Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined Transplantation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells Improve Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication in men suffered with diabetic mellitus. Stem cell transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetic ED (DED). In this study, we evaluated whether combined transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) could improve the erectile function of the DED rat model. DED rats were induced via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), and ED was screened by apomorphine (100 mg/kg). DED rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 14 each): DED, ADSC, EPC, and ADSC/EPC group. Another 14 age-matched male SD rats with normal erectile function were served as the normal group. The normal group and the DED group were received intracavernous injection with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). And the other groups were received intracavernous injection with ADSCs (1 × 106), EPCs (1 × 106), and ADSCs/EPCs (0.5 × 106/0.5 × 106), respectively. The total intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at day 28 after injection. The endothelium, smooth muscle, and penile dorsal nerves were assessed within cavernoursal tissue. On day 28 after injection, the ADSC/EPC group displayed more significantly enhanced ICP and ICP/MAP than the DED or ADSC or EPC group (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescent analysis and western blot demonstrated that the improvement of erectile function in the ADSC/EPC5 group was associated with increased expression of endothelial marker (CD31) and the correction of eNOS-cGMP-NO signaling. More 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine- (EdU-) positive EPCs could be found lining in the cavernous endothelial layer in the ADSC/EPC group than the EPC group, which was attributed to the paracrine of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) by ADSCs. Combined transplantation of ADSCs and EPCs has a synergic effect in repairing the endothelial function of DED rats, and the underlying mechanism might be the paracrine of VEGF and SDF-1 by ADSCs, which improves the recruitment and proliferation of EPCs in the cavernosum.
Biochemical changes during vitellogenesis in the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens).

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) females at different stages of vitellogenesis were sampled to investigate variations in soluble protein, lipid and water content and in the amino acid and fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas and ovaries. During vitellogenesis, the changes in the content of soluble proteins and lipids in the hepatopancreas and ovaries were dependent on both diet and the reserves from the hepatopancreas. However, in comparison to the ovary, the fluctuation of the amino acid composition in the hepatopancreas suggested that the protein resources mobilized from this organ was compensating for those gained from feeding. Changes in the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas showed limited compensatory function as for the quick accumulation of lipids in the ovaries. The proportional amounts of saturated fatty acids/mono-unsaturated fatty acids/poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the predominant fatty acids in both tissues indicated that the mobilization and utilization of fatty acids in freshwater species are different from that in marine species. Based on the redclaw's feeding habits, the commercial pellets used in this study may not be optimal, and a diet with less PUFA may suffice for its vitellogenesis and reduce the feeding costs.
Altered Patterns of Compositional and Functional Disruption of the Gut Microbiota in Typhoid Fever and Nontyphoidal Febrile Illness

Abstract Background Experimental murine models and human challenge studies of Salmonella Typhi infection have suggested that the gut microbiome plays an important protective role against the development of typhoid fever. Anaerobic bacterial communities have been hypothesized to mediate colonization resistance against Salmonella species by producing short-chain fatty acids, yet the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota in human patients with typhoid fever remain ill defined. Methods We prospectively collected fecal samples from 60 febrile patients admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, with typhoid fever or nontyphoidal febrile illness and from 36 healthy age-matched controls. The collected fecal samples were subjected to 16s rRNA sequencing followed by targeted metabolomics analysis. Results Patients with typhoid fever displayed compositional and functional disruption of the gut microbiota compared with patients with nontyphoidal febrile illness and healthy controls. Specifically, typhoid fever patients had lower microbiota richness and alpha diversity and a higher prevalence of potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa. In addition, a lower abundance of short-chain fatty acid–producing taxa was seen in typhoid fever patients. The differences between typhoid fever and nontyphoidal febrile illness could not be explained by a loss of colonization resistance after antibiotic treatment, as antibiotic exposure in both groups was similar. Conclusions his first report on the composition and function of the gut microbiota in patients with typhoid fever suggests that the restoration of these intestinal commensal microorganisms could be targeted using adjunctive, preventive, or therapeutic strategies.
FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND ω3/ω6 RATIOS OF THE MUSCLE LIPIDS OF SIX FISH SPECIES IN SUGLA LAKE, TURKEY

Fatty acid composition of the muscle lipids of Carassius gibelio, Pseudophoxinus anatolicus, Sander lucioperca, Tinca tinca, Vimba vimba tenella and Capoeta capoeta in Sugla Lake were determined. In all species, palmitic acid (13.25- 18.54% of total fatty acids) and oleic acid (11.93-34.23% of total fatty acids) were identified as major saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), respectively. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found to be the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in T. tinca, C. capoeta, C. gibelio, P. anatolicus and S. lucioperca while the predominant PUFA of V. vimba tenella was eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). S. lucioperca contained more ω3 fatty acids than the other fish species. The percentages of total ω3 fatty acids were higher than those of total ω6 fatty acids in all species. Since P. anatoli- cus is endemic and endangered, this species should be protected and produced for future marketing.
Technical efficiency of cage fish farming in Peninsular Malaysia: a stochastic frontier production approach

