Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Olfactory Projection Neurons From the Moth Antennal Lobe Lateral Cluster exhibit Diverse Morphological and Neurophysiological Characteristics

Olfactory projection neurons convey information from the insect antennal lobe (AL) to higher centers in the brain. Many studies on moths have reported excitatory projection neurons with cell bodies in the medial cell cluster (mcPNs) that predominantly send an axon from the AL to calyces of the mushroom body (CA) via the medial antennal lobe tract (mALT) and then to the lateral horn (LH) of the protocerebrum. These neurons tend to have dendritic arbors restricted to a single glomerulus (i.e. they are uniglomerular). In this study, we report on the physiological and morphological properties of a group of pheromone-responsive olfactory projection neurons with cell bodies in the moth AL lateral cell cluster (lcPNs) of two heliothine moth species. While mcPNs typically exhibit a narrow odor tuning range related to the restriction of their dendritic arbors within a single glomerulus, lcPNs exhibited an array of morphological and physiological configurations. Pheromone-responsive lcPNs varied in their associations with glomeruli (uniglomerular and multiglomerular), dendritic arborization structure and connections to higher brain centers with projections primarily through the lateral antennal lobe tract and to a lesser extent the mediolateral antennal lobe tract to a variety of protocerebral targets including ventrolateral and superior neuropils as well as LH. Physiological characterization of lcPNs also revealed a diversity of response profiles including those either enhanced by or reliant upon presentation of a pheromone blend. These responses manifested themselves as higher maximum firing rates and/or improved temporal resolution of pulsatile stimuli. lcPNs therefore participate in conveying a variety of olfactory information relating to qualitative and temporal facets of the pheromone stimulus to a more expansive number of protocerebral targets than their mcPN counterparts. The role of lcPNs in the overall scheme of olfactory processing is discussed.
Notes on the Nest, Owlets, Diet, and Parasites of the Choco Screech-Owl (Megascops guatemalae centralis) in Loma Alta Communal Reserve, Western Ecuador

ABSTRACT The Choco Screech-Owl (Megascops guatemalae centralis) is one of the rarest birds in Ecuador and its taxonomy remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the nest, owlet morphology, prey items, defensive behaviors, a newly discovered locality for the species, and the occurrence of parasitism, caused by Philornis sp. of the owlets.
Gomphonema Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae) in a lotic environment of the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

A taxonomic study of species of the genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae) was performed in alotic environment (Ipoita Channel) of the Upper Parana River Floodplain. Samplings were performed in June, September and December 2013 and February 2014. Two petioles of Eichhornia azurea (Sw) Kunth were sampled at three different sites in the channel. Twelve species and two taxonomic varieties were identified. All species identified were recorded at the sampling site 3, loca ated close to the Ivinhema River. The lowest number of taxa occurred at the sampling site 1 (9 specific and infra specific taxa), in the confluence with the Parana River. All taxa of Gomphonema were the first record for the Upper Parana River Floodplain. Our results emphasize the lack of taxonomic studies for the region and the importance thereof to the knowledge of biodiversity.
Higher Aqueous Levels of Resistin and Lipocalin-2 Indicated Worse Visual Improvement following anti-VEGF Therapy in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the aqueous humor levels of elastase-2, lactoferrin, lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), resistin, and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and their relationship with visual prognosis following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Materials and Methods 52 RVO patients (23 cases of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 29 cases of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)) and 20 cases of senile cataract were enrolled in this study. All RVO patients underwent fundus examinations before and 6–8 months after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment. Five milliliters of blood were collected from RVO patients before treatment for the measurement of lipids and coagulation factors. Sixty microliters of aqueous humor were collected during intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF or during cataract surgery. The levels of elastase-2, lactoferrin, LCN-2, resistin, and TSP-1 in aqueous humor were determined by Luminex xMAP multiple analysis. Results The aqueous levels of resistin and LCN-2 were significantly higher but the level of TSP-1 was significantly lower in RVO patients compared to controls. Further, sub-group analysis showed that CRVO patients had significantly higher levels of resistin and LCN-2 than controls. The aqueous levels of resistin and LCN-2 were negatively correlated with visual improvement following anti-VEGF therapy in CRVO but not in BRVO patients. Visual improvement in RVO patients was not associated with blood lipid levels or any of the coagulation factors. Conclusion CRVO patients had significantly higher aqueous levels of resistin and LCN-2, which negatively impacted on visual improvement after anti-VEGF therapy.
Exploring Phyllosphere Bacteria for Growth Promotion and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potato is an economical food, which belongs to genus Solanum (family Solanaceae) that consists of about 2,000 species and it provides a source of low cost energy to human diet. For vegetable purposes, potato has now become one of the most popular crops in India and cultivated in almost all states and under very diverse agro climate conditions. The states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar and Gujarat accounted for more than 80 per cent share in total production. At world level, China, India, Russian Federation, USA, Ukraine, Germany and Poland shared more than 62 per cent of total global production potato. India ranks second, next to China in global production of potato (Anonymous, 2016). Plant-associated bacteria colonize the rhizosphere (rhizobacteria), the phyllosphere (epiphytes) and inside of plant tissues (endophytes). Phyllosphere bacteria can International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 04 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Contribution to the study of neotropical discomycetes: a new species of the genus Geodina (Geodina salmonicolor sp. nov.) from the Dominican Republic

