Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term Efficacy of Ibrutinib in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Results of the Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group Observational Study

Background/Aim: To study the long-term clinical efficacy and tolerability of ibrutinib monotherapy in real-world relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (RR-CLL) patients outside clinical trials. Patients and Methods: Clinical data of 171 RR-CLL patients treated with ibrutinib were collected within the observational study of the Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group. Results: Median patient age was 64 years. Patients were pretreated with 3 (1-10) median lines of therapy, while 42 (24.6%) had 17p deletion. The median observation time was 40 months (range=1-59 months), while median ibrutinib monotherapy reached 37.5 months (range=0.4-59.2 months). Response was noted in 132 (77.2%) patients. The estimated 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 61.1% (95%CI=49.3-70.9%) and 56.8% (95%CI=45.6-66.6%), respectively. At the time of analysis 97 (56.7%) remained under ibrutinib monotherapy. Conclusion: Ibrutinib is clinically effective and tolerable as a monotherapy in real-world RR-CLL patients.
BNIP3L Is a New Autophagy Related Prognostic Biomarker for Melanoma Patients Treated With AGI-101H

Background/Aim: Skin melanoma belongs to the most invasive malignancies with no cure for a progressing disease. Personalized therapy would allow for the selection of patients that will benefit from treatment. For this purpose, proper predictive biomarkers must be defined. Materials and Methods: Allogeneic whole-cell gene-modified therapeutic melanoma vaccine (AGI-101H) was applied in advanced melanoma patients. Humoral responses were analyzed using SEREX, and in silico gene expression analysis in TCGA melanoma patients was performed. Results: A specific antibody response was raised against an antigen identified as BNIP3L, which correlated with a good prognosis. Moreover, AGI-101H directs an immune response against autophagy, as BNIP3L is a marker of this process. Medium and high expression of BNIP3L was also linked with longer overall survival. Conclusion: BNIP3L is a candidate prognostic marker of clinical outcome of melanoma patients treated with AGI-101H, and may be considered as a prediction marker for patient survival.
Resistance to barley scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) in wild barley grass (Hordeum glaucum and Hordeum leporinum) populations in south-eastern Australia

Plants from 22 wild barley grass populations, 10 Hordeum glaucum, 11 Hordeum leporinum, and one mixed population, were inoculated with seven isolates of Rhynchosporium secalis originally collected from H. leporinum plants. There was substantial variability for resistance within and among populations from both Hordeurn species, but H. glaucum was: on average more resistant than H. leporlnum. Individual populations often responded differentially to the R. secalis isolates, being resistant to some isolates and susceptible to others. Differential responses were more pronounced among H. glaucum populations. No consistent geographic correlations between level of resistance within a population and geographic location were found, indicating that large scale trends for resistance do not exist in either H. gluucum or H. leporinwm. The existence of widespread resistance variation in both wild barley grasses may create substantial selection pressures favouring the emergence of variability for pathogenicity in R. secalis, which would complicate efforts to breed for R. secalis resist'ance in cultivated barley.
Oxidative stress in interactions between Avena sativa L. and Drechslera spp.

Lipid peroxidation occurs in the early stages of oat leaf blotch development after inoculation with Drechslera avenae and Drechslera siccans. Unsaturated fatty acids decreased in leaves of Avena sativa cv. Erbgraf, while saturated fatty acids remained unchanged. This is in agreement with the malondialdehyde production. Lipid peroxidation was accompanied by a marked increase of lipoxygenase activity. Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities increased concomitantly 14 h post inoculation. An increase of ascorbic acid and tocopherol in inoculated leaves and a decline in the amount of glutathione are indicators of an increased demand for detoxification of reactive oxygen species in the early stages of pathogenesis. In contrast to all these changes, observed after inoculation with the highly virulent D. avenae and D. siccans, there were no such changes after inoculation with the weakly virulent D. nobleae and D. graminea where enzyme activities and antioxidant titres remained at the level of the non-inoculated check. It appears that free oxygen radicals are not part of a defence against the pathogens but are associated with pathogenesis.
Box and block test, hand grip strength and nine‐hole peg test: correlations between three upper limb objective measures in multiple sclerosis

Limited data are available in the literature for upper limb impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to report the distribution of values of hand grip strength (HGS), of the box and block test (BBT) and of the nine‐hole peg test (9HPT) correlated with demographic and clinical data in subjects with MS.
Genome-wide association studies of brain imaging data via weighted distance correlation

