Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Queen Longevity and Fecundity Affect Conflict with Workers over Resource Inheritance in a Social Insect

Resource inheritance is a major source of conflict in animal societies. However, the assumptions and predictions of models of conflict over resource inheritance have not been systematically tested within a single system. We developed an inclusive fitness model for annual eusocial Hymenoptera that predicts a zone of conflict in which future reproductive workers are selected to enforce nest inheritance before the queen is selected to cede the nest. We experimentally tested key elements of this model in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris. In colonies from which queens were sequentially removed, queen tenure was significantly negatively associated with worker male production, confirming that workers gain direct fitness by usurping the queen. In unmanipulated colonies, queen fecundity decreased significantly over the latter part of the colony cycle, confirming that workers’ indirect fitness from maintaining queens declines over time. Finally, in an experiment simulating loss of queen fecundity by removal of queens’ eggs, worker-to-queen aggression increased significantly and aggressive workers were significantly more likely to become egg layers, consistent with workers monitoring queen fecundity to assess the net benefit of future reproduction. Overall, by upholding key assumptions and predictions of the model, our results provide novel empirical support for kin-selected conflict over resource inheritance.
Differentiation between young adult Internet addicts, smokers, and healthy controls by the interaction between impulsivity and temporal lobe thickness

Background and aims Internet addiction is a non-substance-related addiction disorder with progressively growing prevalence. Internet addiction, like substance-related addictions, has been linked with high impulsivity, low inhibitory control, and poor decision-making abilities. Cortical thickness measurements and trait impulsivity have been shown to have a distinct relationship in addicts compared to healthy controls. Thus, we test whether the cortical correlates of trait impulsivity are different in Internet addicts and healthy controls, using an impulsive control group (smokers). Methods Thirty Internet addicts (15 females) and 60 age- and gender-matched controls (30 smokers, all young adults aged 19–28 years) were scanned using a 3T MRI scanner and completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Results Internet addicts had a thinner left superior temporal cortex than controls. Impulsivity had a significant main effect on the left pars orbitalis and bilateral insula, regardless of group membership. We identified divergent relationships between trait impulsivity and thicknesses of the bilateral middle temporal, right superior temporal, left inferior temporal, and left transverse temporal cortices between Internet addicts and healthy controls. Further analysis with smokers revealed that the left middle temporal and left transverse temporal cortical thickness change might be exclusive to Internet addiction. Discussion The effects of impulsivity, combined with a long-term exposure to some specific substance or stimuli, might result in different natures of relationships between impulsivity and brain structure when compared to healthy controls. Conclusion These results may indicate that Internet addiction is similar to substance-related addictions, such that inefficient self-control could result in maladaptive behavior and inability to resist Internet use.
Peptidomimetic Targeting of Cav&bgr;2 Overcomes Dysregulation of the L-Type Calcium Channel Density and Recovers Cardiac Function

