Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Lipids With Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study Among 267 500 Chinese.

Background and Purpose- Previous results on the association between lipids and stroke were controversial. We investigated the association of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C ), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride with stroke. Methods- Six cohort studies in China with 267 500 participants were included. Cox proportional hazards regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs and explore linear and nonlinear relationships of lipids and stroke, respectively. Results- The median follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 19 years. During 2 295 881 person-years, 8072 people developed stroke. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) per 1 mmol/L increase in TC, LDL-C, triglyceride were 1.08 (1.05-1.11), 1.08 (1.04-1.11), 1.07 (1.05-1.09) for ischemic stroke, respectively. Compared with participants with TC 160-199.9 mg/dL, hazard ratios (95% CIs) were 1.43 (1.11-1.85) for hemorrhagic stroke in those with TC <120 mg/dL. Compared with participants with HDL-C 50 to 59.9 mg/dL, hazard ratios (95% CIs) were 1.23 (1.12-1.35), 1.13 (1.04-1.22) for ischemic stroke, and 1.28 (1.10-1.49), 1.17 (1.03-1.33) for hemorrhagic stroke in those with HDL-C <40 and 40 to 49.9 mg/dL, respectively. Restricted cubic spline analyses showed linear relationships of TC and LDL-C, and nonlinear relationships of HDL-C and triglyceride with ischemic stroke (all P<0.001). Hemorrhagic stroke showed linear relationships with TC and HDL-C (P=0.029 and <0.001 respectively), but no relationship with LDL-C and triglyceride (all P>0.05). Conclusions- TC, LDL-C, and triglyceride showed positive associations with ischemic stroke. The risk of hemorrhagic stroke was higher when TC was lower than 120 mg/dL. LDL-C and triglyceride showed no association with hemorrhagic stroke. The risks of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke might be higher when HDL-C was lower than 50 mg/dL.
Cognitive–Motor Impairment in Manual Tasks in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience decline in cognitive function compared with controls. Cognitive function is a major component in the performance of daily activities that involve motor components. The aim of this project was to evaluate working memory cognitive deficits and sensorimotor deficits in adults with T2D versus healthy participants. Ten community-dwelling persons with T2D and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Cognitive function, tactile function, motor function, and health state measures were evaluated. Reduced cognitive function, tactile function, and motor function were exhibited in the T2D group. Cognitive and motor functions remained impaired versus controls during tasks with both cognitive and motor components (dual tasks). Health state measures were found to covary with measures of interest. The conclusions of this article are as follows: (a) systemic deficits beyond tactile dysfunction contribute to reduced hand/finger function in T2D, and (b) participants with T2D demonstrate impairments in working memory, tactile function, and motor function.
Ecophysiological differentiation between two invasive species of Carpobrotus competing under different nutrient conditions.

PREMISE Hybridization between the South African invasive species Carpobrotus edulis and C. acinaciformis in Europe has led to the formation of highly aggressive morphotypes referred to in the scientific literature as the new large "hybrid swarm" C. aff. acinaciformis. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the taxonomic differentiation between taxa coincides with ecophysiological differentiation. With this aim, we tested for differences between both morphotypes in functional traits related to competitive ability and resource-use efficiency. Assuming that the complex hybrid C. aff. acinaciformis is more vigorous, depends more strongly on vegetative reproduction, and invests less in sexual reproduction than C. edulis, we predicted that the hybrid would show higher competitive ability and better physiological performance compared with the species. METHODS We used a comparative ecophysiological approach to assess the extent to which two Carpobrotus morphotypes coexisting in northwestern Spain differ in physiological, reproductive, and growth traits when competing under different soil nutrients in controlled greenhouse conditions. RESULTS C. aff. acinaciformis had a greater relative growth rate and water-use and photochemical efficiencies compared to C. edulis. However, C. edulis appeared to be more responsive to incremental change in soil nutrients than C. aff. acinaciformis. They also differed in the amount of resources invested in reproduction. CONCLUSIONS The study findings demonstrate that the taxonomic differentiation between taxa corresponds to ecophysiological differentiation, warranting a detailed examination of all existing trades-offs to predict the long-term outcomes of the interaction between these taxa.
Effects of high calcium levels on the disturbed extrusion of the second polar body during in vitro fertilization in C3H/He mouse substrains

Summary We previously reported that high concentrations (≥3.42 mM) of calcium during in vitro fertilization (IVF) disturbed the extrusion of the second polar body (PBII) in C3H/He inbred mice. In this study, the substrain specificity of this phenomenon was examined under 1.71–6.84 mM calcium concentration in ova from six C3H/He mouse commercially available substrains in Japan. PBII extrusion in ova from J substrains was not affected by calcium concentrations (<10% at any calcium level), but was grossly disturbed at high calcium levels in the ova of other substrains. This result has practical applications for the efficient production of normal zygotes by IVF, therefore contributing to the reduction in the numbers of donor animals for further zygote or embryo manipulation. Care must be taken in choosing IVF medium for particular strains and substrains.
Assessment of the analgesic activity of methanolic leaves extract of Spondias mombin Linn (Anarcadiaceae)

