julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and affective outcomes of teaching about poisonous and venomous animals
2018-11-20

The use of live animals in instruction plays an important role in biological education, with the intention that attitudes and emotions should be positively influenced. To date, studies in this field have given mixed results, and there has certainly been a lack of studies on student attitudes and knowledge of poisonous and venomous animals. This study focuses on the effect of the use of poisonous and venomous animals in biology instruction. Two treatment groups of Slovenian seventh and eighth graders (N = 123; age 12.3 and 13.2 years, respectively) were compared. The experimental group (N = 82) was given the opportunity to observe with adequate risk assessment live animal species. The observation of live poisonous and venomous animals led to higher values on different attitudinal dimensions. After instruction, we found no differences between both treatment groups in knowledge. Interest in learning about the different poisonous and venomous animals increased significantly. The level of disgust decreased for the viper, spider, and scorpion. However, 'fear' seems to be more stable and less influenceable than 'disgust'. We recommend that students should be offered as many first-hand experiences with live poisonous and venomous animals as possible mainly through informal learning environments, such as zoos.
Family History of Diabetes Is Associated With Delayed Fetal Postprandial Brain Activity
2018-11-20

<b>Introduction:</b> We have previously shown that fetuses of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and insulin resistance exhibit a prolongation of fetal auditory event-related brain responses (fAER) compared to fetuses of normal glucose tolerant women during an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). This implies that maternal metabolism may program the developing fetal brain. We now asked whether a family history of type 2 diabetes without metabolic programing also impacts fetal brain activity. We therefore investigated brain activity in fetuses of normal glucose tolerant mothers with and without family history of type 2 diabetes (FHD+ and FHD-). <b>Methods:</b> A 75 g oGTT was performed in healthy pregnant women. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured after 0, 60, and 120 min. Each blood draw was preceded by fetal magnetoencephalographic (fMEG) recordings of fAER. From a group of 167 participants, a subsample of 52 metabolically healthy women, 37 with a negative, and 15 with a positive FHD (at least one first- or second-degree relative) was carefully selected based on the following inclusion criteria: inconspicuous pregnancy, no GDM, BMI 18.5-30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, no preterm birth and at least two fMEG with detectable fetal responses during oGTT. <b>Results:</b> An ANOVA showed a significant interaction between fMEG measurement time during the oGTT and FHD on fAER latency [<i>F</i> <sub>(2)</sub> = 4.163, <i>p</i> = 0.018]. Fetuses of mothers with FHD+ had a prolonged fAER (273 ± 113 ms) compared to fetuses of mothers with FHD- (219 ± 69 ms) at 60 min during the oGTT [<i>F</i> <sub>(1)</sub> = 4.902, <i>p</i> = 0.032]. There were no significant differences in age, BMI before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and gestational age between the groups. Maternal glucose levels and insulin sensitivity were also not significantly different. <b>Discussion:</b> In addition to the previously shown influence of maternal metabolism on fetal brain activity, maternal family history of diabetes (FHD) is also linked to fetal postprandial brain activity. This indicates that genetic and/or epigenetic factors modulate the postprandial brain response of the developing fetus.
<strong>&shy;</strong>The Retinal Basis of Vertebrate Color Vision
2018-11-20

