Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of High Aldosterone-Renin Ratio and Plasma Aldosterone Levels Among Hypertensive Patients at a Primary Care Clinic

Screening test by using aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) resulted in a higher prevalence (5-15%) of primary aldosteronism than was previously expected but to date there is no such study performed in Malaysia. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of high ARR (>20) and high plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) (>150 pg/mL) in hypertensive subjects attending a primary care clinic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 220 essential hypertension subjects from a primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Bloods for aldosterone, renin and renal profile were taken as specified in previously published protocols. Results: The prevalence of positive test for PA was 7.3%. When either ARR>20 or PAC >150 pg/mL were used, 15.0% and 17.7% of subjects fulfilled the criteria, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertensive subjects with high ARR (>20) and PAC (>150 pg/mL) was 7.3%, justifying the need to investigate this group of subjects for PA.
Morphology and motion: hindlimb proportions and swing phase kinematics in terrestrially locomoting charadriiform birds

ABSTRACT Differing limb proportions in terms of length and mass, as well as differences in mass being concentrated proximally or distally, influence the limb's moment of inertia (MOI), which represents its resistance to being swung. Limb morphology – including limb segment proportions – thus probably has direct relevance for the metabolic cost of swinging the limb during locomotion. However, it remains largely unexplored how differences in limb proportions influence limb kinematics during swing phase. To test whether differences in limb proportions are associated with differences in swing phase kinematics, we collected hindlimb kinematic data from three species of charadriiform birds differing widely in their hindlimb proportions: lapwings, oystercatchers and avocets. Using these three species, we tested for differences in maximum joint flexion, maximum joint extension and range of motion (RoM), in addition to differences in maximum segment angular velocity and excursion. We found that the taxa with greater limb MOI – oystercatchers and avocets – flex their limbs more than lapwings. However, we found no consistent differences in joint extension and RoM among species. Likewise, we found no consistent differences in limb segment angular velocity and excursion, indicating that differences in limb inertia in these three avian species do not necessarily underlie the rate or extent of limb segment movements. The observed increased limb flexion among these taxa with distally heavy limbs resulted in reduced MOI of the limb when compared with a neutral pose. A trade-off between exerting force to actively flex the limb and potential savings by a reduction of MOI is skewed towards reducing the limb's MOI as a result of MOI being in part a function of the radius of gyration squared. Increased limb flexion is a likely means to lower the cost of swinging the limbs. Summary: Shorebird species with higher values of limb rotational inertia flex their limbs more during terrestrial locomotion; swing phase kinematics may therefore be strongly tied to limb rotational inertia.
Home Gardening and Access to Animals in Households with Xerophthalmic Children in Rural Nepal

This case–control study compares the home garden and animal husbandry practices of households with and without xerophthalmic children in south-central Nepal, focusing on the relationship between these practices and household intake of vitamin A–rich foods. Eighty-one households with a child between the ages of one and six years diagnosed with xerophthalmia (cases) and 81 households with an age-matched, non-xerophthalmic child (controls) were studied. There was little difference between case and control households in the size of their gardens. However, case households were significantly less likely to plant carotenoid-rich vegetables from October to March than were control households (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 0.96). the mean consumption of non-carotenoid-rich vegetables, but not of carotenoid-rich vegetables, increased linearly with garden size. Case households were significantly more likely than control households to rent domesticated animals from others (χ2 = 5.91; p < .05). Control households were more likely than case households to own chickens and pigeons (χ2 = 6.6–9.2; p < .05). During specific seasons, household meat consumption was significantly lower in case households, regardless of access to animals. Case households appeared to have significantly lower intakes of key vitamin A–rich foods, particularly green leaves and meat, regardless of their socio-economic level (as determined by ownership of material goods), access to animals, or availability of home gardens.
Rapd-Inferred Genetic Variability of Some Indigenous Rhizobium leguminosarum Isolates from Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Nodules

The application of commercial rhizobial inoculants to legume crops is proving to be an alternative to synthetic fertilizer use. The challenge for sustainable agriculture resides in the compatibility between crop, inoculants and environmental conditions. The evaluation of symbiotic efficiency and genetic diversity of indigenous rhizobial strains could lead to the development of better inoculants and increased crop production. The genetic variability of 32 wild indigenous rhizobial isolates was assessed by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). The strains were isolated from red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) nodules from two distinct geographical regions of Northern and Eastern Romania. Three decamer primers were used to resolve the phylogenetic relationships between the investigated isolates. Cluster analysis revealed a high diversity; most strains clustered together based on their geographical location.
Current neuromonitoring techniques in critical care