Background: Spondias mombin belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae. It is a fruitiferous tree and all parts of the plant are reported to be used in traditional medicine. It is also a well-known febrifuge, treats spasms, relieves stomach cramps and reduces pain during childbirth. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic properties of methanolic leaves extract of Spondias mombin in male and female mice. Methodology: the analgesic activity of the methanolic leave extract of Spondias mombin at a dose range of 420 mg/kg, 210 mg/Kg and 105 mg/Kg was evaluated in mice using, as standard drugs, paracetamol at a dose of 100 mg/Kg for the writhing test and morphine at a dose of 10 mg/Kg for the tail flick test Results : The methanolic leaves extract of Spondias mombin injected intraperitoneally to mice at a dose range of (420 mg/Kg b.wt; 210 mg/kg b.wt and 105 mg/Kg b.wt) respectively decreased abdominal writhing induced by the acetic acid at a rate of 65.75%; 50.97% and 33.07%. However, the extract of Spondias mombin showed no effect using the Tail flick test. Discussion: The methanolic extract of Spondias mombin at the doses of (420 mg/kg; 210 mg/kg and 105 mg/kg) caused a dose dependant inhibition of pain. The methanolic extract of Spondias mombin showed no effect on tail withdrawal. The analgesic activity of the methanolic extract of Spondias mombin may be peripheral and could be due to the bioactive metabolites it contains. Conclusion: The methanolic leaves extract of Spondias mombin might have a peripheral analgesic property. Keywords: Spondias mombin , Writhing test, Tail flick test, methanolic extract
A MODEL OF GOLDEN EAGLE (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS)

)mSTRACT. --Eight territory-holding adult Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were radiotracked in all sea, sons from 1991-96 in western Scotland. Mean territory size was 6827 ha (range = 2604-12 835 ha). Core areas (50% of locations) used by tracked eagles averaged 498 ha. Tracked eagles moved up to 9 km from the center of their territories, but over 98% of observations were <6 km of the center. Loglinear models showed no significant preference for land cover, although relative use suggested the order of preference by eagles to be: montane > heather > coarse grassland > bracken > smooth grassland > bog > broad-leaved forests > pre-thicket fbrest > post-thicket forest > pasture > other habitats. Elevations ranged from sea level to 900 m but eagles appeared to prefer elevations between 150-549 m. Based on data from these eagles, we constructed a simple model to define likely boundaries of territories and to identify areas within those boundaries that are likely to be important to eagles. Features of the model included range centers identified from nest locations and nest-use data, boundaries with near-neighbors halfway between respective nest centers, and a 6-km cutoff in directions where neighbors were distant. The model designated core areas 2-3 km in radii using information on local eagle nesting density. Outside core areas, low elevations were avoided. We discuss the advantages and shortcomings of the model and its robustness when exported to other parts of Scotland.
The utility of reptile blood transcriptomes in molecular ecology

Reptiles and other nonmammalian vertebrates have transcriptionally active nucleated red blood cells. If blood transcriptomes can provide quantitative data to address questions relevant to molecular ecology, this could circumvent the need to euthanize animals to assay tissues. This would allow longitudinal sampling of animals’ responses to treatments, as well as sampling of protected taxa. We developed and annotated blood transcriptomes from six reptile species and found on average 25,000 proteins are being transcribed in the blood, and there is a CORE group of 9,282 orthogroups that are found in at least four of six species. In comparison to liver transcriptomes from the same taxa, approximately two‐thirds of the orthogroups were found in both blood and liver; and a similar percentage of ecologically relevant gene groups (insulin and insulin‐like signalling, electron transport chain, oxidative stress, glucocorticoid receptors) were found transcribed in both blood and liver. As a resource, we provide a user‐friendly database of gene ids identified in each blood transcriptome. Although on average 37% of reads mapped to haemoglobin, importantly, the majority of nonhaemoglobin transcripts had sufficient depth (e.g., 97% at ≥10 reads) to be included in differential gene expression analysis. Thus, we demonstrate that RNAseq blood transcriptomes from a very small blood sample (<10 μl) is a minimally invasive option in nonmammalian vertebrates for quantifying expression of a large number of ecologically relevant genes that would allow longitudinal sampling and sampling of protected populations.
Amidst multiple binding orientations on fork DNA, Saccharolobus MCM helicase proceeds N-first for unwinding

