Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avian haemosporidian infections in rufous-collared sparrows in an Andean dry forest: diversity and factors related to prevalence and parasitaemia

Abstract Despite intensive research during the last few decades, understanding of ecological and physiological factors related to haemosporidian infections in birds is still fragmentary. Since more model organisms are needed in order to understand these infections in the wild, we analysed avian haemosporidian infections in the rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Emberizidae) in a dry forest of the Ecuadorian Andes. Parasite diversity was screened using molecular and morphological approaches. By molecular diagnosis, we identified three linages that were phylogenetically placed in the context of molecular haemosporidian diversity and associated with a morphospecies. By microscopy, we identified five described morphospecies and one additional undescribed morphospecies. We found that avian haemosporidian prevalence on the study site was 76.3%. Additionally, we used a series of generalized linear models to explore the potential relationship of parasite prevalence and parasitaemia with a set of variables related to physiological and environmental conditions. Although our results revealed associations of haemosporidian infections with precipitation, age and sampling site, the models only explained a small fraction of the variation.
The effect of total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol on postoperative pain after third molar surgery: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial

Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol may reduce pain after surgery compared with inhalational anaesthetic techniques. Whether propofol provides analgesic benefit may be influenced by the surgical procedure and anaesthetic/analgesic regime. Third molar surgery is a consistent and fairly standard surgical technique that provides a good model for postoperative pain. We investigated whether propofol TIVA or sevoflurane (SEVO) inhalational anaesthesia would produce better quality pain relief after third molar surgery.
IL‐1β functionally attenuates ABCG2 and PDZK1 expression in HK‐2 cells partially through NF‐ĸB activation

Long‐standing untreated hyperuricemia could lead to gout. Several recent studies have demonstrated a significant decrease of serum urate during acute gout attack, which is an aseptic inflammation process focusing on IL‐1β. However, how IL‐1β, by itself, alters the expression and the functional activity of urate transporters in renal tubular epithelial cells is still unclear. Herein, we revealed that IL‐1β could attenuate the mRNA and protein levels of ABCG2, a major urate efflux pump, in HK‐2 cells by real‐time PCR and Western‐blot assays. Moreover, using an ABCG2 specific inhibitor and a new sensitive and specific detection system, it was found that IL‐1β also reduced the ABCG2 transporter activities. Incubation with specific inhibitors of the NF‐κB pathway partly dampened the inhibitory effect of IL‐1β on ABCG2, indicating that IL‐1β reduced the ABCG2 expression partially through the NF‐ĸB pathway. Furthermore, the decreased expression of PDZK1 induced by IL‐1β, which is dependent on the NF‐κB pathway, could account for the imbalance between the functions and expressions of ABCG2 on this status. These findings demonstrated a new role for IL‐1β, whereby it leads to the inhibition of ABCG2 in renal tubular epithelial cells; this new role probably does not encompass its involvement in the process of renal urate excretion mediated by inflammation. Therefore, other regulation mechanisms of urate reabsorption in renal tubular epithelial cells deserve to be examined in further studies.
mTOR Expression in Liver Transplant Candidates with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Impact on Histological Features and Tumour Recurrence