Abstract Early detection of secondary events is a major target of neuromonitoring in critically ill patients. Intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure are the most widely accepted neuromonitoring parameters. Many studies have shown both to be related to mortality after traumatic brain injury. However, the benefit of ICP monitoring has not been established by a randomized controlled trial, and the efficacy of ICP-guided management has indeed been challenged. This review considers current neuromonitoring techniques in critical care medicine.
Manakins can produce iridescent and bright feather colours without melanosomes

ABSTRACT Males of many species often use colourful and conspicuous ornaments to attract females. Among these, male manakins (family: Pipridae) provide classic examples of sexual selection favouring the evolution of bright and colourful plumage coloration. The highly iridescent feather colours of birds are most commonly produced by the periodic arrangement of melanin-containing organelles (melanosomes) within barbules. Melanin increases the saturation of iridescent colours seen from optimal viewing angles by absorbing back-scattered light; however, this may reduce the wide-angle brightness of these signals, contributing to a dark background appearance. We examined the nanostructure of four manakin species (Lepidothrix isidorei, L. iris, L. nattereri and L. coeruleocapilla) to identify how they produce their bright plumage colours. Feather barbs of all four species were characterized by dense and fibrous internal spongy matrices that likely increase scattering of light within the barb. The iridescent, yet pale or whitish colours of L. iris and L. nattereri feathers were produced not by periodically arranged melanosomes within barbules, but by periodic matrices of air and β-keratin within barbs. Lepidothrix iris crown feathers were able to produce a dazzling display of colours with small shifts in viewing geometry, likely because of a periodic nanostructure, a flattened barb morphology and disorder at a microstructural level. We hypothesize that iridescent plumage ornaments of male L. iris and L. nattereri are under selection to increase brightness or luminance across wide viewing angles, which may potentially increase their detectability by females during dynamic and fast-paced courtship displays in dim light environments. Summary: Feathers of two species of Lepidothrix manakin produce iridescence on a pale-coloured background using an inverse opal-like matrix of air and keratin.
Indoleacetic Acid Production and Plant Growth Promoting Potential of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated From Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Seeds

Bacterial endophytes from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere have been used to produce bioactive metabolites and to promote plant growth. However, little is known about the endophytes residing in seeds. This study aimed to isolate and identify seed-borne bacterial endophytes from rice and elucidate their potential for phytohormone production and growth enhancement. The isolated endophytes included Micrococcus yunnanensis RWL-2, Micrococcus luteus RWL-3, Enterobacter soli RWL-4, Leclercia adecarboxylata RWL-5, Pantoea dispersa RWL-6, and Staphylococcus epidermidis RWL-7, which were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. These strains were analyzed for indoleacetic acid (IAA) production by using GC-MS and IAA was found in the range of 11.50 ± 0.77 μg ml–1 to 38.80 ± 1.35 μg ml–1. We also assessed the strains for plant growth promoting potential because these isolates were able to produce IAA in pure culture. Most of the growth attributes of rice plants (shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass, and chlorophyll content) were significantly increased by bacterial endophytes compared to the controls. These results show that IAA producing bacterial endophytes can improve hostplant growth traits and can be used as bio-fertilizers.
Control surfaces of aquatic vertebrates: active and passive design and function

ABSTRACT Aquatic vertebrates display a variety of control surfaces that are used for propulsion, stabilization, trim and maneuvering. Control surfaces include paired and median fins in fishes, and flippers and flukes in secondarily aquatic tetrapods. These structures initially evolved from embryonic fin folds in fishes and have been modified into complex control surfaces in derived aquatic tetrapods. Control surfaces function both actively and passively to produce torque about the center of mass by the generation of either lift or drag, or both, and thus produce vector forces to effect rectilinear locomotion, trim control and maneuvers. In addition to fins and flippers, there are other structures that act as control surfaces and enhance functionality. The entire body can act as a control surface and generate lift for stability in destabilizing flow regimes. Furthermore, control surfaces can undergo active shape change to enhance their performance, and a number of features act as secondary control structures: leading edge tubercles, wing-like canards, multiple fins in series, finlets, keels and trailing edge structures. These modifications to control surface design can alter flow to increase lift, reduce drag and enhance thrust in the case of propulsive fin-based systems in fishes and marine mammals, and are particularly interesting subjects for future research and application to engineered systems. Here, we review how modifications to control surfaces can alter flow and increase hydrodynamic performance. Summary: Aquatic animals control their body position using a remarkable diversity of appendages and specialized structures, the function of which is crucial to regulating lift and drag forces for propulsion and maneuvering.
Frequency organization of the Johnston’s organ in male mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae)

