Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination Effects of Plant Extracts Rich in Tannins and Saponins as Feed Additives for Mitigating in Vitro Ruminal Methane and Ammonia Formation

Simple Summary Ruminant livestock contribute to global warming by emitting methane, a major greenhouse gas, as a product of microbial fermentation occurring in the rumen. Apart from its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, methane emissions represent an energy loss in ruminants. Excessive ruminal ammonia formation, on the other hand, leads to a higher risk of pollution via ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrate emissions. Natural plant secondary compounds such as tannins, saponins, and essential oils are among the promising feed additives to mitigate enteric methane and ammonia formation. Though both tannins and saponins, when tested separately, have been reported to be effective, their combinations have rarely been tested. Therefore, in the present study, whether the combination of plant extracts rich in tannins and saponins would act additively or non-additively (associatively) in decreasing methane and ammonia formation in an artificial rumen system was investigated. Indeed, the addition of plant extracts rich in tannins and saponins, either individually or in combination, decreased the methane proportion of total gas in both high-forage and high-concentrate diets. This indicates their effectiveness as anti-methanogenic agents across contrasting diet types. Their effects were generally additive and occasionally synergistic (i.e., more than proportionate), especially in mitigating ruminal ammonia formation and, less clearly, concerning methane emissions. Abstract The objective of this experiment was to test the effects of combining plant extracts rich in tannins and saponins at varying proportions on in vitro ruminal methane and ammonia formation. Tannins were extracted from Swietenia mahogani leaves and saponins from Sapindus rarak fruits with various solvents. The extracts obtained with the most efficient solvents (tannins: 75% water and 25% methanol; saponins: pure methanol) were then used in vitro. The treatments consisted of two substrate types (high-forage (HF) or high-concentrate (HC) diets) and five extract combinations (tannins: saponins, 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1) added at 2 mg/mL in incubation liquid. In vitro incubation was performed in four runs, with each treatment being represented with two replicates per run. The addition of plant extracts rich in tannins and saponins, either individually or in combination, decreased the methane proportion of total gas in both the HF (p < 0.05) and HC (p < 0.05) diets. The effects of the plant extracts rich in tannins and saponins were generally additive in mitigating methane emissions. Favorable associative effects between the extracts were observed in the ammonia concentration, both in the HF (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.01) diets and in the methane proportion of total gas, with a 1:3 mixture of tannins and saponins added to the HC diet (p < 0.05).
Improvement in borderline personality disorder symptomatology after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex: preliminary results

Objective: Current treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) involves psychological and pharmacological interventions. However, neuromodulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may positively affect BPD symptomatology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and neuropsychological effects of rTMS on the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) in BPD patients. Methods: Fourteen patients with BPD were randomized into two groups (active vs. sham) for 15 sessions of rTMS on the DMPFC. Clinical effects were measured using the Borderline Symptoms List (BSL), Clinical Global Impression Scale for BPD (CGI-BPD), Borderline Evaluation of Severity over Time (BEST), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Neuropsychological effects were determined by a Stop-Signal Task (SST), the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test (WCST), and the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT). Results: Within-group comparison showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in CGI-BPD (total score and six of nine psychopathologic domains), BEST, HDRS, HARS, and IGT scores for active modality. Conclusion: The 5 Hz-DMPFC rTMS technique was well tolerated and lessened the severity of BPD symptomatology, especially abandonment, affective issues, interpersonal relationships, suicidal behavior, anger, and paranoid ideation. Cognitive improvement was seen in decision-making. Additional studies are needed to fully evaluate the effects of rTMS on BPD symptomatology. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03832777.
Utilization of an Industry Byproduct, Corymbia maculata Leaves, by Aspergillus terreus to Produce Lovastatin

Due to its ability to lower cholesterol levels, simvastatin is a leading drug for the prevention of strokes and heart disease: it also lowers the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Simvastatin is made from lovastatin, a precursor produced by the industrial fungus, Aspergillus terreus. In this study, Corymbia maculata leaves were tested as a novel substrate for the growth of a new isolate of A. terreus and a lovastatin-resistant strain of A. terreus to produce lovastatin. Corymbia maculata (spotted gum) is well utilized by forest industries as a source of timber because of its high strength, durability and smooth texture. However, the leaves are a major waste product. Growth of A. terreus on Corymbia maculata leaves, in solid-state fermentation resulted in the production of lovastatin. Fermentation of media using fresh leaves of Corymbia maculata produced more lovastatin (4.9 mg g−1), than the sun-dried leaves (3.2 mg g−1). Levels of lovastatin were further increased by the lovastatin-resistant strain of A. terreus (Lvs-r), which produced twice the amount of the parental strain. The production of lovastatin was confirmed by HPLC and LC–MS/MS studies. The study suggests that the utilization of a cheap substrate for the production of lovastatin can have a potential economic benefit.
Dietary β-Cryptoxanthin and α-Carotene Have Greater Apparent Bioavailability Than β-Carotene in Subjects from Countries with Different Dietary Patterns