(1) Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway activation is critical for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We aimed to evaluate the mTOR tissue expression in liver transplant (LT) patients and to analyse its influence on post-LT outcomes. (2) Methods: Prospective study including a cohort of HCC patients who underwent LT (2012–2015). MTOR pathway expression was evaluated in the explanted liver by using the “PathScan Intracellular Signalling Array Kit” (Cell Signalling). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate post-LT HCC recurrence. (3) Results: Forty-nine patients were included (average age 56.4 ± 6, 14.3% females). Phospho-mTOR (Ser2448) was over-expressed in peritumoral tissue as compared with tumoral tissue (ΔSignal 22.2%; p < 0.001). The mTOR activators were also increased in peritumoral tissue (phospho-Akt (Thr308) ΔSignal 18.2%, p = 0.004; phospho-AMPKa (Thr172) ΔSignal 56.3%, p < 0.001), as they were the downstream effectors responsible for cell growth/survival (phospho-p70S6K (Thr389) ΔSignal 33.3%, p < 0.001 and phospho-S6RP (Ser235/236) ΔSignal 54.6%, p < 0.001). MTOR expression was increased in patients with multinodular HCC (tumoral p = 0.01; peritumoral p = 0.001). Increased phospho-mTOR in tumoral tissue was associated with higher HCC recurrence rates after LT (23.8% vs. 5.9% at 24 months, p = 0.04). (4) Conclusion: mTOR pathway is over-expressed in patients with multinodular HCC and is it associated with increased post-LT tumour recurrence rates.
T-2 Toxin Induces Epiphyseal Plate Lesions via Decreased SECISBP2-Mediated Selenoprotein Expression in DA Rats, Exacerbated by Selenium Deficiency

Objective Both selenium (Se) deficiency and mycotoxin T2 lead to epiphyseal plate lesions, similar to Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). However, regulation of selenoproteins synthesis mediated by SECISBP2, in response to these 2 environmental factors, remained unclear. The present study proposed to explore the mechanism behind the cartilage degradation resulting from Se deficiency and mycotoxin T2 exposure. Design Deep chondrocyte necrosis and epiphyseal plate lesions were replicated in Dark Agouti (DA) rats by feeding them T2 toxin/Se deficiency artificial synthetic diet for 2 months. Results Se deficiency led to decreased expression of COL2α1, while T2 treatment reduced the heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase 2 (HS6ST2) expression, both of which affected the cartilage extracellular matrix metabolism in the rat models. The expression of Col2α1, Acan, Hs6st2, Secisbp2, Gpx1, and Gpx4 were all significantly decreased in cartilage tissues from DA rats, fed a Se-deficient diet or exposed to T2 toxin, contrary to Adamts4, whose expression was increased in both conditions. In addition, T2 treatment led to the decreased expression of SBP2, GPX1, GPX4, and total GPXs activity in C28/I2 cells. Conclusion DA rats exposed to T2 toxin and/or Se-deficient conditions serve as the perfect model of KBD. The 2 environmental risk factors of KBD, which serve as a “double whammy,” can intensify the extracellular matrix metabolic imbalance and the antioxidant activity of chondrocytes, leading to articular cartilage degradation and epiphyseal plate abnormalities similar to those observed in KBD.
Interactions of salivary mucins and saliva with food proteins: a review

Abstract Mucins are long glycoprotein molecules responsible for the gel nature of the mucous layer that covers epithelial surfaces throughout the body. Mucins, as the major salivary proteins, are also important proteins for the food oral processing and digestion. The interactions of salivary mucins and saliva with several food proteins and food protein emulsions, as well as their functional properties related to the food oral processing were reviewed in this paper. The target food proteins of focus were whey proteins (lactoferrin and beta-lactoglobulin) and non-whey proteins (casein, gelatin, galectin/lectin, and proline-rich proteins). Most of the studies suggest that electrostatic attraction (between positively charged food proteins with negatively charged moieties of mucin mainly on glycosylated region of mucin) is the major mode of interaction between them. On the other hand, casein attracts the salivary proteins only via non-covalent interactions due to its naturally self-assembled micellar structure. Moreover, recent studies related to β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-mucin interactions have clarified the importance of hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic interactions, such as hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, in vitro studies between protein emulsions and saliva observed a strong aggregating effect of saliva on caseinate and whey proteins as well as on surfactant-stabilized emulsions. Besides, the sign and the density of the charge on the surface of the protein emulsion droplets contribute significantly to the behavior of the emulsion when mixed with saliva. Other studies also suggested that the interactions between saliva and whey proteins depends on the pH in addition to the flow rate of the saliva. Overall, the role of interactions of food proteins and food protein emulsions with mucin/saliva-proteins in the oral perception, as well as the physicochemical and structural changes of proteins were discussed.
Incidence and Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium in South Asians Compared With 4 Race/Ethnic Groups

