Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Env diversity-dependent protection of the attenuated equine infectious anaemia virus vaccine

ABSTRACT Lentiviruses harbour high genetic variability for efficient evasion from host immunity. An attenuated equine infectious anaemia (EIA) vaccine was developed decades ago in China and presented remarkably robust protection against EIA. The vaccine was recently proven to have high genomic diversity, particular in env. However, how and to what extent the high env diversity relates to immune protection remains unclear. In this study, we compared immune protections and responses of three groups of horses stimulated by the high-diversity vaccine EIAV_HD, a single molecular clone of the vaccine EIAV_LD with low env diversity, as well as a constructed vaccine strain EIAV_MD with moderate env diversity. The disparity of virus-host interactions between three env diversity-varied groups (5 horses in each group) was evaluated using clinical manifestation, pathological scores, and env-specific antibody. We found the highest titres of env antibodies (Abs) or neutralizing Abs (nAbs) in the EIAV_HD group, followed by the EIAV_MD group, and the lowest titres in the EIAV_LD group (P<0.05). The occurrence of disease/death was different between EIAV_HD group (1/0), EIAV_MD (2/2), and EIAV_LD group (4/2). A similar env diversity-related linear relationship was observed in the clinical manifestations and pathological changes. This diversity-dependent disparity in changes between the three groups was more distinct after immunosuppression, suggesting that env diversity plays an important role in protection under low host immunocompetence. In summary, inoculation with vaccines with higher genetic diversity could present broader and more efficient protection. Our findings strongly suggest that an abundance of Env antigens are required for efficient protection against lentiviruses.
Improving the Quality of Evaluation Data in Simulation-Based Healthcare Improvement Projects

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Summary Statement Simulation is increasingly being used in healthcare improvement projects. The aims of such projects can be extremely diverse. Accordingly, the outcomes or participant attributes that need to be measured can vary dramatically from project-to-project and may include a wide range of nontechnical skills, technical skills, and psychological constructs. Consequently, there is a growing need for simulation practitioners to be able to identify suitable measurement tools and incorporate them into their work. This article provides a practical introduction and guide to the key considerations for practitioners when selecting and using such tools. It also offers a substantial selection of example tools, both to illustrate the key considerations in relation to choosing a measure (including reliability and validity) and to serve as a convenient resource for those planning a study. By making well-informed choices, practitioners can improve the quality of the data they collect, and the likelihood that their projects will succeed.
HELIX-COIL TRANSITION OF A TITRATING POLYELECTROLYTE ANALYZED WITHIN THE POISSON-BOLTZMANN CELL MODEL. EFFECTS OF PH AND SALT CONCENTRATION

The dependences on salt concentration and pH of the helix-coil transition of aqueous poly(glutamic acid) have been studied experimentally and theoretically. For the general case of an equilibrium between two titrating polyelectrolytes the model predicts that the salt concentration dependence may become very weak in a large pH range. In the specific case of poly(glutamic acid) it is found that the salt dependence can only be accounted for by assuming that the intrinsic dissociation constants differ for the helix and the coil conformations
A Paleolithic bird figurine from the Lingjing site, Henan, China

The recent identification of cave paintings dated to 42–40 ka BP in Borneo and Sulawesi highlights the antiquity of painted representations in this region. However, no instances of three-dimensional portable art, well attested in Europe since at least 40 ka BP, were documented thus far in East Asia prior to the Neolithic. Here, we report the discovery of an exceptionally well-preserved miniature carving of a standing bird from the site of Lingjing, Henan, China. Microscopic and microtomographic analyses of the figurine and the study of bone fragments from the same context reveal the object was made of bone blackened by heating and carefully carved with four techniques that left diagnostic traces on the entire surface of the object. Critical analysis of the site’s research history and stratigraphy, the cultural remains associated with the figurine and those recovered from the other archeological layers, as well as twenty-eight radiometric ages obtained on associated archeological items, including one provided by a bone fragment worked with the same technique recorded on the object, suggest a Late Paleolithic origin for the carving, with a probable age estimated to 13,500 years old. The carving, which predates previously known comparable instances from this region by 8,500 years, demonstrates that three-dimensional avian representations were part of East Asian Late Pleistocene cultural repertoires and identifies technological and stylistic peculiarities distinguishing this newly discovered art tradition from previous and contemporary examples found in Western Europe and Siberia.
First episode psychosis: A comparison of caregiving appraisals in parents caring for the same child

