Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Folic acid antagonists during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.

BACKGROUND Multivitamin supplementation in pregnant women may reduce the risks of cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, and urinary tract defects in their infants. We evaluated whether the folic acid component of multivitamins is responsible for the reduction in risk by examining the associations between maternal use of folic acid antagonists and these congenital malformations. METHODS We compared data on exposure to folic acid antagonists that act as dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors and to certain antiepileptic drugs for 3870 infants with cardiovascular defects, 1962 infants with oral clefts, and 1100 infants with urinary tract defects with data for 8387 control infants with malformations the risk of which is not reduced after vitamin supplementation. Mothers were interviewed within six months after delivery about their medication use. RESULTS The relative risks of cardiovascular defects and oral clefts in infants whose mothers were exposed to dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors during the second or third month after the last menstrual period, as compared with infants whose mothers had no such exposure, were 3.4 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 6.4) and 2.6 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 6.1), respectively. The relative risks of cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, and urinary tract defects after maternal exposure to antiepileptic drugs were 2.2 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.4 to 3.5), 2.5 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.5 to 4.2), and 2.5 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 5.0), respectively. Use of multivitamin supplements containing folic acid diminished the adverse effects of dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, but not that of antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSIONS Folic acid antagonists, which include such common drugs as trimethoprim, triamterene, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone, may increase the risk not only of neural-tube defects, but also of cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, and urinary tract defects. The folic acid component of multivitamins may reduce the risks of these defects.
Diversity of the B cell repertoire to myelin basic protein in rat strains susceptible and resistant to EAE.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a major protein of central nervous system myelin which can induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in susceptible laboratory animals. The role of T cells in the induction of EAE has been extensively studied, but the antibody response to MBP has not been well characterized. In the present work, we immunized rats with encephalitogenic guinea-pig MBP and mapped autoreactive antibodies binding to peptides in the rat MBP sequence. We studied the responses of the Lewis rat strain, susceptible to EAE, and the responses of the Fischer and Brown-Norway (BN) rats, resistant to EAE. We found that Lewis rats immunized to guinea-pig MBP develop antibodies to a diversity of MBP epitopes with a dominance of MBP peptide p11-30 and peptides in the 71-140 region. Fischer rats showed a similar pattern of antibody specificities, but with higher titers than the Lewis rats. BN rats, in contrast, developed a very low titer of antibodies and lacked a response to p11-30. Thus, there is no clear correlation between the nature of the anti-MBP antibody response and the state of susceptibility or resistance to EAE induction in the different rat strains.
The Role of Fossil Fuels in the U.S. Food System and the American Diet

The food system accounts for a large share of fossil fuel consumption in the United States, and energy accounts for a substantial and highly variable share of food costs. This intersection between food and energy markets suggests that public and private decisions affecting one market will have spillover effects in the other. For example, would increasing the share of population having diets that align with Federal dietary guidance reduce fossil fuel use in the U.S. food system? Would a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) tax improve diet quality? To address these issues, we use the most recent data available to integrate the material-flows accounting framework adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission into the existing food-system accounting structure of the ERS Food Dollar accounts. Then, we use mathematical optimization to model healthy diets. Our research indicates that U.S. agri-food industries are more sensitive to energy price changes than nonfood industries. We find that in 2007, fossil fuels linked to U.S. food consumption produced 13.6 percent of all fossil fuel CO 2 emissions economywide. Our study of alternative diets shows there are many ways to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. If Americans made a minimal dietary shift to eat healthy, we find food-system energy use would decrease by 3 percent. By making greater changes from current consumption, we find food- system energy use could be reduced by as much as 74 percent. A tax on CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels would increase the cost of a typical meal by an average of 1.7 percent, with estimates ranging between 0.2 and 5.4 percent. ----- Errata: On March 8, 2017, ERS corrected a few errors made in the calculation of data reported in Figure 14 (p. 32) and in the calories columns in Table 5 (p. 34). References to these data were updated in the text on pages 31- 33 and p. 42. Also, a superscript on q on p. 89 was changed from a 1 to 0.
SAW Synthesis With IDTs Array and the Inverse Filter: Toward a Versatile SAW Toolbox for Microfluidics and Biological Applications

