Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy in patients older than 60 years: a multicenter matched case-control study

Introduction The prevalence of obesity is increasing according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, global aging is increasing, especially in developed countries in Europe. Whether bariatric surgery should be performed in elderly people is still controversial. Aim To determine the clinical outcomes of sleeve gastrectomies (SG) in older central European patients. We compared the safety and efficacy of SG in patients older than 60 years with younger patients. Material and methods Eighty-nine patients older than 60 years, who underwent SG, were included in the study. Eighty-nine younger patients (aged 18–40 years) were matched according to body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities. The analyzed data included age, sex, total body weight, BMI, length of hospital stay, 30-day complications and improvement in comorbidities. Results There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the 2 age groups (p = 0.59). An improvement in hypertension was observed in 73.1% of older patients and in 69.2% of younger patients (p = 0.67). There was improvement in diabetes mellitus in 40% of older patients and in 31.1% of younger patients (p = 0.25). The ΔBMI after 12, 24 and 36 months was significantly lower in older patients than in younger patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.001; p = 0.043, respectively). Percent excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) after 12, 24, and 60 months was significantly lower in older than in younger patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.028, respectively). Conclusions Better weight loss is achieved in younger than in older patients, while maintaining a similar effect on the risk of complications and improvement in comorbidities. Therefore, SG is safe and effective in older people.
Effects of elevated temperature and carbon dioxide on seed‐set and yield of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

It is important to quantify and understand the consequences of elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) on reproductive processes and yield to develop suitable agronomic or genetic management for future climates. The objectives of this research work were (a) to quantify the effects of elevated temperature and CO2 on photosynthesis, pollen production, pollen viability, seed‐set, seed number, seeds per pod, seed size, seed yield and dry matter production of kidney bean and (b) to determine if deleterious effects of high temperature on reproductive processes and yield could be compensated by enhanced photosynthesis at elevated CO2 levels. Red kidney bean cv. Montcalm was grown in controlled environments at day/night temperatures ranging from 28/18 to 40/30 °C under ambient (350 µmol mol−1) or elevated (700 µmol mol−1) CO2 levels. There were strong negative relations between temperature over a range of 28/18–40/30 °C and seed‐set (slope, − 6.5% °C−1) and seed number per pod (− 0.34 °C−1) under both ambient and elevated CO2 levels. Exposure to temperature > 28/18 °C also reduced photosynthesis (− 0.3 and − 0.9 µmol m−2 s−1 °C−1), seed number (− 2.3 and − 3.3 °C−1) and seed yield (− 1.1 and − 1.5 g plant−1 °C−1), at both the CO2 levels (ambient and elevated, respectively). Reduced seed‐set and seed number at high temperatures was primarily owing to decreased pollen production and pollen viability. Elevated CO2 did not affect seed size but temperature > 31/21 °C linearly reduced seed size by 0.07 g °C−1. Elevated CO2 increased photosynthesis and seed yield by approximately 50 and 24%, respectively. There was no beneficial interaction of CO2 and temperature, and CO2 enrichment did not offset the negative effects of high temperatures on reproductive processes and yield. In conclusion, even with beneficial effects of CO2 enrichment, yield losses owing to high temperature (> 34/24 °C) are likely to occur, particularly if high temperatures coincide with sensitive stages of reproductive development.
Paraphyly of Homoptera and Auchenorrhyncha inferred from 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences

