Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EDTA toxicity and background concentrations of copper and zinc in Hyalella azteca

The effect of the strong metal-complexing agent EDTA on survival, growth, and copper and zinc concentrations in Hyalella azteca was studied to determine if metal concentrations in control amphipods represent minimum physiological levels. Exposure to EDTA concentrations of up to 560 μM for 1 week did not reduce metal levels (mean background = 1.2 μmol Cu/g and 1.0 μmol Zn/g dry weight), indicating that background metals are firmly bound to Hyalella. Chronic (4 week) exposure to EDTA resulted in increased mortality and reduced growth rates, both of which could be partially ameliorated by adding zinc to culture media. This implies that EDTA toxicity results, in part, from zinc deficiency. In spite of this, however, zinc concentrations in Hyalella were not reduced in amphipods raised in the presence of high EDTA, implying that the observed background zinc levels represent minimum physiological levels. Copper additions to media were ineffective at reducing EDTA toxicity. Nevertheless, control concentrations ar.
Tantulum elegans reloaded: a computer-based 3D-visualization of the anatomy of a Caribbean freshwater acochlidian gastropod

Acochlidian gastropods combine several aberrant biological and morphological features. The poorly known Caribbean Tantulum elegans is one of the few opisthobranch species inhabiting a freshwater system, and the only one found in muddy interstices of a Caribbean mountain spring swamp. Morphological details of this tiny species were either unknown or not fully reliable, especially with regard to the complex central nervous and reproductive systems. We critically re-examined original paratype section series and prepared semi-thin serial sections of two additional paratypes. All organ systems were three-dimensionally reconstructed using AMIRA software. Our results show several discrepancies from the original description: the pharynx is a complex system of different muscles, but similar to that of other acochlidian species; the circulatory system shows a two-chambered heart; in the nervous system there are separate optic and rhinophoral ganglia, the latter innervating a pair of small sensory pits we assume to be Hancock's organs, and large aggregations of precerebral accessory ganglia were found. Nephropore, anus, and female gonopore open dextroventrally. To our surprise, adults of T. elegans are sequential hermaphrodites with an unusual androdiaulic reproductive system and a well-developed cephalic penial complex. In T. elegans, there is a mix of character conditions found in different genera, e.g., Pseudunela and Asperspina. The phylogenetic position of T. elegans still remains unclear.
Effects of thinning and nitrogen fertilization on stem growth and stem form of Pinus sylvestris trees

The effects of thinning and fertilization, both singly and in combination, on the growth of 45 year old Pinus sylvestris trees, were studied in northern Sweden for five years after treatment. Based upon annual examination of trees for height and diameter growths, the radial, height and volume increments of the stems in relation to treatments were estimated. Thinning was found to increase stem radial growth after one year, while increased growth after fertilization appeared the second year. Thinning promoted lower bole growth, while fertilization increased upper bole growth. Thinning decreased height growth and fertilization increased height growth in the first year with associated increased volume increment. An increased volume growth for thinned trees was not found until the third year after treatment. Neither treatment caused changes in the length of the seasonal growth response or in the phenology of growth.
Animal vectors of Arceuthobiumamericanum seed in Manitoba

Long-distance dispersal of Arceuthobiumamericanum Nutt. ex Engelm. seed by animals was investigated in Grand Beach Provincial Park, Manitoba, where passerine migration routes traverse stands of dwarf mistletoe infected Pinusbanksiana Lamb. Small mammals appear to be insignificant as vectors in Manitoba as no seeds were found on any of the 193 individuals trapped. In contrast, 5.5% of 146 birds netted in 1986 and 5.1% of 59 netted in 1987 carried seed. Three species are reported carrying seed for the first time: brown creeper (Certhiaamericana), Swainson's thrush (Catharusustulatus), and red-breasted nuthatch (Sittacanadensis). Seeds were also found on five gray jays (Perisoreuscanadensis) and three dark-eyed juncos (Juncohyemalis), species for which numerous records of dwarf mistletoe seed transport already exist. Swainson's thrushes and dark-eyed juncos are potential disseminators of A. americanum seed into jack pine stands in northern Ontario and the Great Lakes States during years when seed discharge a.
A Study on Morphology and Behavior of the Sapsaree : A Korean native dog (Canis familiaris)

