Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure and expression of a cysteine proteinase gene from Spodoptera litura and its response to biocontrol fungus Nomuraea rileyi

Cysteine proteinases (Cyps) play vital roles in many biological processes, including physiological and pathological reactions. In the present study, we cloned a full cDNA of SlCyp, encoding a 344‐amino‐acid protein from Spodoptera litura. The putative amino acid sequence shared >75% identity with Cyps from other insects. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that SlCyp is closely related to other known lepidopteran Cyps. Real‐time PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that SlCyp is induced by Nomuraea rileyi infection in all the tissues tested. The strongest SlCyp mRNA and protein expression was found in haemocytes, followed by the fat bodies, of unchallenged and N. rileyi‐challenged S. litura. A time‐course analysis showed that SlCyp mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in the haemocytes and fat bodies by N. rileyi infection. Upon N. rileyi infection, the proteolytic activities of SlCyp were also significantly higher in the haemolymph than in normal or phosphate‐buffered‐saline‐challenged controls. These results suggest that SlCyp plays an important role in the innate immunity of S. litura in response to N. rileyi. SlCyp mRNA and protein expression and activities were also elevated during sixth‐instar moulting and metamorphosis. Knocking down SlCyp transcripts with double‐stranded RNA interference caused prepupal, pupal, and adult phenotypic changes, and SlCyp‐silenced mutant larvae displayed a significantly lower survival rate after N. rileyi infection. These facts suggest that SlCyp plays a significant role in resisting N. rileyi infection and an essential role in larval development. Our data should facilitate the development of techniques for S. litura control.
Sex‐dependent activity of de novo methyltransferase 3 (Tudnmt3) in the two‐spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism for regulating developmental and other important processes in eukaryotes. Several components of the DNA methylation machinery have been identified, such as DNA methyltransferases. However, little is known about DNA methyltransferases in chelicerates, which is the second largest arthropod group. Epigenetics are expected to have a crucial role in the metabolism and development of this group. Here, we investigated the role of DNA methyltransferase 3 in the development of Tetranychus urticae Koch. In silico analyses clearly showed that this enzyme possesses the necessary conserved motifs for the catalytic activity of de novo methylation of DNA. Real‐time PCR revealed that T. urticae de novo methyltransferase 3 (Tudnmt3) is expressed ubiquitously and throughout the life cycle of the two‐spotted spider mite. However, the pattern of Tudnmt3 expression was sex‐dependent during the adult stage. Whole in situ hybridization provided supportive evidence that Tudnmt3 is linked to the differentiation of the gonads in adult females and males. Methylation‐sensitive amplification polymorphism analyses of 119 loci showed that the status of DNA methylation is partially different between adult females and males, raising the possibility that this sex‐dependent DNA methylation pattern is mediated by different methylation activity of Tudnmt3.
First-line beta-blockers versus other antihypertensive medications for chronic type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a severe and often lethal complication in people with hypertension. Current practice in the treatment of chronic type B aortic dissections is the use of beta-blockers as first-line therapy to decrease aortic wall stress. Other antihypertensive medications, such as calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), have been suggested for the medical therapy of type B TAD. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of first-line beta-blockers compared with other first-line antihypertensive drug classes for treating chronic type B TAD. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) for related reviews. We searched the Hypertension Group Specialised Register (1946 to 26 January 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2014, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1946 to 24 January 2014), MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE (1974 to 24 January 2014) and ClinicalTrials.gov (to 26 January 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA We considered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different antihypertensive medications in the treatment of chronic type B TAD to be eligible for inclusion. Total mortality rate was the primary outcome of this review. Secondary outcomes included total non-fatal adverse events relating to TADs and number of people not requiring surgical treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors (KC, PL) independently reviewed titles and abstracts and decided on studies to include based on the inclusion criteria. We resolved discrepancies between the two review authors by discussion. MAIN RESULTS After a thorough review of the search results, we identified no studies that met the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We did not find any RCTs that compared first-line beta-blockers with other first-line antihypertensive medications for the treatment of chronic type B TAD. Therefore, there is no RCT evidence to support the current guidelines recommending the use of beta-blockers. RCTs are required to assess the benefits and harms of beta-blockers and other antihypertensive medications as first-line treatment of chronic type B TAD.
Insect phylogenomics

