Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition of Green Seaweeds of Saurashtra Coast

Chemical composition in 47 samples of manne green seaweeds consisting of nine genera representing 27 different species at Indkn coast of Saurashtra region have been studied. Ash, insoluble ash, sulphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium have been estimated. Significant variations were observed in chemical composition among the different genera of seaweeds. The same species collected from different localities at a different period also showed considerable variations.
Breeding performance in the Italian chicken breed Mericanel della Brianza

In Italy, 90 local avian breeds were described; the majority (61%) were classified as extinct and only 8.9% as still widely spread. Therefore, efforts for conservation of Italian avian breeds are urgently required. The aim of this study was to record the breeding performance of the Italian breed Mericanel della Brianza to multiply a small population, in order to develop a conservation programme. Fourteen females and eight males were available at the beginning of the reproductive season in 2009 and organised into eight families (1 male/1–2 females) kept in floor pens. Birds received a photoperiod of 14L:10D and were fed ad libitum. Breeding performance was recorded from March to June. Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily; eggs were set every two weeks and fertility, embryo mortality and hatchability were recorded. Mean egg production was 37% and mean egg weight was 34±3.49 g. High fertility values from 94% to 87% were recorded in the first three settings and the overall mean fertility value was 81.6%. Overall hatchability was only 49.6% owing to a high proportion of dead embryos. Embryo mortality occurred mainly between days 2 and 7 of incubation and during hatching. The highest hatchability values were recorded in settings 1 and 2, 69% and 60% respectively, and a large decrease was found in the subsequent settings. Marked variations in egg production, fertility, hatchability and embryo mortality were found among families. The present results represent the basic knowledge of reproductive parameters necessary to improve the reproductive efficiency of the breed within a conservation plan.
Methodological and conceptual issues in the search for a relationship between animal body-size distributions and benthic habitat architecture

Benthic ecologists have studied the distribution of animal body sizes because it is a form of ‘taxon-free’ classification that may be a useful metric for describing variation within and between ecological communities. In particular, the idea that the allometry of physiological and life-history traits may control species composition and relative abundances implies a functional link between body-size distributions and communities. The physical structure of aquatic habitats has often been cited as the mechanism by which habitat may determine body-size distributions in communities. However, further progress is hindered by a lack of theoretical clarity regarding the mechanisms that connect body size to the characteristics of ecological communities, leading to methods that may obscure interesting trends in body-size data. This review examines the methodological and conceptual issues hindering progress in the search for a relationship between animal body size and habitat architecture and suggests ways to resolve these issues. Problems are identified with current methods for the measurement of animal body size, the data and measures used to quantify body-size distributions and the methods used to identify patterns therein. Fundamentally, renewed emphasis on the mechanisms by which animal body sizes are influenced by habitat architecture is required to refine methodology and synthesise results from pattern-seeking and mechanistic studies.
Developing breeding objectives for beef cattle production 1. A bio-economic simulation model

A deterministic simulation model was constructed to develop breeding objectives and estimate biological and economic values. The model simulates life-cycle production of a breeding cow and growth performance of her offspring. Input variables are divided into four categories: animal traits, nutritional variables, management variables and economic variables. The economic variables assume typical beef cattle production in Japan. The outputs from the model include cow-calf performance, feedlot performance and biological and economic efficiency. The model's ability to simulate herd composition, food intake of cow and calves, cow body-weight changes, empty body and carcass composition of feedlot animals and production efficiencies is illustrated.
Targeting aberrant DNA hypermethylation as a driver of ATL leukemogenesis using the new oral demethylating agent OR-2100.

Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy of CD4+ T-cells transformed by human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). Most HTLV-1-infected individuals are asymptomatic and only 3-5% of carriers develop ATL. Here, we describe the contribution of aberrant DNA methylation to ATL leukemogenesis. HTLV-1-infected T-cells and their uninfected counterparts were separately isolated based on CADM1 and CD7 expression status, and differentially methylated positions (DMPs) specific to HTLV-infected T-cells were identified through genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. Accumulation of DNA methylation at hypermethylated DMPs correlated strongly with ATL development and progression. In addition, we identified 22 genes down-regulated due to promoter hypermethylation in HTLV-1-infected T-cells, including THEMIS, LAIR1, and RNF130, which negatively regulate T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Phosphorylation of ZAP-70, a transducer of TCR signaling, was dysregulated in HTLV-1-infected cell lines but was normalized by re-expression of THEMIS. Therefore, we hypothesized that DNA hypermethylation contributes to growth advantages in HTLV-1-infected cells during ATL leukemogenesis. To test this idea, we investigated the anti-ATL activities of OR-1200 and OR-2100 (OR21), novel decitabine (DAC) prodrugs with enhanced oral bioavailability. Both DAC and OR21 inhibited cell growth, accompanied by global DNA hypomethylation, in xenograft tumors established by implantation of HTLV-1-infected cells. OR21 was less hematotoxic than DAC, whereas tumor growth inhibition was almost identical between the two compounds, making it suitable for long-term treatment of ATL patient-derived xenograft mice. Our results demonstrate that regional DNA hypermethylation is functionally important for ATL leukemogenesis and an effective therapeutic target.
The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and environment on root development in soil

