Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure of the phenotypic variability of fruit and seed traits in natural populations of Eugenia dysenterica dc. (Myrtaceae)

Abstract Eugenia dysenterica DC. (cagaita tree) is a fruit tree native to the Brazilian Cerrado. It is a promising species for cultivation, but little basic information exists on the phenotypic diversity and quantitative variation of its fruits and seeds at a population scale. Thus, the present study proposes to estimate the phenotypic parameters of the species’ fruits and seeds based on the variability among mother plants and among subpopulations, thereby aiming to increase knowledge for breeding and conservation of the species. For this, 25 natural subpopulations (local populations) were sampled in five Brazilian states. Within each subpopulation, 20 fruits were collected from each of six sampled mother plants. Data for biomass, transverse and longitudinal lengths of the fruits and seeds were subjected to estimates of descriptive parameters, correlation and hierarchical analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant variation, including high levels of phenotypic variation, was observed among mother plants within the subpopulations and between the subpopulations. The high variation and the formation of phenotypically divergent groups are important elements for the breeding of cagaita tree, whose mother plants can now be selected for the traits studied. Phenotypic divergence between populations (PST) can be used as an indicator of the structuring of the phenotypic variation of the species in its natural area of occurrence.
Successful Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) with Recombinant Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and Maraviroc in a Patient with Idiopathic CD4 Lymphocytopenia (P1.338)

Objective: To present a case report of successful treatment of PML with IL-7 and maraviroc in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. Background: PML is a rapidly progressive, often fatal viral infection of the brain without a known treatment. Recently, case reports have demonstrated survival from PML with therapies that improve cell-mediated immunity, including IL-7 or the chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist, maraviroc. We present the first known case of a patient with PML successfully treated with both IL-7 and maraviroc. Methods: A 63-year-old woman presented to our center with a 6-month history of a progressive left hemiparesis. Extensive laboratory testing was negative except for a severe CD4 lymphocytopenia (140/µL). Serial brain MRIs done prior to presentation revealed an enlarging, non-enhancing T2-hyperintense lesion in the right fronto-parietal white matter. PML was confirmed through detection of the JC virus by PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid and by brain biopsy, and she was started on mirtazapine and mefloquine. She continued to deteriorate, and was then given a course of recombinant IL-7. Though she remained clinically stable after IL-7 treatment and serum JCV PCR decreased from 1,000 copies/mL to a nadir of 238 copies/mL, MRI three months later showed lesion enlargement. Maraviroc was then initiated. Six months after initial presentation she remained stable and serum JCV PCR was undetectable. Results: This case demonstrates successful treatment of PML in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. Treatment with IL-7 and maraviroc led to clinical stability and improvement in JC virus titers. Subsequent course will be presented. Conclusions: This case highlights the potential benefits of IL-7 and maraviroc in the treatment of PML. Disclosure: Dr. Harel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Horng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gustafson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ramineni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Straus Farber has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fabian has nothing to disclose.
Lower MR-indexed locus coeruleus integrity in autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease is related to cortical tau burden and memory deficits

Abnormally phosphorylated tau, an indicator of Alzheimer's disease, begins to accumulate in the first decades of life in the locus coeruleus (LC), the primary source of cortical norepinephrine. Ensuing dysfunction in noradrenergic neuromodulation is hypothesized to contribute to Alzheimer's progression. However, research into the role of the LC has been impeded by a lack of effective ways of assessing it in vivo. Advances in high-resolution brainstem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hold potential to investigate the association of locus coeruleus integrity and Alzheimer's-related neuropathological markers in vivo. Leveraging a meta-analytical approach, we first synthesized LC localizations and dimensions across previously published studies to improve the reliability and validity of MR-based locus coeruleus detection. Next, we applied this refined volume of interest to determine whether MR-indexed LC integrity can serve as a marker for noradrenergic degeneration in early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Eighteen participants (34.7+/-10.1 years; 9 female) with or known to be at-risk for mutations in genes associated with autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) were investigated. Genotyping confirmed mutations in seven participants (PSEN1, n = 6; APP, n = 1), of which four were symptomatic. Participants underwent 3T-MRI, flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET), and cognitive testing. LC MRI intensity, a non-invasive proxy for neuronal density, was semi-automatically extracted from high-resolution brainstem scans across the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus. Relative to healthy controls, symptomatic participants showed lower LC intensity. This effect was pronounced in rostral segments of the nucleus that project to the mediotemporal lobe and other memory-relevant areas. Among carriers of ADAD-causing mutations, closer proximity to the mutation-specific median age of dementia diagnosis was associated with lower LC intensity. Leveraging a multivariate statistical approach, we revealed a pattern of LC-related tau pathology in occipito-temporo-parietal brain regions. Finally, higher locus intensity was closely linked to memory performance across a variety of neuropsychological tests. Our finding of diminished MR-indexed LC integrity in autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease suggest a role of the noradrenergic system in this neurodegenerative disease.
Enhancing water productivity using alternative rice growing practices: a case study from Southern India

