Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabarcoding and development of new real-time specific assays reveal Phytophthora species diversity in holm oak forests in eastern Spain

The evergreen holm oaks (Quercus ilex subsp. ilex and Q. ilex subsp. ballota) are the most representative tree species in the Iberian peninsula and the main tree species in oak‐rangeland ecosystems (dehesas). Oak decline in western, central and southern parts of Spain has been associated with root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi for decades. However, Phytophthora species such as P. quercina and P. psychrophila have recently been found associated with Quercus decline in eastern Spain where calcareous soils are predominant. Soil and root samples from two Quercus forests presenting decline symptoms in two different geographical areas in eastern Spain (Carrascar de la Font Roja and Vallivana) were analysed by amplicon pyrosequencing. Metabarcoding analysis showed Phytophthora species diversity, and revealed that an uncultured Phytophthora taxon, named provisionally Phytophthora taxon ballota, was the predominant species in both areas. In addition, a real‐time PCR assay, based on the pyrosequencing results, was developed for the detection of this uncultured Phytophthora taxon, and also for the detection of P. quercina. TaqMan assays were tested on soil and root samples, and on Phytophthora pure cultures. The new assays showed high specificity and were consistent with metabarcoding results. A new real‐time PCR protocol is proposed to evaluate the implication of different Phytophthora spp. in oak decline in eastern Spain.
A Study of Somatic Chromosomes of both Sexes of the Common Indian Toad, Bufo Melanostictus Schneid., by a new Spleen Technique

SUMMARY1. A new colchicine squash technicque has been employed for the study of the detailed morphology of the chromosomes of B. melanostictus.2. The chromosome number and the morphology in the two sexes of the common Indian toad, B. melanostictus have been studied. The diploid number in both the sexes is 22 chromosomes.3. The chromosomes are of different shape and sizes. Most of them are submetacentric type but some of them are metacentric too. The claim made by earlier workers that all the chromosomes of different species of Bufo including B. melanostictus are only metacentric type, has been invalidated by the present study.4. The females are heterogametic sex and the X-chromosome has been determined to be about the fifth in the decreasing order of sizes and the Y is a small acrocentric chromosome which has been determined by comparing the idiograms of both sexes.5. A quantitative determination of the frequency of the arrested mitotic metaphase cells due to colchicine pre-treatment has been made.6. The .
Allelopathy of Trifolium repense L. aqueous extracts on turfgrasses

In order to investigate the reason of Trifolium repense L. invading Gramineae turfgrasses,the allelopathy of T. repense aqueous extracts at different concentrations on seed germination and seedling growth of three turfgrasses i.e. Lolium perenne L. , Festuca arundinaces Schreb. and Poa pratensis L. was studied with bio-assay. The results were as follows: T. repense aqueous extracts enhanced seed germination rate, germination energy and seedling height of three turfgrasses at low concentrations, whereas inhibited at high concentrations, the inhibiting effect was obviously stronger than the promoting effect. The aqueous extracts possessed significantly inhibiting effect on seedling root length of three turfgrasses, which was much stronger at higher concentrations of aqueous extracts. The influence of T. repense aqueous extracted on germination index, vigor index and fresh weight was different among different turfgrass species. The above results demonstrated that T. repense aqueous extracts possessed allelopathy, which could impact the normal growth of three turfgrasses and was also a reason why T. repense invaded Gramineae turfgrasses.
Molecular Phylogeny of Elasmobranchs

Investigations of elasmobranch anatomy have led to the development of several controversial classifications. Our objective was to deduce the phylogeny of elasmobranchs using molecular data. We extracted DNA from five species representing the major lineages of elasmobranchs and amplified and sequenced a portion of the 12S mitochondrial gene from each extract. The resulting sequences were aligned using the homologous region from a holocephalan as an outgroup and were analyzed phylogenetically. These analyses resulted in a single most parsimonious tree with a length of 121 steps and a consistency index of 0.84. The topology of this tree was unaffected by variable schemes of weighting character transformations. One thousand replications of a bootstrap analysis resulted in a consensus tree with identical topology and with all nodes appearing in at least 71% of the trees. We compared this molecular-based phylogeny with many traditional morphology-based classifications.
PDFlib PLOP: PDF Linearization, Optimization, Protection Page inserted by evaluation version

