Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An epithelial microRNA upregulates airway IL-25 and TSLP expression in type 2-high asthma via targeting CD39-extracellular ATP axis

The presence of type 2 inflammation is a prominent endotype of asthma. Airway epithelial cell-derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP initiate type 2 inflammation. However, the upstream signaling pathway regulating these cytokines expression remains elusive. We identified a small set of epithelial microRNAs differentially expressed between type 2-low and -high asthma patients. MiR-206 was the most highly expressed microRNA in type 2-high asthma relative to type 2-low asthma, but was downregulated in both asthma subsets compared to control subjects. CD39, an ecto-nucleotidase degrading extracellular ATP, was a target of miR-206 and upregulated in asthma. In cultured human bronchial epithelial cells, allergen-induced rapid accumulation of extracellular ATP was responsible for miR-206 downregulation and CD39 upregulation, suggesting a protective mechanism to eliminate excessive ATP. Importantly, BALF ATP levels were increased in asthma patients, and strongly correlated with elevated IL-25 and TSLP expression in type 2-high asthma. Intriguingly, inhibition of airway miR-206 increased Cd39 expression, suppressed airway ATP accumulation and Il-25, Il-33, Tslp expression, and alleviated type 2 inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. In contrast, airway miR-206 overexpression had opposite effects. Taken together, airway epithelial miR-206 upregulates IL-25, TSLP expression via targeting CD39-extracellular ATP axis in type 2-high asthma.
Efficacy and safety of Boswellia containing formulations for the treatment of osteoarthritis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint disease with limited pharmacological management options. Boswellia extracts (BE) or formulations containing BE are generally considered as safe and offers a modest efficacy for the treatment of OA. Although previous systematic reviews have assessed the efficacy of BE in OA, these reviews had excluded trials assessing various formulations containing BE and excluded various combinations of BE. Hence, this study aims to systematically review the evidence from RCTs assessing the efficacy and safety of both BE and formulations containing BE for the treatment of OA. Biomedical databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar will be searched to identify the RCTs of BE or formulations containing BE in patients with OA (hand, knee, hip, or any other OA). Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of included studies. Review Manager 5 (Rev Man) and STATA Version 16 will be used to conduct the statistical analysis.
Non-obese population with the rs7903146 T allele exhibits higher sugar and more dyslipidaemia in subjects with Type-2-diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), the most prevalent type of diabetes has been associated with Transcription-Factor-7-Like-2 gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), rs12255372 and rs7903146 as risk factors, thought to be modulated by obesity status. In sub-Saharan Africa, the onset of T2D in the non-obese is rarely suspected. This study looks into the genetics and the biochemical parameters in non-obese population, with and without T2D and living in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 68 subjects, 40 diabetic patients and 28 healthy control group, all with closely matched age, height, nutrition, family history, Body Mass Index and socioeconomic status, recruited from within the same population were studied. SNPs Genotyping were performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Sangers Sequencing. Lipid profiles, Fasting Blood Sugar and C-peptide levels were measured and analysed alongside with demographic data from questionnaire. Odd-ratio at 95% confidence interval at a conventional level of alpha, <0.05 and Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis were used to analyse the data in both groups. The entire population showed the GG genotype for the rs12255372. However, different genotype combination, CC, CT and TT were observed with the rs7903146. Though no significant association was observed between the genotypes and the odd of T2D, healthy subjects with the T allele showed a higher level of two hours postprandial plasma glucose level than those with CC genotype. Patients with T allele shows a more abnormal level of diabetes metabolic syndrome indicators such as Fasting Blood Sugar; two hours postprandial plasma glucose level; C-peptide; Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein and Total Cholesterol. The study suggests that lower sugar metabolism and more dyslipidaemia are observed in subject with T allele. Hence, this could constitute poorer prognosis and a risk factor for non-obese population, particularly with high carbohydrate intake.
Eight-legged cats and how they see: a review of recent research on jumping spiders (araneae: salticidae)

reviewed. Special attention is given to Portia Karsch. The species in this African, Asian and Australian genus have especially complex predatory strategies. Portia’s preferred prey are other spiders, which are captured through behavioural sequences based on making aggressive-mimicry web signals, problem solving and planning. Recent research has used Portia to study cognitive attributes more often associated with large predatory mammals such as lions and rarely considered in studies on spiders. In salticids, complex behaviour and highspatial-acuity vision are tightly interrelated. Salticid eyes are unique and complex. How salticid eyes function is reviewed. Size constraints are discussed.
Purifying selection and drift, not life history or RNAi, determine transposable element evolution

