Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A phylogenetic reassessment of the tadornine-anatine divergence (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae)

Phylogenetic analysis of eight problematic genera of waterfowl {Stictonetta Plectropterus, Sarkidiornis, Hymenolaimus, Tachyeres, Merganetta, Malacorhynchus, and Salvadorina) and representatives of other tadornine genera and anatine tribes was undertaken using 114 morphological characters (39 skeletal, four tracheal, 1 1 natal, and 60 of the definitive integument) and a variety of weighting schemes, in an attempt to clarify relationships in the most poorly understood segment of the phylogeny of Anseriformes (Livezey, 1986<3). Under equal weighting of characters, 40 equally parsimonious trees were found that shared the following findings: (1) a sister-group relationship of Stictonetta to a clade comprising the Tadorninae and Anatinae; (2) a sister-relationship between Plectropterus and Sarkidiomis; (3) monophyly of the typical shelducks and sheldgeese (Tadorna, Cyanochen, Alopochen, Neochen, and Chloephaga); (4) monophyly of Hymenolaimus, Tachyeres, and Merganetta-, and (5) a sister-relationship between Salvadorina and Malacorhynchus. An analysis wherein skeletal characters were given twice the weight of other character groups resulted in four shortest trees which, in addition to the findings under equal weighting, indicated that: (1) Plectropterus + Sarkidiornis represent the sister-group of the typical shelducks and sheldgeese; (2) a sister-relationship between the clade comprising Hymenolaimus, Tachyeres, and Merganetta and the preceding clade, collectively constituting the “tadornine” clade; and (3) a sister-relationship between Malacorhynchus P Salvadorina and an “anatine” clade comprising the remaining tribes and subtribes (Cairineae, Nettapodeae, Anateae, Aythyini, Mergini, and Oxyurini). An analysis in which skeletal, tracheal, natal, and definitive characters were assigned weights of four, three, two, and one, respectively, produced identical results to the preceding weighting scheme. Successive weighting by rescaled consistency indices produced two shortest trees that resembled those found under the two preceding protocols except: (1) the Mergini were placed as the sister-group of the “tadornine” clade defined above; and (2) the Cairineae (Cairina, Pteronetta, and Aix) were placed as the sister-group to Plectropterus + Sarkidiornis. Based on the comparative strengths of hypothesized homologies of skeletal characters and assessments of topological support (including bootstrapping, decay indices, and near-shortest trees) for all weighting schemes, a conservative classification was based on the a priori weighting schemes favoring skeletal characters. Maps of selected ecomorphological attributes on this phylogenetic tree revealed several distinct evolutionary trends, but incompletely resolved relationships among these diverse genera and within suprageneric taxa limited inferences. Additional promising areas for anatomically based systematic study are identified, and the need for continued cladistic study of this poorly resolved but topologically critical segment of the phylogeny of Anseriformes is emphasized.
Comparison of Bleaching Products With Up to 6% and With More Than 6% Hydrogen Peroxide: Whitening Efficacy Using BI and WID and Side Effects – An in vitro Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bleaching agents containing different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (HP) on color-change and on enamel-surface in bovine teeth. Furthermore the influence on cell viability and proliferation was investigated. Two hundred and forty teeth were randomly assigned into four groups (home bleaching ≤6%, in-office bleaching ≤6%, in-office bleaching > 6% HP, and control group). Bleaching was performed after artificial staining and the bleached index (BI) as well as the whiteness index (WID) was measured at several time points. Chemical analysis for HP concentrations and the pH of the bleaching products was done. Furthermore, enamel surfaces of randomly selected specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cytotoxicity of the tested bleaching products was evaluated in vitro using dental pulp cells (DPCs) and L929 cells. A statistically significant whitening effect was observed in almost all products. As expected all investigated products resulted in decreased cell viability, however, with different values of LC50 (median lethal concentration). SEM analysis showed an analog of enamel alterations with decreasing pH, increasing exposure time, and increasing HP concentration. Bleaching agents containing a low HP concentration are considered to be effective and to have less damaging effects on enamel and tested cells.
Long-term follow-up of patients operated on low-grade brainstem glioma in Zurich between 1963 and 2007

