Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pleistocene persistence and expansion in tarantulas on the Colorado Plateau and the effects of missing data on phylogeographical inferences from RADseq

Montane species endemic to the “sky islands” of the North American southwest were significantly impacted by changing climates during the Pleistocene. We combined mitochondrial and genomic data with species distribution modelling to determine whether Aphonopelma marxi, a large tarantula from the nearby Colorado Plateau, was similarly impacted by glacial climates. Genetic analyses revealed that the species comprises three main clades that diverged in the Pleistocene. A clade distributed along the Mogollon Rim appears to have persisted in place during glacial conditions, whereas the other two clades probably colonized central and northeastern portions of the species' range from refugia in canyons. Climate models support this hypothesis for the Mogollon Rim, but late glacial climate data appear too coarse to detect suitable areas in canyons. Locations of canyon refugia could not be inferred from genomic analyses due to missing data, encouraging us to explore the effect of missing loci in phylogeographical inferences using RADseq. Results from analyses with varying amounts of missing data suggest that samples with large amounts of missing data can still improve inferences, and the specific loci that are missing matters more than the number of missing loci. This study highlights the profound impact of Pleistocene climates on tarantulas endemic to the Colorado Plateau, as well as the mixed nature of the region's fauna. Some animals recently colonized from nearby deserts as glacial climates receded, whereas others, like tarantulas, appear to have persisted on the Mogollon Rim and in refugia associated with the region's famous river‐cut canyons.
Short-Term Oral Anticoagulation Versus Antiplatelet Therapy Following Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: The impact of antithrombotic therapy on coagulation system activation after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) remains unknown. This study sought to compare changes in coagulation markers associated with short-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) versus antiplatelet therapy (APT) following LAAC. Methods: Prospective study including 78 atrial fibrillation patients undergoing LAAC with the Watchman device. F1+2 (prothrombin fragment 1+2) and TAT (thrombin-antithrombin III) were assessed immediately before the procedure, and at 7, 30, and 180 days after LAAC. Results: Forty-eight patients were discharged on APT (dual: 31, single: 17) and 30 on OAC (direct anticoagulants: 26, vitamin K antagonists: 4), with no differences in baseline-procedural characteristics between groups except for higher spontaneous echocardiography contrast in the OAC group. OAC significantly reduced coagulation activation within 7 days post-LAAC compared with APT (23% [95% CI, 5%–41%] versus 82% [95% CI, 54%–111%] increase for F1+2, P=0.007; 52% [95% CI, 15%–89%] versus 183% [95% CI, 118%–248%] increase for TAT, P=0.048), with all patients in both groups progressively returning to baseline values at 30 and 180 days. Spontaneous echocardiography contrast pre-LAAC was associated with an enhanced activation of the coagulation system post-LAAC (144 [48–192] versus 52 [24–111] nmol/L, P=0.062 for F1+2; 299 [254–390] versus 78 [19–240] ng/mL, P=0.002 for TAT). Device-related thrombosis occurred in 5 patients (6.4%), and all of them were receiving APT at the time of transesophageal echocardiography (10.2% versus 0% if OAC at the time of transesophageal echocardiography, P=0.151). Patients with device thrombosis exhibited a greater coagulation activation 7 days post-LAAC (P=0.038 and P=0.108 for F1+2 and TAT, respectively). Conclusions: OAC (versus APT) was associated with a significant attenuation of coagulation system activation post-LAAC. Spontaneous echocardiography contrast pre-LAAC associated with enhanced coagulation activation post-LAAC, which in turn increased the risk of device thrombosis. These results highlight the urgent need for randomized trials comparing OAC versus APT post-LAAC.
Dietary fibre and protein do not synergistically influence insulin, metabolic or inflammatory biomarkers in young obese Göttingen minipigs