Evolutionary affiliations of eighteen families of Hemiptera (s.l.) are inferred using molecular phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide (nt) sequences of 18S rDNAs. Exemplar taxa include: Archaeorrhyncha (=Fulgoromorpha): flatid, issid, dictyopharid, cixiid and delphacid; Prosorrhyncha (=Heteropterodea): Peloridiomorpha (=Coleorhyncha) ‐peloridiid, Heteroptera gerrid, lygaeid and mirid; Clypeorrhyncha [=extant (monophyletic) cicadomorphs]: cicadid, cercopoids (cercopid, aphrophorid), membracid and cicadellids (deltocephaline and cicadelline); and Sternorrhyncha: psyllid, aleyrodid, diaspidid and aphid. Analysed sequences encompass a region beginning ≅550 nucleotides (nts) from the 5'‐end to ≅200 nts upstream from the 3'‐end of the gene [≅1150 base pairs (bp) in euhemipteran to >1400 bp in sternorrhynchan taxa]. Maximum parsimony and bootstrap analyses (PAUP) identify four principal hemipteran clades, Stenorrhyncha, Clypeorrhyncha, Archaeorrhyncha and Prosorrhyncha. These lineages are identified by synapomorphies distributed throughout the gene. Sternorrhyncha is a sister group to all other Hemiptera (i.e. Euhemiptera sensu Zrzavy), rendering Homoptera paraphyletic. Within Euhemiptera, clades Clypeorrhyncha, Archaeorrhyncha, Prosorrhyncha and Heteroptera are supported by one, three, two and three synapomorphic sites, respectively. There is equitable parsimonious inference for Archaeorrhyncha as the sister group to Prosorrhyncha (Neoherriiptera sensu Sorensen et al.) or Clypeorrhyncha, in either case rendering Auchenorrhyncha paraphyletic. Neohemiptera is supported by one synapomorphy. Within Clypeorrhyncha, clade cicada + cercopoids is the sister group of the clade cicadellids + membracid (Membracoidea sensu Dietrich & Deitz). Among archaeorrhynchans, clade delphacid + cixiid is the sister group of the clade dictyopharid + flatid + issid. Within Prosorrhyncha, the peloridiid is sister to the Heteroptera. Within Heteroptera, gerrid is the sister group of the clade mirid + lygaeid (Panheteroptera sensu Schuh). Based on secondary structure of synonymous 18S rRNA, two synapomorphies each of Sternorrhyncha, Prosorrhyncha and Heteroptera are compensatory substitutions on stem substructures. All other synapomorphies identifying major lineages of Hemiptera are noncompensatory substitutions on either bulges or stems. Short basal internodal distances suggest radiation of hemipteran lineages at the suborder level occurred rapidly. Morphological, palaeoentomological and eco‐evolutionary factors supporting the 18S rDNA‐based phylogenetic tree are discussed.
Intrapersonal Dilemmas

Intrapersonal dilemmas arise when people face choices between something that is good right now but bad for them in the long run (vice), and something that is not so good now but better in the long run (virtue). This article develops the idea that these dilemmas have many similarities to social dilemmas, in which options that are best for society are not best for the individual who gets to choose them. Intrapersonal dilemmas are like social dilemmas because: (i) hyperbolic discounting means that individuals are divisible into a society of selves with competing interests, with the currently active self wanting vice for him or herself, but virtue for future selves; and (ii) the effect of choosing vice is to impose a cost on future selves, analogous to the social concept of externality. Using concepts from game theory, I model intrapersonal dilemmas as sequential games, in which choices made by one self can influence the utility of later selves, but not that of earlier selves. The analysis is applied to two prototypical intrapersonal dilemmas, addiction and procrastination. The article concludes with a survey of the ways in which intrapersonal dilemmas can be overcome by preventing the current self from making short-sighted choices of vice.
Towards a better understanding of early drug-induced regulatory mechanisms of liver tumorigenesis

