Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rodent seed predation in cereal crop areas of central Spain: effects of physiognomy, food availability, and predation risk

Patterns of rodent seed predation in extensive cereal croplands of central Spain were investigated by measuring rodent predation rates on artificial seed patches, together with seed availability, rodent abundance and habitat physiognomy Sampling was designed to cope with the spatial and temporal variability of factors potentially affecting rodent activity (natural and man-made habitat features, season and moonlight) Rodent predation was unpredictably distributed in summer In winter, rodents foraged on average in the patches least used by man. moonlight, however, did alter this pattern, so that rodent predation was closely associated with shrubs in the bright nights and evenly distributed in the dark ones I conclude that the need of stable underground refuges and predation risk in the winter period seemed to be the mam factors constraining rodent foraging activity in the man-made ecosystem studied
Chromosome studies of three species of Chrysosplenium (Saxifragaceae) in Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China

Three species of Chrysosplenium in Heilongjiang Province, the People's Republic of China were karyomorphologically observed. The chromosome number of 2n=12 for C. ramosum and that of 2n=24 for C. sinicum and C. pseudofauriei var. pseudofauriei were observed and verified the previous reports. The chromosome numbers of C. ramosum and C. pseudofauriei var. pseudofauriei grown and collected in China were observed here for the first time. Chromosome characters of three species for chromosome sizes, chromosome length from the largest to the smallest chromosome in alignment and centromeric positions of chromosome complement were similar to the previous reports; small sizes, bi-modal decrease in chromosome length and consisted of median-, submedian- and subterminal-centromeric chromosomes for C. ramosum, and small sizes, mono-modal decrease in chromosome length and consisted in median- and submedian- centromeric chromosome for C. sinicum and C. pseudofauriei var. pseudofauriei.
Epidemiological analysis of an outbreak of an adenovirus type 7 infection in a boot camp in China

Background An outbreak of respiratory disease associated with adenovirus type 7 occurred in a boot camp in China and was characterized by many cases, severe symptoms, and intrapulmonary infection in many patients. Methods We implemented a series of comprehensive preventive and control measures. We analyzed the incubation period and generation time by using the maximum likelihood method, assessed the symptom period and hospitalization duration using the Kaplan-Meier method, and estimated the basic reproductive number and dormitory transmission rate by using established methods. Results The epidemic lasted for 30 days, and 375 individuals were affected. Overall, 109 patients were hospitalized, and 266 individuals were isolated and treated. The median incubation period was 5.2 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.0 to 5.4 days). The median generation time was 7.3 days (95% CI: 7.1 to 7.6 days). The median symptom period was 6 days (95% CI: 6 to 7 days). The median hospitalization duration was 9 days (95% CI: 9 to 11 days). The basic reproductive number was 5.1 (95% CI: 4.6 to 5.6), and the dormitory transmission rate was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.18). Conclusion Patients in the early stage of the epidemic were treated as having a regular cold and were not isolated; therefore, the virus continued to be transmitted to other susceptible individuals.
Drug Interactions with Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: Focus on Antiretrovirals and Direct Acting Antivirals

ABSTRACT Introduction Gender-affirming care may include hormonal therapy to attain desired health outcomes in transgender (trans) individuals. To provide safe, affirming medical care for trans patients, health care providers must identify and manage drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between gender affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) and other medication therapies. Areas covered This review summarizes available data on DDIs between GAHT and antiretrovirals (ARVs) or hepatitis C direct acting antivirals (DAAs). Potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic DDIs are predicted based on GAHT, ARV, and DAA pharmacology and adverse event profiles. Clinical management strategies are discussed. Expert opinion GAHT may be involved in pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic DDIs. Certain ARV classes (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors) may alter GAHT disposition, whereas selected ARVs (unboosted integrase inhibitors, doravirine, or rilpivirine) may have less impact on GAHT. DAAs may interact with GAHT, but the clinical relevance is unclear. ARV- and/or DAA-associated side effects (including depression, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia) are important to consider in the clinical management of trans patients. Clinicians must evaluate potential DDIs and overlapping side effects between ARVs, DAAs and GAHT when providing care for trans patients.
Dietary methionine supplementation improves the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) immune status following long-term feeding on fishmeal-free diets

