Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin Levels in HIV Patients And Abo Blood Group: Is There A Relationship?

This study aims at determining relationship between the ABO blood group and the level of immunoglobulin classes in patients infected with Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). One hundred and fifty three (153) confirmed HIV-1 positive subjects were enrolled in the study. These comprise of 62 (40.5%) males and 91 (59.5%) females. Sex and age-matched HIV-negative control were also recruited. The subjects comprise of adults aged 18-55 years with 36 years as the mean age. The study was conducted at the CDC-UNTH ART clinic Enugu after obtaining ethical approval from the relevant authority.The total protein, globulin, albumin IgG, IgM and IgA were assayed for both the HIV-positive patients and control subjects. The standard tube technique for both cell and serum grouping was used in determining the blood groups of the patients and control group under the study. The total protein, albumin and immunoglobulins levels were all determined using the Roche/Hitachi 902 automated analyser . The assay principle of the total protein and albumin was colorimetric assay while that of immunoglobulins was turbidimetric. Globulin assay was determined by finding the difference between total protein and albumin values. Descriptive statistics which include means, standard deviation (SD), frequency and percentage were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables. Differential statistics which include chi-square was used to test association between categorical variable while two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means of continuous variables. All analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 18.0. The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG ,IgM and IgA for the HIV-positive subjects were 84.92g/l, 40.13g/l, 44.96g/l, 19.31g/l, 1.56g/l and 2.41g/l respectively. The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG, IgM and IgA for the control group were 75.94g/l, 30.19g/l,45.80g/l, 18.78g/l, 0.88g/l, 2.12g/l respectively. Our work did not establish any statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between ABO blood group and HIV infection. There is no significant difference in the mean levels of total protein, globulin, IgG, IgM and IgA across the blood groups (A,B,AB and O). We recommend the inclusion of IgM, IgG, IgA, globulin and total protein assays as baseline study in addition to the well established CD4 + cell count and viral load assay in assessing the Immune status of people infected with HIV at baseline. More study is recommended. KEY WORDS: HIV, infection, Immunoglobulin, ABO Blood group.
Early ART in Acute HIV-1 Infection: Impact on the B-Cell Compartment

HIV-1 infection induces B cell defects, not fully recovered upon antiretroviral therapy (ART). Acute infection and the early start of ART provide unique settings to address the impact of HIV on the B cell compartment. We took advantage of a cohort of 21 seroconverters, grouped according to the presence of severe manifestations likely mediated by antibodies or immune complexes, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, with a follow-up of 8 weeks upon effective ART. We combined B and T cell phenotyping with serum immunoglobulin level measurement and quantification of sj-KRECs and ΔB to estimate bone marrow output and peripheral proliferative history of B cells, respectively. We observed marked B cell disturbances, notably a significant expansion of cells expressing low levels of CD21, in parallel with markers of both impaired bone marrow output and increased peripheral B cell proliferation. This B cell dysregulation is likely to contribute to the severe immune-mediated conditions, as attested by the higher serum IgG and the reduced levels of sj-KRECs with increased ΔB in these individuals as compared to those patients with mild disease. Nevertheless, upon starting ART, the dynamic of B cell recovery was not distinct in the two groups, featuring both persistent alterations by week 8. Overall, we showed for the first time that acute HIV-1 infection is associated with decreased bone marrow B cell output assessed by sj-KRECs. Our study emphasizes the need to intervene in both bone marrow and peripheral responses to facilitate B cell recovery during acute HIV-1 infection.
Photoprotection capacity differs among diatoms: Possible consequences on the spatial distribution of diatoms related to fluctuations in the underwater light climate

In this study, we show a fundamental difference between diatom species from different marine habitats in their ability to cope with changes in irradiance. Estuarine species show a higher and more flexible capacity for photoprotection than oceanic and coastal species, and when exposed to excess light, the impairment of their photosynthetic capacity because of photoinhibition was reduced. This resulted in maintenance of growth in a fluctuating light regime, conferring the estuarine species an adaptive advantage. The ability of diatoms, and to a larger extent other phytoplankton, to occupy a wide range of ecological niches depends critically on their capacity to exploit the differences in underwater light climate. These results might explain how diatoms adapt to the challenge of maintaining optimal photosynthetic production in turbulent waters, in which the rate of light change is high.
CircRNA circ_POLA2 Promotes Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression via Regulating miR-326/GNB1