Phylogenomics, the integration of phylogenetics with genome data, has emerged as a powerful approach to study the evolution and systematics of species. Recently, several studies employing phylogenomic tools have provided better insights into insect evolution. Next‐generation sequencing methods are now increasingly used by entomologists to generate genomic and transcript sequences of various insect species and strains. These data provide opportunities for comparative genomics and large‐scale multigene phylogenies of diverse lineages of insects. Phy-logenomic investigations help us to better understand systematic and evolutionary relationships of insect species that play important roles as herbivores, predators, detritivores, pollinators and disease vectors. It is important that we critically assess the prospects and limitations of phylogenomic methods. In this review, I describe the current status, outline the major challenges and remark on potential future applications of phylogenomic tools in studying insect systematics and evolution.
Generating Kolmogorov random strings from sources with limited independence

We study whether randomness can be extracted from two strings that are only partially random and only partially independent, where randomness is taken in the sense of Kolmogorov complexity and the dependency of strings x and y is given by dep(x,y)=C(x)+C(y)−C(xy) (C(x) denotes the Kolmogorov complexity of x). The general setting is that the input of the extraction procedure consists of two strings x and y of length n, each having Kolmogorov complexity at least s(n) and dependency at most α(n). It is shown that there exists a computable function that, from two such strings x and y, extracts ≈2s(n) random bits that have Kolmogorov complexity ≈2s(n)−α(n) (so the output is α(n) close to being random). It is also shown that (a) it is possible to extract ≈s(n)/2 bits that are α(n) close to being random even conditioned by any one of x or y, and (b) it is possible to construct polynomially many strings of length ≈s(n)/3 that are pairwise α(n) close to being random and also α(n) close to random conditioned by any one of x and y. A polynomial-time extraction procedure exists for the case when x and y have linear Kolmogorov complexity (i.e. C(x)≥δn and C(y)≥δn, for a constant δ>0). However, the output is only poly(α(n)+logn) close to random.
PREVALENCE OF HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN LVIV REGION (UKRAINE) DURING YEARS 2000-2010

Incidence of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) in Ukraine is currently higher than in past decades. In our previous study we demonstrated increase of AITD prevalence in Lviv region during 200002010 was mainly by the adult population in the greater urban area, less – among adults of rural areas (Kasiyan et al. 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014). Increase in the AITD prevalence among adults identified in 16 districts and 3 towns of Lviv region (Kasiyan et al. 2013). The aim of our study was the as0 sessment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) prevalence among adolescents (14018 years old) in Lviv region (western Ukraine) during 200002010. For assessment of the HT prevalence among adolescents of different districts (reions) in Lviv region during years 200002010, the analysis of archival data from Lviv Regional Endocrinology Hospital was done. The research study covered by 20 districts (reions) of Lviv oblast, as well as six towns of Lviv region. For assessment of the relative risk (RR) of HT among adolescents of Lviv region, retrospective study was used. Decrease of HT prevalence among the adolescent population in Lviv region during years 20000 2010 was observed. Increased HT prevalence among adolescents from towns during 200002004 years was found. The peak of disease prevalence was noted in 2000 and 2004. Among adolescents both in districts and towns, decrease of HT prevalence
High frequency jet ventilation versus high frequency oscillatory ventilation for pulmonary dysfunction in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is considered one of the major contributors to severe pulmonary dysfunction and consequent death in preterm infants. Despite widespread improvements in care, including increased utilization of antenatal steroids, use of surfactant replacement therapy, and advances in conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV), chronic lung disease (CLD) occurs in 42% of surviving preterm infants born at less than 28 weeks gestational age (GA). High frequency ventilation (HFV) aims to optimize lung expansion while minimizing tidal volume (Vt) to decrease lung injury. Two methods of HFV - high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) - are widely used, but neither has demonstrated clear superiority in elective or rescue mode. OBJECTIVES To compare the benefits and side effects of HFJV versus HFOV for mortality and morbidity in preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks GA with pulmonary dysfunction in both elective and rescue modes. SEARCH METHODS We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2015, Issue 11), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to November 30, 2015), EMBASE (1980 to November 30, 2015), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to November 30, 2015). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized trials. We imposed no date, language, or publication restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA We planned to include randomized, cluster-randomized, and quasi-randomized controlled trials if study authors stated explicitly that groups compared in the trial were established by a random or systematic method of allocation. We planned to exclude cross-over studies, as they would not allow assessment of the outcomes of interest. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used the standard methods of the Neonatal Cochrane Review Group, including independent trial assessment and data extraction. We intended to analyze the data by using risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences (RDs) and 1/RD. We planned to calculate the number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) or the number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH). MAIN RESULTS We found no studies that met our inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support the superiority of HFJV or HFOV as elective or rescue therapy. Until such evidence is available, comparison of potential side effects or presumed benefits of either mode is not feasible.
Ocena związku między zachowaniami zdrowotnymi a poczuciem własnej skuteczności u pensjonariuszy Domu Pomocy Społecznej w Gdańsku

