Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Annual Rhythmics of Lacerta vivipara JACQUIN and Lacerta agilis agilis L. (Sauria, Lacertidae) in the Netherlands

This article shows what method is suitable for an accurate determination of the annual rhythmics of lizard species. Such a determination can be reached with the help of, amongst others, mating scars, presence of deep skin folds and the structure of the navel scars in juveniles. This method was applied in a five year intensive poulation study on Lacerta vivipara and Lacerta agilis agilis in the south-east of the Netherlands. The data on rhythmics obtained thus are discussed.
Suitability of moose, elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer as hosts for winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus)

We evaluated the suitability of four species of North American Cervidae as hosts for the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) by comparing the numbers and weights of engorged female ticks recovered from experimentally infested moose (Alces alces), elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Each host was exposed to approximately equivalent infestations (~1 larva/cm2). A higher percentage of ticks were recovered as engorged females from moose (8.0%) than from elk (0.23%) or mule deer (0.60%). No engorged female ticks were recovered from white-tailed deer. Female ticks engorged on moose were larger (0.533 ± 0.169 (SD) g) than those engorged on elk (0.414 ± 0.136 g) or mule deer (0.418 ± 0.138 g). Alopecia occurred on all infested animals but was extensive only on moose. Our findings support field data suggesting that moose are the most important and the most severely affected hosts of winter ticks.
Growth of Pollicipes pollicipes (GMELIN, 1790) (Cirripedia, Lepadomorpha) on the SW coast of Portugal

Pollicipes pollicipes is widely used as food and is the subject of intensive fisheries in Portugal. Since November 1990 growth of this species was studied on the SW coast of Portugal. Two kinds of methods were used: (1) individual growth: the adjacent substrata were marked with polyester resin and the organisms were mapped and measured (Rostro-Carina length=RC) every month; 2) spatial variability of allometric growth: various biometrical measures were used for animals from different habitats; the relationship between these values and the organic weight were established. The results of these analyses suggest that there are spatial (due to tide and light related factors) and temporal differences (growth rates arc higher in spring and summer) in the growth of this pedunculate barnacle. In this study RC was the biometrical variable that best represented the linear growth of this species and we recommend its use for fishery control purposes.
Schistosoma mansoni – Biomphalaria glabrata: dynamics of the sporocyst population in relation to the miracidial dose and the host size

The rate of invasion of snails and percentage of the digestive gland occupied by daughter sporocysts decrease when the snails are larger and the miracidial dose is smaller. Growth of the sporocyst population is influenced not only by the miracidial dose, but also by the changes in the growth rate of the host. The larger the host and (or) the smaller the miracidial dose, the more significant is the volume occupied by the sporocyst population. Biomass- and (or) density-dependent regulatory mechanisms of different patterns intervene to limit the volume of parasites. Rapid colonisation and intensive exploitation of the host correspond to an immature plurimiracidial system, whereas progressive colonisation and less exploitation correspond to a mature monomiracidial system. The results are discussed in terms of possible demographic strategies that can be used to optimize parasite fitness in various environments.
TRAP CATCHES OF MUSCA VETUSTISSIMA WALKER (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) AND OTHER ARTHROPODS ASSOCIATED WITH CATTLE DUNG IN RELATION TO HEIGHT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL

Catches of male and female Musca vetustissima in isolated fly traps located up to 3 m above ground were inversely related to height, but sex ratios and female age-distributions were similar for catches at all heights. Since the effect of height on log catch was highly significant, traps must be operated at a standard height to obtain estimates of fly abundance that are comparable between sampling occasions. Seasonal variation in log catch in relation to height was also highly significant, but was small in comparison to the effects of height. Catches of other dung-frequenting arthropods in pitfall traps were highest at ground level. Very few arthropods were caught in traps located 2 m or more above ground.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE QUANTITY OF HERBAGE OFFERED AND ITS DIGESTIBILITY ON THE AMOUNT EATEN BY GRAZING CATTLE

Six calves, six heifers and six dry cows grazed a mature sward (treatments A and B) and a leafy aftermath (treatment C) in succession. The yields of herbage on the two swards were 7100 lb and 1950 lb DM per acre (7950 kg and 2180 kg per ha), respectively. The amounts of herbage offered daily were 47 lb (21–5 kg) DM per head (treatment A), 70 lb (32 kg) (treatment B), and 60 lb (27 kg) (treatment C), Two estimates of herbage organic–matter intake (O,M,I,) were made on each treatment; records of grazing behaviour were made on treatments B and C, The digestibility of the diet selected on treatment C was higher than that selected on treatments A and B, and the animals ate significantly more O,M, on treatment C, The total grazing times on treatments B and C were similar, but the animals found it more difficult to graze on treatment B Herbage O.M. I. increased significantly from treatment A to treatment B, even though the quantity of herbage offered per day on treatment A greatly exceeded the amount eaten. The increase in O,M,I, was found to be associated with an increase in faecal 0,M, output, but the digestibility of the diet did not change.
Screening and molecular characterization of new thermo‐ and ethanol‐tolerant Acetobacter malorum strains isolated from two biomes Moroccan cactus fruits