β-carotene, α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin are greater contributors to vitamin A intake than retinol in the human diet for most people around the world. Their contribution depends on several factors, including bioavailability and capacity of conversion into retinol. There is an increasing body of research showing that the use of retinol activity equivalents or retinol equivalents could lead to the underestimation of the contribution of β-cryptoxanthin and of α-carotene. The aim is to assess their apparent bioavailability by comparing concentrations in blood to their dietary intakes and identifying the major food contributors to their dietary intake. Dietary intake (3-day 24-h records) and serum concentrations (by HPLC) were calculated in normolipemic subjects with adequate retinol status (≥1.1 µmol/L) from our studies (n = 633) and apparent bioavailability calculated from 22 other studies (n = 29,700). Apparent bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of concentration in the blood to carotenoid intake. Apparent bioavailabilities for α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were compared to those for β-carotene. Eating comparable amounts of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene foods resulted in 55% greater α-carotene (95% CI 35, 90) and 686% higher β-cryptoxanthin (95% CI 556, 1016) concentrations than β-carotene in blood. This suggests differences in the apparent bioavailability of α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and even larger differences with β-cryptoxanthin, greater than that of β-carotene. Four fruits (tomato, orange, tangerine, red pepper) and two vegetables (carrot, spinach) are the main contributors to their dietary intake (>50%) in Europeans.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Associated Predictors in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives To investigate levels of quality of life (QoL) and determine associated predictors in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Materials and methods A total of 300 patients with OLP at one tertiary Oral Medicine clinic in the UK were recruited in a cross-sectional study from January 2018 to July 2019. The 15-item Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ-15) and 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were used to assess the level of QoL related to OLP. A number of potential determinants were considered, including patient demographics, treatment, the severity of oral symptoms, the clinical activity of the disease, and the patient psychological status, which were measured using the pain-Numerical Rating Scale, the Oral Disease Severity Score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Multivariate linear regression was employed to identify independent determinants associated with overall and aspects of QoL. Results On multivariate analyses, after adjusting for confounding variables, the QoL levels in patients with OLP were significantly associated with levels of oral pain, anxiety, stress and use of topical corticosteroids. The COMDQ-15 instrument performed better than OHIP-14 at capturing the association between QoL and pain and disease activity in patients with OLP. Conclusion Clinicians should expect reduced QoL in OLP patients with high pain levels, high anxiety levels, high perceived stress and use of topical corticosteroids. The COMDQ-15 is best suited to measure QoL in this population.
Intermediate-scale laboratory investigation of stray gas migration impacts: transient gas flow and surface expression.

Petroleum resource development is a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. A potential source of emissions may result from stray gas migration, however its contribution to emissions and potential groundwater contamination is unknown and quantification of flow and dissolution of stray gas is required. The environmental expression of stray gas was investigated using an intermediate scale (150 x 150 x 2 cm3), two-dimensional flow cell packed in both homogeneous and heterogeneous sand configurations allowing for visualization and measurement of gas movement, collection of aqueous samples and real-time measurement of gas fluxes escaping the surface of the sand. Results show that gas is transported to the surface of the system via varying dominant discontinuous conduits for flow dictated by geology, leading to surface expression that can be greater or less than the leakage rate of gas. This suggests that surface expression is not directly indicative of the expanse and magnitude of stray gas migration leaks. It was found that 35-39% of the methane was released to the aqueous phase and 61-65% to the atmosphere. The results underscore that subsurface characteristics and gas flow is the key driver for the overall expression of stray gas in unconsolidated sand aquifers.
What Are Nursing Attitudes to Youth Who Engage in Self-Harm? An Integrative Review

Abstract This integrative review explored nursing assessment of youth who self-harm. Eleven papers published between 2000 to 2020 met inclusion criteria. Three themes emerged: “Doctors and nurses’ perceptions of assessment of self-harm”, “Attitudes and experiences of assessment of self-harm” and “Assessments and outcomes”. The ways youth communicate is an important consideration when assessing and planning for care. The metaphor of Narcissus is used to understand youth beliefs, self-image and how they communicate these thoughts. This paper suggests an alternative reading of what young people, who presents with self-harm, are trying to communicate to others and how this is integrated into assessment.
The pattern of plant species diversity of Funiu Mountain Nature Reserve