ABSTRACT The Johnston's organs (JO) of mosquitoes are the most complex mechanosensitive organs yet found in insects. Previous findings on the behavior of mosquitoes suggest that, together with exceptional sensitivity, their auditory system can discriminate frequencies. Analysis of compound responses of the JO did not provide unambiguous evidence of such discrimination, nor did it help to find its mechanism. Using the feedback stimulation method, we measured the tuning frequencies of the JO sensory neurons. Here we present electrophysiological evidence that male mosquitoes of Culex pipiens possess at least eight groups of auditory neurons that are distinct in their frequency tuning, with individual frequencies ranging from 85 to 470 Hz. Most of the neurons are tuned to 190–270 Hz, which corresponds to the difference between male and female flight tones. Axons of the JO sensory units propagate graded amplified receptor potentials rather than all-or-none action potentials, are grouped into pairs or triplets and often respond in anti-phase to each other. Some features of the mosquito auditory system suggest an analogy to the retinal mechanisms. Together with our previous findings on frequency tuning in female mosquitoes of different species, this study presents evidence in favor of sophisticated frequency analysis of sound in mosquitoes. Summary: Male mosquitoes possess at least eight groups of auditory neurons distinct in frequency tuning. They gradually amplify receptor potentials in a non-spiking mode. Individual frequencies range from 85 to 470 Hz.
Avian thermoregulation in the heat: evaporative cooling in five Australian passerines reveals within-order biogeographic variation in heat tolerance

ABSTRACT Evaporative heat loss pathways vary among avian orders, but the extent to which evaporative cooling capacity and heat tolerance vary within orders remains unclear. We quantified the upper limits to thermoregulation under extremely hot conditions in five Australian passerines: yellow-plumed honeyeater (Lichenostomus ornatus; ∼17 g), spiny-cheeked honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis; ∼42 g), chestnut-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps; ∼52 g), grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus; ∼86 g) and apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea; ∼118 g). At air temperatures (Ta) exceeding body temperature (Tb), all five species showed increases in Tb to maximum values around 44–45°C, accompanied by rapid increases in resting metabolic rate above clearly defined upper critical limits of thermoneutrality and increases in evaporative water loss (EWL) to levels equivalent to 670–860% of baseline rates at thermoneutral Ta. Maximum cooling capacity, quantified as the fraction of metabolic heat production dissipated evaporatively, ranged from 1.20 to 2.17, consistent with the known range for passerines, and well below the corresponding ranges for columbids and caprimulgids. Heat tolerance limit (HTL, the maximum Ta tolerated) scaled positively with body mass, varying from 46°C in yellow-plumed honeyeaters to 52°C in a single apostlebird, but was lower than that of three southern African ploceid passerines investigated previously. We argue this difference is functionally linked to a smaller scope for increases in EWL above baseline levels. Our data reiterate the reliance of passerines in general on respiratory evaporative heat loss via panting, but also reveal substantial within-order variation in heat tolerance and evaporative cooling capacity. Summary: Five Australian passerines show evaporative cooling mechanisms qualitatively similar to those of other members of the Passeriformes, but have reduced heat tolerance compared with southern African species.
Perda visual bilateral grave como sinal de apresentação de trombose de seio venoso cerebral: relato de caso

Our purpose is to report a case of cranial venous thrombosis causing pseudotumor syndrome, where the principal clinical manifestation was severe bilateral vision loss. A 24-year-old man presented with severe bilateral vision loss, transient obscuration of vision, headache, bilateral papilledema and constricted visual fields. Computed tomography as well as neurologic examination was unrevealing. A lumbar puncture disclosed an increased cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure and complete blood count (CBC) showed increased numbers of platelets. A brain magnetic resonance imaging disclosed characteristic sings of chronic papilledema and suggestive signs of superior sagital sinus thrombosis. A cranial magnetic resonance venography disclosed thrombosis of superior sagital, transvers and sigmoid sinuses. The patient was treated with an optic nerve sheath decompression in the left eye, acetazolamide and anticoagulation. His ocular evaluation showed reduction of the papilledema, but severe vision loss remained. Pseudotumor cerebri with severe vision loss can be the presenting sign of cranial venous thrombosis secondary to a potentially life-threatening hematologic disorder.
Effect of the timing of delivery on perinatal outcomes at gestational hypertension.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of women diagnosed with gestational hypertension and no proteinuria according to the gestational weeks. METHODS We included women diagnosed with gestational hypertension between 2010 and 2014 at our institution and excluded the patients with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. Women with gestational hypertension were grouped according to the gestational weeks. One group consisted of the pregnancies between 37 and 38*6, whereas the other group included pregnancies between 39 and 41 weeks. Then the outcomes of these pregnancies were compared with healthy women who had delivery between the same weeks (37-38*6 weeks and 39-41 weeks). We analyzed the mode of delivery, birth weight, and neonatal outcomes of these pregnancies. RESULTS First and fifth minute Apgar scores were significantly decreased in women with gestational hypertension who had delivery between 39 and 41 weeks compared to healthy subjects (respectively, p = 0.005 and p = 0.033). Perinatal outcomes were adversely affected if the time of delivery was beyond 39 weeks in pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension. CONCLUSION We concluded that perinatal outcomes were adversely affected if the time of delivery was beyond 39 weeks in pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension, and outcomes of such pregnancies can be improved if time for delivery is <39 weeks.
Performance of the Cobas® Influenza A/B Assay for Rapid Pcr-Based Detection of Influenza Compared to Prodesse ProFlu+ and Viral Culture