Wstep. Poczucie wlasnej skuteczności jest wyznacznikiem posiadania mozliwości poradzenia sobie w roznych sytuacjach. Postrzeganie wlasnej skuteczności moze wplywac na motywacje do podejmowania dzialan i zachowan, w tym zachowan zdrowotnych. Im silniejsze poczucie wlasnej skuteczności, tym wyzszy wskaźnik nasilenia zachowan zdrowotnych. Wzmacnianie poczucia wlasnej skuteczności moze miec szczegolne znaczenie w utrzymaniu zdrowia, szczegolnie wśrod osob starszych. Cel pracy. Celem badan byla wstepna ocena związku pomiedzy zachowaniami zdrowotnymi a poczuciem wlasnej skuteczności u pensjonariuszy Domu Pomocy Spolecznej w Gdansku. Material i metody. Badaniem objeto 44 pensjonariuszy DPS w Gdansku w wieku 65–89 lat. Do badan uzyto Skale Uogolnionej Wlasnej Skuteczności (GSES), gdzie oceniono poziom poczucia wlasnej skuteczności. Kolejno w jego kontekście oceniono nawyki zywieniowe, zachowania profilaktyczne, pozytywne nastawienia psychiczne i praktyki zdrowotne. Wyniki i wnioski. Najliczniejszą grupe stanowily osoby o niskim poziomie wlasnej skuteczności, w granicach 1–4 stena. Pensjonariusze z niskim poczuciem wlasnej skuteczności wykazywali nizszy poziom aktywności w zakresie podejmowania zachowan profilaktycznych, praktyk zdrowotnych i nawykow zywieniowych. Wskaźnik ogolnego poczucia wlasnej skuteczności korelowal pozytywnie z zachowaniami zdrowotnymi. Konieczne wydaje sie kreowanie osobom w starszym wieku takiego środowiska, ktore wzmacnialoby ich poczucie wlasnej skuteczności.
Pharmacological agents for the prevention of vestibular migraine.

BACKGROUND Vestibular migraine is a common cause of episodic vertigo. Many preventive treatments have been proposed for this condition, including calcium antagonists, beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, selective 5-HT1 agonists, serotonin antagonists and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of pharmacological agents for the prevention of vestibular migraine. SEARCH METHODS The Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group (CENTDG) Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the CENTDG Trials Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 5); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Clinicaltrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 5 June 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults (over 18 years) with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine orprobable vestibular migraine according to the Bárány Society/International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, treated in any setting, comparing pharmacological treatments used in the prevention of vestibular migraine, including beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, serotonin antagonists and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against placebo or no treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. MAIN RESULTS Our literature search identified 558 reports, however only 11 were sufficiently relevant for further assessment. We excluded two studies because they did not use the IHS diagnostic criteria for vestibular migraine. We excluded a further eight studies for various reasons related to their design (e.g. lack of placebo or no treatment comparator), aim (e.g. treatment of vestibular migraine rather than prevention) or conduct (e.g. early termination). We identified one ongoing study comparing metoprolol to placebo. The results of this study are awaited; recruitment of the last patient is expected by the end of 2016. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence from RCTs to answer the question set out in the review objectives. This review has identified the need for well-designed randomised controlled trials to answer questions about the efficacy of current and new treatments.
Rasgos de personalidad en migraña crónica:: estudio categorial y dimensional en una serie de 30 pacientes

Introduccion. El papel patogenico de la personalidad en la migrana no esta definido. Para su estudio se pueden utilizar instrumentos de medida dimensional o categorial, sin que haya tampoco acuerdo acerca del abordaje mas adecuado. Objetivo. Analizar la personalidad de pacientes con migrana cronica desde el punto de vista dimensional y categorial. Pacientes y metodos. Como test categorial utilizamos el cuestionario Salamanca, y, como dimensional, el Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Evaluamos trastornos del animo con la escala de ansiedad y depresion hospitalaria y el impacto de la migrana mediante el Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). Resultados. Incluimos 30 pacientes (26 mujeres), con una edad media de 40,7 ± 9,6 anos. Un caso (3,3%) presentaba criterios de depresion, y 4 (13,3%), de ansiedad. En el test Salamanca, los rasgos de personalidad mas frecuentes fueron los integrados en el cluster C: anancastico (n = 28; 93,3%), ansioso (n = 18; 60%) y dependiente (n = 7; 23,3%). En el MMPI-2, 16 pacientes (53,3%) cumplian criterios de hipocondria; 7 (23,3%), de depresion, y 10 (33,3%), de histeria, rasgos integrados en la triada neurotica. Se objetivo una configuracion denominada ‘conversiva V’. No hallamos correlacion entre los rasgos de personalidad y el tiempo de migrana cronica, la intensidad medida por el HIT-6 o el uso excesivo de medicacion sintomatica. Conclusiones. En el analisis de la personalidad en la migrana cronica destaca, desde el punto de vista dimensional, el neuroticismo, y respecto al categorial, el rasgo obsesivo-compulsivo o anancastico. Es necesario el estudio de series mas extensas y la comparacion con pacientes con migrana episodica y poblacion control.
Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.

