Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny and foraging mode correspond with thiaminase activity in freshwater fishes: potential links to environmental factors

Knowledge of the dietary components of fish species is important for understanding their growth, survival, and recruitment. Deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1) leading to reproductive failure and physiological illness among freshwater fishes has been attributed to thiaminase activity in fish in the Great Lakes and the New York Finger Lakes, but the causes of variation in thiaminase activity among freshwater fishes is unclear. We characterized thiaminase activity in 29 species of freshwater fishes across 7 ray-finned and 1 jawless family. All fish were further categorized by phylogeny, trophic category (trophic level and feeding mode), and native or non-native status to evaluate how ecological processes correspond with thiaminase activity. Thiaminase activity varied significantly across species, families, trophic factors, phylogenetic groups, and sites. Teleosts that were more recently derived had higher thiaminase activity than more basal species. Thiaminase activity was also higher among herbivores than omnivores or carnivores. This trend was clearest in the Cyprinidae family, which had the greatest range in thiaminase activity and a wide range in trophic-level position and trophic categories (herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores). Variation in average thiaminase activity of Spotfin Shiners (Cyprinella spiloptera) among sites within a watershed was correlated with anthropogenic and natural components of land cover. Our study contributes much-needed quantitative ecological information related to thiaminase activity in a suite of fish species that vary in evolutionary history, trophic level, and foraging modes. However, more studies are needed to identify interacting causes of thiaminase variation and examine the implications of these findings on the overall health of aquatic populations and freshwater ecosystems.
An essential, kinetoplastid-specific GDP-Fuc: β-D-Gal α-1,2-fucosyltransferase is located in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei

Fucose is a common component of eukaryotic cell-surface glycoconjugates, generally added by Golgi-resident fucosyltransferases. Whereas fucosylated glycoconjugates are rare in kinetoplastids, the biosynthesis of the nucleotide sugar GDP-Fuc has been shown to be essential in Trypanosoma brucei. Here we show that the single identifiable T. brucei fucosyltransferase (TbFUT1) is a GDP-Fuc: β-D-galactose α-1,2-fucosyltransferase with an apparent preference for a Galβ1,3GlcNAcβ1-O-R acceptor motif. Conditional null mutants of TbFUT1 demonstrated that it is essential for both the mammalian-infective bloodstream form and the insect vector-dwelling procyclic form. Unexpectedly, TbFUT1 was localized in the mitochondrion of T. brucei and found to be required for mitochondrial function in bloodstream form trypanosomes. Finally, the TbFUT1 gene was able to complement a Leishmania major mutant lacking the homologous fucosyltransferase gene (Guo et al., 2021). Together these results suggest that kinetoplastids possess an unusual, conserved and essential mitochondrial fucosyltransferase activity that may have therapeutic potential across trypanosomatids.
Genotype × environment interaction by AMMI and GGE-biplot analysis for sugar yield in three crop cycles of sugarcane (Saccharum officinirum L.) clones in Ethiopia

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the G x E (genotype × environment) interaction using AMMI and GGE-biplot analysis for sugar yield of sugarcane genotypes and identify stable clones in the old sugar estates of Ethiopia. Eleven sugarcane clones plus one control clone were evaluated during three crop cycles (plant cane and first and second ratoon crops) in eight environments. The experiment was laid out as randomized complete block design with three replicates in over 3 years and locations. Adaptability and phenotypic stability of the sugarcane clones were evaluated using Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and Genotype main effect and genotype x environment interaction (GGE). AMMI analyses revealed significant (P < 0.01) genotype and environmental effects as well as G × E with respect to sugar yield. In the analysis of variance, 48.8% of the sugar yield variation was explained by the environment, 16.9% by differences among genotypes, and 16.8% by GE interaction. GGE-biplot models showed that the eight environments used for the study belonged to two mega-environments. According to AMMI and the GGE results, clones G3 (FG05-424), the check variety G5 (NCO334), and G10 (FG06-750) were the most productive in tons of sugar per hectare and stable and recommended for the test environments.
Immunomodulation of CXCL10 Secretion by Hepatitis C Virus: Could CXCL10 Be a Prognostic Marker of Chronic Hepatitis C?