Background: L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) play important roles in regulating cardiomyocyte physiology, which is governed by appropriate LTCC trafficking to and density at the cell surface. Factors influencing the expression, half-life, subcellular trafficking, and gating of LTCCs are therefore critically involved in conditions of cardiac physiology and disease. Methods: Yeast 2-hybrid screenings, biochemical and molecular evaluations, protein interaction assays, fluorescence microscopy, structural molecular modeling, and functional studies were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which the LTCC Cav&bgr;2 chaperone regulates channel density at the plasma membrane. Results: On the basis of our previous results, we found a direct linear correlation between the total amount of the LTCC pore-forming Cav&agr;1.2 and the Akt-dependent phosphorylation status of Cav&bgr;2 both in a mouse model of diabetic cardiac disease and in 6 diabetic and 7 nondiabetic cardiomyopathy patients with aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that a conformational change in Cav&bgr;2 triggered by Akt phosphorylation increases LTCC density at the cardiac plasma membrane, and thus the inward calcium current, through a complex pathway involving reduction of Cav&agr;1.2 retrograde trafficking and protein degradation through the prevention of dynamin-mediated LTCC endocytosis; promotion of Cav&agr;1.2 anterograde trafficking by blocking Kir/Gem-dependent sequestration of Cav&bgr;2, thus facilitating the chaperoning of Cav&agr;1.2; and promotion of Cav&agr;1.2 transcription by the prevention of Kir/Gem-mediated shuttling of Cav&bgr;2 to the nucleus, where it limits the transcription of Cav&agr;1.2 through recruitment of the heterochromatin protein 1&ggr; epigenetic repressor to the Cacna1c promoter. On the basis of this mechanism, we developed a novel mimetic peptide that, through targeting of Cav&bgr;2, corrects LTCC life-cycle alterations, facilitating the proper function of cardiac cells. Delivery of mimetic peptide into a mouse model of diabetic cardiac disease associated with LTCC abnormalities restored impaired calcium balance and recovered cardiac function. Conclusions: We have uncovered novel mechanisms modulating LTCC trafficking and life cycle and provide proof of concept for the use of Cav&bgr;2 mimetic peptide as a novel therapeutic tool for the improvement of cardiac conditions correlated with alterations in LTCC levels and function.
The Japanese Version of the Adolescent Time Inventory–Time Attitudes (ATI-TA) Scale: Internal Consistency, Structural Validity, and Convergent Validity

In this study, we translated the Adolescent Time Inventory–Time Attitudes (ATI-TA) scale into Japanese and examined the internal consistency and structural and convergent validity of ATI-TA scores in a sample of 383 Japanese high school students aged 15 to 18 years. The ATI-TA consists of six subscales assessing two valences (positive and negative) for each of three time periods (past, present, and future). Internal consistency estimates for scores on the ATI-TA were over . 79. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a six-factor model yielded the best fit to scores. Correlations among ATI-TA scores, time attitudes assessed by the semantic differential method, educational career planning, and self-esteem were consistent with our hypotheses. Our results provide evidence that scores on the Japanese version of the ATI-TA are reliable and valid, and thus potentially useful for research in this cultural context.
Boosting Teenagers With Acellular Pertussis Vaccines Containing Recombinant or Chemically Inactivated Pertussis Toxin: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND Protection induced by acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines is partial and short-lived, especially in teenagers, calling for novel immunization strategies. METHODS We conducted an investigator-driven proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial in aP-primed adolescents in Geneva to assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a novel recombinant aP (r-aP) vaccine including recombinant pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) coadministered with tetanus-diphtheria toxoids (Td), compared to a licensed tetanus-diphtheria-aP vaccine containing chemically detoxified PT (cd/Tdap). The primary immunological endpoints were day 28/365 geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of total and neutralizing anti-PT antibodies. Memory B cells were assessed. RESULTS Sixty-two aP-primed adolescents were randomized and vaccinated with r-aP + Td or cd/Tdap. Reactogenicity, adverse events, and baseline GMCs were similar between the groups. Day 28 PT-neutralizing GMCs were low after cd/Tdap (73.91 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 49.88-109.52] IU/mL) and approximately 2-fold higher after r-aP + Td (127.68 [95% CI, 96.73-168.53] IU/mL; P = .0162). Anti-PT GMCs were also low after cd/Tdap (52.43 [95% CI, 36.41-75.50] IU/mL) and 2-fold higher after r-aP + Td (113.74 [95% CI, 88.31-146.50] IU/mL; P = .0006). Day 28 anti-FHA GMCs were similar in both groups. Day 365 anti-PT (but not PT-neutralizing) GMCs remained higher in r-aP + Td vaccinees. PT-specific memory B cells increased significantly after r-aP + Td but not cd/Tdap boosting. CONCLUSIONS Boosting aP-primed adolescents with r-aP induced higher anti-PT and PT-neutralizing responses than cd/Tdap and increased PT-specific memory B cells. Despite this superior immunogenicity, r-aP may have to be given repeatedly, earlier, and/or with novel adjuvants to exert an optimal influence in aP-primed subjects. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT02946190.
Targeted HAS2 Expression Lessens Airway Responsiveness in Chronic Murine Allergic Airway Disease

