Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peach PpSnRK1 Participates in Sucrose-Mediated Root Growth Through Auxin Signaling

Sugar signals play a key role in root growth and development. SnRK1, as one of the energy centers, can respond to energy changes in plants and affect the growth and development of plants. However, studies on sugar signals and SnRK1 regulating root growth in fruit trees have not been reported. In this study, we found that 5% exogenous sucrose could increase the total volume and total surface area of the peach root system, enhance the number and growth of lateral roots, and promote the activity of SnRK1. When exogenous trehalose was applied, the growth of roots was poor. Sucrose treatment reversed the inhibitory effects of trehalose on SnRK1 enzyme activity and root growth. We also found that the lateral root number of PpSnRK1a-overexpressing plants (4-1, 4-2, and 4-3) increased significantly. Therefore, we believe that peach SnRK1 is involved in sucrose-mediated root growth and development. To further clarify this mechanism, we used qRT-PCR analysis to show that exogenous sucrose could promote the expression of auxin-related genes in roots, thereby leading to the accumulation of auxin in the root system. In addition, the genes related to auxin synthesis and auxin transport in the root systems of PpSnRK1a-overexpressing lines were also significantly up-regulated. Using peach PpSnRK1a as the bait, we obtained two positive clones, PpIAA12 and PpPIN-LIKES6, which play key roles in auxin signaling. The interactions between peach PpSnRK1a and PpIAA12/PpPIN-LIKES6 were verified by yeast two-hybrid assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments, and the complexes were localized in the nucleus. After exogenous trehalose treatment, the expression of these two genes in peach root system was inhibited, whereas sucrose had a significant stimulatory effect and could alleviate the inhibition of these two genes by trehalose, which was consistent with the trend of sucrose’s regulation of SnRK1 activity. In conclusion, peach SnRK1 can respond to sucrose and regulate root growth through the auxin signal pathway. This experiment increases our understanding of the function of fruit tree SnRK1 and provides a new insight to further study sugar hormone crosstalk in the future.
Exploring Efficacy of a Serious Game (Tobbstop) for Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Tobacco use during pregnancy entails a serious risk to the mother and harmful effects on the development of the child. Europe has the highest tobacco smoking prevalence (19.3%) compared with the 6.8% global mean. Between 20% to 30% of pregnant women used tobacco during pregnancy worldwide. These data emphasize the urgent need for community education and implementation of prevention strategies focused on the risks associated with tobacco use during pregnancy. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention that incorporates a serious game (Tobbstop) to help pregnant smokers quit smoking. Methods A two-arm randomized controlled trial enrolled 42 women who visited 2 primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain, between March 2015 and November 2016. All participants were pregnant smokers, above 18 years old, attending consultation with a midwife during the first trimester of pregnancy, and had expressed their desire to stop smoking. Participants were randomized to the intervention (n=21) or control group (n=21). The intervention group was instructed to install the game on their mobile phone or tablet and use it for 3 months. Until delivery, all the participants were assessed on their stage of smoking cessation during their follow-up midwife consultations. The primary outcome was continuous tobacco abstinence until delivery confirmed by the amount of carbon monoxide at each visit, measured with a carboxymeter. Results Continuous abstinence until delivery outcome was 57% (12/21) in the intervention group versus 14% (3/21) in the control group (hazard ratio=4.31; 95% CI 1.87-9.97; P=.001). The mean of total days without smoking until delivery was higher in the intervention group (mean 139.75, SD 21.76) compared with the control group (mean 33.28, SD 13.27; P<.001). In addition, a Kapplan-Meier survival analysis showed that intervention group has a higher abstinence rate compared with the control group (log-rank test, χ21=13.91; P<.001). Conclusions Serious game use is associated with an increased likelihood to maintain abstinence during the intervention period if compared with those not using the game. Pregnancy is an ideal opportunity to intervene and control tobacco use among future mothers. On the other hand, serious games are an emerging technology, growing in importance, which are shown to be a good tool to help quitting smoking during pregnancy and also to maintain this abstinent behavior. However, because of the study design limitations, these outcomes should be interpreted with caution. More research, using larger samples and longer follow-up periods, is needed to replicate the findings of this study. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01734421; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01734421 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75ISc59pB)
Comparative efficacy and safety of intrathecal ropivacaine versus intrathecal bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgical procedures