Abstract Saving water in irrigated agriculture is a high priority in areas with scarce water resources and impacted by climate change. This paper presents results of measurements on water productivity (WP) under alternative rice growing practices such as alternating wetting and drying, direct seeded rice, modified systems of rice intensification and conventional paddy rice (NI) in two selected districts (Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and Nalgonda in Telangana, India). Under alternative practices, the yields varied from 5.72 to 6.11 t/ha compared with 4.71 t/ha under paddy rice. The average water application varied from 991 to 1494 mm under alternative practices while average application in conventional paddy rice was 2242 mm. Higher yield and lower water application led to an increase in WP varying from 0.45 to 0.59 kg/m3 under alternative practices compared with 0.22 kg/m3 under conventional paddy rice. The measurements showed that less water can be used to produce more crop under alternative rice growing practices. The results are important for water-scarce areas, providing useful information to policy makers, farmers, agricultural departments and water management boards in devising future climate-smart adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The impact of COVID-19 employment shocks on suicide and poverty alleviation programs: An early-stage investigation

This paper examines whether the COVID-19-induced employment shock has increased suicides and the utilization of means-tested poverty alleviation programs in the first eight months of the COVID-19 crisis. We exploit plausibly exogenous regional variation in the magnitude of the employment shock in Japan and adopt a difference-in-differences (DID) research design to identify the employment-shock impact. Our preferred point estimates suggest that a one-percentage-point decrease in the employment rate in the second quarter of 2020 resulted in an additional 0.14-0.44 male suicides per one hundred thousand male population in June 2020 and an additional 5.3-7.9 Public Assistance recipients per one hundred thousand population in August 2020. The impacts on female suicides and other poverty alleviation programs are not precisely estimated, but there is suggestive evidence that the same employment shock has also increased the caseloads of the other poverty alleviation programs. We also examine the impact of the increase in the unemployment rate and find a positive impact on the poverty alleviation programs but not on suicides.
The burden of progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease across the UK

While idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains the exemplar progressive fibrotic lung disease, there remains a cohort of non-IPF fibrotic lung diseases (fILD) which adopt a similar clinical behaviour to IPF despite therapy [1]. This phenotypically related group of conditions, where progression of disease is similar to that seen in IPF, have recently been described as progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILD) [2]. Historically, treatments for these cases have been limited though given the phenotypic similarities many cases may have been given a multidisciplinary working diagnosis of IPF based on their disease behaviour [3]. The INBUILD trial broadened the scope of treatable fILD by demonstrating a significant benefit of Nintedanib in patients with fILD and progressive disease [4]. In response to this the European Commission approved an additional indication for nintedanib in adults for the treatment of PF-ILD in July 2020. Almost 15% of new referrals with non-IPF fibrotic ILD go on to develop a progressive fibrotic phenotype and would benefit from antifibrotic therapy https://bit.ly/3uPhClN
Interaction of Intestinal Bacteria with Human Rotavirus during Infection in Children