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 and other CXCR3 chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of acute and “chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection” (CHC). Here, we review the scientific literature about HCV and CXCL10. The combination of circulating CXCL10 and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-28B can identify patients with acute HCV infection most likely to undergo spontaneous HCV clearance and those in need of early antiviral therapy. In CHC, the HCV and intrahepatic interferon- (IFN-) γ drive a raised CXCL10 expression by sinusoidal endothelium and hepatocytes, thereby inducing the recruitment of CXCR3-expressing T cells into the liver; thus, CXCL10 plays an important role in the development of necroinflammation and fibrosis. Increased CXCL10 was significantly associated with the presence of active vasculitis in HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia, or with autoimmune thyroiditis in CHC. Pretreatment CXCL10 levels are predictive of early virological response and sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN-α and ribavirin and may be useful in the evaluation of candidates for therapy. The occurrence of SNPs adjacent to IL-28B (rs12979860, rs12980275, and rs8099917), and CXCL10 below 150 pg/mL, independently predicted the first phase viral decline and rapid virological response, which in turn independently predicted SVR. Directly acting antiviral agents-mediated clearance of HCV is associated with the loss of intrahepatic immune activation by IFN-α, associated by decreased levels of CXCL10. In conclusion, CXCL10 is an important marker of HCV clearance and successful therapy in CHC patients. Whether CXCL10 is a novel therapeutic target in CHC will be evaluated.
Influences of Maternal Factors Over Offspring Allergies and the Application for Food Allergy

The prevalence of food allergy has been steadily rising worldwide with the highest incidence noted among younger children, and increasingly recognized as a growing public concern. The first known ingestion of foods often causes allergic reaction, suggesting that sensitization of offspring with food allergens may occur during pregnancy and/or through breastfeeding. This creates a milieu that shapes the neonatal immune responses to these allergens. However, the effects of maternal allergen exposure and maternal sensitization with allergens on development of allergies in offspring remain controversial. This review discusses recent advances from human data in our understanding of how maternal factors, namely, food allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulins, cytokines, genetics, and environmental factors transferred during pregnancy or breastfeeding influence offspring allergies and how such effects may be applicable to food allergy. Based on information obtained from mouse models of asthma and food allergy, the review also dissects the mechanisms by which maternal factors, including the impact of immune complexes, transforming growth factor-β, vitamin A, and regulatory T-cell responses, contribute to the induction of neonatal tolerance vs. development of allergic responses to maternally transferred allergens.
Teachers' Cloud-Based Learning Designs: The Development of a Guiding Rubric Using the TPACK Framework

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop, validate, and trial a rubric for evaluating the cloud-based learning designs (CBLD) that were developed by teachers using virtual learning environments. The rubric was developed using the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework, with rubric development including content and expert validation of its items and levels. The rubric was revised based on various types of input including content validity and expert review. After many iterations of rubric implementation using two raters, the final version of the rubric was found to be reliable with high and substantial inter-rater reliability. This study provides a methodological contribution by developing and validating a rubric for teachers' cloud-based learning designs. It also provides a useful tool for evaluating the quality of teachers' CBLD, and assessing training needs.
Temperature Effect and Biological Aspects of Phenacoccus parvus Morrison (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).