Kuhlmanniodendron Fiaschi & Groppo, a new genus of the tribe Lindackerieae (Achariaceae sensu lato ) is created to accommodate Carpotroche apterocarpa Kuhlm, a species previously described based on incomplete ﬂoriferous and fruiting material from the rainforests of Espírito Santo state, eastern Brazil. The genus is deﬁned by a unique set of character states, including leaves with Clusia -like venation and scaly trichomes, ﬂowers with glabrous stamen ﬁlaments and three free styles, and indehiscent fruits with a smooth surface (sometimes with vertical ribs when dried). A description and illustration are provided, with comments on geographical distribution, phenology and generic relationships, and an emended key to neotropical genera of Lindackerieae. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 103–109.
Spatial and temporal variation in bird communities and populations in north-boreal coniferous forests : a multiscale approach

north-boreal coniferous forests, was studied in detail. In north-boreal coniferous forests both larger and smaller scale phenomena affect patterns observed at a particular scale, and therefore, a multiscale approach is necessary in understanding the dynamics of avian biota. The sporadic occurrence of nomadic species such as two-barred crossbills and owls reflected the importance of the large biogeographic scale: ecological events occurring in the taiga belt far away affected bird communities in northern Finland. Regional variation of bird communities in old, virgin forests was similar to the overall regional variation of avian biota, because 70-80% of bird pairs in virgin forests are habitat generalists. Regional changes in the structure of forests and the increasing harshness of the climate to the north were important for the spatial dynamics of the bird communities. The local effects of habitat alteration (forestry) on bird populations were parallel to the long-term regional population trends of birds. The patterns of between-habitat changes in bird densities caused by forest management were connected with processes at the smaller, within-habitat scale. The long-term decline of the Siberian tit owing to heavy forest management could be explained by events at a local population scale, as the offspring production of the tit was poor in heavily thinned forests. Year-to-year variation in population densities of migratory species was similar in managed and virgin forests probably due to environmental unpredictability and harshness in the north.
Studies on the protective effects of different doses of classical swine fever(CSF) vaccine against CSF

Nine weaned pigs of 30 days old were inoculated three different doses of CSFV vaccine in a single immunization.The antibody titer and the nucleic acid residues of vaccine virus were detected,and then 6 pigs were challenged.It was demonstrated that no significant difference could be observed in antibody titer of the pigs injected with different doses of CSFV vaccine.Antibodies against CSFV were transformed into positive on 21 days after vaccination and blocking rate were higher than 85% between 63 and 578 days.Meanwhile,nucleic acid of CSFV vaccine could be detected in pig blood and tonsil by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) up to day 28 and 42.Furthermore,challenging experiment with high virulent CSFV strain showed that pigs of immunized group didn′t display obvious clinical symptoms.In conclusion,strong immunity would be stimulated by vaccines in normal dosage in pigs without maternal antibody and other infections.So it's important to monitor pathogens in pig farms and eliminate pathogen-positive pigs during immunization.
Quantifying vehicular heavy metal deposits on roadside soil and vegetation along Akure-Ilesa express road, South-Western Nigeria

Vehicular emission is one of the major sources of heavy metal deposition on roadside vegetation and soil. This is influence by the degree of traffic congestions on the road. The heavy metals can affect plants negatively with health hazards to humans and animals in the food chain. This study investigated the quantity of vehicular heavy metal deposits on vegetation and soil along Akure-Ilesa road. Plant and soil samples were collected at 10 km intervals along Akure-Ilesa road, digested using Aqua regia methods and metals; Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu contents determined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Data were analysed with ANOVA and t-test and differences tested at p≤0.05. The study revealed that; 0.021 – 0.320, 0.110 – 0.301, 0.092 – 0.170, 0.055 – 0.113 and 0.061 – 1.280 mg/kg; and 0.068 – 0.421, 0.110 – 0.410, 0.100 – 0.181, 0.008 – 0.141, and 0.267 – 0.411 mg/kg of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Zn were found in plants and soils respectively. It was concluded that vehicular emissions contributed to the heavy metal load of the roadside vegetation and soil.
Regeneração natural em povoamentos de Araucaria angustifolia e Pinus sp. em Tunas do Paraná, PR

This study aimed to assess the natural regeneration in stands of Araucaria angustifolia (PA) and Pinus sp. (PP) without management in Campinhos State Park, in the Municipality of Tunas do Parana, Parana State, Brazil. Eighteen plots of 10 m2 were installed, 7 plots for PA and 11 for PP. All trees higher than 1.5 m were sampled and their circumference were measured at 1.30 m above ground level. In PA stand there were 586 individuals, corresponding to 67 species and 29 families and in PP stand 442 individuals of 58 species and 22 families were measured. The most important species in PA were Cordyline spectabilis , Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus and Clethra scabra; and in PP were C . spectabilis , Lonchocarpus sp.1 and Cupania vernalis . PA showed phytosociological parameters and diversity higher than PP. The floristic composition was similar for both stands, which denoted the regenerative potential of PP.
Epidemiological Investigation of OHCWs with COVID-19

