Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How the truffle got its mate: insights from genetic structure in spontaneous and planted Mediterranean populations of Tuber melanosporum

The life cycles and dispersal of edible fungi are still poorly known, thus limiting our understanding of their evolution and domestication. The prized Tuber melanosporum produces fruitbodies (fleshy organs where meiospores mature) gathered in natural, spontaneously inoculated forests or harvested in plantations of nursery‐inoculated trees. Yet, how fruitbodies are formed remains unclear, thus limiting yields, and how current domestication attempts affect population genetic structure is overlooked. Fruitbodies result from mating between two haploid individuals: the maternal parent forms the flesh and the meiospores, while the paternal parent only contributes to the meiospores. We analyzed the genetic diversity of T. melanosporum comparatively in spontaneous forests vs. plantations, using SSR polymorphism of 950 samples from South‐East France. All populations displayed strong genetic isolation by distance at the metric scale, possibly due to animal dispersal, meiospore persistence in soil, and/or exclusion of unrelated individuals by vegetative incompatibility. High inbreeding was consistently found, suggesting that parents often develop from meiospores produced by the same fruitbody. Unlike maternal genotypes, paternal mycelia contributed to few fruitbodies each, did not persist over years, and were undetectable on tree mycorrhizae. Thus, we postulate that germlings from the soil spore bank act as paternal partners. Paternal genetic diversity and outbreeding were higher in plantations than in spontaneous truffle‐grounds, perhaps because truffle growers disperse fruitbodies to maintain inoculation in plantations. However, planted and spontaneous populations were not genetically isolated, so that T. melanosporum illustrates an early step of domestication where genetic structure remains little affected.
Communication Interventions Make A Difference in Conversations Between Physicians and Patients: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Objective:We sought to synthesize the findings of studies examining interventions to enhance the communication behaviors of physicians and patients during outpatient encounters. Methods:We conducted searches of 6 databases between 1966 and 2005 to identify studies for a systematic review and synthesis of the literature. Eligible studies tested a communication intervention; were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); objectively assessed verbal communication behaviors as the primary outcome; and were published in English. Interventions were characterized by type (eg, information, modeling, feedback, practice), delivery strategy, and overall intensity. We abstracted information on the effects of the interventions on communication outcomes (eg, interpersonal and information exchanging behaviors). We examined the effectiveness of the interventions in improving the communication behaviors of physicians and patients. Results:Thirty-six studies were reviewed: 18 involved physicians; 15 patients; and 3 both. Of the physician interventions, 76% included 3 or 4 types, often in the form of practice and feedback sessions. Among the patient interventions, 33% involved 1 type, and nearly all were delivered in the waiting room. Intervention physicians were more likely than controls to receive higher ratings of their overall communication style and to exhibit specific patient-centered communication behaviors. Intervention patients obtained more information from physicians and exhibited greater involvement during the visit than controls. Conclusions:The interventions were associated with improved physician and patient communication behaviors. The challenge for future research is to design effective patient and physician interventions that can be integrated into practice.
Fluid absorption during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: does it matter?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Large amounts of irrigating fluid are used during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This use may be associated with migrating calculus debris, infection, and fluid absorption. This study evaluated the presence of fluid absorption during PCNL, its clinical and biochemical significance, and maneuvers to reduce it. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fluid absorption during PCNL was evaluated in 148 patients by estimating the expired breath ethanol concentration. Factors thought to affect the amount of fluid absorbed were studied, including the amount of irrigating fluid used, the number of nephrostomy tracts, the presence of a low-pressure system, the presence of existing tracts, and complications such as bleeding or perforation of the pelvicaliceal wall. RESULTS Fluid absorption was evident in all patients, although no patient had any clinical or biochemical evidence of intraoperative or postoperative electrolyte imbalance. Creating a low-pressure system by using an Amplatz sheath, reducing the amount of irrigating fluid used, and staging the procedure significantly reduced the amount of fluid absorbed. CONCLUSIONS Fluid absorption does take place during PCNL. This may be clinically significant in patients with compromised cardiorespiratory or renal status and in pediatric patients, leading to fluid overload. Using a low-pressure system, reducing the nephroscopy time and the amount of irrigating fluid used, and staging the procedure for large renal stone burdens, especially in the presence of complications such as perforation of the pelvicaliceal system, reduces fluid absorption and avoids volume overload. Fluid absorption may also be associated with both infective and noninfective pyrexia, necessitating adequate preoperative control of urinary infection.
Head Position in the Earl y Phase of Acute Ischemic Stroke : An International Survey of Current Practice