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are versatile tools to manipulate fluids at small scales for microfluidics and biological applications. A nonexhaustive list of operations that can be performed with SAW includes sessile droplet displacement, atomization, division, and merging but also the actuation of fluids embedded in microchannels or the manipulation of suspended particles. However, each of these operations requires a specific design of the wave generation system, the so-called interdigitated transducers (IDTs). Depending on the application, it might indeed be necessary to generate focused or plane, propagating or standing, and aligned or shifted waves. Furthermore, the possibilities offered by more complex wave fields such as acoustical vortices for particle tweezing and liquid twisting cannot be explored with classical IDTs. In this paper, we show that the inverse filter technique coupled with an IDTs array enables us to synthesize all classical wave fields used in microfluidics and biological applications with a single multifunctional platform. It also enables us to generate swirling SAWs, whose potential for the on-chip synthesis of tailored acoustical vortices has been demonstrated lately. The possibilities offered by this platform are illustrated by performing many operations successively on sessile droplets with the same system.
Forecasting the return volatility of European equity markets under different market conditions:A GARCH-MIDAS approach

In this paper, we employ the GARCH-MIDAS modelling framework to forecast the return volatility of the European equity markets on the basis of the predictive powers of such macroeconomic information as realised volatility, the level of economic activities and macroeconomic uncertainty. We distinctly evaluate the behaviour of the return volatilities under different market conditions designated as â€žPre Euro Regime,â€Ÿ â€žEuro /Pre-GFC Regime,â€Ÿ and â€žEuro/Post-GFC Regimeâ€Ÿ. Our findings show that the macroeconomic information considered in the model are good predictors of the return volatility of the European equity markets. Also, the in-sample and out-of-sample forecast results of these predictors are sensitive to data sample and the market conditions.
Comparative analysis of constraints and caste differences in brain investment among social paper wasps

We compared species mean data on the size of functionally distinct brain regions to test the relative rates at which investment in higher-order cognitive processing (mushroom body calyces) versus peripheral sensory processing (optic and antennal lobes) increased with increasing brain size. Subjects were eusocial paper wasps from queen and worker castes of 10 species from different genera. Relative investment in central processing tissue increased with brain size at a higher rate than peripheral structure investment, demonstrating that tissue devoted to higher-order cognitive processing is more constrained by brain size. This pattern held for raw data and for phylogenetically independent contrasts. These findings suggest that there is a minimum necessary investment in peripheral sensory processing brain tissue, with little to gain from additional investment. In contrast, increased brain size provides opportunities to invest in additional higher-order cognitive processing tissue. Reproductive castes differed within species in brain tissue investment, with higher central-to-peripheral brain tissue ratios in queens than in workers. Coupled with previous findings that paper wasp queen, but not worker, brain architecture corresponds to ecological and social variation, queen brain evolution appears to be most strongly shaped by cognitive demands, such as social interactions. These evolutionary patterns of neural investment echo findings in other animal lineages and have important implications, given that a greater investment in higher-order processing has been shown to increase the prevalence of complex and flexible behaviors across the animal kingdom.
Clinical Significance of HLA-E*0103 Homozygosity on Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Background. Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is a well-established treatment in various hematologic malignancies, but the outcome depends on disease relapse, infections, and the development and severity of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Some evidence has revealed an important role for the nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in transplantation, most notably human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E. This study evaluates the impact of HLA-E alleles on transplantation outcome after HLA-matched allogeneic HSCT. Methods. We genotyped DNA for HLA-E polymorphism from 83 recipients and their respective donors by real-time polymerase chain reaction after melting curve analysis and compared the results with clinical outcome. Results. HLA-E*0103 homozygous patients showed a higher probability of overall survival (P=0.003) and disease-free survival (P=0.001) in a univariate model. Cox regression analysis confirmed HLA-E*0103, 0103 (P=0.006; relative risk 1.12; 95% confidence interval 0.31–1.94) and early stage of disease (P=0.005; relative risk 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.45–1.86) as independent factors improving overall survival. Moreover, homozygosity for HLA-E*0103 was associated with a significant decreased incidence of transplant-related mortality (P=0.01). Conclusions. We found an association between HLA-E*0103 homozygosity and the significant reduction of transplant-related mortality in related and unrelated HSCT. The risk of posttransplant complications was significantly reduced when the donor possesses the HLA-E*0103, 0103 genotype, and this was translated in a better overall survival.
Codeword to layer mapping for multiple layers MIMO systems

Currently multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology has been widely studied in both industrial and academic areas as it can be utilized to transmit multiple spatially parallel streams. The number of data streams (or layer), supported over MIMO channel, is the maximum number of Tx/Rx antennas, where one encoded block is conveyed over one layer or aggregated several layers. In some cases, the transmission quality on different layers are not the same, which can be utilized to optimize the encoded stream to layer mapping in order to improve the link level performance. In this paper, relying on non-equal importance of information and parity bits in decoding, a new method to map the information bits onto high quality layer, whereas parity bits onto low quality layers is proposed. The performance gain obtained from the optimized mapping scheme is verified via simulation results.
Homodimerization of Human Bilirubin-Uridine-diphosphoglucuronate Glucuronosyltransferase-1 (UGT1A1) and Its Functional Implications*

