Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
P37: Genetic polymorphisms of interleukin/17 (rs2275913, rs2397084) and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of hepadenaviridae family and has a circular partially double stranded DNA genome. HBV infection is one of the major health problems worldwide with more than 350 million people infected chronically (1). Infection with this virus may lead to chronic liver complications, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, viral factors and host immunity have principal roles in the progression of HBV infection toward chronic disease or complete clearance of the virus from the host body so strong and proper immune response can remove the virus. IL-27 is a member of IL-6 and IL-12 family; it can play as a pro-inflammatory cytokine which controls the infection by promoting Th1 responses (2). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the notable genomic markers in the immune system. The gene which encoding IL-27 has several SNPs; they can change IL-27 activity which may effect on HBV infection outcome. The aim of this study was to find association between IL-27 gene polymorphisms 964 A/G (rs153109), 2905 T/G (rs17855750) and chronic HBV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 144 chronic hepatitis B patients, 144 healthy subjects as control group and 61 HBV cleared individuals. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was applied to detect IL-27 gene polymorphism. DNA sequencing was employed on 5% of samples to verify genotyping results. RESULTS: Results showed that there were no significant differences between patients and healthy controls and also cleared group in neither genotype frequencies of IL-27 SNPs 964 A/G (p-value 0.35, AA = 47.2% of chronic patients, AA = 42.4% of control group, AA = 45.9% of cleared patients), and 2905 T/G (p-value 0.375, TT = 92.4% of chronic patients, TT = 92.4% control group, TT = 88.5% cleared patients); nor allele frequencies of 964 (p-value 0.453) and 2905. CONCLUSIONS: No association was detected in the genetic variants between IL-27 SNPs ( 964 A/G and 2905 T/G) and chronic hepatitis B infection. In addition, these SNPs may not be involved in susceptibility to chronic HBV infection; other SNPs from IL-27 may have possible influence on HBV infection progression into chronic disease. REFERENCES 1. El-Serag HB. Epidemiology of viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterology 2012; 142(6): 1264–73. 2. Zhao H, Zhang Y, Xue F, Xu J, Fang Z. Interleukin-27 rs153109 polymorphism and the risk for immune thrombocytopenia. Autoimmunity 2013; 46(8): 509–12.
Introduction to the Themed Section : ‘ Marine Mammal Bycatch and Depredation ’ Introduction Mitigating bycatch and depredation of marine mammals in longline fisheries

Timothy B. Werner1,2*, Simon Northridge3, Kate McClellan Press4, and Nina Young5 John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory, New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA Office of International Affairs, NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, MD, USA *Corresponding author: tel: +1 617 226 2137; e-mail: twerner@neaq.org
P12: Factors associated with triple therapy discontinuation due to adverse effects among patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 chronic infection

Interaction effects of variables-covariates were investigated with logistic and linear regression models; costs comparison with Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Severe liver fibrosis, first-order interaction between sustained virologic response at week 12 (SVR12) and gender (female) as well as second-order interaction between age (older), severe liver fibrosis and treatment with telaprevir/PegIFN/R triple therapy were identified as the strongest set of predictors for total MRU-related costs. Differences in MRU-related costs between female and male patients who attained SVR12 stem mainly from hospitalisations with median (interquartile ranges) costs of £423 (0) and £258 (0), respectively (p < 0.001). No significant difference in median and mean ( standard deviation) MRU-related costs was observed between telaprevir (£642 1349) and simeprevir (£602 1260), although hospitalisation costs are higher in the telaprevir arm. CONCLUSION: Reassessment of strategies for hepatitis C diagnosis especially in elderly and female patients could limit CHC-related complications and associated costs, especially when progressing to liver failure. In treatment-experienced patients, factors other than the choice of protease inhibitor seemed to have a much stronger influence on costs over the short term. However, treatment effects can have substantial cost consequences in the long term when patient’s age increases and liver function deteriorates.
Beyond Homo Economicus

