Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aplicação de gesso agrícola e especiação iônica da solução de um Latossolo sob sistema plantio direto

Low Ca content and Al toxicity are important limitations for yield crops in Brazilian acids soils. Gypsum application may increase Ca contents and decrease Al toxicity. However, a better knowledge of the effects of gypsum on the ionic speciation of soil solution is very important. The ionic speciation of the soil solution (water extract 1:1) was evaluated in samples from a dystrophic clayey Rhodic Hapludox under no-till system, 5 years after surface application of gypsum (3; 6 and 9t ha-1). The ionic speciation was performed by using the Visual Minteq program in samples collected at the following depths: 0-0.05; 0.05-0.1; 0.1-0.2 and 0.2-0.4m. The main Al complexing agents in solution were with dissolved organic carbon (Al-DOC) and F (Al-F), while the ionic par AlSO4+ occurred in small proportion. Ca and Mg were complexed by DOC, and the effect was more pronounced for Ca, reinforcing the important participation the organic anions in the dynamic of these nutrients. Although sulphate had formed ionic pairs with Ca, Mg and Al (CaSO40, MgSO40 and AlSO4+), the free form (S-SO4-2) predominated; while phosphate strongly interacted with Al in solution, forming the chemical specie Al-HxPO4x.
Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em três sistemas de produção em pastagem de Tifton 85 - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v31i3.6014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake behavior of lambs on Tifton 85 pasture ( Cynodon spp.) in three production systems: sixty-days-old weaned lambs kept on pasture; lambs kept with their mother on pasture; lambs kept with their mother on pasture in creep feeding . Systems were allocated in a completely randomized blocks design with three replicates and four lambs per replicate. Pasture sward surface height, forage dry matter, and morphological and nutritional characters were assessed. Intake behavior was observed from dawn to dusk. The study assessed the time animals spent in the following activities: grazing, ruminating, idling, suckling, and staying in creep feeding . Bite rate was also evaluated. Lambs spent most of their time grazing, but the supplemented ones spent less time (p creep feeding altered (p < 0.05) distribution of grazing and rumination, indicating a substitutive effect of pasture by concentrate. Sheep production systems affected the intake behavior of lambs, but did not affect the bite rate.
Lesional therapies for in‐transit melanoma

To describe the outcomes of lesional therapy of in‐transit melanoma (ITM) with interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), diphencyprone (DPCP), combination lesional therapy (IL‐2, retinoid, and imiquimod; CLT), and imiquimod.
Morphometric Analysis of Three Draco Lizard Species (D. blanfordii, D. maculatus, and D. taeniopterus) (Squamata: Agamidae) from Thailand

Two hundred sixty-seven preserved specimens of three Draco lizard species from Thailand consisting of D. blanfordii (17 females and 70 males), D. maculatus (58 females and 79 males) and D. taeniopterus (13 females and 30 males) were examined using 21 morphometric characters and 25 character ratios to assess morphometric differences. The results of univariate analysis showed that there were 12 morphometric characters and 2 character ratios that can be used for discrimination of the three Draco species regardless of sexual differences. Among these three species, it was found that 13 morphometric characters and 7 character ratios and 15 morphometric characters and 8 character ratios can be used to discriminate female and male lizards, respectively. The results of cluster analysis produced a dendrogram of the relationships among the three species and revealed that the three Draco species were divided into two morphometric clusters at a level of 0% of information remaining in which the D. blanfordii cluster was distinctly different from the D. maculatus and D. taeniopterus cluster.
Cutting Edge: Batf3 Expression by CD8 T Cells Critically Regulates the Development of Memory Populations