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza is important for patient management and infection control. We determined the performance of the cobas® Influenza A/B assay, a rapid automated nucleic acid assay performed on the cobas® Liat System for qualitative detection of influenza A and influenza B from nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens. Retrospective frozen and prospectively collected NP swabs from patients with signs and symptoms of influenza collected in universal transport medium (UTM) were tested at multiple sites including CLIA-waived sites using the cobas® Influenza A/B assay. Results were compared to the Prodesse Pro-Flu+ assay and to viral culture. Compared to the Prodesse ProFlu+ Assay, sensitivities of the cobas® Influenza A/B assay for influenza A and B were 97.7 and 98.6%, respectively; specificity was 99.2 and 99.4%. Compared to viral culture, the cobas® Influenza A/B assay showed sensitivities of 97.5 and 96.9% for influenza virus A and B, respectively; specificities were 97.9% for both viruses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing showed that the majority of viral culture negative but cobas® Influenza A/B positive results were true positive results, indicating that the cobas® Influenza A/B assay has higher sensitivity compared to viral culture. In conclusion, the excellent accuracy, rapid time to result, and remarkable ease of use make the cobas® Influenza A/B nucleic acid assay for use on the cobas® Liat System a highly suitable point-of-care solution for the management of patients with suspected influenza A and B infection.
pH control in the midgut of Aedes aegypti under different nutritional conditions

ABSTRACT Aedes aegypti is one of the most important disease vectors in the world. Because their gut is the first site of interaction with pathogens, it is important to understand A. aegypti gut physiology. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of pH control in the midgut of A. aegypti females under different nutritional conditions. We found that unfed females have an acidic midgut (pH ∼6). The midgut of unfed insects is actively maintained at pH 6 regardless of the ingestion of either alkaline or acidic buffered solutions. V-ATPases are responsible for acidification after ingestion of alkaline solutions. In blood-fed females, the abdominal midgut becomes alkaline (pH 7.54), and the luminal pH decreases slightly throughout blood digestion. Only ingested proteins were able to trigger this abrupt increase in abdominal pH. The ingestion of amino acids, even at high concentrations, did not induce alkalinisation. During blood digestion, the thoracic midgut remains acidic, becoming a suitable compartment for carbohydrate digestion, which is in accordance with the higher alpha-glucolytic activity detected in this compartment. Ingestion of blood releases alkalising hormones in the haemolymph, which induce alkalinisation in ex vivo preparations. This study shows that adult A. aegypti females have a very similar gut physiology to that previously described for Lutzomyia longipalpis. It is likely that all haematophagous Nematocera exhibit the same type of physiological behaviour. Summary: pH in Aedes midgut is finely controlled according to the nutritional condition of the insect. Hormone release and perception of proteins inside the lumen are involved in the process.
Precise garbage collection for C

Magpie is a source-to-source transformation for C programs that enables precise garbage collection, where precise means that integers are not confused with pointers, and the liveness of a pointer is apparent at the source level. Precise GC is primarily useful for long-running programs and programs that interact with untrusted components. In particular, we have successfully deployed precise GC in the C implementation of a language run-time system that was originally designed to use conservative GC. We also report on our experience in transforming parts of the Linux kernel to use precise GC instead of manual memory management.
Cloud service and service selection algorithm research

This paper describes the cloud service architecture and key technologies for service selection algorithm. Cloud computing is a hot topic on software and distributed computing based on Internet, which means users can access storages and applications from remote servers by web browsers or other fixed or mobile terminals. Because the constrained resources of fixed or mobile terminals, cloud computing will provide terminals with powerful complementation resources to acquire complicated services. The paper discusses the cloud service architecture and key algorithms about service selection with adaptive performances and minimum cost. The cloud service architecture is reasonable and the proposed service selection algorithms are available, scalable, and adaptive to different types of environments of services and clients.