Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term changes in numbers and distribution of wintering waterbirds in the Czech Republic, 1966–2008

Capsule Of 26 species of wintering waterbirds, 18 showed an increase in numbers, five showed a decrease and two showed no change. Aim To assess long-term trends in the numbers and distribution of the 26 most abundant wintering waterbird species in the Czech Republic. Methods We used International Waterbird Census data from between 48 and 639 wetland sites which had been counted annually in the Czech Republic from 1966 to 2008. From these data long-term changes in numbers and distributions were determined. Log-linear Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate missing data using trim software. The distribution of each species was described as the ratio of the number of sites occupied by that species to the total number of sites investigated. Results Increasing trends were found for 18 species, five species were found to be declining, one species was stable and two species were found with uncertain trends. Wintering distributions (the ratio of sites occupied by a given species to the total number of sites counted) increased in 16 species and decreased in two species, broadly correlated with the species changes in numbers. Conclusion In most species changes in numbers as well as changes in distribution followed the Western Palearctic population trends. Those species which increased were mainly piscivores and included geese, ducks and gulls. Scarcer species also exhibited an increase in numbers. The changes in numbers (both positive and negative) were more frequent among species associated with running water, whereas species which showed uncertain trends were more frequently recorded on standing water, which is more affected by variable weather conditions.
Digestibility of a high‐fiber biscuit‐based diet by black and white colobus (Colobus guereza)

The acceptability and digestibility of a high‐fiber biscuit‐based diet was investigated using two adult male Colobus guereza animals. Although the animals were initially reluctant to accept the biscuit, it was eventually readily consumed. Apparent digestion coefficients for the diet (average composition, dry matter basis: 16% crude protein, 25% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 9.5% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 1.2% acid lignin) determined by total fecal collection were 0.871 for dry matter, 0.813 for NDF, 0.693 for ADF, and 0.208 for acid lignin. Fiber digestive capabilities in C. guereza generally exceeded those reported in ruminant species based on predictive equations. Use of acid lignin and Cr2O3 as markers underestimated dry matter digestibility by 3.9 and 6.0%, respectively.
Early and natural embryonic death in Lagostomus maximus: Association with the uterine glands, vasculature, and musculature

The uterus is an organ with great plasticity due to the morphological and physiological changes it experiences during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. In mammals, pregnancy requires diverse sex hormones, growth factors and cytokines, among others, for promoting uterine remodeling to favor implantation, placentation, and embryo/fetus survival and growth. The hystricognathi rodent Lagostomus maximus (plains viscacha) has a high rate of embryonic resorption. The cranial and middle implants are reabsorbed 25–35 days after intercourse while the caudal embryos continue with their development until two precocial offspring are born. So far, no uterine studies of non‐pregnant L. maximus females were performed to determine the possible existence of variations in the organ that could be related to the differential survival of the implants. We used ultrasonography, as well as morphological, morphometric, histochemical, lectinhistochemical, and immunohistochemical methods to study differences in the uterine glands (area), vasculature (area), and musculature (thickness) along the uterine horns in non‐pregnant females. Along the uterus, all these structures were in more advanced developmental condition in the caudal region as compared to more anterior positions. These regional variations could be decisive in explaining the reason why only caudal implantations come to term. In contrast, no differences in the in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells, nor in the degree of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and hormonal receptor staining were found. These parameters could be related to implantation along the uterine horns, but not to the differential survival of the implants.
Interlimb Responses to Perturbations of Bilateral Movements are Asymmetric