The present study was carried out under laboratory conditions to investigate the influence of four constant temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35C) and 60±5% R.H. on the development of the immature stages of Phenacoccus parvus Morrison as well as on the reproductive potential of the adult, and to estimate the relation between thermal units required for the development and degree-days (DD's). The incubation period lasted 6.6 ± 0.22, 5.8 ± 0.13, 4.2 ± 0.20 and 3.2± 0.13 days for eggs at constant temperatures 20, 25, 30 and 35C, respectively. The developmental period of nymphal stage tended to be shortened with the corresponding increments of temperature. At a specific temperature, the developmental period of the nymphal stage was 25± 0.09, 22.5± 0.06, 17.1± 0.12 and 13.7± 0.09 days at 20, 25, 30 and 35C, respectively. The calculated developmental thresholds (t0) of the egg and nymphal stages were found to be 7.58 and 3.72C, respectively; meanwhile, the calculated developmental threshold of the whole immature stages was estimated as 5.71 and 5.76C for male and female, respectively. The mean thermal units required for development of P. parvus eggs and nymphal stages were 469.80, 134.88 DD's degree-days, respectively.
Contribución del agua de lluvia en la oferta de nutrientes minerales para Eucalyptus grandis

Incident precipitation, throughfall and stemflow under a Eucalyptus grandis stand were collected and their chemical composition was analysed to quantify nutrient accretion to the soil by precipitation during a 12 month period from November 1992 through October 1993. The stand was stablished in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1991 after applications of pulp residues and ash. Throughfall and stemflow were generally richer in K, Ca, Mg and SO4 but very poor in P and N probably due to the direct absorption of the latter by the canopy. The same was observed with K but only in the plot that received no pulp residue or ash. This paper summarizes the results of the present nutrient input study, correlating it with the nutrient requirement of E. grandis.
Evaluating the Productive Energy Content of High-Protein Distillers Dried Grains in Swine Diets

Summary A total of 300 pigs (DNA 400 × 200), initially 24.5 lb, were used in a study to evaluate the effects of increasing amounts of high-protein distillers dried grains (HP DDG) on growth performance, and to estimate the productive energy of HP DDG. Pens were allocated with 5 pigs each and fed a common diet for 21 d after weaning. Then, pens were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 5 treatments with 12 pen replicates per treatment. Treatments consisted of 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% HP DDG. Pigs were weighed weekly for 21 d to evaluate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (F/G). Caloric efficiency was obtained by multiplying ADFI by kcal of net energy (NE) per lb of diet and dividing by ADG. Productive energy was estimated based on caloric efficiency relative to the diet without HP DDG. Data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with block as a random effect and pen as the experimental unit. From d 0 to 7 and 7 to 14, increasing amounts of HP DDG linearly decreased ( P < 0.01) ADG, which was mainly driven by lower (linear, P < 0.01) ADFI. The inclusion of HP DDG negatively impacted (linear; P < 0.01) F/G from d 0 to 7 with no evidence for differences from d 7 to 14 ( P ≥ 0.321). From d 14 to 21, there was a decrease (linear, P < 0.01) in ADFI and improvement (linear, P = 0.029) in F/G as HP DDG inclusion increased. Overall (d 0 to 21), pigs fed diets with increasing HP DDG had a linear decrease ( P < 0.01) in ADG, ADFI, and final body weight. There was a tendency for a quadratic response ( P = 0.051) in F/G, with the best F/G observed for pigs fed diets with 40% HP DDG. There was a linear reduction ( P < 0.01) in caloric efficiency with increasing amounts of HP DDG, indicating an underestimation of HP DDG NE. The productive energy of HP DDG was estimated as 1,218 kcal/lb or 97.3% of corn NE.
Scale free topology as an effective feedback system

Biological networks are often heterogeneous in their connectivity pattern, with degree distributions featuring a heavy tail of highly connected hubs. The implications of this heterogeneity on dynamical properties are a topic of much interest. Here we introduce a novel approach to analyze such networks the lumped hub approximation. Based on the observation that in finite networks a small number of hubs have a disproportionate effect on the entire system, we construct an approximation by lumping these nodes into a single effective hub, and replacing the rest by a homogeneous bulk. We use this approximation to study dynamics of networks with scale-free degree distributions, focusing on their probability of convergence to fixed points. We find that the approximation preserves convergence statistics over a wide range of settings. Our mapping provides a parametrization of scale free topology which is predictive at the ensemble level and also retains properties of individual realizations. Specifically for outgoing scale-free distributions, the role of the effective hub on the network can be elucidated by feedback analysis. We show that outgoing hubs have an organizing role that can drive the network to convergence, in analogy to suppression of chaos by an external drive. In contrast, incoming hubs have no such property, resulting in a marked difference between the behavior of networks with outgoing vs. incoming scale free degree distribution. Combining feedback analysis with mean field theory predicts a transition between convergent and divergent dynamics which is corroborated by numerical simulations. Our results show how interpreting topology as a feedback circuit can provide novel insights on dynamics. Furthermore, we highlight the effect of a handful of outlying hubs, rather than of the connectivity distribution law as a whole, on network dynamics.
Pharmacognostic evaluation and phytochemical analysis of leaf and tuber of Ariopsis peltata Nimmo.