Vertebrate color vision is evolutionarily ancient. Jawless fish evolved four main spectral types of cone photoreceptor, almost certainly complemented by retinal circuits to process chromatic opponent signals. Subsequent evolution of photoreceptors and visual pigments are now documented for many vertebrate lineages and species, giving insight into evolutionary variation and ecological adaptation of color vision. We look at organization of the photoreceptor mosaic and the functions different types of cone in teleost fish, primates, and birds and reptiles. By comparison less is known about the underlying neural processing. Here we outline the diversity of vertebrate color vision and summarize our understanding of how spectral information picked up by animal photoreceptor arrays is adapted to natural signals. We then turn to the question of how spectral information is processed in the retina. Here, the quite well known and comparatively &amp;lsquo;simple&amp;rsquo; system of mammals such as mice and primates reveals some evolutionarily conserved features such as the mammalian BlueON system which compares short and long wavelength receptors signals. We then survey our current understanding of the more complex circuits of fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles. Together, these clades make up more than 90% of vertebrate species, yet we know disturbingly little about their neural circuits for colour vision beyond the photoreceptors. Here, long-standing work on goldfish, freshwater turtles and other species is being complemented by new insights gained from the experimentally amendable retina of zebrafish. From this body of work, one thing is clear: The retinal basis of colour vision in non-mammalian vertebrates is substantially richer compared to mammals: Diverse and complex spectral tunings are established at the level of the cone output via horizontal cell feedforward circuits. From here, zebrafish use cone-selective wiring in bipolar cells to set-up color opponent synaptic layers in the inner retina, which in turn lead a large diversity of color-opponent channels for transmission to the brain. However, while we are starting to build an understanding of the richness of spectral properties in some of these species&amp;rsquo; retinal neurons, little is known about inner retinal connectivity and cell-type identify.&amp;nbsp; To gain an understanding of their actual circuits, and thus to build a more generalised understanding of the vertebrate retinal basis of color vision, it will be paramount to expand ongoing efforts in deciphering the retinal circuits of non-mammalian models.
Layer 3 Dynamically Coordinates Columnar Activity According to Spatial Context
2018-11-20

To reduce statistical redundancy of natural inputs and increase the sparseness of coding, neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) show tuning for stimulus size and surround suppression. This integration of spatial information is a fundamental, context-dependent neural operation involving extensive neural circuits that span across all cortical layers of a V1 column, and reflects both feedforward and feedback processing. However, how spatial integration is dynamically coordinated across cortical layers remains poorly understood. We recorded single- and multiunit activity and local field potentials across V1 layers of awake mice (both sexes) while they viewed stimuli of varying size and used dynamic Bayesian model comparisons to identify when laminar activity and interlaminar functional interactions showed surround suppression, the hallmark of spatial integration. We found that surround suppression is strongest in layer 3 (L3) and L4 activity, where suppression is established within ∼10 ms after response onset, and receptive fields dynamically sharpen while suppression strength increases. Importantly, we also found that specific directed functional connections were strongest for intermediate stimulus sizes and suppressed for larger ones, particularly for connections from L3 targeting L5 and L1. Together, the results shed light on the different functional roles of cortical layers in spatial integration and on how L3 dynamically coordinates activity across a cortical column depending on spatial context. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) show tuning for stimulus size, where responses to stimuli exceeding the receptive field can be suppressed (surround suppression). We demonstrate that functional connectivity between V1 layers can also have a surround-suppressed profile. A particularly prominent role seems to have layer 3, the functional connections to layers 5 and 1 of which are strongest for stimuli of optimal size and decreased for large stimuli. Our results therefore point toward a key role of layer 3 in coordinating activity across the cortical column according to spatial context.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Mefloquine Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria in Pregnancy in Gabon
2018-11-20

Mefloquine was evaluated as an alternative for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) due to increasing resistance against the first-line drug sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). This study determined the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the mefloquine stereoisomers and the metabolite carboxymefloquine (CMQ) when given as IPTp in pregnant women.
Hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs and therapeutic peptides: A review based on the separation characteristics of the hydrophilic interaction chromatography phases
2018-11-21

