Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seed Maturity, Germination, and Endophyte Relationships in Tall Fescue

Endophytic fungi were once considered detrimental components of cool season pasture grass seed because of their association with toxic compounds. Development of new cultivars of forage grasses infected with nontoxic endophytes suggests endophytes are an essential component of pasture ecosystems. The process of transmitting endophytes via the seed embryo is poorly understood, and little is known about harvest conditions and endophyte transmission or viability. The objective of this project was to develop methods of predicting seed maturity and determine the effect of harvest maturity on viable endophyte transmission to seedling plants. Sixty panicles of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Shreb.) from fields in Georgia and Oregon were sampled from 15 d after flowering until seed freely shattered (Georgia) or seed fields were swathed (Oregon). All fields had previously tested >90% infection with endophyte before the study. Panicles were staged for maturity by scoring for color of the panicle and seed, as well as seed shatter. Chlorophyll was extracted from a fresh subsample of seed, and dry matter was determined from a second subsample. Chlorophyll was estimated by measuring light absorbance at 540 nm. Seed with varying maturity scores were germinated following different prechill conditions. Regression of chlorophyll and dry matter content (dependent variables) with maturity score (independent variable) suggest chlorophyll content (r 2 = 0.90) provided a better estimate of maturity than did dry matter (r 2 = 0.55). The more mature seed had greater mass, germinated faster, had a higher total germination, and produced more vigorous seedlings. Endophyte transmission into the developing seed was similar within different maturity seed, but infection of seedlings increased from 81 to 91% with seed maturity. We conclude that predicting tall fescue seed maturity by chlorophyll analysis provides a better estimate for seed quality when maintaining endophyte viability is of concern in the harvested seed.
Electrocardiography Interpretation Competency of Medical Interns: Experience from Two Ethiopian Medical Schools

Background Electrocardiography (ECG) is the graphical display of electrical potential differences of an electric field originating in the heart. Interpretation of ECG is a core clinical skill in the department of emergency medicine. The main aim of this survey was to assess competency of ECG interpretation among 2018 graduating class medical students in Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Methodology. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on medical interns at Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Data had been collected from October 01, 2018, to October 30, 2018, by using structured questionnaires. Data were entered, cleaned, edited, and analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabs, chi-squared test, Mann–Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression were utilized. Results Two-hundred and two graduating medical students were involved on this survey, out of which 61.3% (95% CI 56.3–66.3%) and 32.75% (95% CI 28.25–37.25) were able to correctly interpret the primary ECG parameters and the arrest rhythm of ECG abnormalities, respectively. The ability to detect from common emergency ECG abnormalities of anterioseptal ST segment elevation myocardial infraction, atrial fibrillation, and first-degree atrioventricular block was 42.6%, 39.1%, and 32.1%, respectively. Conclusion This survey showed graduating medical students had low competency in ECG interpretations.
Phylogeny of Bursaphelenchus species derived from analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences

Bursaphelenchus species can cause serious economic damage to pine forestry, and are widely distributed across the globe. The genetic structure of the B. mucronatus-B. xylophilus species group was investigated using sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal RNA gene repeat as a marker. Analysis of the ITS from 11 Bursaphelenchus isolates, using Aphelenchoides rhytium as an outgroup, supports the perception that the two species are distinct genetic entities. Significant divergence was however found within each species. ITS sequence analysis does not support a separation of European and Japanese B. mucronatus into distinct species-level taxa. Phylogenie des especes de Bursaphelenchus issue d'une analyse des sequences du DNA ribosomique de l'espaceur interne transcrit - Les especes de Bursaphelenchus peuvent provoquer de serieux degats aux cultures de pins et sont largement reparties dans le monde. La structure genetique des especes du groupe B.mucronatus-B. xylophilus a ete etudiee en utilisant comme marqueur des sequences repetees de l'espaceur interne transcrit du gene de l'ARN ribosomique. L'analyse des ITS de 11 isolats de Bursaphelenchus, en utilisant Aphelenchoides rhytium comme un extra-groupe, conforte l'idee que les deux especes sont des entites genetiques distinctes. Une divergence significative a cependant ete trouvee a l'interieur de chaque especes. L'analyse des sequences des ITS n'accredite pas la separation des B. mucronatus europeen et japonais en deux especes distinctes.
Free fatty acids and oxidative changes of a Spanish soft cheese (PDO ‘Torta del Casar’) during ripening