Abstract The effects of dietary fibre (DF) and protein on insulin response, lipidaemia and inflammatory biomarkers were studied in a model experiment with juvenile obese Göttingen minipigs. After 20 weeks feeding on a high-fat fructose-rich low-DF diet, forty-three 30-week-old minipigs (31·3 (sem 4·0) kg body weight) were allocated to low- or high-DF and -protein diets for 8 weeks in a 2 × 2 factorial design. High DF contents decreased (P = 0·006) while high protein increased (P < 0·001) the daily gain. High protein contents increased fasting plasma concentrations of glucose (P = 0·008), NEFA (P = 0·015), ghrelin (P = 0·008) and non-fasting LDL:HDL ratios (P = 0·015). High DF increased ghrelin (P = 0·036) and C-peptide levels (P = 0·011) in the non-fasting state. High protein increased the gene expression of fructose-bisphosphatase 1 in liver tissue (P = 0·043), whereas DF decreased fatty acid synthase expression in adipose tissue (P = 0·035). Interactions between DF and protein level were observed in the expression of leptin receptor in adipose tissue (P = 0·031) and of PPARγ in muscle (P = 0·018) and adipose tissue (P = 0·004). In conclusion, high DF intake reduced weight gain and had potential benefit on β-cell secretory function, but without effect on the lipid profile in this young obese model. High dietary protein by supplementing with whey protein did not improve insulin sensitivity or lipidaemia, and combining high DF with high protein did not alleviate the risk of metabolic abnormalities.
Pre-Movement Cortico-Muscular Dynamics Underlying Improved Parkinson Gait Initiation after Instructed Arm Swing

Background: The supplementary motor area (SMA) is implicated in both motor initiation and stereotypic multi-limb movements such as walking with arm swing. Gait in Parkinson’s disease exhibits starting difficulties and reduced arm swing, consistent with reduced SMA activity. Objective: We tested whether enhanced arm swing could improve Parkinson gait initiation and assessed whether increased SMA activity during preparation might facilitate such improvement. Methods: Effects of instructed arm swing on cortical activity, muscle activity and kinematics were assessed by ambulant EEG, EMG, accelerometers and video in 17 Parkinson patients and 19 controls. At baseline, all participants repeatedly started walking after a simple auditory cue. Next, patients started walking at this cue, which now meant starting with enhanced arm swing. EEG changes over the putative SMA and leg motor cortex were assessed by event related spectral perturbation (ERSP) analysis of recordings at Fz and Cz. Results: Over the putative SMA location (Fz), natural PD gait initiation showed enhanced alpha/theta synchronization around the auditory cue, and reduced alpha/beta desynchronization during gait preparation and movement onset, compared to controls. Leg muscle activity in patients was reduced during preparation and movement onset, while the latter was delayed compared to controls. When starting with enhanced arm swing, these group differences virtually disappeared. Conclusion: Instructed arm swing improves Parkinson gait initiation. ERSP normalization around the cue indicates that the attributed information may serve as a semi-internal cue, recruiting an internalized motor program to overcome initiation difficulties.
Repellent activity of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) and Tanacetum vulgare (L.) essential oils against Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Abstract The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is one of the most destructive pest species to have developed resistance to most chemical insecticides. We determined the composition and evaluated the potential of Tanacetum parthenium L. and Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae family) essential oil (EO) application as an alternative eco-friendly control strategy against L. decemlineata. We assessed the antifeedant activity for L. decemlineata larvae and adults by estimating the damage to potato leaves treated with three concentrations of EOs dissolved in ethanol (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5%). Results showed that T. parthenium EO was more effective against larvae, and T. vulgare was more effective against adults. In an olfactometer assay, the time required to choose an untreated leaf disc did not depend on the Tanacetum species, or life stage examined. However, the concentration of EO exhibited a significant effect on the behaviour of both developmental stages. At higher EO concentrations, both third instar larvae and adults require less time to choose an untreated leaf disc. Additionally, T. parthenium EO provoked more rapid movement away from the treated leaf disc than T. vulgare, especially at the highest concentration. Successful modification of L. decemlineata behaviour by the two Tanacetum oils suggests that they possess the potential for use in potato protection.
Actualized lower body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery – a nationwide register-based study

Abstract Massive weight loss might lead to excess skin folds causing functional, physical, and psychosocial discomfort. Following bariatric procedures, an increasing number of patients are seeking lower body contouring surgery (LBCS). The proportion of bariatric patients who undergo LBCS is largely unknown. The aim of this current study was to analyse the incidence and realization of LBCS in bariatric patients in Finland. National retrospective register linkage study including all adult patients who received bariatric surgery in Finland during 1998–2016. The data were obtained from the Finnish national health registers maintained by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Altogether 1089 (14.1%) of 7703 bariatric patients underwent LBCS during the study period. The majority of the LBCS procedures were abdominoplasty (89%). Median latency between bariatric surgery and LBCS was 31 months. The patients with LBCS were younger (p < 0.001) and received sleeve gastrectomy (p < 0.001). We revealed an annual correlation between LBCS and bariatric procedures (r = 0.683). With a two-year latency between the bariatric and post-bariatric operations, the correlation co-efficiency was strong (r = 0.927). LBCS operations ranged from 5 to 215 per hospital district. Most LBCSs (97.3%) were performed in public hospitals, and some (41%) were performed in university hospitals. This study shows that only 14.1% of bariatric patients undergo LBCS. There is a correlation between bariatric procedures and succeeding plastic surgical reconstructive procedures.
In situ forage protein degradability characteristics in ruminants

