Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drain Management Following Distal Pancreatectomy

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: To explore contemporary drain management practices and examine the impact of early removal following distal pancreatectomy (DP). Background: Despite accruing evidence supporting its benefit following pancreatoduodenectomy, early drain removal after DP has yet to be explored. Methods: The American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) was queried for elective DPs from 2014 to 2017. When possible, data were linked to survey responses regarding drain management from hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons in the ACS-NSQIP HPB Collaborative conducted in 2017. The independent association between timing of drain removal and patients’ outcomes was investigated through multivariable analyses and propensity-score matching. Results: Of 5581 DPs identified, 4708 (84.4%) patients received intraoperative drains and early removal (≤ POD3) was performed in 716 (15.2%). Drain fluid amylase was recorded on POD1 for 1285 (27.3%) patients who received drains. The overall rates of death or serious morbidity (DSM) and clinically-relevant fistula (CR-POPF) were 19.5% and 17.0%. Early removal demonstrated significantly better outcomes when compared to late removal and no drain placement for: DSM, CR-POPF, delayed gastric emptying, percutaneous drainage, length of stay, and readmission. On multivariable analysis, early removal demonstrated reduced odds of developing DSM (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.26–0.65) and CR-POPF (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.18–0.61) compared to no drain placement, while late removal displayed increased odds for CR-POPF (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.27–3.61) when compared to no drain placement. After propensity-score matching, early removal was associated with reduced odds for CR-POPF (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17–0.73). Conclusion: Although not yet widely implemented, early drain removal after distal pancreatectomy is associated with better outcomes. This study demonstrates the potential benefits of early removal and provides a substrate to define best practices and improve the quality of care for DP.
Interference with the mate‐finding communication system of the Chinese tortrix Cydia trasias (Lep., Olethreutidae) using synthetic sex pheromones

Abstract: Interference with the mate‐finding communication system of Cydia trasias (Meyrick) using sex pheromone dispensers (60% E8,E10‐dodecadienyl acetate and 40% E8,E10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol, 0.5 mg/dispenser) was investigated in three plots of the Chinese scholar‐tree, Sophora japonica L. , in Beijing, China, in 2000. Treatments were evaluated by pheromone‐baited traps, caged virgin females, pupating and hibernating populations on tree trunks, and assessment of larval damage in petioles and seed pods. Six to eight natural rubber septum dispensers were placed in each tree at the pheromone‐treated plots at three separate periods: at the beginning of overwintering generation flight, the first‐ and the second‐generation flights. Application of pheromone dispensers reduced the incidence of mating of virgin females in treated plots relative to those in the control plots. Pheromone‐baited trap catches were lowered on average by 96%, suggesting a high level of disruption. Average larval density on tree trunks was significantly lower in the pheromone‐treated plots than in the untreated control plots. The mean percentage of Chinese scholar‐tree petioles infested with first‐ and second‐generation larvae, and seed pods infested with third‐generation larvae was significantly greater in untreated control plots than in pheromone‐treatment plots. These results suggest that disruption of pheromone‐based communication in C. trasias is prospective, with synthetic sex pheromone on trees in urban environments.
Presence and abundance of Ephemeroptera and other sensitive macroinvertebrates in relation with habitat conditions in pampean streams (Buenos Aires, Argentina)*

The objective of this work was to analyse the presence and abundance of Ephemeroptera and other sensitive invertebrates in two streams in the pampean area of Argentina, which have different ecological conditions. Juan Blanco stream is a pristine system and a reference site for the area while Bunirigo stream is affected by industrial effluents coming from food industries and tanneries. Biological and physico-chemical samples were taken seasonally from each stream over two years at two sites (upstream and downstream). DO, conductivity, pH, BOD, COD, heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn and Hg) and nutrients were measured and biotic indices were applied to determine water quality. Among the Ephemeroptera, Caenis cf. argentina (Caenidae) and Callibaetis cf. fasciatus (Baetidae) were the dominant species with the maximun densities in Juan Blanco stream. Other macroinvertebrates found in the study area and considered sensitive were Magellomyia bruchina (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae), Campsurus major (Ephemeroptera, Polymitarcyidae), Aeshna bonariensis and Micrathyria dydima (Odonata Anisoptera) and Diplodon delodontus delodontus (Pelecypoda, Hyriidae) recorded at low number in Bunirigo downstream. The abundance of individuals for each species can be correlated with water quality variations in the study sites. Certain parameters like pH can influence the distributions patterns of C. cf. fasciatus.
Effect of Partial Replacement of Dietary Protein by a Leaf Meal Mixture Containing Leucaena leucocephala, Morus alba and Azadirachta indica on Performance of Goats