Non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGC) form a group of molecules that do not directly bind DNA (1) but that produce perturbations in the gene expression and epigenetic state of cells which facilitate tumor formation, typically through the promotion of preexisting neoplastic cells into neoplasms. The molecular events underlying the NGC-induced transformation of normal hepatocytes to altered hepatocellular foci are still unclear and no acute early molecular markers for NGC are available for drugs under development. According to regulatory expectations, drug safety is tested in both short term in vitro and long-term in vivo studies in several experimental animals (rodent and non-rodent species) prior testing on human. As the safety assessment in experimental animals has been very successful in predicting toxicity of biologically active chemicals in humans, differences in species biochemistry or pathophysiology be- tween human and rodents have raised doubts regarding the appropriateness of extrapolating some rodent tumor findings to humans. A better understanding of NGC mode of action on cellular mechanism is believed to help addressing the relevance of rodent assays to human risk assessment and help in early prediction of NGC in drug development. In this dissertation we have adapted innovative bioinformatic approaches to toxicogenomic data from comprehensive in vivo experiments in order 1) to identify key early regulatory interactions underlying liver drug-induced non-genotoxic carcinogenesis and 2) to examine potential species-specificity (human-mice) in receptor-dependent mechanisms underlying liver tissue molecular responses to NGC. The outcome of this research provides with novel mechanism-based candidate biomarkers for NGC, and allows for a better understanding of early mechanisms and pathways underlying drug-induced toxicity in rodents and their relevance to human.
Analysis on degree distribution of tumor signaling networks

Tumorigenesis is a multi-factorial and multi-step process, among which the changes in cell signaling pathways play a key role. Up till now there are fewer studies on network structure of tumor signaling pathways. In present study the degree distribution was analyzed based on thirty kinds of tumor signaling networks, including VEGF-pathway, JNK-pathway, p53-signaling, etc. The results showed that almost all of them were scale-free complex networks. Key metabolites in some tumor networks were also described.
EFFECT OF BIORATIONAL INSECTICIDES ON SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SPODOPTERA LITURA (FAB) BY DIFFERENT BIOASSAY TECHNIQUES

Various insecticides belonging to synthetic pyrethriods and organophosphates and biorational insecticide group were evaluated by two bioassay techniques (direct spray and leaf dip) against third instar larvae of Spodoptera litura. Betacyfluthrin was found to be most toxic and ethion least toxic to S. litura. The order of toxicity of different insecticides was different with change in the bioassay method. Regardless of method of application relative efficacy of most of the synthetic pyrethroids was same except betacyfluthrin and alphamethrin. The effectiveness of indoxacarb followed by chlorpyriphos, acephate, quinolphos and spinosad was more by leaf dip method than direct spray.
Description of one known and three new Chordodes species (Nematomorpha) parasitizing praying mantids (Mantoptera) in Malaysia, with a discussion of sexual dimorphism in Chordodes

Eighteen species of horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) have been described from the Malay Archipelago, including the Malaysian main land. One species, Chordodes moutoni, is redescribed and three new species (C. compactus, C. villalobi and C. polycoronatus) are described as new species. This raises the number of species known to 21. All species are described using scanning electron microscopy. Intraspecific variation of some cuticular characters such as size and distribution of areoles is probably present. Additionally, in females of C. compactus and C. polycoronatus two types of structures called crowned areoles are present. Crowned areoles with very long apical filaments are found on both sides along the ventral midline while crowned areoles in all other regions of the body have much shorter filaments. In males, such differences among crowned areoles are absent (C. polycoronatus) or differ to a much smaller degree (C. compactus). A literature review reveals that such sexual dimorphism may be common among the genus Chordodes. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Phylogenetic relationships and generic delimitation in Inuleae subtribe Inulinae (Asteraceae) based on ITS and cpDNA sequence data

