Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rampant Misexpression in a Mimulus (Monkeyflower) Introgression Line Caused by Hybrid Sterility, Not Regulatory Divergence

Abstract Divergence in gene expression regulation is common between closely related species and may give rise to incompatibilities in their hybrid progeny. In this study, we investigated the relationship between regulatory evolution within species and reproductive isolation between species. We focused on a well-studied case of hybrid sterility between two closely related yellow monkeyflower species, Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus nasutus, that is caused by two epistatic loci, hybrid male sterility 1 (hms1) and hybrid male sterility 2 (hms2). We compared genome-wide transcript abundance across male and female reproductive tissues (i.e., stamens and carpels) from four genotypes: M. guttatus, M. nasutus, and sterile and fertile progeny from an advanced M. nasutus–M. guttatus introgression line carrying the hms1–hms2 incompatibility. We observed substantial variation in transcript abundance between M. guttatus and M. nasutus, including distinct but overlapping patterns of tissue-biased expression, providing evidence for regulatory divergence between these species. We also found rampant genome-wide misexpression, but only in the affected tissues (i.e., stamens) of sterile introgression hybrids carrying incompatible alleles at hms1 and hms2. Examining patterns of allele-specific expression in sterile and fertile introgression hybrids, we found evidence for interspecific divergence in cis- and trans-regulation, including compensatory cis–trans mutations likely to be driven by stabilizing selection. Nevertheless, species divergence in gene regulatory networks cannot explain the vast majority of the gene misexpression we observe in Mimulus introgression hybrids, which instead likely manifests as a downstream consequence of sterility itself.
Cytogenetics of entelegyne spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) from southern Africa

Abstract Spiders represent one of the most studied arachnid orders. They are particularly intriguing from a cytogenetic point of view, due to their complex and dynamic sex chromosome determination systems. Despite intensive research on this group, cytogenetic data from African spiders are still mostly lacking. In this study, we describe the karyotypes of 38 species of spiders belonging to 16 entelegyne families from South Africa and Namibia. In the majority of analysed families, the observed chromosome numbers and morphology (mainly acrocentric) did not deviate from the family-level cytogenetic characteristics based on material from other continents: Tetragnathidae (2n♂ = 24), Ctenidae and Oxyopidae (2n♂ = 28), Sparassidae (2n♂ = 42), Gnaphosidae, Trachelidae and Trochanteriidae (2n♂ = 22), and Salticidae (2n♂ = 28). On the other hand, we identified interspecific variability within Hersiliidae (2n♂ = 33 and 35), Oecobiidae (2n♂ = 19 and 25), Selenopidae (2n♂ = 26 and 29) and Theridiidae (2n♂ = 21 and 22). We examined the karyotypes of Ammoxenidae and Gallieniellidae for the first time. Their diploid counts (2n♂ = 22) correspond to the superfamily Gnaphosoidea and support their placement in this lineage. On the other hand, the karyotypes of Prodidominae (2n♂ = 28 and 29) contrast with all other Gnaphosoidea. Similarly, the unusually high diploid number in Borboropactus sp. (2n♂ = 28) within the otherwise cytogenetically uniform family Thomisidae (mainly 2n♂ = 21–24) supports molecular data suggesting a basal position of the genus in the family. The implementation of FISH methods for visualisation of rDNA clusters facilitated the detection of complex dynamics of numbers of these loci. We identified up to five loci of the 18S rDNA clusters in our samples. Three different sex chromosome systems (X0, X1X20 and X1X2X30) were also detected among the studied taxa.
Retraction: Inhibition of HMGB1-Induced Angiogenesis by Cilostazol via SIRT1 Activation in Synovial Fibroblasts from Rheumatoid Arthritis