Transposable elements (TEs) are a major source of genome variation across the branches of life. Although TEs may occasionally play an adaptive role in their host’s genome, they are much more often deleterious, and purifying selection is thus an important factor controlling genomic TE loads. In contrast, life history and genomic characteristics such as mating system, parasitism, GC content, and RNAi pathways, have been suggested to account for the startling disparity of TE loads in different species. Previous studies of fungal, plant, and animal genomes have reported conflicting results regarding the direction in which these genomic features drive TE evolution. Many of these studies have had limited power because they studied taxonomically narrow systems, comparing only a limited number of phylogenetically independent contrasts, and did not address long term effects on TE evolution. Here we explicitly test the long term determinants of TE evolution by comparing 42 nematode genomes that span over 500 million years of diversification, and include numerous transitions between life history states and RNAi pathways. We have analysed the reconstructed TE loads of ancestors through the Nematoda phylogeny to account for correlation with GC content and transitions in TE evolutionary models. We also analysed the effect of transitions in life history characteristics and RNAi using ANOVA of phylogenetically independent contrasts. We show that purifying selection against TEs is the dominant force throughout the evolutionary history of Nematoda, as indicated by reconstructed ancestral TE loads, and that strong stochastic Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes are the underlying models which best explain TE diversification among extant species. In contrast we found no evidence that life history or RNAi variations have a significant influence upon genomic TE load across extended periods of evolutionary history. We suggest that these are largely inconsequential to the large differences in TE content observed between genomes and only by these large-scale comparisons can we distinguish long term and persistent effects from transient effects or misleading random changes.
Ongoing natural selection drives the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 genomes

SARS-CoV-2 is a new RNA virus affecting humans and spreads extensively through world populations since its first outbreak in late December, 2019. Whether the transmissibility and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 is actively evolving, and driven by adaptation to the new host and environments is still unknown. Understanding the evolutionary mechanism underlying epidemiological and pathological characteristics of COVID-19 is essential for predicting the epidemic trend, and providing guidance for disease control and treatments. Interrogating 22,078 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences of 84 countries, we demonstrate with convincing evidence that (i) SARS-CoV-2 genomes are overall conserved under purifying selection. (ii) Ongoing positive selection is actively driving the evolution of specific genes. Notably, genes related to coronavirus infection and host immune system defense are under adaptive evolution while genes related to viral RNA replication, transcription and translation are under purifying selection. A spatial and temporal landscape of 54 critical mutants is constructed based on their divergence among viral haplotype clusters, of which multiple mutants potentially conferring viral transmissibility, infectivity and virulence of SARS-CoV-2 are highlighted.
Effect of Screen time on Glycaemic control of Type 2 Diabetes patients during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Survey based Study

Introduction: Decreased workout during coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a serious issue for the patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), since their glycaemic control is very much related to that. COVID-19 has posed a severe health issue that is playing havoc on the aged patients with existing comorbidities. Studies have shown mixed reports of social media on T2DM, with some showing positive results due to increased use of apps and adherence to lifestyle, while others have shown adiposity and glycaemic control related to hours spent on-screen time in children. Data on adult T2DM patients screen time activity and prevailing glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and, post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) is sparse. Aim: To study the effect of screen-time spent on social media per day on glycaemic parameters of T2DM patients. Materials and methods: Data was collected for T2DM patients giving informed written consent and meeting a set of pre-specified inclusion criteria. Through two rounds of surveys done from May 15 to June 26, the authors collected the answers to a set of questionnaires from a total of 344 patients sent via email. Due to the non-availability of data from a few patients, a total of 229 patients data were finally analyzed. SPSS software version V21 was used to perform Binary logistic regression for calculating the odds ratio (OR) of the categorical variables. The outcomes, looked for in the analysis, were poor control of glycaemic parameters like HbA1c (defined by >7%), FBS (defined by >150 mg/dL) and, PPBS (defined by >200 mg/dL) and the exposure variables were Screen time spent by the person per day for all the three glycaemic parameters and, doctors visit and, daily exercise for HbA1c outcome. Results: A total of 173 patients had a screen time (henceforth, it means time spent on social media) of less than 2 hours/day in the study sample. Among the 173 patients, 73 (42.2%) had achieved HbA1c less than 7%, whereas the remaining 100 (57.8%) had HbA1c more than 7%. On the other hand, 56 patients had a screen time of more than 2 hours, of which 44 (72.73%) had HbA1c more than 7%. Among the 173 patients, only 89 (51.44%) had an FBS value of more than 150 mg/dL as compared to 46 (82.12%) with a screen time of more than 2 hours. Out of these 173 patients, only 43 (24.86%) had a PPBS value of more than 200 mg/dL as compared to 41 (73.21%) with a screen time of more than 2 hours. It was found that the odds of having a poor glycaemic control as per HbA1c, FBS and PPBS is 2.67 times higher (95%CI: 1.91-6.95), 4.34 times higher (95%CI: 1.52-4.76) and, 8.26 times higher (95%CI: 4.26-11.83) in the cohort with a screen time of more than 2 hours as compared to the cohort with a screen time of less than 2 hours, respectively. Conclusion: There seems to be an increased risk of uncontrolled glycaemic indices with increased screen time and, decreased work out. This is a small study and the findings need to be corroborated with larger sample size.
A maturation size threshold and phenotypic plasticity of age and size at maturity in Daphnia magna

