Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redescription and phylogenetic relationships of Spermophilus citelloides (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Xerinae), a ground squirrel from the Middle Pleistocene – Holocene of Central Europe

ABSTRACT Spermophilus citelloides is a poorly known Old World ground squirrel from the Middle Pleistocene – early Holocene of Central Europe that has only been briefly described previously. Here, we expand our understanding of its craniodental morphology by providing the first detailed description of numerous S. citelloides materials from five Late Pleistocene and early Holocene localities of Hungary and Slovakia. Spermophilus citelloides is recognised as a valid species that is characterised by a shallow, gently domed skull with massive and short rostrum, broad interorbital region, strong zygomatic process of the frontal, posteromedially expanding lacrimal, posteriorly narrowed hard palate, wedge-shaped horizontal process of the palatine, small to absent suboptic foramen, thin condyloid neck of the mandible, M3 possessing a metaloph, and anteroposteriorly elongated m3 with strong hypoconulid and entoconulid. A cladistic analysis of 103 craniodental characters scored across 32 ingroup taxa recovers S. citelloides as the sister taxon of living spotted ground squirrel, S. suslicus, thus confirming the hypothesis of close phylogenetic relationships between the taxa. These relationships are further confirmed by the geometric morphometric analysis of the occlusal outlines of the premolars and molars. The alternative hypothesis allying S. citelloides with S. citellus is not supported by our analyses.
A Review on Plant Responses to Soil Salinity and Amelioration Strategies

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress, limiting plant growth and development worldwide. Plants grown under saline soil condition experiences a significant amount of high osmotic stress, ion toxicities and nutritional disorder, and these are responsible for poor soil physical condition as well as lead to reduced plant productivity. Plants exhibit a number of responses under salt stress by affecting morphological, physiological and biochemical process. A complete understanding of how plants respond to soil salinity and comprehensive management approaches of combining physiological and biochemical attributes with molecular tools are essential for mitigating the adverse effects of salinity on plant growth and productivity. Recent reports on the plant responses due to soil salinity highlighted the importance of integration of different advanced strategies to address the problem of soil salinity. This review will focus on morphological and physiological changes of plants under saline soil and an overview of suitable strategies to regulate plant adaptation and tolerance to salinity stress.
Contemporary Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine The Progression of Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertension remains a major public health problem associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Hypertensive heart disease is a constellation of abnormalities that includes left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and their clinical manifestations including arrhythmias and symptomatic heart failure. The classic paradigm of hypertensive heart disease is that the left ventricular (LV) wall thickens in response to elevated blood pressure as a compensatory mechanism to minimize wall stress. Subsequently, after a series of poorly characterized events (“transition to failure”), the left ventricle dilates, and the LV ejection fraction (EF) declines (defined herein as “dilated cardiac failure”). 1 The purpose of this review is to focus on the key steps in the progression of hypertensive heart disease (Figure 1), highlighting recent advances as well as some unresolved controversies.
Host tree bark traits and development of reintroduced Cattleya intermedia (Orchidaceae) plants in Southern Brazil

Abstract The traits of the bark of host trees can influence the distribution and development of epiphytes. Bark samples were suspended in 10 and 20 mL of distilled water for 1, 4 and 24 h, to evaluate pH determination methods. Bark samples of Myrcia brasiliensis, M. glabra and Myrsine coriacea, three host trees of Cattleya intermedia had bark samples collected from the trunk and the crown, for the evaluation of the pH, water retention capacity and thickness. Shoot height (cm) and number of roots of C. intermedia grown on trunk and into the crown of the three species were evaluated. Volume of solvent and suspension time of the bark samples influenced pH values. The pH and thickness of Myrsine coriacea barks were higher when compared to Myrcia species. Shoot height and number of roots of C. intermedia individuals were significantly higher in the crown. The growth parameters of the reintroduced plants were unrelated to pH and bark thickness. The data bring information for the application of further vascular epiphyte studies including new parameters and greater samplings, in order to support proposals of the conservation of endangered species.
Reactive astrocyte-driven epileptogenesis is induced by microglia initially activated following status epilepticus