&NA; Hyaluronan (HA), a major component of the extracellular matrix, is secreted by airway structural cells. Airway fibroblasts in allergic asthma secrete elevated levels of HA in association with increased HA synthase 2 (HAS2) expression. Thus, we hypothesized that HA accumulation in the airway wall may contribute to airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness in allergic airways disease. To examine this hypothesis, transgenic mice in which the &agr;‐smooth muscle actin (&agr;‐SMA) promoter drives HAS2 expression were generated. Mixed male and female &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2 mice (HAS2+ mice, n = 16; HAS2− mice, n = 13) were sensitized via intraperitoneal injection and then chronically challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) for 6 weeks. To test airway responsiveness, increasing doses of methacholine were delivered intravenously and airway resistance was measured using the forced oscillation technique. HA, cytokines, and cell types were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and whole lung homogenates. Lung sections were stained using antibodies specific for HA‐binding protein (HABP) and &agr;‐SMA, as well as Masson's trichrome stain. Staining of lung tissue demonstrated significantly increased peribronchial HA, &agr;‐SMA, and collagen deposition in OVA‐challenged &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2+ mice compared with &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2− mice. Unexpectedly, OVA‐challenged &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2+ mice displayed significantly reduced airway responsiveness to methacholine compared with similarly treated &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2− mice. The total numbers of inflammatory cell types in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not differ significantly between OVA‐challenged &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2+ mice and &agr;‐SMA‐HAS2− mice. We conclude that allergen‐challenged mice that overexpress HAS2 in myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells develop increased airway fibrosis, which lessens airway hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstrictors.
Don't Blame It on the Sunshine, Don't Blame It on the Moonlight, Don't Blame It on Good Times: Blame It on the Sociocultural Factors

In this issue of Hepatology, Ventura-Cots and colleagues present their study arguing that colder weather and fewer sunlight hours increase alcohol consumption and thus cause alcoholic cirrhosis (1). "Causality" is a key concept for this study. A recent review on the topic highlighted two nicely articulated definitions provided by Lilienfeld ('a factor may be defined as a cause of a disease, if the incidence of the disease is diminished when exposure to this factor is likewise diminished') and Pearl ('X is a cause of Y if Y listens to X and decides its value in response to what it hears. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Multiview-Based Cooperative Tracking of Multiple Human Objects

Human tracking is a popular research topic in computer vision. However, occlusion problem often complicates the tracking process. This paper presents the so-called multiview-based cooperative tracking of multiple human objects based on the homographic relation between different views. This cooperative tracking applies two hidden Markov processes (tracking and occlusion processes) for each target in each view. The tracking process locates the moving target in each view, whereas the occlusion process represents the possible visibility of the specific target in that designated view. Based on the occlusion process, the cooperative tracking process may reallocate tracking resources for different trackers in different views. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed method.
Nitrification inhibitors effectively target N2O‐producing Nitrosospira spp. in tropical soil

Summary The nitrification inhibitors (NIs) 3,4‐dimethylpyrazole (DMPP) and dicyandiamide (DCD) can effectively reduce N2O emissions; however, which species are targeted and the effect of these NIs on the microbial nitrifier community is still unclear. Here, we identified the ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) species linked to N2O emissions and evaluated the effects of urea and urea with DCD and DMPP on the nitrifying community in a 258 day field experiment under sugarcane. Using an amoA AOB amplicon sequencing approach and mining a previous dataset of 16S rRNA sequences, we characterized the most likely N2O‐producing AOB as a Nitrosospira spp. and identified Nitrosospira (AOB), Nitrososphaera (archaeal ammonia oxidizer) and Nitrospira (nitrite‐oxidizer) as the most abundant, present nitrifiers. The fertilizer treatments had no effect on the alpha and beta diversities of the AOB communities. Interestingly, we found three clusters of co‐varying variables with nitrifier operational taxonomic units (OTUs): the N2O‐producing AOB Nitrosospira with N2O, NO3 −, NH4 +, water‐filled pore space (WFPS) and pH; AOA Nitrososphaera with NO3 −, NH4 + and pH; and AOA Nitrososphaera and NOB Nitrospira with NH4 +, which suggests different drivers. These results support the co‐occurrence of non‐N2O‐producing Nitrososphaera and Nitrospira in the unfertilized soils and the promotion of N2O‐producing Nitrosospira under urea fertilization. Further, we suggest that DMPP is a more effective NI than DCD in tropical soil under sugarcane.
Robotic‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy versus the conventional minimally invasive one: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Conventional video‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is safe and associated with low rates of morbidity and mortality, but the two‐dimensional monitor reduces eye‐hand harmony and viewing yield. Robotic‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with its virtual reality simulators offers a realistic three‐dimensional environment that facilitates dissection in the narrow working space, but it is expensive and requires longer operative time. Therefore, the aim of this meta‐analysis was to assess the safety and feasibility of RAMIE versus MIE in patients with esophageal cancer.
Identifying the ideal tracheostomy site based on patient characteristics during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy without bronchoscopy

