Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indirect Impact of Ten-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Program on Reducing Antimicrobial Use and Tympanostomy Tube Placements in Finland

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common reason for antimicrobial use, and tympanostomy tube placement (TTP) is the most common reason for surgery requiring general anesthesia in children. Ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced in Finland in 2010 for infants. We evaluated the indirect impact of PCV10 on these surrogate otitis outcomes in unvaccinated children. Methods: Using before-after design, unvaccinated children ineligible for National Vaccination Program (born January 2006 to May 2010) were followed-up during 2012–2016 (target cohort, age 1.5–7 years). The target cohort was compared with an age- and season-matched unvaccinated reference cohort (born January 2000 to May 2004) during 2006–2010. Antimicrobial purchase data were obtained from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland benefits register. We assessed the relative reduction by generalized Cox regression for outpatient purchases of antibiotics recommended for treatment of AOM in the Finnish guidelines. Data on all TTP procedures were obtained from national hospital discharge register and Social Insurance Institution benefits register. Results: The rate of outpatient purchases of antimicrobials recommended for AOM was 51 in the unvaccinated reference cohort and 44/100 person-years in the unvaccinated target cohort; relative rate reduction was 14.7% [95% confidence interval: 14.0–15.3] and absolute rate reduction 7/100 person-years. The rates of TTP in the reference and target cohorts were 1.66/100 and 1.61/100 person-years, respectively. The relative rate reduction was 3.6% (0.7–6.5). Conclusions: Antimicrobial use and TTP procedures reduced in unvaccinated children after PCV10 introduction in infants. These indirect effects contribute to the savings in health care resource use for otitis and may also help in combating antimicrobial resistance.
SlMYB72 Regulates the Metabolism of Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, and Flavonoids in Tomato Fruit1

A single transcription factor regulates the accumulation of several color compounds in tomato fruit. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit ripening is accompanied by the degradation of chlorophylls and the accumulation of carotenoids and flavonoids. Tomato SlMYB72 belongs to the R2R3 MYB subfamily, is located in the nucleus, and possesses transcriptional activator activity. Down-regulation of the SlMYB72 gene produced uneven-colored fruits; that is, dark green spots appeared on immature and mature green fruits, whereas yellow spots appeared on red fruits. Down-regulation of SlMYB72 increased chlorophyll accumulation, chloroplast biogenesis and development, and photosynthesis rate in fruits. This down-regulation decreased lycopene content, promoted β-carotene production and chromoplast development, and increased flavonoid accumulation in fruits. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that down-regulation of SlMYB72 altered the expression levels of genes involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and flavonoids. SlMYB72 protein interacted with the auxin response factor SlARF4. SlMYB72 directly targeted protochlorophyllide reductase, Mg-chelatase H subunit, and knotted1-like homeobox2 genes and regulated chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development. SlMYB72 directly bound to phytoene synthase, ζ-carotene isomerase, and lycopene β-cyclase genes and regulated carotenoid biosynthesis. SlMYB72 directly targeted 4-coumarate-coenzyme A ligase and chalcone synthase genes and regulated the biosynthesis of flavonoids and phenolic acid. The uneven color phenotype in RNA interference-SlMYB72 fruits was due to uneven silencing of SlMYB72 and uneven expression of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and flavonoid biosynthesis genes. In summary, this study identified important roles for SlMYB72 in the regulation of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and flavonoid metabolism and provided a potential target to improve fruit nutrition in horticultural crops.
Ibuprofen and thromboembolism in SARS‐COV2

Recent and developing literature has begun reporting on the incidence of thromboembolic events associated with COVID-19. Klok et al. analysed 184 SARS-CoV2-positive ICU patients in two Dutch University Hospitals, reporting an incidence of thrombotic complications to be 31%, with Pulmonary Embolism (PE) comprising 81% of these complications. [1] Moreover, Cui et al. reports on a population of 81 ICU patients at the Union Hospital, Wuhan, an incidence of 25% in VTE, also possibly related to worse prognosis. [2] Wang et al. collected data from 1026 COVID-19 positive patients in 31 provincial administrative regions in China and found 40% of the patients as high risk for VTE according to the Padua Prediction Score, with 11% being predicted to go on developing VTE. [3] Other reports and studies have also discussed the role of acute PE in COVID-19. Recent studies have also reported and advised on the use of prophylactic Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) in COVID-19 patients, to prevent the severe outcomes associated with thromboembolic complications.
Genotype‐phenotype analysis of LMNA‐related diseases predicts phenotype‐selective alterations in lamin phosphorylation