This study was conducted to examine the effect of Leucaena leucocephala-Morus alba-Azadirachta indica (2:1:1) based leaf meal mixture as nitrogen source to partially replace (50%) soybean meal in conventional supplements on the performance of goats. Twelve non-descript female goats were divided into two equal groups in a completely randomized design to receive either the leaf meal mixture based supplement (LMAM) or soybean meal incorporated concentrate (SBM) and wheat straw for ad libitum intake for a two month period. The goats given LMAM and SBM concentrate had similar dry matter intake (50.2±1.67 g/kg W 0.75 ) and nutrient digestibility. Nitrogen intake and its faecal and urinary excretion were similar irrespective of diets. The balance of nitrogen was positive and comparable (1.63±0.08 g/d) in both dietary treatments. The plane of nutrition on both diets was comparable and the digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients values of the composite diets offered did not differ significantly between the dietary supplements. The serum concentration of enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were statistically similar in both the groups, while haemoglobin and serum urea levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in LMAM and SBM treatments, respectively. It was concluded that the leaf meal mixture of Leucaena leucocephala-Morus alba-Azadirachta indica could be used as a vegetable protein supplement to wheat straw based diet of goats. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 12 : 1732-1737)
Territorial competition among wild brown trout fry: effects of ownership and body size

The effects of ownership, energy status and relative size on the ability to defend a territory were studied in dyadic contests among wild brown trout fry. A logistic regression showed that the territory owner won 85% of the contests with opponents of equal size, and that a 30% size advantage was required to balance the advantage of ownership. Energy status did not affect the ability to win territorial contests.
Peuplements malacologiques lacustres en relation avec la physico-chimie de l'eau et des sédiments. II. Les espèces

L'application d'une analyse multivariee (AFC) a 4 descripteurs synthetiques de la colonne d'eau et du sediment nous a fourni une distribution dans le plan factoriel, des 18 lacs de notre echantillon. A partir de celle-ci, 4 types de milieux ont pu etre definis. La projection, en elements supplementaires dans le plan de l'analyse des variables du milieu, des effectifs de 26 especes de mollusques a permis d'etudier les concordances entre types de systemes et profils des especes a 4 classes de profondeur : 0-1, 3-5, 10-15 et ≥ 20 m. Affinite et tolerance particulieres des especes pour chaque type de lac sont definis. A l'echelle d'un ecosysteme lacustre, on observe que ses capacites d'oxygenation et la teneur en matiere organique de ses sediments jouent un role essentiel dans la distribution des especes, celles-ci presentant une sensibilite differentielle vis-a-vis de ces deux facteurs, en fonction de la profondeur.
Incidence and identity of photosynthetic symbionts in Caribbean coral reef sponge assemblages