Summary Free fatty acids (FFA) and lipid and protein oxidation changes during ripening were studied in Torta del Casar cheese. This cheese with protected designation of origin (PDO) is made from raw ewe milk and uses vegetable rennet. Cheeses were analysed at four different stages of ripening at 1, 30, 60 and 90 days. Most FFA significantly increased throughout maturation, except valeric and margaric acids. Acetic acid content increased during ripening and was the most abundant FFA in Torta del Casar cheese at the end of ripening. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) showed an important increase throughout maturation, especially butyric, isovaleric and isobutyric acids. Lipid oxidation values significantly increased during the first month and decreased in the last 2 months of maturation; however, protein oxidation did not significantly change during ripening. Changes in FFA, especially SCFA, could have great importance in Torta del Casar cheese final characteristics; however, oxidative reactions did not play an important role.
Oxic-anoxic transition of benthic fluxes from the coastal marine environment (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea)

The influence of O2 concentration on mineralisation processes was examined by sediment incubation experiments under controlled laboratory conditions over a sequence of oxic, anoxic and then reoxidising conditions. Sediments were studied from five locations representing marine, lagoonal and brackish environments in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea). A complete depletion of dissolved O2 and nitrate were observed after ~6 –15 days in marine and lagoonal sediments, and after 5 days in brackish sediments. During the reoxygenation phase, nitrification occurred at some sites, as evidenced by increases in NO3– concentrations, but not at other sites, indicating an inhibited recovery response to intermittent oxic conditions. NH4+ and PO43– regeneration during mineralisation was much more extensive in sediments overlain by oxygen-depleted waters, driving additional eutrophication. During reoxygenation, an influx of phosphate was observed in all three sedimentary environments, removing soluble phosphorus through coagulation and finally precipitation. Two degraded organic matter (OM) types could be distinguished: OM degraded under oxic conditions in marine and brackish sediments v. OM rapidly degraded under anoxic conditions in lagoon sediments.
CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotides Alleviate Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Macrophage Apoptosis by Regulating Mitochondrial Function and Suppressing ROS Production

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are related to disease pathogenesis. Oligodeoxynucleotide containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) demonstrate possibilities for immunotherapy applications. The aim of the present work is to explore the underlying mechanism of the cytoprotective function of CpG ODN by employing the oxidative stress modulation in immune cells. We used the imaging flow cytometry to demonstrate that tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and ROS production in RAW264.7 cells. After pretreatment with CpG ODN, the percentage of apoptotic cells and ROS production was both markedly reduced. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) induced by t-BHP was partially reversed by CpG ODN. The t-BHP induced upregulation of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, cleaved-PARP, and bax) was notably decreased in the presence of CpG ODN. Furthermore, we found that CpG ODN enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt to inhibit ROS production. In conclusion, the protective effect of CpG ODN in mitigation of t-BHP-induced apoptosis is dependent on the reduction of ROS.
Effectiveness of a Global Multidisciplinary Supportive and Educational Intervention in Thermal Resort on Anthropometric and Biological Parameters, and the Disease-Free Survival after Breast Cancer Treatment Completion (PACThe)

A growing knowledge highlights the strong benefit of regular physical activity in the management of breast cancer patients, but few studies have considered biological parameters in their outcomes. In the prospective randomised trial after breast cancer treatment completion “PACThe,” we determined the effects of physical activity and nutritional intervention on the biological and anthropometric status of patients after one year of follow-up, and clarified the link between biomarkers at allocation and disease-free survival. 113 patients from the population of the “PACThe” study (n = 251) were analysed for biological parameters. Patients were randomized after chemotherapy in two arms: the intervention “SPA” receiving a 2-week session of physical training, dietary education, and physiotherapy (n = 57), and the control “CTR” (n = 56). Diet questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and blood parameters were determined at allocation and one year later. Survival and recurrence were checked over 7 years. Data were considered as a function of BMI, i.e., ≤25 for normal, 25–30 for overweight, and >30 for obese patients. At allocation, the large standard deviation for nutrient-intake values reflected an unbalanced diet for some patients in the three groups. At one-year follow-up, we noticed an increase in glucose (p < 10−6), insulin (p < 10−7), and adiponectin (p < 0.022) plasma levels for both intervention arms, which were more accentuated for the >30 groups. Using the Cox model, we demonstrated that the highest testosterone plasma values were linked to an increase of the recurrence risk (HR [CI–95%] = 5.06 [1.66–15.41]; p=0.004). One-year after a global multidisciplinary supportive and educational intervention, we found few anthropometric and biological changes, mainly related to the patient's initial BMI. We highlighted the importance of plasma testosterone in the evaluation of patient's recurrence risk. Future studies would help better understand the mechanisms by which such multidisciplinary interventions could interact with breast cancer recurrence and define the most effective modalities.
ZNRD1 and Its Antisense Long Noncoding RNA ZNRD1-AS1 Are Oppositely Regulated by Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Breast Cancer Cells

