Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inside the Plants: Endophytic Bacteria and their Functional Attributes for Plant Growth Promotion

1 Department of Basic Science and Humanities, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India 2 Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh-786 004, Assam, India 3 Department of Tree Improvement, Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendra, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India 5 Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India 6 Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India *Corresponding author
Sexual Risk Behaviors With Female and Male Partners Met in Different Sexual Venues Among Non-Gay-Identified, Nondisclosing MSMW

ABSTRACT Despite considerable interest in the sexual behavior of nondisclosing men who have sex with men and women (MSMW), little is known about where they meet their male and female partners and whether their sexual risk behavior differs with partners met in different sexual venues (e.g., bars, Internet, parks). These issues were examined among 46 non-gay-identified MSMW who had not disclosed their same-sex behavior to female partners (i.e., men on the “down low”). The prevalence of unprotected vaginal sex was nearly identical with women met in bars/clubs as with women met through friends, work, or the neighborhood. In contrast, the prevalence of unprotected anal sex was higher with male partners met on the Internet, in bars/clubs, and through friends/work/neighborhood compared with partners met in parks/restrooms or gyms. This is largely due to MSMW avoiding anal sex in parks, restrooms, and gyms in favor of oral sex. These findings provide important insights into the role of venues on sexual risk and the locations where risk reduction interventions for MSMW may be provided.
Upregulated baseline plasma CCL19 and CCR7 cell-surface expression on monocytes in early rheumatoid arthritis normalized during treatment and CCL19 correlated with radiographic progression

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure, in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the concentration of CC-chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) in plasma and the cell-surface expression of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) on circulating monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes and to analyse correlations with disease activity and 5-year radiographic progression. Method: In disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve RA patients (disease duration < 6 months), we measured plasma CCL19 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (n = 160) and CCR7 cell-surface expression on monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes by flow cytometry (n = 40) at baseline and after 1 year of treatment with methotrexate (MTX) or methotrexate+cyclosporin A (MTX/CyA). Radiographic progression was scored by the van der Heijde-modified Total Sharp Score (TSS) from 0 to 5 years. Results: Increased baseline CCL19 (median 85 pg/mL, range 31–1008 pg/mL, p = 0.01) decreased after 1 year (median 31 pg/mL, range 31–1030 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and 5 years (median 31 pg/mL, range 31–247 pg/mL, p < 0.001) to a level below the controls (n = 45) (median 60 pg/mL, range 31–152 pg/mL). Baseline plasma CCL19 levels [p = 0.011, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0030–0.0176], anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody status (p = 0.002, 95% CI 0.61–2.38), and TSS > 0 at baseline (p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.21–3.16) were independent predictors of 5-year radiographic progression evaluated by multiple logistic regression in contrast to never smoked, C-reactive protein (CRP), gender, age, number of tender (NTJ) and swollen joints (NSJ), and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Increased CCR7 expression on monocytes (p = 0.008) correlated to CRP (p = 0.006, r = 0.52) and normalized (n = 15) after 1 year (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In DMARD-naïve RA patients, CCL19 plasma level and CCR7 surface expression on monocytes were upregulated and normalized after 1 year of treatment. Increased baseline plasma CCL19 level, anti-CCP antibody status, and TSS > 0 at baseline correlated independently with 5-year radiographic progression.
Preliminary effectiveness of an evidence-based mobile application to promote resilience among working adults in Singapore and Hong Kong: Intensive longitudinal study

Evidence-based mobile health (mHealth) applications on smartphones are a cost-effective way for employees to take proactive steps to improve well-being and performance. However, little is known about what sustains engagement on these applications and whether they could dynamically improve occupational outcomes such as resilience and mood. Using real-world data, this intensive longitudinal study examines (a) which employees would continually engage with a cognitive behavioural therapy-informed mHealth application (‘Intellect’); and (b) if daily engagement of ‘Intellect’ would relate to better occupational outcomes on the following day. A total of 515 working adults in Singapore and Hong Kong (Mage = 32.4, SDage = 8.17) completed daily in-app items on mood and resilience components (i.e. sleep hours, sleep quality, physical activity, and stress levels). Our results revealed that employees with lower baseline resilience (β = −0.048, odds ratio (OR) = 0.953, p < 0.01), specifically poorer sleep quality (β = −0.212, OR = 0.809, p = 0.001) and/or higher stress levels (β = −0.255, OR = 0.775, p = 0.05), were more likely to resume engagement on the application. Among the 150 active users (i.e. ≥3 consecutive days of engagement) (Mage = 32.2, SDage = 8.17), daily engagement predicted higher resilience (β = 0.122; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.039–0.206), specifically lower stress levels (β = 0.018; 95% CI 0.004–0.032), higher physical activity (β = 0.079; 95% CI 0.032–0.126), and mood levels (β = 0.020; 95% CI 0.012–0.029) on the following day even after controlling for same-day outcomes. Our preliminary findings suggest that engaging with a mHealth application was associated with higher dynamic resilience and emotional well-being in employees.
Disclosure of HIV status between parents and children in Uganda in the context of greater access to treatment