DNA replication requires that the duplex genomic DNA strands be separated; a function that is implemented by ring-shaped hexameric helicases in all Domains. Helicases are composed of two domains, an N- terminal DNA binding domain (NTD) and a C- terminal motor domain (CTD). Replication is controlled by loading of helicases at origins of replication, activation to preferentially encircle one strand, and then translocation to begin separation of the two strands. Using a combination of site-specific DNA footprinting, single-turnover unwinding assays, and unique fluorescence translocation monitoring, we have been able to quantify the binding distribution and the translocation orientation of Saccharolobus (formally Sulfolobus) solfataricus MCM on DNA. Our results show that both the DNA substrate and the C-terminal winged-helix (WH) domain influence the orientation but that translocation on DNA proceeds N-first.
Circulating plasma microRNA signature for the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE To determine the utility of plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers in cervical cancer (CC). METHODS Some studies were conducted about the specific expression of plasma miRNAs in the diagnosis of CC. Plasma samples of 97 CC patients and 87 normal controls (NCs) were used to identify dysregulation of miRNAs in the training, testing, and external validation phases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of identified individual miRNAs and miRNA panels for the diagnosis of CC. Expression levels of specific miRNAs were also examined in plasma exosomes and tissue samples of CC patients. RESULTS Four plasma miRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-151a-3p, miR-2110 and miR-21-5p) which showed up-regulation were identified and validated in CC patients. A panel of the four miRNAs were constructed as potential diagnostic markers for CC. The AUCs of the panel of these four-miRNAs for the training, testing, and external validation phases were 0.911, 0.774, and 0.786, respectively. miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p levels were all up-regulated in CC tissue specimens, whereas miR-146a-5p, miR-151a-3p, and miR-2110 levels were up-regulated in plasma exosomes. CONCLUSION The signature of the four-miRNAs identified in peripheral plasma is a promising novel biomarker for the diagnosis of CC.
Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Problems and Improving Rice Production under Salinity Conditions

Soil with poor physio-chemical and biological properties prevent plant growth. These poor characteristics may be due to soil creation processes, but also include largely inappropriate agricultural practices and/or anthropogenic pollution. During the last 4 decades, the world has lost one-third of its cropland due to pollution and erosion. Therefore, a series of operations is required to improve and recover the soil. Biochar is a new multifunctional carbon material extensively used as a modifier to improve soil quality and crop production. Previous studies have discussed the properties of biochar with varying soil pollutants and their effects on soil productivity and carbon sequestration. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to the effects of biochar application on rice growth in the problem of soils, especially in the saline-sodic soils. A comprehensive review of the literature with a high focusing on the effects of biochar application on problem soils and rice-growing under salinity conditions is needed. The present review gives an overview of the soil's problem, biochar amendment effects on physicochemical properties of soil, and how the biochar amendment could interact in soil microbes and root with remediation under salinity conditions for improving rice productivity. The findings of this review showed that biochar application can improve soil quality, reduce soil's problem and increase rice production under salinity conditions. It is anticipated that further researches on the biochar amendment will increase our understanding of the interactions of biochar with soil components, accelerate our attempts on soil remediation, and improve rice production under salinity conditions.
Combined sterile insect technique and incompatible insect technique: The first proof-of-concept to suppress Aedes aegypti vector populations in semi-rural settings in Thailand

Background Important arboviral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infections, are transmitted mainly by the Aedes aegypti vector. So far, controlling this vector species with current tools and strategies has not demonstrated sustainable and significant impacts. Our main objective was to evaluate whether open field release of sterile males, produced from combining the sterile insect technique using radiation with the insect incompatible technique through Wolbachia-induced incompatibility (SIT/IIT), could suppress natural populations of Ae. aegypti in semi-rural village settings in Thailand. Methodology/Principal findings Irradiated Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti males produced by the SIT/IIT approach were completely sterile and were able to compete with the wild fertile ones. Open field release of these sterile males was conducted in an ecologically isolated village in Chachoengsao Province, eastern Thailand. House-to-house visit and media reports resulted in community acceptance and public awareness of the technology. During intervention, approximately 100–200 sterile males were released weekly in each household. After 6 months of sterile male release, a significant reduction (p<0.05) of the mean egg hatch rate (84%) and the mean number of females per household (97.30%) was achieved in the treatment areas when compared to the control ones. Conclusions/Significance Our study represents the first open field release of sterile Ae. aegypti males developed from a combined SIT/IIT approach. Entomological assessment using ovitraps, adult sticky traps, and portable vacuum aspirators confirmed the success in reducing natural populations of Ae. aegypti females in treated areas. Public awareness through media resulted in positive support for practical use of this strategy in wider areas. Further study using a systematic randomized trial is needed to determine whether this approach could have a significant impact on the diseases transmitted by Ae. aegypti vector.
Population Dynamics and DNA Microsatellite Survey in the Lowland Tapir