Geodina salmonicolor sp. nov., a new neotropical / equatorial discomycetes of the genus Geodina, is here described and illustrated. The discovery of this new entity allowed us to propose another species of Geodina, until now a monospecific genus, and produce the first 28S rDNA genetic data, which supports this species is related to genus Wynnea in the Sarcoscyphaceae. Key-words – 1 new species – Ascomycota – Sarcoscyphaceae – Sub-tropical zone Caribbeans – Taxonomy Introduction A study started more than 10 years ago in the area of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) by one of the authors allowed us to identify several interesting fungal species, both Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. Angelini & Medardi (2012) published a first report of ascomycetes in which 12 lignicolous species including discomycetes and pyrenomycetes were described and illustrated in detail, also delineating the physical and botanical characteristics of the research area. During one of the forays in Santo Domingo, another unusual discomycetes in the shape of a small upturned bell was found, characterized by a faint pink to salmon-colored hymenium contrasting with the brownish external surface. A closer examination suggested that it was a species related to the genus Geodina Denison, but different from the only species so far described, G. guanacastensis Denison. The first collection consisted of only one apothecium found on a jar of the Jardín Botánico Nacional Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso of Santo Domingo. A few years later, a single isolated apothecium of the fungus was found again in two other different places. We tried to study also the holotypus of G. guanacastensis located in CUP, in order to compare it with our findings and to have more familiarity with the phylogenetic position of the genus, but it was impossible because the Herbarium did not consider our request of loan. Material & Methods Fungal specimens were photographed in situ, using a digital camera Nikon Coolpix 8400, and then dried using an air dryer. Microscopic examinations and drawings from them were done Mycosphere 9(2): 169–177 (2018) www.mycosphere. org ISSN 2077 7019
Effects of TACE combined with microwave ablation on T lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with liver cancer and analysis of safety.

PURPOSE To explore the influence of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation on T lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with liver cancer and analyze the safety. METHODS The clinical data of 160 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients in the control group underwent TACE, while those in the observation group were treated with microwave ablation in addition to TACE. Then, the changes in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets, liver function indexes and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After treatment, the levels of cluster of differentiation 3+ (CD3+), CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of patients were significantly increased in both groups, while the levels of CD8+ and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and AFP were overtly lowered, while the observation group had more obvious changes in the above-mentioned levels (p<0.05). The response rate and prognostic survival rate were evidently higher in the observation group than in the control group (p<0.05). The complications after treatment showed no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Child-Pugh, tumor diameter and number of lesions were independent risk factors for the prognosis of survival of liver cancer patients undergoing TACE combined with microwave ablation (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS TACE combined with microwave ablation has relatively high efficacy and safety in the treatment of liver cancer, which can improve liver function, immune function and prognostic survival.
Distinct subpopulations of mechanosensory chordotonal organ neurons elicit grooming of the fruit fly antennae

Diverse mechanosensory neurons detect different mechanical forces that can impact animal behavior. Yet our understanding of the anatomical and physiological diversity of these neurons and the behaviors that they influence is limited. We previously discovered that grooming of the Drosophila melanogaster antennae is elicited by an antennal mechanosensory chordotonal organ, the Johnston’s organ (JO) (Hampel et al., 2015). Here, we describe anatomically and physiologically distinct JO mechanosensory neuron subpopulations that each elicit antennal grooming. We show that the subpopulations project to different, discrete zones in the brain and differ in their responses to mechanical stimulation of the antennae. Although activation of each subpopulation elicits antennal grooming, distinct subpopulations also elicit the additional behaviors of wing flapping or backward locomotion. Our results provide a comprehensive description of the diversity of mechanosensory neurons in the JO, and reveal that distinct JO subpopulations can elicit both common and distinct behavioral responses.
Influence of elevated sleep-time blood pressure on vascular risk and hypertension-mediated organ damage