MOTIVATION Imaging genetics is mainly used to reveal the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric risk genes and understand the relationship between human brain structure, functional and individual differences. Increasingly, the brain-wide imaging phenotypes in voxels are available to test the association with genetic markers. A challenge with analyzing such data is their high dimensionality and complex relationships. RESULTS To tackle this challenge, we introduce a weighed distance correlation (wdCor) that can assess the association between genetic markers and voxel-based imaging data. Importantly, the wdCor test takes the voxel-based data as a whole multivariate phenotype, which preserves the spatial continuity and might enhance the power. Besides, an adaptive permutation procedure is introduced to determine the p-values of the wdCor test and also alleviate the computational burden in GWAS. In extensive simulation studies, wdCor achieves much better performances compared to the original distance correlation. We also successfully apply wdCor to conduct a large-scale analysis on data from the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging project (ADNI). AVAILABILITY Our wdCor method provides new research directions and ideas for multivariate analysis of high-dimensional data, it can also be used as a tool for scientific analysis of imaging genetics research in practical applications. The R package wdcor, and the code for reproducing all results in this paper is available in Github: https://github.com/yangyuhui0129/wdcor. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Astrocytic histone deacetylase 2 facilitates delayed depression and memory impairment after subarachnoid hemorrhage by negatively regulating glutamate transporter-1

Background Delayed cognitive impairment (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the most common sequelae in patients. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the course and glutamatergic pathogenesis of DCI after SAH in mice. Methods A SAH mouse model of internal carotid puncture was used. Depressive and cognitive behaviors were detected by forced swimming and sucrose preference tests and Morris water maze test, respectively. Microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to detect the interstitial glutamate. The expressions of histone deacetylases (HDACs), glutamate transporters, and glutamate receptors were examined. Primary astrocytes magnetically sorted from adult mice were cultured for glutamate uptake assay and protein and mRNA detection. Selective HDAC2 inhibitor and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) inhibitor administered via were intraperitoneal injection to evaluate their effects on DCI in SAH mice. Results Depression and memory impairment lasted for more than 12 weeks and peaked at 8 weeks after SAH. Interstitial glutamate accumulation in the hippocampus and impaired glutamate uptake in astrocytes of the SAH mice were found during DCI, which could be explained by there being a significant decrease in GLT-1 expression but not in glutamate and aspartate transporter (GLAST) in hippocampal astrocytes. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation level of excitatory glutamate receptors (GluN2B and GluA1) in the hippocampus was significantly reduced, although there was no significant change in the expression of the receptors. Importantly, the expression of HDAC2 increased most significantly in astrocytes after SAH compared with that of other subtypes of HDACs. Inhibition of HDAC2 markedly rescued the decrease in GLT-1 expression after SAH through transcriptional regulation. Behavioral results showed that a selective HDAC2 inhibitor effectively improved DCI in SAH mice, but this effect could be weakened by GLT-1 inhibition. Conclusions In summary, our study suggests that the dysfunction of GLT-1-mediated glutamate uptake in astrocytes may be a key pathological mechanism of DCI after SAH, and that a specific inhibitor of HDAC2 may exert a potential therapy.
Weight loss in drone pupae (Apis mellifera) multiply infested by Varroa destructor mites

Colony losses caused by varroatosis in the western hive bee, Apis mellifera, are mainly due to worker bee injury by Varroa destructor mites during preimaginal development. These effects have been examined repeatedly; however, little is known about effects on drones. Here we present the first exact data on individual drone weight loss, especially from the red eyed pupal stage onwards. The resulting reduction in weight of adult drones was related to the number of female mites (up to 20) that had invaded a brood cell. Weight loss was significant even if only one female mite was present. From several of the heavily infested brood cells adult mini-drones emerged. Varroosis / multiple drone brood infestation / preimaginal weight loss / male fitness / Apis mellifera / Varroa destructor
Occupational and leisure-time physical activity decreases the odds of disability in older adults: Prospective study

Abstract Aging decreases physical function which can increase dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) and disability. However, physical activity (PA) may improve physical function and prevent disability in older adults. In addition, it is important to emphasize that research concerning the domains in which PA is practiced and the benefits for physical function of older adults is also important for the elaboration of preventative health measures for this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the association of total PA and PA in different domains and odds of disability in older adults in a 24-month follow-up. The study included 211 older adults, aged ≥60 years (72 ± 7 years, 72% women). Handgrip strength was measured using a digital dynamometer, gait speed and chair stand by functional tests. PA and dependence in ADL were self-reported. Older adults who remained sufficiently active in the occupational (OR:0.11;CI95%:0.01–0.93, OR:0.21;CI95%:0.07–0.69, and OR:0.13;CI95%:0.05–0.34) domain presented protection for high dependence in basic (BADL), instrumental (IADL) and advanced (AADL), respectively, as well as in total ADL (OR:0.25;CI95%:0.07–0.92). Older adults who remained sufficiently active in the leisure-time exercise (OR:0.28;CI95%:0.11–0.72, OR:0.44;CI95%:0.20–0.93 and OR:0.15;CI95%:0.04–0.49) domain presented protection for high dependence in IADL, AADL and total ADL, respectively. Moreover, older adults who remained sufficiently active in total PA (OR:0.11;CI95%:0.01–0.94, OR:0.30;CI95%:0.11–0.80 and OR:0.21CI95%:0.10–0.46) presented protection for high dependence in BADL, IADL and AADL, respectively, as well as in total ADL (OR:0.28;CI95%:0.09–0.86). The odds of disability are lower in older adults who are sufficiently active, especially in occupational and leisure-time exercise domains.
Seasonal Activity of Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes in Goats in Burdur Region, Turkey