Marine sponges are abundant and diverse components of coral reefs and commonly harbour photosynthetic symbionts in these environments. The most prevalent symbiont is the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus spongiarum, isolated from taxonomically diverse hosts from geographically distant regions. We combined analyses of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations with line-intercept transect surveys to assess the abundance and diversity of reef sponges hosting photosymbionts on Caribbean coral reefs in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panamá. To identify symbionts, we designed PCR primers that specifically amplify a fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene from S. spongiarum and used these primers to screen potential host sponges for the presence of this symbiont. Chlorophyll-a data divided the sponge community into two disparate groups, species with high (>125 μg/g, N=20) and low (<50 μg/g, N=38) chl-a concentrations. Only two species exhibited intermediate (50–125 μg/g) chl-a concentrations; these species represented hosts with reduced symbiont populations, including bleached Xestospongia muta and the mangrove form of Chondrilla nucula (C. nucula f. hermatypica). Sponges with high and intermediate chl-a concentrations accounted for over one-third of the species diversity and abundance of sponges in these communities. Most (85%) of these sponges harboured S. spongiarum. Molecular phylogenies reveal that S. spongiarum represents a sponge-specific Synechococcus lineage, distinct from free-living cyanobacteria. The prevalence of sponge–photosymbiont associations and dominance of symbiont communities by S. spongiarum suggest a major role of this cyanobacterium in sponge ecology and primary productivity on coral reefs.
Responses of vervet monkeys in large troops to terrestrial and aerial predator alarm calls

The extent to which animal vocalizations convey specific information about events in the environment is subject to continued debate. The alarm-calls of vervet monkeys have played a pivotal role in this debate as they represent the classic example of a predator-specific call production system combined with a set of equally specific responses by receivers. Here, we revisit the vervet alarm-calling system, and assess the hypothesis that these acoustically distinct calls trigger context- and predator-appropriate behavior. We investigated responses in 2 groups of free-ranging vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) to both natural encounters with predators and experimental presentations of aerial and terrestrial predator alarm calls. Our results show that the modal natural and experimental response was not to initiate escape behavior, either immediately or in the 10s following an alarm call, but to look at the sound source. When monkeys did take evasive action, contextually inappropriate behavior (i.e., behavior that was not appropriate for evading the specific predator type) was as likely to occur as contextually appropriate behavior. The distance at which calls were heard was negatively correlated with the probability of evasive action. Larger group size, and the greater mean distance at which natural calls were heard, may explain why our animals displayed less predator-appropriate evasion or vigilance than expected. We conclude that the broader social and ecological framework in which calls occur, rather than a simple contextually regular linkage between call types and specific predators, shapes animals’ responses to calls in this species.
Effect of a Chelated Calcium Proteinate Dietary Supplement on the Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkey Breeder Hens

Abstract Researchers have reported that organic mineral complexes can have increased availability compared with inorganic sources. This work was conducted to examine the inclusion of a small amount of chelated calcium proteinate (CalKey) into turkey breeder hen diets and its effect on turkey breeder hen performance. Two studies were conducted, one each in Minnesota (A) and North Carolina (B). Typical corn and soybean meal diets without animal by-product meals were used as the control diets. Hens in the first study were photostimulated at 30 wk of age in December with 15L:9D for a 24-wk lay period, and hens in a second study were photostimulated after an induced molt in January with 15.5L:8.5D for a 24-wk lay period. In study A, hatchability of fertile eggs was improved during the last 4 wk of production for hens fed calcium proteinate. During 1 period, hens fed calcium proteinate had lower daily feed intake and increased incidence of soft-shelled eggs. In study B, hatchability of fertile eggs was improved for hens fed dietary calcium proteinate for 19 and 20 wk of lay. This result was associated with improved embryo livability for wk 3 and 4 of development. It was concluded that feeding 500 ppm calcium from chelated calcium proteinate improved hatchability of turkey eggs during the later period of egg production, which was associated with decreased late embryo mortality.
Exigências nutricionais de metionina+cistina para poedeiras semipesadas do início de produção até o pico de postura