Abstract Previous research has revealed rapid feedback mediated responses in one arm to mechanical perturbations applied to the other arm during shared bimanual tasks. We now ask whether these interlimb responses are expressed symmetrically. We tested this question in a virtual reality environment: a cursor representing each hand was used to ‘pick up’ each end of a virtual bar and place it into a target trough. Near the onset of occasional, unpredictable trials, one arm was perturbed. Regardless of which arm was perturbed, ipsilateral responses were significant during the perturbation. However, responses in the arm contralateral to the perturbation were asymmetric. While the non-dominant arm showed a significant kinematic response to correct the bar orientation when the dominant arm was mechanically perturbed, the dominant arm did not respond when the non-dominant arm was perturbed. We also saw an asymmetric response in early EMG activity, in which only the non-dominant anterior deltoid showed a significant reflex response within 100 milliseconds of perturbation onset in response to dominant arm. This response was consistent with correcting the bar position, but not with correcting its orientation. We conclude that responses to perturbations during bilateral movements are expressed asymmetrically, such that non-dominant arm responses to perturbations to the dominant arm are stronger than dominant arm responses to non-dominant arm perturbations.
Laypeople's beliefs about memory: disentangling the effects of age and time

ABSTRACT Cognitive scientists have firmly established that memory is vulnerable to decay and distortion. Yet laypeople – who may be required to evaluate memory evidence as jurors – have shown less awareness of memory fallibility. Although we might expect laypeople's knowledge of memory to have improved over time, research has yet to explore this issue while accounting for possible age-related changes. We administered a modified version of the Beliefs about Memory Survey (BAMS) to a community sample, investigating patterns of beliefs relating to memory permanence, repression of traumatic memories, and memory reconstruction. Older participants were more likely than younger participants to believe that traumatic memories can be repressed, while younger participants were more likely than their older counterparts to believe that memory is permanent, but also that memory is malleable. We assessed whether these beliefs were stable over time, by comparing our data to a sample of data collected 25 years earlier. Although contemporary beliefs about the repression of traumatic memories and memory reconstruction were more aligned with expert opinion than those of 25 years ago, beliefs about memory permanence were not. These findings highlight the need for continued education about memory and its shortcomings. We discuss ways of improving decisions about memory evidence.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for Moderate and High Myopia: Seven-Year Outcomes of Refraction, Corneal Tomography, and Wavefront Aberrations

Purpose To investigate the long-term outcomes of refraction, corneal tomography, and wavefront aberrations after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for moderate and high myopia. Methods Prospective, nonconsecutive case series. A total of 26 patients (26 eyes) who underwent SMILE from May 2010 to March 2013 at the Fudan University Eye and ENT Hospital (Shanghai, China) were enrolled. The periods of follow-up were 1 month, 1 year, 5 years, and 7 years after surgery. The routine eye examinations included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, and corneal tomography. Results All surgeries were executed without any complications. At the final visit, an UDVA of 20/20 or better was achieved in 26 eyes (100%) and 11 eyes (42%) exhibited no change in CDVA. 9 eyes (35%) gained one line, 6 eyes (23%) gained two lines, and no eyes lost CDVA. 24 eyes (92%) and 26 eyes (100%) were within ±0.5 D and ±1.00 D of the target refraction, respectively. A mean refractive regression of −0.17 D was observed between 1 month and 7 years postoperatively. Mean corneal front curvature (MCFC) was significantly decreased between pre- and post-SMILE surgery (P < 0.0001). Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and vertical coma were significantly increased after SMILE compared to those measured before surgery (all P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in trefoil and spherical aberration between pre- and post-SMILE surgery (all P > 0.05). Conclusion SMILE is an effective, safe, and stable procedure for moderate and high myopia, with relatively constant corneal stability and wavefront aberrations. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-ONRC-13003114.
COVID-19: Review of Epidemiology and Potential Treatments Against 2019 Novel Coronavirus

