Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of a Fatty Acid- and Retinoid-Binding Protein Gene (Ar-far-1) from the Chrysanthemum Foliar Nematode, Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi

The chrysanthemum foliar nematode (CFN), Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi, is a migratory, plant-parasitic nematode that is widely distributed and infects the aboveground parts of many plants. The fatty acid- and retinoid-binding proteins (FAR) are nematode-specific proteins that are involved in the development, reproduction, and infection of nematodes and are secreted into the tissues to disrupt the plant defense reaction. In this study, we obtained the full-length sequence of the FAR gene (Ar-far-1) from CFN, which is 727 bp and includes a 546 bp ORF that encodes 181 amino acids. Ar-FAR-1 from CFN has the highest sequence similarity to Ab-FAR-1 from A. besseyi, and they are located within the same branch of the phylogenetic tree. Fluorescence-based ligand-binding analysis confirmed that recombinant Ar-FAR-1 was bound to fatty acids and retinol. Ar-far-1 mRNA was expressed in the muscle layer, intestine, female genital system, and egg of CFN, and more highly expressed in females than in males among the four developmental stages of CFN. We demonstrated that the reproduction number and infection capacity of CFN decreased significantly when Ar-far-1 was effectively silenced by in vitro RNAi. Ar-far-1 plays an important role in the development, reproduction, infectivity, and pathogenesis of CFN and may be used as an effective target gene for the control of CFN. The results provide meaningful data about the parasitic and pathogenic genes of CFN to study the interaction mechanism between plant-parasitic nematodes and hosts.
What is the Optimum Model of Service Delivery for Transient Ischaemic Attack

Jonathan Mant, Ronan Ryan, Richard McManus, Kate Fletcher,Rebecca Kandiyali Department of Primary Care & General Practice, University of Birmingham Pelham Barton, Stirling Bryan Department of Health Economics, University of Birmingham Andrew Stevens Department of Public Health & Epidemiology, University of Birmingham Gary Ford Clinical Research Facility, Royal Victoria Infirmary, University of Newcastle Peter Rothwell Stroke Prevention Research Unit, University of Oxford
Three-ligament tenodesis for chronic scapholunate injuries: short-term outcomes in 203 patients

In this cohort study, we report on short-term outcomes of 203 patients (203 wrists) who underwent scapholunate ligament reconstruction using a three-ligament tenodesis technique between December 2013 and December 2017. Patients completed the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire and a visual analogue scale for pain online before surgery and at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. We also measured the range of movement before surgery, in 150 patients 3 months after surgery, and in 90 patients 1 year after surgery. The patients reported clinically significant improvements in both pain and function postoperatively, with continuing improvement at both 3 and 12 months. We conclude that the short-term outcomes of this procedure are generally good in term of patients’ function, satisfaction, and pain relief, but about 20% of the operated wrists did not improve. Our data may help patients and surgeons in joint decision-making regarding treatment for chronic scapholunate injuries. Level of evidence: III
Predictors of adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation program among coronary artery disease outpatients in China

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has proven beneficial for patients with coronary artery disease. However, adherence to CR programs is the key to the health improvement in those patients. Identifying predictors for adherence, which is very much unknown in China, would be valuable for effective rehabilitation. This study aims to determine the adherence to home-based CR programs in Chinese coronary artery disease patients and determine predictors of adherence. Methods The current study included 1033 outpatients with coronary heart disease in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing from July 2015 to June 2017. Participants were given an exercise prescription and took part in home-based exercise training lasting for 3–24 months. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the completion of the CR program, understanding of the program, motivation of the patients, and family/peer support. Results Two thirds of the patients adhered well to the home-based CR program. Elder patients (≥ 65-year-old) adhere to the program better, while men adhered better than women. Patients who used to exercise (B = 6.756, P < 0.001), understood the program (B = 0.078, P = 0.002), with stronger motivation to participate (B = 0.376, P < 0.001), and received better family support (B = 0.487, P < 0.001) also adhere better to the program. Conclusions Understanding the program, self-motivation of patients, and family support help to keep patients engaged in a home-based CR program. Improvement of family support by educating both patients and families may be helpful in improving adherence to home-based CR programs.
The Editor's Page

Participants in the great exhibition hall. From left to right: Eva Sprecher-Übersax, David Furth, Jaap Winkelman, Horst Kippenberg, Wolfram Freund, Helmut Bolz, Jürgen Gross, Thomas Wagner, Susanne Düngelhoef, Lasse Hubweber, Maurizio Biondi, Michael Schmitt, Károly Vig, Jolanta Swietojanska, Lech Borowiec, Matthias Schoeller, Mauro Daccordi (nearly hidden), Elisabeth Geiser, Gudrun Fuss, Ron Beenen, Fredric Vencl, Pierre Jolivet (Photo: Mme. P. Jolivet).
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) CIPKs are responsive to ABA and abiotic stresses

CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) have been shown to regulate a variety of environmental stress-related signalling pathways in plants. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) is known worldwide as a relatively stress-tolerant C4 crop species. Although the foxtail millet genome sequence has been released, little is known about the functions of CIPKs in foxtail millet. Therefore, a systematic genome-wide analysis of CIPK genes in foxtail millet was performed. In total, 35 CIPK members were identified in foxtail millet and divided into four subgroups (I to IV) on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic and gene structure analyses clearly divided all SiCIPKs into intron-poor and intron-rich clades. Cis-element analysis subsequently indicated that these SiCIPKs may be involved in responses to abiotic stimuli, hormones, and light signalling during plant growth and development, and stress-induced expression profile analysis revealed that all the SiCIPKs are involved in various stress signalling pathways. These results suggest that the CIPK genes in foxtail millet exhibit the basic characteristics of CIPK family members and play important roles in response to abiotic stresses. The results of this study will contribute to future functional characterization of abiotic stress responses mediated by CIPKs in foxtail millet.
Reply to Yurekli et al.

We appreciate Yurekli et al.’s [1] comments on our work [2]. However, based on the knowledge of our previous and ongoing research as well as growing clinical experience with transcatheter aortic valve replacement, we disagree with the stated critique points. The optimal sizing of a transcatheter heart valve (THV) by non-invasive imaging is the aim of currently ongoing research. The role of computed tomography is evolving. The well-studied elliptical shape of the native annulus plane at the level of the most basal attachment points of all three cusps stays in contrast to the circular shape of the unfolded Edwards SAPIEN THV. To accommodate this, both an area-derived diameter, as used in our study [2], and a perimeter-derived diameter appear conceivable, and have been investigated by others [3]. Both derived diameters assume a perfect circle by using the formula for the area of a circle (area = π × radius) and the circumference of a circle (circumference = π × diameter). Up to now, no ‘gold standard’ for sizing the aortic annulus prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been defined. The approach presented by our working group was validated and is now fully implemented in our clinical routine. Other leading European centres independently report a similar approach [4]. Yurekli’s brave statement of our measurement being ‘wrong’ appears unjustified to the authors, particularly, as there is currently no evidence supporting this. Their suggested implementation of a new sizing strategy based on the orifice area and three-dimensional configuration of the aortic leaflets (including leaflet thickness) sounds like an interesting approach and we will be happy to see Yurekli’s data for this hypothesis.
Aberrant mitochondrial bioenergetics in the cerebral cortex of the Fmr1 knockout mouse model of fragile X syndrome

Abstract Impaired energy metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders including fragile X syndrome (FXS). We checked brain energy status and some aspects of cell bioenergetics, namely the activity of key glycolytic enzymes, glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle and mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complexes, in the cerebral cortex of the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS. We found that, despite a hyperactivation of MRC complexes, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is compromised, resulting in brain energy impairment in juvenile and late-adult Fmr1 KO mice. Thus, an altered mitochondrial energy metabolism may contribute to neurological impairment in FXS.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Symbiotically Competent Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Strain KVJ20

Nostoc sp. strain KVJ20 was isolated from the symbiotic organs of the liverwort Blasia pusilla. This cyanobacterium has been shown to have broad symbiotic competence, and bacterial extracts have inhibitory effects on cancer cell lines and microbes. An array of genes for the production of secondary metabolites is present. ABSTRACT Nostoc sp. strain KVJ20 was isolated from the symbiotic organs of the liverwort Blasia pusilla. This cyanobacterium has been shown to have broad symbiotic competence, and bacterial extracts have inhibitory effects on cancer cell lines and microbes. An array of genes for the production of secondary metabolites is present.
The Influence of Increased Intensity Levels on the Attitude of High School Females toward Aerobic Dance Lessons

The Influence of Increased Intensity Levels on the Attitude of High School Females toward Aerobic Dance Lessons Available evidence suggests that interest and participation, especially in vigorous physical activity, declines with age during adolescence. This negative attitude toward vigorous physical activity is especially prevalent among female adolescents. This study investigates how increasing intensity levels of aerobic dance, a popular physical education choice of female students, influence the attitude of female high school students toward the activity. A total of 313 female high school students from eight schools (age 16.32±1.74; weight-kg 53.73±7.58; height-cm 164.37±5.61; BMI-kg/m2 19.87±2.55) participated in the study. Student intensity levels during the aerobic dance lesson were monitored using heart rate monitors, accelerometers and pedometers, and the influence of intensity level on attitude toward aerobic dance was measured by use of a standardized questionnaire. The results clearly show that increasing intensity levels did not diminish the positive attitude of female students toward aerobic dance.
High heat tolerance in plants from the Andean highlands: Implications for paramos in a warmer world