The first onset of psychosis can be a traumatic event for diagnosed individuals but can also impact negatively on their families. Little is known about how parents of the same child make sense of the illness. In mothers and fathers caring for the same child with early psychosis, the current study assessed their similarities and differences in key areas of their caregiving role.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT ON THE GROWTH OF PINUS RADIATA D. DON

SUMMARY Detailed observations have been made of the developing growth rings in a 30 year old plantation of Pinus radiata during 1961–62. The occurrence of a sharp drought period followed by heavy rain and favourable growing conditions resulted in the formation of a “false ring”. Weekly samples of the cambial region showed that cell division ceased and the cambium appeared inactive at the height of the drought. Rapid cell division occurred after the rain, followed by an interval of several weeks before appreciable additions were made to the wood. The observations are discussed in relation to current theories on auxin regulation of physiological processes involved in wood formation.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Acute Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome in a Rat Model

Background: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) could be treated to ameliorate urothelial injury. Here, we investigated the efficacy of intravesical instillation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid for acute IC/PBS. Methods: The effects of PRP and hyaluronic acid on the proliferation of normal human fibroblast cells (HFCs) were assessed. Additionally, thirty virgin female rats were randomized into five groups: group 1, saline-injected control; group 2, cyclophosphamide (CYP) plus intravesical instillation with normal saline; group 3, CYP plus intravesical instillation with hyaluronic acid (1 mg/mL); group 4, CYP plus intravesical instillation with PRP; and group 5, CYP plus intravesical instillation with PRP plus hyaluronic acid. A cystometry and histological assessments were performed. The expression of cell junction-associated protein zonula occludens-2 (ZO-2) and inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) was also measured. Results: Low dose PRP increased proliferation in HFCs. The acute IC/PBS rats showed significantly lower voiding interval values. Voiding interval values were significantly higher in the CYP plus intravesical instillation with PRP group than in the CYP-induced acute IC/PBS group. Additionally, the expression of ZO-2 was increased and IL-6 was decreased in the CYP plus intravesical instillation with PRP group compared with the CYP-induced acute IC/PBS group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PRP modulate urothelial repair, which ameliorate the increase in urination frequency in rats treated with CYP. Overall, PRP may confer potential benefits by acting as urothelial repair modulators.
Log‐Concave and Unimodal Sequences in Algebra, Combinatorics, and Geometry a

A sequence a,, a,, . , a, of real numbers is said to be unimodal if for some 0 s j _c n we have a, 5 a , 5 . 5 ai 2 a,,, 2 . 2 a,, and is said to be logarithmically concave (or log-concave for short) if a: 2 a, ,a ,+ , for all 1 5 i 5 n 1. Clearly a log-concave sequence of positive terms is unimodal. Let us say that the sequence a,, a,, . , a, has no internal zeros if there do not exist integers 0 5 i < j < k 5 n satisfying a, f 0, a, = 0, ak # 0. Then in fact a nonnegative log-concave sequence with no internal zeros is unimodal. The sequence a,, a , , . , a, is called symmetric if a, = a,-, for 0 5 i 5 n. Thus a symmetric unimodal sequence a,, a, , . , a,, has its maximum at the middle term ( n even) or middle two terms (n odd). We also say that a polynomial a, + a,4 +. + an$ has a certain property (such as unimodal, log-concave, or symmetric) if its sequence a,, a,, . , a, of coefficients has that property. Our object here is to survey the surprisingly rich variety of methods for showing that a sequence is log-concave or unimodal. For each method we will give examples of its applicability to combinatorially defined sequences that arise naturally from problems in algebra, combinatorics, and geometry. We make no attempt, however, to give a comprehensive account of all work done in this area.
High and Highly Variable Spontaneous Mutation Rates in Daphnia