Genetic lesions of bilirubin-uridine-diphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase-1 (UGT1A1) completely or partially abolish hepatic bilirubin glucuronidation, causing Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1 or 2, respectively. Clinical observations indicate that some mutant forms of human UGT1A1 (hUGT1A1) may be dominant-negative, suggesting their interaction with the wild-type enzyme. To evaluate intermolecular interaction of hUGT1A1, Gunn rat fibroblasts were stably transduced with hUGT1A1 cDNA. Gel permeation chromatography of solubilized microsomes suggested dimerization of hUGT1A1 in solution. Nearest-neighbor cross-linking analysis indicated that, within microsomal membranes, hUGT1A1 dimerized more efficiently at pH 7.4 than at pH 9. Two-hybrid analysis in yeast and mammalian systems demonstrated positive interaction of hUGT1A1 with itself, but not with another UGT isoform, human UGT1A6, which differs only in the N-terminal domain. Dimerization was abolished by deletion of the membrane-embedded helix from the N-terminal domain of hUGT1A1, but not by substitution of several individual amino acid residues or partial deletion of the C-terminal domain. A C127Y substitution abolished UGT1A1 activity, but not its dimerization. Coexpression of mutagenized and wild-type hUGT1A1 in COS-7 cells showed that the mutant form markedly suppressed the catalytic activity of wild-type hUGT1A1. Homodimerization of hUGT1A1 may explain the dominant-negative effect of some mutant forms of the enzyme.
Acidification of phagosomes containing Salmonella typhimurium in murine macrophages

Salmonella species are facultative intracellular pathogens. Following entry into mammalian host cells, they reside in membrane-bound vacuoles, resist killing, and replicate. In this work, we investigated the importance of phagosomal pH in the ability of Salmonella typhimurium to survive and replicate within macrophages. Intraphagosomal pH was measured in situ by recording the fluorescence intensity of a pH-sensitive probe, DM-NERF dextran. The majority of vacuoles containing S. typhimurium (live, heat killed, or formalin fixed) acidified from pH > or = 6.0 to between pH 4.0 and 5.0 within 60 min after formation. In contrast, Mycobacterium avium-containing vacuoles failed to acidify even at later time points. Acidification of S. typhimurium-containing vacuoles was completely blocked by treatment of host cells with bafilomycin A, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar proton-ATPases. Bafilomycin inhibition of vacuolar acidification from the onset of infection significantly decreased the survival of S. typhimurium in macrophages. Furthermore, bafilomycin treatment at 2, 4, 8, or even 12 h postinfection decreased the percentage of recoverable bacteria by up to 20-fold. Loss of bacterial viability was seen with several other reagents which, like bafilomycin, raise the pH of phagosomal compartments but are not directly lethal to the bacteria or host cells. Thus, we conclude that Salmonella-containing phagosomes acidify soon after formation and hypothesize that an acidic environment is necessary for survival and replication of the bacteria within the macrophage.
Impact of Health Awareness Campaign in Improving the Perception of the Community about Palliative Care: A Pre- and Post-intervention Study in Rural Tamil Nadu

Background and Objective: The only way to provide palliative care to a huge number of people in need in India is through community participation, which can be achieved by improving the awareness of the people about palliative care. We conducted a study to assess the impact of health awareness campaign in improving the awareness of people about palliative care. Materials and Methods: This was a pre- and post-intervention study conducted in Kadaperikuppam village of Vanur Taluk in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. One respondent each from 145 households in the village was interviewed regarding the knowledge and attitude on palliative care before and after the health awareness campaign using a pretested questionnaire. Health awareness campaign consisted of skit, pamphlet distribution, poster presentation, giving door-to-door information, and general interaction with palliative team in the village. Two weeks after the campaign, postintervention survey was conducted using the same questionnaire in the same subjects to assess the impact of the intervention. Results: The awareness regarding palliative care during the preintervention was nil. After the intervention, it increased to 62.8%. However, there was a decline in the attitude and the interest of the people toward palliative care. Interpretation and Conclusions: Health awareness campaigns can increase the awareness of people in the rural parts of the country about palliative care. However, to improve the attitude of the community about delivery of palliative care services, more sustained efforts are required to make them believe that palliative care can be provided by community volunteers also and not necessarily only by professionals.
What do red and yellow autumn leaves signal?