Industrially, the sensitivity of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) to the high temperatures and the high ethanol concentrations is the major concerns for manufacturers. This study was conceived and designed to isolate and identify new thermo‐ and ethanol‐tolerant AAB from Opuntia ficus‐indica L. fruits.
Avifauna em pequenas propriedades que visam o manejo florestal no município de Fernandes Pinheiro, PR

Um projeto de manejo florestal sustentavel de pequenas propriedades rurais, no municipio de Fernandes Pinheiro (PR), promove o inventario de aves locais. A formacao vegetal original na area estudada e a Floresta Ombrofila Mista. A pesquisa procurou fazer um primeiro diagnostico de aves locais e especificamente de seis propriedades, com metodos propicios a serem repetidos em periodos posteriores, de forma a monitorar a avifauna a longo-prazo e usa-la como bioindicador, principalmente em se tratando de areas que deverao sofrer manejo futuro de especies arboreas. Em toda a localidade amostrada, foram registras 124 especies, distribuidas em 41 familias. Com relacao ao status de conservacao da avifauna, foi registrada a presenca de quatro especies constantes do Livro Vermelho da Fauna Ameacada no Estado do Parana: Polioptila lactea (balanca-rabo-leitoso), Mesembrinibis cayennensis (coro-coro), Accipiter superciliosus (gaviao-miudinho) e Leptasthenura striolata (grimpeirinho). Em seis fragmentos florestais, amostrados utilizando-se o metodo de trajetos-irregulares, foram registras 102 especies. Tambem procedeu-se a amostragem da vegetacao arborea por parcelas, registrando-se 92 especies. As matrizes de Frequencia Relativa da comunidade de aves silvestres e seu sub-grupo de especies especialistas florestais obtiveram correlacao significativa com o Valor de Cobertura da comunidade arborea (DAP≥10cm).
Roflumilast in Severely Ill Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Frequent Exacerbations: Risk of Pneumonia Hospitalization and Severe Exacerbations

Roflumilast is given as an add-on to inhalation medication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis. Animal experiments have documented deleterious effects of roflumilast in bacterial infections, but trials have not reported the risk of bacterial infections in patients. The objective of this study is to determine, among outpatients with severe COPD in a two-year follow-up period, the risk of hospitalization-requiring pneumonia, severe acute exacerbation in COPD (AECOPD-hosp), and death. Patients with COPD using roflumilast (roflumilast users) were compared to a propensity score-matched COPD control group not using roflumilast (non-roflumilast users). Roflumilast users had an increased 2-year risk of hospitalization-requiring pneumonia (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.8, p-value < 0.0001) compared to controls, and of AECOPD-Hosp (hazard ratio(HR) 1.6, 95%, confidence interval (CI) 1.5 to 1.8, p-value < 0.0001) and. When adding an active comparator (theophylline) as a matching variable, the signal was largely unchanged. In conclusion, roflumilast was associated with an increased number of hospitalizations for pneumonia and for AECOPD. Since trials have not reported risks of bacterial complications and data regarding severe exacerbations in roflumilast users are sparse and diverging, these data are concerning. Trials focused on the risk of pneumonia, AECOPD, and other bacterial infections in roflumilast users are needed urgently.
Molecular phylogeny and geographic variation of Malagasy iguanas (Oplurus and Chalarodon).

The iguanid subfamily Oplurinae consists of seven species of small to medium-sized, arboreal, sand-dwelling or rock-dwelling lizards endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros, belonging to the genera Oplurus and Chalarodon. We here present the first complete molecular species-level phylogeny for Oplurinae based on DNA sequences (865 bp) of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the nuclear c-mos gene. Our study is based on 52 specimens sampled from different populations in Madagascar and includes the geographically isolated population from Grande Comore, hitherto considered as subspecies Oplurus cuvieri comorensis or even as a separate species O. comorensis. Our results confirm that, within the genus Oplurus, the largely arboreal O. cuvieri and O. cyclurus form the sister clade to the remaining, more rock-dwelling species. Within the latter lineage, Oplurus quadrimaculatus is placed most basal, O. fierinensis and O. grandidieri are closely related sister species with high support, and O. saxicola is sister to the fierinensis/grandidieri lineage. Within the arboreal Oplurus, the Comoran sample shows no genetic differentiation relative to O. cuvieri populations from the North West and Sambirano regions of Madagascar, indicating that this population should not be considered as a separate species. In the monotypic genus Chalarodon, we discovered deep genetic divergences among populations of C. madagascariensis indicating the presence of a previously unrecognized cryptic species and the need for taxonomic revision.
Effect of interferon‐γ on hepatitis B viral antigen expression in primary hepatocyte culture