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs that have an essential function in the development and progression of various cancers. The expression pattern and function of circRNA in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) are not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression profiles and regulation mechanism of circRNA circ_POLA2 in CESC. Circ_POLA2 was highly expressed in CESC tissues and positively correlated with poor prognosis in CESC patients. Knockdown of circ_POLA2 using shRNA inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_POLA2 could sponge endogenous microRNA-326 (miR-326) and inhibit its expression. Furthermore, miR-326 negatively regulated G protein subunit beta 1 (GNB1) by targeting its 3′-UTR. Intriguingly, we found that GNB1 was overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in CESC patients. Overexpression of GNB1 could antagonize the inhibitory effect of miR-326 on cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, we demonstrated that circ_POLA2/miR-326/GNB1 axis regulated ERK signaling. In conclusion, circ_POLA2 promotes cervical squamous cell carcinoma development and progression via regulating the miR-326/GNB1 axis, which might serve as a novel therapeutic target for CESC patients.
Editorial: Diabetes and Obesity Effects on Lung Function

1 School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States, Obesity, Diabetes and Nutrition Research Group, Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain, 4 Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
COVID-19 effective reproductive ratio determination: An application, and analysis of issues and influential factors

An essential indicator of COVID-19 transmission is the effective reproduction number (Rt), the number of cases which an infected individual is expected to infect at a particular moment of time; curves of the evolution of Rt over time (transmission curves) reflect the impact of preventive measures and whether an epidemic is controlled. We have created a Shiny/R web application with user-selectable features: open data sources with daily COVID-19 incidences from all countries and many regions, customizable preprocessing options (smoothing, proportional increment, backwards distribution of negative corrections, etc), different MonteCarlo-Markov-Chain estimates of the generation time or serial interval distributions and state-of-the-art Rt estimation frameworks (EpiEstim, R0). We have analyzed the impact of these factors in the obtained transmission curves. We also have obtained curves at the national and sub-national level and analyzed the impact of epidemic control strategies, superspreading events, socioeconomic factors and outbreaks. We conclude that country wealth and, to a lesser extent, mitigation strategies, were associated with poorer epidemic control. Dataset quality was an important factor, and sometimes dictated the necessity of time series smoothing. We couldn't find conclusive evidence regarding the impact of alleged superspreading events. In the reopening phase, outbreaks had an impact on transmission curves. This application could be used interactively as a tool both to obtain transmission estimates and to perform interactive sensitivity analysis.
Precision and performance of an 180g solar-powered GPS device for tracking medium to large-bodied terrestrial mammals

Advances in the technology of biotelemetry are transforming the ways in which we remotely acquire environmental, physiological and behavioural data. Large and heavy batteries, however, continue to reduce the availability of GPS tracking devices for small taxa and for species with morphologies that limit attachment options. Device miniaturisation is beginning to be achieved through the use of in-built solar accumulators, but it is important that the rapid uptake of these technologies does not outpace systematic tests of their precision and performance. Here, we share the technical details of a new 180g solar-powered device originally designed for vultures but adapted for use on terrestrial herbivores. We test the precision and performance of this device using both stationary and animal-borne trials across multiple geographical areas. Our results show exceptionally high fix acquisition success rates and moderate precision error. We also demonstrate that these solar-powered devices maintain a high and stable voltage over long-term animal-borne trials. These results highlight the importance of a-priori testing of new technologies in biotelemetry research and demonstrate how solar-technology can help to address some of the challenges we face in tracking terrestrial mammals.
Plant trait–environmental linkages among contrasting landscapes and climate regimes in temperate eucalypt woodlands