Extensive activation of glial cells during a latent period has been well documented in various animal models of epilepsy; however, it remains unknown whether such glial activation is capable of promoting epileptogenesis. Here, we show that temporally distinct activation profiles of microglia and astrocytes collaboratively contribute to epileptogenesis in a drug-induced status epilepticus model. We found that reactive microglia appear first, followed by reactive astrocytes and increased susceptibility to seizures. Pharmacological intervention against microglial activation reduces astrogliosis, aberrant astrocyte Ca2+ signaling, and seizure susceptibility. Reactive astrocytes exhibit larger Ca2+ signals mediated by IP3R2, whereas deletion of this type of Ca2+ signaling reduces seizure susceptibility after status epilepticus. Together, our findings indicate that the sequential activation of glial cells constitutes a cause of epileptogenesis after status epilepticus.
Integration of nematology as a training and research discipline in sub-Saharan Africa: progress and prospects

Summary Within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), although nematodes are viewed among the most important threats to crop production and food security, the presence of trained nematologists working within this discipline has traditionally been viewed as scarce. The few research studies concerning this subject address this topic from a country or sub-regional perspective and generally portray nematology as ‘insufficient’. Over the past two decades, a few initiatives have been instrumental in building greater nematology expertise. For the first time a structured survey was undertaken, involving interviews with individuals from SSA that were (or currently are) involved in nematology training programmes, research, national extension services or in African universities. This paper provides evidence of the positive impact of various initiatives and shows an increase in the number of available nematology positions, together with high rates of graduates that return home to occupy qualified positions. Our findings will help researchers, policy makers and donors to identify areas requiring support to increase the promotion of nematology in SSA and to make an impact for end-users.
The effects of neuroactive steroids on acute ethanol withdrawl in mice

xii CHAPTER 1. General Introduction 1 Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal: Definitions and Clinical Significance 1 Neuroactive Steroids 4 Behavioral Properties of the 5α-Reduced Neuroactive Steroids 7 Steroids and Seizure Susceptibility 9 Ethanol and Neuroactive Steroids 13 Animal Models of Ethanol Withdrawal-Related Convulsive Behavior.15 The Role of the Hippocampus 18 The GABAA Receptor 19 Hypothesis and Goals of the Dissertation 22 CHAPTER 2: THE IMPACT OF GONADECTOMY AND ADRENALECTOMY ON ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SEVERITY IN MALE AND FEMALE C57BL/6J AND DBA/2J MICE FOLLOWING A SINGLE HIGH DOSE OF ETHANOL 28 Abstract 29 29 Introduction 31
Microbial contamination of poultry litter during fattening period

The results of the research into the microbiological contamination of litter used by broiler chickens are presented. Litter samples were taken prior to the introduction of chicks (day 0) and in 7-day intervals until the end of the fattening period. The total numbers of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, yeasts, moulds and Clostridium perfringens spores, and the presence of bacteria of the Salmonella genus were determined. The total microbial count in newly laid litter was 7 log10 CFU/g, which increased to 9 log10 CFU/g by the 4th week. However, at the end of the 5th week, it was at the same level as in newly laid litter. C. perfringens spores, presumably originating from chicks? faeces, were first detected on day 7. In the next 7 days their number increased, reaching 3-4 log10 CFU/g, and remained at approximately same levels until the end of the research. The initial mould contamination was 5-6 log10 CFU/g. However, from day 21 moulds were not isolated, but only yeasts of the Saccharomyces genus. It is supposed that these were deposited with chicks? faeces, due to their presence in complete broiler feed. No bacteria of the Salmonella genus were ever isolated from the litter. In conclusion, the total numbers of microorganisms in deep litter reach their peak in approximately a month, which is followed by their decrease. Deep litter is a favourable environment for probiotic yeast cultures. Added to feed intended for broilers, they can positively influence the microbial composition of litter, providing healthier environment to fattening broilers.
Litter accumulation and biomass dynamics in riparian zones in tropical South America of the Asian invasive plant Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae)