This study was conducted to characterize the morphological and behavior patterns of Sapsaree dogs. The population (n=8,256) has been constructed since 1990 over 12 generations and managed at the Sapsaree Breeding Research Institute, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk province. Eighteen morphological and seven behavioral traits were investigated for 882 individuals. Linear models were applied for each trait by fitting sex, season of birth, hair color or test age. The averages of body weight, body length, body height, and depth of chest were 20.5±2.4 kg, 57.3±4.2 cm, 52.1±3.6 cm, and 21.1±2.4 cm, respectively. Males had greater estimated values than females for these body conformation traits. The chocolate Sapsarees had greater averages for body weight, body height and chest depth. The older animals (>2 years) had heavier body weight than younger animals. About 54, 69, 97, 39 and 83.3% of the Sapsarees had hairs with yellow color, straight, medium to long, untangled, and longer around eyes, respectively. Also, about 40% brown eye, 43% curly tail, 78% normal jaw, 86% no missing teeth, 90% no dewclaw, and >90% with black nose, pendent ear, tongue without spots were observed. About 95% males were normal in testicles state. The males performed significantly better than the females for majority of the behavioral traits. For nerve stability, affability, wariness, adaptability, sharpness, activity, and reaction during blood drawn about 79%, 73%, 76%, 61%, 70%, 48% and 81% of the Sapsarees performed at desired level. In general, the Sapsarees showed good characteristics for both morphological and behavioral traits, which can be exploited to use the Sapsaree breed as a companion or guide dog.
Epidemiological Consequences of Introducing New Biochemical Markers for Detection of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective - To evaluate how the use of different biochemical markers of myocardial injury affects the recorded numbers of cases of diagnosed acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and also the observed in-hospital mortality of AMI. Design - 442 patients admitted with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were studied. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the patients were classified into five categories: acute Q-wave myocardial infarction (QMI); acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQMI); UAP; stable angina pectoris; and chest pain of non-cardiac origin. Results - Using total creatine kinase (tCK) as the "gold standard" for diagnosis, we found 172 AMI, 100 UAP and 170 with other diagnoses. If we used CK-MB (>6 µg/L) or cTnI (>1 µg/L) for diagnosing AMI, the numbers of AMI increased significantly by 50 (29%) and 64 (37%), respectively. Using tCk, CK-MB or cTnI for diagnosing AMI, the observed in-hospital mortality was 14%, 11% and 10%, respectively. The group of patients with elevated cTnI but negative tCK had similar long-term survival as the group of patients with cTnI >30 µg/L, comprising 95% of the patients with the diagnosis AMI based on tCK. Conclusion - The introduction of new biochemical markers for detection of AMI may lead to significant changes in the recorded incidence and in-hospital mortality of AMI. New biochemical markers of myocardial injury must be validated against the traditional markers as they are introduced into clinical practice by the new diagnostic criteria.
Can cardiotocography prior to induction of labour predict obstetric intervention? A pilot study