Abstract Applications of hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs, i.e., glycosylated proteins represented by monoclonal antibodies are discussed in the manner of glycoproteomics. They can be analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography in five different stages as (1) their intact forms, (2) their subunits, (3) N ‐ and O ‐glycopeptides digested by proteases, (4) N ‐ and O ‐glycans released from the glycoproteins or glycopeptides, and (5) monosaccharides. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is a more useful tool in the order of (1) to (5). At the stages (4) and (5), quantitation of glycans and saccharides are also reported. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is employed not only for analytical uses, but also pretreatment items as solid phase extraction, followed by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography separations. Comprehensive search results of these application of hydrophilic interaction chromatography are summarized in tables to show what kind of hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns are suitable for each step of analysis.Relationship of favored and less favored hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns and their separation characteristics such as hydrophilicity, and selectivity for structural difference, is also discussed. Analysis of the therapeutic peptides (not glycosylated) using hydrophilic interaction chromatography is summarized, too.
Reentrant Phase Behavior in Protein Solutions Induced by Multivalent Salts: Strong Effect of Anions Cl– Versus NO3–
2018-11-21

In this work, the effects of the two anions Cl<sup>-</sup> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> on the phase behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in solution with trivalent salts are compared systematically. In the presence of trivalent metal salts, negatively charged proteins such as BSA in solution undergo a reentrant condensation (RC) phase behavior, which has been established for several proteins with chlorides of trivalent salts. Here, we show that replacing Cl<sup>-</sup> by NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> leads to a marked change in the phase behavior. The effect is investigated for the two different cations Y<sup>3+</sup> and La<sup>3+</sup>. The salts are thus YCl<sub>3</sub>, Y(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>, LaCl<sub>3</sub>, and La(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>. The experimental phase behavior shows that while the chloride salts induce both liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and RC, the nitrate salts also induce LLPS, but RC becomes partial with La(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub> and disappears with Y(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>. The observed phase behavior is rationalized by effective protein-protein interactions which are characterized using small-angle X-ray scattering. The results based on the reduced second virial coefficients B<sub>2</sub>/ B<sub>2</sub><sup>HS</sup> and 1/ I( q → 0) demonstrate that the NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> salts induce a stronger attraction than the Cl<sup>-</sup> salts. Overall, the effective attraction, the width of the condensed regime in the RC phase diagram, and the nature of LLPS follow the order LaCl<sub>3</sub> < YCl<sub>3</sub> < La(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub> < Y(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>. Despite the decisive role of cations in RC phase behavior, isothermal titration calorimetry measurements indicate that replacing anions does not significantly influence the cation binding to proteins. The experimental results observed are discussed based on an "enhanced Hofmeister effect" including electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between protein-cation complexes.
A Critical Assessment of Relating Resazurin–Resorufin Experiments to Reach‐Scale Metabolism in Lowland Streams
2018-11-21

Abstract The reactive tracer resazurin is frequently used to investigate metabolic processes and hyporheic exchange in streams, because its transformation to resorufin is considered a function of oxygen turnover in the presence of living cells and thus of ecosystem respiration. This has been investigated and confirmed in a number of laboratory and batch studies but so far not unanimously been verified in the field. In this study we conducted 13 tracer tests with resazurin in different small, low‐gradient streams typical of lowland regions. We determined tracer processing rates and ratios based on metrics commonly used to assess reactive‐tracer tests with resazurin and compared them to flow characteristics and respiration rates determined from diel‐oxygen recordings following a two‐station approach. We found no statistical relationship between tracer processing and parameters of transport, indicating that resazurin‐to‐resorufin transformation cannot be explained by hydrological parameters alone. The statistical relationship between resazurin processing and respiration rates based on diel‐oxygen profiles was strongest if resazurin‐to‐resorufin transformation ratios were used, and uptake lengths were also found to be a good proxy. However, the relationships were not linear, and weak for individual streams, contrary to what was expected based on previous laboratory and batch studies. We attribute this finding to a lack of process understanding of resazurin reactions under field conditions, and generally insignificant hyporheic exchange fluxes in lowland streams. Our findings highlight important limitations of the tracer technique under field conditions.
PEDIA: Prioritization of Exome Data by Image Analysis
2018-11-21