While disclosure of HIV sero-status is encouraged in the management of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, it remains a challenge, especially among family members. This article examines the moral dilemmas and pragmatic incentives surrounding disclosure of HIV status in contemporary Uganda. Our findings are based on 12 in-depth interviews, 2 focus-group discussions, 6 key informant interviews with AIDS activists, and open-ended responses derived from 148 HIV-positive persons in a quantitative survey. The study was conducted in 2008–2009 in Kampala, Mpigi, and Soroti districts in Uganda. We found both parents and adult children facing dilemmas in disclosure, whether it was parents revealing their own HIV status to their children or the status of their perinatally infected children, or young people infected through sexual intercourse telling their parents. For both groups, there is fear of blame, stigma, discrimination, and shame and guilt related to unsafe sex, while young people also fear loss of privileges. On the other hand, there are practical imperatives for disclosure in terms of gaining access to care, treatment, and material resources. Faced with these dilemmas, HIV-positive people and their families require professional counselling to help them work through the emotional challenges encountered and identify mechanisms of support and coping.
Serum IgG antibodies to peptidylarginine deiminase 4 in rheumatoid arthritis and associations with disease severity

Background: Antibodies targeting citrullinated antigens are specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Citrullination is catalysed by the peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) enzyme family. Critical enzymes are often targeted by disease-specific antibodies in complex immune-mediated diseases. Here, we have tested for autoantibodies against human recombinant PAD4 (hPAD4) in Caucasian RA patients. Methods: A time-resolved fluorometric immunoassay based on hPAD4 was developed to analyse sera from two RA cohorts (n = 237 and n = 177), one systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE) cohort (n = 84) and 148 healthy controls. Simple and multiple analyses were performed to examine possible associations between anti-hPAD4 and disease variables. Results: Raised levels of anti-hPAD4 IgG were found in both RA cohorts compared to the controls, and 23% of the RA patients were anti-hPAD4 IgG positive. Anti-hPAD4 was associated with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF), as well as increased physical disability. Anti-hPAD4 was also associated with higher longitudinal radiographic damage scores and increased clinical joint pathology, but weaker than anti-CCP. No associations were found between anti-hPAD4 and selected Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 variants. Conclusions: Approximately 23% of Caucasian RA patients have serum IgG antibodies against hPAD4.The presence of serum anti-hPAD4 IgG was in simple analyses associated with a more severe disease phenotype, and the association with physical disability was maintained in multiple analyses.
Effect of vaccination with a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome subunit vaccine on sow reproductive performance in endemic farms

The objective of this field study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows after vaccination with a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) subunit vaccine (PRRSFREE PRRS subunit vaccine, Reber Genetics, Taiwan, Republic of China) under field conditions. The study was performed in three farms with endemic infections with both PRRS virus (PRRSV)-1 and PRRSV-2, a situation representative of most Korean farms. Pregnant sows were immunised intramuscularly with 2.0 ml of the PRRS subunit vaccine at 58 and 79 days of gestation (eight and five weeks antepartum) according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Vaccination did not result in any observed adverse reaction. Vaccinated sows exhibited a significant improvement in reproductive performance (reduction of abortions) and litter characteristics (increase of weaned pigs) compared with unvaccinated sows. Vaccinated sows had significantly (P<0.05) higher PRRSV ELISA sample/positive ratio and number of PRRSV-specific interferon-γ-secreting cells compared with the unvaccinated control group. The results of this study demonstrate that the PRRS subunit vaccine can improve the reproductive performance of sows in farms with endemic PRRSV infection.
No role for human papillomavirus infection in oral cancers in a region in southern India

Oral cancer is a major public health issue in India with ∼77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths yearly. Paan chewing, tobacco and alcohol use are strong risk factors for this cancer in India. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are also related to a subset of head and neck cancers (HNCs). We examined the association between oral HPV and oral cancer in a sample of Indian subjects participating in a hospital‐based case‐control study. We recruited incident oral cancer cases (N = 350) and controls frequency‐matched by age and sex (N = 371) from two main referral hospitals in Kerala, South India. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected by interviews. Epithelial cells were sampled using Oral CDx® brushes from the oral cancer site and the normal mucosa. Detection and genotyping of 36 HPV genotypes were done using a polymerase chain reaction protocol. Data collection procedures were performed by qualified dentists via a detailed protocol with strict quality control, including independent HPV testing in India and Canada. HPV DNA was detected in none of the cases or controls. Associations between oral cancer and risk factors usually associated with HPV infection, such as oral sex and number of lifetime sexual partners, were examined by logistic regression and were not associated with oral cancer. Lack of a role for HPV infection in this study may reflect cultural or religious characteristics specific to this region in India that are not conducive to oral HPV transmission. A nationwide representative prevalence study is needed to investigate HPV prevalence variability among Indian regions.
Prevalence, Incidence and Determinants of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection among HIV-Seronegative Women at High-Risk of HIV Infection: A Prospective Study in Beira, Mozambique