We set out to study the value of cardiotocography (CTG) performed before induction of labour for prolonged pregnancy in predicting obstetric intervention. This was a prospective observational study, based in a district general hospital. We studied 100 consecutive patients who underwent induction of labour for prolonged pregnancy. Cardiotocographs (CTGs) were performed before induction of labour on the tenth day after the estimated date of confinement (290 days). The CTGs were then reviewed without knowledge of the outcome of the induction of labour. Obstetric outcomes were then compared. The main outcome measures were the intrapartum presence or absence of meconium stained liquor and the necessity for obstetric intervention. Ninety per cent of CTGs were normal. There was no difference found between the two groups for operative delivery or the presence of meconium liquor. Caesarean section was more likely in the group with an abnormal CTG before induction of labour, but the possibility of this being due to chance is high in this study. There was one case of undiagnosed growth restriction in the abnormal CTG group. These results may be due to a true lack of difference in obstetric intervention between women with normal or abnormal CTGs prior to induction of labour or more probably an inability to detect a difference in our small study. These baseline data allow the calculations necessary for a more substantive trial.
Interactions between Phospholipid Monolayers (DPPC and DMPC) and Anesthetic Isoflurane Observed by Quartz Crystal Oscillator

The interactions of phospholipid monolayers (dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline; DPPC and dimyristoyl phosphatidyl choline; DMPC) with volatile anesthetic isoflurane were investigated using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and quartz crystal impedance (QCI) methods. The quartz crystal oscillator was attached horizontally on the surface of DPPC and DMPC monolayer formed on the water surface. Physisorption of isoflurane hydrate at the DPPC monolayer surface was monitored in terms of frequency and resistance change of quartz crystal on addition of anesthetics isoflurane. Both frequency and resistance change showed the elastic nature of DPPC monolayer. Measurement of DMPC monolayer-isoflurane hydrate revealed the expandable nature of DMPC monolayer. Variation of frequency and impedance of DPPC and DMPC monolayer on addition of isoflurane which proved a two-step change has occurred at monolayer surface at isoflurane concentration of ≤8 mM that has been attributed to isoflurane aggregation at monolayer/water interface. Isoflurane hydrates formed in the process have capability to affect the interfacial properties of monolayer such as existence of structured water.
Minorities’ Diminished Returns of Parental Educational Attainment on Adolescents’ Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems

Aim: To compare racial groups for the effect of parental educational attainment on adolescents’ social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 10,762 youth from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study were included. The independent variable was parental educational attainment. The main outcomes were (1) anxious and depressed mood, (2) withdrawn and depressed affect, (3) somatic complaints, (4) social and interpersonal problems, (5) thought problems, (6) rule-breaking behaviors, (7) attention problems, and (8) violent and aggressive behaviors. These scores were generated based on parent-reported behavioral problems measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Race and ethnicity were the moderators. Linear regression was used to analyze the ABCD data. Results: Overall, high parental educational attainment was associated with lower scores across all domains. Race and ethnicity showed statistically significant interactions with parental educational attainment on adolescents’ fewer social, emotional, and behavioral problems (all domains), net of all confounders, indicating smaller tangible gains from their parental educational attainment for Black and Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic White adolescents. Conclusions: The protective effects of parental education against social, emotional, and behavioral problems are systematically diminished for Hispanic and Black than non-Hispanic White adolescents.
Deep Sequencing of B Cell Receptor Repertoires From COVID-19 Patients Reveals Strong Convergent Immune Signatures

Deep sequencing of B cell receptor (BCR) heavy chains from a cohort of 19 COVID-19 patients from the UK reveals a stereotypical naive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 which is consistent across patients and may be a positive indicator of disease outcome. Clonal expansion of the B cell memory response is also observed and may be the result of memory bystander effects. There was a strong convergent sequence signature across patients, and we identified 777 clonotypes convergent between at least four of the COVID-19 patients, but not present in healthy controls. A subset of the convergent clonotypes were homologous to known SARS and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein neutralising antibodies. Convergence was also demonstrated across wide geographies by comparison of data sets between patients from UK, USA and China, further validating the disease association and consistency of the stereotypical immune response even at the sequence level. These convergent clonotypes provide a resource to identify potential therapeutic and prophylactic antibodies and demonstrate the potential of BCR profiling as a tool to help understand and predict positive patient responses.
Can Isoflurane and Meloxicam Mitigate Pain Associated with Cautery Disbudding of 3-Week-Old Goat Kids?