The production of fine roots is one of the principal means by which carbon, fixed during photosynthesis, enters the soil, and quantifying the production for particular combinations of environmental and biotic factors is important for predicting the sequestration of carbon in the soils of grassland ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have a major effect on the production of roots, and we studied how colonization by AMF affects the lifespan of roots. Twenty per cent of control roots of Trifolium repens survived for longer than 42 days whereas 37% survived that long in AMF‐colonized plants. The overall survival of the roots of Lolium perenne was less than in T. repens: around 10% of roots survived beyond 42 days and this was not affected by AMF colonization. Previous studies have shown that lifespans of roots can be affected by temperature. We tested the hypothesis that these observations are linked to a change in the morphology of the root system caused by temperature and also by AMF. We found that inoculation with AMF in a microcosm study using Plantago lanceolata grown at various temperatures, with and without AMF, showed no clear effect of AMF on branching patterns. Temperature had a significant effect on total lengths, numbers and branching rates of some higher orders of roots. Total lengths of both secondary and tertiary roots grown at 27°C were about double those of plants grown at 15°C. Colonization by AMF tended to reduce this effect. Evidently the effect of colonization by AMF on root lifespan depends on the species. Increased branching, and thus a greater proportion of ephemeral roots, was responsible for shortening the lives of the roots at increased temperature, which suggests a strong link between lifespan and morphology.
The Ability of Phosphates or κ-Carrageenan to Coagulate Whey Proteins and the Possible Uses of Such Coagula in Cheese Manufacture

Abstract A method is postulated for manufacturing cheese in which whey proteins are coagulated by food-grade phosphates or anionic polyelectrolytes and the aggregates are incorporated into casein coagula produced from concentrated UF retentates. The ability of monosodium phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, monobasic calcium phosphate, or κ-carrageenan to coagulate whey proteins to facilitate this manufacturing procedure was evaluated in solutions of whey protein concentrate at various pH and heat treatments. Treatments that were selected to produce whey protein coagulates included 0.20% tetrasodium pyrophosphate, followed by 0.15% calcium chloride after 5min in whey protein solutions at pH 6.4, 0.05% sodium hexametaphosphate in whey protein solutions at pH 2.5, or 0.05% κ-carrageenan in whey protein solutions at pH 4.6. The treated whey protein solutions (13.3ml) were combined with UF retentates prepared from whole milk with a concentration factor (by weight) of 4.8× (66.7ml), the mixtures were set with rennet, and the coagula were analyzed after 20 and 30min. Addition of solutions of treated whey protein to the UF retentate generally increased syneresis while reducing curd tension, coagulum hardness, and protein recovery (calculated) in the coagula.
It is all in the name: The importance of correct terminology in hormone replacement therapy

The global increase in life expectancy to 74 years for women, while the median age of the menopause remains at 51 years, means that an increasing number of women will live a significant portion of their adult lives in the menopause. The WHI publications in 2003/4 reported on the dangers of hormone replacement therapy, in particular with respect to breast cancer and dementia risk. This resulted in a dramatic reduction in hormone replacement therapy prescription and use. However, the findings from the WHI studies have been re-appraised, and the new perspective is reflected in the guidance published by NICE in 2015 in which they recommended that more women be offered hormone replacement therapy as the benefits are now perceived to outweigh the risks for most women. However, controversy continues to surround hormone replacement therapy, and there are probably few areas in medicine where the misuse of terminology causes quite as much confusion as in hormone replacement therapy. Commonly used terms such as ‘menopausal hormone therapy’ and ‘hormone replacement therapy’ lack specificity and there is an urgent need for correct terminology to accurately describe the hormones replaced.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of 98 Patients Hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Daegu, South Korea: A Brief Descriptive Study