Abstract Methionine is a limiting amino acid (AA) in fish diets, particularly in those containing high levels of plant protein (PP), and is key in the immune system. Accordingly, outcome on the fish immune mechanisms of methionine-deficient and methionine-supplemented diets within the context of 0 % fishmeal formulation, after a short and prolonged feeding period, was studied in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). For this, seabass juveniles were fed a (i) fishmeal-free diet, meeting AA requirements, but deficient in methionine (MET0·65); (ii) as control, the MET0·65 supplemented with l-methionine at 0·22 % of feed weight (CTRL); (iii) two diets, identical to MET0·65 but supplemented at 0·63 and 0·88 % of feed weight of l-methionine (MET1·25 and MET1·5, respectively); and (iv) a fishmeal-based diet (FM), as positive control. After 2 and 12 weeks of feeding, blood and plasma were sampled for leucocyte counting and humoral parameter assays and head-kidney collected for gene expression. After 2 weeks of feeding, a fishmeal-free diet supplemented with methionine led to changes in the expression of methionine- and leucocyte-related genes. A methionine immune-enhancer role was more evident after 12 weeks with an increased neutrophil percentage and a decreased expression of apoptotic genes, possibly indicating an enhancement of fish immunity by methionine dietary supplementation. Furthermore, even though CTRL and FM present similar methionine content, CTRL presented a reduced expression of several immune-related genes indicating that in a practical PP-based diet scenario, the requirement level of methionine for an optimal immune status could be higher.
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) tolerance and biotransformation potential of microfungi isolated from TNT-contaminated soil

Seventy-one strains of fungi belonging to 53 species of Zygomycota and mitosporic fungi were isolated from soils containing different levels of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Three moderately contaminated samples (500 ppm) and an uncontaminated control contained a rich diversity of species whereas few fungi were isolated from a heavily contaminated sample (1000 ppm). Most isolates were capable of biotransforming TNT into aminodinitrotoluenes and azoxy-dimers, although they differed widely in their tolerance of TNT. Spore germination was generally more strongly inhibited by TNT than hyphal growth. Among the Zygomycota, Absidia and Cunninghamella were highly TNT-tolerant and attacked the substrate even when this had precipitated at 1000 ppm, whereas 12 of the 14 Mortierella isolates were intolerant of TNT above 50 ppm. Among the mitosporic fungi, Acremonium, Cylindrocarpon, Gliocladium and Trichoderma but not Penicillium species were highly tolerant of TNT and had a high capacity to biotransform this compound. Large variations in these properties were determined between species and even strains belonging to the same species, and between different isolates from the same soil sample. Populations of soil microfungi therefore show a high natural variation of TNT tolerance and biotransformation ability, irrespective of any previous long-term exposure to this xenobiotic.
Pathophysiological effects of intravenous phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor in addition to surfactant lavage in meconium‐injured newborn piglet lungs

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, such as selective phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have potential anti‐inflammatory and respiratory smooth muscle relaxation effects. This study aimed to investigate the pathophysiological effects of an intravenous PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram) and surfactant lavage (SL) in a newborn piglet model of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).
Clinical and radiographic course of arrested cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy

Objective To gain insight into the natural history of arrested cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD) by quantifying the change in Neurologic Function Score (NFS) and Loes Score (LS) over time in patients whose cerebral lesions spontaneously stopped progressing. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a series of 22 patients with arrested CALD followed longitudinally over a median time of 2.4 years (0.7–17.0 years). Primary outcomes were change in radiographic disease burden (measured by LS) and clinical symptoms (measured by NFS) between patients who never developed a contrast-enhancing lesion (gadolinium enhancement (GdE)− subgroup) and those who did (GdE+ subgroup). Secondary analyses comparing patterns of neuroanatomic involvement and lesion number, and prevalence estimates, were performed. Results Cerebral lesions were first detected at a median age of 23.3 years (8.0–67.6 years) with an initial LS of 4 (0.5–9). NFS was 0.5 (0–6). Overall change in NFS or LS per year did not differ between subgroups. No patients who remained GdE− converted to a progressive CALD phenotype. The presence of contrast enhancement was associated with disease progression (rs = 0.559, p < 0.001). Four patients (18.2%) underwent step-wise progression, followed by spontaneous resolution of contrast enhancement and rearrest of disease. Three patients (13.6%) converted to progressive CALD. Nineteen patients (86.4%) had arrested CALD at the most recent follow-up. The prevalence of arrested CALD is 12.4%. Conclusion Arrested CALD lesions can begin in childhood, and patients are often asymptomatic early in disease. The majority of patients remain stable. However, clinical and MRI surveillance is recommended because a minority of patients undergo step-wise progression or conversion to progressive CALD.
A microbial mandala for environmental monitoring: Predicting multiple impacts on estuarine prokaryote communities of the Bay of Biscay

Routine monitoring of benthic biodiversity is critical for managing and understanding the anthropogenic impacts on marine, transitional and freshwater ecosystems. However, traditional reliance on morphological identification generally makes it cost‐prohibitive to increase the scale of monitoring programmes. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA has clear potential to overcome many of the problems associated with traditional monitoring, with prokaryotes and other microorganisms showing particular promise as bioindicators. However, due to the limited knowledge regarding the ecological roles and responses of environmental microorganisms to different types of pressure, the use of de novo approaches is necessary. Here, we use two such approaches for the prediction of multiple impacts present in estuaries and coastal areas of the Bay of Biscay based on microbial communities. The first (Random Forests) is a machine learning method while the second (Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis and quantile regression splines) is based on de novo identification of bioindicators. Our results show that both methods overlap considerably in the indicator taxa identified, but less for sequence variants. Both methods also perform well in spite of the complexity of the studied ecosystem, providing predictive models with strong correlation to reference values and fair to good agreement with ecological status groups. The ability to predict several specific types of pressure is especially appealing. The cross‐validated models and biotic indices developed can be directly applied to predict the environmental status of estuaries in the same geographical region, although more work is needed to evaluate and improve them for use in new regions or habitats.
“I Quit”: Testing the Added Value and Sequencing Effects of an Efficacy-focused Message among Cigarette Warning Labels

Many emotional appeal theorists argue that negative affect and efficacy work together to promote adaptive behavioral responses to a threat, yet most research on cigarette warning label messages has not examined the intersection between negative affect, hope, and efficacy. The current study tests effects of exposure, at different points in a sequence, to an efficacy-focused warning label in the context of threat-focused warning labels. We conducted an online, between- and within-subjects experiment with 398 adult smokers, testing the effects of warning label exposure on negative affect, hope, efficacy beliefs, and intentions to quit. Exposure to the efficacy-focused “Quit” label aroused higher levels of reported hope and lower levels of reported negative affect than threat-focused labels. Negative affect increased with each additional exposure to a threat-focused warning label, regardless of the order in which respondents saw the “Quit” label. Exposure to the “Quit” label (within a larger set of three threat-focused labels) led to greater self-efficacy but did not influence response efficacy or intentions to quit. We conclude that “Quit” messaging on warning labels can inspire both hopeful feelings and efficacy beliefs. Future research should identify the optimal balance between threat-focused and hopeful quit messages.
Extracellular Vesicles: Current Analytical Techniques for Detection and Quantification