1564 Background: Evidence to recommend a specific head position for patients in the early phase of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess current head position practice for AIS patients among physicians from hospitals in different countries. Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design was used; physicians who are part of a stroke research network were invited to participate by e-mail. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: An invitation to participate was delivered to 298 doctors from16 countries and 42.9% completed all survey questions. Participant responses were evenly divided in sitting up and lying flat position as the most usual at their hospital: 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.7-61.0) of respondents preferred sitting up, whereas 47.2% (95% CI, 38.2-55.5) preferred lying flat; 53.9% (95%CI, 45.3-62.5) of participants answered that nowritten protocol specifying the indicated head position for stroke patients was available at their hospital or department, and 71% (95% CI, 63.2-78.9) recognized being uncertain about the best position for AIS patients. Conclusions: Common practice differs between physicians, and there is a lack of consensus about the best strategy regarding head position for AIS patients in many countries. An opportunity exists for a randomized trial to resolve this uncertainty and develop evidence-based consensus protocols to improve patient management and outcomes.
Distal splenorenal shunt versus transjugular intrahepatic portal systematic shunt for variceal bleeding: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Variceal bleeding refractory to medical treatment with beta-blockers and endoscopic therapy can be managed by variceal decompression with either surgical shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunts (TIPS). This prospective randomized trial tested the hypothesis that patients receiving distal splenorenal shunts (DSRS) would have significantly lower rebleeding and encephalopathy rates than TIPS in management of refractory variceal bleeding. METHODS A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial at 5 centers was conducted. One hundred forty patients with Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhosis and refractory variceal bleeding were randomized to DSRS or TIPS. Protocol and event follow-up for 2-8 years (mean, 46 +/- 26 months) for primary end points of variceal bleeding and encephalopathy and secondary end points of death, ascites, thrombosis and stenosis, liver function, need for transplant, quality of life, and cost were evaluated. RESULTS There was no significant difference in rebleeding (DSRS, 5.5%; TIPS, 10.5%; P = .29) or first encephalopathy event (DSRS, 50%; TIPS, 50%). Survival at 2 and 5 years (DSRS, 81% and 62%; TIPS, 88% and 61%, respectively) were not significantly different (P = .87). Thrombosis, stenosis, and reintervention rates (DSRS, 11%; TIPS, 82%) were significantly (P < .001) higher in the TIPS group. Ascites, need for transplant, quality of life, and costs were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS DSRS and TIPS are similarly efficacious in the control of refractory variceal bleeding in Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Reintervention is significantly greater for TIPS compared with DSRS. Because both procedures have equivalent outcomes, the choice is dependent on available expertise and ability to monitor the shunt and reintervene when needed.
Oral health status and behaviours of children in Myanmar - a pilot study in four villages in rural areas.

PURPOSE To describe the tooth status, periodontal status, oral hygiene and snacking habits of children in four villages in northeastern Myanmar. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling protocol. All children ages 5 and 12 years from four villages were examined by an experienced epidemiologist, and the status of their primary and permanent dentition, respectively, was reported using the diagnostic criteria recommended by the World Health Organisation. A parental questionnaire survey was performed to study the children's habits. RESULTS A total of 95 5-year-old and 80 12-year-old children were examined. It was found that 94% and 39% of the 5- and 12-year-old children, respectively, had never brushed their teeth. Few children had snacking habits. Most of the children - 75% of the 5-year-olds and 85% of the 12-year-olds - had no caries experience. The mean dmft score of the 5-year-olds was 0.9, while the mean DMFT score of the 12-year-olds was 0.2. Signs of moderate to severe gingivitis were found in 42% of the 5-year-olds, and 40% of the 12-year-olds had dental calculus. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence and severity of dental caries among the children in the four villages in northeastern Myanmar was low. Their oral hygiene habits and periodontal conditions were not satisfactory and need to be improved.
Overexpression, Purification, and Characterization of the SbcCD Protein from Escherichia coli *

The sbcC and sbcD genes mediate palindrome inviability in Escherichia coli. ThesbcCD operon has been cloned into the plasmid pTrc99A under the control of the strong trc promoter and introduced into a strain carrying a chromosomal deletion of sbcCD. The SbcC and SbcD polypeptides were overexpressed to 6% of total cell protein, and both polypeptides copurified in a four-step purification procedure. Purified SbcCD is a processive double-strand exonuclease that has an absolute requirement for Mn2+ and uses ATP as a preferred energy source. Gel filtration chromatography and sedimentation equilibrium analyses were used to show that the SbcC and SbcD polypeptides dissociate at some stage after purification and that this dissociation is reversed by the addition of Mn2+. We demonstrate that SbcD has the potential to form a secondary structural motif found in a number of protein phosphatases and suggest that it is a metalloprotein that contains the catalytic center of the SbcCD exonuclease.
Evaluating salt tolerant cotton genotypes at different levels of NaCl stress in solution and soil culture.