The study estimates technical efficiency and investigates the factors affecting the technical inefficiency of cage fish farming in Peninsular Malaysia. The study employs the stochastic frontier function to estimate a production frontier and technical inefficiency model. The data were collected using standard structured questionnaires completed by sample cage fish farmers in the study area. The result reveals an estimated mean technical efficiency score of 0.79, implying that the sample fish farmers are operating 21% below the production frontier and thus, there is room for improvement. The production function involves the use of one output and four inputs, which are stocking density, feed, labour and other relevant production costs. The coefficients of all the inputs have positive signs and statistically significant impacts on the output. The output elasticity associated with stocking density is the highest (0.634), followed by feed (0.317). The null hypotheses that the technical inefficiency effects are absent from the model and that the combined exogenous variables do not influence inefficiency are strongly rejected. The individual's null hypotheses of no age effect, no experience effect, no education effect, no species effect, no extension services effect, no workshop attended effect and no diseases effect on technical inefficiency are all rejected at different levels of statistical significance.
Environmental noise and population dynamics of the ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila in aquatic microcosms

Population theory predicts that the reddened environmental noise, especially in combination with high population growth rate, reddens population dynamics, increases population variability and strengthens environment–population correlation. We tested these predictions with axenic populations of ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila. Populations with low and high growth rate were cultured in a stable environment, and in environments with sublethal temperature fluctuations that had blue, white and red spectra (i.e. negatively autocorrelated, uncorrelated, or positively autocorrelated, respectively). Population size and biomass of individuals were determined at 3-h intervals for 18 days. Dynamics of all populations were reddened, suggesting that internal mechanisms can redden the population spectra. However, population dynamics were reddest, variability highest, and environment–population correlation strongest in the red environment as predicted. Contrary to theoretical predictions and previous empirical findings, population growth rate (rmax being equal to 0.05 and 0.3 h−1) had no effect on population dynamics. Mean cell size and variability of cell size were affected by the presence and type of environmental noise suggesting that the physiological consequences of variability depend on colour. Environmental variability decreased mean population size and biomass and the decrease was strongest in rapidly fluctuating blue and white environments. The latter finding implies that rapid fluctuations are physiologically stressful, an effect that is not accounted for in the basic population models.
The COVID-19 pandemic and human fertility

Birth trends in response to the pandemic will vary according to socioeconomic conditions The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic will have consequences for human populations. Worldwide, mortality levels are certainly affected. The worst-hit northern Italian provinces recorded losses of period life expectancy of 2 to 3.5 years for men and 1.1. to 2.5 years for women, the largest decline in life expectancy since the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic and World War II (1). Similar patterns follow in other countries (2). With the focus firmly on deaths, the scientific debate risks overlooking that population dynamics are also shaped by fertility trajectories. Throughout history, spikes in mortality owing to events such as wars, famines, and pandemics were followed by changes in fertility, resulting in fewer births in the short term and by recuperation in subsequent years (3). Economic and social change triggered by a pandemic is also likely to influence childbearing intentions and completed fertility. How the COVID-19 pandemic will affect fertility has implications for the rate of population aging, shaping future health challenges and economic growth potential across the globe.
Chronic Hemodialysis Patients have better outcomes with COVID-19 - a retrospective cohort study

Introduction Several comorbid conditions, have been identified as risk factors in patients with COVID-19. However, there is a dearth of data describing the impact of COVID-19 infection in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (ESRD-HD). Methods This retrospective case series analyzed 362 adult patients consecutively hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 illness between March 12, 2020 and May 13, 2020, at a teaching hospital in the New York City metropolitan area. Primary outcome was severe pneumonia as defined by the World Health Organization. Secondary outcomes were: 1) the Combined Outcome of Acute respiratory distress syndrome or in-hospital Death (COAD), and 2) the need for High-levels of Oxygen supplementation (HiO2). Results Patients with ESRD-HD had lower odds for poor outcomes including severe pneumonia [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.4, Confidence Interval (CI) (0.2-0.9) p=. 04], HiO2 [OR 0.3, CI (0.1-0.8) p=. 02] and COAD [OR 0.4, CI (0.2-1.05) p=. 06], when compared to patients without ESRD. In contrast, higher odds for severe pneumonia, COAD and HiO2 were seen with advancing age. African-Americans were over-represented in the hospitalized patient cohort, when compared to their representation in the community (35% vs 18%). Hispanics had higher odds for severe-illness and HiO2 when compared to Caucasians. Conclusions Patients with ESRD-HD had a milder course of illness with a lower likelihood of severe pneumonia and a lesser need for aggressive oxygen supplementation when compared to patients not on chronic dialysis. This protective effect, might have a pathophysiologic basis and needs to be further explored.
Cerebral Microvascular Injury in Severe COVID-19