Objectives To estimate the prevalence, incidence and determinants of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection, and associations between HSV-2 and incident HIV infection, among women at higher risk for HIV infection in Beira, Mozambique. Methods Between 2009 and 2012, 411 women aged 18–35 years at higher risk of HIV acquisition (defined as having had two or more sexual partners in the month prior to study enrollment) were enrolled and followed monthly for one year. At each study visit, they were counseled, interviewed, and tested for HSV-2 and HIV antibodies. Results The HSV-2 prevalence at baseline was 60.6% (95% CI: 55.7% –65.4%). Increasing age (aOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.74–4.97, P<0.001 and aOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.58–7.29, P = 0.002 for age groups of 21–24 and 25–35 years old respectively), lower educational level (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.09–3.02, P = 0.022), working full time (aOR = 8.56, 95% CI: 1.01–72.53, P = 0.049) and having practiced oral sex (aOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.16–7.89, P = 0.024) were strongly associated with prevalent HSV-2 infection. Thirty one participants seroconverted for HSV-2 (20.5%; 95% CI: 14.4% –27.9%) and 22 for HIV during the study period. The frequency of vaginal sex with a casual partner using a condom in the last 7 days was independently associated with incident HSV-2 infection (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.05–3.47, P = 0.034). Positive HSV-2 serology at baseline was not significantly associated with risk of subsequent HIV seroconversion. Conclusions Young women engaging in risky sexual behaviors in Beira had high prevalence and incidence of HSV-2 infection. Improved primary HSV-2 control strategies are urgently needed in Beira.
Mapping Chinese Folk Religion in Mainland China and Taiwan

The revival of folk (popular) religion in China in the last three decades has been noted in many publications and documented in ethnographic studies. However, until now there has been no quantitative study that provides an overall picture of Chinese folk-religion practices. This article is a first attempt to draw the contours of Chinese folk religion based on three recent surveys conducted in mainland China and Taiwan. Three types of folk religion are conceptualized: communal, sectarian, and individual. Different types of folk religion may have different social functions and divergent trajectories of change in the modernization process. At present, in spite of the dramatic social, political, and cultural changes in modern times, the adherents of folk religion still substantially outnumber the believers of institutional religions in Chinese societies.
Dietary habits and health beliefs of Chinese Canadians.

PURPOSE The relationships among dietary behaviours, traditional health beliefs (THB), and demographic characteristics of Chinese Canadians living in Toronto were examined, as were their primary sources of nutrition information. METHODS Through the use of probability sampling, 106 adult subjects who originated from China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan were recruited from five Chinese community organizations. A telephone interview, employing a tested questionnaire, was conducted in Cantonese or Mandarin. All data were analyzed with MS Excel and SPSS statistical software. RESULTS Dietary acculturation is gradual and individual. Participants reported regular intakes of fruits and vegetables and fat-reducing behaviours. Most used both Chinese and Western cooking methods. Practices based on traditional Chinese health beliefs (THB), such as balancing yin and yang foods to promote health, were prevalent. Participants were grouped as THB-strong, THB-moderate, or THB-weak, on the basis of their health belief scores. Various significant relationships among the variables were identified. Chinese media, friends, and family were the primary sources of nutrition information; dietitians were identified by only 12%. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to apply a THB grouping for Chinese Canadians. Results will provide an important basis for nutrition interventions to encourage immigrants to make healthy food choices, using both traditional and Western foods.
Seniority-based reward allocation in the United States and Taiwan