The aim of this section is to give brief indications of the character, content, and cost of new books in the various fields of biology. More books are received by The Quarterly than can be reviewed critically. All submitted books, however, are carefully considered for originality, timeliness, and reader interest, and we make every effort to find a competent and conscientious reviewer for each book selected for review. Of those books that are selected for consideration, some are merely listed, others are given brief notice, most receive critical reviews, and a few are featured in lead reviews. Listings, without comments, are mainly to inform the reader that the books have appeared; examples are books whose titles are self-explanatory, such as dictionaries and taxonomic revisions, or that are reprints of earlier publications, or are new editions of well-established works. Unsigned brief notices, written by one of the editors, may be given to such works as anthologies or symposium volumes that are organized in a fashion that makes it possible to comment meaningfully on them. Regular reviews are more extensive evaluations and are signed by the reviewers. The longer lead reviews consider books of special significance. Each volume reviewed becomes the property of the reviewer. Most books not reviewed are donated to libraries at Stony Brook University or other appropriate recipients. The price in each case represents the publisher’s suggested list price at the time the book is received for review, and is for purchase directly from the publisher. Authors and publishers of biological books should bear in mind that The Quarterly can consider for notice only those books that are sent to The Editors, The Quarterly Review of Biology, E-5340 Frank Melville, Jr. Memorial Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3349 USA. We welcome prepublication copies as an aid to early preparation of reviews.
P11: The use of silymarin in chronic hepatitis C infection: an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

Interaction effects of variables-covariates were investigated with logistic and linear regression models; costs comparison with Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Severe liver fibrosis, first-order interaction between sustained virologic response at week 12 (SVR12) and gender (female) as well as second-order interaction between age (older), severe liver fibrosis and treatment with telaprevir/PegIFN/R triple therapy were identified as the strongest set of predictors for total MRU-related costs. Differences in MRU-related costs between female and male patients who attained SVR12 stem mainly from hospitalisations with median (interquartile ranges) costs of £423 (0) and £258 (0), respectively (p < 0.001). No significant difference in median and mean ( standard deviation) MRU-related costs was observed between telaprevir (£642 1349) and simeprevir (£602 1260), although hospitalisation costs are higher in the telaprevir arm. CONCLUSION: Reassessment of strategies for hepatitis C diagnosis especially in elderly and female patients could limit CHC-related complications and associated costs, especially when progressing to liver failure. In treatment-experienced patients, factors other than the choice of protease inhibitor seemed to have a much stronger influence on costs over the short term. However, treatment effects can have substantial cost consequences in the long term when patient’s age increases and liver function deteriorates.
HOW MUCH DOES INDUSTRY MATTER, REALLY?

In this paper, we examine the importance of year, industry, corporate‐parent, and business‐specific effects on the profitability of U.S. public corporations within specific 4‐digit SIC categories. Our results indicate that year, industry, corporate‐parent, and business‐specific effects account for 2 percent, 19 percent, 4 percent, and 32 percent, respectively, of the aggregate variance in profitability. We also find that the importance of the effects differs substantially across broad economic sectors. Industry effects account for a smaller portion of profit variance in manufacturing but a larger portion in lodging/entertainment, services, wholesale/retail trade, and transportation. Across all sectors we find a negative covariance between corporate‐parent and industry effects. A detailed analysis suggests that industry, corporate‐parent, and business‐specific effects are related in complex ways. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The adaptive significance of schooling as an anti-predator defense in fish

Recent experiments have demonstrated the adaptive advantages of schooling behav iour during predator defence. Fish in schools benefit from increased vigilance and, as a consequence of inspection behaviour, predator recognition and assessment is im proved. Information about advancing predators can be obtained from other school members without each fish needing to independently confirm the extent of the danger. Schooling behaviour and inspection behaviour may inhibit attack by predators, and, if schools are attacked a variety of tactics, ranging from the confusion effect to the flash expansion, serve to protect individual members. There are however a number of constraints on the evolution of schooling and asso ciated anti-predator mechanisms. For instance, conflicting selection pressures, such as the need to forage, mate and avoid predation, can operate simultaneously. Selection pressures acting on immature and adult fish may be discontinuous necessitating a period of increased vulnerability when individuals switch tactics. Schooling may not be an equally appropriate defence against all predators and the phylogenetic origins of populations or species can lead to additional genetic constraints. It seems probable that behavioural ecologists will increasingly focus on how interactions between such con straints govern the evolution of behaviour.
Dichotomomyces cejpii - some characteristics of strains isolated from soil in the Slovak Republic.