A trial was carried out to determine the nutritional requeriments of methionine + cystine (M+C). A total of 360 laying hens was allotted to a completely randomized design with five treatments and 12 replicates of six birds. The corn-soybean meal based diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (17.2% CP) and isoenergy (2,800 kcal ME/kg) to meet the bird requeriment in all nutrients, except for M+C, that was supplemented with DL-methionine (99%) in replacement with corn starch. The following total M+C levels were obtained: 0.61, 0.68, 0.75, 0.82, and 0.89%. All variables were evaluated from 20 to 44 weeks old. Egg weight, egg mass and egg mass:feed ratio were all affected quadratically by the M+C levels. The estimates obtained were: 0.73, 0.69, and 0.69% of total lysine and 0.66, 0.63, and 0.63% of digestible M+C, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended levels of 0.70 and 0.64% or intake of 762 and 697 mg total and digestible M+C/bird/day, respectively, for semi-heavy laying hens from the starter to peak of egg production.
Seasonal variation in the nuclear genome size of ray cells in the vascular cambium of Fraxinus americana

The nuclear DNA content in ray cells from the 1-year-old vascular cambium of white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) trees was determined at intervals during the annual cycle of cambial activity and dormancy by using Feulgen microspectrophotometry. By 10 September, these cells had entered dormancy in G 1 with a normal DNA distribution and a minimal average DNA content of 2.65 pp. The average amount of DNA increased to 3.51 pg by 30 Nov-ember, remained at this elevated value until at least 30 March, when the cambium was still dormant, then declined to the minimum level on 1 May and 10 June, when the cells were mitotically active. The springtime decline appeared to occur both before and during cell division. Between 1 May and 10 June, the prophase (4C) and telophase (2C) DNA contents decreased significantly. The amount of nuclear DNA measured by microspectrophotometry was verified by using flow cytometry and image analysis. The results support the view that there is an annual oscillation in the nuclear genome size of shoot meristematic cells in tree species native to the northern temperate zone
Genetic diversity of Chinese and Swedish rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) analysed by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs)

Abstract We have compared the genetic diversity of 24 Chinese weak-winter, Swedish winter and spring Brassica napus accessions by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs). Using cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on 125 polymorphism bands amplified with 20 primers, the 24 accessions were divided into three groups. Six Swedish winter lines and eight Chinese weak-winter lines were in group I and group II consisted of two Chinese weak-winter lines, Xiangyou15 and Bao81. The third group contained eight Swedish spring lines. Principal coordinates (PCO) analysis showed similar groupings to cluster analysis. Results from cluster analysis and PCO analysis showed very clearly that Chinese weak-winter, Swedish spring and winter accessions were distinguished from each other and Chinese weak-winter accessions in this study were genetically closer to Swedish winter accessions than to Swedish spring accessions. The Chinese weak-winter accessions had larger diversity than the Swedish spring or winter accessions. This study indicated that ISSR is a suitable and effective tool to evaluate genetic diversity among rapeseed germplasm.
Growth and Age Determination of the Pacific Edible Crab Cancer magister Dana

Of 2,820 early post-larval unsexed crabs collected by small-meshed trawl in two regions of the Queen Charlotte Islands, 1,175 were measured and the 1st and 2nd post-larval instars were identified as modes at 6.9 and 10.0 mm, respectively. Increments of 5 unsexed moulted crabs, carapace widths 6.80 to 9.96 mm, were from 36.3 to 46.5%. A total of 284 males, from 83 to 186 mm, moulted in crab traps, live-wells, and while at large as tagged specimens; 44 females, from 88 to 145 mm, moulted in traps. Using equations of regression of new carapace width on old width for both sexes and starting at the 2nd instar, average carapace widths were calculated for instars 3 to 15. In the width-frequency distributions of 8,145 crabs, separation of stages was sufficient for identification of age-groups. It is estimated that a year after hatching, males reach stage 5 or 6 (24.2 or 31.1 mm); after 2 years stage 11 or 12 (96.6 or 119.5 mm) is attained; after 3 years stage 13 (146.9 mm); after 4 years most males are in the 14t.
Considerations of Antibody Geometric Constraints on NK Cell Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