ABSTRACT Background: Promoting changes in abiotic conditions and ecosystem processes, such as decomposition, is a mechanism by which some exotic plant species displace native plants and become invasive. Aims: We monitored ramets of Hedychium coronarium over 30 months to estimate the litter decay rate, biomass dynamics and litter accumulation over time in riparian sites invaded by the species in southeastern Brazil. Methods: We measured the number, height, emergence and mortality of ramets in three environments invaded by H. coronarium (natural, rural and urban). We also measured litter decay in situ and in in vitro experiments. We used sinusoidal models to describe height fluctuation and exponential models to simulate litter decay and litter accumulation. Results: Ramets of H. coronarium showed high seasonal variation in terms of height and emergence, as well as low litter decay. Accordingly, our models predicted high litter production and a seasonal pattern of litter accumulation in invaded sites. Conclusions: H. coronarium produces a great amount of litter, which shows slow decay and hence seems to affect decomposition processes. Investigating seasonal variation on the effects of invasive species on ecosystem functioning shed light on the factors driving the success and impact of invasive plants.
Correlation Between True Seed and Tuber Dormancy in a Solanum Tuberosum Group Phureja × Stenotomum Population

Short tuber dormancy is desirable when multiple cropping seasons occur yearly, yet most potato cultivars were developed for regions with one growing season per year and have long dormancy. Although several methods exist for breaking tuber dormancy, they can lead to uneven emergence and poor stand counts. Breeding short dormancy cultivars could alleviate this problem. A long-day adapted diploid hybrid population of S. tuberosum Group phureja-S. stenotomum ( phu-stn ) has been developed with short tuber dormancy. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between tuber dormancy in these phu-stn parents and true potato seed dormancy in their offspring, which would allow rapid breeding of short-dormancy germplasm. Tuber dormancy was evaluated for 12 diploid phu-stn parents harvested from three different locations: Presque Isle, Maine (ME), Plymouth, North Carolina (NC) and Beltsville, Maryland (MD) and stored at 7 °C in MD. Twelve crosses were made among these parents. Each parent was represented twice in the offspring. True potato seed (TPS) from these 12 families were disinfected and soaked in water for 24 hours, dried, and sown in tissue culture. TPS germination was recorded daily for 35 days and the germinated proportion was calculated. The experiment was conducted three times. Parental tuber dormancy ranged from 6-10+ weeks and varied significantly among locations. TPS family proportion germination ranged from 9 to 99%. There was no correlation (r = 0.01) between parental tuber dormancy and seedling vigor index. These results show that the relationship between offspring TPS dormancy and their parent’s tuber dormancy is unpredictable. Additional research is needed to determine if selection for early sprouting in the offspring in vitro is correlated with short tuber dormancy in subsequent field generations of these offspring.
Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology

BRD3 is a ubiquitously expressed member of the bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) family of proteins that use their tandem N-terminal bromodomains to associate with acetylated histones and transcription factors. Translocations involving BRD3 and NUT generate oncogenic fusion proteins that drive NUT midline carcinoma (NMC), an aggressive squamous cell malignancy. In addition, small molecule inhibitors that target the bromodomain-acetyl lysine interaction of all BET proteins are in clinical development for both hematologic malignancies and diverse solid tumors.
Yield structure components of autumn- and spring-sown pea (Pisum sativum L.)

ABSTRACT Climate change brings increasing attention to winter sowing of traditionally spring sown crops. Crop stand height, soil coverage, grain yield and yield components of six winter pea varieties and one spring pea variety were compared in eastern Austrian growing conditions in 2014 and 2015. Crop stands of winter pea were taller up to the end of May before they declined and crop stands of spring pea were taller from early June on. Winter pea covered the soil at least partly over winter and showed faster soil coverage in spring. At the end of May, just some weeks before harvest, spring pea attained equal soil coverage. Grain yield of winter pea was almost double that of spring pea due to higher pod density whereas spring pea produced more grains pod−1 than four out of six winter pea varieties and a higher thousand grain weight than all winter pea varieties. Consequently, grain density was higher for winter pea while the single pod yield was higher for spring pea. Growing winter peas in Central Europe might be a good strategy for increasing grain legume productivity and thereby European feed protein production.
Variability of pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L. 1758) cohorts in early life history