The gut microbiota has emerged as a key factor in the pathogenesis of intestinal viruses, including enteroviruses, noroviruses and rotaviruses (RV), where stimulatory and inhibitory effects on infectivity have been reported. With the aim of determining whether members of the microbiota interact with RV during infection, a combination of anti-RV antibody labelling, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the interaction between specific bacteria and RV in stool samples of children suffering diarrhea produced by G1P[8] RV. The genera Ruminococcus and Oxalobacter were identified as RV binders in stools, displaying enrichments between 4.8 to 5.4-fold compared to samples non-labelled with anti-RV antibodies. In vitro binding of the G1P[8] Wa human RV strain to two Ruminococcus gauvreauii human isolates was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Analysis in R. gauvreauii with antibodies directed to several histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) indicated that these bacteria express HBGA-like substances at their surfaces that can be the target for RV binding. Furthermore, in vitro infection of Wa strain in differentiated Caco-2 cells was significantly reduced by incubation with R. gauvreauii. These data, together with previous findings that had shown a negative correlation between Ruminococcus levels and antibody titers to RV in healthy individuals, suggest a pivotal interaction between this bacterial group and human RV. These results reveal likely mechanisms on how specific bacterial taxa of the intestinal microbiota could negatively affect RV infection and open new possibilities for anti-viral strategies
Immune memory in mild COVID-19 patients and unexposed donors from India reveals persistent T cell responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Understanding the causes of the diverse outcome of COVID-19 pandemic in different geographical locations is important for the vaccine implementation and pandemic control responses. Here, we examined the SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T-cell responses in unexposed individuals and patients recovered from mild COVID-19. Using HLA class II predicted peptide megapools, we identified SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive CD4+ T cells in around 70% of the unexposed individuals. Moreover, we found detectable immune reactivity up to 5 months in mild COVID-19 recovered patients in the two major arms of protective adaptive immunity; CD4+ T cells and B cells. Interestingly, the persistent immune reactivity in COVID-19 patients is predominantly targeted towards the Spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2. This study provides the evidence of both high magnitude pre-existing and persistent immune memory in Indian population. By providing the knowledge on cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, our work has implication for the evaluation and implementation of vaccines against COVID-19.
Low-dose radiation therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia: a pilot study

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as pandemic in March 2020. Currently there is no vaccine or specific effective treatment for COVID-19. The major cause of death in COVID-19 is severe pneumonia leading to respiratory failure. Radiation in low doses (<100 cGy) has been known for its anti-inflammatory effect and therefore, low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) to lungs can potentially mitigate the severity of pneumonia and reduce mortality. We conducted a pilot trial to study the feasibility and clinical efficacy of LDRT to lungs in the management of patients with COVID-19. Methods: From June to Aug 2020, we enrolled 10 patients with COVID-19 having moderate to severe risk disease [National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of [≥]5]. Patients were treated as per the standard COVID-19 management guidelines along with LDRT to both lungs with a dose of 70cGy in single fraction. Response assessment was done based on the clinical parameters using the NEWS. Results: All patients completed the prescribed treatment. Nine patients had complete clinical recovery mostly within a period ranging from 3-7 days. One patient, who was a known hypertensive, showed clinical deterioration and died 24 days after LDRT. No patients showed the signs of acute radiation toxicity. Conclusion: Results of our study (90% response rate) suggest the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of LDRT in COVID-19 patients having moderate to severe risk disease. This mandates a randomized controlled trial to establish the clinical efficacy of LDRT in COVID-19 pneumonia.
Analisis Kadar IFN-γ dan IL-10 pada PBMC Penderita Tuberkulosis Aktif, Laten dan Orang Sehat, Setelah di Stimulasi dengan Antigen ESAT-6