Phylogenetic relationships in Inuleae subtribe Inulinae (Asteraceae) were investigated. DNA sequence data from three chloroplast regions (ndhF, trnL–F and psbA–trnH) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analysed separately and in combination using parsimony and Bayesian inference. A total of 163 ingroup taxa were included, of which 60 were sampled for all four markers. Conflicts between chloroplast and nuclear data were assessed using partitioned Bremer support (PBS). Rather than averaging PBS over several trees from constrained searches, individual trees were considered by evaluating PBS ranges. Criteria to be used in the detection of a significant conflict between data partitions are proposed. Three nodes in the total data tree were found to encompass significant conflict that could result from ancient hybridization. Neither of the large, heterogeneous and widespread genera Inula and Pulicaria is monophyletic. A monophyletic group (“the Inula complex”) that comprises all species of Inula includes also Telekia, Carpesium, Chrysophthalmum, Rhanteriopsis, Amblyocarpum, and Pentanema sensu stricto. Two species of Pentanema were found to be closer to Blumea (including Blumeopsis and Merrittia) and Caesulia. The monophyletic “Pulicaria complex” includes all taxa with heteromorphic pappus. Within this group, Francoeuria is distinct from Pulicaria and merits recognition as a separate genus.
Signal Processing: Image Communication

Shooting a live-action immersive 360-degree experience, i.e. omnidirectional content (ODC) is a technological challenge as there are many technical limitations which need to be overcome, especially for capturing and post-processing in stereoscopic 3D (S3D). In this paper, we introduce a novel approach and entire system for stitching and color mismatch correction and detection in S3D omnidirectional content, which consists of three main modules: pre-processing, spherical color correction and color mismatch evaluation. The system and its individual modules are evaluated on two datasets, including a new dataset which will be publicly available with this paper. We show that our system outperforms the state of the art in color correction of S3D ODC and demonstrate that our spherical color correction module even further improves the results of the state of the art approaches.
Evaluation of Vancomycin TDM Strategies: Prediction and Prevention of Kidney Injuries Based on Vancomycin TDM Results

The current guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of vancomycin suggest a target 24-hour area under the curve (AUC0-24) of 400 to 600 mg*h/L for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this study, the predictabilities of acute kidney injury (AKI) of various TDM target parameters, target levels, and sampling methods were evaluated in patients who underwent TDM from January 2020 to December 2020. The AUC0-24 and trough values were calculated by both one- and two-point sampling methods, and were evaluated for the predictability of AKI. Among the AUC0-24 cutoff comparisons, the threshold value of 500 mg*h/L in the two sampling methods was statistically significant (P = 0.042) when evaluated for the predictability of AKI. Analysis by an receiver operating characteristic curve estimated an AUC0-24 cutoff value of 563.45 mg*h/L as a predictor of AKI, and was proposed as the upper limit of TDM target.
Involvement of ethylene in chromosaponin-induced stimulation of growth in lettuce roots

To elucidate the mode of action of chromosaponin I (CSI) in stimulating the growth of lettuce roots (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids), the possible involvement of ethylene was examined. Lettuce seedlings evolved ethylene at a rate of 0.7 nl 10 seeds-1 h-1. The growth of lettuce roots was stimulated by 2-aminoethoxyvinyl-glycine (AVG), an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis, and 2,5-norbornadiene (NBD), an inhibitor of ethylene action, as well as by CSI. In contrast to ethylene, treatments with CSI, AVG and NBD promoted longitudinal elongation of cortical cells of roots and inhibited their lateral expansion. Application of CSI slightly reduced ethylene production from lettuce, but this reduction was not sufficient to account for the CSI-induced stimulation of growth. The maximal promotive effects of AVG and NBD were obtained at 3 micromolar and 150 microliters, respectively. The growth promotion by CSI disappeared in the presence of the optimum levels of AVG or NBD; a further addition of ethylene caused the stimulatory effects of CSI to increase, depending on the concentration of ethylene. Thus, CSI reduced both the sensitivity of the roots to ethylene and the maximal effects of ethylene. The CSI-induced stimulation of growth was ascribed to the reduction of the response to ethylene in the lettuce roots.
New Challenges of Economic and Business Development – 2014