Abstract The rate and spectrum of spontaneous mutations are critical parameters in basic and applied biology because they dictate the pace and character of genetic variation introduced into populations, which is a prerequisite for evolution. We use a mutation–accumulation approach to estimate mutation parameters from whole-genome sequence data from multiple genotypes from multiple populations of Daphnia magna, an ecological and evolutionary model system. We report extremely high base substitution mutation rates (µ-n,bs = 8.96 × 10−9/bp/generation [95% CI: 6.66–11.97 × 10−9/bp/generation] in the nuclear genome and µ-m,bs = 8.7 × 10−7/bp/generation [95% CI: 4.40–15.12 × 10−7/bp/generation] in the mtDNA), the highest of any eukaryote examined using this approach. Levels of intraspecific variation based on the range of estimates from the nine genotypes collected from three populations (Finland, Germany, and Israel) span 1 and 3 orders of magnitude, respectively, resulting in up to a ∼300-fold difference in rates among genomic partitions within the same lineage. In contrast, mutation spectra exhibit very consistent patterns across genotypes and populations, suggesting the mechanisms underlying the mutational process may be similar, even when the rates at which they occur differ. We discuss the implications of high levels of intraspecific variation in rates, the importance of estimating gene conversion rates using a mutation–accumulation approach, and the interacting factors influencing the evolution of mutation parameters. Our findings deepen our knowledge about mutation and provide both challenges to and support for current theories aimed at explaining the evolution of the mutation rate, as a trait, across taxa.
Tick prevalence and species diversity on Aldabran giant tortoises (Dipsochelys dussumieri) in relation to host range and host size in a restored ecosystem, Kenya

Tick species density and diversity on Aldabran tortoises was investigated in relation to the habitat range and size of each tortoise. Identification of tick infestation patterns forms an important aspect of effective tick control. Ten Aldabran tortoises were de-ticked and monitored over the course of 2 months. Tick species found were Amblyomma sparsum, Amblyomma nuttalli, Amblyomma hebraeum and Boophilus decoloratus, with the most prevalent species found being A. sparsum. Tick loads varied considerably from 20 to 214 ticks per tortoise, with most ticks collected from the head/neck region. Tortoises ranging outside Haller Park had higher tick loads (70‐214) compared with tortoises ranging within Haller Park (20‐99). Tick load was not correlated with tortoise size. Results indicate that tick loads are related to the habitat range of the tortoises and may indirectly also be related to food preference and host food availability. Implications of the findings and appropriate tick control measures are discussed.
The Never‐Ending Conflict (of Interest)

In this issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology, Wayant and colleagues examine the publicly reported financial payments from commercial interests to authors of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines (GL). The investigators report that a majority (62%) of GL authors received industry payments; further, 43% of the total payments from industry remained undisclosed in the disclosure statement accompanying the GL.
Comparative Analysis of Amide Proton Transfer MRI and Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging in Assessing p53 and Ki‐67 Expression of Rectal Adenocarcinoma

The evaluation of prognostic factors in rectal carcinoma patients has important clinical significance. P53 status and the Ki‐67 index have served as prognostic factors in rectal carcinoma. Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging has shown great potential in tumor diagnosis. However, few studies reported the value of APT imaging in evaluating p53 and Ki‐67 status of rectal carcinoma.
Evaluation of endovenous sedation using BIS monitoring in dentistry. A systematic review