Laminopathies are rare diseases associated with mutations in LMNA, which encodes nuclear lamin A/C. LMNA variants lead to diverse tissue‐specific phenotypes including cardiomyopathy, lipodystrophy, myopathy, neuropathy, progeria, bone/skin disorders, and overlap syndromes. The mechanisms underlying these heterogeneous phenotypes remain poorly understood, although post‐translational modifications, including phosphorylation, are postulated as regulators of lamin function. We catalogued all known lamin A/C human mutations and their associated phenotypes, and systematically examined the putative role of phosphorylation in laminopathies. In silico prediction of specific LMNA mutant‐driven changes to lamin A phosphorylation and protein structure was performed using machine learning methods. Some of the predictions we generated were validated via assessment of ectopically expressed wild‐type and mutant LMNA. Our findings indicate phenotype‐ and mutant‐specific alterations in lamin phosphorylation, and that some changes in phosphorylation may occur independently of predicted changes in lamin protein structure. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of phosphorylation in the context of laminopathies will likely require mutant‐ and kinase‐specific approaches.
Factors determining the structure of fish communities in Pantanal lagoons (MS, Brazil)

The fish communities of lagoons in the Nhecolândia Pantanal were studied to determine the factors which are responsible for the composition and abundance of species. Fishes were collected in 19 lagoons during August 1997, after their isolation from the River Negro, using beach seines (15 × 1.5 m; 2 mm mesh). A total of 51 species were collected. In the lagoons, or in parts with dense macrophytes, a screened box trap was used. Fishing was also accomplished with hooks of several sizes. Species richness was estimated by the jack-knife procedure, after adjustment to the log-normal distribution and with von Bertalanffy’s equation (asymptotic). The most important factors in the community organization were macrophyte cover, piscivore abundance and depth of the lagoons. The role of these habitats in the Pantanal ecosystem was discussed.
Microhabitat Use by Two Species of Nyctophilus Bats: a Test of Ecomorphology Theory

The purpose of this study was to measure microhabitat use by light-tagged foraging Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Nyctophilus gouldi, two at-least-partly sympatric species of Australian microchiropteran long-eared bats. We tested the hypothesis that because of their similar wing morphology (low wing loading and aspect ratio) and echolocation-call design (high-frequency, frequency-modulation calls), the two species’ choice of foraging microhabitat should be similar. Our results showed that, typically, individuals of both species flew relatively slowly in large circles approximately 2–5 m above the ground and below the canopy but amongst the trunks of forest trees, with some individuals occasionally flying amongst smaller branches and the vegetation of the forest canopy. We found no statistical difference in the proportion of time spent in different forest microhabitats by individuals of the two species. Furthermore, on only one occasion did we observe a bat land on the ground to forage, despite the fact that both species are described in the literature as substrate gleaners. We also found no evidence for any change in habitat use with changing lunar condition. Our data support ecomorphological predictions generated from simple measurements of wing form and lend credence to the notion that, at least in some circumstances, measurements of wing morphology alone can be a useful indicator of the ecology of similar bat species.
Evidence for a unique interaction of loreclezole with the GABA receptor complex

The interaction of loreclezole (a structurally novel non‐benzodiazepine anticonvulsant), diazepam, phenobarbital sodium, and ethosuximide with the benzodiazepine antagonists β‐CCE, Ro 15‐1788, and CGS 8216 and the purine antagonist aminophylline were examined in the rat i.v. metrazol seizure test. The anticonvulsant activity of loreclezole was inhibited by β‐CCE and CGS 8216 but not by Ro 15‐1788 or aminophylline. The inhibition produced by CGS 8216 was dose dependent (ID50 = 0.04 mg/kg i.p. CGS 8216) and surmountable. When the interactions of the various antagonists with loreclezole were compared to those of diazepam, phenobarbital sodium, and ethosuximide, a clear differentiation of activity was evident. β‐CCE blocked the anticonvulsant activity of all four compounds whereas Ro 15‐1788 blocked only the anticonvulsant effects of diazepam. CGS 8216 blocked the anticonvulsant effects of diazepam and loreclezole in a similar manner while being much less effective against the anticonvulsant effects of ethosuximide and ineffective against phenobarbital sodium. Aminophylline blocked the anticonvulsant effects of only ethosuximide. Based on these data and the anticonvulsant profile of loreclezole, we suggest that loreclezole represents a new class of agents which modulate GABAergic transmission via a unique interaction with the GABA receptor complex.
The Global Spread of Parasites: What Do Hawaiian Streams Tell Us?