Ariopsis peltata Nimmo. (Araceae) is a tuberous, perennial herb distributed along the Western Ghats. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate pharmacological and preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of plant. The phytochemical analysis and TLC profiling was carried out and perceived the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, fats and oils, proteins, amino acid, steroids, glycosides and phenolic compounds. Powder microscopic analysis have shown the presence of starch grains, epidermal cells, libri form fiber, cluster and needle shaped crystal, pitted parenchyma and xylem elements such as reticulate and spiral vessels. TLC profiling of plant extract shown different fluorescent phytochemical compounds with different Rf values of which 0.82 and 0.80 were clear spots observed in solvent combination of hexane: ethyl acetate (6:4) for leaf extract. However, the phytochemical compounds which are responsible for biological activity recorded from present investigation may possibly give a potent plant based natural drug.
Psychophysiological Characteristics of Burnout Syndrome: Resting-State EEG Analysis

Introduction The consequences of chronic work-related stress are related to various emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Occupational burnout as a complex syndrome is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and lower professional efficacy. Moreover, the growing amount of research on the neural correlates of burnout broadens the existing knowledge on the mechanisms underlying this syndrome. Aim of the Study The aim of the study is to explore possible differences in brain activity between burnout and nonburnout employees. Frequency-specific EEG power analyses in a resting-state condition in burnout subjects and controls are presented. Materials and Methods Burnout employees (N=46; 19 men) were matched with the control group (N=49; 19 men; mean age: 36.14 years, SD=7.89). The Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) scale were used to measure burnout symptoms and work conditions, respectively. A 256-channel EEG (EGI System 300) was used to collect psychophysiological data. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed with condition (eyes-open vs. eyes-closed) and region (6 levels: extracted scalp regions) factors; burnout (2 levels: burnout vs. no burnout) was the grouping factor. Results A significant difference was observed only in the alpha frequency band: the burnout group revealed significantly lower alpha power in the eyes-open condition compared to the controls (p<0.05). The correlation analysis revealed that gender may significantly change the pattern of relations between EEG spectral characteristics and burnout symptoms. Conclusions Reduced alpha power in burnout individuals suggests cortical hyperactivity and may be related to greater mental effort and the possible development of compensatory mechanisms by burnout subjects.
A Competitive-Aging Method for Quantitative Genetic Analysis of the Chronological Lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The chronological lifespan of budding yeast is a model of aging and age-related diseases. This paradigm has recently allowed genome-wide screening of genetic factors underlying post-mitotic viability in a simple unicellular system, which underscores its potential to describe the aging process in a systematic manner. However, results from different large-scale studies show little overlap and lack enough quantitative resolution to derive interactions of genetic aging factors with the environment. Here, we present a standardized, replicable, and parallelizable method to quantify the chronological-lifespan effects of gene deletions. We estimate the relative survival of stationary-phase cells by recurrently outgrowing co-cultures of wild-type and mutant strains expressing different fluorescent proteins. Importantly, we introduce a model to estimate the association between death rates and fluorescent signals, accounting for differences in growth rate and experimental batch effects. We describe the experimental procedure— from data acquisition to calculation of relative survivorship—for nine deletion strains and contrast replicability of our method with an established parallel approach. Furthermore, we apply our strategy to quantitatively characterize the gene-drug interactions of 76 deletion strains subjected to a lifespan-extending pharmacological treatment. Our competitive-aging approach with multiple-regression modeling provides a powerful screening platform to identify aging factors and their interactions with pharmacological interventions.
Willingness of rural communities to reforest with native tree species in central Chile

