Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses of the mangrove Rhizophora mangle grown in the absence and presence of NaCl.

Abstract. Propagules of the mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L. , were precultivated for 9 months in a greenhouse. The young plants were transferred into unaerated nutrient solutions without and with 200 mol m 3 NaCl and subsequently their growth, their water relations and the photosynthetic properties of their leaves were studied. Growth of the salttreated plants was significantly increased, while the control plants gradually died off after finishing the experiments. The shoot water potential and the stomatal resistance of the leaves were lowered while the chlorophyll contents and the chlorophyll a/b ratio in the leaves of salt-treated plants were increased by NaCl, the net result being an enhanced rate of CO2 assimilation. The leaves of both sets of plants showed diurnal fluctuations in malic acid concentration which were more pronounced in the leaves of salt treated plants which, additionally, were more succulent. However, the plants showed no net CO2 fixation at night, indicating that Rhizophora mangle is a CAM-cycling plant. After 200 d of cultivation without or with NaCl, the Na+, Cl and K+ concentrations in tissues and vacuoles were measured. Energy-dispersive X-ray microprobe analyses on root vacuoles of control plants reveal Na+ preference, on those of salt treated plants a strong K+ preference. Vacuolar K+ concentrations are neither affected by NaCl nor do they vary across the root radius. High vacuolar Na+ and Cl concentrations are found in the hypodermis followed by a stepwise decrease towards the inner root cortex cells. Ion concentrations of the photosynthetically active leaf tissues seem to be regulated by (1) radial filtration across the root cortex: (2) ion exchange of the xlem parenchyma cells: and (3) sequestration of Na+ and Cl in the hypodermal water storage tissue of the leaves.
Larva, Nymph, and Life Cycle of Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) muesebecki (Ixodoidea: Argasidae), a Virus-Infected Parasite of Birds and Petroleum Industry Employees in the Arabian Gulf

The larva and nymphal instars 1 to 4 of Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) muesebecki Hoogstraal are described from a population infesting cormorants and ospreys on Zirqa Island (Kingdom of Abu Dhabi) in the Arabian Gulf. Adults of this species were originally recorded from a booby colony on Hasikiya Island (South Yemen Republic) in the Arabian Sea. The larva differs distinctly from that of the related O. (A.) amblus Chamberlain, a parasite of marine birds and human guano diggers in Peru. In the rapid life cycle, the 1st nymphal instar is nonfeeding, males usually molt from the 3rd nymphal instar and females from the 4th instar. On Zirqa Island, this tick is active only during the nesting period of its bird hosts. It eagerly bites humans, causing fever, headache, itch, and erythema. A new arbovirus in the Hughes group isolated from Zirqa Island O, (A.) muesebecki samples is a likely candidate as the cause of these clinical symptoms. This virus is most closely related to another new agent recently isolated from the Punta Salinas (Peru) population of O. (A.) amblus .
An islet maturation media to improve the development of young porcine islets during in vitro culture

ABSTRACT Background The use of pancreata from pre-weaned piglets has the potential to serve as an unlimited alternative source of islets for clinical xenotransplantation. As pre-weaned porcine islets (PPIs) are immature and require prolonged culture, we developed an islet maturation media (IMM) and evaluated its effect on improving the quantity and quality of PPIs over 14 days of culture. Methods PPIs were isolated from the pancreata of pre-weaned Yorkshire piglets (8–15 days old). Each independent islet isolation was divided for culture in either control Ham’s F-10 media (n = 5) or IMM (n = 5) for 14 days. On day 3, 7 and 14 of culture, islets were assessed for islet yield, isolation index, viability, insulin content, endocrine cellular composition, differentiation of beta cells, and insulin secretion during glucose stimulation. Results In comparison to control islets, culturing PPIs in IMM significantly increased islet yield. PPIs cultured in IMM also maintained a stable isolation index and viability throughout 14 days of culture. The insulin content, endocrine cellular composition, and differentiation of beta cells were significantly improved in PPIs cultured in IMM, which subsequently augmented their insulin secretory capacity in response to glucose challenge compared to control islets. Conclusions Culturing PPIs in IMM increases islet yield, isolation index, viability, insulin content, endocrine cellular composition, differentiation of endocrine progenitor cells toward beta cells, and insulin secretion. Due to the improved islet quantity and quality after in vitro culture, the use of IMM in the culture of PPIs will assist to advance the outcomes of clinical islet xenotransplantation.
The effects of acclimation to confinement on gonadotrophin and cortisol secretion during the estrous cycle of the ewe

