Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternative plant protein sources in sea bass diets

Abstract A control diet (C) containing animal protein (mainly fish meal) was compared with 6 experimental diets containing different plant proteins (soybean meal, SM; rapeseed meal, RM; potato protein concentrate, PPC and a mix of the three vegetable protein sources, M). The plant protein replaced either 25 (1) or 50 (2)% of the animal protein with the exception of diet RM2 where the substitution rate was lowered to 35%, and in diet M where 55% of the total protein given was replaced in equal amounts by the three plant proteins. For the growth trial, which lasted 97 days, 528 European sea bass (initial live weight 107 ± 0,06g), distributed among 24 fibreglass tanks with three replicates per treatment, were used. The pelleted feed was distributed 5 times per day using an automatic dispenser. Energy, crude protein and crude fat digestibility values for fish meal and soybean meal were similar and not statistically different while the values for rapeseed meal and potato protein concentrate were significantly lower. Digestive utilization for NFE was higher in fish meal and decreased significantly in soybean meal, rapeseed meal and even more noticeably in potato protein concentrate. Diet digestibility values showed a similar trend with a clear worsening effect at the higher inclusion rates used. Diet M gave digestibility coefficients lower than those observed with diets C, SM1, SM2, RS1 and RS2 and higher than those of diets PPC1 and PPC2. Fish fed a diet in which 25% of the total protein was replaced by soybean had similar performances to those of the control group. On the other hand, sea bass fed diets SM2, RS1, RS2 and M had lower growth rates and worse feed utilization than those observed with the control. Finally, specific growth rates and food conversion efficiency in sea bass fed diets containing potato protein concentrate were poor because of the low palatability. These results show that soybean meal can substitute up to 25% of the total protein of the diet without any negative effect on sea bass performance.
Kronik Obstrüktif Akciğer Hastalarında Dispnenin Yaşam Kalitesi ve Depresyona Etkisi

Materyal Metod: Araştırma, Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Uygulama ve Araştırma Hastanesi Göğüs Hastalıkları Polikliniği’ne başvuran ve solunum rehabilitasyonu için fizyoterapiye yönlendirilen ve solunumla ilgili değerlendirme kayıtları arşivimizde olan hastalar dahil edilerek yapılmıştır. KOAH tanısı konulan, yaş ortalaması 65.55±11.77 olan 40 hasta (22 erkek, 18 kadın) çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Araştırmada demografik bilgiler kaydedilip, dispne şiddetini ölçen Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, depresyon düzeyini değerlendiren Beck Depresyon Ölçeği, yaşam kalitesi düzeyini belirten Kısa Form-36 sonuçları analiz edilmiştir.
Lentivirus-mediated IL-10-expressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells promote corneal allograft survival via upregulating lncRNA 003946 in a rat model of corneal allograft rejection