ABSTRACT We report the analysis of 252 hypertensive patients whose blood pressure (BP) was assessed by around-the-clock ambulatory BP monitoring compared to office BP measurement during a follow-up investigation of 8.7 y (SD: 2.43 y) that evaluated the added value of measuring sleep-time BP values. We found that 37.3% of the patients had mismatched diagnoses between the two techniques of BP assessment, with 11.5% of the patients showing white-coat hypertension and 25.8% masked hypertension. Only 12.3% of the diagnosed and treated patients presented normal BP values. Nocturnal (sleep-time) hypertension was present in 70.63%. The sleep-time systolic BP mean was found to be an independent vascular risk factor (F = 9.005, p < .001), indirectly measured through the 10-year risk of morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the elevated sleep-time systolic BP mean was a better marker of subclinical hypertension-mediated organ damage (ρ = 0.19, p < .01) than either the awake (ρ = 0.168, p < .01) or 24 (ρ = 0.184, p < .01) systolic BP means. In conclusion, the accuracy and sleep-time measurements provided by ambulatory BP make it particularly relevant in hypertension diagnosis and management. The use of the ambulatory BP measurement method could end up modifying current therapeutic targets, with sleep-time systolic BP mean becoming a main one, in order to optimize hypertension control and reduce hypertension-related organ pathology and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.
Histopathological Effect of Nauclea latifolia Ethanolic Leaf Extract and Artemether/Lumefantrine on the Hippocampus of P. berghei -Infected Mice

Objective: Severe malaria and cerebral malaria reportedly causes cognitive deficits in young children, post-treatments. We investigated the antiplasmodial, histomorphological and immunohistochemical effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (NL) on the hippocampus of Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods: Twenty male mice were divided into four groups of five mice each as follows: Group 1 (control) was given 10 ml/kg of normal saline (0.9% Nacl); Group 2 received extract of NL 500 mg/kg body weight of mice. Group 3 received 1000 mg/kg body weight of mice. Group 4 received 5 mg/kg body weight of mice. All mice were passaged with the 0.2ml of infected erythrocytes containing approximately 1x106 of P. berghei via intraperitoneal injection before treatment. Baseline parasitemia was determined by direct enumeration on day 5 post infection, then treatment commenced for five days, thereafter mice were humanely sacrificed via ketamine/xylaxine cocktail, and brain dissected for light microscopy, and immunohistochemical detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in the hippocampus. Result: P. berghei infection was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in NL ethanolic extract groups at dose dependent levels, but decreased most in the Artemether/Lumefantrine groups. Histomorphology revealed severely distorted hippocampus in group 1 (P. berghei-infected only); petechial haemorrhage in the low dose extract, but ameliorated distortions in NL 1000 mg/kg and 5mg Artemether/Lumefantrine groups. GFAP was intensely expressed in group 1, moderate in 2, but down-regulated in group 3 and 4 indicating a decline in induced oxidative stress to neuronal cells and neuropil by the extract and Artemether/Lumefantrine. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of NL via its phytochemical bioavailability decreases P. berghei in dose dependent manner, and offers moderate neuro-protection to hippocampus of infected mice, down-regulating inflammatory protein in curative malaria model; thus may support their wide use in ethnopharmacology, we are investigating the activity of their fractions and pure compounds in other antimalarial models.
Buckwheat, Sustainable Ingredient for Bread Baking: Rheological and Technological Investigation

Abstract Buckwheat is a plant with high sustainable potential. The sustainable agronomical potential is demonstrated by a very long and continuously cultivation, especially in Asia and Eastern Europe. Buckwheat could be found in a high number of traditional recipes and contribute to the health of populations through theirs high content of fibres, high quality proteins and many functional ingredients as antioxidants. In Romania buckwheat it is consumed in reduced quantity but could be used to formulate some functional food which could contribute to the population’s health and baking industry sustainability. We investigated the effects of replacement of wheat flour with 10%, 20% and 30% buckwheat flour. We evaluated the rheology and bread characteristics. At low level of wheat flour replacement positive effects could be observed but at 30% replacement of wheat flour the dough rheology and bread characteristics were severely affected. The taste and specific volume were most affected. We consider that buckwheat has a real potential to be use in the formulation of functional food and is a sustainable ingredient for bread baking.
Nighttime transpiration represents a negligible part of water loss and does not increase the risk of water stress in grapevine

