Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The boom and bust of the aphid’s essential amino acid metabolism across nymphal development

Abstract Within long-term symbioses, animals integrate their physiology and development with their symbiont. In a model nutritional mutualism, aphids harbor the endosymbiont, Buchnera, within specialized bacteriocyte cells. Buchnera synthesizes essential amino acids (EAAs) and vitamins for their host, which are lacking from the aphid’s plant sap diet. It is unclear if the aphid host differentially expresses aphid EAA metabolism pathways and genes that collaborate with Buchnera for the production of EAA and vitamins throughout nymphal development when feeding on plants. It is also unclear if aphid bacteriocytes are differentially methylated throughout aphid development as DNA methylation may play a role in gene regulation. By analyzing aphid gene expression, we determined that the bacteriocyte is metabolically more active in metabolizing Buchnera’s EAAs and vitamins early in nymphal development compared to intermediate or later immature and adult lifestages. The largest changes in aphid bacteriocyte gene expression, especially for aphid genes that collaborate with Buchnera, occurred during the 3rd to 4th instar transition. During this transition, there is a huge shift in the bacteriocyte from a high energy “nutrient-consuming state” to a “recovery and growth state” where patterning and signaling genes and pathways are upregulated and differentially methylated, and de novo methylation is reduced as evidenced by homogenous DNA methylation profiles after the 2nd instar. Moreover, bacteriocyte number increased and Buchnera’s titer decreased throughout aphid nymphal development. These data suggest in combination that bacteriocytes of older nymphal and adult lifestages depend less on the nutritional symbiosis compared to early nymphal lifestages.
Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The mandibular gland of ants releases chemical compounds with functions ranging from nestmate alarm and recognition to antimicrobial defense. While the morphology of this ethologically important gland is well investigated in several species, the mechanism of secretion release in ants was not explicitly addressed so far. To clarify this question, we examined the anatomy of the gland orifice in ant species from 14 different subfamilies employing different techniques. The orifice close to the mandibular base is located on an area called mandalus. Our investigations revealed variation in mandalar shape, with clear trends in different subfamilies. By contrast, the internal organization is remarkably congruent across all investigated species. The thin external mandalar cuticle is always connected to the mandibular gland duct by a cuticular lamella, visible as a characteristic anchor‐shaped structure in cross section. The slit‐like gland orifice at the distal end of the mandalus is usually crescent‐shaped. In some ant species with specialized mandibles such as trap‐jaws, the organization of the orifice area is adapted to the mandibular shape, but always retains the general internal organization. No muscles were found in association with the orifice, nor with any other part of the mandibular gland. However, the base of the mandalus is connected to the prepharyngeal sucking pump by a cuticular ligament. Additionally, it is continuous with the conjunctiva connecting the mandible to the head capsule. We propose that retraction of the sucking pump by the muscle M. tentoriobuccalis, potentially in concert with opening of the mandible, stretches out the ligament and thus pulls on the mandalus and mandalar lamella to open the gland orifice and allow for secretion release. This hypothesis is congruent with findings on other aculeate Hymenoptera and expands our knowledge on the function of an important gland of ants.
Telemedicine usage via WeChat for children with congenital heart disease preoperatively during COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective analysis

Abstract Objective During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of infants having medical problem face challenges of insufficient medical resources at home. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of WeChat-based telehealth services on the preoperative follow-up of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 190 infants with CHD who underwent remote follow-up via WeChat from December 2019 to May 2020 in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. In addition, the psychological benefits of WeChat on the parents of these infants were analyzed. Results In total, 190 infants were involved in this study, including 72 cases of ventricular septal defects, 42 cases of patent ductus arteriosus, 55 cases of atrial septal defects, 3 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, 2 cases of endocardial cushion defects, 12 cases of pulmonary stenosis, 2 cases of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and 2 cases of aortic arch constriction. During the follow-up period, 48 infants who received surgical indications were hospitalized in time for surgical treatment. It was recommended that 10 infants with respiratory tract infections be treated in local hospitals through the WeChat platform. We provided feeding guidance to 28 infants with dysplasia through the WeChat platform. The psychological evaluation results of parents showed that the median score and range of Self-Rating Depression Scale scores were 42 and 32–58, respectively. Nine parents (4.7%) were clinically depressed, while the majority had mild depression. The median score and range of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores were 44 and 31–59, respectively. Twenty parents (10.5%) had clinical anxiety, while the rest had mild anxiety. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, follow-up management and health services for infants with CHD prior to surgery through the WeChat platform were useful in identifying the state of an infant’s condition as well as in identifying and relieving care pressure, anxiety and depression in the parents.
The efficacy of biomarkers in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury secondary to liver cirrhosis