Rationale: Corneal transplantation is an effective treatment to corneal blindness. However, the immune rejection imperils corneal allograft survival. An interventional modality is urgently needed to inhibit immune rejection and promote allograft survival. In our previous study, subconjunctival injections of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) into a rat model of corneal allograft rejection extended allograft survival for 2 d. In this study, we sought to generate IL-10-overexpressing BM-MSCs, aiming to boost the survival-promoting effects of BM-MSCs on corneal allografts and explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying augmented protection. Methods: A population of IL-10-overexpressing BM-MSCs (designated as IL-10-BM-MSCs) were generated by lentivirus transduction and FACS purification. The self-renewal, multi-differentiation, and immunoinhibitory capabilities of IL-10-BM-MSCs were examined by conventional assays. The IL-10-BM-MSCs were subconjunctivally injected into the model of corneal allograft rejection, and the allografts were monitored on a daily basis. The expression profiling of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the allografts was revealed by RNA sequencing and verified by quantitative real-time PCR. The infiltrating immune cell type predominantly upregulating the lncRNA expression was identified by RNAscope in situ hybridization. The function of the upregulated lncRNA was proved by loss- and gain-of-function experiments both in vivo and in vitro. Results: The IL-10-BM-MSCs possessed an enhanced immunoinhibitory capability and unabated self-renewal and multi-differentiation potentials as compared to plain BM-MSCs. The subconjunctivally injected IL-10-BM-MSCs reduced immune cell infiltration and doubled allograft survival time (20 d) as compared to IL-10 protein or plain BM-MSCs in the corneal allograft rejection model. Further, IL-10-BM-MSCs significantly upregulated lncRNA 003946 expression in CD68+ macrophages infiltrating corneal allografts. Silencing and overexpressing lncRNA 003946 in macrophage cultures abolished and mimicked the IL-10-BM-MSCs' suppressing effects on the macrophages' antigen presentation, respectively. In parallel, knocking down and overexpressing the lncRNA in vivo abrogated and simulated the survival-promoting effects of IL-10-BM-MSCs on corneal allografts, respectively. Conclusion: The remarkable protective effects of IL-10-BM-MSCs support further developing them into an effective interventional modality against corneal allograft rejection. IL-10-BM-MSCs promote corneal allograft survival mainly through upregulating a novel lncRNA expression in graft-infiltrating CD68+ macrophages. LncRNA, for the first time, is integrated into an IL-10-BM-MSC-driven immunomodulatory axis against the immune rejection to corneal allograft.
A Comparative Systematic Literature Review on Knee Bone Reports from MRI, X-Rays and CT Scans Using Deep Learning and Machine Learning Methodologies

The purpose of this research was to provide a “systematic literature review” of knee bone reports that are obtained by MRI, CT scans, and X-rays by using deep learning and machine learning techniques by comparing different approaches—to perform a comprehensive study on the deep learning and machine learning methodologies to diagnose knee bone diseases by detecting symptoms from X-ray, CT scan, and MRI images. This study will help those researchers who want to conduct research in the knee bone field. A comparative systematic literature review was conducted for the accomplishment of our work. A total of 32 papers were reviewed in this research. Six papers consist of X-rays of knee bone with deep learning methodologies, five papers cover the MRI of knee bone using deep learning approaches, and another five papers cover CT scans of knee bone with deep learning techniques. Another 16 papers cover the machine learning techniques for evaluating CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs of knee bone. This research compares the deep learning methodologies for CT scan, MRI, and X-ray reports on knee bone, comparing the accuracy of each technique, which can be used for future development. In the future, this research will be enhanced by comparing X-ray, CT-scan, and MRI reports of knee bone with information retrieval and big data techniques. The results show that deep learning techniques are best for X-ray, MRI, and CT scan images of the knee bone to diagnose diseases.
Markers of Bone Health and Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation in Army Initial Entry Training Soldiers: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Training civilians to be soldiers is a challenging task often resulting in musculoskeletal injuries, especially bone stress injuries. This study evaluated bone health biomarkers (P1NP/CTX) and whey protein or carbohydrate supplementations before and after Army initial entry training (IET). Ninety male IET soldiers participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind study assessing carbohydrate and whey protein supplementations. Age and fat mass predicted bone formation when controlling for ethnicity, explaining 44% (p < 0.01) of bone formation variations. Age was the only significant predictor of bone resorption (p = 0.02) when controlling for run, fat, and ethnicity, and these factors together explained 32% of the variance in bone resorption during week one (p < 0.01). Vitamin D increased across training (p < 0.01). There was no group by time interaction for supplementation and bone formation (p = 0.75), resorption (p = 0.73), Vitamin D (p = 0.36), or calcium (p = 0.64), indicating no influence of a supplementation on bone biomarkers across training. Age, fitness, fat mass, and ethnicity were important predictors of bone metabolism. The bone resorption/formation ratio suggests IET soldiers are at risk of stress injuries. Male IET soldiers are mildly to moderately deficient in vitamin D and slightly deficient in calcium throughout training. Whey protein or carbohydrate supplementations did not affect the markers of bone metabolism.
Offspring development mode and the evolution of brood parasitism