1. Abstract Objective: To present the long-term follow-up results after brainstem glioma (BSG) surgery at the University Hospital Zurich including low-grade gliomas (LGG) over more than 4 decades and to trace historical changes in BSG surgery with a special focus on LGG. Methods: I searched the archives of the neurosurgery department for BSG surgeries including LGG between 1937 and 2007. The directors of the department in this time span were the surgeons H. Krayenbühl, G. Yasargil and Y. Yonekawa. Histological information was added from the department of pathology. Follow-up data was completed from the community registration offices and patient records in the department of neurosurgery. Results: In total I found 124 patients with BSG surgeries in the data collection including 64 patients with LGG. The median age at surgery was lower in the era Yasargil (18y, N=77) than in the era Yonekawa (30y, N=27, p = 0.02). Operated LGG patients were higher presented in the era of Yasargil than in the era Yonekawa (53/77 vs. 13/27, crosstabulation chi2 p=0.055). Follow-up (FU) of the LGG patient group was available in 47 patients (73.4%) with a median of 9 years (range 0-33years). 18 patients (38%) had a FU >10 years and 10 patients (21.3%) a long-term FU >20 years. There was only one documented death in one patient 27 years after surgery. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 27 years with no significant difference between patients operated in the era Yonekawa (median PFS 6 years) or Yasargil (median PFS 27 years) (p=0.387). Conclusion: In this study we were able to demonstrate long-term FU with a high overall survival and PFS in LGG patients after BSG surgery. As the University Hospital Zurich was among the first to initiate BSG surgery, we could trace the paradigms of BSG surgery from its onset in a single center study. surgery, without any neurological deficit. C : 18y/m patient with a left-sided ventro-lateral lesion in the medulla oblongata. Gross total resection via a suboccipital median approach (04/1992). Tumor recurrence occurred 01/1993, since then tumor size was stable without treatment until last follow-up 19 years later. At last follow up the patient was without neurological deficits.
Baltic blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) and black soldier fly (Hermetia. illucens) combined with pea protein concentrate as protein sources in feed for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A feeding trial was conducted for 9 weeks to test the growth performance, nutrient retention and digestibility in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in order to assess the potential of Baltic blue mussel meal (Mytilus edulis L) and black solider fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal as protein sources. The dietary treatments consisted of one control diet based on high quality fishmeal, one control diet based on pea protein concentrate for testing dietary palatability and two fishmeal-free experimental diets where approximately 20% of the crude protein from the fishmeal was replaced with the protein from either de-shelled blue mussel meal or larvae meal on a dry matter basis. These four experimental diets were randomly fed to quadruplicate groups of fish. Replacing the dietary fishmeal with mussel meal and larvae meal negatively affected feed intake, final body weight, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and nutrient retention of rainbow trout. The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of crude protein, crude lipid, and essential amino acids was not affected by replacing the dietary fishmeal with mussel meal and fish fed mussel meal diet even displayed increased nutrients digestibility, compared with fish fed control diet. Replacing fishmeal with larvae meal did not affect the apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein. In conclusion, the ADC values showed that both mussel meal and larvae meal could be regarded as promising protein sources for rainbow trout. However, the growth performance and nutrient retention were negatively affected by low feed intake. The absence of fishmeal and the high inclusion of pea protein concentrate in the diets resulted in the poor palatability and were considered the reasons of low feed intake. Therefore, inclusion of fishmeal or feed stimulants might be needed to increase feed palatability. Furthermore, the inclusion of pea protein should be adjusted to an appropriate level.
ΔN-Tp63 Mediates Wnt/β-Catenin-Induced Inhibition of Differentiation in Basal Stem Cells of Mucociliary Epithelia