of the forearm. The bone implant was taken from the hip and the patient had to remain hospitalized for five weeks. The Honduran Government paid approximately US$ 40,000 for the medical treatment of this man. Tapirs are normally shy animals that will avoid humans and will rapidly flee when encountered by people. Throughout Honduras tapirs are extremely difficult to find and see in their natural habitat, unless they are chased with hunting dogs, in which case the dogs will corner and surround the tapir until the hunter comes within shooting distance. Haddad et al. (2005) report on a fatal attack caused by a lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in southeastern Brazil. In that case, the man who was killed by the tapir provoked the animal by grabbing and stabbing it. The tapir was later found nearby, dead from the wounds inflicted by the local farmers. To my knowledge, there is no other documented or published case of tapirs attacking humans in Honduras, although several hunters have related to me how provoked tapirs have attacked and killed their hunting dogs. This event may motivate several reactions in the people from the village of Vallecito. Farmers armed only with machete (the great majority) will avoid trying to kill a tapir, while men with firearms will shoot a tapir on sight. A local hunter told me that a businessman from the city of Catacamas, Olancho, had requested a tapir’s calf and was willing to pay him up to US$ 500. Usually, in order to get the calf, hunters have to first kill the adult female. This hunter commented that after the attack, he was no longer interested in this kind of deals. On the other hand, there is a possibility that hunters and their dogs will more often organize tapir hunting expeditions that will now be positively seen by the local villagers. In the SANP as in most of the rest of the country, deforestation and human population growth are severely reducing the tapir’s habitat.
Incidence and risk factors of non–device-associated pneumonia in an acute-care hospital

Abstract Objective: To update current estimates of non–device-associated pneumonia (ND pneumonia) rates and their frequency relative to ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), and identify risk factors for ND pneumonia. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Academic teaching hospital. Patients: All adult hospitalizations between 2013 and 2017 were included. Pneumonia (device associated and non–device associated) were captured through comprehensive, hospital-wide active surveillance using CDC definitions and methodology. Results: From 2013 to 2017, there were 163,386 hospitalizations (97,485 unique patients) and 771 pneumonia cases (520 ND pneumonia and 191 VAP). The rate of ND pneumonia remained stable, with 4.15 and 4.54 ND pneumonia cases per 10,000 hospitalization days in 2013 and 2017 respectively (P = .65). In 2017, 74% of pneumonia cases were ND pneumonia. Male sex and increasing age we both associated with increased risk of ND pneumonia. Additionally, patients with chronic bronchitis or emphysema (hazard ratio [HR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–3.06), congestive heart failure (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.07–2.05), or paralysis (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.09–2.73) were also at increased risk, as were those who were immunosuppressed (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.18–2.00) or in the ICU (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.06–2.09). We did not detect a change in ND pneumonia risk with use of chlorhexidine mouthwash, total parenteral nutrition, all medications of interest, and prior ventilation. Conclusion: The incidence rate of ND pneumonia did not change from 2013 to 2017, and 3 of 4 nosocomial pneumonia cases were non–device associated. Hospital infection prevention programs should consider expanding the scope of surveillance to include non-ventilated patients. Future research should continue to look for modifiable risk factors and should assess potential prevention strategies.
Learning Caching Policies with Subsampling

We concern applying reinforcement learning (RL) on caching systems. The main challenge of this problem is the excessively long MDP time horizon, since a practical cache can host millions of objects and the reward for each caching action can delay for millions of steps on average — such horizon is at least 100 × longer than state-of-the-art RL applications such as game of Go or Dota 2. We purpose to use a subsampling technique to shorten the MDP horizon by hashing the objects in a trace and reducing the cache size. We also develop an accompanying theory that describes how the MDP reduction technique can be used for more general applications. In our experiment, we show that the subsampling technique can generalize the learned RL policy to 100 × larger caches.
The Plant NF-Y DNA Matrix In Vitro and In Vivo

Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) is an evolutionarily conserved trimer formed by a Histone-Fold Domain (HFD) heterodimeric module shared by core histones, and the sequence-specific NF-YA subunit. In plants, the genes encoding each of the three subunits have expanded in number, giving rise to hundreds of potential trimers. While in mammals NF-Y binds a well-characterized motif, with a defined matrix centered on the CCAAT box, the specificity of the plant trimers has yet to be determined. Here we report that Arabidopsis thaliana NF-Y trimeric complexes, containing two different NF-YA subunits, bind DNA in vitro with similar affinities. We assayed precisely sequence-specificity by saturation mutagenesis, and analyzed genomic DNA sites bound in vivo by selected HFDs. The plant NF-Y CCAAT matrix is different in nucleotides flanking CCAAT with respect to the mammalian matrix, in vitro and in vivo. Our data point to flexible DNA-binding rules by plant NF-Ys, serving the scope of adapting to a diverse audience of genomic motifs.