Following publication of this article [1], concerns were raised about western blot images in Figs 3D, 4B, and 4E. Specifically, In Fig 3D, there is an appearance of vertical discontinuities on either side of lane 4 in the VEGF panel; the β-Actin panel is a duplicate of lanes 1–5 of the β-Actin panel in Fig 4B. In Fig 4B and 4E, the β-Actin panels were included as a result of an error in figure assembly. β-Actin is a cytosolic protein, and was not measured in these experiments because NF-κB translocation was measured in nuclear extracts, and results were expressed relative to control untreated cells. The authors retract this article as it is not possible to fully resolve the concerns regarding Fig 3D because the majority of the underlying data for the article is unavailable. HYK, SYP, SWL, HRL, WSL, BYR, CDK agreed with the retraction. KWH either could not be reached or did not reply directly.
Discrimination of Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis) Geographical Origin by Targeted and Non-Targeted Metabolite Profiling with Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

As international food trade increases, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in food safety and authenticity, which are linked to geographical origin. Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) are cultivated worldwide, but there are no tools for accurately discriminating their geographical origin. Thus, our study aims to develop a method for discriminating the geographical origin of adzuki beans through targeted and non-targeted metabolite profiling with gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with multivariate analysis. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed clear discrimination between adzuki beans cultivated in Korea and China. Non-targeted metabolite profiling showed better separation than targeted profiling. Furthermore, citric acid and malic acid were the most notable metabolites for discriminating adzuki beans cultivated in Korea and China. The geographical discrimination method combining non-targeted metabolite profiling and pareto-scaling showed excellent predictability (Q2 = 0.812). Therefore, it is a suitable prediction tool for the discrimination of geographical origin and is expected to be applicable to the geographical authentication of adzuki beans.
Diminished Returns of Income Against Cigarette Smoking Among Chinese Americans

Introduction: Although educational attainment and income are protective against tobacco use, Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs) theory posits that the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators may be smaller for marginalized groups than mainstream social groups. We aimed to compare the effects of educational attainment and income on current smoking status of Chinese American and European American adults. Methods: Data came from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS - 2015). A total number of 28081 individuals entered our analysis. This included 420 Chinese Americans and 27661 European Americans. The independent variables were educational attainment (years of schooling) and annual income. The dependent variable was current established smoking status. Age, gender, region, and marital status were covariates. Ethnicity (Chinese American vs. European American) was the moderator. Results: Overall, educational attainment and income were inversely associated with the odds of current established smoking. Ethnicity showed a significant interaction with income but not educational attainment. This finding suggested that the protective effect of income, but not educational attainment, on odds of current established smoking might be smaller for Chinese Americans than European Americans. Conclusions: While educational attainment reduces the odds of current established smoking, high-income Chinese Americans remain at high risk of smoking due to a phenomenon called MDRs. In fact, high income is associated with greater smoking prevalence in Chinese Americans, rather than less. To reduce ethnic disparities in tobacco use, we need to go beyond SES inequalities by addressing structural causes of higher than expected risk of smoking in high SES ethnic minorities.
Combined effect of laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture in knee osteoarthritis patients

Abstract Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that affects 250 million people globally. KOA can lead to disability and is often associated with cardiovascular disease, poor quality of life, and mortality. The most common treatment for KOA is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration. However, the analgesic effect is limited and often accompanied by multiple side effects. Hence, many KOA patients opt for complementary and alternative medicine. Acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary treatments with great analgesic effect and minimal side effect. Electroacupuncture (EA) and laser acupuncture (LA) have been known to reduce pain in KOA patients. However, to date, no study has assessed the benefits of combining these two therapies. Methods: Fifty participants diagnosed with KOA, aged 50 years or older, and with consistent knee pain for more than 3 months were recruited and randomly assigned to the treatment group (EA plus LA) or control group (EA plus sham LA without laser output). All subjects in the treatment group will undergo a combined EA and LA treatment thrice a week for 4 weeks. The acupuncture will be performed on GB33, GB34, SP9, SP10, and ST36 sites. The treatment group will receive acupuncture with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator at GB33, GB34, SP9, and SP10 sites and with LA at EX-LE5, ST35, and BL40 sites. The subjects in the control group will undergo the same treatment modality as the treatment group, except these subjects will not be exposed to laser output. Outcome measurements will include visual analog scale, Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome, body composition analysis, knee range of motion, quadriceps muscle stiffness, one-leg standing with eyes open test, and the 30-s chair stand test before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Objectives: This protocol aims to investigate the combined effect of EA and LA in KOA patients.
ANRIL rs1333049 C/G polymorphism and coronary artery disease in a North Indian population - Gender and age specific associations