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been recognized as a potential alternative or supplementary cancer treatment tool, which is attributed by its selective antiproliferation effect on cancer cells over normal cells. Standardization of the CAP treatment in terms of biological outputs such as cell growth inhibition and gene expression change is essential for its clinical application. This study aims at identifying genes that show consistent expression profiles at a specific CAP condition, which could be used to monitor whether CAP is an appropriate treatment to biological targets. To do this, genes showing differential expression by two different CAP treatment conditions were screened in the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. As a result, ZNRD1 was identified as a potential marker with being consistently upregulated by 600 s but downregulated by the 10 × 30 s CAP treatment scheme. Expression of ZNRD1 was increased in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, judged by cancer tissue database analysis, and supported by the antiproliferation after siRNA-induced downregulation in MCF-7. Interestingly, the antisense long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) of ZNRD1, ZNRD1-AS1, was regulated to the opposite direction of ZNRD1 by CAP. The siRNA-based qPCR analysis indicates that ZNRD1 downregulates ZNRD1-AS1, but not vice versa. ZNRD1-AS1 was shown to increase a few cis-genes such as HLA-A, HCG9, and PPP1R11 that were also regulated by CAP. Altogether, this study identified a pair of gene and its antisense lncRNA of which expression is precisely controlled by CAP in a dose-dependent manner. These genes could help elucidate the molecular mechanism how CAP regulates lncRNAs in cancer cells.
Stick insect on unsafe ground: does a fossil from the early Eocene of France really link Mesozoic taxa with the extant crown group of Phasmatodea?

The recently described Gallophasma longipalpis from Earliest Eocene French amber is considered to be a key fossil taxon that phylogenetically links ‘Mesozoic Phasmatodea’ with extant stick and leaf insects. However, our re‐evaluation of the evidence provided for this placement reveals that Gallophasma does not possess any unambiguous synapomorphies with extant forms, e.g. neither with Euphasmatodea nor with the more inclusive Phasmatodea. The fusion of abdominal segment 1 with the metathoracic segment, a derived character state present in both Gallophasma and Euphasmatodea, shows fundamental structural differences, and cannot be homologized between both taxa. We argue that the presence of a well‐developed, externally visible ovipositor and four‐segmented cerci in Gallophasma can be interpreted only as plesiomorphic with regards to all extant Phasmatodea, or even to Phasmatodea plus its putative sister groups Embioptera or Orthoptera. Gallophasma does not belong to the stem lineage of recent Phasmatodea, and is referred to best as ‘lower Neoptera’ or Polyneoptera incertae sedis. Therefore, this fossil may be central to reconstructing the ground pattern of the aforementioned orthopteroid lineages, and to determining wing character polarity within Polyneoptera.
Long‐term effect of forest fragmentation on the Amazonian gekkonid lizards, Coleodactylus amazonicus and Gonatodes humeralis

We investigated the effect of forest fragmentation on the abundance of the gekkonid lizards Coleodac- tylus amazonicus and Gonatodes humeralis in fragments associated with Amazonian savanna near Alter do Chao, Para, Brazil. These fragments have been isolated for at least 150 years and probably more. Abundance of lizards, tree density and food availability were estimated in 1000-m transects in eight sites in continuous forest and 21 forest fragments, ranging in size from 3.6 to 360 ha and distant from ~150-10 000 m from continuous forests. Coleo- dactylus amazonicus was at least an order of magnitude more adundant than G. humeralis in continuous forest, and both species were negatively affected by fragmentation. Coleodactylus amazonicus was encountered only in continu- ous forest, the largest fragment, and one fragment adjacent to continuous forest. Gonatodes humeralis occurred in the majority of fragments, but was more common in continuous forest, and occurred in lower densities in fragments more distant from continous forest. The species with lowest recorded densities in continuous forest was the most resistant to fragmentation, contrary to what would be predicted from neutral models, such as island-biogeography theory, possibly because other factors are more important than initial population size in long-term fragmented landscapes.
Population Growth of Six Iranian Brachionus Rotifer Strains in Response to Salinity and Food Type

Intrinsic rates of population increase (r) were evaluated as a measure of population dynamics of four strains of Brachionusplicatilis and two strains of B. urceolaris from Iran in response to different salinities and feeding algae. Each rotifer strain was cultured at four salinities: 5, 20, 25 and 30‰ and fed with two microalgal species: Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata. Salinity of 5‰ was critical for all the examined strains, at which r was at minimum and was different from the other salinities (P < 0.05). For B. plicatilis strains, the maximum r was observed in those fed on Chlorella at salinities of 10 and 30‰ (64 ± 0.01 day−1). While, in B. urceolaris, maximum r was for Nannochloropsis fed rotifers at salinity of 20‰ (0.69 ± 0.01 day−1). Maximum final population density (FD) was obtained for a strain of B. urceolaris fed on Nannochloropsis at 20‰ (329.3 ± 10.9 ind.mL−1). FD was relatively lower in B. plicatilis strains among all examined salinities. ANOVA showed the significant effect of salinity and rotifer strain, and algae × rotifer strain on both r and FD, and salinity × rotifer × algae on FD (P < 0.05). (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Isolation and Structure of Neoannonin, a Novel Insecticidal Compound from the Seeds of Annona squamosa