An epidemic of extreme respiratory deterrence, pneumonia and shortness of breath, the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and rapidly spread across China and beyond, with human to human transmission. On February 12, 2020, World Health Organization officially named the new coronavirus disease as coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Most COVID-19 patients were diagnosed with pneumonia and many were treated using Chinese medicines and other secondary therapies. As of April 22, 2020, the total figure of infected patients has crossed 2.6 million people worldwide with over 180,000 deaths and 700,000 patients that have recovered. Preliminary reports suggest that certain drugs, such as chloroquine and antiviral nucleotide analogues such as remdesivir, which inhibit viral replication, can target the new coronavirus, although their usefulness in the clinic is still under debate. An expert US committee developed the US NIH guidelines for COVID-19 treatment, which was just released and will be regularly updated. This manuscript reviews the epidemiology, etiology, mortality, COVID-19 clinical symptoms, and potential therapeutic drugs, while highlighting the seriousness and damage-induced by SARS-CoV-2.
Comprehensive analysis on the whole Rho‐GAP family reveals that ARHGAP4 suppresses EMT in epithelial cells under negative regulation by Septin9

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental biological process that occurs during development and tumorigenesis. The Rho family of GTPases (Rho‐family) is a well‐characterized regulator of actin cytoskeleton that gives rise to EMT‐associated cell activities. Meanwhile, there are in total at least 66 different Rho‐GTPase‐activating proteins (Rho‐GAPs), which, as an upstream regulator, inactivate specific members of the Rho‐family in a cell context‐dependent manner. However, molecular roles of individual Rho‐GAPs are poorly understood, particularly regarding their involvements in EMT. Here, based on comprehensive screening on the whole Rho‐GAP family, we identified specific Rho‐GAPs that are responsible for the maintenance of epithelial cell phenotypes, suppressing EMT in human mammary epithelial cells. Specifically, we revealed that at least two Rho‐GAPs, that is, ARHGAP4 and SH3BP1, critically regulate the cell morphology. Among them, we focused on ARHGAP4 and demonstrated with multidisciplinary approaches that this specific Rho‐GAP regulates epithelial/mesenchymal‐selective marker expression, cell proliferation, migration, 3D morphogenesis, and focal adhesion/stress fiber‐driven physical force generation in a manner reminiscent of the EMT process. Furthermore, we identified Septin9 with proteomic analyses as a negative regulator of ARHGAP4, which promotes the occurrence of EMT by activation of the FAK/Src signaling pathway. These findings shed light on the novel Rho‐GAP‐associated pathway in the EMT process under development and tumorigenesis.
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalized on Hydrogel Grafted Silk Fibroin Fabrics as Efficient Composite Dressing

Recent advances in woundcare is targeted towards developing active-dressings, where multiple components are combined to provide a suitable environment for rapid healing. The aim of the present research is to study the preparation of biomimic composite wound dressings by the grafting of hydrogel on silk fibroin fabric. The swelling ability of hydrogel grafted silk fibroin fabric was optimized by changing the initiator concentration. In order to impart antimicrobial properties, these dressing are further coated sono-chemically with zinc oxide nanoparticles. The water vapor transmission rate of the prepared samples was measured. The conformation of silk fibroin proteins after grafting with hydrogel was also confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the zinc oxide-coated silk fibroin fabric and hydrogel-coated silk fibroin was studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The antimicrobial activity of the zinc oxide-coated samples was studied against E coli. The cytocompatibility of the prepared dressing materials were evaluated using L929 fibroblast cells. MTT assay and phase contrast microscopic studies showed that the adherence, growth, and proliferation of the L929 fibroblast cells that were seeded on zinc oxide nanoparticles on the functionalized hydrogel-coated silk fibroin dressing was significantly higher than that of pure silk fibroin due to the highly porous, bio-mimic structure that allowed ease of passage of nutrients, growth factors, metabolites, and the exchange of gases which is beneficial for successful regeneration of damaged tissues. The expression of TNF-α and IL-2 were not significantly higher than that of control. The proposed composite dressing would be a promising material for wound dressing and regenerative medicine but in order to prove the efficacy of these materials, more in vivo experiments and clinical tests are required to be conducted in future.
Effect of Liquid Cattle Manure on Corn Yield, Composition, and Soil Properties