Although some information on the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a few selected cases has been reported, data on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized therewith in South Korea are lacking. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 98 consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu, South Korea. Sixty patients were women (61.2%), and the mean age was 55.4±17.1 years. Thirteen patients (13.3%) were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean interval from symptom onset to hospitalization was 7.7±4.5 days. Patients who received ICU care were significantly older and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus. The National Early Warning Score on the day of admission was significantly higher in patients requiring ICU care. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (13/13 patients; 100%), septic shock (9/13; 69.2%), acute cardiac injury (9/13; 69.2%), and acute kidney injury (8/13; 61.5%) were more common in patients who received ICU care. All patients received antibiotic therapy, and most (97/98 patients; 99.0%) received antiviral therapy (lopinavir/ritonavir). Hydroxychloroquine was used in 79 patients (80.6%), and glucocorticoid therapy was used in 18 patients (18.4%). In complete blood counts, lymphopenia was the most common finding (40/98 patients; 40.8%). Levels of all proinflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in ICU patients. As of March 29, 2020, the mortality rate was 5.1%. Here, we report the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of SARS-CoV-2 patients in South Korea up to March 29, 2020.
A Review of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence among Female Sex Workers

Globally and in Africa specifically, female sex workers (FSWs) are at an extraordinarily high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as an effective and ethical method with which to prevent HIV infection among FSWs. PrEP efficacy is, however, closely linked to adherence, and adherence to PrEP among FSWs is a complex and interrelated process that has been shown to be of importance to public health policies and HIV control and intervention programs. This comprehensive review categorizes barriers to and facilitators of adherence to HIV PrEP for FSWs, and describes five strategies for promoting PrEP adherence among FSWs. These strategies encompass 1) a long-term educational effort to decrease the stigma associated with sex work and PrEP use, 2) education on how PrEP works, 3) lifestyle modification, 4) research on next-generation PrEP products to address the inconvenience of taking daily pills, and 5) integration of PrEP into existing services, such as social services and routine primary care visits, to reduce the economic burden of seeking the medication. Our review is expected to be useful for the design of future PrEP intervention programs. Multidisciplinary intervention should be considered to promote PrEP adherence among FSWs in order to help control the HIV epidemic.
Association between morningness‐eveningness, sleep duration, weekend catch‐up sleep and depression among Korean high‐school students

The present study aimed to examine the association between morningness‐eveningness preferences, sleep duration, weekend catch‐up sleep duration and depression among Korean high‐school students. A total of 8,655 high‐school students participated from 15 districts in South Korea and completed an online self‐report questionnaire. The following sleep characteristics were assessed: weekday and weekend sleep duration, weekend catch‐up sleep duration, morningness‐eveningness preference, perceived sufficiency of sleep, self‐reported snoring and sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and sleep environment. Age, gender, body mass index, number of private classes, proneness to internet addiction, and depressive mood were also evaluated. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to compute odds ratios for the association between depression and sleep characteristics, after controlling for relevant covariates. Eveningness preference was a significant predictor of depressive mood (adjusted OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.47–1.99). Weekend CUS durations that were ≥2 hr and enrollment in numerous private classes were associated with a lower risk for depression (0.68, 0.55–0.85; 0.76, 0.60–0.95; respectively). Female gender, underweight and obese body weight, short weekday sleep durations, excessive daytime sleepiness, perceived excessiveness and insufficiency of sleep, self‐reported snoring and sleep apnea, proneness to internet addiction and a non‐optimal sleep environment were associated with an increased risk for depression. Eveningness preference and insufficient weekday sleep duration were associated with an increased risk for depression. Weekend CUS duration ≥2 hr reduced the risk for depression. Diverse aspects, including sleeping habits and sleep‐related environmental factors, should be considered to reduce depressive symptoms in late adolescents.
Bendamustine with total body irradiation conditioning yields tolerant T-cells while preserving T-cell-dependent graft-versus-leukemia