Abstract This study is to investigate the role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C (CysC) and creatinine in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to liver cirrhosis. A total of 825 patients (including 540 liver cirrhosis patients and 285 healthy controls) were enrolled. Liver cirrhosis patients were further subdivided into AKI secondary to liver cirrhosis group (AKI group, 210 patients) and simple liver cirrhosis group (LC group, 330 patients). Serum NGAL/urine NGAL (sNGAL/uNGAL), and serum creatinine (sCr) levels as well as estimated glomerular filtration rates were measured. The diagnostic performances of these indicators in AKI secondary to liver cirrhosis were evaluated. The levels of sNGAL, uNGAL, CysC and sCr in the AKI group were significantly higher than those of LC and healthy control groups. However, the eGFR and c-aGFR of AKI group were significantly lower. With the progression of AKI (AKI-S1→AKI-S2→AKI-S3), the levels of sNGAL, uNGAL, CysC and sCr increased gradually, while the levels of c-aGFR and eGFR decreased gradually. The sNGAL, uNGAL and CysC were positively correlated with sCr (r = 0.638, 0.635, and 0.650), but negatively correlated with c-aGFR (r = -0.617, -0.606 and -0.655). However, eGFR had a negative correlation with sCr (r = -0.711), but a positive correlation with c-aGFR (r = 0.736). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for uNGAL was the largest (0.976), followed by sNGAL (0.967). The diagnostic efficacy of uNGAL and sNGAL in AKI group were 0.907 and 0.870, and the risk degrees were OR = 54.524 and 5.115, respectively. NGAL might perform better than sCr and CysC in the diagnosis of AKI secondary to liver cirrhosis, while uNGAL might be a better indicator than sNGAL in AKI diagnosis.
Fatigue, induced via repetitive upper-limb motor tasks, influences trunk and shoulder kinematics during an upper limb reaching task in a virtual reality environment

Background Efficient shoulder movement depends on the ability of central nervous system to integrate sensory information and to create an appropriate motor command. Various daily encountered factors can potentially compromise the execution of the command, such as fatigue. This study explored how fatigue influences shoulder movements during upper limb reaching. Methods Forty healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Control or Fatigue Group. All participants completed an upper limb reaching task at baseline and post-experimental, during which they reached four targets located at 90° of shoulder abduction, 90° external rotation at 90° abduction, 120° scaption, and 120° flexion in a virtual reality environment. Following the baseline phase, the Fatigue Group completed a shoulder fatigue protocol, while Controls took a 10-minute break. Thereafter, the reaching task was repeated. Upper limb kinematic (joint angles and excursions) and spatiotemporal (speed and accuracy) data were collected during the reaching task. Electromyographic activity of the anterior and middle deltoids were also collected to characterize fatigue. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA were performed to determine the effects of Time, Group and of the interaction between these factors. Results The Fatigue group showed decreased mean median power frequency and increased electromyographic amplitudes of the anterior deltoid (p < 0.05) following the fatigue protocol. Less glenohumeral elevation, increased trunk flexion and rotation and sternoclavicular elevation were also observed in the Fatigue group (Group x Time interaction, p < 0.05). The Control group improved their movement speed and accuracy in post-experimental phase, while the Fatigue group showed a decrease of movement speed and no accuracy improvement (Group x Time interaction, p < 0.05). Conclusion In a fatigued state, changes in movement strategy were observed during the reaching task, including increased trunk and sternoclavicular movements and less glenohumeral movement. Performance was altered as shown by the lack of accuracy improvement over time and a decrease in movement speed in the Fatigue group.
A READABILITY COMPARISON OF ONLINE SPANISH AND ENGLISH PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS ABOUT VISION HEALTH

ABSTRACT Purpose Current United States national guidelines recommend patient education materials (PEMs) be written at a 5th–6th grade level. The objective of this study was to compare the readability of Spanish vision and eye health PEMs to nationally recommended reading levels and to English versions of the same PEMs. Methods PEMs were collected from seven online websites of vision-related organizations that provided PEMs with Spanish and English versions. PEMs were downloaded for text to be extracted and analyzed. Readability scoring was performed with Índice Flesch-Szigriszt, Spanish and English Lexile Text Analyzers, and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level. Results A total of 484 PEMs with Spanish and English versions were analyzed. Readability for Spanish PEMs was reported at or above the 6th grade level for 57% of articles based on Spanish Lexile scoring and 63% based on Índice Flesch-Szigriszt scoring. Readability for English PEMs was reported at or above the 6th grade level for 66% of articles based on English Lexile scoring and 75% based on Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level scoring. Wilcoxon signed–rank test comparing grade levels translated from Lexile scores for Spanish and English versions of PEMs revealed that Spanish versions of PEMs required higher grade reading levels compared to English versions of PEMs (p < .001). Conclusion Spanish and English PEMs were written above nationally recommended reading levels. Online sources providing multilingual vision and eye health education should consider routinely monitoring PEMs to ensure reading levels meet the literacy needs of their audiences.
Elevated serum calprotectin (S100A8/A9) in patients with severe asthma