Simple Summary Cautery disbudding is commonly carried out on goat kids less than a week of age to prevent horn growth; however, due to differences in management across farms, older goat kids (up to 3 weeks of age) can be disbudded. We evaluated the effect of pain mitigation strategies (isoflurane and meloxicam) on the behaviour and physiology of 3-week-old cautery-disbudded goat kids. We found weak statistical evidence that cortisol concentrations were lower in goat kids that were administered isoflurane (with or without meloxicam) compared to those disbudded without pain relief. However, no other physiological or behavioural measures were affected by the pain mitigation treatments. Further research is needed to determine whether isoflurane (with or without meloxicam) provides sufficient pain relief for disbudding 3-week-old goat kids. Abstract We evaluated the effect of pain mitigation strategies (isoflurane and meloxicam) on the behaviour and physiology of 3-week-old disbudded goat kids. Fifty Saanen does (mean ± SD, 21 ± 3 days old) were randomly allocated to one of five treatments: (1) cautery-disbudded (CAUT), (2) CAUT + isoflurane (ISO), (3) CAUT + isoflurane + meloxicam (ISO + MEL), (4) CAUT + meloxicam (MEL), and (5) handled without disbudding or pain relief (SHAM). Blood samples were taken immediately prior to treatment and at 15-, 60- and 120-min post-treatment to assess cortisol, glucose and lactate concentrations. Behaviour (head shaking and scratching, body shaking, feeding and self-grooming) was observed for 1 h pre- and post-treatment using video-cameras. ISO + MEL and ISO kids had lower cortisol concentrations than CAUT kids 15 min post-treatment (p ≤ 0.05). There was no effect of treatment or time for glucose and lactate concentrations (p ≥ 0.62). At 35 min post-treatment, CAUT, MEL and ISO kids performed more head shakes than SHAM kids (p ≤ 0.05). Isoflurane, with or without meloxicam, may reduce acute stress associated with disbudding of 3-week-old goat kids. More research is needed to assess whether isoflurane (with or without meloxicam) can provide sufficient pain relief for disbudding 3-week-old kids.
A Prospective Study of Deteriorating Acute Ischemic Stroke in NonThrombolysed Patients

Original Research Article Context: Progression of stroke is likely multifactorial; however, risk of deterioration in acute ischemic stroke can be predicted in great majority of cases at admission by careful close observation. Aims: To study the causes of neurological deterioration of non-thrombolysed stroke patients. Settings and Design: This was a prospective observational study of non-thrombolysed stroke patients admitted at the Stroke ICU of a teaching hospital in Kerala, India for a period of one year from between January 2017 to January 2018. Methods and Material: All stroke patients with first episode of acute ischemic stroke were admitted and evaluated forneurologic deterioration (defined as an increase in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS score) by 2 or more points, after admission during the first week). Results: 80 out of 320 patients with acute stroke patients developed neurological deterioration and were analyzed for clinical, biochemical and radiological features associated with deterioration. Clinical features Stroke severity (high NIHSS Score), altered consciousness at admission, persistent gaze deviation, bulbar dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, recent myocardial infarction, systemic diseases (hypertension, hepatic and renal dysfunction) and deep vein thrombosis were associated with deterioration. Biochemical features Uncontrolled blood sugar and hyponatremia were associated with deterioration. Imaging features ASPECT score less than 7, large infarct at admission, dense MCA sign, hemorrhagic transformation, proximal large vessel occlusion and lack of correlation between clinical deficits with initial CT picture were associated with higher risk of deterioration. Conclusion: Each stroke case needs prompt individualized evaluation and management. Interventions based on pathophysiology identified by imaging features and patient’s clinical condition and management of systemic diseases and complications will improve the outcome.
Interaction of Dietary Selenium and Magnesium Level on Digestive Function in Lambs Fed High-concentrate Diets