In the evolution of interspecific social parasites, the shift from facultative to obligate brood parasitism is thought to be driven by the cost of parental investment. Accordingly, avian brood parasites with precocial young are almost exclusively facultative parasites, whereas those with altricial young are almost exclusively obligate parasites. Surprisingly, then, North American cuckoos (Coccyzus spp.) have altricial young but are described as facultative brood parasites. Because little is known about parasitism by Coccyzus cuckoos, we explored the potential importance of heterogeneric brood parasitism to their reproductive strategy. In contrast to the existing set of anecdotal reports of cuckoos parasitizing songbirds, we found no evidence of cuckoo parasitism in 10 197 songbird nests, despite spatial and temporal overlap between cuckoos and potential hosts and despite varied food availability. Experiments revealed a lack of egg-rejection behavior in some of the most common potential hosts, suggesting that parasitic eggs would be accepted if laid and that we would detect cuckoo parasitism if it occurred regularly. We propose that reports of Coccyzus cuckoos parasitizing songbirds stem from errant attempts to parasitize other cuckoos. This resolves a theoretical paradox about interspecific parasitism and mode of offspring development, as we suggest that Coccyzus cuckoos have not evolved to parasitize other species. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
MCMV Dissemination from Latently-Infected Allografts Following Transplantation into Pre-Tolerized Recipients

Transplantation tolerance is achieved when recipients are unresponsive to donor alloantigen yet mobilize against third-party antigens, including virus. After transplantation, cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in latently-infected transplants reduces allograft viability. To determine if pre-tolerized recipients are resistant to viral dissemination in this setting, we transfused chemically-fixed donor splenocytes (1-ethyl-3- (3′-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbo-diimide (ECDI)-treated splenocytes (ECDIsp)) to induce donor antigen tolerance without immunosuppression. In parallel, we implanted donor islet cells to validate operational tolerance. These pre-tolerized recipients were implanted with murine CMV (MCMV) latently-infected donor kidneys (a validated model of CMV latency) to monitor graft inflammation and viral dissemination. Our results indicate that tolerance to donor islets was sustained in recipients after implantation of donor kidneys. In addition, kidney allografts implanted after ECDIsp and islet implantation exhibited low levels of fibrosis and tubulitis. In contrast, kidney cellular and innate immune infiltrates trended higher in the CMV group and exhibited increased markers of CD8+ T cell activation. Tolerance induction was unable to prevent increases in MCMV-specific CD8+ T cells or dissemination of viral IE-1 DNA. Our data suggest that latently-infected allografts are inherently more susceptible to inflammation that is associated with viral dissemination in pre-tolerized recipients. Thus, CMV latently-infected allografts require enhanced strategies to protect allograft integrity and viral spread.
Genetic analysis of salt tolerance during vegetative growth in tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

The genetic basis of cold tolerance (CT) during vegetative growth in tomato was investigated by evaluating plants of a cold-tolerant primitive cultivar (PI120256) and a cold-sensitive breeding line (UCT5) and their reciprocal F1, F2, F3, BC1P1 and BC1P2 progeny under two temperature regimes of 15/10 °C (cold stress) and 25/15 °C (control). Plants were evaluated for shoot dry weight (DW) under cold stress and by a tolerance index (TI) measured as the ratio of DW under cold stress (DWs) to DW under control (DWc) conditions. Shoot DW was reduced in all genotypes in response to cold stress. However, PI120256 exhibited the highest CT (TI = 90.5%) and UCT5 the lowest (TI = 38.9%). The TIs of the filial and backcross progeny were intermediate to the parents. Across generations, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.76, p 0.05) between DWc and the TI and, in contrast, the presence of a significant correlation (r =0.92, p <0.01) between DWs and the TI suggest that plant vigor was not a determining factor in the expression of CT in PI120256 and its progeny. Generation means analyses of DWs and TI indicated that the variation among generations was genetically controlled, with additive effects accounting for most of the variation. There were no significant dominance effects, and epistatic effects were minor and involved only additive × additive interactions. The results suggest that the inherent CT of PI120256 should be useful for improving CT of commercial cultivars of tomato.
The effects of augmented reality on students' academic achievement and motivation in a biology course