Ab s trak Latar Belakang : Tuberkulosis paru disebabkan oleh bakteri Mycobacterium tuberculosis , yakni baksil tahan asam yang hidup secara intraseluler dan merupakan penyebab utama kematian penyakit menular. Oleh karenanya, perlu diagnosis dini untuk pencegahan. Sel Th1 sangat berperan pada sistem pertahanan tubuh dalam menghadapi infeksi bakteri intraseluler. Pada tuberkulosis paru, terjadi ketidakseimbangan sistem imun host . Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis kadar IFN-γ dan IL-10 pada PBMC ( peripheral blood mononuclear cell ) penderita tuberkulosis aktif, laten dan orang sehat, setelah stimulasi dengan antigen ESAT-6. Metode Penelitian : Subjek penelitian adalah 10 TB aktif, 10 LTBI dan 10 orang sehat, yang diambil dari RS Paru Karang Tembok Surabaya. Dilakukan pengambilan darah vena kemudian diisolasi PBMCnya dan dikultur dengan ESAT-6. Kemudian supernatan diambil untuk dilakukan pemeriksaan kadar IFN-γ dan IL-10 dengan metode pemeriksaan Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Hasil : Kadar IFN-γ setelah di stimulasi antigen ESAT-6, pada orang sehat berkisar antara 95,84 – 135,47 pg/mL, pada TB laten 74,6 – 142,2 pg/mL dan TB aktif 72,67 – 154,21 pg/mL. Kadar IL-10 setelah di stimulasi antigen ESAT-6, pada orang sehat berkisar antara 161,89 – 282,57 pg/mL, pada TB laten 145,28 – 218,64 pg/mL dan TB akti 232,05 – 294,07 pg/mL. Hasil analisis menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan bermakna (p=0,000) kadar IL-10 pada ketiga kelompok. Simpulan : Terdapat perbedaan pola sekresi/ kadar IFN-γ dan IL-10 pada PBMC penderita TB aktif, TB laten dan orang sehat. Kata kunci : IFN-γ, IL-10 , TB aktif.
A New Species in the Hipposideros bicolor Group (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Peninsular Malaysia

With 70 named species and multiple morphologically cryptic lineages, the genus Hipposideros is a diverse and taxonomically contentious group of insectivorous bats in the Old World tropics. Half of the named species and most of the cryptic diversity in Hipposideros are concentrated in the bicolor species group. Here we resolve the taxonomic status of Hipposideros bicolor (Temminck, 1834), the species group's namesake. Two morphologically cryptic but acoustically and genetically distinct lineages of H. bicolor co-occur in peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. Pending taxonomic revision, these lineages were named according to the average frequency of maximum energy of echolocation calls of populations in central peninsular Malaysia, H. bicolor-131 and H. bicolor-142. To determine the taxonomic status of the two lineages we measured cranial characters from all available type specimens in the H. bicolor species group, and collected morphometric, acoustic and mitochondrial DNA sequence data for H. bicolor-131, H. bicolor-142, and closely related lineages, from multiple localities on the Malay peninsula and Borneo. Consistent with prior studies, acoustic and genetic analyses strongly support species status for H. bicolor-131 and H. bicolor-142. We find subtle but significant differences in cranial characters, including a longer skull and longer upper and lower tooth rows in H. bicolor-131 relative to H. bicolor-142. Most importantly, inclusion of cranial measurements for type specimens in the H. bicolor species group indicates that H. bicolor-131 should retain the species name, while H. bicolor-142 is distinct from all previously named species. We therefore provide a complete description for this new species of bat from Southeast Asia, Hipposideros kunzi sp. nov.
Sugar content and expression of sugar metabolism-related gene in strawberry fruits from various cultivars

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a globallycultivated and popular fruit crop, prized for its flavor and nutritional value. Sweetness, a key determinant of fruit quality, depends on the sugar composition and concentration. We selected eight strawberry cultivars based on the fruit soluble solids content to represent high and low sugar content groups. The average soluble solid content was 13.6 °Brix (Okmae, Geumsil, Aram, and Maehyang) and 2.9 °Brix (Missionary, Camino Real, Portola, and Gilgyung53), for the high and low sugar content groups, respectively. Sucrose was the main sugar in the cultivars with high sugar content, whereas fructose was the main component in the low sugar content cultivars. Fruit starch concentration ranged from 3.247±0.056 to 3.850±0.055 g/100g, with a 12% higher concentration in the high sugar content cultivars. Additionally, we identified 41 sugar metabolism-related genes in Fragaria × ananassa and analyzed the relationship between their transcripts and the sugar accumulation in fruit. FaGPT1, FaTMT1, FaHXK1, FaPHS1, FaINVA-3, and FacxINV2-1 were highly expressed in the high sugar content cultivars, while FapGlcT, FaTMT2-1, FaPHS2-1, FaSUSY1-1, and FaSUSY1-2 were highly expressed in the low sugar content cultivars. In general, a greater number of genes encoding sugar transporters or involved in sugar synthesis were highly expressed in the high sugar content cultivars. Contrarily, genes involved in sugar degradation were preferentially transcribed in the low sugar content cultivars. Although gene expression was not perfectly proportional to sugar content or concentration, our analysis of the genes involved in sugar metabolism and accumulation in strawberries provides a framework for further studies and for the subsequent engineering of sugar metabolism to enhance fruit quality.
An Association of Prolactin Gene Polymorphisms with Some Milk Traits in Women