Key Points Batf3 expression by CD8 T cells critically regulates memory T cell development. Batf3−/− CD8 T cells undergo increased apoptosis during contraction. Batf3−/− CD8 T cells have an impaired recall ability but remain functional. The basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like 3 (BATF3) is required for the development of conventional type 1 dendritic cells that are essential for cross-presentation and CD8 T cell–mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens and tumors. However, whether BATF3 intrinsically regulates CD8 T cell responses is not well studied. In this article, we report a role for cell-intrinsic Batf3 expression in regulating the establishment of circulating and resident memory T cells after foodborne Listeria monocytogenes infection of mice. Consistent with other studies, Batf3 expression by CD8 T cells was dispensable for the primary response. However, Batf3−/− T cells underwent increased apoptosis during contraction to contribute to a substantially reduced memory population. Batf3−/− memory cells had an impaired ability to mount a robust recall response but remained functional. These findings reveal a cell-intrinsic role of Batf3 in regulating CD8 T cell memory development.
Immune Responses Induced in Mice after Intragastral Administration with Sendai Virus in Combination with Extract of Uncaria Tomentosa

In the present study, the dried hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of Uncaria tomentosa was evaluated asÂ a potential immunostimulator. BALP/c mice were seven times immunized intragastrically (i.g.) with a formalin-Â inactivated whole Sendai virus (SV) with two doses of the dry extract. The efficacy of the U. tomentosaÂ was evaluated by examining specific IgA in saliva as well as IgG and haemagglutination inhibitionÂ (HI) in serum antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and HI tests. We found that theÂ animals inoculated with 5.6 mg of the dry extract of U. tomentosa induced higher saliva IgA antibodies. Â Furthermore, the mice immunized e.g. with SV plus 0.56 mg of the extract had significantly higher IgA,Â IgG and HI antibody responses to SV than did those administered with the SV alone. These results suggestÂ that dry extract from bark of U. tomentosa is useful as a mucosal adjuvant for mice. Â
Analysis ofHormonal Regulation ofSodium Transport in Toad Bladder

�Incubation of the mucosal surface of the toad urinary bladder with trypsin (1 mg/ml) irreversibly decreased the short-circuit current to 50% of the initial value . This decrease was accompanied by aproportionate decrease in apical Na permeability, estimated from the change in amiloride-sensitive resistance in depolarized preparations . In contrast, the paracellular resistance was unaffected by trypsinization . Amiloride, a specific blocker of the apical Na channels, prevented inactivation by trypsin . Inhibition of Na transport by substitution of mucosal Na, however, had no effect on the response to trypsin
Why the elderly appear to be more severely affected by COVID‐19: The potential role of immunosenescence and CMV

The significantly higher mortality rates seen in the elderly compared with young children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) pandemic is likely to be driven in part by an impaired immune response in older individuals. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence approaches 80% in the elderly. CMV has been shown to accelerate immune ageing by affecting peripheral blood T cell phenotypes and increasing inflammatory mediated cytokines such as IL‐6. The elderly with pre‐existing but clinically silent CMV infection may therefore be particularly susceptible to severe Covid‐19 disease and succumb to a cytokine storm which may have been promoted by CMV. Here, we evaluate the potential role of CMV in those with severe Covid‐19 disease and consider how this relationship can be investigated in current research studies.
Clinical Comparative Evaluation of the V-Cut Pelvic Ostectomy in the Management of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Abstract The operational method (V-cut pelvic ostectomy) was applied on seven dogs. Pubic symphysis was cut in an inverted “V” fashion and a bone gap occurred between pelvic halves. The gap was reduced by contracting both sides of the pelvis. A new pubic symphysis developed. Results were evaluated with radiographs and different clinical and orthopedic tests. Radiographic measures between mutual parts of pelvic bone showed a marked increase in Norberg angles and diminishing in Bardens, Barlow, and Ortolani orthopedic tests after operations. Principal conclusion: V-cut pelvic ostectomy was found to be a successful operation technique in treatment of canine hip dysplasia.
Improvement of Health-Promoting Functionality of Rye Bread by Fortification with Free and Microencapsulated Powders from Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt

This study established the appropriate amounts of a functional Saskatoon berry fruit powder in fortified rye bread acceptable to consumers and determined the potential relative bioaccesibility of bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity, and enzymatic in vitro inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase, cyclooxigenase-1, cyclooxigenase-2, acetylcholinesterase, pancreatic lipase α-glucosidase, and α-amylase, as well as the relative digestibility of nutrients. The content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant capability were strongly, positively correlated with the content of the functional additive. The highest phenolics content and antioxidant activity were determined in the products enriched with the powders microencapsulated with maltodextrin (an increase by 91% and 53%, respectively, compared with the control). The highest overall acceptability was shown for the products with 3% addition of the functional additive, regardless of its type. The simulated in vitro digestion released phenols (with the highest bioaccessibility shown for anthocyanins) and enhanced the antioxidant activity of rye bread. In turn, the microencapsulation contributed to the improvement in the relative bioaccesibility of antioxidant compounds. Bread fortification led to an increased inhibitory activity against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipoxygenase. Furthermore, the additive microencapsulated with maltodextrin and inulin improved the capacity to inhibit the activities of pancreatic lipase and cyclooxigenase-2. The results presented allowed concluding that the powders from Saskatoon berry fruits, especially microencapsulated ones, may be a promising functional additive dedicated for the enrichment of rye bread.
Evaluation of the Status of Anurans on a Refuge in Suburban Maryland

Abstract Because many anurans have well-defined breeding seasons and male anurans produce loud advertisement calls, surveys of these breeding choruses are believed to provide a dependable means of monitoring population trends. The Patuxent Research Refuge initiated such a calling survey in the spring of 1997, which uses volunteers to collect anuran (frog and toad) calling survey data. The primary goal of initiating the calling surveys at the Patuxent Refuge was to obtain baseline information on anuran populations, such as species occurrence, frequency of occurrence, and relative abundance over time. In this paper, we used the calling survey data to develop models for the “proportion of area occupied” by individual anuran species, a method in which analysis is focused on the proportion of sites that are occupied by a species, instead of the number of individuals present in the population. This type of analysis is ideal for use in large-scale monitoring programs focused on species that are difficult to count, such as anurans or birds. We considered models for proportion of area occupied that allow for imperfect detection (that is, a species may be present but go undetected during sampling) by incorporating parameters that describe detection probability and the response of detection probability to various environmental and sampling covariates. Our results indicate that anuran populations on the Patuxent Research Refuge have high rates of occupancy compared to areas nearby and that extinction and colonization rates are stable. The potential uses for “proportion of area occupied” analyses are far-reaching and will allow for more accurate quantification of data and better-informed management decisions for calling surveys on a larger scale.
Antibacterial and antifungal potential of leaves and twigs of Viscum album L.

The leaves and twigs of Viscum album L. (Family: Loranthaceae) were extracted successively with various organic solvents and water. These crude extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activities against three gram positive bacteria that is Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, five gram negative bacteria that is Escherichia coli,Bordetella bronchisiptica, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas syringae, one yeast that is Saccharomyces cerevisiae and one filamentous fungusAspergillus flavus by using disc diffusion method. The ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol, and methanol crude extracts of selected plant parts had significant antimicrobial activities on both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts of leaves and twigs of V. album exhibited prominent activities against gram positive and gram negative bacteria used in comparison to other extracts which had moderate activity against all the tested bacteria. The antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of the selected plant parts were more active against gram negative bacteria than gram positive bacteria. The standard reference antibiotics, ciprofloxacin (100 um/ml) and nystatin (1500 u/ml) were used as positive control. Key words: Antibacterial, antifungal, disc diffusion, Viscum album, ciprofloxacin, nystatin.
Efficacy of Various Corticosteroid Treatment Modalities for the Initial Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic and intratympanic steroid treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Methods: Ninety patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 30 per group). Group I patients were given oral methylprednisolone (MEPD) tablets, group II received intravenous MEPD injection, and group III received intratympanic MEPD injection. Pure-tone average (PTA) hearing threshold was recorded before and after treatment as well as 1 month later. The general efficacy rate was the ratio of patients whose hearing improved by >10 dB in each group. Results: Thirty-two of the 60 patients (53.3%) in groups I and II together showed a hearing improvement of >10 dB hearing level (HL) in the pure-tone audiogram, compared to 21 patients (70%) in group III, respectively. The mean improvements were 16.1, 14.3, and 21.6 dB HL measured in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Both the general efficacy rate and hearing improvement were significantly greater in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusions: Our study showed that intratympanic injection rendered better treatment efficacy than systemic administration.
Resistin