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intrathecal ropivacaine versus intrathecal bupivacaine as anesthetic agents in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized trial, patients (n = 60) were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group R (n = 30) received intrathecal ropivacaine 0.75%, 3 ml (isobaric), whereas Group B (n = 30) received intrathecal bupivacaine 0.5%, 3 ml (isobaric). The two study groups were compared with respect to onset, duration, and level of sensory block. The time for the onset of motor block, total duration of motor block, and postoperative side effects were also recorded. Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data and categorical data were analyzed using t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The maximum sensory level of T4 was reached in 6.7% and 13.3% of the cases of ropivacaine and bupivacaine (P = 0.68), respectively. The onset time (2.54 vs. 2.91 min; P > 0.05) and level (7.38 vs. 8.14 min; P > 0.05) of sensory block achieved were found to be similar to both the drugs. The duration of sensory block was comparable in both the study groups (321.72 vs. 301.45 min; P > 0.05), whereas the duration of motor block was significantly shorter with ropivacaine than bupivacaine (214.5 vs. 283.36 min; P < 0.05). Nonsignificant higher incidence of bradycardia (10% vs. 3.3%) and hypotension (13.3% vs. 3.3%) was observed with bupivacaine than ropivacaine. Conclusion: Intrathecal ropivacaine may be considered superior to intrathecal bupivacaine in terms of early motor recovery and similar duration of sensory block. Lower incidence of hypotension and bradycardia with ropivacaine, though apparently insignificant in this study, may indicate its better safety profile as compared to bupivacaine.
The Role of Organizational Support and Problem Space Complexity on Organizational Performance - A Business Intelligence Perspective

Background : In today’s business environment, BI systems are frequently bundled together or built with a good connection to existing ERP systems. Businesses implementing BI alone may not receive its full benefit if the necessary support structure and a fit of it to its problem domain are not in place. Methods : In this study, we explored organizational support and problem space complexity in three models (base, direct-effect and moderation models) to study BI’s effect on organizational performance. Results : The moderation model explains the most variance of the dependent variable – organizational performance. Problem space complexity had both a direct effect on organizational performance and the relationship between BI implementation and this dependent variable. Organizational support along with its first-order factors did not have statistical significance on organizational performance. Conclusions : The resulting moderation model provides the best explanation of organizational performance among the three models tested. The confirmed effects of problem space complexity show that matching BI implementation to the complexity of the problem in hand drives business performance. Organizational support may not be consistently required throughout all stages of BI adoption. As the BI literature has shown, the effect of organizational support on BI implementation could very much be on individuals in areas of affective commitment, extra-role performance and end-user satisfaction. Our work provides the beginning empirical evidence that such effects on individuals may not always result in business performance.
Feature Engineering Method Using Double-Layer Hidden Markov Model for Insider Threat Detection

In the past, most Hidden Markov models based on time series only used the original HMM model. The single-layer models (HMMs) structure has a big problem, and it isn’t straightforward to play its due role when it is necessary to make ﬁne adjustments to the scene. So it was impossible to entirely and ﬂexibly perform user behavior. This paper performs feature extraction and analysis of user behavior data of time series. The data labels should be added after the parameters obtained by statistical methods for clustering to obtain the ﬁrst hidden state, and the layers are further layered according to working hours and outside working hours. The experimental results show that the method has strong applicability and ﬂexibility, and can quickly detect abnormal behavior.
A Data-driven Characterization of Modern Android Spyware

According to Nokia’s 2017 Threat Intelligence Report, 68.5% of malware targets the Android platform; Windows is second with 28%, followed by iOS and other platforms with 3.5%. The Android spyware family UAPUSH was responsible for the most infections, and several of the top 20 most common Android malware were spyware. Simply put, modern spyware steals the basic information needed to fuel more deadly attacks such as ransomware and banking fraud. Not surprisingly, some forms of spyware are also classified as banking trojans (e.g., ACECARD). We present a data-driven characterization of the principal factors that distinguish modern Android spyware (July 2016–July 2017) both from goodware and other Android malware, using both traditional and deep ML. First, we propose an Ensemble Late Fusion (ELF) architecture that combines the results of multiple classifiers’ predicted probabilities to generate a final prediction. We show that ELF outperforms several of the best-known traditional and deep learning classifiers. Second, we automatically identify key features that distinguish spyware both from goodware and from other malware. Finally we present a detailed analysis of the factors distinguishing five important families of Android spyware: UAPUSH, PINCER, HEHE, USBCLEAVER, and ACECARD (the last is a hybrid spyware-banking trojan).
Eigenvalues of graphs and spectral Moore theorems

In this paper, we describe some recent spectral Moore theorems related to determining the maximum order of a connected graph of given valency and second eigenvalue. We show how these spectral Moore theorems have applications in Alon-Boppana theorems for regular graphs and in the classical degree-diameter/Moore problem.
Inter-specific and inter-population variation in individual diet specialization: do environmental factors have a role?