Interferon‐α has been shown recently to selectively enhance hepatocyte expression of HBsAg/pre‐S2 in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in a way that may enhance immune recognition. To determine the effect of interferon‐γ on hepatitis B virus antigen expression, hepatocytes isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were incubated in the absence or presence of interferon‐γ and viral antigen expression was assessed by both radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry using appropriate monoclonal antibodies.
COVID‐19 and dermatologic surgery: Hazards of surgical plume

Dear Editor, We read with interest the article by Yang et al on the safety measures implemented for post COVID-19 resumption of dermatologic surgery services. While we commend the authors for their work and comprehensive actions put in place, there was an omission of a critical factor highly pertinent to dermatologic surgery and potential COVID-19 transmission, namely surgical plume. While ablative lasers are not ubiquitous in dermatologic surgery departments, the use of cautery forms an integral part of the discipline. Numerous studies have shown the hazards of surgical smoke containing toxic gases and metabolites harmful to both the operating dermatosurgeon as well as the patient, in addition to acting as a vector for infectious particles. COVID-19 has exposed new occupational hazards given the highly contagious nature of the virus through aerosolized procedures. The use of surgical masks may offer partial protection to respiratory droplets; however fine aerosolized particles from surgical plume may continue to pose an infectious risk to patient and staff. The use of specialized masks able to filter particles smaller than 5 μm (the threshold size for surgical masks) such as laser-specific masks or N95 masks offer better protection to aerosolized particles. It is recognized that particular diathermic instruments and parameters used can alter the composition of emitted plumes, with lower temperature plumes (such as those produced by ablative lasers) being more likely to harbor infectious material. Dermatosurgeons may wish to consider using bipolar cautery, which causes lower concentrations of small aerosolized particles, than monopolar cautery when operating with lower power settings. Additionally, measures to safely extract generated plume are required such as the use of appropriate plume extractor. Air filtration in the surgical theater should ideally constitute of air-conditioned medical high-efficiency particulate air or ultra-low particulate filter in addition to the above named measures. Given that many dermatologic surgical procedures involve the head and neck area, careful attention to hazards posed by surgical plume and ablative lasers and attempts to mitigate these are essential interventions in the COVID-19 era.
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common bloodborne viral infections reported in Pakistan. Frequent dialysis treatment of hemodialysis patients exposes them to a high risk of HCV infection. The main purpose of this paper is to quantify the prevalence of HCV in hemodialysis patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Pakistani Journals Online and Web of Science to identify studies published between 1 January 1995 and 30 October 2019, reporting on the prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to obtain pooled estimates. A funnel plot was used in conjunction with Egger’s regression test for asymmetry and to assess publication bias. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were used to identify potential sources of heterogeneity among the included studies. This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019159345). Results Out of 248 potential studies, 19 studies involving 3446 hemodialysis patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HCV in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan was 32.33% (95% CI: 25.73–39.30; I2 = 94.3%, p < 0.01). The subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of HCV among hemodialysis patients in Punjab was significantly higher (37.52%; 95% CI: 26.66–49.03; I2 = 94.5, p < 0.01) than 34.42% (95% CI: 14.95–57.05; I2 = 91.3%, p < 0.01) in Baluchistan, 27.11% (95% CI: 15.81–40.12; I2 = 94.5, p < 0.01) in Sindh and 22.61% (95% CI: 17.45–28.2; I2 = 78.6, p < 0.0117) in Khyber Pukhtoonkhuwa. Conclusions In this study, we found a high prevalence (32.33%) of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan. Clinically, hemodialysis patients require more attention and resources than the general population. Preventive interventions are urgently needed to decrease the high risk of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan.
Use of a weighing lysimeter system to assess the effects of trampling on evapotranspiration of montane plant communities