The combined effects of body-length at birth and juvenile growth on clutch size, age and body-length at maturity were studied in two clones of Daphnia magna. Juvenile growth in 13 food treatments was estimated by the mean juvenile increment, calculated as the ratio of post-moult-length to pre-moult-length, averaged over all juvenile instars. Females which were born smaller or grew slower had on average more juvenile instars, less eggs in their first clutch and were smaller and older at maturity than females which were born larger or grew faster. As females reached maturity in either their 5th, 6th or 7th instar, clutch size, age and body-length at maturity varied discontinuously across growth conditions. These discontinuities depended on both the juvenile increment and the body-length at birth
Sport Events Customers’ Behavior in the Light of Hedonic Consumption

Consumption of sport events has raised the specialists’ interest since it has become a global phenomenon, accessible to a large mass of consumers. At the same time, this consumption generates implications from an economic, social, and cultural point of view, in the countries/locations where various sport events have been organized, through the development of cultural and sport tourism. Sport event consumption belongs to the category of consumption acts that presume total implication apart from individuals and accordingly, their emotional involvement. This involvement is correlated on the one hand with the typology and the nature of needs and consumption motives underlying this consumption, and on the other hand with the more and more intensive promotion of these events and the easier participation access of consumers. Consumer involvement is a multidimensional construct, so the idea of an “involvement profile” is more appropriate to describe how the consumer relates to such products or services. The purpose of our paper is to clarify whether involvement within consumption for sport events customers is determining a specific behavior for the hedonic type of consumption also related to other categories of products or services. The consumption of sport events represents mainly a hedonic type of consumption correlated with a high level of emotional involvement during the consumption process, an involvement developed against the backdrop of the special role, and specific meaning that sport events can have at the level of individuals’ perception.
A Synthetic Medium for the Production of Submerged Cultures of Lentinus Edodes

A new synthetic medium was developed for the production of submerged mycelial cultures of Lentinus edodes. Glucose and ammonium chloride were the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The remaining ingredients in the medium were calcium chloride, aspartic acid, thiamine, magnesium sulphate and trace elements (Mn, Zn and Fe). The threshold level in the dry weight of mycelium was reached at an inoculum concentration of 9.9 mg/ml and was maintained through 16.5 mg/ml. The size of mycelial pellet was inversely related to the level of inoculum. Similar relationships were obtained between mycelial growth and mycelial pellet and shaking frequencies from 50-200 rpm. Optimum growth occurred at pH 4.3-4.8 and at temperatures 20-25 C. Mycelial growth in the new synthetic medium was increased five-fold by using an airlift fermentor instead of shaking. The number of days to the appearance of the first flush of sporophores was reduced by 45 da by using liquid spawn. An important difference between the ultrastructure of cells of the agar-grown filamentous hyphae and those of mycelial pellets in submerged culture is that paramural bodies were prominent in the former.
Understanding genomic evolution and segregation distortion in Solanaceae: A COSII linkage map in Nicotiana

Genetic linkage maps are excellent tools to investigate genomic evolution, genomic structure and quantitative trait loci. In our study, we created comparative linkage maps in a reciprocal cross between Nicotiana longiflora and N. plumbaginifolia. We used genetic markers derived from the Conserved Ortholog Set II (COSII) to investigate synteny between Nicotiana longiflora and N. plumbaginifolia (n = 10) and other Solanaceae species (n = 12), such as tomato, pepper and eggplant. We produced two linkage maps; one in a maternal Nicotiana longiflora background (43 markers covering 808.1 cM) and a reciprocal map in the maternal N. plumbaginifolia background (54 markers covering 1110.4 cM). Segregation distortion was evident in both backgrounds, especially for the dominant ISSR markers, and was more prevalent in the maternal N. longiflora cross. In both backgrounds, there was a significant preference for the self-fertilizing N. plumbaginifolia allele for distorted markers. Finally, using the COSII markers, we infer many chromosomal rearrangements have occurred since the divergence of Nicotiana and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from a common ancestor.
Aptitude testing and prediction of school achievement for years 11 and 12