The effects of liquid dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure on corn (Zea mays L.) yield and composition were studied in a 4-yr field experiment conducted under a Mediterranean environment. In addition, long-term impact of (8-yr) manure application on soil-available NO 3 -N, P, and K; organic C; Kjeldahl N; and salinity was investigated. Four treatments were established in plots, previously used for a similar 4-yr experiment with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Treatments were: (i) application of 80 Mg manure ha -1 yr -1 ; (ii) single application of the equivalent N-P as inorganic fertilization (260 kg N ha -1 yr -1 and 57 kg P ha -1 yr -1 ); (iii) identical to (ii), but with split N application; and (iv) no fertilization. Corn grain and silage yields, N-P-K plant concentration, and uptake were significantly increased by manure or inorganic fertilizer addition relative to the control. During the 4-yr corn experiment, the amounts of available NO 3 -N in the soil profile of manure plots were higher than control, but similar to both inorganic fertilization treatments. Manure application maintained the amounts of soil available NO 3 -N, P, and K at desirable levels, almost each year of the total 8-yr application. However, soil organic C and Kjeldahl N remained unchanged. At the end of the experiment, soil salinity below 30 cm was significantly increased on manure or inorganic fertilizer addition relative to the control, but at levels acceptable for most crops. In conclusion, soil application of liquid dairy cattle manure at a rate equivalent to the recommended inorganic fertilization can enhance corn yield and composition and maintain soil fertility at desirable levels, without increasing soil salinity at unacceptable levels.
Dietary fibre intake and its association with inflammatory markers in adolescents

Abstract A high dietary fibre intake has been associated with improvements in inflammatory conditions in adults. However, little is known on whether associations between dietary fibre and inflammation are evident during adolescence. We examined the relationship between dietary fibre intake measured by FFQ and the inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the adipokines leptin and adiponectin cross-sectionally in 17-year-olds participating in the Raine Study (n 621). In weighted analysis using tobit and linear regression, and after excluding participants with hs-CRP > 10 mg/l, higher total dietary fibre intake (per 5 g/d) was significantly associated with lower leptin (β = –0·13, 95 % CI –0·17, –0·09) and adiponectin (β = –0·28, 95 % CI –0·49, –0·07), but not hs-CRP, in unadjusted analyses. These associations were no longer significant after adjustment for sex, anthropometry and a number of lifestyle factors. However, higher cereal and grain fibre intake was significantly associated with lower leptin (β = –0·06, 95 % CI –0·10, –0·01) in fully adjusted analysis. Our findings suggest that a higher intake of cereal and grain fibre may contribute to lower leptin in adolescents. This may contribute to reductions in low-grade chronic inflammation and improved health outcomes.
Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Unripe Red Grapes (cv. Sangiovese) through a Green Extraction

Unripe grapes are a potential source of bioactive compounds which can exert antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, very little information is available about the composition of unripe grapes extracts and their extraction techniques. This study aims to evaluate the recovery of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of the extract from unripe Sangiovese grapes obtained at an industrial-scale and the composition of the extract during processing. The extraction yield was approximately 75%. During the extraction, the total phenol (TP), antioxidant activity (AA) total anthocyanin (TAnt), pantothenic acid and choline content significantly increased. High concentrations of TP (2522 mgCATeq/L), AA (8227 μmolTEAC/L) and total water-soluble vitamins (1397 μg/L) were reached at the end of process. The antioxidant activity of the extract was positively correlated with all the phenol compounds and the highest correlations were found with procyanidin B1 (r = 0.994; p-value < 0.004), procyanidin B2 (r = 0.989; p-value < 0.004), kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (r = 0.995; p-value < 0.004) and quercetin 3-O-hexoside (r = 0.995; p-value < 0.071). Our findings contribute to the knowledge of the bioactive composition of unripe grapes. An efficient industrial-scale “green” extraction method, ready to be transferred to the wine sector, was developed to obtain a safe extract with a high concentration of bioactive compounds.
Thylakoid-bound and stromal antioxidative enzymes in wheat treated with excess copper