Year to year fluctuations in 0+ fish cohort strength are a common phenomenon. Many factors can affect cohort strength during the fish's early life period. In this study, development of a 0+ pikeperch Sander lucioperca cohort in the pelagic zone was studied by trawling for 50 days from first larvae hatching, in two consecutive years. In 2007, an abundant S. lucioperca cohort collapsed suddenly soon after hatching. After the incident, slow-growing S. lucioperca prevailed in the catch. In 2008, the catch gradually increased during the whole study period because of prolonged hatching. Environmental factors differed mainly in a slower temperature increase, higher water level and higher zooplankton abundance in 2008 compared to 2007. Our study revealed that a strong 0+ S. lucioperca cohort at the time of hatching might not result in a strong S. lucioperca cohort in general.
Epidémiologie de la sclérose latérale amyotrophique : Facteurs de risque, incidence et phénotypes

La sclerose Laterale Amyotrophique (SLA) est une maladie neuro-degenerative rare. Il n’existe aucune donnee d’incidence francaise en population generale. Le profil phenotypique des patients francais atteints de SLA, n’a pas ete etudie. En outre, aucun facteur de risque confirme n’existe pour cette pathologie bien que l’activite physique (AP) soit souvent rapportee comme possible facteur etiologique. Dans ce contexte, pour ameliorer les connaissances dans ces domaines, nos travaux ont consiste en trois etudes : (1) une etude sur l’incidence de la SLA dans la region du Limousin sur la base de donnees issues du premier registre francais de SLA, (2) une etude des phenotypes des patients issus de 11 centres SLA francais et (3) une revue de litterature des etudes epidemiologiques originales sur le lien entre PA et SLA. Nos travaux ont mis en evidence une incidence brute et standardisee sur la population europeenne de 2010, elevee : 3,19/100 000 personnes-annee (P-A) et 2,58/100 000 P-A respectivement. Concernant les aspects phenotypiques, nos travaux ont identifie huit phenotypes de SLA : (1) bulbaire, (2) spinal cervical, (3) spinal lombaire (4) flail leg, (5) flail arm, (6) respiratoire, (7) SLA-DFT et (8) Tete tombante (« Dropped head »). Nous avons conclu notre revue de litterature que l’AP en elle-meme n’est probablement pas un facteur de risque de SLA. Comme perspective, (i) nous esperons etendre le registre de la SLA a d’autres regions francaises. En outre (ii) il serait tres important de confirmer nos travaux sur les phenotypes sur un echantillon plus representative Enfin, (iii) concernant le lien entre AP et SLA, d’autres travaux de niveau de preuve eleve sont souhaitables pour asseoir le resultat synthetique que nous avons apporte.
Cross-field pitting characteristics of compression, lateral, and opposite wood in the stem wood of Ginkgo biloba and Pinus densiflora

The characteristics of cross-field pitting among compression wood, lateral wood, and opposite wood, in the stem woods of Ginkgo biloba and Pinus densiflora were investigated with optical and scanning electron microscopy. In Ginkgo biloba, compression wood exhibited piceoid pits, while lateral and opposite wood exhibited cupressoid pits. The compression wood of Pinus densiflora exhibited cupressoid pits and piceoid pits, while lateral wood and opposite wood exhibited pinoid and window-like pits in the cross-field. In both species, compression wood yielded the smallest pit number among each part, while opposite wood yielded the greatest pit number per cross-field. Cross-field pitting diameters of compression wood and opposite wood were significantly smaller than lateral wood in Ginkgo biloba, while the cross-field pitting of compression wood was the smallest in Pinus densiflora. Radial tracheid diameter of compression wood was slightly smaller than lateral and opposite wood in Ginkgo biloba and significantly smaller than lateral and opposite wood in Pinus densiflora. In conclusion, the cross-field pitting type, pit number, and cross-field pitting diameter could be used to identify reaction wood in the stem wood of Ginkgo biloba and Pinus densiflora.
Selective disruption of synaptic BMP signaling by a Smad mutation adjacent to the highly conserved H2 helix