Despite the apparent pervasiveness of seniority as a basis for distributing group rewards, this variable has been relatively neglected by social scientists interested in allocation processes. Three experiments conducted in the United States and Taiwan examined the allocation of group rewards to individuals differing in seniority level, social-emotional competence, and task competence. The results demonstrated that in addition to merit-greater rewards being distributed to individuals with superior task competence and social competence-seniority level was a robust determinant of reward allocation. The results supported the proposition that seniority influences allocations in part because of the assumed covariation of seniority with competence, and revealed evidence of culture-specific values. Seniority, however, was a relatively pervasive determinant of allocation behavior among both American and Chinese allocators, regardless of recipients' social competence, task competence, and sex. Thus seniority appears to be quite a general normative basis for reward allocation
Predictive value of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide in patients with very early inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study the prognostic value of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF), alone and in combination, in patients with very early synovitis. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed in patients with established inflammatory and noninflammatory disease to validate the assay in our unit and confirm previously reported sensitivities and specificities of anti-CCP antibodies. Subsequently, patients with synovitis of 3 months' duration were followed for 72 weeks and the ability of anti-CCP antibodies and RF to predict the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and persistent inflammatory arthritis was assessed. RESULTS One hundred twenty-four patients were assessed in the initial cross-sectional study. Anti-CCP antibodies and RF were detected by ELISA in only 4% of patients with non-RA inflammatory disease and in no patient with noninflammatory disease. Ninety-six patients with very early synovitis were assessed longitudinally. In these patients with early arthritis, the combination of anti-CCP antibodies and RF had a specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV) for a diagnosis of RA of 100%, 100%, 58%, and 88%, respectively. The specificity, PPV, sensitivity, and NPV of this antibody combination for the development of persistent disease-fulfilling classification criteria for RA were 97%, 86%, 63%, and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSION In patients with synovitis of 3 months' duration, a combination of anti-CCP antibodies and RF has a high specificity and PPV for the development of persistent RA. This autoantibody combination can be used to identify patients with disease destined to develop RA who may be appropriate for very early intervention.
Changes in Parent–Child Relationship Quality Across Early Adolescence: Implications for Engagement in Sexual Behavior

The present study investigated how changes in specific dimensions of the parent–adolescent relationship predict adolescent engagement in sexual intercourse and oral sex. Longitudinal data from 1,364 participants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were gathered at six time points spanning from first grade to age 15. Latent growth curve modeling was used to investigate whether changes in mother–adolescent and father–adolescent closeness or conflict predicted adolescents’ sexual behavior at age 15. Results indicate that more rapid increase in mother–adolescent conflict predicted engagement in sexual intercourse but not oral sex by age 15, whereas change in mother–adolescent closeness did not predict sexual behaviors. A more rapid decline in father–adolescent closeness and a more rapid increase in father–adolescent conflict predicted more engagement in sexual behaviors by age 15.
Anticitrulline antibodies can be caused by homocitrulline-containing proteins in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE To clarify the possible roles of protein-bound homocitrulline in causing an antibody response to citrulline and as a confounding factor in citrulline detection assays. METHODS Native, carbamoylated, and citrullinated albumins were used for testing the specificity of commercial antibodies against modified citrulline by Western blot. Rabbits were immunized with human albumin and/or bone type I collagen, both of which were treated with cyanate to produce homocitrulline, or with citrullinated synthetic telopeptide of type I collagen. These antisera were tested for binding to cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (CCP-2), mutated citrullinated vimentin, and type I or II collagen telopeptides containing either citrulline or homocitrulline. RESULTS Commercial antibodies that had been considered to be specific for chemically modified citrulline were found to recognize both homocitrulline- and citrulline-containing albumins. The rabbits immunized with proteins containing homocitrulline produced high-affinity antibodies against CCP-2 and, to a lesser extent, against mutated citrullinated vimentin. The antisera also bound homocitrulline-containing collagen telopeptides and, less strongly, citrulline-containing telopeptides. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that homocitrulline, which is a structural analog of citrulline (longer by 1 carbon, and readily formed in the body), can be involved in raising citrulline-recognizing antibodies in experimental animals and can cause false-positive reactions in assays for citrulline.
Investigations on social psychology and sexual behavior of 52 male homosexual adolescents in Shanghai

Objective To investigate the social psychology and sexual behavior of male homosexual adolescents in Shanghai,and provide scientific evidence for advanced intervention in acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)-related risk behaviors for adolescents.Methods Anonymous questionnaires,including self-composed questionnaire,self-rating depression scale(SDS)and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)were employed for investigations among 52 male homosexual adolescents in Shanghai.Results The investigated adolescents aged between 15 to 19 years.Thirty-five adolescents(67.31%)had oral sex in the past 6 months,among whom 30(85.71%)had unprotected oral sex and 25(71.43%)did not use condom in the last oral sex.Thirty-four adolescents(65.38%)had anal sex in the past 6 months,among whom 16(47.06%)insisted on condom use for anal sex and 10(29.41%)did not use condom in the last anal sex.The awareness rate of AIDS-related knowledge was relatively higher,with the total correct answer rate of 82.47%. The rates of depression and anxiety were 36.54% and 26.92%,respectively.Conclusion AIDS-related risk sexual behaviors and psychological problems exist in homosexual adolescents.Attention should be paid to the psychological health during the health intervention for AIDS.