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is an important risk of infection in health care workers, including oral health care workers (OHCWs), due to the characteristics of dental practice. In this retrospective study, data pertaining to the 31 OHCWs diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, were retrieved and analyzed. Questionnaires were administered to the subjects over the Internet and telephone. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and information on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were collected. There were 22 females and 9 males, with a median age of 39 y. Although the severity of most cases of COVID-19 (93.5%) was mild or moderate, 1 case was severe, and another case was critical, resulting in death. Fever was the main first symptom of COVID-19, followed by fatigue and myalgia. Most of the OHCWs routinely used PPE such as medical masks, gloves, caps, and work clothes while performing clinical work. N95 or KN95 masks were rarely available because of the scarcity of PPE during the outbreak. Nineteen OHCWs reported a contact history, among whom 7 worked in a fever clinic, 5 reported contact with dental patients suspected of having COVID-19, and 7 reported contact with family members with COVID-19–related symptoms at least 1 d earlier. Our findings indicated that there were few clusters of COVID-19 in dental settings. Since the outbreak, the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, has provided emergency dental treatment, and none of their staff were infected while providing dental service, which indicates that comprehensive measures such as the use of advanced PPE and environmental disinfection can prevent cross-infection in dental practice. The analysis of the procedures followed during the emergency treatments indicated that OHCWs preferred to recommend conservative treatment to patients, suggesting that attention should be paid to the psychological impact of COVID-19 on dental practitioners.
COVID-19: An insight into the developments in diagnostics and therapeutics in India

The unexpected pandemic set off by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) has spread to more than 210 countries across the globe, including India. In the current pandemic situation, various steps have been taken by the Indian government to prevent and control the spread of the SARS-CoV2 infection. To date, there are no proven vaccines or effective therapeutic interventions against the virus. Current clinical management includes infection prevention and control, symptom-specific relief and supportive care. Physicians and scientists across the country have been tirelessly working on developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and to combat and control this infection. As the demand for diagnostics and therapeutics continues to rise in India and around the globe, it is essential to rapidly develop various algorithms to successfully identify and contain the virus. This review discusses the updates on the recent developments in COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics in India.
Our Experience with Kashimas Procedure for Bilateral Abductor Vocal Cord Palsy

Introduction: Kashima operation, also known as endoscopic laser cordotomy is used for the treatment of bilateral abductor vocal cord palsy where the glottis chink is made posteriorly, sufficient enough for patient to breathe comfortably without any strider. Materials and Methods: This Clinical Trial Was Performed On 12 Patients with Bilateral Abductor Vocal Cord Paralysis. All Patients Underwent Kashimas Procedure and Post-Operative Voice, Respiratory and Deglutition Function Were Evaluated. Results: 75% of patients were females and the mean age of patients was 40.9 ±9.13 years. In our patients, the most common etiology of bilateral vocal cord palsy was thyroid surgery (n=10, 83.33%). There was a significant improvement in breathing after surgery (P=0.001). After the procedure, 70% of patient had mild voice handicap score, and MPT was in normal range in 91.6% of cases. Conclusion: Kashimas procedure is a satisfactory surgical treatment for treating bilateral vocal cord palsy in regards to strider. No aspiration was seen in any of the patients post-surgery and voice outcome of these patients was also satisfactory.
Chondroprotective Effects of Combination Therapy of Acupotomy and Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis Rabbits via the GSK3β-Cyclin D1-CDK4/CDK6 Signaling Pathway

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are highly chondrogenic and can be used to treat knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by alleviating cartilage defects. Acupotomy, a biomechanical therapy guided by traditional Chinese medicine theory, alleviates cartilage degradation and is widely used in the clinic to treat KOA by correcting abnormal mechanics. However, whether combining acupotomy with ASCs will reverse cartilage degeneration by promoting chondrocyte proliferation in KOA rabbits is unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of combination therapy of acupotomy and ASCs on chondrocyte proliferation and to determine the underlying mechanism in rabbits with KOA induced by knee joint immobilization for 6 weeks. After KOA modeling, five groups of rabbits (acupotomy, ASCs, acupotomy + ASCs, model and control groups) received the indicated intervention for 4 weeks. The combination therapy significantly restored the KOA-induced decrease in passive range of motion (PROM) in the knee joint and reduced the elevated serum level of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a marker for cartilage degeneration. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the combination therapy inhibited cartilage injury. The combination therapy also significantly blocked increases in the mRNA and protein expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and decreases in the mRNA and protein expression of cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin D1/CDK6 in cartilage. These findings indicated that the combination therapy mitigated knee joint immobility, promoted chondrocyte proliferation and alleviated cartilage degeneration in KOA rabbits, and these effects may be mediated by specifically regulating the GSK3β-cyclin D1-CDK4/CDK6 pathway.
Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits HeLa cell energy metabolism and induces apoptosis by upregulating voltage-dependent anion channel 1