Factors characterizing degradation of feedstuffs in the rumen and intestine are critical components of modem ration formulation equations. This study was undertaken to determine the in situ degradability characteristics of forages commonly fed to lactating dairy cattle. In Experiment 1, dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation characteristics of 12 corn silages and 22 grass silages were evaluated using both the rumen and mobile nylon bag in situ techniques. In Experiment 2, 16 alfalfa hays and 14 grass hays were evaluated using the same procedures. Significant (P<O.05) differences in degradation characteristics occurred within each forage type in both the soluble and potentially degradable DM and CP fractions. These differences (P<O.05) were also observed in the effective degradability of DM and CP at varying fractional rates of passage through the rumen. In Experiment 3, the total amino acid content in all four forage types was determined. There was a considerable range between the minimum and maximum values in all amino acids analyzed within each forage type. In Experiment 4, the amino acid composition of rumen undegradable protein in 19 grass silages was determined using the in situ rumen and mobile nylon bag techniques. Predicting the concentrations of individual amino acids in rumen incubated residues presented to the duodenum from the dietary amino acid profiles was also examined. Except for arginine(r 2=O.76) and serine (r=O.82), there was a poor relationship between the amino acid concentrations of grass silages and the 12 h rumen incubation residues. The amino acid composition ofthe rumen undegradable portion of grass silage differs from that of the unincubated silage. In the concluding Chapter an assessment of the cost is made of using incorrect rumen degradability characteristics. It was determined that the use of such values may result in large changes in income over feed cost. The work presented in this thesis demonstrates that the range
Progressive task-oriented circuit training for cognition, physical functioning and societal participation in individuals with dementia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Dementia is commonly associated with cognitive deficit, functional decline and societal participation restriction across multiple domains of functioning. The decline impacts not only on the individual, but also on their informal caregivers, healthcare and the social system. This clinical random controlled study investigated the efficacy of 12-week Progressive Task-oriented circuit training on cognition, physical functioning and societal participation of individuals with dementia. METHODS This study involved 31 individuals living with dementia recruited from a tertiary health institution in Lagos Nigeria. They were randomized into two groups: Progressive Task-oriented circuit training (involved in 12-week circuit training, two times a week for 70 min per session consisting of six workstations) and Control group (training with conventional treatment and home programmes). They were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention and post-intervention using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognition (ADAS-Cog), Bristol ADLs, Community integration Questionnaire, 6-min walk test. Data analysed using the independent-samples t tests, paired t tests, Friedman two-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test (p ≤ .05). RESULTS Participants were aged 69.61 ± 3.44 years. There was significant improvement from baseline to post-intervention in cognition (30.77 ± 1.02 vs. 28.77 ± 3.30), physical functioning (28.19 ± 3.90 vs. 25.84 ± 6.26) and societal participation (3.64 ± 0.73 vs. 5.59 ± 2.76). However, the progressive Task-oriented circuit training had more significant improvement than the control group within the group in cognition (p = .000), physical functioning (p = .000), and societal participation (p = .000). There was no statistical difference within the Control group with cognition (p = .097), Physical functioning (p = 1.000). Meanwhile there was statistically significant effect between both groups on cognition, physical functioning and societal participation post-intervention (p < .005). CONCLUSION Although both Task-oriented Circuit Training and conventional treatment with home exercise programmes are efficacious, Progressive Task-oriented Circuit Training is more efficacious in enhancing and developing therapeutic strategies to train cognition, improve functional performance and societal participation in the rehabilitation of individuals with dementia.
Plasma resuscitation with adjunctive peritoneal resuscitation reduces ischemic intestinal injury following hemorrhagic shock