IMPORTANCE: Microvascular lesions are common in patients with severe COVID-19. Radiologic-pathologic correlation in one case suggests a combination of microvascular hemorrhagic and ischemic lesions that may reflect an underlying hypoxic mechanism of injury, which requires validation in larger studies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, distribution, and clinical and histopathologic correlates of microvascular lesions in patients with severe COVID-19. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective cohort study: March to May 2020. SETTING: Single academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients (16) admitted to the intensive care unit with severe COVID-19, undergoing brain MRI for evaluation of coma or focal neurologic deficits. EXPOSURES: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Hypointense microvascular lesions identified by a prototype ultrafast high-resolution susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) MRI sequence, counted by two neuroradiologists and categorized by neuroanatomic location. Clinical and laboratory data (most recent measurements before brain MRI). Brain autopsy and cerebrospinal fluid PCR for SARS-CoV 2 in one patient who died from severe COVID-19. RESULTS: Eleven of 16 patients (69%) had punctate and linear SWI lesions in the subcortical and deep white matter, and eight patients (50%) had >10 SWI lesions. In 4/16 patients (25%), lesions involved the corpus callosum. Brain autopsy in one patient revealed that SWI lesions corresponded to widespread microvascular injury, characterized by perivascular and parenchymal petechial hemorrhages and microscopic ischemic lesions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: SWI lesions are common in patients with neurological manifestations of severe COVID-19 (coma and focal neurologic deficits). The distribution of lesions is similar to that seen in patients with hypoxic respiratory failure, sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Collectively, these radiologic and histopathologic findings suggest that patients with severe COVID-19 are at risk for multifocal microvascular hemorrhagic and ischemic lesions in the subcortical and deep white matter.
Food Habits and Habitat Utilization of the Japanese Badger (Meles anakuma) in a Grassland/Forest Mosaic

Abstract. Like European badgers, Japanese badgers are known to use earthworms as a staple food. However, while European badgers mainly eat the family Lumbricidae, Japanese badgers are thought to primarily take the family Megascolecidae in forest areas. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits and habitat utilization of Japanese badgers inhabiting a mountainous dairy farm, where a previously less-investigated mosaic of forest and open areas occurred. Invertebrates, particularly earthworms and beetles, formed the bulk of badger diet throughout the study period, while the frequency of occurrence of fruit and larvae partially depended on their seasonal availabilities. Soil sampling showed that both Megascolecidae and Lumbricidae were present in the study area, with the former being more abundant in natural forests and the latter being more abundant in pastures. Furthermore, their seasonal availability showed opposite patterns, with biomasses being the highest in summer for Megascolecidae and in spring and fall for Lumbricidae, resulting in the total biomass of earthworms in the whole study area remaining relatively consistent between seasons. Habitat use by Japanese badgers did not mirror food availability, pastures and natural forests being preferred throughout the year.
Structured training volume in early adolescence: a risk factor for femoroacetabular impingement?

Introduction: To determine whether athletes undergoing surgical intervention for FAI completed more hours of structured training in adolescence than matched healthy athletes. Methods: Sixty-seven athletes (25.53 ± 4.8 years) undergoing surgical intervention for symptomatic FAI were asked to recall the number of hours engaged in structured training between the ages of 10-12 and 13-15 years old (FAI group). Results were compared to an age (24.56 ± 4.5 years), gender and activity level matched control group (n=71) with no history of chronic hip/groin pain or hip stiffness and who were currently engaged in similar levels of training and competition. Results: The FAI group reported significantly more structured training hours between the ages of 10-12 years than controls (6.55 ± 3.1 versus 5.69 ± 3.7 hrs/week, p=0.02) but no differences were observed for training volume between the ages of 13-15 years (8.45 ± 3.4 vs 8.03 ± 3.7 hrs/week, p=.397). Conclusion: Higher volumes of structured training in early adolescence are a potential risk factor for the development of symptomatic FAI later in the player pathway. Level of evidence: IV.
Verification of first annulus formation in the illicia and otoliths of white anglerfish, Lophius piscatorius using otolith microstructure