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of acclimation to confined housing on tonic gonadotrophin, cortisol and progesterone secretion in ewes at different stages of the estrous cycle. On days 4, 12 and 16 of the estrous cycle separate groups of eight ewes were blood sampled every 5 min for 6 h. Of the eight ewes bled at each stage of the cycle four were moved from outside drylots to small pens in a building 2 d prior to blood sampling and four were moved 4 d prior to sampling. All blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of LH and FSH and one sample for each hour of intensive bleeding, for each ewe, was analyzed for cortisol and progesterone. All hormone concentrations were obtained by radioimmunoassay. On day 4 of the estrous cycle LH pulse frequency and mean serum concentrations of LH were higher, but mean FSH concentrations were lower, in ewes confined for 4 d, compared to those confined for 2 d (P < 0.05). On day 12 of the cycle, mean serum LH concentrations only were higher in ewes.
Integrating childhood TB: applying the care delivery value chain to improve pediatric HIV/TB services in Togo, West Africa

ABSTRACT The World Health Organization has prioritized integrating tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services. Diagnosis of HIV/TB coinfection in children remains a challenge worldwide for numerous reasons. The care delivery value chain (CDVC) is an effective tool that can be applied as a systemic framework for assessing health care delivery. Our objective was to apply the CDVC framework to improve pediatric HIV/TB care at an HIV center in northern Togo that serves over 130 children and 1000 adults living with HIV. Using the CDVC framework, gaps in HIV/TB care were identified, and services related to screening and diagnosis were prioritized to implement 3 distinct quality improvement cycles. Primary outcomes included percentage of children screened for TB by medical providers and percentage of diagnostic sample results received at the HIV clinic for children and adults. Improvements in the TB diagnostic process were observed, resulting in a change of sputum sample results received for both children and adults from 25% at baseline to >88% at 3 months. Given the relative low associated costs, this QI approach may be applicable and feasible in other settings to target screening and diagnosis of TB for children living with HIV worldwide.
Circulating lncRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers in bladder cancer: A diagnostic meta-analysis based on 15 published articles

Objective Owing to inconsistency between reports, a meta-analysis was designed to appraise the clinical implications of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in urine and blood for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Methods Studies that met the criteria were acquired by bibliographic retrieval through PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The pooled diagnostic performance was evaluated by calculating the area under the summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve. The potential sources of heterogeneity were approached through meta-regression and subgroup analyses. All statistical analyses and plots were performed by RevMan 5.3, Meta-DiSc 1.4, and STATA 12.0. Results A total of 43 studies from 15 articles consisting of 3370 bladder cancer patients and 3212 controls were incorporated in our meta-analysis. lncRNAs in urine and blood performed relatively well in diagnosing bladder cancer, with a pooled sensitivity of 0.78, a specificity of 0.79, and an area under the SROC curve (AUC) of 0.86. H19 displayed the best diagnostic accuracy with a pooled AUC of 0.90, followed by UCA1 and MALAT1. The heterogeneity among studies was partly conducted by sample size, lncRNA existence form (cell-free or intracellular lncRNA), lncRNA origin (exosome- or non-exosome-based lncRNA), lncRNA profiling (single- or multiple-lncRNA), specimen types, and ethnicity. Conclusions lncRNAs in urine and blood may serve as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers with great promise for bladder cancer, while their clinical values need to be examined through further synthetic forward-looking studies.
Device-Associated Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome

In the 1980s, menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) became a household topic, particularly among mothers and their daughters. The research performed at the time, and for the first time, exposed the American public as well as the biomedical community, in a major way, to understanding disease progression and investigation. Those studies led to the identification of the cause, Staphylococcus aureus and the pyrogenic toxin superantigen TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1), and many of the risk factors, for example, tampon use. SUMMARY In the 1980s, menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) became a household topic, particularly among mothers and their daughters. The research performed at the time, and for the first time, exposed the American public as well as the biomedical community, in a major way, to understanding disease progression and investigation. Those studies led to the identification of the cause, Staphylococcus aureus and the pyrogenic toxin superantigen TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1), and many of the risk factors, for example, tampon use. Those studies in turn led to TSS warning labels on the outside and inside of tampon boxes and, as important, uniform standards worldwide of tampon absorbency labeling. This review addresses our understanding of the development and conclusions related to mTSS and risk factors. We leave the final message that even though mTSS is not commonly in the news today, cases continue to occur. Additionally, S. aureus strains cycle in human populations in roughly 10-year intervals, possibly dependent on immune status. TSST-1-producing S. aureus bacteria appear to be reemerging, suggesting that physician awareness of this emergence and mTSS history should be heightened.
Predominance of hydrogen-utilizing bacteria among N2-fixing bacteria in wetland rice roots

Heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from wetland soil, rhizosphere soil, root and basal shoot of wetland rice, dryland soil, and root of dryland rice. The isolates were tested for N2-fixing activity and the ability to grow autotrophically under H2 + CO2 + O2. N2-fixing bacteria capable of autotrophic growth were found almost exclusively from the rhizosphere and the root of wetland rice. In another experiment, all N2-fixing bacteria isolated from wetland rice root had uptake hydrogenase activity. These findings indicate the predominance of hydrogen-utilizing bacteria among N2-fixing bacteria from wetland rice roots.
Fighting COVID‐19, a place for artificial intelligence

The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) heralded a new era in the cross-species transmission of severe respiratory illness leading to rapid spread in mainland China and around the world with a case fatality rate of 2.3% in China and 1.8-7.2% outside China (Wu & McGoogan, 2019; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020; Onder Rezza, & Brusaferro, 2020; World Health Organization, 2020). As of May 15, 2020, a total of 4,338,658 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 297,119 death cases have been documented globally (World Health Organization, 2020). Several strategies have been adopted to contain the outbreak including classic infection-control and public health measures, nevertheless these measures may not be effective for tackling the scale of COVID-19.
The Differential Expression of Cytokines and Growth Factors After SMILE Compared With FS-LASIK in Rabbits

Purpose To investigate the differential expression of cytokines and growth factors in the cornea and aqueous humor after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) compared with femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) using rabbit model. Methods Sixteen eyes of 16 rabbits in each group underwent SMILE or FS-LASIK with refractive correction of −6.00 DS/−1.00 DC. Eight additional rabbits served as controls. Pre- and 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively, slit-lamp and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed, followed by cornea and aqueous humor collection. Apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated with TUNEL assay and Ki-67 immunostaining, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of cytokines and growth factors was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cytokine levels in the aqueous humor were detected with ELISA. Results Compared with FS-LASIK, SMILE induced less apoptosis and proliferation in the cornea within 1 week postoperatively. Levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and EGFR in the cornea were significantly increased after FS-LASIK compared with SMILE within 24 hours. Levels of IL-8 in the aqueous humor remained elevated until 1 week after FS-LASIK but not SMILE. TGF-β1 level was elevated up to 1 month after both procedures, while BFGF level was kept high within 1 month after SMILE but not FS-LASIK. Conclusions SMILE could induce significantly less acute inflammation than FS-LASIK in the cornea and aqueous humor. The differential expression of TGF-β1 and BFGF between two procedures until 1 month might contribute to the post-SMILE delayed recovery and underline the importance of continued treatment postoperatively.
Human RecQ5β, a large isomer of RecQ5 DNA helicase, localizes in the nucleoplasm and interacts with topoisomerases 3α and 3β

The RecQ helicase superfamily has been implicated in DNA repair and recombination. At least five human RecQ-related genes exist: RecQ1, BLM, WRN, RecQ4 and RecQ5. Mutations in BLM, WRN and RecQ4 are associated with Bloom, Werner and Rothmund-Thomson syndromes, respectively, involving a predisposition to malignancies and a cellular phenotype that includes increased chromosome instability. RecQ5 is small, containing only a core part of the RecQ helicase, but three isomer transcripts code for small RecQ5α (corresponding to the original RecQ5 with 410 amino acids), new large RecQ5β (991 amino acids) and small RecQ5γ (435 amino acids) proteins that contain the core helicase motifs. By determining the genomic structure, we found that the three isoforms are generated by differential splicing from the RecQ5 gene that contains at least 19 exons. Northern blot analysis using a RecQ5β-specific probe indicates that RecQ5β mRNA is expressed strongly in the testis. Immunocytochemical staining of three N-terminally tagged RecQ5 isomers expressed in 293EBNA cells showed that RecQ5β migrates to the nucleus and exists exclusively in the nucleoplasm, while the small RecQ5α and RecQ5γ proteins stay in the cytoplasm. Immunoprecipitation and an extended cytochemical experiment suggested that the nucleoplasmic RecQ5β, like yeast Sgs1 DNA helicase, binds to topoisomerases 3α and 3β, but not to topoisomerase 1. These results predict that RecQ5β may have an important role in DNA metabolism and may also be related to a distinct genetic disease.
The impact of forest fires on the long-term sustainability of taungya teak reforestation in Bago Yoma, Myanmar