The study was carried out to compare generally used screening methods for salt tolerance: (i) a seedling-based, solution culture method, (ii) plant yield-based, soil method. The physiological and ionic analyses were used for comparisons of methodologies along with yield in soil based systems. The two methods were similar to each other by reproducing similar rankings for genotypes across the methods. In solution culture experiment, genotypes FH-113 and FH-911 produced significantly more (83 and 81% of control respectively) fresh weight compared to the rest of cotton genotypes, while in saline soil conditions the reduction was minimum in tolerant genotype FH-113 with magnitude of 40% in boll weight and 37% in number of bolls plant at 21 dS m with respect to control. The reduction in yield was much higher in salt sensitive genotype FH-5015 (47-75% of control) at 21 dS m. The saline soil experiment demonstrated a higher sensitivity for discriminating Na response among genotypes for yield reduction. It was concluded that solution culture selection approach can be helpful for the screening of cotton genotypes for salt tolerance, if using selective physiological traits and criteria.
Internet Offenders

The Internet opens a vast array of communication, entertainment, and educational resources for children; however, it also opens a gateway to home and school for offenders who wish to exploit children. A convenience sample of 225 cases published in the news media was examined. The cases were classified using law enforcement terminology to describe Internet offenders as traders, travelers, or combination trader-travelers. The media is seen as a critical source of information for the public to be aware of how the Internet is being used to commit sexual exploitation and sex crimes against children.
Increased Expression of Apolipoprotein D Following Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract : Increasing evidence suggests that apolipoprotein D (apoD) could play a major role in mediating neuronal degeneration and regeneration in the CNS and the PNS. To investigate further the temporal pattern of apoD expression after experimental traumatic brain injury in the rat, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral cortical impact injury. The animals were killed and examined for apoD mRNA and protein expression and for immunohistological analysis at intervals from 15 min to 14 days after injury. Increased apoD mRNA and protein levels were seen in the cortex and hippocampus ipsilateral to the injury site from 48 h to 14 days after the trauma. Immunohistological investigation demonstrated a differential pattern of apoD expression in the cortex and hippocampus, respectively : Increased apoD immunoreactivity in glial cells was detected from 2 to 3 days after the injury in cortex and hippocampus. In contrast, increased expression of apoD was seen in cortical and hippocampal neurons at later time points following impact injury. Concurrent histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin demonstrated dark, shrunken neurons in the cortex ipsilateral to the injury site. In contrast, no evidence of cell death was observed in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the injury site up to 14 days after the trauma. No evidence of increased apoD mRNA or protein expression or neuronal pathology by hematoxylin and eosin staining was detected in the contralateral cortex and hippocampus. Our results reveal induction of apoD expression in the cortex and hippocampus following traumatic brain injury in the rat. Our data also suggest that increased apoD expression may play an important role in cortical neuronal degeneration after brain injury in vivo. However, increased expression of apoD in the hippocampus may not necessarily be indicative of neuronal death.
Exploring Individual User Satisfaction Within User-Led Development

User-led development is gaining popularity with organizations wishing to increase user involvement and control. Typically in this approach a small group of users is given the responsibility for managing the project and representing the user community in determining requirements, testing, training, and system implementation. This paper explores the end user's perception of the quality of his or her representation and satisfaction with the application system within an organization employing user-led development. The end-user communities for two systems developed in a large Australian government corporation were surveyed. The results indicate that the user perception of representation is the most significant influence on user satisfaction-the correlation scores for the two systems studied were in excess of 0.6. Also of importance is the user's perception of management support. Both systems recorded a low average score for user representativeness (2.5 and 2.7), which is attributed in part to the large number and geographic spread of the users and to the approach adopted by the user representatives in the user-led development team.
EFFECT OF PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND TEMPERATURE ON THE CATALYST TORTUOSITY

Effect of temperature gradients, for an exothermic reaction, inside a catalyst pellet and the pore size distribution on the value of tortuosity factor is studied. The structure of the catalyst pellet is simulated using a two dimensional pore network. Material and energy balances for the pore network are written and discretised using a finite difference scheme. Tortuosity factors obtained for the isothermal and non-isothermal pellets are compared. Significant variation of the estimated tortuosity factor with internal particle temperature gradient and pore size is obtained.
Effect of limestone particle size and calcium to non-phytate phosphorus ratio on true ileal calcium digestibility of limestone for broiler chickens