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) shape normal development and function via canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways. When activating the canonical pathway, BMPs initiate signaling by binding to transmembrane receptors that phosphorylate pathway effectors, the Smad proteins, inducing their translocation into the nucleus and thus regulation of target genes. Phosphorylated Smads also accumulate at cellular junctions, but this non-canonical signaling modality remains less defined. We have recently reported that phosphorylated Smad (pMad in Drosophila) accumulates at synaptic junctions in complexes with genetically distinct composition and regulation. Here we examined a wide collection of Drosophila Mad alleles and searched for molecular features relevant to pMad accumulation at synaptic junctions. We found that strong Mad alleles generally disrupt both synaptic and nuclear pMad accumulation, whereas moderate Mad alleles have a wider range of phenotypes and could selectively impact different BMP signaling modalities. Interestingly, synaptic pMad appeared more sensitive to net reduction in Mad levels than nuclear pMad. Importantly, a previously uncharacterized allele, Mad8, showed markedly reduced synaptic pMad levels but only moderately diminished nuclear pMad signals. The postsynaptic composition and electrophysiological properties of Mad8 NMJs were similarly altered. Using biochemical approaches, we examined how single point mutations such as S359L, present in Mad8, could influence the Mad-receptor interface and we identified a key molecular determinant, the H2 helix. Our study highlights the biological relevance of the Smad-dependent, non-canonical BMP signaling and uncovers a highly conserved structural feature of Smads, critical for normal development and function.
VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS - GYNECOLOGICAL ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM

Vaginal candidiasis (VC) is one of the most common reasons for consultations with a gynecologist, with an increasing trend in occurrence in female patients. It is estimated that 75% of all women experience an episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis in their lifetime, 50% of them experience at least a second episode, and 5% have recurrent candidiasis. Cervical and vaginal secretions act as the last line of defense from ascendant infection pathway spreading. Factors that may disturb vaginal ecosystem are: endogenous factors, way of life, infectious factors and iatrogenic factors. The most common cause of VC in 85-90% of cases is C. albicans, but other Candida species tend to be more likely to cause VVC (Candida tropicalis , Candida glabrata , C particulary, C crusei and so on). These non-albicans species have been found to be fluconazole and antimycotics resistant in more than 70% of cases. This is especially true for C. glabrata. There are several predisposing factors that have been associated with VC recurrence and resistance, such as Candida genotypes, resistance and virulence, immunodeficiency, unregulated hyperglycemia, use of oral contraceptives, long-term use of antibiotics. Therapy approach should be individual, including local and oral antimycotics until the symptoms disappear. The maintenance dose can be continuous or intermittent. Due to hormone concentration increase, increase in local glycogen, alternations of vaginal flora, VC incidence in pregnancy is two times higher in comparison to other female population. The problem of vaginal candidiasis requires individual approach, taking into account all the risk factors and accompanying physiological conditions or diseases in female patients. Acta Medica Medianae 2014;53(4):46-53.
Proximate determinants and fertility in Malawi.

This paper attempts to quantify and assess the fertility inhibiting effects of the three main intermediate variables namely marriage contraception and breastfeeding for the Malawian population using data from the 1984 Family Formation Survey and the 1992 Demographic and Health Survey. It also provides an update on the knowledge of the socioeconomic and demographic factors that affect fertility in Malawi. Breastfeeding is found to be the main determinant of fertility followed by marital factors whereas the effect of contraception is almost negligible due to low contraceptive prevalence. The implication of the findings is that to promote further decline in fertility emphasis should be on increasing contraceptive usage and finding alternatives to early marriages by providing higher education and work opportunities for women. (authors)