Two insecticidal compounds were isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa. One was identified as annonin (squamocin) and the other was characterized as a novel dihydroxy-bistetrahydrofuran fatty acid lactone (acetogenin) with 35 carbons. These two compounds were toxic to eggs, larvae and adults of the fruitfly.
The time course of diameter increment responses to selection harvests in Acer saccharum

We used dendroecological techniques to analyze the temporal pattern in diameter growth following selection harvests in stands dominated by Acer saccharum Marsh. in central Ontario and examined differences in growth responses related to tree size, damage, and orientation relative to canopy gaps. While dendroecological studies have commonly assumed that trees show immediate growth responses to gap creation (i.e., within 12 years), we found that the growth enhancement in A. saccharum was gradual and did not reach a peak until 35 years following gap creation. Trees of intermediate size showed the largest proportional growth increases after gap creation, with the largest responses observed in trees on the north side of gaps. Trees with visible damage to the crown or bole had significantly lower preharvest basal area increments than trees with little or no damage, but showed greater proportional growth responses to gap creation. Both the long observed time delay in tree growth response to canopy opening and t.
Cytosolic and nuclear localization of the cytolytic and insecticidal plant protein enterolobin

Enterolobin is a 52 905 Da cytolytic, inflammatory and insecticidal protein obtained from seeds of the Brazilian tree Enterolobium contortisiliquum. It shares structural and functional similarities with aerolysins, pore-forming toxins from Aeromonas bacteria. These characteristics suggest that enterolobin might play a defence role in the plant. In order to determine the localization and distribution of this phytocytolysin in the seed cells, immunocytochemical labelling experiments were carried out using rabbit anti-enterolobin serum and colloidal gold conjugated with goat anti-rabbit IgG. Light microscopy results indicated that labelling was widely distributed in the cytosol (33%) of cotyledon cells and in the nucleus (67%). Electron microscopy results confirmed the presence of enterolobin in both the cytosol and nucleus. Putative nuclear localization signals (NLS) were found in the sequence of enterolobin.
Acute effects of aerobic running on blood pressure In young normotens adults

The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of blood pressure induced by moderate intensity aerobic exercise in young adults. Thirty-one individuals (18 women and 13 men) were submitted an anthropometric evaluation and a 40-min running protocol between 60% and 70% of the reserve heart rate. Hemodynamic measurements, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were carried out before and after the running protocol through Student's ttest for the dependent variables. All tests assumed α = 0.05. Significant differences were recorded between SBP before (127.1 ± 11.5 mmHg) and after (119.9 ± 10.2 mmHg) the running protocol. The results showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure, which resulted in a mean difference of -7.2 ± 6.2 mmHg, demonstrating a significant difference (p = 0.00001). However, in the DBP before (73.6 ± 8.6 mmHg) and after (72.5 ± 7.8 mmHg) no showing a significant difference (p = 0.36) as an acute effect on the decrease the running protocol. In conclusion, that moderate intensity and long duration running exercise can be aided in the non-pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension and as an improvement in cardiovascular health.
Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-β-induced Apoptosis through the Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway*

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in Hep 3B cells. This work investigated how hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) affects TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Trypan blue exclusion and colony formation assays revealed that HBx increased the ID50 toward TGF-β. In the presence of HBx, TGF-β-induced DNA laddering was decreased, indicating that HBx had the ability to block TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, HBx did not alter the expression levels of type I and type II TGF-β receptors. HBx did not affect TGF-β-induced activation of promoter activities of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene. These results indicate that HBx interferes with only a subset of TGF-β activity. In the presence of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin or LY294002, the HBx-mediated inhibitory effect on TGF-β-induced apoptosis was alleviated. In addition, the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of the regulatory subunit p85 of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and PI 3-kinase activity were elevated in stable clones with HBx expression. Transactivation-deficient mutants of HBx lost their ability to inhibit TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Phosphorylation of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase and Akt, a downstream target of PI 3-kinase, was not observed in stable clones with transactivation-deficient HBx mutant's expression. Thus, the anti-apoptotic effect of HBx against TGF-β can be mediated through the activation of the PI 3-kinase signaling pathway, and the transactivation function of HBx is required for its anti-apoptosis activity.
HALLAZGO DE ADESMIA BIJUGA PHIL. (FABACEAE) EN LA ZONA COSTERA, REGION DEL MAULE, CHILE CENTRAL

This article reports the rediscovery of the specie Adesmia bijuga Phil. (Fabaceae), in the coastal zone of the Maule Region (35°29'31" S - 72°22'47" W) in central Chile. The population was found between two Pinus radiata D.Don plantations and species of the sclerophyllous shrub. Its state of conservation is unknown.