Abstract Phenotype information is crucial for the interpretation of genomic variants. So far it has only been accessible for bioinformatics workflows after encoding into clinical terms by expert dysmorphologists. Here, we introduce an approach, driven by artificial intelligence that uses portrait photographs for the interpretation of clinical exome data. We measured the value added by computer-assisted image analysis to the diagnostic yield on a cohort consisting of 679 individuals with 105 different monogenic disorders. For each case in the cohort we compiled frontal photos, clinical features and the disease-causing mutations and simulated multiple exomes of different ethnic backgrounds. With the additional use of similarity scores from computer-assisted analysis of frontal photos, we were able to achieve a top-10-accuracy rate for the disease-causing gene of 99 %. As this performance is significantly higher than without the information from facial pattern recognition, we make gestalt scores available for prioritization via an API.
A bioactive collagen membrane that enhances bone regeneration
2018-11-22

Abstract Membranes are an integral component of guided bone regeneration protocols. This pre‐clinical study was aimed at enhancing the bioactivity of collagen membranes by incorporating plasmid DNA ( p DNA) or chemically modified RNA (cmRNA) encoding bone morphogenetic protein‐9 (BMP‐9). In addition, we also endeavored to harness the regenerative potential of the periosteum by creating perforations in the membrane. Nanoplexes of polyethylenimine (PEI)‐nucleic acids (PEI‐ p DNA or PEI‐cmRNA encoding BMP‐9) were incorporated into commercially obtained and perforated collagen membranes (PCM) to produce PCM‐ p DNA(BMP‐9) or PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9). After structural characterization, the biodegradation kinetics of PCM, PCM‐ p DNA(BMP‐9) and PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) were assessed in simulated body fluid in vitro. Using a 24‐well transwell plate system with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in the lower chamber and the PCM to be tested in the upper chamber, the in vitro bioactivity of different PCMs was evaluated by measuring various markers for osteogenesis in BMSCs. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assessed in BMSCs, after 7 and 11 days of exposure to PCM, PCM‐ p DNA(BMP‐9), or PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9). Similarly, calcium deposition and Alizarin red staining in BMSCs were assessed after 14 days of exposure to the three different types of PCM. PCMs were then tested in vivo using the calvarial defect model in rats. After 4 weeks, animals were euthanized and bone specimens were harvested for micro‐computed tomography and histological assessments. Incorporation of p DNA or cmRNA did not alter the biodegradation profile of PCMs. Alkaline phosphatase activity trended toward being higher in BMSCs exposed to PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) or PCM‐ p DNA(BMP‐9), when compared to BMSCs alone. Similar trends were observed when calcium deposition and alizarin red staining was evaluated. Calvarial bone defects treated with PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) resulted in significantly higher bone volume/total volume % (BV/TV%), when compared to empty defects and trended toward being higher than defects treated with PCM‐ p DNA(BMP‐9) and PCM alone. We demonstrate for the first time that resorbable PCM can be utilized to efficiently deliver p DNA and cmRNA of interest. The released p DNA and cmRNA encoding BMP‐9 in this assessment was shown to be functional in vitro as well as in vivo . © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1824–1832, 2019.
Maternal HPA‐1a antibody level and its role in predicting the severity of Fetal/Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia: a systematic review
2018-11-22

Background and Objectives In Caucasians, fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia ( FNAIT ) is most commonly due to maternal HPA ‐1a antibodies. HPA ‐1a typing followed by screening for anti‐ HPA ‐1a antibodies in HPA ‐1bb women may identify first pregnancies at risk. Our goal was to review results from previous published studies to examine whether the maternal antibody level to HPA ‐1a could be used to identify high‐risk pregnancies. Materials and Methods The studies included were categorized by recruitment strategies: screening of unselected pregnancies or samples analyzed from known or suspected FNAIT patients. Results Three prospective studies reported results from screening programmes, and 10 retrospective studies focused on suspected cases of FNAIT . In 8 studies samples for antibody measurement, performed by the monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigen ( MAIPA ) assay, and samples for determining fetal/neonatal platelet count were collected simultaneously. In these 8 studies, the maternal antibody level correlated with the risk of severe thrombocytopenia. The prospective studies reported high negative predictive values (88–95%), which would allow for the use of maternal anti‐ HPA ‐1a antibody level as a predictive tool in a screening setting, in order to identify cases at low risk for FNAIT . However, due to low positive predictive values reported in prospective as well as retrospective studies (54–97%), the maternal antibody level is less suited for the final diagnosis and for guiding antenatal treatment. Conclusion HPA ‐1a antibody level has the potential to predict the severity of FNAIT .
In-situ mass spectrometry improves the estimation of stream reaeration from gas-tracer tests
2018-11-22