Background We previously reported that percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) can be safely performed 2 cm below the cricothyroid membrane without the aid of a bronchoscope. Although our simplified method is convenient and does not require sophisticated equipment, the precise location for tracheostomy cannot be confirmed. Because it is recommended that tracheostomy be performed at the second tracheal ring, we assessed whether patient characteristics could predict the distance between the cricothyroid membrane and the second tracheal ring. Methods Data from 490 patients who underwent three-dimensional neck computed tomography from January 2012 to December 2015 were analyzed, and the linear distance from the upper part of the cricoid cartilage (CC) to the lower part of the second tracheal ring (2TR) was measured in the sagittal plane. Results The mean CC-to-2TR distance was 25.26 mm (95% CI 25.02–25.48 mm). Linear regression analysis showed that the predicted CC-to-2TR distance could be calculated as −5.73 + 0.2 × height (cm) + 1.22 × sex (male: 1, female: 0) + 0.01 × age (yr) −0.03 × weight (kg) (adj. R2 = 0.55). Conclusions These results suggest that height and sex should be considered when performing PDT without bronchoscope guidance.
Is Subcellular Localization Informative for Modeling Protein-Protein Interaction Signal?

Statistical methods have been intensively applied in genomic signal processing (Dougherty et al. 2005). For budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with around 6000 proteins, genome-wide protein-protein-interaction (PPI) (Fromont-Racine et al. 2000, Ito et al. 2001, Newman et al. 2000, and Uetz et al. 2000 among others) and protein subcellular localization (PSL) (Huh et al. 2003) data recently became available and for the latter the presence of 4152 proteins is experimentally tested in each of the 22 subcellular compartments. Recent work shows that multiple biological sources are helpful for both PSL and PPI predictions, and this paper studies statistical feasibility of modeling PPI from PSL since PSLs may play different marginal or joint roles in the complex regulatory network. However, our results indicate that PSL may be controversial for this purpose as an independent source.
Criteria2Query: a natural language interface to clinical databases for cohort definition

Abstract Objective Cohort definition is a bottleneck for conducting clinical research and depends on subjective decisions by domain experts. Data-driven cohort definition is appealing but requires substantial knowledge of terminologies and clinical data models. Criteria2Query is a natural language interface that facilitates human-computer collaboration for cohort definition and execution using clinical databases. Materials and Methods Criteria2Query uses a hybrid information extraction pipeline combining machine learning and rule-based methods to systematically parse eligibility criteria text, transforms it first into a structured criteria representation and next into sharable and executable clinical data queries represented as SQL queries conforming to the OMOP Common Data Model. Users can interactively review, refine, and execute queries in the ATLAS web application. To test effectiveness, we evaluated 125 criteria across different disease domains from ClinicalTrials.gov and 52 user-entered criteria. We evaluated F1 score and accuracy against 2 domain experts and calculated the average computation time for fully automated query formulation. We conducted an anonymous survey evaluating usability. Results Criteria2Query achieved 0.795 and 0.805 F1 score for entity recognition and relation extraction, respectively. Accuracies for negation detection, logic detection, entity normalization, and attribute normalization were 0.984, 0.864, 0.514 and 0.793, respectively. Fully automatic query formulation took 1.22 seconds/criterion. More than 80% (11+ of 13) of users would use Criteria2Query in their future cohort definition tasks. Conclusions We contribute a novel natural language interface to clinical databases. It is open source and supports fully automated and interactive modes for autonomous data-driven cohort definition by researchers with minimal human effort. We demonstrate its promising user friendliness and usability.
Suppression of Tafazzin promotes thyroid cancer apoptosis via activating the JNK signaling pathway and enhancing INF2‐mediated mitochondrial fission