BACKGROUND Lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication is one of the most commonly diagnosed and treated pathological spinal conditions. It frequently afflicts the elderly population. OBJECTIVES To systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. SEARCH METHODS CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature (ICL) databases were searched up to June 2012. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials published in English, in which at least one arm provided data on nonoperative treatments DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Risk of bias in each study was independently assessed by two review authors using the 12 criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group (Furlan 2009). Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as relative risk, continuous outcomes as mean difference or standardized mean difference; uncertainty was expressed with 95% confidence intervals. If possible a meta-analysis was performed, otherwise results were described qualitatively. GRADE was used to assess the quality of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS From the 8635 citations screened, 56 full-text articles were assessed and 21 trials (1851 participants) were included. There was very low-quality evidence from six trials that calcitonin is no better than placebo or paracetamol, regardless of mode of administration or outcome assessed. From single small trials, there was low-quality evidence for prostaglandins, and very low-quality evidence for gabapentin or methylcobalamin that they improved walking distance. There was very low-quality evidence from a single trial that epidural steroid injections improved pain, function, and quality of life, up to two weeks, compared with home exercise or inpatient physical therapy. There was low-quality evidence from a single trial that exercise is of short-term benefit for leg pain and function compared with no treatment. There was low and very low-quality evidence from six trials that multimodal nonoperative treatment is less effective than indirect or direct surgical decompression with or without fusion. A meta-analysis of two trials comparing direct decompression with or without fusion to multimodal nonoperative care found no significant difference in function at six months (mean difference (MD) -3.66, 95% CI -10.12 to 2.80) and one year (MD -6.18, 95% CI -15.03 to 2.66), but at 24 months a significant difference was found favouring decompression (MD -4.43, 95% CI -7.91 to -0.96). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Moderate and high-quality evidence for nonoperative treatment is lacking and thus prohibits recommendations for guiding clinical practice. Given the expected exponential rise in the prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication, large high-quality trials are urgently needed.
Smoking cessation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND Smoking cessation is the most important treatment for smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the effectiveness of different smoking cessation interventions for this particular group of smokers. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural or pharmacological smoking cessation interventions, or both, in smokers with COPD. SEARCH METHODS We searched all records in the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials. In addition to this electronic search, we searched clinical trial registries for planned, ongoing, and unpublished trials. We searched all databases from their inception. We checked the reference lists of all included studies and of other systematic reviews in relevant topic areas. We searched for errata or retractions from eligible trials on PubMed. We conducted our most recent search in March 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of any behavioural or pharmacological treatment, or both, in smokers with COPD reporting at least six months of follow-up abstinence rates. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted the data and performed the methodological quality assessment for each study. We resolved any disagreements by consensus. MAIN RESULTS We included 16 studies (involving 13,123 participants) in this systematic review, two of which were of high quality. These two studies showed that nicotine sublingual tablet and varenicline increased the quit rate over placebo (risk ratio (RR) 2.60 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 5.24) and RR 3.34 (95% CI 1.88 to 5.92)). Pooled results of two studies also showed a positive effect of bupropion compared with placebo (RR 2.03 (95% CI 1.26 to 3.28)). When pooling these four studies, we found high-quality evidence for the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy plus high-intensity behavioural treatment compared with placebo plus high-intensity behavioural treatment (RR 2.53 (95% CI 1.83 to 3.50)). Furthermore, we found some evidence that high-intensity behavioural treatment increased abstinence rates when compared with usual care (RR 25.38 (95% CI 8.03 to 80.22)) or low-intensity behavioural treatment (RR 2.18 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.49)). Finally, the results showed effectiveness of various combinations of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found high-quality evidence in a meta-analysis including four (1,540 participants) of the 16 included studies that a combination of behavioural treatment and pharmacotherapy is effective in helping smokers with COPD to quit smoking. Furthermore, we conclude that there is no convincing evidence for preferring any particular form of behavioural or pharmacological treatment.