Tropical plant species are expected to have high heat tolerance reflecting phenotypic adjustments to warm regions or their evolutionary adaptation history. However, tropical highland specialists adapted to the colder temperatures found in the highlands, where short and prostrated vegetation decouples plants from ambient conditions, could exhibit different upper thermal limits than those of their lowland counterparts. Here we evaluated leaf heat tolerance of 21 tropical alpine paramo species to determine: 1) whether species with restricted distribution (i.e., highland specialists) have lower heat tolerance and are more vulnerable to warming than species with widespread distribution; 2) whether different growth forms have different heat tolerance; and 3) whether species height (i.e., microhabitat) influences its heat tolerance. We quantified heat tolerance by evaluating T50, which is the temperature that causes a reduction in 50% of initial Fv/Fm values and reflects an irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Additionally, we estimated the thermal safety margins as the difference between T50 and the maximum leaf temperature registered for the species. All species presented high T50 values ranging between 45.4°C and 53.9°C, similar to those found for tropical lowland species. Heat tolerance was not correlated with species distributions or plant height, but showed a strong relationship with growth form, with rosettes having the highest heat tolerance. Thermal safety margins ranged from 12.1 to 31.0°C. High heat tolerance and broad thermal safety margins suggest low vulnerability of paramo species to warming as long as plants are capable of regulating the leaf temperature within this threshold. Whether paramo plants would be able to regulate leaf temperature if drought episodes become more frequent and transpirational cooling is compromised is the next question that needs to be answered.
Quantitative associations between health insurance and stage of melanoma at diagnosis among nonelderly adults in the United States

Health insurance plays a critical role in the accessibility to and quality of health care for patients with melanoma in the United States. Current knowledge regarding the association between insurance status and stage of melanoma is limited because few studies to date have simultaneously controlled for factors known to influence the risk of diagnosis of late‐stage melanoma. The current study was conducted to examine the association between health insurance status and stage of melanoma at the time of diagnosis in nonelderly adults, accounting for known risk factors for late‐stage diagnosis.
A Sensitive Mass Spectrometer for Time-Resolved Gas-Phase Chemistry Studies at High Pressures.

We report a new experimental apparatus for direct time-resolved probing of high-pressure gas-phase chemical reactions by photoionization mass spectrometry. The apparatus uses a laser photolysis flow reactor, capable of operating at P = 0.3 - 100 bar and T = 300 - 1000 K. We initiate reactions in homogeneous gas mixtures by the photolysis of appropriate radical precursor using laser pulses at repetition rates of 1 - 10 Hz. The reacting mixture is continuously sampled into a vacuum chamber, ionized by VUV photons from laboratory-based discharge lamps or from a synchrotron beamline, and analyzed by a custom mass spectrometer. Soft near-threshold ionization by tunable synchrotron radiation enables spectroscopic quantification of many key intermediates and products of chemical reactions. A novel ionization scheme in the high-density region of the sample jet expansion increases the experimental sensitivity 100-fold, compared with existing instruments, without compromising mass resolution. A 40-kHz pulsed reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer achieves simultaneous detection of all ionized species with 25-µs time resolution. We demonstrate the capability of this apparatus by probing the ethyl radical oxidation reaction using very dilute (<1012 molecules·cm-3) ethyl concentrations at pressures up to 25 bar.
Enriching Personalized Endometrial Cancer Research with the Harmonization of Biobanking Standards

Endometrial cancer is the commonest gynecological cancer, with an incidence predicted to escalate by a further 50–100% before 2025, due to the rapid rise in risk factors such as obesity and increased life expectancy. Endometrial cancer associated mortality is also rising, depicting the need for translatable research to improve our understanding of the disease. Rapid translation of scientific discoveries will facilitate the development of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies. Biobanks play a vital role in providing biospecimens with accompanying clinical data for personalized translational research. Wide variation in collection, and pre-analytic variations in processing and storage of bio-specimens result in divergent and irreproducible data from multiple studies that are unsuitable for collation to formulate robust conclusions. Harmonization of biobanking standards is thus vital, in facilitating international multi-center collaborative studies with valuable outcomes to improve personalized treatments. This review will detail the pitfalls in the biobanking of biosamples from women with cancer in general, and describe the recent international harmonization project that developed standardized research tools to overcome these challenges and to enhance endometrial cancer research, which will facilitate future development of personalized novel diagnostic strategies and treatments.
Hello, is that me you are looking for? A re-examination of the role of the DMN in social and self relevant aspects of off-task thought