Background The aim of the present review was evaluate the utility and validity of the Bispectral Index (BIS) in dental treatment carried out under endovenous sedation, and compare its efficacy with clinical sedation scales. Material and Methods Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted by two independent reviewers for articles published up to April 2017 in several databases, including Medline and Cochrane Library. Results Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. A correlation was identified between BIS and clinical sedation scales. A BIS range between 75 and 84 showed a high probability of corresponding to an Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation Scale (OAA/S) value of 3; a scored 3 on the Ramsay scale corresponds around 85 on the BIS; while BIS values between 57 and 64 corresponded to a University of Michigan Sedation Scale value of 3. BIS monitoring provides continuous measurement of the patient’s hypnotic state or state of consciousness, awareness, and recall. It proved impossible to perform an analysis of statistical data drawn from the studies reviewed due to the disparity of inclusion criteria among the works. Conclusions BIS for sedation monitoring might make possible to evaluate sedation levels objectively in real time, reducing the dose of the sedative required, increasing safety, and minimizing secondary effects. Key words:Bispectral analysis, BIS monitoring, intravenous sedation, dental treatment, anesthetics.
Primary production of prochlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and eucaryotic ultraphytoplankton: Measurements from flow cytometric sorting

A partitioning of ultraphytoplankton primary production among prochlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and eucaryotic algae was made by shipboard flow cytometric sorting of 14C-labeled cells. Aggregate primary production was derived from the sum, over all three ultraplankton groups, of the product of cell abundance and cell-specific rate of 14C uptake which ranged from 0.03 to 4 fg C celll’ h-l Acknowledgments I am grateful to W. G. Harrison for unpublished data shown in Fig. 3C. This work was supported by the following Canadian government organizations: Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Department of National Defense, Canadian Panel on Energy R&D (PERD), and the interdepartmental “Green Plan. ” Other support was provided by the Joint Research Center, Commission of the European Communities. for prochlorophytes and 0.2 to 10 fg C celll’ hm ’ for cyanobacteria. Results indicated that the dominant primary producer was not necessarily the numerical dominant nor necessarily the group with the highest cell-specific rate of 14C uptake. Generally, eucaryotic ultraphytoplankton are dominant because of their high cell-specific rate of 14C uptake and in spite of their relatively low abundance. Less often, it seems, procaryotic picoplankton may dominate in spite of their low cell-specific rate of 14C uptake because of their high abundance. Primary production, meaning the rate at which carbon is converted from inorganic to organic form by photosynthesis, is often measured by the rate at which phytoplankton become radiolabeled when supplied with NaH14C0,. Various methods exist which allow this production to
Postcranial Skeleton of the Early Eocene Mesonychid Pachyaena (Mammalia: Mesonychia)

ABSTRACT Analysis of postcranial skeletons of three species of the wolf- to bear-sized mesonychid Pachyaena from the early Eocene Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, indicates that it was a derived cursor combining specializations typical of modern Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, and Carnivora. Skeletal anatomy supports the hypothesis, based on the dentition, that mesonychids evolved from Arctocyonidae. Numerous characters in the limb skeleton of Pachyaena are derived relative to Arctocyon, however, and resulted in restricted rotatory and mediolateral mobility at most joints, promoting predominantly sagittal movement. These characters, present in ungulates and cursorial carnivores, include a broad, caudally displaced humeral head; high greater tuberosity; proximal deltoid tuberosity; narrow, proximodistally elongate distal humeral articulation with moderately constricted capitulum; reduced epicondyles; deep olecranon fossa; anteriorly shifted radioulnar joint; posteriorly concave ulnar shaft; high g.
Morphometrical study of the cat cerebellum using unbiased design‐based stereology

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphometrical features of the cat cerebellum using design‐based stereology. Cerebellar hemispheres from four male cats were examined. Isotropic, uniform random sections were obtained and processed for light microscopy. Cerebellar total volume (V), white (WM) and grey matter (GM) volume fractions, and the volumes of the molecular and granular layers were measured using the Cavalieri's estimator and the point counting system. Cerebellar surface area was estimated using test lines, and Purkinje cellular and nuclear volumes were analysed using the nucleator technique. The volume of the cat cerebellar hemispheres was 2.06 ± 0.29 cm3. The relative volume fractions of the GM and WM were 70.6 ± 2.6% and 29.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. The surface area of the cerebellar hemisphere was 68.2 ± 17.8 cm2. The volumes of the molecular and granular layers were estimated at 0.89 ± 0.16 cm3 and 0.56 ± 0.1 cm3, respectively. The Purkinje cell volumes were found to be ranging from 1,717 to 28,489 µm3, of which cells with a perikaryon volume of 6,994 µm3 had a higher incidence. The Purkinje nuclear volume was estimated at 440–3,561 µm3, and nuclei with a volume of 1,252 µm3 were the most frequently occurring ones. Our data might contribute to the veterinary comparative neuroanatomy knowledge, help develop experimental studies in this field, and possibly lead to advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases in the cat.
Revisiting the host adhesion determinants of Streptococcus thermophilus siphophages