Microincrements in the lapilli otoliths of Lophius piscatorius L. were used to validate the age of fish <27 cm TL collected in spring and autumn. Contrary to published estimates of size at age based on illicia by Dupouy et al. (1986) and Duarte et al. (1997), these small specimens were found to be either 0- or 1-group. Comparison between the macrostructures of illicia and sagittae indicated that a translucent zone is formed in the illicia of most 0-group by autumn but not in sagittae. Hence, earlier estimates of small size at age may have arisen from incorrect interpretation of the time of first translucent zone formation in illicia. In addition to enabling age validation, microstructure provided a means of distinguishing between the translucent material that forms false rings and annuli. Annuli appeared as a sequence of gradually declining increment widths whereas false rings were characterized by an abrupt check in otolith formation followed by increments similar in width to adjacent opaque material. The implications of these findings to age reading and interpretation are discussed. 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
The Mechanochemistry of Muscular Contraction

The dependence of PC1 and ATP1 dephosphorylation on the number of isometric twitches in the iodoacetate-nitrogen-poisoned muscle has been examined. There is no net dephosphorylation of adenosinetriphosphate. PC dephosphorylation varies linearly with the number of twitches and produces equivalent amounts of C1 and P1i.1 Iodoacetate concentrations which block the enzyme, creatine phosphokinase, render the muscle non-contractile. A value of 0.286 µmole/gm. for the amount of PC split per twitch is obtained which gives a value of -9.62 kcal. /mole for the "physiological" heat of hydrolysis of PC in agreement with expectations based on thermochemical data. In a single maximal isometric twitch it is estimated that 2 to 3 PC molecules are dephosphorylated per myosin molecule, or 1 per actin molecule. The results support the view that under the conditions of these experiments PC dephosphorylation is the net energy yielding reaction. The in vivo stoichiometry of the mechano-chemistry of contraction revealed by these studies on the one hand, and the known stoichiometry of actin polymerization and its coupling to the creatine phosphokinase system on the other are strikingly similar and strongly suggest that the reversible polymerization of actin is involved in a major way in the contraction-relaxation-recovery cycle of muscle.
On the morphology of the astragalus and calcaneus of the amphicyonids (Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Paleogene of Europe: implications for the ecology of the European bear-dogs

ABSTRACT The Paleogene mammals of Europe are rarely known from partial or complete skeletons. As a result, their systematics and ecology are often solely based on dental characters and postcranial remains, when available, are usually neglected. This explains why the locomotion of mammals of the Eocene-Oligocene transition, the “Grande Coupure”, is poorly known. The aim of this study is to describe the tarsal bones (astragali and calcanei) and characterize the locomotion of amphicyonid carnivorans, one of the most abundant mammalian predator groups from the Phosphorites du Quercy (France) sites. The identification of taxa and the characterization of both posture and locomotion were carried out using four criteria: relative abundance (in comparison with dental data), morphology, size, and body mass. Seven morphotypes, four among astragali and three among calcanei, are identified as Amphicyonidae and show various postures: plantigrade, semi-digitigrade, and digitigrade. One morphotype of the astragalus and one of the calcaneus are identified as Cynodictis lacustris Gervais, 1852, which exhibits a digitigrade posture. The study of postcranial bones, such as tarsals, allows for a better understanding of the ecology of these animals and deserves more interest in future morphological and phylogenetic studies.
An Indication of Long-Term Group Formation in Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Many waterbird species assemble in large aggregations during winter. In most species, these aggregations are generally thought to be composed of individuals not familiar to each other. In this study, we analysed mark-recapture data of Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula and Common Pochard A. ferina from four wintering places in Switzerland to assess whether individual birds were recaptured non-independently of each other one or more years later, We found that individual Tufted Ducks caught together during a previous winter were re-caught together more often than expected by chance. Our results suggest that winter flocks of Tufted Ducks may be socially structured to an extent unknown so far. We discuss a number of hypotheses that could explain our observations, but clearly, much more work needs to be done to confirm our observation and to understand its causes.
Diversity in phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of dent, Flint, and specialty corns.

ABSTRACT Dent, flint, and specialty genotypes of Indian yellow maize were evaluated for phytochemical content and their hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. Solid-phase extraction coupled with solid–liquid extraction was used to obtain free phenolics and flavonoids from maize samples, reducing the use of excessive solvents and handling time. Bound phenolics were extracted with enhanced acidic hydrolysis to improve extractability. The phenolic contents in Indian maize genotypes ranged from 46 to 79 μmol of ferulic acid equivalents per gram of sample on a dry basis (db). Carotenoids in Indian maize genotypes were found to be equivalent to Chinese yellow maize and ranged from 13 to 24 μg/g of sample (db), whereas tocol content varied greatly in the range of 607–1,238 μg of α-tocopherol equivalents/g of sample (db). Dent and flint corn did not exhibit differences (P > 0.05) in their phenolic contents, whereas among the specialty genotypes sweet corn contained the highest phenolics but least carotenoids (P < 0.05.