Abstract Objective Asthma is a heterogeneous disease consisting of several inflammatory phenotypes of which neutrophilic asthma is associated with poorer responses to classic therapies, namely (inhaled) corticosteroids. The development of targeted therapies requires the identification of biomarkers to distinguish these phenotypes. Currently, we lack validated biomarkers for non-eosinophilic asthma. The aim of this study is to examine serum calprotectin (SC) in asthmatics and its potential as biomarker for neutrophilic asthma. Methods Hundred-seventeen severe asthmatics were referred for sputum induction and data were obtained from their medical records. To evaluate the association between SC and asthma phenotypes, patients were divided into subgroups based on sputum cell count (3% eosinophils and 61% neutrophils). Additionally, SC levels of asthmatics were compared with these of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and healthy controls. Results Asthmatics (n = 45) had significantly higher levels of SC than healthy controls. No significant differences were found between the different asthma phenotypes and in comparison with COPD patients. SC was significantly higher in asthmatics with a lower FEV1/FVC ratio (<70) and non-significantly elevated SC levels were seen in asthmatics with frequent exacerbations (>2 in the last year). Conclusion In conclusion, there was no difference in SC levels between the different inflammatory subtypes in asthmatics. Nevertheless, severe asthmatics seemed to have higher SC levels suggesting that SC may be a marker of disease severity rather than a marker for specific inflammatory subtypes in asthmatics. Further research in larger cohorts is necessary to validate SC as biomarker in severe asthmatics.
Cell-Type-Specific Dynamics of Calcium Activity in Cortical Circuits over the Course of Slow-Wave Sleep and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Sleep shapes cortical network activity, fostering global homeostatic downregulation of excitability while maintaining or even upregulating excitability in selected networks in a manner that supports memory consolidation. Here, we used two-photon calcium imaging of cortical layer 2/3 neurons in sleeping male mice to examine how these seemingly opposing dynamics are balanced in cortical networks. During slow-wave sleep (SWS) episodes, mean calcium activity of excitatory pyramidal (Pyr) cells decreased. Simultaneously, however, variance in Pyr population calcium activity increased, contradicting the notion of a homogenous downregulation of network activity. Indeed, we identified a subpopulation of Pyr cells distinctly upregulating calcium activity during SWS, which were highly active during sleep spindles known to support mnemonic processing. Rapid eye movement (REM) episodes following SWS were associated with a general downregulation of Pyr cells, including the subpopulation of Pyr cells active during spindles, which persisted into following stages of sleep and wakefulness. Parvalbumin-positive inhibitory interneurons (PV-In) showed an increase in calcium activity during SWS episodes, while activity remained unchanged during REM sleep episodes. This supports the view that downregulation of Pyr calcium activity during SWS results from increased somatic inhibition via PV-In, whereas downregulation during REM sleep is achieved independently of such inhibitory activity. Overall, our findings show that SWS enables upregulation of select cortical circuits (likely those which were involved in mnemonic processing) through a spindle-related process, whereas REM sleep mediates general downregulation, possibly through synaptic re-normalization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sleep is thought to globally downregulate cortical excitability and, concurrently, to upregulate synaptic connections in neuron ensembles with newly encoded memory, with upregulation representing a function of sleep spindles. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in combination with surface EEG recordings, we classified cells based on their calcium activity during sleep spindles. Spindle-active pyramidal (Pyr) cells persistently increased calcium activity during slow-wave sleep (SWS) episodes while spindle-inactive cells decreased calcium activity. Subsequent rapid eye movement (REM) sleep episodes profoundly reduced calcium activity in both cell clusters. Results indicate that SWS allows for a spindle-related differential upregulation of ensembles whereas REM sleep functions to globally downregulate networks.
A random parameter negative binomial model for signalized intersection accidents in Seoul, Korea