INTRODUCTION Impaired intestinal microvascular perfusion following resuscitated hemorrhagic shock (HS) leads to ischemia-reperfusion injury, microvascular dysfunction, and intestinal epithelial injury, which contribute to the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in some trauma patients. Restoration of central hemodynamics with traditional methods alone often fails to fully restore microvascular perfusion and does not protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that resuscitation (RES) with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) alone or combined with direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) with 2.5% Delflex solution might improve blood flow and decrease intestinal injury compared with conventional RES or RES with DPR alone. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats underwent HS (40% mean arterial pressure) for 60 minutes and were randomly assigned to a RES group (n = 8): sham, HS–crystalloid resuscitation (CR) (shed blood + two volumes CR), HS-CR-DPR (intraperitoneal 2.5% peritoneal dialysis fluid), HS-FFP (shed blood + two volumes FFP), and HS-DPR-FFP (intraperitoneal dialysis fluid + two volumes FFP). Laser Doppler flowmeter evaluation of the ileum, serum samples for fatty acid binding protein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were used to assess intestinal injury and blood flow. p Values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Following HS, the addition of DPR to either RES modality improved intestinal blood flow. Four hours after resuscitated HS, FABP-2 (intestinal) and FABP-6 (ileal) were elevated in the CR group but reduced in the FFP and DPR groups. The H&E staining demonstrated disrupted intestinal villi in the FFP and CR groups, most significantly in the CR group. Combination therapy with FFP and DPR demonstrated negligible cellular injury in H&E graded samples and a significant reduction in fatty acid binding protein levels. CONCLUSION Hemorrhagic shock leads to ischemic-reperfusion injury of the intestine, and both FFP and DPR alone attenuated intestinal damage; combination FFP-DPR therapy alleviated most signs of organ injury. Resuscitation with FFP-DPR to restore intestinal blood flow following shock could be an essential method of reducing morbidity and mortality after trauma.
THE EFFECT OF CURCUMA LONGA DRIED POWDER IN THE DIET ON WEIGHT GAIN OF RABBIT DOES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Curcuma longa plant additive to the diet on the weight gain of rabbit does. Rabbit females (n = 45) of New Zealand White breed of the same age (2 months) were used in the experiment. Rabbit does in the control group (C; n = 15) were fed a commercially available feed. In the experimental groups 5 g (E1; n = 15) and 20 g (E2; n = 15) of Curcuma longa dried powder was added to 100 kg feed mixture. The highest average weight gain per week was observed in the fiexperimental group (E1; 235.7 ± 22.35 g) when compared to the control (C; 216.2 ± 25.59 g) and the second experimental (E2; 220.5 ± 31.94 g) groups. The highest total average weight gain of rabbit does was observed in the E1 (2103.3 ± 63.22 g) compared to the second (E2, 2045 ± 84.36 g) and control (C, 1950 ± 126.88 g) groups. In conclusion, supplementation of Curcuma longa plant powder to the commercially diet for rabbit positively affected weight gains in rabbit does. Therefore, to improve growth performance, further studies are required to defi ne an optimal supplementation of Curcuma longa to the rabbit diet.
Unifying the molecular evolution and host population dynamics of rapidly evolving pathogens

In light of evolution, we can make sense of the most incredible phenomena such as the mere existence of humankind. Among the smallest organisms, however, are the ones that evolve most rapidly, such that the rate at which they evolve can be directly measured from nucleotide sequences sampled sequentially over time. Their evolutionary dynamics shed light not only on their own phylogenetic history, but also on the evolution and population dynamics of their hosts. Many factors influence and interact with the processes that shape the viral genome. This thesis focuses on the development of phylodynamic methods that unify the molecular evolution and host population dynamics of rapidly evolving pathogens. In the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo framework Beast2, three approaches are developed that infer evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics from sequence data. First, the birth– death skyline model provides insight into epidemiological dynamics without specification of an epidemiological model for the host population. Applied to an HIV epidemic sampled in the United Kingdom, the method indicates epidemic decline in the mid-1990s, which may be due to the introduction of highly active retroviral treatment. The analysis of the hepatitis C virus from Egypt supports the hypothesis that the Egyptian epidemic has been impelled, if not caused, by antischistosomal injection campaigns around 1920. Second, the birth–death SIR method employs the birth–death skyline likelihood to explicitly model the interaction between viral evolution and epidemiological host population dynamics. A compartmental SIRmodel of infection and recovery is incorporated in the phylogenetic inference and enables the reconstruction of incidence and prevalence. Phylodynamic analysis of five HIV clusters reflects the different stages at which each local epidemic was sampled. Third, the multi-type birth–death model incorporates the underlying population structure, such as geographic division, into phylogenetic analysis by allowing migration events between discrete locations. The analysis of a human influenza virus dataset from Australia and New Zealand demonstrates the applicability of this phylogeographic approach. Each of the approaches is based on stochastic birth–death–sampling processes. Through explicit modelling of the sampling process they provide a powerful basis for phylodynamic inference from contemporaneously and sequentially sampled sequence data. iii