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of limestone particle size and calcium (Ca) to non-phytate phosphorus (P) ratio on the true ileal Ca digestibility of limestone for broiler chickens. A limestone sample was passed through a set of sieves and separated into fine (<0.5 mm) and coarse (1–2 mm) particles. The analysed Ca concentration of both particle sizes was similar (420 g/kg). Six experimental diets were developed using each particle size with Ca:non-phytate P ratios of 1.5:1, 2.0:1 and 2.5:1, with ratios being adjusted by manipulating the dietary Ca concentrations. A Ca-free diet was also developed to determine the basal ileal endogenous Ca losses. Titanium dioxide (3 g/kg) was incorporated in all diets as an indigestible marker. Each experimental diet was randomly allotted to 6 replicate cages (8 birds per cage) and fed from d 21 to 24 post hatch. Apparent ileal digestibility of Ca was calculated using the indicator method and corrected for basal endogenous losses to determine the true Ca digestibility. The basal ileal endogenous Ca losses were determined to be 127 mg/kg of dry matter intake. Increasing Ca:non-phytate P ratios reduced the true Ca digestibility of limestone. The true Ca digestibility coefficients of limestone with Ca:non-phytate P ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 were 0.65, 0.57 and 0.49, respectively. Particle size of limestone had a marked effect on the Ca digestibility, with the digestibility being higher in coarse particles (0.71 vs. 0.43).
Comparison of the Efficacy of Foley Catheter Balloon with Dinoprostone Gel for Cervical Ripening at Term

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of extra-amniotic Foley catheter with intra cervical Dinoprostone gel for preinduction cervical ripening. Study Design: A randomized, prospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PGIMS Rohtak on 100 pregnant women admitted for induction of labor. Fifty patients were randomized to receive Dinoprostone gel and 50 patients to receive intracervical, extra-amniotic Foley catheter. Results: The two groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, parity, gestational age, indication for induction, and initial Bishop scores. Both groups had a significant change in Bishop score (4.18 ± 1.81 and 4.6 ± 1.48 respectively, p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Mean duration of induction to delivery was 18.51 ± 8.52 in Foley catheter group and 18.21 ± 11.13 in prostaglandin group, the difference being statistically insignificant. Among 50 cases of prostaglandin only single dose was sufficient for 23 (46%) cases to induce labor. But in 27 (54%) cases 2nd dose of prostaglandin were required. The expenditure of intervention showed that Rs. 325 were required for induction by prostaglandin as compared to Rs. 60/- for Induction by Foley’s catheter and the difference was highly significant statistically There was no difference between the groups in mode of delivery, infant weight, apgar score and intrapartum complications. Conclusion: In conclusion, although both Foley catheter and dinoprostone gel appear to be effective agents for cervical ripening. Foley catheter causes less fetal distress, cheap and safety profile of Foley catheter is such that it can be used on an out patient basis, but not dinoprostone gel. These results make Foley catheter comparable or even superior to dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening specially in developing countries.
Gender differences in beliefs about algorithmic fairness

The field of algorithmic fairness has highlighted ethical questions which may not have purely technical answers. For example, different algorithmic fairness constraints are often impossible to satisfy simultaneously, and choosing between them requires value judgments about which people may disagree. Here we investigate whether people's beliefs about algorithmic fairness correlate with their demographic backgrounds, a question of interest because computer science is demographically non-representative. If beliefs about algorithmic fairness correlate with demographics, and algorithm designers are demographically non-representative, decisions made about algorithmic fairness may not reflect the will of the population as a whole. We show in two separate surveys that gender correlates with beliefs about algorithmic fairness. For example, women are significantly less likely to favor including gender as a feature in an algorithm which recommends courses to students if doing so would make female students less likely to be recommended science courses.
Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extracts and clinical efﬁcacy

Various preparations from Harpagophytum procumbens are used for the treatment of pain in the joints and lower back. Studies published in peer reviewed journals were examined for their clinical evidence. The studies offering preparations with 50–60 mg harpagoside in the daily dosage are of better quality and provide more reliable evidence on efﬁcacy than a proprietary ethanol extract with half the amount of harpagoside per day. However, conﬁrmatory studies are required for all extracts before they can gain a place in treatment guidelines. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrauterine rubella infection following immunization with rubella vaccine.

A woman with no detectable rubella hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody received rubella vaccine at three weeks of gestation. The pregnancy was terminated at eight weeks and rubella virus was recovered from decidua. The virus isolate stimulated high amounts of interferon and inhibited DNA synthesis in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated lymphocytes far less (53%) than did wild-type Ellis strain rubella virus (95%). Histologic changes seen in decidua were similar to those seen in gestational rubella.