ABSTRACT Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains a significant impediment to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) success, necessitating studies focused on alleviating GvHD, while preserving the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect. Based on our previous studies showing bendamustine with total body irradiation (BEN-TBI) conditioning reduces GvHD compared to the current clinical standard of care cyclophosphamide (CY)-TBI in a murine MHC-mismatched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model, this study aimed to evaluate the role and fate of donor T-cells following BEN-TBI conditioning. We demonstrate that BEN-TBI reduces GvHD compared to CY-TBI independently of T regulatory cells (Tregs). BEN-TBI conditioned mice have a smaller proportion and less activated donor T-cells, with lower CD47 expression, early post-transplant, but no sustained phenotypic differences in T-cells. In BEN-TBI conditioned mice, donor T-cells gain tolerance specific to host MHC antigens. Though these T-cells are tolerant to host antigens, we demonstrate that BEN-TBI preserves a T-cell-dependent GvL effect. These findings indicate that BEN-TBI conditioning reduces GvHD without compromising GvL, warranting its further investigation as a potentially safer and more efficacious clinical alternative to CY-TBI.
Evolutionary Differentiation of Fitness Traits Across Multiple Geographic Scales in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) is an invasive, container-inhabiting mosquito that was introduced into North America from Japan in 1985. Although previous studies using neutral biochemical markers have found high levels of population differentiation across both the North American and global distribution of Ae. albopictus, relatively little is known regarding evolutionary differentiation of life history traits underpinning fitness. We performed common-garden and line-cross experiments to examine the genetic differentiation of fitness (r')and underlying performance traits at three spatial scales: 1) local (among populations within Florida), 2) regional (between populations from Florida and New Jersey), and 3) long distance (between populations from Florida and Hawaii, Malaysia, and Japan). We found that North American populations (Florida and New Jersey) had lower fitness (r') than populations from outside North America (Hawaii, Malaysia, and Japan). Bivariate means of female, but not male, pupal mass and developmental time differed among regions (Florida, New Jersey, outside North America). Larval survivorship did not differ among regions nor among populations within regions, whereas size-specific fecundity varied among populations within regions but not among regions. Population crosses resulted in significant heterosis and outbreeding depression Of F1 hybrids but the results of crossing did not depend on the geographic distance separating parental populations in a consistent manner. Together, our results imply a role for local genetic drift affecting the life-history differentiation of Ae. albopictus populations. These conclusions corroborate previous studies of population structure based on neutral biochemical markers.
Bacterioplankton growth responses to temperature and chlorophyll variations in estuaries measured by thymidine:leucine incorporation ratio

To identify the biochemical response of heterotrophic bacterioplankton to changing environmental conditions, seasonal and die1 cycles of bacterial protein and DNA synthesis rates were estimated in temperate estuarine habitats from 3H-leucine (Leu) and 3Hthymi~ne (TdR) incorporation rates. Several short-term temperature manipulation experiments (5 to 35°C) and 2 mesocosm experiments were performed to examine the effects of temperature and substrate supply on the ratio of Leu:TdR, respectively. The molar ratio of Leu to TdR varied about 5-fold (5.6 to 29.5) in the field and the values of the ratio were lower and more constant during high temperature (>25"C) and high chlorophyll a (>8.0 pg I-') periods. In the temperature manipulation experiments, the Leu:TdR ratio decreased as temperature increased. In the mesocosm experiments, the Leu:TdR ratio was negatively correlated with chlorophyll a concentrations and bacterial specific growth rates. We propose that changes toward less favorable environmental conditions (e.g. reductions in temperature or substrate supply in temperate estuaries) might reduce bacterial protein and DNA synthesis rates simultaneously However, the former process may be favored to maximize survival and this might lead to a higher Leu:TdR ratio. Conversely, when environmental conditions turn favorable, both processes could be enhanced and bacteria might optimize DNA duplication over protein metabolism to maximize reproduction, resulting in lower Leu:TdR ratios. Our results further indicate the complementariness of 3H-thymidine and 3H-leucine incorporation measurements for understanding processes controlling bacterial production since the ratio of these 2 tracer methods varied independently with temperature and substrate supply.
Regional Assemblages of Lygus (Heteroptera: Miridae) in Montana Canola Fields

Abstract Sweep net sampling of canola (Brassica napus L.) was conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine Lygus (Heteroptera: Miridae) species composition and parasitism levels in four regions of Montana. Regardless of region or seasonal change, Lygus elisus (Van Duzee) was the dominant species in all canola fields sampled, averaging 60–99% of the total adult populations. Lygus borealis (Kelton), Lygus keltoni (Schwartz) and Lygus lineolaris (Palisot) were detected at much lower levels. Total lygus population density was greatest in the southwest and central regions. The northeast and southwest regions had the greatest lygus species diversity. The proportion of L. elisus increased from early to late crop maturity stages in the southwest and central regions while there was no change in northeast and southwest canola production regions. Nymphal stages III–V were dissected to detect parasitism in 2003 only. Parasitism was found to be negligible in the dissection of 1,230 nymphs. Lygus population densities in canola indicate the potential for economic impact on Montana canola, especially in years when moisture is limited.