Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abundance and the Environmental Niche: Environmental Suitability Estimated from Niche Models Predicts the Upper Limit of Local Abundance

Ecologists seek to understand patterns of distribution and abundance of species. Studies of distribution often use occurrence data to build models of the environmental niche of a species. Environmental suitability (ES) derived from such models may be used to predict the potential distributions of species. The ability of such models to predict spatial patterns in abundance is unknown; we argue that there should be a positive relationship between ES and local abundance. This will be so if ES reflects how well the species’ physiological and ecological requirements are met at a site and if those factors also determine local abundance. However, the presence of other factors may indicate that potential abundance is not attained at all sites. Therefore, ES should predict the upper limit of abundance, and the observed relationship with ES should be wedge shaped. We tested the relationship of ES with local abundance for 69 rain forest vertebrates in the Australian wet tropics. Ordinary least squares and quantile regressions revealed a positive relationship between ES and local abundance for most species (>84%). The relationships for these species were wedge shaped. We conclude that ES modeled from presence‐only data provides useful information on spatial patterns of abundance, and we discuss implications of this in addressing important problems in ecology.
Effect of long-term hemodialysis on plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity and the amounts and compositions of HDL2 and HDL3 in hemodialysis-treated patients with chronic renal failure: a 9-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis was correlated with hemodialysis duration (HD) in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Dyslipidemias were identified as atherogenic risk factors. MATERIAL/METHODS To investigate variations in HDL2 and HDL3 composition and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity as functions of HD, 20 CRF patients were selected for maintenance hemodialysis during the 9 years from April 1, 1991 to March 31, 2000. Blood samples were drawn four times: 1991 (T0, study begin), 1994 (T1), 1997 (T2), and 2000 (T3). T0 results were taken as references. RESULTS Triacylglycerol concentrations were 1.12-fold higher at T1 (P<0.01), 1.31-fold at T2, and 1.63-fold at T3 (P<0.001). Increases of 14% and 33% of total cholesterol were noted at T2 (P<0.05) and T3 (P<0.001). Hypertriglyceridemia correlated with HD (r=0.70, P<0.05). LCAT activity decreased by 27%, 39%, and 51% at times T1, T2, and T3, respectively, this activity being negligible in 30% of patients at T2 and 40% at T3. An inverse relationship was noted between LCAT activity and HD (r=-0.80, P<0.001). Increases in HDL2-unesterified cholesterol (UC) and HDL3-UC were obtained at T2 and T3 (P<0.05), and high HDL2-triacylglycerols (TG) and HDL3-TG were noted at T1, T2, and T3 (P<0.001). HDL3-phospholipids (PL) values were diminished by 9% at T1 (P<0.05), 17% at T2, and 19% at T3 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term hemodialysis aggravates lipid anomalies following CRF. Alterations in HDL composition contribute to the reduced efficacy of reverse cholesterol transport and patients are submitted to a greater risk for atherosclerosis.
A unified switched capacitor converter

Switched capacitor converter is a power conversion network without participation of magnetic components. In this paper, a Unified Switched Capacitor Converter (USCC) is proposed, which realizes step up, step down, or DC to AC conversion by altering the switch triggering patterns. Additionally, gain modulation based on topology reconfiguration can be achieved. The implementation strategy and features are explored. The efficiency characteristics of switched capacitor converter focusing on charging and discharging processes are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the topology reconfiguration of switched capacitor converter is expected to have high efficiency, for a wide modulation range. The modeling method of USCC is presented. Finally, simulation results of DC-AC conversion and MPPT control validate the wide application possibilities of proposed USCC.
Monitoring programme on cadmium, lead and mercury in fish and seafood from Valencia, Spain: levels and estimated weekly intake

The study was carried out to determine the current levels of mercury, cadmium, and lead in fish and seafood from the market of Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. Levels of total mercury ranged from 0.02 to 3.15 mg kg−1 w.w. (average = 0.073 mg kg−1 w.w.). Cadmium concentrations ranged from 0.003 to 0.66 mg kg−1 w.w. (average = 0.27 mg kg−1 w.w.) for seafood, and between 0.003 and 0.71 mg kg−1 w.w. (average = 0.01 mg kg−1 w.w.) for marine fish. Concerning lead, concentrations from 0.02 to 0.36 mg kg−1w.w (average = 0.04 mg kg−1 w.w.) were found in fish, and from 0.02 to 1.02 mg kg−1 w.w. in seafood (average = 0.147 mg kg−1 w.w.). The levels found were, in general, lower than maximum levels proposed by European legislation. The estimated weekly intake of mercury, cadmium and lead through fish and seafood consumption was found to be about 43%, 10% and 3% of the established provisional tolerable weekly intake, respectively.
Enzymatic Detoxification of Cyanide: Clues from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rhodanese