Since their first observation, understanding the biology of extracellular vesicles (EV) has been an important and challenging field of study. They play a key role in the intercellular communication and are involved in important physiological and pathological functions. Therefore, EV are considered as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring the response to treatment in some diseases. In addition, due to their properties, EV may be used for therapeutic purposes. In the study of EV, three major points have to be addressed: 1. How to isolate EV from cell culture supernatant/biological fluids, 2. how to detect them, and 3. how to characterize and quantify. In this review, we focus on the last two questions and provide the main analytical techniques up-to-date for detection and profiling of EV. We critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each one, aimed to be of relevance for all researchers working on EV biology and their potential applications.
Estudo comparativo envolvendo três métodos de cálculo de custo operacional do caminhão bitrem

The present work deals with the comparative study of three methodologies used for calculating the operational cost of forest transport vehicles such as: FAO - North America; FAO/ECE/KWF e Battistella /Scânia. For this the, Bitrem truck was considered as it is one of the most used for forest load transport in Brazil. The two first methods had the operational cost calculated per effective hour of work (eh), and the latter had the cost calculated per kilometer (km). Thus, for this method, a factor to convert kilometer cost to cost per effective hours of work (eh) was used. The operational cost, for FAO - North America and FAO/ECE/KWF, was obtained by the sum of the following costs: machine (fixed and variable costs); administrative (administration cost) and worker (workmanship hand cost). For the Battistella/Scânia method, the operacional cost was obtained by the sum of machine and administrative costs. The FAO method - North America was the most expressive in terms of operational cost (USS 50,47/he). This method was the most indicated for the case in study, due mainly to the large approximation in relation to the real cost. The machine costs represented more than 85% of the total cost in all methodologies, with the variable cost standing out, due the high fuel cost. The operational costs presented distinct values, probably due to the fact that these methods present different formulas for the same cost.
Early Cardiac Remodeling Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Recent evidence suggests that cancer and cardiovascular diseases are associated. Chemotherapy drugs are known to result in cardiotoxicity, and studies have shown that heart failure and stress correlate with poor cancer prognosis. However, whether cardiac remodeling in the absence of heart failure is sufficient to promote cancer is unknown. Methods: To investigate the effect of early cardiac remodeling on tumor growth and metastasis colonization, we used transverse aortic constriction (TAC), a model for pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy, and followed it by cancer cell implantation. Results: TAC-operated mice developed larger primary tumors with a higher proliferation rate and displayed more metastatic lesions compared with controls. Serum derived from TAC-operated mice potentiated cancer cell proliferation in vitro, suggesting the existence of secreted tumor-promoting factors. Using RNA-sequencing data, we identified elevated mRNA levels of periostin in the hearts of TAC-operated mice. Periostin levels were also found to be high in the serum after TAC. Depletion of periostin from the serum abrogated the proliferation of cancer cells; conversely, the addition of periostin enhanced cancer cell proliferation in vitro. This is the first study to show that early cardiac remodeling nurtures tumor growth and metastasis and therefore promotes cancer progression. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of cardiac remodeling because it may attenuate cancer progression and improve cancer outcome.
Feasibility of Smartphone-delivered Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) in Persistent Post-Traumatic Headache (PPTH) Patients.

Persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH) is often the most common injury post mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), reported by 47%-95% of patients. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) has level A evidence in preventing migraine and tension headaches. However, research on this behavioral therapy for PPTH, let alone smartphone-delivered, is limited. We performed a single-arm study of prospective patients calling our Concussion Center between June 2017-July 2018. Inclusion criteria were that subjects had to meet ICHD-3 criteria for PPTH secondary to mTBI, have four or more headache days a month, be age 18-85 and 3-12 months post injury, own a smartphone and not tried headache behavioral therapy within the year. We recorded baseline headache and neuropsychiatric data. Using the RELAXaHEAD smartphone application, which has a headache diary and PMR audio files, participants were instructed to record headache symptoms and practice 20 minutes of PMR daily. There were three monthly follow-up assessments. There were 49 subjects enrolled. Basic demographics were: 33 (67%) female with mean age 40.1±14.6 [20,75]. Of the 49 subjects, 15 (31%) had pre-existing headaches. In 11 (22%) subjects, mTBI was sports-related. Subjects reported 17.7±9.3 [4,31] headache days in the month before enrollment, and 49 (100%) experienced over three concussion symptoms. Participants inputted data in the RELAXaHEAD app on average 18.3±12.0 days [0,31] the first month. Number of participants who did PMR over 4 times/week was 12 (24.5%) the first month, 9 (22.5 %) the second month, and 6 (15%) the third month. After three months, 17 (42.5 %) participants continued doing PMR. Participants cited time constraints, forgetfulness, application glitches and repetitiveness as obstacles to practicing PMR. It is feasible to get PPTH subjects to practice behavioral therapy through low-cost smartphone-based PMR two times weekly. Future work will assess efficacy and examine how to optimize barriers to PMR.
The Meaning of Relationship and Taxonomic Procedure

The meaning of "relationship" in taxonomy is discussed. An exact meaning of evolutionary relationship is derived, and operational methods for placing organisms according to evolutionary relationship are considered. The use of numerical techniques has introduced into taxonomy the notion that the taxonomic "relationships" of organisms can be expressed as a function of the attributes of the organisms. This concept of "overall relationship" is potentially extremely valuable as a tool in the theory of evolutionary inference. But the way in which "relationship" is to be related to the features of the organisms has remained the subject of debate. Several attempts have been made to study empirically the properties of numerical methods in order to determine whether some relationship functions are demonstrably better than others (Olson, 1964; Rohlf and Sokal, 1965; Minkoff, 1965). Authors generally use a variety of techniques to classify a given set of organisms and then decide whether one method gives a "better" outcome than the others. These efforts have been inconclusive, and suffer from deficiencies in logic. The 'true" classification is not known for any group, and so one may not judge the efficacy of a procedure on the basis of its results in any given case. The criteria for a "better" relationship function have remained at best vague. This paper will attempt to find the optimal form of the function relating "overall taxonomic relationship" to the characters of organisms. Two distinct issues arise in considering the choice of a relationship function. The first is the question of the relation between "relationship" and the characters when the information about the organisms is complete. Then we are in a position to establish the parameter values of the "relationships. " Choosing a relationship function uniquely fixes these values. In effect, specifying the form of the relationship function amounts to an exact definition of "relationship. " It is in this sense that the form of the relationship function can be considered the "meaning of relationship. " The second problem is the discovery of a means to estimate "relationship" from limited data. It is possible to do this in a rigorous way only after the form of the relationship function has been specified-that is, only after "relationship" has been assigned a pre-
Deposition of orally administered β‐carotene, β‐apo‐8'‐carotenoic acid ethyl ester and zeaxanthin in the egg yolk by laying hens

Synopsis An analytical procedure was adapted to determine separately the carotene and xanthophyll pigments of egg yolk. The transfer of β‐carotene, the ethyl ester of β‐apo‐8'‐carotenoic acid and zeaxanthin from the diet to the yolk was measured in hens which had been previously depleted of pigments by feeding a diet of low pigment content. The pigments were either dispersed in gelatin or dissolved in oil and were administered once daily in gelatin capsules. The pigments dispersed in gelatin were transferred to the yolks to a greater extent than those dissolved in oil. During the period when the yolk colour intensity was at a maximum the following recoveries of the dietary pigments were found for the pigments dispersed in gelatin: β‐carotene, o%, ethyl ester of β‐apo‐8'‐carotenoic acid, 8%, and zeaxanthin, at least 75%. The colour of mixed yolk was assessed visually using a 12‐degree colour scale. This procedure showed that a particular intensity of colour judged by visual assessment, encompassed a wide r.