Purpose of review Resistin, a cysteine-rich 12.5 kDa polypeptide, is a recently discovered adipocytokine with a controversial history regarding its role in the pathogenesis of obesity-mediated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Whilst current studies appear to re-affirm the role of resistin on glucose homeostasis in rodent systems, we are still unravelling the functionality of resistin in human biology in respect to glucose metabolism and insulin signalling. This review will summarize the current knowledge, put into context the developments to date and discuss the controversial points. Recent findings Current evidence appears to suggest that resistin is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Thus, like many other adipocytokines, resistin may possess a dual role in contributing to metabolic disease: first through its direct effects on substrate metabolism and second, through regulating inflammation within its target tissues. The chemistry of resistin has also been the subject of investigation and like adiponectin, the homo-oligomerization of this protein has a bearing on its function. Summary The most recent advances include the identification of circulating higher molecular weight structures of resistin in both rodent and human serum. This has been complemented by work casting light on the function and purpose of multimeric resistin in mice. Resistin appears to have effects on substrate metabolism through impairment of insulin action, particularly in the liver, but in addition, also has effects on insulin independent pathways.
'Cara's Choice' Blueberry

Cara's Choice' is a mid-season ripening, tetraploid, hybrid blueberry (Vaccinium × 'Cara's Choice') that was developed by the cooperative breeding program of the Agricul- tural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). 'Cara's Choice' was given its name in recognition of its excellent fruit quality with improved sweetness, fi rmness, and fl avor.
Carbohydrate remobilization from storage root to leaves after a stress release in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.): experimental and modelling approaches

SUMMARY Carbohydrate remobilization from the sugar beet storage root to support leaf regrowth after release from water stress was demonstrated by experimental and modelling approaches. Experimental trials were carried out in northern France in 1994 and 1995 and in southern France in 2005, in conditions that involved a succession of soil moisture stresses and re-hydrations. Drought stress slowed leaf growth and the subsequent release of stress resulted in regrowth. A second trial showed that after total defoliation, sugar beet was able to produce new leaves. It was assumed that this leaf renewal, observed at drought stress release or after defoliation, relied on the possibility of remobilizing carbohydrates from storage roots to above-ground organs. This assumption was tested through a heuristic modelling approach, involving the STICS crop model and its existing sub-model on remobilization. The relevance of these formalizations for sugar beet was tested on the experimental data to validate the plant behaviour concerning remobilization. The model succeeded in reproducing leaf area index (LAI) dynamic trends and particularly leaf re-growth after drought stress release or defoliation, despite an over-estimation of the drought stress effect involving an inaccurate simulation of the changes in LAI. Nevertheless, the model's ability to forecast accurately above-ground and storage root dry weight, as well as trends in LAI dynamics, showed that the assumptions made about remobilization were able to explain sugar beet behaviour.
Willingness of women with early estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer to take adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Background The steady decline in breast cancer (bca) mortality has come at the cost of increasingly toxic and expensive adjuvant therapies. Trials evaluating the addition of 2 or 3 years of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (cdk4/6) inhibitors to adjuvant endocrine therapy (et) are ongoing, but the willingness of patients to take such additional therapy is unknown. Methods We surveyed 100 consecutive postmenopausal women with nonmetastatic estrogen receptor-positive bca who had initiated adjuvant et within the preceding 2 years. Participants were asked about perceived recurrence risk, bca worry, and overall health. They were then asked about their willingness to accept 2 years of treatment with an additional oral drug that would reduce recurrence by 40% for a range of baseline recurrence risks in 2 hypothetical scenarios. Results Mean age of the 99 evaluable participants was 61.7 years. In the scenario with no drug toxicity, 85% of respondents were likely to accept the new drug for a reduction in recurrence to 30% from 50%, but only 49% would take the drug if risk was reduced to 3% from 5%. In a scenario with drug-induced fatigue, the corresponding drug acceptance rates were 55% and 39% respectively. For the second scenario, bca worry was correlated with increased willingness to take the drug, even for only a 2% absolute reduction in recurrence risk. Conclusions The willingness of patients with estrogen receptor-positive bca to take an adjuvant cdk4/6 inhibitor will greatly depend on the expected benefit and toxicities described to them as well as on worry about bca recurrence.
Dahl Salt‐Susceptible and Salt‐Resistant Rats