Cyanide is a dreaded chemical because of its toxic properties. Although cyanide acts as a general metabolic inhibitor, it is synthesized, excreted and metabolized by hundreds of organisms, including bacteria, algae, fungi, plants, and insects, as a mean to avoid predation or competition. Several cyanide compounds are also produced by industrial activities, resulting in serious environmental pollution. Bioremediation has been exploited as a possible alternative to chemical detoxification of cyanide compounds, and various microbial systems allowing cyanide degradation have been described. Enzymatic pathways involving hydrolytic, oxidative, reductive, and substitution/transfer reactions are implicated in detoxification of cyanide by bacteria and fungi. Amongst enzymes involved in transfer reactions, rhodanese catalyzes sulfane sulfur transfer from thiosulfate to cyanide, leading to the formation of the less toxic thiocyanate. Mitochondrial rhodanese has been associated with protection of aerobic respiration from cyanide poisoning. Here, the biochemical and physiological properties of microbial sulfurtransferases are reviewed in the light of the importance of rhodanese in cyanide detoxification by the cyanogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Critical issues limiting the application of a rhodanese-based cellular system to cyanide bioremediation are also discussed.
Iterative Reconstruction Designed for Brain CT: A Correlative Study With Filtered Back Projection for the Diagnosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of iterative model reconstruction designed for brain computed tomography (CT) (IMR-Neuro) for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Methods This retrospective study included 20 patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction who have undergone brain CT and 20 nonstroke patients (control). We reconstructed axial images with filtered back projection (FBP) and IMR-Neuro (slice thickness, 1 and 5 mm). We compared the CT number of the infarcted area, the image noise, contrast, and the contrast to noise ratio of the infarcted and the noninfarcted areas between the different reconstruction methods. We compared the performance of 10 radiologists in the detection of parenchymal hypoattenuation between 2 techniques using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) techniques with the jackknife method. Results The image noise was significantly lower with IMR-Neuro [5 mm: 2.5 Hounsfield units (HU) ± 0.5, 1 mm: 3.9 HU ± 0.5] than with FBP (5 mm: 4.9 HU ± 0.5, 1 mm: 10.1 HU ± 1.4) (P < 0.01). The contrast to noise ratio was significantly greater with IMR-Neuro (5 mm: 2.6 ± 2.1, 1 mm: 1.6 ± 1.3) than with FBP (5 mm: 1.2 ± 1.0; 1 mm: 0.6 ± 0.5) (P < 0.01). The value of the average area under the receiver operating curve was significantly higher with IMR-Neuro than FBP (5 mm: 0.79 vs 0.74, P = 0.04; 1 mm: 0.76 vs 0.69, P = 0.04). Conclusions Compared with FBP, IMR-Neuro improves the image quality and the performance for the detection of parenchymal hypoattenuation with acute ischemic stroke.
Cognitive Function in Preschool Children after Epilepsy Surgery: Rationale for Early Intervention

Summary: Purpose: The detrimental effect of frequent early seizures on the cognitive potential of children is a significant clinical issue. Epilepsy surgery in childhood offers a good prognosis for seizure control and improved developmental outcome. We studied the postoperative outcome and the developmental velocity after surgery and analyzed risk factors for developmental delay in 50 consecutive preschool children treated surgically for severe epilepsy at ages 3 to 7 years.
Nonconscious indirect inferences in encoding.

Indirect (transitive) inference (i.e., if A is related to B, and B is related to C, then C is related to A) is a ubiquitous component of thinking and reasoning. This research demonstrates that a mechanism at least functionally similar to drawing indirect inferences can also be observed in unintentional processes of encoding. The 2 studies followed the same design and used modified versions of procedures tested in previous research on nonconscious information processing (P. Lewicki, T. Hill, & M. Czyzewska, 1992). In the first learning phase, Ss acquired an encoding algorithm relating Variables A and B. In the second learning phase, Variable A was removed from the material and replaced with Variable C, allowing Ss to acquire the second encoding algorithm (relating B and C). Consistent with the original studies, Ss were not aware that there were any consistencies in the material. In the testing phase material, Variable B was removed, and Ss were asked to make intuitive judgments regarding Variable A. The data from both experiments confirmed the expectation that Ss would implicitly draw indirect inferences (A on the basis of C). This process is discussed as one of the mechanisms that may trigger the development of various components of procedural knowledge.
The multi-cancer marker, rs6983267, located at region 3 of chromosome 8q24, is associated with prostate cancer in Greek patients but does not contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease

Abstract Background: Recently, several polymorphisms located on human chromosome 8q24 were found to be associated with prostate cancer risk with different frequency and incidence among the investigated populations. The authors conducted a prostate cancer case-control study in the Greek population to evaluate the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6983267, located at region 3 of chromosome 8q24, with this type of cancer. Methods: Samples of total blood from 86 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer and 99 healthy individuals were genotyped using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, Gleason score and levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis were included in the analysis. Results: A highly significant association (odds ratio=2.84 and p-value=0.002) was found between rs6983267 and prostate cancer in the Greek population. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of the presence of G allele for the discrimination between patients and controls were 81.40%, 39.4%, 53.9% and 70.9%, respectively. A lower proportion of homozygotes was found in patients with PSA level <4 ng/mL compared to those with PSA level more than 4 ng/mL (p=0.019). None of the other clinical factors nor the aggressiveness of the disease were found to be significantly associated with rs6983267 genotype. Conclusions: The SNP rs6983267 is an established marker for a range of cancers. In prostate cancer, it indicates an enhanced risk for carriers to develop the disease in general. In our study it showed no association with aggressive forms or familial and early-onset prostate cancer families.
What fluids are given during air ambulance treatment of patients with trauma in the UK, and what might this mean for the future? Results from the RESCUER observational cohort study

Objectives We investigated how often intravenous fluids have been delivered during physician-led prehospital treatment of patients with hypotensive trauma in the UK and which fluids were given. These data were used to estimate the potential national requirement for prehospital blood products (PHBP) if evidence from ongoing trials were to report clinical superiority. Setting The Regional Exploration of Standard Care during Evacuation Resuscitation (RESCUER) retrospective observational study was a collaboration between 11 UK air ambulance services. Each was invited to provide up to 5 years of data and total number of taskings during the same period. Participants Patients with hypotensive trauma (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg or absent radial pulse) attended by a doctor. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was the number of patients with hypotensive trauma given prehospital fluids. Secondary outcomes were types and volumes of fluids. These data were combined with published data to estimate potential national eligibility for PHBP. Results Of 29 037 taskings, 729 (2.5%) were for patients with hypotensive trauma attended by a physician. Half were aged 21–50 years; 73.4% were male. A total of 537 out of 729 (73.7%) were given fluids. Five hundred and ten patients were given a single type of fluid; 27 received >1 type. The most common fluid was 0.9% saline, given to 486/537 (90.5%) of patients who received fluids, at a median volume of 750 (IQR 300–1500) mL. Three per cent of patients received PHBP. Estimated projections for patients eligible for PHBP at these 11 services and in the whole UK were 313 and 794 patients per year, respectively. Conclusions One in 40 air ambulance taskings were manned by physicians to retrievepatients with hypotensive trauma. The most common fluid delivered was 0.9% saline. If evidence justifies universal provision of PHBP, approximately 800 patients/year would be eligible in the UK, based on our data combined with others published. Prospective investigations are required to confirm or adjust these estimations.
Effects of combination of melatonin and dexamethasone on secondary injury in an experimental mice model of spinal cord trauma

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of combination therapy with melatonin and dexamethasone on the degree of spinal cord injury caused by the application of vascular clip in mice. Spinal cord injury in mice resulted in severe trauma, characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptosis (measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase‐mediated UTP end labeling staining, and immunoreaction of Bax, Bcl‐2, and Fas Ligand). Infiltration of the spinal cord tissue with neutrophils (measured as increase in myeloperoxidase activity) was associated with enhanced immuno‐ histochemical and functional alterations revealed, respectively, by an increased of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α immunoreactivity, NOS as well as nitrotyrosine and loss of hind leg movement in spinal cord injury (SCI)‐operated mice. In contrast, the degree of neutrophil infiltration at different time points, cytokine expression, histologic damage iNOS expression, apoptosis, was markedly reduced in the tissues obtained from SCI‐treated mice with the combination therapy, and the motor recovery was also ameliorated. No anti‐inflammatory effect was observed in animals treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg) or with dexamethasone (0.025 mg/kg) alone. This study shows that the combination therapy with melatonin and dexamethasone reduces the degree of secondary damage associated with spinal cord injury in mice, and supports the possible use of melatonin in combination with steroids to reduce the dose and the side effects related with the use of steroids for the management of inflammatory disease.
Neurones responsive to faces in the temporal cortex: studies of functional organization, sensitivity to identity and relation to perception.