The aim was to investigate the impacts of trampling on water loss and partitioning in vegetation with contrasting structure and species composition. A new design of weighing lysimeter was used in glasshouse experiments to compare evapotranspiration from intact and trampled blocks of vegetation. The lysimeter system was able to detect differences between treatments after only a few hours. Evapotranspiration was recorded for six communities, representative of cryptogam - vascular plant communities found in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. Vegetation blocks of Racomitrium and Vaccinium/Hylocomium heath communities had the greatest cumulative evapotranspiration and lichen heath the least over 48 h. Blocks from three of the communities (Agrostis/Festuca grassland, Calluna wet heath, and lichen heath) were used in a trampling experiment with five levels of damage. Trampling progressively destroyed the structure of the vegetation of all communities and increased the rates of water loss from the blocks. The g.
Age Structure of a Longevous Coral: A Relative Index of Habitat Suitability and Stability

Data presented in this paper illustrate how differences in age structure between isolated populations of some longevous benthic invertebrates may be useful in interpreting both the relative suitability and stability of habitats in which they occur. Both measures are species specific. The suitability of a habitat for any species is most easily judged by measures of relative longevity. Habitat stability is defined as the variability between age classes of the population at a single locality. For Muricea californica, this was calculated by fitting several monotonically decreasing functions to the age frequency distributions of populations in different habitats and comparing their standard deviations. The results show that both suitability and stability of the habitat of M. californica are related to features of the substratum, although the most suitable habitats were not necessarily the most stable. The curve-fitting method, while lacking some precision, permits quantitative contrasts between habitats. Also, past changes in a habitat that occurred during the life span of a population may be evident by examining age structure, as in the case of the apparent effect of sewage on the Palos Verdes population of M. californica, an example of environmental hindcasting. If the species selected for study is a dominant member of the community in which it is found, or if it is a keystone or foundation species (Paine 1969; Dayton 1972), then its age structure may also reflect the environmental suitability and stability of many other associated or dependent species. In this sense, the index for such a species is not necessarily species specific but, rather, may be applied more broadly at the community level.
Diet-induced variation in acetate metabolism of ovine perirenal adipose tissue in vitro

SUMMARY Sixteen Blackface wether lambs (25–27 kg) were fed for 9 weeks on diets based on either barley (B) or sugarbeet pulp (S), with either a low or high protein content. A constant amount of metabolizable energy (ME) was given at twice maintenance level. At one stage the animals were fed frequently and blood was sampled over a 24 h period. Plasma was assayed for acetate, glucose and insulin. After slaughter, the metabolism of acetate to CO2 and lipid was investigated in perirenal adipocytes in vitro. Frequent feeding helped to achieve near-steady-state conditions. Carbohydrate source influenced plasma acetate (P < 0·08) but not glucose or insulin. Level of protein in the diet influenced plasma acetate, higher concentrations of acetate were associated with lower levels of protein (P < 0·01). Acetate oxidation and incorporation into lipid was influenced by the concentrations of acetate, glucose and insulin in the incubation media (P < 0·001). Acetate oxidation was influenced by carbohydrate source (P < 0·05), whereas level of protein in the diet affected acetate incorporation into lipid (P < 0·05). These results show how the balance of nutrients provided to a ruminant for metabolism may influence selected plasma parameters and the metabolism of acetate by adipose tissue, which may help to explain the reduced efficiency of ME utilization from more fibrous diets.
Effects of stock grazing on the ground invertebrate fauna of woodland remnants

Habitat fragmentation can leave formerly widespread habitat types represented by only small habitat 'islands', and the conservation of these remnants is frequently compromised by ongoing disturbance. In northern Victoria, grazing of woodland remnants by sheep and cattle has profound effects on the vegetation structure of the woodland by removing understorey and ground vegetation. To investigate the effects of grazing pressure on remnant grey box Eucalyptus microcarpa woodland in northern Victoria, we surveyed the ground invertebrate fauna in ungrazed woodland remnants, grazed woodland remnants, and grazed pasture. The number of invertebrates caught increased from ungrazed woodland to grazed woodland to pasture, but this increase was due primarily to the most abundant orders (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Aranaea), and two abundant taxa characteristic of pasture (Orthoptera and Dermaptera). In contrast, most of the less abundant orders followed the opposite pattern, and were caught in higher numbers (and as a higher proportion of the total catch) in ungrazed woodland. Ungrazed woodland had a more diverse ground invertebrate fauna, most likely due to the greater diversity of food and habitat resources provided by the less disturbed vegetation. The differences in invertebrate communities corresponded to differences in vegetation and litter layers. The reduction in biodiversity of remnants due to grazing has implications for conservation management of remnant woodland in agricultural landscapes.