Abstract A variety of statistical models were generally considered to better understand the relationship between crash occurrences and diverse factors. However, most of statistical models adapted fixed parameters which cannot incorporate time variation or sement-specific effects. To relieve this problem, this study focuses on a traffic accident frequency model using a random parameter negative binomial approach. This method allows for the consideration of unobserved heterogeneity in accident data that current popular methods such as Poisson or Negative Binomial models cannot account for. A four-year (2007-2010) continuous panel of accident histories at 95 signalized intersections in Seoul, Korea, was used to estimate the random parameter negative binomial model with traffic volumes and various geometric characteristics at intersections. Results show that the presence of a left-turn exclusive lane on a major road, the existence and length of a median barrier, and the existence of a pedestrian island on a major road are random parameters, and an additional ten variables significantly affected the safety at the intersections as fixed parameters. The fixed parameters were associated with major and minor roadway heavy vehicle volume, exclusive turn lane presence on major and minor roadway, taxiway lane presence, median barrier presence, as well as the number of lanes on major and minor roadway. The insights from this study indicate the need for broader analysis of lane channelization, lane exclusion and lane geometry effects as potential random parameters in intersection accident propensities.
Fabrication of Functionalize Reduce Graphene Oxide and Its Application in Ampicillin Detection

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from graphite (GT) with Hammer method, the GO was reduced with hydrazine hydrate to produce a reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The RGO was reacted with thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) to functionalize the RGO with 4-amino-3-symbol-1h-1, 2, 4-triazol-5 (4H) -thion group and to obtain (RGOT). All the prepared nanomaterial and the product of the functionalization RGOT were characterized with Fourier transformer infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. RGOT mixed with ultrasonic device at different pH values of phosphate buffer solution (PBS), the mixture used to modifying a screen printed carbon electrodes SPCE and with cyclic voltammetry the sensitivity of selectivity of the new modifying electrode to examine. The results show good selectivity at pH2 to the ampicillin and a redox reaction of the β- lactam group of the antibiotic.
Dimensional scaling of thin-film stimulation electrode systems in translational research

Objective. Electrical stimulation of biological tissue is an established technique in research and clinical practice that uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical pulses for a variety of therapies. Significant research currently explores new electrode system technologies and stimulation protocols in preclinical models, aiming at both improving the electrode performance and confirming therapeutic efficacy. Assessing the scalability of newly proposed electrode technology and their use for tissue stimulation remains, however, an open question. Approach. We propose a simplified electrical model that formalizes the dimensional scaling of stimulation electrode systems. We use established equations describing the electrode impedance, and apply them to the case of stimulation electrodes driven by a voltage-capped pulse generator. Main results. We find a hard, intrinsic upward scalability limit to the electrode radius that largely depends on the conductor technology. We finally provide a simple analytical formula predicting the maximum size of a stimulation electrode as a function of the stimulation parameters and conductor resistance. Significance. Our results highlight the importance of careful geometrical and electrical designs of electrode systems based on novel thin-film technologies and that become particularly relevant for their translational implementation with electrode geometries approaching clinical human size electrodes and interfacing with voltage-capped neurostimulation systems.
Assessment of Vocal Cord Motion Using Laryngeal Ultrasound in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. OBJECTIVES: Laryngeal ultrasound is a nonirradiating, noninvasive method for assessing the upper airway in children. This systematic review and meta-analysis examine available evidence for accuracy of laryngeal ultrasound in diagnosing vocal cord immobility in infants and children after surgery and trauma affecting the vocal cords. DESIGN: Medical subject heading terms were used to search MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant citations. Publications from January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2020 were included in the search strategy. Study inclusion criteria consisted of randomized control trials and nonrandomized retrospective or prospective observational studies where vocal cord motion was evaluated by laryngeal ultrasound and compared with a reference test. Studies were excluded if there was insufficient data to compute a sensitivity/specificity table. Case reports, case series less than 10, and manuscripts not published in English were also excluded. PATIENTS: Studies which included subjects younger than or equal to 18 years were considered for full article review. SETTINGS: No restrictions on study settings were imposed in this systematic review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The initial search returned 1,357 citations. After de-duplication, abstract, and full review, eight citations were included in the final meta-analysis. A bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was performed, which revealed a pooled sensitivity for laryngeal ultrasound in detecting vocal cord immobility of 91% (95% CI, 83–95%), specificity of 97% (95% CI, 82-100%), diagnostic odds ratio 333.56 (95% CI, 34.00–3,248.71), positive likelihood ratio 31.58 (95% CI, 4.50–222.05), and negative likelihood ratio 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05–0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal ultrasound demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for detecting vocal cord motion in children in a wide range of clinical settings. Laryngeal ultrasound offers a low-risk imaging option for assessing vocal cord function in children compared with the current gold standard of laryngoscopy.