We have investigated the distribution of cells responsive to faces within the macaque temporal cortex and their sensitivity to different face attributes. We found a functional organization of cells responsive to the sight of different views of the head. Cells of a similar type were grouped together both vertically down through the cortex, and horizontally in patches extending 0.5-2.0 mm across the surface of the cortex. A substantial proportion of cells responsive to faces were found to be sensitive to biologically important characteristics such as identity or expression. Cells were found to be highly selective for particular individuals that were familiar to the monkey with selectivity persisting across a great variety of viewing conditions such as changing face expression, orientation, colour, distance and size. Data suggested that sensitivity to identity arises at the level of specific views of the individual (e.g. full face). Information about different views may then be pooled to allow recognition independent of view. Visual transformations that make it difficult for humans to perceive faces (e.g., contrast reversal, isoluminant colour, coarsely quantized images, rotation or inversion) reduced the magnitude or increased the latency of cells' responses to faces. In this way, cell responses were related to perception and not simply to visual qualities of the image.
Evidence of blood‐brain barrier permeability/leakage for circulating human Alzheimer's β‐amyloid‐(1–42)‐peptide

BRAINS from patients with Alzheimer's disease contain amyloid plaques which are composed of β-amyloid peptide and are considered to play a causal role in the neuropathology of this disease. The origin of β-amyloid peptide in brain parenchyma and vessels of Alzheimer's disease patients is not known. This study examined the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to β-amyloid peptide in rats subjected to single or repeated episodes of global cerebral ischaemia followed by i.v. injections of human synthetic β-amyloid-(1–42)-peptide. Rats receiving β-amyloid peptide after ischaemia demonstrated multifocal and widespread accumulation of β-amyloid peptide in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and occasionally in white matter. β-Amyloid peptide penetration involved arterioles, veins and venules. Neuronal, glial and pericyte bodies were observed filled with β-amyloid peptide. Direct evidence that soluble human β-amyloid-(1–42)-peptide crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the brain from the circulation is thus provided for the first time.
Consensus statement on management of intersex disorders

T he birth of an intersex child prompts a long term management strategy that involves a myriad of professionals working with the family. It is estimated that genital anomalies occur in 1 in 4500 births. There has been progress in diagnosis, surgical techniques, understanding psychosocial issues, and recognising and accepting the place of patient advocacy. The Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES) and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) considered it timely to review the management of intersex disorders from a broad perspective, to review data on longer term outcome, and to formulate proposals for future studies. The methodology comprised establishing several working groups whose membership was drawn from 50 international experts in the field. The groups prepared prior written responses to a defined set of questions resulting from an evidence based review of published reports. At a subsequent gathering of participants, a framework for a consensus document was agreed. This paper constitutes its final form.
Batterie d'évaluation de la lecture chez l'adulte francophone : présentation et étude de faisabilité

En Suisse, environ une personne sur six est incapable de lire et comprendre un texte simple. Aucun outil en francais pour apprecier la lecture des personnes adultes dyslexiques et illettres n'etant disponible, une batterie d'evaluation de la lecture de l'adulte francophone est testee dans ce travail. Cette batterie evalue aussi bien les processus specifiques a la lecture que les habiletes qui lui sont associees, et tient compte a la fois du pourcentage de bonnes reponses et des temps de reponse, censes fournir des informations precises, essentielles a une prise en charge ciblee. Dix-sept lecteurs experts ont passe les epreuves proposees, de facon a tester la valeur discriminante des tâches, la qualite du materiel ainsi que les procedures de passation. Les resultats montrent une automatisation de l'identification des mots ecrits et de l'acces aux representations phonologiques, une bonne qualite des representations orthographiques, une utilisation efficace des procedures de lecture phonologique et orthographique, de bonnes capacites de comprehension ecrite et une absence de troubles pour les habiletes associees a la lecture, ce qui correspond au fonctionnement de la lecture experte. Quelques biais au niveau du materiel ou de la procedure ayant ete mis en evidence, des modifications pour la version definitive de cette batterie d'evaluation ont ete proposees.
Amphetamine toxicities

The drugs of abuse, methamphetamine and MDMA, produce long‐term decreases in markers of biogenic amine neurotransmission. These decreases have been traditionally linked to nerve terminals and are evident in a variety of species, including rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. Recent studies indicate that the damage produced by these drugs may be more widespread than originally believed. Changes indicative of damage to cell bodies of biogenic and nonbiogenic amine–containing neurons in several brain areas and endothelial cells that make up the blood–brain barrier have been reported. The processes that mediate this damage involve not only oxidative stress but also include excitotoxic mechanisms, neuroinflammation, the ubiquitin proteasome system, as well as mitochondrial and neurotrophic factor dysfunction. These mechanisms also underlie the toxicity associated with chronic stress and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, both of which have been shown to augment the toxicity to methamphetamine. Overall, multiple mechanisms are involved and interact to promote neurotoxicity to methamphetamine and MDMA. Moreover, the high coincidence of substituted amphetamine abuse by humans with HIV and/or chronic stress exposure suggests a potential enhanced vulnerability of these individuals to the neurotoxic actions of the amphetamines.