound-care teams make a difference to the incidence or healing of pressure ulcers. Well-designed trials addressing important clinical, quality of life and economic outcomes are justified, based on the incidence of the problem and the high costs associated with pressure ulcer management.