The estimation of gas-exchange rates between streams and the atmosphere is of great importance for the fate of volatile compounds in rivers. For dissolved oxygen, this exchange process is called reaeration, and its accurate and precise estimation is essential for the quantification of metabolic rates. A common method for the determination of gas-exchange rates is through artificial gas-tracer tests with a proxy gas. We present the implementation of a portable gas-equilibrium membrane inlet mass spectrometer (GE-MIMS) to record concentrations of krypton and propane injected as tracer compound in the context of a gas-tracer test. The field-compatible GE-MIMS uses signals of atmospheric measurements for concentration standardization, and allows recording the dissolved-gas concentrations at a high temporal resolution, leading to overall low measurement uncertainty. Furthermore, the in-situ approach avoids loss of gas during the steps of sampling, transport, storage, and analysis required for ex-situ gas measurements. We compare obtained gas-exchange rate coefficients, reaeration and derived metabolic rates from the in-situ measurements to results obtained from head-space sampling of propane followed by laboratory analysis, and find much lower uncertainties with the in-situ method.
Differential expression of long non‐coding RNAs are related to proliferation and histological diversity in follicular lymphomas
2018-11-22

Summary Long non‐coding RNA s (lnc RNA s) comprise a family of non‐coding transcripts that are emerging as relevant gene expression regulators of different processes, including tumour development. To determine the possible contribution of lnc RNA to the pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma ( FL ) we performed RNA ‐sequencing at high depth sequencing in primary FL samples ranging from grade 1‐3A to aggressive grade 3B variants using unpurified ( n = 16) and purified ( n = 12) tumour cell suspensions from nodal samples. FL grade 3B had a significantly higher number of differentially expressed lnc RNA s (dif‐lnc RNA s) with potential target coding genes related to cell cycle regulation. Nine out of the 18 selected dif‐lnc RNA s were validated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction in an independent series ( n = 43) of FL . RP 4‐694A7.2 was identified as the top deregulated lnc RNA potentially involved in cell proliferation. RP 4‐694A7.2 silencing in the WSU ‐ FSCCL FL cell line reduced cell proliferation due to a block in the G1/S phase. The relationship between RP 4‐694A7.2 and proliferation was confirmed in primary samples as its expression levels positively related to the Ki‐67 proliferation index. In summary, lnc RNA s are differentially expressed across the clinico‐biological spectrum of FL and a subset of them, related to cell cycle, may participate in cell proliferation regulation in these tumours.
The relationship between input factors and early lexical knowledge in Turkish-German children
2018-11-22

Lexical development of bilingual children is influenced by a number of input factors. In the present study, early lexical skills of 25-month old children growing up with Turkish and German were assessed. Parents of 92 children filled out a newly developed list for productive Turkish vocabulary, as well as a vocabulary list for German. A parental questionnaire served to examine the quality and quantity of familial and extra-familial language input. The results showed that children who grow up in a predominantly Turkish-speaking environment subsequently have a larger Turkish vocabulary than German vocabulary. More German input within the family was shown to lead to higher vocabulary scores, but not to a reduction of Turkish vocabulary at this age. Factors predicting vocabulary in both languages included parental language quality and quantity, as well as the number of available books and childcare.