Abstract Nighttime transpiration has been previously reported as a significant source of water loss in many species; however, there is a need to determine if this trait plays a key role in the response to drought. This study aimed to determine the magnitude, regulation and relative contribution to whole plant water‐use, of nighttime stomatal conductance (g night) and transpiration (E night) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Our results showed that nighttime water loss was relatively low compared to daytime transpiration, and that decreases in soil and plant water potentials were mainly explained by daytime stomatal conductance (g day) and transpiration (E day). Contrary to E day, E night did not respond to VPD and possible effects of an innate circadian regulation were observed. Plants with higher g night also exhibited higher daytime transpiration and carbon assimilation at midday, and total leaf area, suggesting that increased g night may be linked with daytime behaviors that promote productivity. Modeling simulations indicated that g night was not a significant factor in reaching critical hydraulic thresholds under scenarios of either extreme drought, or time to 20% of soil relative water content. Overall, this study suggests that g night is not significant in exacerbating the risk of water stress and hydraulic failure in grapevine.
Unravelling perceived fatigue and activity pacing in maintaining a physically active lifestyle after stroke rehabilitation: a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Purposes To identify fatigue trajectories during/after stroke rehabilitation, to determine characteristics associated with trajectory membership before discharge and to investigate how these trajectories and activity pacing are associated with sustained physical activity after rehabilitation. Methods People after stroke (n = 206) were followed from 3–6 weeks before discharge (T0) to 14 (T1), 33 (T2) and 52 (T3) weeks after discharge from rehabilitation in the ReSpAct study. Latent Class analysis was used to identify trajectories of perceived fatigue. Binomial multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine characteristics associated with trajectory membership (T0). Multilevel regression analyses were used to investigate how perceived fatigue and activity pacing were associated with self-reported physical activity (T0–T3). Results Three fatigue trajectories were identified: high (n = 163), low (n = 41) and recovery (n = 2). Compared with the high fatigue trajectory, people in the low fatigue trajectory were more likely to report higher levels of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) (OR = 3.07, 95%CI = 1.51–6.26) and physical activity (OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.07–3.47). Sustained high levels of physical activity after rehabilitation were significantly associated with low perceived fatigue and high perceived risk of overactivity. Conclusions Three fatigue trajectories after stroke rehabilitation were identified. High levels of HR-QoL and physical activity before discharge identified people in the low fatigue trajectory. A physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation was associated with low perceived fatigue and perceived risk of overactivity. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Since almost 80% of people after stroke in this study perceived severe fatigue up to 1 year after stroke rehabilitation, activities focusing on the management of fatigue symptoms should be integrated in general stroke rehabilitation. In clinical practice, low levels of health-related quality of life and low levels of self-reported physical activity before discharge from stroke rehabilitation should be considered by rehabilitation professionals (e.g., physicians, physiotherapists, and physical activity counsellors) since these characteristics can predict chronic perceived fatigue up to 1 year after stroke rehabilitation. A physical activity counselling programme delivered during and after stroke rehabilitation may be improved by incorporating tailored advice regarding the management of fatigue.
Auditory versus visual spatial stimulus-response mappings in tracking and discrete dual task performance: implications for human-machine interface design

Abstract A discrete four-choice response task with auditory signal presentation and a joystick-controlled visual tracking task was used to investigate how spatial compatibility influences the dual-task performance of different display-control settings. It was found that the more incompatible the stimulus-response mapping, the longer the delay for both tasks, presumably because of the longer stimulus encoding time required for the incompatible conditions. A comparison of the findings of this study with those of past experiments on visual visual setting shows that the dual-task performance in a cross-modality (auditory visual) setting was significantly better than that in an intra-modality (visual visual) setting because of visual scanning required in the intra-modal dual tasks. However, when the locations of visual visual tasks were close enough such that ambient and focal vision was concurrently used for information processing, the dual-task performance of intra-modality (visual visual) configuration was slightly better than that of the cross-modality (auditory visual) configuration. Practitioner Summary: The effect of spatial compatibility with auditory signal presentation in multiple display-control configurations was examined in a dual-task paradigm. The results provided important and useful ergonomics design implications and consequent recommendations for intra- and cross- modal interface design. The results should facilitate human-machine system design and improve overall system performance.