Individual diet specialization (IS) has important community- and population-level implications and its ecological drivers are actively investigated. Here, to test the hypothesis that local environmental conditions may influence IS in wild populations, we analyzed the stomach contents of 395 individuals from eight populations of five allopatric species of European cave salamanders (genus Hydromantes). We assessed whether their degree of individual diet specialization i) scaled positively with the respective niche widths, in agreement with Van Valen's niche variation hypothesis (NVH), and ii) could be predicted by satellite-derived climatic and vegetation characteristics of the sites where the populations live. Consistent with the NVH, the degree of individual diet specialization increased with the populations' total niche width. Furthermore, two variables describing local non-arboreal vegetation cover and habitat heterogeneity successfully predicted the variation in individual specialization across the eight populations. Climatic factors had a generally low predictive power, with individual specialization in low- and high-elevation populations showing contrasting patterns of co-variation with air temperature in the warmest quarter of the year. However, independently from elevation, specialization peaked under conditions of high non-arboreal vegetation cover and high precipitation regimes. We discussed the results against two mutually non-exclusive scenarios hypothesizing different mechanisms linking environmental factors to salamanders' trophic strategy at an individual and population level. We concluded that satellite-derived climatic and vegetation variables, to date generally adopted to model Grinnellian niches, might also be useful in predicting spatial variations in dietary habits of populations, i.e. their Eltonian niches.
Targeting ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Axis in the Vascular Progenitor Cells for Cardiovascular Diseases.

Bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells are vasculogenic, and play an important role in endothelial health and vascular homeostasis by participating in post-natal vasculogenesis. Progenitor cells are mobilized from bone marrow niches in response to remote ischemic injury and migrate to the areas of damage and stimulate revascularization largely by paracrine activation of angiogenic functions in the peri-ischemic vasculature. This innate vasoprotective mechanism is impaired in certain chronic clinical conditions, which leads to the development of cardiovascular complications. Members of renin angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin converting enzymes (ACEs), ACE and ACE2, angiotensin II (Ang II), Ang-(1-7), and receptors AT1 and Mas are expressed in vasculogenic progenitor cells derived from humans and rodents. Ang-(1-7), generated by ACE2, is known to produce cardiovascular protective effects by acting on Mas receptor and is considered as a counter-regulatory mechanism to the detrimental effects of Ang II. Evidence has now been accumulating in support of the activation of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor pathway by pharmacological or molecular maneuvers, stimulates mobilization of progenitor cells from bone marrow, migration to areas of vascular damage and revascularization of ischemic areas in pathological conditions. This mini-review summarizes recent studies that have enhanced our understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of vasoprotective axis in bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in health and disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) stimulate revascularization of ischemic areas. However the reparative potential is diminished in certain chronic clinical conditions leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases. ACE2 and Mas receptor are key members of the alternative axis of renin angiotensin system and are expressed in HSPCs. Accumulating evidence points to activation of ACE2 or Mas receptor as a promising approaches for restoring the reparative potential thereby to prevent the development of ischemic vascular diseases.
The prevalence, characteristics and prevention status of skin injury caused by personal protective equipment among medical staff in fighting COVID-19: A multi-center, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence, characteristics and preventive status of skin injuries caused by personal protective equipment (PPE) in medical staff. APPROACH A cross-sectional survey was conducted online for understanding skin injuries among medical staff fighting against COVID-19 in February 8-22, 2020. Participants voluntarily answered and submitted the questionnaire with cellphone. The questionnaire items included demographic data, grade of PPE and daily wearing time, skin injuries types, anatomical sites, and preventive measures. Univariable analyses and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the risk factors associated with skin injuries. RESULTS A total of 4,308 respondents were collected from 161 hospitals and 4,306 respondents were valid. The overall prevalence of skin injuries was 42.8% (95% CI 41.30%-44.30%) with three types of device-related pressure injuries, moist associated skin damage and skin tear. Co-skin injuries and multiple locations injuries were 27.4% and 76.8%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis indicated that sweating (95%CI for OR 87.52-163.11), daily wearing time (95% CI for OR1.61-3.21), male (95% CI for OR 1.11-2.13) and grade 3 PPE (95% CI for OR1.08-2.01) were associated with skin injuries. Only 17.7% respondents took prevention and 45.0% skin injuries were treated. INNOVATION This the first cross-sectional survey to understand skin injuries in medical staff caused by PPE, which is expected to be a benchmark. CONCLUSION The skin injuries among medical staff are serious, with insufficient prevention and treatment. A comprehensive program should be taken in future.
Telomere Length and Autism Spectrum Disorder Within the Family: Relationships With Cognition and Sensory Symptoms