Background South Asians have a relatively high prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) compared with other race/ethnic groups. We determined CAC incidence and progression among South Asians, and compared them with 4 race/ethnic groups. Methods and Results Data from the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) study were used to calculate CAC incidence and progression rates and any CAC change. Data from the MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) were used to compare the CAC incidence and progression rates. A total of 698 South Asians had repeat CAC measurements after 4.8±0.8 years. Among those with no CAC at baseline, the age‐adjusted CAC incidence was 8.8% (95% CI, 6.8–10.8%) in men and 3.6% (2.5–4.8%) in women. The median annual CAC progression was 26 (interquartile range, 11–62) for men and 13 (interquartile range, 4–34) for women. Compared with MESA, age‐adjusted CAC incidence was similar in South Asian men compared with white, black, and Latino men, but significantly higher than Chinese men (11.1% versus 5.7%, P=0.008). After adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and statin medication use, Chinese, black, and Latino men had significantly less CAC change compared with South Asian men, but there were no differences between South Asian and white men. There was no difference in CAC incidence or progression between South Asian women and women in MESA. Conclusions South Asian men had greater CAC change than Chinese, black, and Latino men but similar change to that of whites after adjusting for traditional risk factors.
Amniotic membrane as a biological scaffold for dental pulp stem cell transplantation in ocular surface reconstruction.

PURPOSE To evaluate the ability of human immature dental pulp stem cells, which are mesenchymal stem cells of neural crest origin, to differentiate into the corneal epithelium for purposes of corneal transplantation and tissue engineering when cultured on de-epithelized amniotic membranes. METHODS We compared the immunophenotypes (ABCG2, K3/12, and vimentin) of cells grown on amniotic membranes or plastic surfaces under serum-free conditions or in culture media containing serum or serum replacement components. RESULTS Immature dental pulp stem cells grown on amniotic membranes under basal conditions are able to maintain their undifferentiated state. Our data also suggest that the culture medium used in the present work can modulate the expression of immature dental pulp stem cell markers, thus inducing epithelial differentiation of these cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the amniotic membrane is a good choice for the growth and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells, particularly immature dental pulp stem cells, in clinical ocular surface reconstruction.
CX3CR1-CCR2-dependent monocyte-microglial signaling modulates neurovascular leakage and acute injury in a mouse model of childhood stroke

Stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in children. The developmental stage of the brain is central to stroke pathophysiology. The incidence of childhood arterial ischemic stroke (CAIS) is lower than of perinatal arterial ischemic stroke but the rate of recurrence is strikingly high. Vascular inflammation is seen as major contributor to CAIS but the mechanisms that govern structural-functional basis of vascular abnormalities remain poorly understood. To identify the contribution of immune-neurovascular interactions to CAIS, we established stroke model in postnatal day 21 (P21) mice. We demonstrate acute functional deficits and histological injury and chronic MRI-identifiable injury, brain atrophy and marked derangements in the vascular network. In contrast to negligible albumin leakage and neutrophil infiltration following acute perinatal stroke, CAIS leads to significantly increased albumin leakage and neutrophil infiltration in injured regions of wild type mice and mice with functional CX3CR1-CCR2 receptors. In mice with dysfunctional CX3CR1-CCR2 signaling, extravascular albumin leakage is significantly attenuated, infiltration of injurious Ccr2+-monocytes essentially aborted, accumulation of Ly6G+ neutrophils reduced and acute injury attenuated. Unique identifiers of microglia and monocytes revealed phenotypic changes in each cell subtype of the monocyte lineage after CAIS. Taken together, CX3CR1-CCR2-dependent microglia-monocyte signaling contributes to cerebrovascular leakage, inflammation and CAIS injury.
Introducing the eighth edition of the tumor-node-metastasis classification as relevant to colorectal cancer, anal cancer and appendiceal cancer: a comparison study with the seventh edition of the tumor-node-metastasis and the Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND The eighth edition of the tumor-node-metastasis classification of malignant tumors updates cancer staging according to the evidence accumulated in the last 8 years since the release of the tumor-node-metastasis seventh edition. This review focuses on the new staging system. METHODS The eight edition was compared with the seventh edition as well as the Japanese Classification of Colorcetal, Appendiceal, and Anal carcinoma ninth edition. RESULTS Of colon and rectum, the tumor-node-metastasis eighth edition expands the M category. Specifically, colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis is newly categorized as M1c, distinguishing it from M1a (metastasis to one organ) and M1b (metastasis to more than one organ). In the ninth edition of Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma, M1c is further subdivided into M1c1 (metastasis to the peritoneum without other organ involvement) and M1c2 (metastasis to the peritoneum with other organ involvement). In the T category, the tumor-node-metastasis eighth edition excludes high-grade dysplasia (intraepithelial carcinoma) from Tis; this differs from both the tumor-node-metastasis seventh edition and the Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma ninth edition. In the N category, the tumor-node-metastasis eighth edition does not add the number of tumor deposits to the number of positive regional lymph nodes, whereas this number is added in the Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma ninth edition. The definition of anal cancer is also modified considerably in the tumor-node-metastasis eighth edition; specifically, tumors of perianal skin defined as within 5 cm of the anal margin are also classified as anal canal carcinoma, external iliac lymph nodes become regional lymph nodes, and both N2 and N3 are abolished in the N category. With regard to appendix, Tis (low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasma) and tumor deposit(s) are newly introduced. Finally, the tumor-node-metastasis eighth edition offers a new structure, labeled a 'prognostic factors grid', which consists of prognostic factors for survival in both colorectal and anal cancer. CONCLUSIONS Staging classification is updated regularly, which clinicians should always catch up with.
Online Tutorials as Instruction for Distance Students

SUMMARY Many academic libraries offer an array of library services to their off-campus and distance students, but library instruction for these populations is still a challenge. Librarians and teaching faculty struggle with how to effectively reach students that are truly distant, offering them the same library instruction and information literacy training that is possible in the classroom. The online tutorial has gained popularity in recent years and this article will address Web-based interactive tutorials as a means of providing library instruction to distance learners. Examples of tutorials aimed at distance students are examined, along with studies assessing the effectiveness of online tutorials.
Framing a trust game as a power game greatly affects interbrain synchronicity between trustor and trustee

ABSTRACT We used dual electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity simultaneously in pairs of trustors and trustees playing a 15-round trust game framed as a “trust game” versus a “power game”. Four major findings resulted: first, earnings in each round were higher in the trust than in the power game. Second, in the trust game, reaction time for strategic deliberations was significantly longer for the trustee than the trustor. In the power game, however, the trustee took longer to think about how much money to repay, whereas the trustor took longer to think about how much money to invest. Third, prediction accuracy for the amount exchanged was higher in the trust game than in the power game. Fourth, interbrain synchronicity gauged with the phase-locking value of alpha bands in the brain – especially the frontal and central regions – was higher in the power game than in the trust game. We infer that this last finding reflects elevated mutual strategic deliberation in the power game. These behavioral and neuroscience-based findings give a better understanding of the framing effects of a trust game on the strategic deliberations of both trustor and trustee seeking to attain wealth.
Effects of Athermal Shortwave Diathermy Treatment on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Motor Evoked Potentials in Rats With Spinal Cord Injury.