Copper is a catalyst in the formation of reactive free radicals and its toxicity may be due, at least in part, to oxidative damage. The response of thylakoid-bound and stromal antioxidative enzymes against the generation of superoxide radical was investigated in seedlings of wheat (Triticum durum L. cv. Adamello) grown in hydroponic culture for 10 days and subjected to 10 and 50 µM copper treatments. Electron spin resonance of roots evidenced a spectrum of copper, the intensity of which increased with the treatment, whereas the carbon-centered free radical spectrum detected in the control leaves was not seen anymore in the treated samples. As well as thylakoids, photosystem II (PSII) particles were able to produce the superoxide radical. Increased superoxide production both by thylakoids and PSII was observed in the sample treated with 50 µM Cu. Induction of thylakoid-bound and stromal antioxidative enzymes, with the exception of dehydroascorbate reductase, was also detected in leaves treated with the highest copper concentration. No Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) was detected in thylakoids of wheat. Both stromal and thylakoid-bound SOD were CuZn-SOD with 16.2-kDa subunits. Both western blotting and immuno-electron microscopy showed that the SOD subunit was recognized by a polyclonal antibody against glyoxisomal CuZn-SOD from watermelon cotyledon. In the stroma of wheat, ascorbate peroxidase showed at least three well-resolved bands differently induced by copper treatments.
Long-term availability of phosphorus from calcined rock phosphate compared with superphosphate

The phosphorus supply from single dressings of three rates of superphosphate and Christmas Island C-grade ore calcined at either (a) 500¦C or (b) 900¦C were compared in a long-term field trial by measuring (i) bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus and (ii) dry weight of tops of a subterranean clover based pasture in spring each year. For superphosphate, the bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus decreased with time, whereas for the two calcined products, the amount of bicarbonateextractable phosphorous, although initially low, increased slightly with time. As measured by herbage yield, the effectiveness of superphosphate decreased from the first to the second year and thereafter changed little with time. The effectiveness of the two calcined products tended to increase with time. Superphosphate was much more effective than the two calcined products throughout the trial. The effectiveness of both calcined products were similar, despite the fact that the fertilizers differed in their proportions of total phosphorus which was soluble in neutral ammonium citrate. The bicarbonate soil test did not always predict the same future pasture production for the three phosphorus sources, indicating that different soil test calibration curves are needed for each source.
Novel Therapy of Bicarbonate, Glutathione and Ascorbic Acid Improves Cystic Fibrosis Mucus Transport.

Defective airway mucus clearance is a defining characteristic of CF lung disease, and improvements to current mucolytic strategies are needed. Novel approaches targeting a range of contributing mechanisms are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. ARINA-1 is a new, nebulized product comprised of ascorbic acid, glutathione, and bicarbonate. Using micro-optical coherence tomography, we tested the effect of ARINA-1 on central features of mucociliary clearance in F508del/F508del primary human bronchial epithelial cells to assess its potential as a mucoactive therapy in CF. We found that ARINA-1 significantly augmented mucociliary transport (MCT) rates, both alone and with CFTR modulator therapy, whereas airway hydration and ciliary beating were largely unchanged compared to PBS vehicle control. Analysis of mucus reflectivity and particle tracking microrheology indicated that ARINA-1 restores mucus clearance by principally reducing mucus layer viscosity. The combination of bicarbonate and glutathione elicited increases to MCT rate comparable to those seen with ARINA-1, indicating the importance of this interaction to the impact of ARINA-1 on mucus transport; this effect was not recapitulated with bicarbonate alone or bicarbonate combined with ascorbic acid. Assessment of CFTR chloride transport revealed an increase in CFTR-mediated chloride secretion in response to ARINA-1 in CFBE41o- cells expressing wild-type CFTR, driven by CFTR activity stimulation by ascorbate. This response was absent in CFBE41o- F508del cells treated with VX-809 and primary HBE cells, implicating CFTR-independent mechanisms for the effect of ARINA-1 on CF mucus. Together, these studies indicate that ARINA-1 is a novel potential therapy for the treatment of impaired mucus clearance in CF.