The widespread phenomenon of red and yellow autumn leaves has recently attracted considerable scientific attention. The fact that this phenomenon is so prominent in the cooler, temperate regions and less common in warmer climates is a good indication of a climate-specific effect. In addition to the putative multifarious physiological benefits, such as protection from photoinhibition and photo-oxidation, several plant/animal interaction functions for such coloration have been proposed. These include (1) that the bright leaf colors may signal frugivores about ripe fruits (fruit flags) to enhance seed dispersal; (2) that they signal aphids that the trees are well defended (a case of Zahavi’s handicap principle operating in plants); (3) that the coloration undermines herbivore insect camouflage; (4) that they function according to the “defense indication hypothesis,” which states that red leaves are chemically defended because anthocyanins correlate with various defensive compounds; or (5) that because sexual reproduction advances the onset of leaf senescence, the pigments might indicate to sucking herbivores that the leaves have low amounts of resources. Although the authors of hypotheses 3, 4, and 5 did not say that bright autumn leaves are aposematic, since such leaves are chemically defended, unpalatable, or both, we suggest that they are indeed aposematic. We propose that in addition to the above-mentioned hypotheses, autumn colors signal to herbivorous insects about another defensive plant property: the reliable, honest, and critical information that the leaves are about to be shed and may thus cause their mortality. We emphasize that all types of defensive and physiological functions of autumn leaves may operate simultaneously.
Occupational stressors among university non-academic staff: results from a representative public university in Ghana

This study identified the major stressors affecting non-academic staff in public universities in Ghana. The study is based on a sample survey of administrators from a representative public university in Ghana and applied descriptive and inferential statistics to identified and rank the level of stress. It was found that the incidence of stress among staff is high: never having time for oneself'; anxiety; tension; and lack of concentration on the job. It was found that work methods ambiguity, performance criteria ambiguity, work scheduling ambiguity, workload, and interpersonal relationships were the key job stressors among the non-academic staff. The key external causes of stress identified by the study included marital problems, financial pressure and demands from family and social activities. It is recommended that the university should develop a visible and more proactive stress management strategy to help the employees to deal with stress and its related consequences.
A DNA Vaccine Encoding a Fatty Acid‐Binding Protein of Clonorchis sinensis Induces Protective Immune Response in Sprague–Dawley Rats

Clonorchis sinensis, the Chinese liver fluke, resides chronically in the biliary tract, and fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP) is known to play an important role in the intracellular transport of long‐chain fatty acids obtained from the host. Although FABP has stimulated considerable interest as a vaccine candidate, the nature of C. sinensis FABP (CsFABP) remains unclear. We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine encoding CsFABP. The intradermal injection of plasmid DNA carrying the CsFABP gene (pcDNA3.1‐FABP) into Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats induced both humoural and cellular immune responses. Animals injected with pcDNA3.1‐FABP developed FABP‐specific antibody, which is dominance of IgG2a in sera. In addition, the DNA vaccine elicited the production of IFN‐γ, but not the production of IL‐4 in spleen cells stimulated with recombinant FABP. Moreover, pcDNA3.1‐FABP induced a significant level of protection, decreased worm burden (40.9%, P < 0.05) in SD rats against C. sinensis metacerariae challenge. These results suggest that pcDNA3.1‐FABP induces a typical T helper‐1‐dominated immune response and it is a good candidate for use in future clonorchiasis vaccination studies.
Characterization of a Pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine Inhibitor of Cyclin‐Dependent Kinases 2 and 5 and Aurora A With Pro‐Apoptotic and Anti‐Angiogenic Activity In Vitro

Selective inhibitors of kinases that regulate the cell cycle, such as cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) and aurora kinases, could potentially become powerful tools for the treatment of cancer. We prepared and studied a series of 3,5,7‐trisubstituted pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidines, a new CDK inhibitor scaffold, to assess their CDK2 inhibitory and antiproliferative activities. A new compound, 2i, which preferentially inhibits CDK2, CDK5, and aurora A was identified. Both biochemical and cellular assays indicated that treatment with compound 2i caused the downregulation of cyclins A and B, the dephosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10, and the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis in the HCT‐116 colon cancer cell line. It also reduced migration as well as tube and lamellipodia formation in human endothelial cells. The kinase inhibitory profile of compound 2i suggests that its anti‐angiogenic activity is linked to CDK5 inhibition. This dual mode of action involving apoptosis induction in cancer cells and the blocking of angiogenesis‐like activity in endothelial cells offers possible therapeutic potential.