Telomeres are repetitive noncoding deoxynucleotide sequences that cap chromosomes to protect DNA. Telomere length (TL) is affected by both genetic and environmental factors, and shortening of telomeres is associated with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, early life stress, and age‐related cognitive dysfunction. Two previous studies associated shorter TL with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to replicate this finding, describe TL in unaffected siblings, and explore novel relationships with symptoms and cognitive function in families with ASD. Participants were 212 male children and adolescents ages 1–17 years (86 with ASD, 57 unaffected siblings, and 69 typically developing [TD]) and 64 parents. TL was measured from blood leukocytes with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and results are expressed by relative ratios with a single copy gene. We replicated that children and adolescents with ASD have shorter TL, compared to TD, and show that unaffected siblings have TL in between those of TD and ASD. We present novel associations between TL and sensory symptoms in ASD. Finally, we demonstrate cognitive functions, but not autistic traits, are related to TL in parents of children with ASD. Cognitive function and TL were not related in children and adolescents. As the third replication, our results elicit confidence in the finding that ASD is associated with shorter TL. Our novel sensory investigation suggests that shortened TL may be a biological mechanism of sensory symptoms in ASD. Furthermore, results highlight the need to better understand relationships between cognition, aging, and TL in families with ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1094‐1101. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Astilbin ameliorates deoxynivalenol‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC‐J2)

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common mycotoxin, which often induces oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in humans and animals. Astilbin (AST), as a natural antioxidant, exhibits multiple pharmacological functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AST on alleviating DON‐induced cytotoxicity in intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC‐J2). The results demonstrated that 0.5 μg/mL DON stimulation for 6 hours induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in IPEC‐J2 cells. AST enhanced the cell viability in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The addition of 20 μg/mL AST significantly increased cell viability, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, Bcl‐2 gene expression and the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio (P < .05), and decreased lactate dehydrogenase release, malondialdehyde content and the relative expressions of genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis such as interleukin‐6 and ‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, cyclooxygenase‐2, nuclear factor‐kappaB, Bax and caspase‐3 (P < .05). Simultaneously, zonula occludens‐1, claudin‐1 and PepT1 gene expressions were upregulated and occludin, ASCT2 and GLUT2 gene expressions were downregulated by the addition of AST, compared with the DON group (P < .05). These results indicated that 20 μg/mL AST could ameliorate oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and intestinal barrier function, and reducing the expressions of inflammation and apoptosis genes, as well as improve the barrier function and nutrient transport and absorption in DON‐induced IPEC‐J2 cells.
Robust classification of cell cycle phase and biological feature extraction by image-based deep learning

Across the cell cycle, the subcellular organization undergoes major spatiotemporal changes that could in principle contain biological features that could potentially represent cell cycle phase. We applied convolutional neural network-based classifiers to extract such putative features from the fluorescence microscope images of cells stained for the nucleus, the Golgi apparatus, and the microtubule cytoskeleton. We demonstrate that cell images can be robustly classified according to G1/S and G2 cell cycle phases without the need for specific cell cycle markers. Grad-CAM analysis of the classification models enabled us to extract several pairs of quantitative parameters of specific subcellular features as good classifiers for the cell cycle phase. These results collectively demonstrate that machine learning-based image processing is useful to extract biological features underlying cellular phenomena of interest in an unbiased and data-driven manner.
Association of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor‐targeted imaging probe with in vivo glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist glucose‐lowering effects

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide. However, some patients do not respond well to the therapy, and caution must be taken for certain patients, including those with reduced insulin secretory capacity. Thus, it is clinically important to predict the efficacy of GLP‐1RA therapy. GLP‐1R‐targeted imaging has recently emerged to visualize and quantify β‐cells. We investigated whether GLP‐1R‐targeted imaging can predict the efficacy of GLP‐1RA treatment.