Economic development of rural people is not always feasible along with concomitant forest restoration, especially when meager reforestation incentives are oriented to poor rural people who probably are not willing to plant native species in their small plots of land. Forest restoration incentives have been created by the Chilean government to engage poor rural people in reforestation using native tree species to recover degraded lands. Our objective was to compare the willingness of people from rural communities to plant native species if they had to bear the costs or if the government did, and we related the answers to environmental and socioeconomic variables. Of the 217 respondents 53.9% were interested in planting native trees if subsidies became available. Interest decreased if the respondents had to pay for the cost, but only slightly. The willingness to reforest was significantly greater at lower distance from the community to the nearest native forest for those with lower income level, and was higher when there was use of nontimber forest products or wood by the respondents. However, in spite of the positive disposition to plant native trees, only 23% of the respondents were interested in planting on their own land, which is a requirement to receive the economic incentives. Most respondents were willing to plant in open sites and on degraded hillsides that surround their communities. We conclude that despite monetary incentives, benefits cannot reach most rural inhabitants because of their lack of interest in reforesting their own land.
GC-MS analysis and insecticidal effect of methanol extract of Pistacia khinjuk Stocks leaves

Regarding the significance of environmental issues, the use of herbal compounds is proposed as an alternative method for methyl bromide and phosphine. In this research, the insecticide effect of MeOH extract of Pistacia khinjuk leaves on Tribolium confusum (Jacquelin du Val, 1863) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied. The chemical compounds of the extract were also identified by the GC-Mass device. The contact toxicity test was performed on 1 to 7-day-old insects. LC50 values of 9.32 and 5.47 mg ml–1 were calculated for T. confusum and O. surinamensis, respectively. More than 39 compounds were identified in MeOH extract of P. khinjuk, with 5-ethoxy-4-phenyl-2-isopropylphenol (29.02 %), phenyl ethyl alcohol (10.78 %), benzyl alcohol (7.8 %) and 1, 2-benzenediol (6.67 %) as main compounds. In addition, there were the known insecticide compounds such as spathulenol (2.07 %), myrcene (2.03 %), ρ-cymene (1.67 %), apiol (1.61 %), borneol (0.79 %), and pulegone (0.44 %) in the plant extract that confirmed the potential of the P. khinjuk extract in controlling stored-product insects.
Attenuated dopamine receptor signaling in nucleus accumbens core in a rat model of chemically-induced neuropathy

Neuropathy is major source of chronic pain that can be caused by mechanically or chemically induced nerve injury. Previous work in a rat model of neuropathic pain demonstrated that bilateral formalin injection into the hind paws produced mechanical hypersensitivity (allodynia) and depressed responding for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS). To determine whether neuropathy alters dopamine receptor responsiveness in mesolimbic brain regions, we examined dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptor (D1/2R) signaling and expression in male rats 14 days after bilateral intraplantar formalin injections into both rear paws. D2R-mediated G-protein activation and expression of the D2R long, but not short, isoform were reduced in nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, but not in NAc shell, caudate-putamen (CPu) or ventral tegmental area (VTA) of formalin-compared to saline-treated rats. In addition, D1R-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was also reduced in NAc core, but not in NAc shell or prefrontal cortex, of formalin-treated rats, whereas D1R expression was unaffected. Expression of other proteins involved in dopamine neurotransmission, including dopamine uptake transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), were unaffected by formalin treatment. In behavioral tests, the effects of D2R agonists on ICSS were attenuated in formalin-treated rats, whereas the effects of D1R agonists were unchanged. These results indicate that intraplantar formalin as a model of chemically induced neuropathy produces attenuation of highly specific DA receptor signaling processes in NAc core of male rats.