We investigated the effects of prolactin gene polymorphisms on milk contents in women. The main aim of this work is to determine the genotypes of prolactin and its relationship with some milk chemical contents in women. Genotyping was carried out at Molecular Genetic Laboratory at the College of Agriculture, whereas biochemical assays were performed at the Department of Diseases Analyses at the South Technical University. Blood samples were collected for the prolactin-related gene. DNA was extracted from fifty candidate women. The extra-pituitary prolactin gene promoter 1149 G/T was subjected to XapI restriction enzyme. In this analysis PRL-Pxa, I products result in three genotypes TT, TG and GG, as well as the population, is under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our results showed that the highest milk fat yield, milk protein, lactose and sold not fat (SNF) materials percentages were obtained by the genotype GG.
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF LAMBS FED SPOROBOLUS GRASS HAY GROWN UNDER HIGH SALINITY CONDITIONS

Thirty six, three months old, local and Chios cross–bred male lambs were used to compare three different diets of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay, Sporobolus (Sporobolus virginicus) grass hay and steam treated (17par/2min) Sporobolus grass hay on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and some blood minerals and metabolites. The experiment lasted for 60 days, with average body weight of 11.01, 10.13, 10.21 Kg of local lambs, and 13.06, 17.78, and 13.92 Kg for Chios cross – bred lambs that offered Rhodes grass hay, Sporobolus grass hay and steam treated Sporobolus grass hay, respectively. The results indicated that, average feed intake, and daily weight gains were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by treatment and breed, while both feed conversion ratio was affected significantly (P < 0.05) by treatments, and water consumption was affected significantly by breed. Feed conversion ratio was almost two folds for crossed lambs fed Sporobolus or those fed steamed sporoblous comparing to the other lambs. Most of lamb’s organoleptic carcass traits (carcass weight, full gastro intestinal tract; FGIT, empty gastro intestinal tract; EGIT, head, coat, legs, liver, heart, kidney, lung and abdominal fat) were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by breed and insignificantly affected by treatment, except FGIT. Regarding carcass 9th -11th ribs physical decision and L. dorsi chemical analysis, there were no changes among experimental rations, while cross–bred lambs were significantly higher than the local one in all ribs physical composition. Blood chlorine, glucose, and urea were significantly differed by feeding treatment and sodium, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; GGT and glutamate – pyruvate transaminase; GPT significantly differed by breed. Dressing percentage for Chios cross–bred male fed Rhodes grass hay or those fed steam treated Sporobolus were higher than those fed the other rations. The preliminary results indicated that Sporobolus hay could be used as alternative fodder for lambs growing, especially that local one, instead of Rhodes grass hay in coastal arid regions, with giving more emphasis for the dietary protein supplementation.
The collected works of Lars Onsager : with commentary

Report on a revision of the conduction theory on the theory of isotope separation by thermal diffusion Bose-Einstein condensation and liquid helium asymptotic forms for luminescent intensity due to donor-acceptor pair recombination electrical properties of ice the surface tension of Debye-Huckel electrolytes electric effects during condensation and phase transitions of ice theories of concentrated electrolytes activity coefficients and mass-action law in electrolytes the general conductance equation electric moments of molecules in liquids the motion of ions - principles and concepts possible mechanisms of ion transit ferroelectricity of ice? ion passages in lipid bilayers and other papers.