Abstract The global spread of parasites threatens native animals even in the most isolated of all habitats on Earth. In the Hawaiian archipelago, the five native species of stream fishes are infected with several species of alien parasites introduced through human activities. These exotic parasites have been shown to present greater disease threats to their Hawaiian fish hosts than do parasites that have colonized native fish by natural means. By studying the biological characteristics and mechanisms of transmission of parasite colonists, researchers can enhance understanding of the parasites' global dispersal.
Nasal Microbiota in RSV Bronchiolitis

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis, and the severity may be influenced by the bacterial ecosystem. Our aim was to analyze the nasal microbiota from 48 infants affected by bronchiolitis from RSV virus and 28 infants with bronchiolitis but negative for the virus. Results showed a significantly lower biodiversity in the RSV-positive group with respect to the RSV-negative group, a specific microbial profile associated with the RSV-positive group different from that observed in the negative group, and significant modifications in the relative abundance of taxa in the RSV-positive group, as well as in the RSV-A group, with respect to the negative group. Furthermore, microbial network analyses evidenced, in all studied groups, the presence of two predominant sub-networks characterized by peculiar inter- and intra-group correlation patterns as well as a general loss of connectivity among microbes in the RSV-positive group, particularly in the RSV-A group. Our results indicated that infants with more severe bronchiolitis disease, caused by RSV-A infection, present significant perturbations of both the nasal microbiota structure and the microbial relationships. Patients with a milder bronchiolitis course (RSV-B-infected and patients who have cleared the virus) presented less severe alterations.
Validity and reliability analysis of the Turkish version of pediatric nutritional risk score scale.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We aimed to perform the validity and reliability analysis of the Turkish version of the Pediatric Nutritional Risk Score (PNRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 149 patients aged between 1 month and 18 years who were admitted to the hospital for at least 48 h. The patients' age, gender, anthropometric measurements, length of stay, admission diagnosis, daily body weights, food consumption, and pain status were recorded. Backward and forward translations into Turkish were done. PNRS was performed by two different physicians. The consistency of the PNRS results was evaluated to determine the validity of PNRS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. RESULTS Of all patients, 69 (46.3%) were female and 80 (53.7%) were male. The mean length of the stay was 7.3±4.0 days. The mean age of the patients was 51.9±63.6 months. The Kappa coefficient between the two physicians was 0.66. Weight loss was observed in 65.2% of the patients in the high-risk group and 25.4% in the low-risk group. The hospital malnutrition rate was 31.5%. A higher risk was identified in those with <50% food intake and more severe disease. The specificity, sensitivity, NPV, and PPV of PNRS were 82.1%, 77.8%, 92.0%, and 58.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION A good consistency suggests that the Turkish validation was achieved successfully. The power of PNRS to discriminate the patients with moderate-low risk of developing malnutrition is higher than the patients with high risk. PNRS is considered a valid and reliable tool to establish the risk of malnutrition in the hospitalized patients.
Confocal microscopy and plant cell biology: A perfect match

Abstract The present short introduction to confocal microscopy in plant cell biology is meant to be a reference addressed to those who are approaching these studies. Optical and genetic techniques developed over the last years have revolutionised plant cell biology. They enable in vivo studies of cell organisation, mainly based on the use of confocal microscopy and derivatives of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Such fluorescent proteins are extremely useful tools for directly monitoring gene expression and protein localisation, and for selectively labelling sub-cellular structures. GFP-expressing plants can be directly examined by confocal microscopy to obtain high-resolution optical sections of intact tissues and to allow time-lapse observation of dynamic processes. The application of such approaches to the investigation of root cell responses during arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation is discussed.
The life history of Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron

Resting spore germination and the root hair stages of the life history of Plasmodiophora brassicae were studied in stained preparations of infected Brassica rapa seedling roots. Naked protoplasts, usually possessing two unequal flagella, were released from resting spores through a small circular pore. They penetrated the root hairs of B. rapa and there developed into plasmodia which, after becoming multinucleate, cleaved to form zoosporangia containing incipient zoospores. Biflagellate zoospores were released from root hair zoosporangia and fused in pairs, although karyogamy did not occur. The resulting binucleate zoospores infected the cortical dells of B. rapa to form binucleate plasmodia, the earliest stages of the secondary phase of the life history. These findings are discussed in relation to previous studies on the life history of P. brassicae in Brassica plants and in Brassica tissue cultures, and a new complete life history, including nuclear fusion in the secondary plasmodium, is suggested for the organism.
CD56bright Natural Killer Cells: A Possible Biomarker of Different Treatments in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system, which leads, in many cases, to irreversible disability. More than 15 disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) are available for the treatment of MS. Clinical activity or activity at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are now used to assess the efficacy of DMTs, but are negative prognostic factors per se. Therefore, a biomarker permitting us to identify patients who respond to treatment before they develop clinical/radiological signs of MS activity would be of high importance. The number of circulating CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells may be such a biomarker. CD56bright NK cells are a regulatory immune population belonging to the innate immune system. The number of CD56bright NK cells increases upon treatment with interferon-beta, alemtuzumab, dimethyl fumarate, after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and is higher in those who respond to fingolimod. In some cases, an increased number of CD56bright NK cells is associated with an increase in their regulatory function. In the current review, we will evaluate the known effect on CD56bright NK cells of DMTs for MS, and will discuss their possible role as a biomarker for treatment response in MS.
Implementing Active Support in disability day services: A 6-month prospective study on engagement and behaviours of concern among adults with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND Adults with intellectual disability are often disengaged in disability services. While Active Support has found efficacy in residential settings, less is known in day services. This study examines the impact of Active Support in day services for adults with intellectual disability in Singapore, particularly on engagement and behaviours of concern. METHOD An experimental design was used, with a group of 32 participants receiving an Active Support programme over 6 months, compared to a control group of 16 participants with treatment as usual. Time sampling of behaviours was conducted every 4 weeks. RESULTS The Active Support group saw increases in activity engagement and social engagement with staff, and decreases in disengagement and stereotypical behaviours, compared to the control group over time. CONCLUSION Results support the implementation of Active Support across other day services for adults with intellectual disability. Active Support principles should be considered in planning policies and service outcome measures.
Cytological analysis of the Phalaris arundinacea (L.) x Phalaris aquatica (L.) amphidiploids