Abstract Many studies conducted worldwide substantiate a role of genetic polymorphisms in non-coding regions linked with coronary artery disease (CAD). One such single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of a non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) i.e. rs1333049 C/G in the vicinity of cell cycle regulating genes is documented to have a role in CAD risk. In this study we aimed to determine the association of ANRIL rs1333049 C/G with CAD in a North Indian population. Five hundred disease free controls and 500 CAD patients were genotyped using allele specific ARMS-PCR method. High risk association of rs1333049 was seen in both heterozygous and mutant genotypes (OR=2.883, 95% CI=1.475-5.638 and p=0.002 and OR=6.717, 95% CI=3.444-13.102 and p < 0.001 respectively). Gender stratified analysis revealed risk association in both heterozygous and mutant genotypes in males. However, risk association in the mutant genotype and females was documented. Similarly, risk association was seen in subjects above 40 years of age in heterozygous and mutant genotypes. Similarly, risk association was reported in obese, sedentary lifestyle, positive family history and smoking in the heterozygous and mutant genotype and with diabetes in the mutant GG genotype. The study revealed high risk association of ANRIL rs1333049 with CAD and other risk factors.
The Association of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Opioid Consumption in the Pediatric Alveolar Cleft Population.

Surgical infiltration of liposomal bupivacaine in the adult population has been shown to decrease perioperative use of opioids, but there have been few studies conducted in the pediatric surgical population. The authors' objective was to assess the effect of liposomal bupivacaine on opioid reduction in the pediatric alveolar cleft population. The authors hypothesized that the use of surgical site infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine would be associated with decreased post-operative opioid requirements following alveolar bone grafting.The authors performed a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary craniofacial center. Forty-four pediatric patients undergoing alveolar bone grafting from November 2016 to December 2018 by the 2 craniofacial surgeons at Rady Children's Hospital were included in the study. Surgical site infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine was performed and the amount of oral morphine equivalents administered within the first 24 hours was measured.Patients in the liposomal bupivacaine cohort required 12.0 mg OME less than those patients who received standard bupivacaine or 1% lidocaine. When controlling for age, sex, weight, laterality, and harvest technique, multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated a difference of 15.7 mg OME in favor of the LB cohort (P = 0.0006). The authors' study revealed that intraoperative surgical site infiltration of liposomal bupivacaine was associated with decreased post-operative opioid requirements following alveolar bone grafting. It should be considered as an effective part of multimodal pain therapy in the pediatric surgical population.
Endophytic Microbial Assemblage in Grapevine.

The plant vascular system has remained an under-explored niche despite its potential for hosting beneficial microbes. The aim of this work was to determine the origin of the microbial endophytes inhabiting grapevine. We focused on a single commercial vineyard in California over a two-year period and used an amplicon metagenomics approach to profile the bacterial (16S -V4) and fungal (ITS) communities of the microbiome across a continuum of six grapevine compartments; bulk soil, rhizosphere, root, cordon, cane and sap. Our data supported that roots are a bottleneck to microbial richness and that they are mostly colonized with soilborne microbes, including possible plant growth promoting bacteria recruited by the host, but also saprohytic and pathogenic fungal invaders. A core group of taxa was identified throughout the vine, however there were clear partitioning of the microbiome based on host's niche. Above and below ground plant tissues displayed distinct microbial fingerprints and were intermixed in a limited capacity mostly by way of the plant sap. We discuss how cultural practices and human contact may shape the endosphere microbiome and identify potential channels for transmission of its residents.
APPRAISING NUTRITION AND CHILD REARING AS AN ANTIDOTE TO PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Optimal nutritional status results when children have access to affordable, diverse, nutrient-rich food; appropriate maternal and child-care practices; adequate health services; and a healthy environment including safe water, sanitation and good hygiene practices. This paper identified psychological theories that are relevant to nutrition and child development, and psychological approaches relevant to the problem of under-nutrition and child development in Nigeria. Availability of resources to the caregiver for its implementation is therefore imperative. These resources include knowledge and beliefs about child rearing, the health and nutritional status of the care provider, control of resources and/or autonomy for child care (these include decision making role and employment of caregiver), workload and time constraints for providing child care and social support (these include availability of alternate caregivers, sharing of workload, father’s role in child care and community support). The growth and nutritional outcomes of children is dependent on a complex relationship between the intrinsic characteristics of the child and the competence of the mother in providing child care.
Trump and Moon in Harmony for Now | 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea

Pundits who are predicting discord over North Korea policy with the newly elected Moon Jae-in government may be in for a surprise. Seoul and Washington seem to be singing from the same hymnal at the moment. While there are ample grounds for skepticism, the United States, South Korea and Japan may all be acting in concert to inch toward dialogue with Pyongyang—one of those rare moments when progress may be possible.
Dynamic Query Forms for Non-Relational Database

— With quick advancement of investigative databases and web data databases are turning out to be exceptionally colossal in size and complex in nature. These databases hold extensive and heterogeneous information, with huge number of relations and qualities. So it is exceptionally hard to outline an arrangement of static inquiry structures to answer different specially appointed database inquirieson these cutting edge databases. Along these lines there is need of such framework which create Query Forms powerfully as indicated by the clients need at run time. The proposed framework Dynamic Query Form i.e.DQF framework going to give an answer by the inquiry interface in extensive and complex databases. In proposed framework, the center idea is to catch client intrigues all through client associations and to adjust the inquiry sort iteratively. Each cycle comprises of 2 sorts of client collaborations: Query Form Enrichment and Query Execution. In Query Form Enrichment DQF would prescribe a positioned rundown of question structure part to client so he/she can choose sought structure segments into current inquiry structure. In Query Execution client fills current inquiry shape and submit question, DQF going to show result and take input from client on gave question results. A client would have office to fill the inquiry frame and submit questions to see the inquiry result at every cycle. So that a question structure could be progressively refined till the client fulfills with the inquiry results.
The Effect of Gender and Feeding System on the Growth Rate and Blood Parameters of Polish Holstein-Friesian x Limousin Calves

Received: Revised: Accepted: April 24, 2014 August 01, 2014 September 01, 2014 The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gender and calf raising program on daily gains during the rearing period, the body weights of six-month-old calves, blood biochemical and hematological indicators and correlations between those parameters. The experiment materials comprised 87 crossbred Polish HolsteinFriesian x Limousin (PHF x LM) calves. 1 group of calves was fed milk replacer via an automated system, and 2group of calves stayed with suckling cows, which were PHF cows. At the completion of the milk and milk replacer feeding period, bulls, steers and heifers reached body weight of 130, 125 and 120kg, respectively. At the pre-weaning calves kept with suckling cows were characterized by significantly (P≤0.01) higher daily gains (0.830 vs. 0.718kg/day). At the post-weaning significantly (P≤0.05) higher daily gains were calves fed milk replacer (0.933 vs. 0.836kg/day). At six months of age, the body weight of calves suckled by suckling cows and fed milk replacer reached 188.9 and 182.3kg, respectively, and their respective average daily gains were 0.835 and 0.798kg/day. Red blood cell, white blood counts and blood glucose concentrations were significantly (P≤0.01) positively correlated with the body weight of six-month-old calves and daily gains (r=0.421 to 0.683). A negative correlation was found between liver function indicators (ALT, AST, ALP) and the growth rate. It can be concluded that the daily gains of calves were affected by the feeding system and the final body weights of calves and their daily gains during the rearing period were affected by calf gender. Higher daily gains and final body weight gained bulls and calves suckled by suckling cows. ©2014 PVJ. All rights reserved
P60 Outcomes of pregnancy in women with bronchiectasis