T he grow th ra te of vegetative hyphae of colonies of 22 D ichotom om yces cejpii (Mifko) Scott stra ins was determ ined on Sabouraud agar, on Sabouraud agar w ith 2 and 4 % NaCl, on Sabouraud agar w ith pH 4-11 and on a m edium w ith 1 % peptone and 4-30 % saccharose. D ichotom om yces cejpii s tra in s are a new m em ber of h eat resistan t fungi. In our experim ents hyphal grow th was lim ited only on Sabouraud agar w ith 4% NaCl. C hloroform -extractable m etabolites which stopped the m obility of tracheal cilia of 1 day old chick in vitro were produced by eighteen (58.5%) ou t of 31 D ichotom om yces cejpii s tra ins in the mycelium and by 26 (83%) in the m edium . One stra in (No. 2268) had ciliostatic activ ity com parable w ith the activ ity of im p o rtan t known mycotoxins.
The northward extension of reptiles in the Palearctic, with the Jordan Valley (Israel) as a model: snakes outrace lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)

ABSTRACT The geographical distribution of reptiles is known to be climate dependent. Our analysis of literature data from the Palearctic confirmed that snakes, as a group (186 species), tend to extend further to the north, into cooler climate, than lizards (460 species). This has also been reported for the Nearctic. On a smaller scale, as a model, we investigated the expansion of reptiles from the warm southern desert of Israel northwards along the Jordan valley into cooler climate, based on 587 locality records of 17 species. It transpired that the snakes significantly extend further to the north than the lizards, paralleling and exemplifying the global scale. The ability of snakes to inhabit relatively cooler climates appears to accord with three physiological traits of snakes: lower optimal body temperatures, absence of temperature-dependent sex determination, and ability to thrive on infrequent meals.
Internet, facteur positif et négatif pour la stratégie marketing : le cas Beanie Babies

Le cas Beanie Babies est l’illustration du formidable succès marketing d’un jouet en peluche, fondé sur un effet de mode. Il est également révélateur de la nature du puissant facteur que représente potentiellement Internet pour la stratégie marketing, via une nouvelle forme digitale de bouche à oreille. Mais il permet surtout de souligner qu’Internet est à la fois un facteur positif et négatif, qui devrait inciter le responsable marketing à intégrer de nouvelles variables dans la stratégie marketing afin d’en conserver au maximum le contrôle.
Normal conditioned inhibition and extinction of freezing and fear-potentiated startle following electrolytic lesions of medial prefrontal cortex in rats

The authors investigated the role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the inhibition of conditioned fear in rats using both Pavlovian extinction and conditioned inhibition paradigms. In Experiment 1, lesions of ventral mPFC did not interfere with conditioned inhibition of the fear-potentiated startle response. In Experiment 2, lesions made after acquisition of fear conditioning did not retard extinction of fear to a visual conditioned stimulus (CS) and did not impair "reinstatement" of fear after unsignaled presentations of the unconditioned stimulus. In Experiment 3, lesions made before fear conditioning did not retard extinction of fear-potentiated startle or freezing to an auditory CS. In both Experiments 2 and 3, extinction of fear to contextual cues was also unaffected by the lesions. These results indicate that ventral mPFC is not essential for the inhibition of fear under a variety of circumstances.
The Value of Simulated Pond Communities in Mesocosms for Studies of Amphibian Ecology and Ecotoxicology