We established experimental plots in representative areas in the Funiu Mountain nature reserve. We investigated plant communities in these plots to discern the pattern of species diversity distribution along the altitudinal gradient. We calculated α-diversity,β-diversity,and γ-diversity using the data thus collected. Alpha diversity of the tree layer peaks in the deciduous broadleaved mixed forest zone at mid-elevation,alpha diversity of the shrub layer increases gradually along the altitudinal gradient,while alpha diversity of the herb layer peaks in low altitude secondary forests and the mountaintop elfin forest. Beta diversity peaks twice,first at mid-elevations where the composition of edificatory species changes,then in areas near the mountaintop. Gamma diversity decreases along the altitudinal gradient. The highest species richness levels occur in areas below 700m and the mid-elevation deciduous broadleaved mixed forest. As elevation rises,Quercus variabilis forest gradually gives way to Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forest,forming a mixed forest at mid-elevations; dispersed among the edificatory trees are Quercus glandulifera var. brevipetiolata and Quercus aliena,secondary edificatory species that are dominant in some niches. The transition zone is characterized by relatively high levels of species diversity and species turn-over rate. Overall species richness is negatively correlated with altitude.
A Rare Case of Round Cell Sarcoma with CIC-DUX4 Mutation Mimicking a Phlegmon: Review of Literature

Patient: Male, 33-year-old Final Diagnosis: CIC-DUX mutation sarcoma Symptoms: Mass in abdomen Medication:— Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Oncology • Pathology Objective: Rare disease Background: Undifferentiated small blue round cell sarcomas with CIC-DUX4 translocation differ morphologically and in clinical outcomes from other types of sarcoma. Although classified by the World Health Organization as undifferentiated sarcomas, it is unclear whether these tumors are variants of Ewing’s sarcoma or a distinct entity. This report describes a round cell sarcoma with CIC-DUX4 translocation that presented clinically as a phlegmon. Case Report: A 31-year-old African American man presented with a mass in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Examination at a local hospital suggested an intra-abdominal abscess, and incision and drainage were performed. One week later, he returned with increased pain and bloody drainage from the incision site. Computed tomography showed a complex solid-cystic area measuring 7.8 cm suggesting a large phlegmon/abscess or neoplasm. Histologically, the sarcomatous malignancy was cellular, multinodular, and necrotic, with cells having round-ovoid to spindled nuclei and variable amounts of pale cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the mass was focally positive for CD99, but much less positive than an Ewing sarcoma. The mass also showed diffuse nuclear positivity for WT-1 and ETV4, but was negative for desmin. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization showed positivity for CIC-DUX4 gene fusion, resulting in a final diagnosis of round cell sarcoma with CIC-DUX4 translocation. The patient has completed 14 cycles of chemotherapy with no evidence of metastasis or local recurrence. Conclusions: A round cell sarcoma with CIC-DUX4 translocation can present clinically as a phlegmon with pleomorphic morphology. Early tumor identification by molecular analysis and early initiation of treatment can improve patient prognosis.
Use of environmental DNA to survey the distribution of an invasive submerged plant in ponds

The first step toward solving the problems caused by an invasive alien species is to know the distribution of the species. However, species in underwater environments are difficult to investigate. The recent development of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has made it possible to investigate the distribution of a target species simply by analyzing the DNA in the water. To date, few investigators have used eDNA detection of aquatic plants. We established an eDNA detection method for Egeria densa, an invasive aquatic plant species in Japan; used eDNA detection to survey the species in aquaria; and applied this method to water samples from 23 outdoor ponds. We also used visual observations of the ponds. The aquarium experiments revealed that the eDNA concentration in the water increased rapidly and peaked 1 or 2 d after starting the experiment, after which it decreased rapidly, reaching its lowest point on the 5th day. In the field surveys, we visually observed E. densa at 5 ponds, and the eDNA of E. densa was detected from the same 5 ponds. Thus, the eDNA results perfectly matched the observational results. Our work confirms that detection of aquatic plants by eDNA analysis is feasible.
Purification and Characterization of Enoyl-acp Reductase From Euglena Gracilis