Introduction The impact and outcomes of pregnancy in women with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis are largely unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnancy in women with bronchiectasis attending our centre between 2007–2017. In all cases the mother had been diagnosed with bronchiectasis prior to conception and was under close monitoring throughout the pregnancy. Baseline descriptive statistics recorded included: maternal age at delivery, body mass index (BMI), disease aetiology, previous pregnancy, and baseline percentage predictive values for respiratory function 6 months prior to conception assessed using forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Longitudinal statistics were recorded for outcome of pregnancy, mode of delivery, infection status, obstetric cholestasis and haemoptysis during pregnancy, and respiratory function at baseline (6 months prior to gestation), conception, delivery and 6 months postpartum. Statistical analysis was made using the Pearson’s two-tailed correlations, with p-values of <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results There were 11 successful pregnancies in 10 women with bronchiectasis during the study period. In all cases pregnancy was well tolerated with no significant adverse events. Mean age was 33.9 (range 23.9–43.5). Evidence of negative investigations for cystic fibrosis was found in 9/10 patients. Mean baseline FEV1 prior to pregnancy was 70.2%-predicted (SD 19.6) compared with 66.5% (SD 20) at delivery (p≥0.05) and 66.2% (SD 20.7) at 6 months after delivery (p≥0.05). FEV1/FVC ratio at conception, delivery and at 6 months after delivery was 0.77 (SD 0.1), 0.75 (SD 0.1) and 0.73 (SD 0.1) respectively (p≥0.05). 60% of women had positive sputum cultures during pregnancy: Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 27.3%, Haemophilus influenzae 45.5%, Staphylococcus aureus 18.2%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 9.09% and coliforms 9.09%. Positive sputum microbiology was not correlated with any change in respiratory function or pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion Pregnancy in women with non-CF bronchiectasis was largely well tolerated in our cohort. Larger studies are needed to determine the true impact of pregnancy on lung function in this population. Abstract P60 Figure 1 Pulmonary function in pregnant women with non-CF bronchiectasis.
Rhinitis, sinusitis, and ocular diseases Alleviation of seasonal allergic symptoms with superfine b-1,3-glucan: A randomized study

o cu la r d is e a se s Background: The incidence of allergic symptoms to cedar pollen has reached epidemic proportions in Japan. Intravenous injection of b-1,3-glucan in human subjects is known to induce a TH1 response, whereas oral uptake does not. Objective: It was examined whether orally ingested, superfine dispersed b-1,3-glucan (SDG), easily absorbed by intestinal mucosa, would alleviate allergic symptoms. Methods: Allergic patients were orally administrated either SDG (n 5 30) or nondispersed b-1,3-glucan (n 5 30), and allergic symptoms were assessed clinically in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study. Results: SDG alleviated ongoing symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen–induced rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy watery eyes, and its oral uptake before symptom onset exhibited preventive effects. Alleviation of allergic symptoms was evident not only for seasonal allergy to cedar pollen but also for perennial allergy. Oral ingestion of b-1,3-glucan in individuals with allergic tropism could reduce the spontaneous increase in both allergen-specific and total IgE titers. The clinical responses to treatment were well correlated with the capacity of monocytes to bind to b-1,3-glucan. Although SDG reduced allergic symptoms, the oral uptake of nondispersed b-1,3-glucan produced no clinical effects, despite the identical amount of b-1,3-glucan in both preparations. Conclusion: We postulate that orally taken b-1,3-glucan prepared in a form easily absorbed by intestinal mucosa is able to alleviate cedar pollen–induced allergic symptoms. Clinical implications: Orally effective SDG might greatly contribute to the resolution of epidemic medical problems of seasonal cedar pollen–induced allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119:1119-26.)