It has been well-established that antibody isotype, glycosylation, and epitope all play roles in the process of antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). For natural killer (NK) cells, these phenotypes are linked to cellular activation through interaction with the IgG receptor FcγRIIIa, a single pass transmembrane receptor that participates in cytoplasmic signaling complexes. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that there may be underlying spatial and geometric principles that guide proper assembly of an activation complex within the NK cell immune synapse. Further, synergy of antibody phenotypic properties as well as allosteric changes upon antigen binding may also play an as-of-yet unknown role in ADCC. Understanding these facets, however, remains hampered by difficulties associated with studying immune synapse dynamics using classical approaches. In this review, I will discuss relevant NK cell biology related to ADCC, including the structural biology of Fc gamma receptors, and how the dynamics of the NK cell immune synapse are being studied using innovative microscopy techniques. I will provide examples from the literature demonstrating the effects of spatial and geometric constraints on the T cell receptor complex and how this relates to intracellular signaling and the molecular nature of lymphocyte activation complexes, including those of NK cells. Finally, I will examine how the integration of high-throughput and “omics” technologies will influence basic NK cell biology research moving forward. Overall, the goal of this review is to lay a basis for understanding the development of drugs and therapeutic antibodies aimed at augmenting appropriate NK cell ADCC activity in patients being treated for a wide range of illnesses.
The Impact of Post-bariatric Abdominoplasty on Secondary Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), implies a considerable weight loss during the first two years after surgery. Excess skin due to rapid weight loss might affect self-esteem, decrease quality of life and be a hindrance to physical activity. Removing excess skin might reduce secondary weight regain. Among plastic surgeons, a BMI <30 kg/m2 is usually required to have abdominoplasty (AP). Many RYGB patients never reach this threshold even if they have a considerable weight loss and experience practical as well as emotional problems due to excess skin. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of abominoplasty on weight development until five years, among patients who did and did not achieve a nadir BMI <30 kg/m2 during the first two years after RYGB. Data on 645 patients from a single center RYGB-quality register from 2004 to 2013 with baseline and follow-up data were analyzed. Post-bariatric AP was publicly funded if medically needed. Weight regain (WR) from nadir weight to five years was analyzed as percentage WR of maximal weight loss. Nadir BMI was available in 633 (98.1%) patients, and BMI after five years in 553 (85.7%) patients. The 233 patients with nadir BMI <30 kg/m2 who underwent AP regained 17.8 (±16.1) % of their maximal weight loss at five years compared to 24.2 (±19.7) % in 185 patients not having AP (p < 0.001). The 27 patients with nadir BMI > 30 kg/m2 within two years after RYGB who underwent AP regained 12.9 (±19.3) % compared to 31.4 (±24.7) % in 188 patients without AP (p < 0.001). This procedure was more common among women than men, as 224 (46.4%) women, and 36 (22.2%) men underwent AP. Abdominoplasty was associated with reduced secondary weight regain after RYGB in this study. Whether this is caused by increased bodily satisfaction and better physical function, or a biological response to reduction of adipose tissue remains unclear. If removing abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue prevent secondary weight regain and increase the robustness of bariatric surgery, this should be offered as part of the standard treatment after bariatric surgery.
Status of two cryptic species, Typhlodromus exhilaratus Ragusa and Typhlodromus phialatus Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae): consequences for taxonomy

Typhlodromus phialatus and T. exhilaratus are morphologically close species. Their differentiation is based on the shape of the insemination apparatus and on idiosomal setae length. However, the setae length values are often intermediate between these two species and do not allow accurate identification. Furthermore, the handful of differences in insemination apparatus shape are also questionable as a means of differentiation. Synonymy between these species has thus been questioned. Three experiments were carried out. Idiosomal seta length measurements, molecular tests and cross experiments were conducted for three populations, identified as T. exhilaratus and T. phialatus according to the shape of their insemination apparatus. The results show that the variation range of seta lengths is great and that these criteria do not allow accurate separation of these populations into two species. However, molecular tests show a species‐level nucleotide differentiation between them. Cross experiments confirm this result, showing complete reproduction incompatibility between the mites bearing different insemination apparatus shapes. Therefore, T. exhilaratus and T. phialatus could be considered to be two valid species and the insemination apparatus could be considered as a pertinent diagnostic criterion at the specific level.