Abstract The amphidiploid of the hybrid Phalaris arundinacea (L.) x Phalaris aquatica (L.), 2n = 8x = 56 chromosomes, is a high perennial grass with scarce seed production. Using free pollination progeny, we studied the mitosis in root meristems, the meiosis in pollen mother cells, the meiotic index, pollen viability and seed set production. The average of somatic chromosomes was 48,94 ± 2,20, with a range of variation between 41 and 55 chromosomes. In meiosis, the bivalent average was 22,01 ± 2,93, with a wide variation range, frequent univalents and occasional multivalents. Only four cells had 2n = 56; moreover, only one had 28 II. Both cellular divisions allowed to verify high aneuploidy. Asymmetric divisions, laggards and chromosomes bridges were observed in anaphase I. The Meiotic Index varied from 35 to 65% and stainable pollen had very high variation among individuals. Cytological instability, aneuploid gametes and loss of chromosomes contribute to explain the low fertility of the amphidiploid. Polyploid nature and the genome relationships are discussed.
Alcohol Hangover Does Not Alter the Application of Model-Based and Model-Free Learning Strategies

Frequent alcohol binges shift behavior from goal-directed to habitual processing modes. This shift in reward-associated learning strategies plays a key role in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders and seems to persist during (early stages of) sobriety in at-risk drinkers. Yet still, it has remained unclear whether this phenomenon might be associated with alcohol hangover and thus also be found in social drinkers. In an experimental crossover design, n = 25 healthy young male participants performed a two-step decision-making task once sober and once hungover (i.e., when reaching sobriety after consuming 2.6 g of alcohol per estimated liter of total body water). This task allows the separation of effortful model-based and computationally less demanding model-free learning strategies. The experimental induction of alcohol hangover was successful, but we found no significant hangover effects on model-based and model-free learning scores, the balance between model-free and model-based valuation (ω), or perseveration tendencies (π). Bayesian analyses provided positive evidence for the null hypothesis for all measures except π (anecdotal evidence for the null hypothesis). Taken together, alcohol hangover, which results from a single binge drinking episode, does not impair the application of effortful and computationally costly model-based learning strategies and/or increase model-free learning strategies. This supports the notion that the behavioral deficits observed in at-risk drinkers are most likely not caused by the immediate aftereffects of individual binge drinking events.
HOXD9 aggravates the development of cervical cancer by transcriptionally activating HMCN1.

BACKGROUND To detect HOXD9 levels in cervical cancer species and to explore the relationship between HOXD9 level and prognosis in cervical cancer patients. We also verify the influence of HOXD9 on metastatic abilities in cervical cancer. METHODS HOXD9 levels in cervical cancer species were detected. Its influence on clinical features and prognosis in cervical cancer patients was analyzed. Regulatory effects of HOXD9 on migratory and invasive capacities in C33-A and HeLa cells were evaluated by Transwell assay. Subsequently, the downstream gene of HOXD9 was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by luciferase assay. The involvement of HMCN1 in regulating metastatic ability in cervical cancer cells was finally explored by rescue experiments. RESULTS HOXD9 was upregulated in cervical cancer species and its level was positively correlated to rates of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis. High level of HOXD9 in cervical cancer patients predicted a poor prognosis. Overexpression of HOXD9 promoted migratory and invasive capacities in cervical cancer cells. HMCN1 was identified to be the downstream gene binding HOXD9. It was responsible for HOXD9-regulated metastasis in cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS HOXD9 is upregulated in cervical cancer species. Its level is closely linked to metastasis rate and poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients. Through positively regulating HMCN1 level, HOXD9 stimulates migratory and invasive capacities in cervical cancer cells.