Abstract Hernández-Calva, L.M. , Guerrero-Legarreta, M.I. , Pérez-Chabela, M.L. , López-Arellano, R. and Ramírez- Bribiesca, J.E. 2007. Interaction of dietary selenium and magnesium level on digestive function in lambs fed high concentrate diets. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 31: 41–46. A metabolism trial involving 4 Suffolk lambs (30.8 kg) cannulated in the rumen and proximal duodenum were conducted to evaluate the interaction of dietary Sel 0.10 vs 0.30 μ-g) and Mg level (0.18 vs 0.32%) on digestive function. Passage of feed N to the small intestine was greater (P<0.1) with 0.32% dietary Mg, and there was an interaction (P<0.05) between Mg and Se supplementation on feed N flow to duodenum and rumen digestion. There was an interaction between dietary Mg and Se level on passage of Mg and Se to the small intestine (P<0.05), ruminal solubility Mg concentration, molar proportion of acetate and acetate: propionate molar ratios. 0.3 μg Se increased (P<0.05) molar concentrations of butyrate. It is concluded that requirement levels of Se and Mg for feedlot lambs is substantially higher than that recommended by NRC.
A study of polyphenols in the seeds and leaves of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub)

Gallotannins, gallic acid, gallic acid derivatives, myricetin-7-glucoside-3-glycoside, kaempferol-7-glucoside-3-glycoside, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and ellagic acid were derived from guar seeds and identified by chromatographic and spectral analysis. Myricetin-7-glucoside-3-glycoside, kaempferol-7-glucoside-3-glycoside, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, texasin-7-O-glucoside, daidzein-7-O-glucoside, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaryl quinic acid were found in guar leaves. The polyphenolic content of guar seeds depended on the stage of maturity varying from 1.26 to 0.69% total phenols; 0.49 to 0.12% gallic acid; 0.5 to 0.21% gallotannins; and 0.13 to 0.23% flavonols (all as percentage dry matter). The polyphenolic content of guar leaves varied from 0.74 to 1.24% total phenols; 0.18 to 0.84% flavonols; and 0.05 to 0.24% hydroxycinnamic acids in the dry matter of guar leaves.
Competition between plants of different successional stages: mycorrhizae as regulators

Salsola kali, a colonizing annual which does not form vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae (nonmycotrophic), was grown in pure culture and in mixtures with two mycotrophic grasses which are late successional dominants, Agropyron smithii and Bouteloua gracilis. Soils were either left sterile or inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. In pure culture mycorrhizae caused no significant increase in dry mass of either grass, but in mixed culture with S. kali, mycorrhizal infection was significantly related to increased mass of grasses. Mycorrhizal infection was related to increased stomatal conductance of the grasses in both pure and mixed culture. Salsola kali had lower stomatal conductance but not a significantly reduced mass with mycorrhizal fungi. Hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi, but not vesicles or arbuscules, were observed in the rhizosphere and occasionally the cortex of S. kali. Where competition between colonizing nonmycorrhizal species and later successional mycorrhizal species is a mechanism which drives successi.
Seed bank and seed rain in a seasonal semi-deciduous forest in south-eastern Brazil

To examine the influence of seasonality on the abundance and composition of species in the community, we studied the seed rain and the seed bank in a seasonal, semi-deciduous forest in south-eastern Brazil. Soil samples (depth 3 cm, 0.25 m2) were collected within a 1-ha plot in the dry seasons of 1996 and 1997 and the rainy season of 1997 (84 samples per collection). Thirty-five seed traps (0.25 m2 each) were placed randomly in the forest from March 1997 to February 1998. The greatest density of seeds in the soil occurred in samples collected during the rainy season, the period which coincides with the main fruiting period in this forest. The Sørensen similarity index values for the seed bank composition among the three periods were high (> 0.50). The fallout of propagules was strongly seasonal, with more than half of the annual total number of seeds being caught in the two months around the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season. The mean density of seeds in the soil bank was nearly 86% lower than the seed rain density. There was no clear evidence of seasonal effects on species density and richness in this forest.