Tafazzin has been found to be associated with tumor progression. Mitochondrial homeostasis regulates cancer cell viability and metastasis. However, the roles of Tafazzin and mitochondrial homeostasis in thyroid cancer have not been explored. The aim of our study is to investigate the influences of Tafazzin on thyroid cancer apoptosis with a focus on mitochondrial fission. Our results indicated that Tafazzin deletion induced death in thyroid cancer via apoptosis. Biological analysis demonstrated that mitochondrial stress, including mitochondrial bioenergetics disorder, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and mitochondrial apoptosis, was activated by Tafazzin deletion. Furthermore, we found that Tafazzin affected mitochondrial stress by triggering inverted formin 2 (INF2)‐related mitochondrial fission. The loss of INF2 sustained mitochondrial function and promoted cancer cell survival. Molecular investigation illustrated that Tafazzin regulated INF2 expression via the JNK signaling pathway; moreover, the blockade of JNK prevented Tafazzin‐mediated INF2 expression and improved cancer cell survival. Taken together, our results highlight the key role of Tafazzin as a master regulator of thyroid cancer viability via the modulation of INF2‐related mitochondrial fission and the JNK signaling pathway. These findings defined Tafazzin deletion and INF2‐related mitochondrial fission as tumor suppressors that act by promoting cancer apoptosis via the JNK signaling pathway, with potential implications for new approaches to thyroid cancer therapy.
Clinical translation of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals: Current regulatory status and recent examples

With the development of ever more radiopharmaceuticals suitable for theranostic applications, translation of novel compounds from the preclinical stage towards clinical application becomes a bottleneck for the advances in Nuclear Medicine. This review article summarizes the current regulatory framework for clinical trials with radiopharmaceuticals in the European Union, provides a general overview of the documentation required, and addresses quality, safety, and clinical aspects to be considered. By using a recent successful example of translating a theranostic peptide radioligand, namely 111In‐CP04, which targets receptors expressed in medullary thyroid carcinoma, the pathway from the preclinical development over establishing the required pharmaceutical documentation to designing and submitting a clinical trial is reviewed. Details regarding preclinical data, generation of the documentation, and final successful application are described. This article should provide an insight in an ever more complex process to bring innovations in the field of radiopharmaceuticals into patients.
Optimizing outcomes for children with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in low‐ and middle‐income countries by early correct diagnosis, reducing toxic death and preventing abandonment

In high‐income countries, more than 90% of children with mature B‐cell lymphomas are cured with frontline therapy. However, cure requires prompt and correct diagnosis, careful risk stratification, very intense chemotherapy and meticulous supportive care, together with logistical support for patients who live far from the cancer centre or face financial barriers to receiving care. In low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC), cure rates range from 20% to 70% because of lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, abandonment of treatment, toxic death and excess relapse with reduced‐intensity regimens. Fortunately, a wide range of successful interventions in LMIC have reduced these causes of avoidable treatment failure. Public awareness campaigns have led to societal awareness of childhood cancer; telepathology has improved diagnosis, even in remote areas; subsidized chemotherapy, transportation, housing and food have reduced abandonment; and hand hygiene, nurse training programmes and health system improvements have reduced toxic death. These interventions can be deployed everywhere and at low cost, so are highly scalable. Children and adolescents with Burkitt lymphoma can be cured in all countries by making a timely correct diagnosis, applying protocols adapted to the local context, preventing abandonment of therapy and avoiding toxic death. Reducing these causes of treatment failure is feasible and highly cost‐effective everywhere.