This paper describes the Partial Least Square model to test the robustness and value of the statistical evaluation. The test is to evaluate the fit of the model for a small sample. The statistical data is calculated with the SmartPLS software. SmartPLS is a tool created for statistical analysis, namely PLS – SEM (Structural Equation Model). The paper describes the advantages and disadvantages of SmartPLS and provides an argument for the use of SmartPLS in the scientific world. At the moment the use of SmartPLS in science concentrates mainly in the information technology field and the marketing area. The authors describe the use of SmartPLS for the human resources area which is a new field for SmartPLS software. The paper further describes the validity and reliability for PLS – SEM.
Evaluation of Dietary Nitrogen Utilization in Dairy Cows Based on Urea Concentrations in Blood, Urine and Milk, and on Urinary Concentration of Purine Derivatives

Abstract The effects of level and degradability of dietary protein on urea in blood, urine and milk, and on the urinary purine derivatives and creatinine in dairy cows, were studied. Diurnal variation in urinary concentration of urea, allantoin and creatinine was also studied. A total of 24 multiparous lactating dairy cows were selected from a production experiment and divided into two 12-cow groups according to their lactation stage (LG1, 14th-16th week of lactation; and LG2, 26th-30th week of lactation). Within groups, cows were fed four different rations (three cows per treatment). Four concentrate mixtures with two levels of protein [19 and 14% of crude protein on dry matter (DM) basis] and two different rumen degradabilities (72 and 52%) of the dominating protein feed rapeseed meal, were fed to the cows together with pasture silage and hay. In both groups of cows the urea concentration in plasma, urine and milk increased (p<0.05) with increasing protein intake. Based on the pooled data from both lact.
Temperature effects on chemical signalling in a predator–prey system

1. We investigated the effect of temperature on chemical signalling in a predator-prey model system (planktivorous fish and Daphnia galeata). Life-history changes in Daphnia in response to chemical cues (kairomones) derived from fish have become a paradigm for chemically induced anti-predator defences. 2. As temperature can affect both predator and prey, we carried out two experiments to disentangle these effects. In order to test for temperature effects on the predator, we kept prey at a single temperature and exposed them to kairomones from fish exposed to two different temperatures. Daphnia exhibited a higher intrinsic rate of population increase (r) when exposed to fish kairomones produced at high rather than low temperature. Assuming a positive correlation between r (because of an earlier maturation and/or increased clutch sizes) and kairomone concentration, our results suggest that kairomone production increases with rising temperature. 3. In the second experiment, to study the influence of temperature on the prey, Daphnia were kept at two different temperatures and exposed to fish kairomones produced at one constant temperature. We found no interaction between the effects of fish kairomone and temperature on Daphnia life history, suggesting that temperature does not directly alter life-history responses to fish kairomones. 4. Our results suggest that temperature influences Daphnia life history through its effects on fish kairomone concentration, but that temperature does not affect the strength of the response of Daphnia to the presence of fish.
Dentition and histology in titanosaurian dinosaur embryos from Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract: Exceptionally preserved sauropod embryos from the Late Cretaceous Anacleto Formation in Auca Mahuevo (Neuquén Province, Argentina) have provided fundamental information on titanosaurian ontogeny. This paper describes the dental composition, disposition and microstructure of the specimens. Embryonic teeth show size disparity, with lengths that vary from 1 to 3 mm and diameters ranging from 0.15 to 0.26 mm, with the most frequent length values between 2.5 and 3 mm. Apparently, a typical ‘pencil‐like’ tooth morphology and a dental formula of Pm 4, M 7–8/D10? remained constant during titanosaurian ontogeny, whereas the arrangement of teeth in the skull shows notable ontogenetic changes. Absence of wear facets on teeth suggests a lack of prenatal chewing movements. The enamel proportion is significantly higher in embryos than in mature titanosaurs, which suggests that this relationship varies during ontogeny. Embryonic bony tissue is composed of highly vascularized, cellular woven bone. The absence of osteonal tissue, the high degree of vascularization, the presence of numerous osteocytes and poor development of periosteal bone reveals that the Auca Mahuevo titanosaurs would have had a high early growth rate and that they were buried at a relatively advanced embryonic stage.