Taungya teak reforestation in Myanmar has a long history and is considered an exceptionally successful example of tropical plantations. However, after one cycle of taungya teak reforestation, soil quality would deteriorate as large volumes of biomass are removed from the forest ecosystem through the harvesting of teak. Therefore, the recovery of soil productivity during the period of teak growth is crucial to the successive rotation of the system. In this study, the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) and litter were investigated during the teak growth period to evaluate the long-term sustainability of taungya teak reforestation from the viewpoint of SOM conservation. Especially, the effect of forest fires on SOM dynamics and litter was investigated. In Kabaung Reserved Forest and Bondaung Reserved Forest, where teak reforestation has been practiced since 1884, surface soil samples were collected from teak plantations of different ages (0-96 years) for total carbon and nitrogen content analyses. In mature teak plantations, litter production and decomposition rates of leaf litter were also measured. Accretion of SOM was not observed in any of the teak plantations, even 96 years after reforestation. This absence of SOM accretion was attributed to the combustion of forest floor litter - a main source of SOM - by forest fires. Given that the occurrence of forest fires overlapped the defoliation period of teak, most of the teak litter that had accumulated on the forest floor was easily burnt. The strong positive correlation between total carbon content and the C/N ratio of surface soil in teak plantations suggested that the effect of forest fires on the long-term dynamics of soil carbon was marked. We conclude that forest fires have a detrimental effect on the long-term sustainability of taungya teak reforestation.
Foraging by the flower-dwelling spider, Misumenops argenteus (Thomisidae), at high prey density sites

In this study, the foraging sites of the crab spider Misumenops argenteus on Trichogoniopsis adenantha (Asteraceae) were investigated over a 2-year period. The choice of sites was examined in relation to prey density in rainy and dry seasons, in leaves versus stems, reproductive branches versus vegetative branches, and in flowerheads in different phenophases. Misumenops argenteus generally occupied sites where the prey frequency was high, indicating that this species was able to evaluate the quality of the foraging sites, as predicted by optimal foraging theory. One exception to the rule was that adult males occurred at all sites, independently of prey density, as also observed in other spider species in which males search for females and not for prey. In addition, young (third and fourth instar) spiders occupied flowerheads with few prey, but which provided shelter.
The Cyclic Value-Context Reinforcement Model of Problematic Internet Use: Empirical Validation Using a Thematic Analysis of Children’s Counseling Data

Background Research on problematic internet use has focused on devising diagnostic criteria or describing the factors that influence internet overuse. However, a paradigm shift is necessary in studying the phenomenon of increased internet use not just from a pathological point of view but also from a developmental point of view that considers children’s behavior of adapting to a technology-oriented society. Objective In this paper, we propose the Cyclic Value-Context Reinforcement Model (CVCRM) to understand problematic internet use behavior. The purpose of our study was to construct a developmental process model that provides a holistic understanding of problematic internet use behavior of children and to empirically validate the proposed model by conducting a thematic analysis on actual counseling data. Methods To validate the CVCRM, we conducted thematic analysis using the counseling data from 312 Korean children aged 7-18 years. For the coding process, 7 master’s and doctoral student researchers participated as coders, and 2 professors supervised the coding process and results. Results This project was funded from October 2015 to September 2019 to analyze counseling data from 312 children who participated in counseling sessions during January 2012 to May 2014. Based on the data analysis, we present the CVCRM, which integrates existing theoretical approaches and encompasses the 3 interacting aspects that induce and reinforce problematic internet use in children: psychosocial value, environmental context, and internet utility. Specifically, using counseling data, we empirically ascertained that problematic internet use behavior feeds into children’s psychosocial values and environmental contexts, which in turn facilitates problematic internet use in a cyclical manner. Conclusions Through this empirical validation, the CVCRM can provide a theoretical framework and an integrated perspective on the developmental mechanism of problematic internet use behavior of children.
Clinical evaluation method for blue light (456 nm) protection of skin.

BACKGROUND Blue light from electronic devices enriched with a peak at 456 nm affects circadian rhythm and antioxidant balance of skin, necessitating the study of photoprotection against the 456-nm blue light. OBJECTIVE This study aims to report that blue light (456 nm) can cause skin pigmentation and proposes a new clinical evaluation method for blue light (456 nm) protection based on the skin pigmentation level. METHODS We developed a clinical device (ABC deviceTM ) that emits blue light (peak = 456 nm). Based on the minimal persistent pigment darkening dose (MPPD) determined from visual evaluation and melanin index measurements, we proposed the 'protection grade of blue light (PB)' guideline to assess the protective ability of skin against blue light. RESULTS Human skin irradiated with blue light (456 nm) showed a light-dose-dependent degree of pigmentation. The MPPD on unprotected and protected skin was 135 J/cm2 or 180 J/cm2 and 135-225 J/cm2 , respectively. The ABC device™ and the proposed clinical method were used to test the four blue light blocking assessments of TiO2 . Consequently, the inorganic filter with TiO2 effectively blocked the blue light (456 nm). The AP product demonstrated the ability to block blue light by 1.15 times (PB = 1.15), which significantly lowered the melanin index of the skin after irradiation as compared to that of the unprotected skin (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION We propose an objective clinical evaluation method for blue light protection. This study elucidates the properties of blue light blockers for customers suffering from blue light pollution.