Ecological sorting of species along climate and landscape gradients is a fundamental global pattern. However, the extent to which functional traits reflect floristic turnover in response to interactions between climate and landscape gradients is rarely assessed. We tested whether floristic variation among sites within a bioregion was more strongly correlated with soil fertility or climate. We then examined the relationship between floristic composition, environment and the co-variation of selected vegetative and regenerative functional traits. This allowed us to assess the ecological sorting of species along soil fertility and rainfall gradients and to detect any resource compensation effects via interactions between these factors. Floristic differences were equally associated with soil fertility and climate contrasts but species' trait patterns were more strongly associated with soil fertility than rainfall. No interactive effects, which would suggest resource compensation, were detected. Instead, more fertile sites consistently had more forbs, annuals and grasses in comparison with less fertile sites which were dominated by woody species and had a higher abundance of graminoids. Three broad mechanisms for sorting of species based on trait patterns are proposed (1) differences in the fundamental regenerative and growth niche, (2) resource competition during establishment and (3) disturbance-mediated sorting.
Prevalence, behavior and risk assessment of Salmonella spp. and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on basil leaves and strawberries

Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V) is important for a healthy and balanced diet due to the presence of vitamins, minerals, fibres and other dietary components. However, F&V, in particular leafy green vegetables, that are consumed raw, have been associated with some notable outbreaks of microbial foodborne disease. Within this context and due the lack of data relating to the prevalence and behaviour of pathogens on F&V, the EU FP7 Veg-i-Trade project was developed. This PhD research deals with the microbiological analysis and exposure assessment of particular case studies of F&V being Salmonella and STEC in strawberries and basil. The objective of the PhD research was (i) to collect information about the prevalence of Salmonella and STEC on basil and strawberries and to investigate the behaviour of these pathogens during the storage of these commodities at different reasonably foreseen temperatures and (ii) subsequently use the obtained data as input in the comparative exposure assessment model for a quantitative risk ranking. To do so, first detection methods (i.e. the GeneDisc multiplex real-time PCR kit and culture methods for detection of Salmonella and STEC) needed some evaluation for their appropriateness in use for these specific food products (iii). In addition, exposure to pathogens due to consumption of basil and strawberries were compared to exposure to already prior well studied lettuce as a leafy green.
Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism by Long Non-coding RNAs: Facts and Research Progress

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA with a length that exceeds 200 nucleotides. Previous studies have shown that lncRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Research in both animal models and humans has begun to unravel the profound complexity of lncRNAs and demonstrated that lncRNAs exert direct effects on glucose and lipid metabolism both in vivo and in vitro. Such research has elucidated the regulatory role of lncRNAs in glucose and lipid metabolism in human disease. lncRNAs mediate glucose and lipid metabolism under physiological and pathological conditions and contribute to various metabolism disorders. This review provides an update on our understanding of the regulatory role of lncRNAs in glucose and lipid metabolism in various diseases. As our understanding of the function of lncRNAs improves, the future is promising for the development of new diagnostic biomarkers that utilize lncRNAs and treatments that target lncRNAs to improve clinical outcomes.
Climate-induced increase of moth multivoltinism in boreal regions

Aim An increase in multivoltinism in ectothermic animals has been proposed by several authors as a possible outcome of climate warming, especially in high latitudes. We tested this prediction with large-scale empirical monitoring data for boreal moth communities. Location Finland, northern Europe. Methods Our data set comprised observations of multivoltine species made in the Finnish moth monitoring scheme ‘Nocturna’ trap sites during the period 1993– 2006 along an exceptionally long latitudinal gradient of 1000 km. To compare recent changes in moth multivoltinism with a longer time period, we gathered older time series of moth observations from five locations. We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to detect possible temporal and geographical trends in the annual occurrence of multivoltinism. We also identified areas where the recent changes in multivoltinism have been greatest. Monthly average temperatures of spring and summer periods and annual sum of growing degree days above 5 °C (GDD5) were used as explanatory variables to distinguish the main climatic correlates of moth multivoltinism. Results We observed a clear increase in the occurrence of moth multivoltinism during the period 1993–2006. The incidence as well as the recent increase in multivoltinism were highest in southernmost Finland and decreased towards the north. We also detected a weaker, although significantly positive, trend of moth multivoltinism in southern Finland during the period 1963–92, suggesting that this increasing trend might already have begun earlier. The most important climatic correlates for the annual occurrence of moth multivoltinism were the mean summer temperature (periods May–July and June–August) and GDD5, but all the tested climatic variables showed a significant univariate relationship with the occurrence of moth multivoltinism. All climatic variables showed an increasing trend during the period 1993–2006. Main conclusions The occurrence of multivoltinism has increased in northern European moth communities during recent decades, apparently as a response to increasing temperatures during the spring and summer seasons. The increase in multivoltinism was greatest in the southernmost parts of Finland, whereas in the northern landscapes recent warming has triggered multivoltinism in only relatively few moth species.
Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners

Since excessive sugar consumption has been related to the development of chronic metabolic diseases prevalent in the western world, the use of sweeteners has gradually increased worldwide over the last few years. Although low- and non-calorie sweeteners may represent a valuable tool to reduce calorie intake and prevent weight gain, studies investigating the safety and efficacy of these compounds in the short- and long-term period are scarce and controversial. Therefore, future studies will need to elucidate the potential beneficial and/or detrimental effects of different types of sweeteners on metabolic health (energy balance, appetite, body weight, cardiometabolic risk factors) in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. In this regard, the impact of different sweeteners on central nervous system, gut hormones and gut microbiota is important, given the strong implications that changes in such systems may have for human health. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current evidence for the neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of sweeteners, as well as their impact on gut microbiota. Finally, we briefly discuss the advantages of the use of sweeteners in the context of very-low calorie ketogenic diets.
Predicting 5- and 10-Year Mortality Risk in Older Adults With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Several diabetes clinical practice guidelines suggest that treatment goals may be modified in older adults on the basis of comorbidities, complications, and life expectancy. The long-term benefits of treatment intensification may not outweigh short-term risks for patients with limited life expectancy. Because of the uncertainty of determining life expectancy for individual patients, we sought to develop and validate prognostic indices for mortality in older adults with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used a prevalence sample of veterans with diabetes who were aged ≥65 years on 1 January 2006 (N = 275,190). Administrative data were queried for potential predictors that included patient demographics, comorbidities, procedure codes, laboratory values and anthropomorphic measurements, medication history, and previous health service utilization. Logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regressions were used to identify variables independently associated with mortality. The resulting odds ratios were then weighted to create prognostic indices of mortality over 5 and 10 years. RESULTS Thirty-seven predictors of mortality were identified: 4 demographic variables, prescriptions for insulin or sulfonylureas or blood pressure medications, 6 biomarkers, previous outpatient and inpatient utilization, and 22 comorbidities/procedures. The prognostic indices showed good discrimination, with C-statistics of 0.74 and 0.76 for 5- and 10-year mortality, respectively. The indices also demonstrated excellent agreement between observed outcome and predictions, with calibration slopes of 1.01 for both 5- and 10-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS Prognostic indices obtained from administrative data can predict 5- and 10-year mortality in older adults with diabetes. Such a tool may enable clinicians and patients to develop individualized treatment goals that balance risks and benefits of treatment intensification.
Ultrasonic Neuromodulation and Sonogenetics: A New Era for Neural Modulation

Non-invasive ultrasonic neural modulation (UNM), a non-invasive technique with enhanced spatial focus compared to conventional electrical neural modulation, has attracted much attention in recent decades and might become the mainstream regimen for neurological disorders. However, as ultrasonic bioeffects and its adjustments are still unclear, it remains difficult to be extensively applied for therapeutic purpose, much less in the setting of human skull. Hence to comprehensively understand the way ultrasound exerts bioeffects, we explored UNM from a basic perspective by illustrating the parameter settings and the underlying mechanisms. In addition, although the spatial resolution and precision of UNM are considerable, UNM is relatively non-specific to tissue or cell type and shows very low specificity at the molecular level. Surprisingly, Ibsen et al. (2015) first proposed the concept of sonogenetics, which combined UNM and mechanosensitive (MS) channel protein. This emerging approach is a valuable improvement, as it may markedly increase the precision and spatial resolution of UNM. It seemed to be an inspiring tool with high accuracy and specificity, however, little information about sonogenetics is currently available. Thus, in order to provide an overview of sonogenetics and prompt the researches on UNM, we summarized the potential mechanisms from a molecular level.