Available 3D structures of bacteriophage modules combined with predictive bioinformatic algorithms enabled the identification of adhesion modules in 57 siphophages infecting Streptococcus thermophilus (St). We identified several carbohydrate‐binding modules (CBMs) in so‐called evolved distal tail (Dit) and tail‐associated lysozyme (Tal) proteins of St phage baseplates. We examined the open reading frame (ORF) downstream of the Tal‐encoding ORF and uncovered the presence of a putative p2‐like receptor‐binding protein (RBP). A 21 Å resolution electron microscopy structure of the baseplate of cos‐phage STP1 revealed the presence of six elongated electron densities, surrounding the core of the baseplate, that harbour the p2‐like RBPs at their tip. To verify the functionality of these modules, we expressed GFP‐ or mCherry‐coupled Tal and putative RBP CBMs and observed by fluorescence microscopy that both modules bind to their corresponding St host, the putative RBP CBM with higher affinity than the Tal‐associated one. The large number of CBM functional domains in St phages suggests that they play a contributory role in the infection process, a feature that we previously described in lactococcal phages and beyond, possibly representing a universal feature of the siphophage host‐recognition apparatus.
Medical cannabis in the UK: From principle to practice

Background: In the UK, medical cannabis was approved in November 2018, leading many patients to believe that the medicine would now be available on the NHS. Yet, to date, there have been only 12 NHS prescriptions and less than 60 prescriptions in total. In marked contrast, a recent patient survey by the Centre for Medical Cannabis (Couch, 2020) found 1.4 m people are using illicit cannabis for medical problems. Aims: Such a mismatch between demand and supply is rare in medicine. This article outlines some of the current controversies about medical cannabis that underpin this disparity, beginning by contrasting current medical evidence from research studies with patient-reported outcomes. Outcomes: Although definite scientific evidence is scarce for most conditions, there is significant patient demand for access to medical cannabis. This disparity poses a challenge for prescribers, and there are many concerns of physicians when deciding if, and how, to prescribe medical cannabis which still need to be addressed. Potential solutions are outlined as to how the medical profession and regulators could respond to the strong demand from patients and families for access to medical cannabis to treat chronic illnesses when there is often a limited scientific evidence base on whether and how to use it in many of these conditions. Conclusions: There is a need to maximise both clinical research and patient benefit, in a safe, cautious and ethical manner, so that those patients for whom cannabis is shown to be effective can access it. We hope our discussion and outlines for future progress offer a contribution to this process.
Population size, survival and reproductive rates of northern Norwegian killer whales (Orcinus orca) in 1986–2003

A long-term photo-identification study of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in northern Norway was initiated in 1986, when their prey the Norwegian spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus) started to winter in a complex fjord system. The aim of this work was to estimate population size and apparent survival rates in this killer whale population using photo-identification and mark–recapture techniques with data collected during October–December 1986–2003. Total population size was estimated to be highest in 2003: 731 individuals (SE = 139, 95% CI = 505–1059) using a model taking heterogeneity of capture probabilities into account. Apparent survival of adult males and adult females was estimated using the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model as 0.971 (SE = 0.008) and 0.977 (SE = 0.009), respectively. Calving intervals ranged from 3 to 14 years (mean = 5.06, SE = 0.722). These are the first estimates of northern Norwegian killer whale population parameters, allowing their dynamics to be investigated and comparisons to be made with killer whale populations globally.