From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio. Supported by Grant HL 20176 from the National Institutes of Health. Address for reprints: Dr. John P. Rapp, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, C.S. 10008, Toledo, Ohio 43699. Received for publication January 20, 1982: revision accepted June 21, 1982. Dedication: This review is dedicated to Lewis K Dahl. M.D. for his brilliant and innovative work in hypertension research. strain)* to the hypertensive effect of high salt diet. In this review "salt" will always mean NaCl.t
Leucine-Rich Diet Modulates the Metabolomic and Proteomic Profile of Skeletal Muscle during Cancer Cachexia

Background: Cancer-cachexia induces a variety of metabolic disorders, including skeletal muscle imbalance. Alternative therapy, as nutritional supplementation with leucine, shows a modulatory effect over tumour damage in vivo and in vitro. Method: Adult rats distributed into Control (C), Walker tumour-bearing (W), control fed a leucine-rich diet (L), and tumour-bearing fed a leucine-rich diet (WL) groups had the gastrocnemius muscle metabolomic and proteomic assays performed in parallel to in vitro assays. Results: W group presented an affected muscle metabolomic and proteomic profile mainly related to energy generation and carbohydrates catabolic processes, but leucine-supplemented group (WL) recovered the energy production. In vitro assay showed that cell proliferation, mitochondria number and oxygen consumption were higher under leucine effect than the tumour influence. Muscle proteomics results showed that the main affected cell component was mitochondria, leading to an impacted energy generation, including impairment in proteins of the tricarboxylic cycle and carbohydrates catabolic processes, which were modulated and improved by leucine treatment. Conclusion: In summary, we showed a beneficial effect of leucine upon mitochondria, providing information about the muscle glycolytic pathways used by this amino acid, where it can be associated with the preservation of morphometric parameters and consequent protection against the effects of cachexia.
Genotyping of CYP2D6 Polymorphisms by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Sardinian People

The CYP2D6 enzyme is involved in the metabolism of many commonly prescribed drugs. The presence of CYP2D6 gene SNPs can alter CYP2D6 enzymatic activity with effects ranging considerably within a population. Objectives. In this study, we have developed a genotyping platform able to determine the alleles related to interindividual variability in the CYP2D6 gene. Design and Methods. We used a long PCR strategy coupled to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Sequenom) to develop a SNPs genotyping method. Furthermore, an amplification allele specific was carried out to infer the correct allelic phase. Results. We tested the multiplex platform in 250 DNA Sardinian samples and found it to be 100% concordant with the sequencing results of our previous work. Conclusions. The MALDI-TOF-based multiplexing system allowed simultaneous and efficient genotyping of a set of CYP2D6 SNPs, evidencing its potential use in diagnostic test development to predict drug responses and clinical outcomes.