This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) activities on students' academic achievement and motivation in a biology course. For this purpose, a mixed study was conducted, and a pre-and post-test control group model was used. In addition, the opinions of the experimental group students and the teacher about the augmented reality activities were taken, and classroom observations were made during the study. The study group consisted of 40 (22 female, 18 male) ninth-grade biology course students. While the control group followed the biology course program, the experimental group students conducted AR activities in addition to the course program using tablets. Consequently, it was found that the motivation of the students in the experimental group increased more than that of the students in the control group. However, no significant difference was found between the academic achievement scores of the groups. The teacher and the students stated that augmented reality activities might be effective in increasing course success and motivation.
Involvement of Respiratory Muscles During the Timed Inspiratory Effort Index Measurement With Surface Electromyography

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is a life-support therapy that can be associated with respiratory muscle dysfunction that may perturb the weaning process. The timed inspiratory effort (TIE) index is a recently proposed weaning index that has been reported to be effective in predicting successful weaning. We sought to analyze the respiratory muscle groups involved with the TIE index measurement utilizing the surface electromyography (sEMG). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study including 46 mechanically ventilated subjects. The variable analyzed with sEMG was the root mean square (RMS) for correlation with the degree of recruitment of motor units and strength. The data were obtained along the 60 s of the TIE index measurement and analyzed in each one of the 3 20-s intervals. Pooled and individual muscle RMS values were analyzed comparing success and failure groups. P < . 05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) age of the participants was 80 (71–87) y. The pooled sEMG data showed that muscle strength increased over time, following the profile observed for maximum inspiratory pressure, irrespective of the analyzed group. However, in line with the findings regarding maximum inspiratory pressure, the RMS medians were statistically higher at every 20-s interval in the success group. Diaphragm strength increased over time, with values reaching statistically significant differences at the end of the observation period, but only in the success group. In addition, diaphragm strength was statistically higher during the whole test in the success group. Finally, there was a substantial increase in sternocleidomastoid strength over time after 40 s of observation, which was not observed in the scalene muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects succeeding in a weaning trial had higher muscle strength, confirmed in the pooled and the individual sEMG analysis. A vigorous diaphragm with low fatigue potential seems essential for successful weaning; the sternocleidomastoid may also be of importance in this regard.
Patient and caregiver benefit‐risk preferences for nonmetastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer treatment

Recently approved second‐generation androgen receptor inhibitors (SGARIs) for non‐metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) have similar efficacy but differ in safety profiles. We used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to examine how nmCRPC patients and caregivers perceive the benefits versus risks of these new treatments.
Early Insights From Clinical Trials of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine

Abstract Clinical trials of typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) are ongoing in 4 countries. Early data confirm safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of typhoid conjugate vaccine, and early efficacy results are promising. These data support World Health Organization recommendations and planned country introductions. Forthcoming trial data will continue to inform programmatic use of typhoid conjugate vaccine.
Studies on the Effect of Cell Division‐inhibiting Herbicides on Unialgal and Mixed Algal Cultures

The effect of two cell division inhibiting herbicides on unialgal and mixed algal cultures was studied in laboratory tests. The herbicides studied were trifluralin (analytical grade) and the active ingredient as well as the preparation (80 % a.i.) of diphenamid. The three green algal species used were Selenastrum capricornutum PRINTZ, Scenedesmus quadricauda (TURP.) BREB. , Oocystis parva W. et G. S. WEST. The response of algae to herbicides was determined by cell counting, and measured by turbidity (750 nm) and the 02-production of some of the treated cultures. The EC50-value (96 h) of trifluralin to Selenastrum capricornutum was 3.3 mg/l. There were differences in the sensitivity of the three algal strains to the diphenamid; the EC50-values to Selenastrum, Scenedesmus and Oocystis were 16.7, 10.1 and 6.3 mg/l, respectively. The lag phase observed in the growth of the treated cultures caused by diphenamid was verified by O2-measurements. The preparation of diphenamid was not as effective as the active ingredient. In mixed cultures the ratio between two different algal strains depended both on the concentration of the diphenamid and the sensitivity of the two strains.
Caractérisation biochimique de l'algue verte Scenedesmus abundans : influence des conditions de culture