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENOYL-ACP REDUCTASE FROM EUGLENA GRACILIS by Margie M. Tucker Enoyl-{acyl-carrier-protein) reductase was purified from the phytoflagellate Eualena gracilis. Its purification employed DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, Matrex Orange chromatography, and affinity chromatography using acyl carrier protein (ACP) covalently bound to Sepharose as the affinity ligand. Matrex Orange chromatography resolved two different enoyl-ACP reductases having different character­ istics. Euglena gracilis appears to resemble higher plants in the possession of two isoforms of this enzyme. Antibodies specific for the cofactor binding site of NADP(H)-requiring dehydrogenases were obtained. They were isolated from a polyclonal population of antibodies directed against yeast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase by affinity chromatography using chicken liver malic enzyme as the affinity ligand. The affinity purified antibodies were covalently bound to Sepharose. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were both bound by the antibody column and were eluted by their cofactor, NADP+, identifying the site of recognition of the enzymes by the antibodies as the cofactor binding site. The utility of this antibody affinity column was demonstrated by its ability to bind enoyl-ACP reductase, which was eluted by its cofactor, NADPH. Preliminary studies of the £. gracilis fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes were undertaken using the plasmid pFAS4 (Witkowski et al., 1987), which contains a cDNA insert to part of the rat liver FAS mRNA and was a gift of Dr. Stuart Smith. The insert was cleaved with Kpnl and Pstl to generate probes specific for the ketoreductase, ACP, and thioesterase domains of the FAS. DNA from wild type £. gracilis and from a mutant, W10BSML, which lacks chloroplast DNA, was subjected to field inversion gel electrophoresis and the DNA alkaline-blotted onto Nylon membranes. Hybridization of the three probes to the DNA was performed; all three probes hybridized to nuclear DNA, but none of the three hybridized to chloroplast DNA. The three probes also hybridized to a band which was neither nuclear nor chloroplast DNA. This DNA, which was larger than the chloroplast genome, may represent £. gracilis mitochondrial DNA sequences. iii
Evaluation of the Validity of SAMe-TT2R2 Score in a Cohort of Venous Thromboembolism Patients Treated With Warfarin

Low SAMe-TT2R2 score of <2 was validated as a predictor of optimum anticoagulation control, reflected by mean time in therapeutic range (TTR) above 65% to 70%, among warfarin-treated atrial fibrillation patients. This study aimed to validate the ability of SAMe-TT2R2 score and its individual components in predicting anticoagulation control (mean TTR and clinical events) among a cohort of venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients in Qatar. A total of 295 patients were retrospectively evaluated. There was a trend toward statistical significance in mean TTR between low (<2) and high (≥ 2) SAMe-TT2R2 score groups (P = .05), a difference that was not sustained when a cutoff of 3 was used (ie, a score of 3 or more). Patients with poor INR control (TTR <70%) were numerically less likely to have SAMe-TT2R2 score of <2 compared with those with good INR control, though the difference was not statistically significant (16.7% vs 83.3%, respectively, P = .4). No thromboembolic events were reported, and no association was found between the score and risk of bleeding. Non-Caucasian origin was the only significant predictor of good anticoagulation in the studied cohort. In conclusion, SAMe-TT2R2 score could not predict quality of anticoagulation control in a cohort of VTE patients treated with warfarin in Qatar. Contribution of other clinical factors and whether a different scoring may yield better prediction of anticoagulation control remains to be tested.
Active vision shapes and coordinates flight motor responses in flies

Significance Many animals, including humans, move their eyes, head, and/or body to stabilize visual gaze. Revealing how the nervous system relays visual information to control the eyes, head, and/or body together is critical to understanding gaze stabilization. Here, we studied how tethered, flying fruit flies combine head movements and wing steering efforts to stabilize gaze. By combining experimental and theoretical approaches we show that head movements shape visual information, which in turn increases the strength of wing steering responses. Moreover, head movements preceded and coordinated downstream wing steering responses, establishing a temporal order. Taken together, head movements and their influence on visual inputs must be considered to fully appreciate the potential of visual information processing for flight control. Animals use active sensing to respond to sensory inputs and guide future motor decisions. In flight, flies generate a pattern of head and body movements to stabilize gaze. How the brain relays visual information to control head and body movements and how active head movements influence downstream motor control remains elusive. Using a control theoretic framework, we studied the optomotor gaze stabilization reflex in tethered flight and quantified how head movements stabilize visual motion and shape wing steering efforts in fruit flies (Drosophila). By shaping visual inputs, head movements increased the gain of wing steering responses and coordination between stimulus and wings, pointing to a tight coupling between head and wing movements. Head movements followed the visual stimulus in as little as 10 ms—a delay similar to the human vestibulo-ocular reflex—whereas wing steering responses lagged by more than 40 ms. This timing difference suggests a temporal order in the flow of visual information such that the head filters visual information eliciting downstream wing steering responses. Head fixation significantly decreased the mechanical power generated by the flight motor by reducing wingbeat frequency and overall thrust. By simulating an elementary motion detector array, we show that head movements shift the effective visual input dynamic range onto the sensitivity optimum of the motion vision pathway. Taken together, our results reveal a transformative influence of active vision on flight motor responses in flies. Our work provides a framework for understanding how to coordinate moving sensors on a moving body.