MINI: We have explored the effects of athermal shortwave diathermy (SWD) in spinal cord injury (SCI). Sprague-Dawley rats received athermal SWD treatment at 24 hours after SCI. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scales and somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials were used to measure changes of neurological function. Our results showed that athermal SWD treatment exerts neuroprotective effect in SCI. STUDY DESIGN A study on shortwave diathermy (SWD) versus no treatment following induced spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of athermal SWD treatment on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and hindlimb movements in rats with SCI. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA SWD has been proven to improve vascular circulation and reduce inflammation. However, there have been few studies on neuroprotective effect of SWD on SCI. METHODS Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, SCI, SWD, and intact groups. The SCI model was established using the modified Allen weight-drop method. The SWD group received 15 sessions of athermal SWD treatment over a 3-week period of time at 24 hours after SCI. While the sham group and SCI group received no treatment after surgery. Hindlimb movements were evaluated by the BBB scale before surgery, and on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 after the surgery, respectively. The SEP and MEP measurements were simultaneously performed to detect the responses of neural conduction. RESULTS The week-by-week Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores showed a gradual improvement in the rats of both SCI and SWD groups from the first week to the end of the study; however, the BBB scores of the SWD group were higher than those of the SCI group over the course of 3 weeks. Data from the SEP and MEP measurements showed a significant improvement in the SWD group compared with the SCI group at each time point of observation, with a more prominent increase of amplitude and a more evident reduction of latency. There was a linear correlation between the BBB scores and the latency and amplitude of SEPs or MEPs. CONCLUSION Athermal SWD treatment might facilitate the recovery of locomotor function and exert neuroprotective effect on the SCI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
On Standardizing Within-Person Effects: Potential Problems of Global Standardization

Abstract Person-mean centering has been recommended for disaggregating between-person and within-person effects when modeling time-varying predictors. Multilevel modeling textbooks recommended global standardization for standardizing fixed effects. An aim of this study is to evaluate whether and when person-mean centering followed by global standardization can accurately estimate fixed-effects within-person relations (the estimand of interest in this study) in multilevel modeling. We analytically derived that global standardization generally yields inconsistent (asymptotically biased) estimates for the estimand when between-person differences in within-person standard deviations exist and the average within-person relation is nonzero. Alternatively, a person-mean-SD standardization (P-S) approach yields consistent estimates. Our simulation results further revealed (1) how misleading the results from global standardization were under various circumstances and (2) the P-S approach had accurate estimates and satisfactory coverage rates of fixed-effects within-person relations when the number of occasions is 30 or more (in many conditions, performance was satisfactory with 10 or 20 occasions). A daily diary data example, focused on emotional complexity, was used to empirically illustrate the approaches. Researchers should choose standardization approaches based on theoretical considerations and should clearly describe the purpose and procedure of standardization in research articles.
A Comparative Study of the Validity and Reliability of Two Wireless Telemetry Electrocardiogram Devices in the Emergency Medicine Department

Background This study aimed to compare the clinical validity and reliability of two wireless telemetry electrocardiogram (ECG) devices in the Emergency Medicine Department. Material/Methods Patients who attended the Emergency Medicine Department underwent wireless telemetry ECG testing (N=245) using the Infron Micro Cor and the Nihon Kohden Cardiofax M 1350 K devices. ECG recordings included heart rate, P-wave amplitude, PR segment length, QRS duration, QT and QTc intervals, ST depression and elevation, the number of ECG artifacts, the ECG diagnosis, and duration. Statistical analysis of reliability included the use of Cohen’s kappa (κ) values. Results One hundred women (40.8%) and 145 men (59.2%) were included in the study. The duration for the Infron Micro Cor ECG readings (57.5±0.93 seconds) was significantly shorter compared with the Nihon Kohden Cardiofax M ECG readings (65.2±9.72 seconds) (p=0.0001). The Infron Micro Cor ECG readings contained significantly more lead artifacts (93 or 37.9%) compared with the Nihon Kohden ECG readings (71 or 28.9%) (p=0.01). There was no difference between the two devices in terms of the other ECG parameters. The compatibility of ST-segment elevation detection was found to be almost in complete agreement between the Infron Micro Cor and Nihon Kohden Cardiofax M ECG devices, as determined by the κ-values for ST elevation and ST depression. Conclusions Two wireless telemetry ECG devices were found to be reliable for use in the Emergency Medicine Department. The Infron Micro Cor wireless telemetry ECG device provided more rapid results.