Dans le but d'evaluer les perspectives de valorisation de l'algue verte Scenedesmus abundans Chlorophyceae, sa composition biochimique a ete realisee sur des cultures soumises a differentes conditions environnementales. Parmi les facteurs retenus, la temperature a le plus d'influence. Les teneurs en proteines sont maximales a 15°C, celles des composes lipidiques et glucidiques a 25 et 35°C respectivement. L'intensite lumineuse n'affecte pas la composition biochimique globale, si ce n'est une baisse d'environ 20 % des substances lipidiques, sous un eclairement de 300 µmol quanta.m -2 . s -1 . De meme, la source azotee a peu d'effet significatif sur les teneurs des 3 constituants cellulaires. L'augmentation de la concentration en azote induit un accroissement des teneurs en proteines et en lipides avec cependant une reduction de la production de biomasse, au-dela de 400 mg.l -1 de KNO 3 . Des modifications de la composition biochimique de Scenedesmus abundans en fonction du stade de croissance ont egalement ete observees. En phase de croissance stationnaire, ces modifications se resument en une reduction marquee de la teneur en proteines et, dans une moindre mesure, de la teneur en lipides, accompagnee d'une accumulation importante des hydrates de carbone. Les resultats sont analyses en tenant compte de la notion de rendement de production de chacun des trois types de compose.
Behavioral and auditory evoked potential (AEP) hearing measurements in odontocete cetaceans

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and other odontocete cetaceans rely on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging. Therefore, hearing is one of their primary sensory modalities. Both natural and anthropogenic noise in the marine environment could mask the ability of free-ranging dolphins to detect sounds, and chronic noise exposure could cause permanent hearing losses. In addition, several mass strandings of odontocete cetaceans, especially beaked whales, have been correlated with military exercises involving mid-frequency sonar, highlighting unknowns regarding hearing sensitivity in these animals. Auditory evoked potential (AEP) methods are attractive over traditional behavioral methods for measuring the hearing of marine mammals because they allow rapid assessments of hearing sensitivity and can be used on untrained animals. The goals of this study were to 1. ) investigate the differences among underwater AEP, in-air AEP, and underwater behavioral hearing measurements using two captive bottlenose dolphins,
Molecular barcoding of north-east Atlantic deep-water sharks: species identification and application to fisheries management and conservation

Two genera of elasmobranchii, Centrophorus and Centroscymnus, include species that represent the highest landings of deep-water sharks caught by fishing fleets operating in the north-east Atlantic. There are morphology-based identification problems among and within genera, and landings of processed shark products further prevent an objective assessment of these species. The present study is the first attempt to test the suitability of using a DNA barcode approach to discriminate accurately among the four most important commercial deep-water shark species: Centrophorus squamosus, Centrophorus granulosus, Centroscymnus coelolepis and, recently discovered in Portuguese ports, Centroscymnus owstoni. Sequence analyses of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene revealed low levels of haplotypic and genetic diversities. Higher levels of inter-specific relative to intra-specific divergences allowed discrimination among species, which form reciprocally monophyletic clades. Inclusion of published COI sequences from other species within the same genera revealed haplotype sharing among species, which calls into question the current taxonomy and accuracy of fisheries data available. Amplification of the COI gene coupled with MboI restriction digests was found to be a fast and inexpensive strategy to resolve within genera identification problems. Molecular barcoding constitutes a critical tool for the assessment and implementation of urgent management policies for this group of species.