20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 [20(S)-GRh2], one of the main active components of Panaxginseng, induces apoptosis in a wide range of cancer cell types. The present study found that 20(S)-GRh2 reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, decreases adenosine triphosphate generation and induces reactive oxygen species in HeLa cervical cancer cells. In addition, 20(S)-GRh2 activated mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis and inhibited both mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in HeLa cells. It was found that voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) expression was significantly upregulated by 20(S)-GRh2 treatment, while hexokinase 2 expression was downregulated and segregated from the mitochondria. Furthermore, 20(S)-GRh2 promoted Bax transport from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, and knockdown of VDAC1 inhibited Bax transport and apoptosis. These results suggest that VDAC1 is a novel target of 20(S)-GRh2. The present study provides a better understanding of the mechanistic link between cervical cancer metabolism and growth control, and these results may facilitate the development of new treatments for cervical cancer.
Epidemiologic Burden and Treatment of Chronic Symptomatic Functional Bowel Disorders in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis

Background Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are the most common gastrointestinal problems managed by physicians. We aimed to assess the burden of chronic symptomatic FBDs on ambulatory care delivery in the United States and evaluate patterns of treatment. Methods Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used to estimate annual rates and associated costs of ambulatory visits for symptomatic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic functional abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. The weighted proportion of visits associated with pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic (stress/mental health, exercise, diet counseling) interventions were calculated, and predictors of treatment strategy were evaluated in multivariable multinomial logistic regression. Results From 2007-2015, ∼36.9 million [95% CI, 31.4-42.4] weighted visits in non-federal patients for chronic symptomatic FBDs were sampled. There was an annual weighted average of 2.7 million [95% CI, 2.3-3.2] visits for symptomatic IBS/chronic abdominal pain, 1.0 million [95% CI, 0.8-1.2] visits for chronic constipation, and 0.7 million [95% CI, 0.5-0.8] visits for chronic diarrhea. Pharmacologic therapies were prescribed in 49.7% [95% CI, 44.7%-54.8%] of visits, compared to non-pharmacologic interventions in 19.8% [95% CI, 16.0%-24.2%] of visits (P < .001). Combination treatment strategies were more likely to be implemented by primary care physicians and in patients with depression or obesity. The direct annual cost of ambulatory clinic visits alone for chronic symptomatic FBDs is ∼$358 million USD [95% CI, $233-482 million]. Conclusions The management of chronic symptomatic FBDs is associated with considerable health care resource utilization and cost. There may be an opportunity to improve comprehensive FBD management as fewer than 1 in 5 ambulatory visits include non-pharmacologic treatment strategies.
lncRNA Xist Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation by Sponging miR-19a-3p in Aging-induced Osteoporosis

The switch between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) plays a key role in aging-induced osteoporosis. In this study, miR-19a-3p was obviously downregulated in BMSCs from aged humans and mice. Overexpressed miR-19a-3p evidently reduced aging-induced bone loss in mice and promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, while silenced miR-19a-3p manifestly increased aging-induced bone loss in mice and repressed osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Hoxa5 was significantly downregulated in the BMSCs from aged mice and contribute to miR-19a-3p-induced osteoblast differentiation as a direct target gene of miR-19a-3p. Furthermore, lncRNA Xist was found as a sponge of miR-19a-3p to repress BMSCs osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, our study reveals the critical role of the lncRNA Xist/miR-19a-3p/Hoxa5 pathway in aging-induced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, indicating the potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
Economic evaluation of water loss saving due to the biological control of water hyacinth at New Year’s Dam, Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes is considered the most damaging aquatic weed in the world. However, few studies have quantified the impact of this weed economically and ecologically, and even fewer studies have quantified the benefits of its control. This paper focuses on water loss saving as the benefit derived from biological control of this plant between 1990 and 2013 at New Year’s Dam, Alicedale, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Estimates of water loss due to evapotranspiration from water hyacinth vary significantly; therefore, the study used three different rates, high, medium and low. A conservative raw agriculture value of R 0.26 per m3 was used to calculate the benefits derived by the water saved. The present benefit and cost values were determined using 10% and 5% discount rates. The benefit/cost ratio at the low evapotranspiration rate was less than one, implying that biological control was not economically viable but, at the higher evapotranspiration rates, the return justified the costs of biological control. However, at the marginal value product of water, the inclusion of the costs of damage to infrastructure, or the adverse effects of water hyacinth on biodiversity, would justify the use of biological control, even at the low transpiration rate.