Mucociliary epithelia provide a first line of defense against pathogens in the airways and the epidermis of vertebrate larvae. Impaired regeneration and remodeling of mucociliary epithelia are associated with dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in chronic airway diseases, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive and studies of Wnt signaling in mucociliary cells yield seemingly contradicting results. Employing the Xenopus mucociliary epidermis, the mouse airway, and human airway basal stem cell cultures, we characterize the evolutionarily conserved roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mucociliary cells in vertebrates. Wnt signaling is required in multiciliated cells for cilia formation during differentiation stages, but in Basal cells, Wnt signaling prevents specification and differentiation of epithelial cell types by activating ΔN-TP63 expression. We demonstrate that ΔN-TP63 is a master transcription factor in Basal cells, which is necessary and sufficient to mediate the Wnt-induced inhibition of differentiation and is required to retain basal stem cells during development. Chronic stimulation of Wnt signaling leads to mucociliary remodeling and Basal cell hyperplasia, but this is reversible in vivo and in vitro, suggesting Wnt inhibition as an option in the treatment of chronic lung diseases. Our work sheds light into the evolutionarily conserved regulation of stem cells and differentiation, resolves Wnt functions in mucociliary epithelia, and provides crucial insights into mucociliary development, regeneration and disease mechanisms.
QUANTIFYING COAT COLOR PHENOLOGY OF SYMPATRIC SNOWSHOE HARES AND WEASELS

Seasonal coat color is a convergent trait providing camouflage for species across taxa. We show that details of coat color phenology differ across sympatric snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea). We detected species specific differences in the rate of the coat color molt, while molt initiation dates were similar across species. Furthermore, the rate of the coat color molt for short-tailed weasel’s varied, with faster molts in the fall compared to spring. We also found that colder temperature and more snow increase the probability that snowshoe hares and short-tailed weasels are white, whereas warmer temperature and less snow increase the probability that each species is brown. Our results highlight phenotypic plasticity in the rate of the coat color molt between sympatric short-tailed weasels and snowshoe hares. As climate-induced mismatch increases, persistence of coat color changing species depends on adaptation via natural selection on molt phenology.
Domestication and varietal diversification of Old World cultivated cottons (Gossypium sp.) in the Antiquity

Textile use of the cotton fibres from the Old World species Gossypium arboreum (Tree Cotton) and G. herbaceum (Levant Cotton) started around eight thousand years ago and possibly earlier. During the third millennium before the present, cotton cultivation, textile use and trading developed strongly in many places of the Indian Subcontinent and the Near East, but the species involved are often undetermined. Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum are difficult to distinguish morphologically when dealing with archaeological remains. Many traditional varieties have been described for each of these two species; an evolution is apparent from perennial, rather primitive forms through to annual varieties and modern phenotypes, with adaptations to cultivation in diverse conditions, including cold climates and short summers. The present work examines which varieties could have been cultivated in the Antiquity and in which regions had cotton cultivation spread then. Some extant varieties are hypothesized as close to the cultivars of Antiquity. The geographic distribution of each species probably reflects the initial domestication region and the subsequent adaptations, particularly regarding climate. Recent progress on ancient DNA analysis should permit easier specific assignments of archaeological remains of cotton seeds, fibres, threads or fabrics.
Diversification of Disease Resistance Receptors by Integrated Domain Fusions in Wheat and its Progenitors