The use of test instruments in the area of career counselling requires careful consideration by test administrators, especially when students seek professional guidance about subject selection decisions with a view to making appropriate career choices. Although there are a number of programs that investigate interest and aptitude for specific careers, there is currently a lack of research into the validity of these programs and their success in predicting aptitude for success in senior subjects that lead into selected career areas. The research project reported here used data obtained in a large Brisbane metropolitan high school to investigate the validity of the aptitude section of the Career Assessment Program ( Aptitude- Based Career Decision, ABCD) in predicting students' success in the two senior school years following completion of the test in Year 10. The results showed the ABCD to be a valid predictor of both Year 11 school achievement grades as well as Year 12 Tertiary Entrance scores in Queensland. Numerical computation and vocabulary were found to be the strongest unique predictors of both school achievement grades and Tertiary Entrance Scores.
Hydroxychloroquine for prevention of COVID-19 mortality: a population-based cohort study

Background. Hydroxychloroquine has been shown to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro, but early clinical studies found no benefit treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We set out to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for prevention, as opposed to treatment, of COVID-19 mortality. Methods. We pre-specified and conducted an observational, population-based cohort study using national primary care data and linked death registrations in the OpenSAFELY platform, representing 40% of the general population in England. We used Cox regression to estimate the association between ongoing routine hydroxychloroquine use prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in England and risk of COVID-19 mortality among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Model adjustment was informed by a directed acyclic graph. Findings. Of 194,637 patients with RA or SLE, 30,569 (15.7%) received [≥]2 prescriptions of hydroxychloroquine in the six months prior to 1 March 2020. Between 1 March 2020 and 13 July 2020, there were 547 COVID-19 deaths, 70 among hydroxychloroquine users. Estimated standardised cumulative COVID-19 mortality was 0.23% (95% CI 0.18-0.29) among users and 0.22% (95% CI 0.20-0.25) among non-users; an absolute difference of 0.008% (95% CI -0.051-0.066). After accounting for age, sex, ethnicity, use of other immunuosuppressives, and geographic region, no association with COVID-19 mortality was observed (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.80-1.33). We found no evidence of interactions with age or other immunosuppressives. Quantitative bias analyses indicated observed associations were robust to missing information regarding additional biologic treatments for rheumatological disease. We observed similar associations with the negative control outcome of non-COVID-19 mortality. Interpretation. We found no evidence of a difference in COVID-19 mortality among patients who received hydroxychloroquine for treatment of rheumatological disease prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in England.
Bifurcations of mixed-mode oscillations in three-timescale systems: An extended prototypical example.

We study a class of multi-parameter three-dimensional systems of ordinary differential equations that exhibit dynamics on three distinct timescales. We apply geometric singular perturbation theory to explore the dependence of the geometry of these systems on their parameters, with a focus on mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs) and their bifurcations. In particular, we uncover a novel geometric mechanism that encodes the transition from MMOs with single epochs of small-amplitude oscillations (SAOs) to those with double-epoch SAOs; the former feature SAOs or pseudo-plateau bursting either "below" or "above" in their time series, while in the latter, SAOs or pseudo-plateau bursting occur both "below" and "above. " We identify a relatively simple prototypical three-timescale system that realizes our mechanism, featuring a one-dimensional S-shaped 2-critical manifold that is embedded into a two-dimensional S-shaped critical manifold in a symmetric fashion. We show that the Koper model from chemical kinetics is merely a particular realization of that prototypical system for a specific choice of parameters; in particular, we explain the robust occurrence of mixed-mode dynamics with double epochs of SAOs therein. Finally, we argue that our geometric mechanism can elucidate the mixed-mode dynamics of more complicated systems with a similar underlying geometry, such as a three-dimensional, three-timescale reduction of the Hodgkin-Huxley equations from mathematical neuroscience.
Joint Pose and Shape Estimation of Vehicles from LiDAR Data

We address the problem of estimating the pose and shape of vehicles from LiDAR scans, a common problem faced by the autonomous vehicle community. Recent work has tended to address pose and shape estimation separately in isolation, despite the inherent connection between the two. We investigate a method of jointly estimating shape and pose where a single encoding is learned from which shape and pose may be decoded in an efficient yet effective manner. We additionally introduce a novel joint pose and shape loss, and show that this joint training method produces better results than independently-trained pose and shape estimators. We evaluate our method on both synthetic data and real-world data, and show superior performance against a state-of-the-art baseline.
Asymptotic analysis of the Boltzmann equation for dark matter relic abundance

A solution to the Boltzmann equation governing the thermal relic abundance of cold dark matter is constructed by matched asymptotic approximations. The approximation of the relic density is an asymptotic series valid when the abundance does not deviate significantly from its equilibrium value until small temperatures. Resonance and threshold effects are taken into account at leading order and found to be negligible unless the annihilation cross section is negligible at threshold. Comparisons are made to previously attempted constructions and to the freeze out approximation commonly employed in the literature. Extensions to higher order matching is outlined, and implications for solving related systems are discussed. We compare our results to a numerical determination of the relic abundance using a benchmark model and find a fantastic agreement. The method developed also serves as a solution to a wide class of problems containing an infinite order turning point.