Neural activity within the default mode network (DMN) is widely assumed to relate to processing during off-task states, however it remains unclear whether this association emerges from a shared role in self or social content that is common in these conditions. In the current study, we examine the possibility that the role of the DMN in ongoing thought emerges from contributions to specific features of off-task experience such as self-relevant or social content. A group of participants described their experiences while performing a laboratory task over a period of days. In a different session, neural activity was measured while participants performed Self/Other judgements (e.g., Does the word ‘Honest’ apply to you (Self condition) or Barack Obama (Other condition)). Despite the prominence of social and personal content in off-task reports, there was no association with neural activity during off-task trait adjective judgements. Instead, during both Self and Other judgements we found recruitment of caudal posterior cingulate cortex—a core DMN hub—was above baseline for individuals whose laboratory experiences were characterised as detailed. These data provide little support for a role of the DMN in self or other content in the off-task state and instead suggest a role in how on-going thought is represented.
Mitochondria-Mediated Programmed Cell Death in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Induced by Betulinic Acid is Accelerated by the Deletion of PEP4 Gene

In this work, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we showed that BetA could inhibit cell proliferation and lead to lethal cytotoxicity accompanying programmed cell death (PCD). Interestingly, it was found that vacuolar protease Pep4p played a pivotal role in BetA-induced S. cerevisiae PCD. The presence of Pep4p reduced the damage of BetA-induced cells. This work implied that BetA may induce cell death of S. cerevisiae through mitochondria-mediated PCD, and the deletion of Pep4 gene possibly accelerated the effect of PCD. The present investigation provided the preliminary research for the complicated mechanism of BetA-induced cell PCD regulated by vacular protease Pep4p and lay the foundation for understanding of the Pep4p protein in an animal model.
Older Adults’ Awareness and Knowledge of Beans in Relation to Their Nutrient Content and Role in Chronic Disease Risk

Awareness and knowledge of nutrient-dense foods are important for older adults to help them make dietary choices that support a food-first approach to healthy aging. This is especially important since age is a major risk factor for chronic disease and the proportion of older adults in North America is increasing. Beans can contribute to a food-first approach to healthy aging as they are nutrient-dense and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, studies exploring awareness and knowledge of beans in older adults are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore older adults’ awareness of beans in relation to their nutrient content and role in chronic disease risk. Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years old) were recruited and completed a validated researcher-administered questionnaire (n = 250), which was followed by 10 focus groups (n = 49). Results showed that the majority of older adults considered beans as a healthy food and thought consuming them could improve their health (99.2% and 98.0%, respectively); however, only 51.2% were bean consumers. While the majority (83.6%) of older adults were aware that a serving of beans is high in dietary fibre, bean consumers were significantly more likely to think that consuming beans could improve health areas related to dietary fibre including body weight management and constipation. Furthermore, most (84.8%) older adults thought consuming beans could improve heart health; however, bean consumers were significantly more likely to be aware that one serving of beans is low in nutrients relevant to heart health including total fat, saturated and trans fat as well as cholesterol. This research can help to inform healthcare professionals and public health agencies to create specific dietary strategies focusing on increasing older adults’ awareness and knowledge of beans in relation to their nutrient profile and role in promoting health.
One electron less or one proton more: how do they differ?

Abstract From the NIST website and the literature, we have collected the Ionisation Energies (IE) of 3,052 and the Proton Affinities (PA) of 1,670 compounds. For 614 of these, both the IE and PA are known; this enables a study of the relationships between these quantities for a wide variety of molecules. From the IE and PA values, the hydrogen atom affinities (HA) of molecular ions M•+ may also be assessed. The PA may be equated to the heterolytic bond energy of [MH]+ and HA to the homolytic bond energy. Plots of PA versus IE for these substances show (in agreement with earlier studies) that, for many families of molecules, the slope of the ensuing line is less negative than −1, i.e. changes in the PA are significantly less than the concomitant opposite changes in IE. At one extreme (high PA, low IE) are the metals, their oxides and hydroxides, which show a slope of close to −1, at the other extreme (low PA, high IE) are the hydrogen halides, methyl halides and noble gases, which show a slope of ca. −0.3; other molecular categories show intermediate behaviour. One consequence of a slope less negative than −1 is that the changes in ionic enthalpies of the protonated species more closely follow the changes in the enthalpies of the neutral molecules compared with changes in the ion enthalpies of the corresponding radical cations. This is consistent with findings from ab initio calculations from the literature that the incoming proton, once attached to the molecule, may retain a significant amount of its charge. These collected data allow a comparison of the thermodynamic stability of protonated molecules in terms of their homolytic or heterolytic bond cleavages. Protonated nitriles are particularly stable by virtue of the very large hydrogen atom affinities of their radical cations.