Pathogenic effectors inhibit plant resistance responses by interfering with intracellular signaling mechanisms. Plant Nucleotide-binding, Leucine-rich repeat Receptors (NLRs) have evolved highly variable effector-recognition sites to detect these effectors. While many NLRs utilize variable Leucine-Rich Repeats (LRRs) to bind to effectors, some have gained Integrated Domains (IDs) necessary for receptor activation or downstream signaling. While a few studies have identified IDs within NLRs, the homology and regulation of these genes have yet to be elucidated. We identified a diverse set of wheat NLR-ID fusion proteins as candidates for NLR functional diversification through ID effector recognition or signal transduction. NLR-ID diversity corresponds directly with the various signaling components essential to defense responses, expanding the potential functions for immune receptors and removing the need for intermediate signaling factors that are often targeted by effectors. ID homologs (>80% similarity) in other grasses indicate that these domains originated as functional, non-NLR-encoding genes and were incorporated into NLR-encoding genes through duplication. Multiple NLR-ID genes encode experimentally verified alternative transcripts that include or exclude IDs. This indicates that plants employ alternative splicing to regulate IDs, possibly using them as baits, decoys, and functional signaling components. Future studies should aim to elucidate differential expression of NLR-ID alternative transcripts.
Mercury toxicity and detoxification in Thermus thermophilus HB27

Mercury (Hg) is a one of the most toxic and widely distributed heavy metals. Some Bacteria and Archaea possess the mercury resistance (mer) operon, specifying detoxification by the reduction of ionic Hg to elemental volatile Hg(0). The mer operon of the thermophile Thermus thermophilus HB27, representing an early lineage among the Bacteria, encodes for a mercury reductase (merA), a gene related to low molecular weight thiol biosynthesis (oah2), a hypothetical protein (hp), and a regulatory gene, merR. This study shows that T. thermophilus mer operon has two promoters, which are differentially regulated. The upstream promoter, Poah, transcribes oah2, merR, hp and merA, the first two genes are constitutively expressed by this promoter, but hp and merA can also be expressed. A second promoter, Pmer, located in merR, is responsive to Hg(II). In Pmer, MerR acts as a repressor and activator, the presence of Hg significantly increasing merA transcripts in presence of Hg(II), but it requires MerR for its transcription. When Pmer along with MerR are removed, transcription initiated from Poah constitutively expresses merA. These results suggest that the transcription regulation of mer in T. thermophilus is both similar to, and different from, the well-documented expression of the proteobacterial mer system, possibly representing an intermediate step in the evolution of mer regulation.
EMS Induced Intersegmental Non-Homologous Interaction in Cuminum cyminum L.

Summary One plant of translocation heterozygote has been isolated from ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) treated population sets on a morphological basis in cumin, Cuminum cyminum L. The meiotic analysis in the plant showed the preponderance of ring quadrivalents along with ﬁve bivalents in pollen mother cells (PMCs) at metaphase I. Various multiple chromosomal associations along with rings and chains were also observed with some univalents and bivalents. Pollen fertility of the plant reduced efﬁcaciously to 34.18% against 98.28% in control plants. At anaphase I, 38.13% frequency of unequal segregation (6 : 8) and laggards were observed in 28.81% of PMCs along with 33.05% of regular segregation (7 : 7). The present investigation explains the cyto logical assessment and consequences in translocation heterozygote induced by EMS treatment.
A comparative morphological study of Viburnum (Adoxaceae) in Korea

Viburnum in Korea includes ten species. The phylogenetic relationships and morphology of the genus Viburnum in general have been studied substantially for the past three decades. A clear understanding of the systematic relationships and an assessment of the level of morphological variation of these plants distributed in Korea are lacking. This study investigated the morphology of these species using herbarium specimens and fresh materials obtained during fieldwork to examine the morphological variation level for a better understanding of each species in the genus. A comparative analysis showed that the species of Viburnum in Korea are easily distinguishable based on various characters of the bud, leaf, extrafloral nectary, inflorescence, corolla, fruit, and stone.
Analysis and modeling of the biomechanics of brain injury under impact