We provide a review of literature concerning the use of artificial pond communities in static, outdoor, above-ground tanka (mesocosms) for ecological studies of amphibians. This approach has been widely used to evaluate the interaction of biotic variables, and less often biotic and abiotic variables. Although simulated pond communities offer unusually attractive properties for evaluating the effects of xenobiotics on aquatic ecosystems, this approach has received only limited attention as a potential model system for studying the effects of toxicants on amphibian communities. We provide a summary of results and experimental designs from past studies in order to illustrate the general protocols used and complex interactions between biotic and abiotic variables that can be simulated in artificial pond communities
Diet and Sexual Dimorphism in the Curly Tail Lizard Leiocephalus macropus (Sauria: Tropiduridae) at Yacabo Abajo, Guantanamo Province, Cuba

1 Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology, P.O. Box 117800, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA 2 Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad en el Sureste, A.C. , Calle Centenario del Instituto Juarez s/n, C.P. 086080, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico. 3 Instituto de Ecologia y Sistematica. Carretera de Varona, km 3.5, Boyeros. A.P.8029, C.P. 10800, La Habana, Cuba. 4 Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnologicas para el Desarrollo Sostenible (CATEDES/CITMA). Agramonte E/ Prado y Aguilera, No. 848, C.P. 99100, Guantanamo, Cuba. * Corresponding author: charruau_pierre@yahoo.fr
A high-gain 50-GHz-band monolithic balanced gate mixer with an external IF balun

This paper presents a 50 GHz-band high gain monolithic balanced gate mixer. Conversion gain of the mixer is improved by using an external IF balun with high impedance transforming ratio. This paper shows that the IF impedance of the balanced gate mixer can be approximated from a small signal equivalent circuit. The maximum conversion gain of 8.2 dB is achieved at a LO power of 0 dBm. The effectiveness of the described mixer is confirmed experimentally.
Negative affective states and the motivated retrieval of positive life events : The role of affect acknowledgment

People sometimes cope with negative moods by retrieving positive memories, thus exhibiting a mood-incongruency effect. It was proposed that this type of motivated recall involves a 2-stage process: Individuals must first openly acknowledge their negative moods before they will adopt a recall strategy to alleviate their distress. Individual differences in affect acknowledgment (repression-sensitization, meta-mood beliefs, etc.) should therefore predict the occurrence of mood-incongruent recall. The results of 3 studies supported this hypothesis. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that sensitizers (but not repressors) reported more negative affect, and hence recruited more positive memories, after a negative mood induction than after a neutral mood induction. In Study 3, the same recall effects emerged when a more direct measure of affect acknowledgment, meta-mood beliefs, was used as a moderator.
Rates of proximal and distal glycosylation of luteinizing hormone by cultured rat pituitary cells

La presente etude a eu pour but d'examiner le taux de glycosylation basale de la hormone luteinisante (LH), en faisant la distinction entre la glycosylation post-translationnelle (distale) et la glycosylation co-translationnelle (proximale). Les experiences decrivent la relation temporelle entre la biosynthese des chaines peptidiques (par l'incorporation de [ 14 C]leucine: [ 14 C]Leu-LH) et la glycosylation distale (par l'incorporation de [ 3 H]galactose: [ 3 H]Gal-H) et proximale (par l'incorporation de [ 3 H]mannose: [ 3 H]Man-LH) de la LH par les cellules hypophysaires de rat en culture primaire. Les effets du cycloheximide (inhibiteur de translation) et de la tunicamycine (inhibiteur de glycosylation) sur les taux de synthese et de liberation de [ 3 H]Man-LH et de [ 3 H]Gal-LH ont aussi ete examines. Les taux de synthese et de liberation (entre 0 et 2 h, et entre 2 et 5 h) ont ete calcules par une analyse de regression, et la signification statistique des differences a ete determinee par le test de pente. Le taux de synthese de [ 3 H]Man-LH (pente = 45,59) a ete semblable a celui de [ 14 C]Leu-LH (pente = 41,39), ce qui etait en accord avec l'hypothese que l'addition du noyau riche en mannose est un processus de co-translation. La liberation de [ 3 H]Man-LH (pente = 4,32) et celle de [ 14 C]Leu-LH (pente = 2,53) ont montre une periode de latence d'approximativement 2 h. La dynamique de la secretion de [ 3 H]Gal-LH pendant la periode d'incubation, illustree par un taux de synthese plus faible (pente = 26,40) et un taux de liberation plus rapide (pente = 6,34), a differe de celle de [ 3 H]Man-LH. La LH marquee au [ 3 H]Gal a ete liberee au debut de l'incubation, ce qui montre que le galactose est incorpore a la fin du processus de secretion aux molecules LH qui sont immediatement liberees. Le blocage de la translation de LH par le cycloheximide a ete associe a une diminution correspondante de l'incorporation de [ 3 H]Man. En revanche, l'addition de tunicamycine aux cellules hypophysaires a inhibe les taux de synthese et de liberation de [ 3 H]Man-LH, sans affecter ceux de [ 14 C]Leu-LH. Ces resultats montrent que la glycosylation proximale depend de la synthese des chaines peptidiques, alors que la translation ne depend pas de l'addition du noyau poly-mannose. Les taux de synthese et de liberation de [ 3 H]Gal-LH ont ete moins influences par les antibiotiques, et l'inhibition n'a ete significative qu'aux doses plus elevees et lors de traitements plus longs. Les presents resultats demontrent l'independance des deux etapes de glycosylation de la LH, taux de synthese de [ 3 H]Gal-LH etant d'un facteur 1,7 fois plus lent et celui de la liberation d'un facteur 1,5 plus rapide que ceux de [ 3 H]Man-LH, respectivement. Les resultats suggerent aussi que la glycosylation n'est pas une etape essentielle dans le processus de secretion de la LH, etant donne que l'hormone, qui est normalement secretee sous une forme glycosylee, a ete synthetisee, transportee et liberee sans les chaines laterales hydrocarbonees.
Bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulders

Abstract Rationale: Bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulders occurs rarely and the diagnosis is often challenging. This injury is often missed or delayed on initial presentation, leading to continuous pain, disability, and rising medical costs. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment are very important to restore shoulder function. Patient concerns: Here we report 2 rare cases. Case 1 was a 53-year-old physical worker with severe pain and limited shoulder movement after an unexpected fall. Case 2 was a 55-year-old man with pain in upper limbs and shoulders after an electric shock. Diagnosis: Both of them were diagnosed as bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulders by computed tomography (CT) scan. Intervention: After systematic preoperative evaluation, both of them were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Outcomes: After 16 months follow-up, case 1 was pain-free in both shoulders. He had returned to full activity and was satisfied with his level of function. At 24 months follow-up, both shoulders of case 2 were painless and stable with acceptable range of motion and he was able to carry out daily activities. Lessons: Our case reports highlight that bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulders is easy to be missed; one way to prevent missing diagnosis is to suspect cases with pain and limited external rotation, especially those with a history of seizures, electric shock, or severe trauma; appropriate history inquiry, physical examination, proper shoulder images are the key to correct diagnosis.
Low Intrinsic Rate of Natural Increase in BT-resistant Population of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae).

大阪府岸和田市神於町のハウス栽培のクレソンから採集した抵抗性個体群に対して薬剤無淘汰で感受性を回復させた感受性個体群KS,ならびにKSに対してBT剤で淘汰して高度な抵抗性を発達させた抵抗性個体群KRを作出し,両者を25°C, 16L:8Dの条件下で人工飼料,ダイコンの子葉,クレソンの3種類の餌により飼育した. BT剤(トアロー®水和剤CT)に対するLC50値は,KSが1. 14ppm, KRが25,200ppmであった. KRはKSに比べ,孵化率が低く,孵化から羽化までの期間が長く,同期間の生存率が低く,成虫の生存期間が短く,産卵数が少なかった. 岸和田個体群ではBT抵抗性と適応度がトレードオフの関係にあり,特に抵抗性個体の孵化から羽化までの発育期間が長いため,実験室内でBT剤に対する感受性が回復しやすいと考えられた.