To better understand brain injury mechanisms and better pre dict brain injuries under impact, this work focuses on the analysis of experimental br in motion data and the development of brain injury models. An analytical method is used t o separate the measured brain motion into rigid body displacement and brain deformation w ith a minimum total squared error. Under mild impact, it is found that the whole brain has nearly pure rigid body displacement, having a magnitude of 4 to 5 mm in translation and ±5 degrees in rotation. As the impact becomes more severe, the rigid body displacement is limited in magnitude for both translation and rotation, while the increased brain mo tion primarily is due to brain deformation, which is largest in the superior region of the b rain. Validated against the experimental brain motion data under low-severity impacts, new lumped-parameter brain injury models are developed to brid ge the gap between simplified models that predict brain injuries based only on linear or an gular accelerations and more complex finite element models that require complete knowled ge of material properties and interface conditions. With proposed metrics for brain inju ry prediction, the new models are applied to more severe frontal and side impact tests and real -world car-pedestrian accidents. The results show that the new models are capable of predictin g various brain injuries due to impact. Verified using a high-fidelity finite element model , sensitivity analysis indicates that the brain injury prediction is most sensitive to the bra in moment of inertia, followed by the brain mass. ii
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards genetically modified foods in Zimbabwe

Controversy regarding use of genetically modified (GM) foods still persists in both developing and developed worlds. Proponents of genetically engineered foods argue this is a sustainable solution to resource-limited settings where food insecurity continues to increase. However, in this pertinent debate, there is deficiency of knowledge on the opinion of the general public from resource-limited African communities. The aim of this paper is to describe the general public’s level of knowledge and perceptions towards use of GM foods in Zimbabwe. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 301 participants attending a country-wide Traditional and Organic Foods Festival in Harare. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Poor level of knowledge on GM foods was demonstrated among most respondents (60%) and associated with level of education (p<0.05). More than a third of respondents (36%) believed that GM chicken was being sold on Zimbabwean local markets. Lack of understanding on the genetic engineering process in food production was common among respondents. Attitude towards GM foods was negative and intention to consume GM foods was low (38%). Genetic engineering on food production was viewed as driven by a few companies for profit maximization (72%) with consequences for GM foods complex and too risky for humans (70%). Consumers believed a total of 44 GM foods were available on the Zimbabwean market with chicken, maize and fruits being common foods reported as GM foods. More than half (54%) of respondents reported to have consumed GM foods in the past even though GM foods are not permitted in the country. People with increased knowledge on genetic engineering and GM foods were more receptive of GM foods in their diets. Although intention to consume GM foods was high among individuals with increased knowledge and positive perceptions towards GMOs, knowledge and understanding on GM foods among study participants was limited. Positive perceptions, increased knowledge on genetic engineering and GM foods makes people more receptive of GM foods in their diets. There is need to improve consumer awareness on genetic engineering in food production to empower consumers to make informed choices regarding GM food. Consumers in resource-limited settings are sceptical of genetic modification in food and should be consulted during policy formulations on GM foods. Mandatory labelling of GM foods could also improve confidence among consumers on the foods they consume. Keywords: Genetically-modified Foods, Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, Publicperceptions, Acceptance, Resource-limited Communities, Zimbabwe Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev . 2019; 19(3): 14752-14768
How I treat gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (GC) represents a worldwide problem, this being the fifth most common malignancy. The fragility of patients with GC together with the aggressiveness of this tumour makes it as one of the most difficult neoplasias to manage. This article summarises the main strategies for treating patients with GC. Correct assessment of patients with GC requires a multidisciplinary evaluation and close follow-up. For patients with resectable tumours, perioperative chemotherapy should be always considered, especially in the neoadjuvant setting given its capacity for tumour downstaging and eradication of micro-metastases. In the metastatic setting, first-line and second-line treatment improve survival and quality of life in patients with GC. In this setting, only trastuzumab as first-line therapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive tumours and ramucirumab as second-line therapy have demonstrated a clear survival improvement. The lack of adequate biomarker selection and the intrinsic heterogeneity of these tumours have jeopardised the possible usefulness of many other targeted agents. Finally, when considering GC carcinogenesis as a multiple stepwise process from initial inflammation starting in the gastric epithelia, immune checkpoint inhibitors may improve the survival of these patients, although the optimal setting for their activity has yet to be fully elucidated.