In this study, the gastro-intestinal (GI) organs of 50 goats in Burdur region, Turkey, were investigated for the prevalence of GI nematodes and the seasonal activity of the parasites was examined. All the animals examined (100%) were found to be infected with GI nematodes. Twenty-two nematode species were identified and a total of 53,759 nematodes were collected from the infected goats. The number of parasites per goat ranged from 65 to 4811 (mean 1075.18), while the number of nematode species per animal ranged from 1 to 12 (mean 6.34). The most frequently detected nematodes in the goats were Ostertagia circumcincta (78%), Marshallagia marshalli (72%), Nematodirus abnormalis (66%), Trichuris ovis (60%), N. spathiger (52%), T. skrjabini (50%) and Trichostrongylus vitrinus (40%). In this study, Parabronema skrjabini was recorded for the first time in goats in Turkey. The parasite counts in the goats increased in spring, declined in summer, reached maximum levels in autumn, and then tended to decline until winter, before increasing again in mid-winter. Species of Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus and M. marshalli were observed in all seasons of the year. The numbers of Trichostrongylus spp. peaked in spring and autumn and a small rise was observed in January. Nematodirus spp. increased in January and April, and peaked in September. Ostertagia spp. and M. marshalli counts moved in parallel, increasing in January and April. Ostertagia spp. peaked in September and M. marshalli in October.
Influence of dietary betaine supplementation on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in male and female growing-finishing pigs.

NAKEV, J., T. POPOVA and V. VASILEVA, 2009. Influence of dietary Betaine supplementation on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in male female growing-finishing pigs. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 15: 263-268 A study with 20 pigs (10 males and 10 females) of the genetic population Danube White x Landrace was carried out at the Agricultural Institute – Shumen. Both male and female pigs were divided in control and experimental groups. The animals from the experimental groups received a diet supplemented with betaine in amount 0.1 %. The duration of the experimental period was 32 days. After slaughter the measurements of the carcass were made as follows: hot carcass weight, back fat thickness at the last rib and between 3rd and 4th rib, thickness of m . Gluteus medius, back fat thickness over m. Gluteus medius. After 24 h storage at 4°N the big and the small length of the carcass, the size and the length of the leg, the thickness of m. Longissimus dorsi at the last rib as well as its area were measured. The lean meat percentage was calculated using a regression equation. The growth performance of the animals from both sexes was not changed after betaine supplementation. Dietary betaine decreased the leg size in males (p<0.05) and leg length in females (p<0.01). After betaine supplementation a tendency was observed for decreased back fat thickness in the males compared to the females which corresponds to the slightly higher lean meat percentage in the former. The results of the present study suggest that the effect of betaine on the growth performance and carcass traits in the pigs, raised in Bulgaria could be fully clarified after further investigations with different diets and betaine concentrations as well as different durations.
FORESIGHT PROJECT ON GLOBAL FOOD AND FARMING FUTURES Global advances in weed management

Weeds have been controlled so successfully by herbicides, subsequently supplemented by transgenic herbicide-resistant crops, that past intractable problems have been ignored and new ones are evolving. However, industry-led discovery of new herbicide targets is now lacking and weed science as a discipline is contracting globally. This paper describes novel technologies for dealing with major problems, including: better understanding of weed biology coupled with genomics; novel herbicideresistant crops as well as engineered weed-competing crops; multi-target herbicides; and enhanced biocontrol agents. Together, these approaches may comprise the components of future integrated packages to slow down the evolution of new weed problems.
Restoring Populations of the Endangered Plant Scorzonera humilis: Influence of Site Conditions, Seed Source, and Plant Stage

Changes in land‐use have resulted in the decline of many formerly common plants of nutrient‐poor grasslands in Europe. Recently, extensification schemes have been applied at sites in order to restore former habitat conditions. However, the establishment of rare and endangered plants is often severely limited by the lack of propagules both in the seed bank and in the surrounding landscape. For such species deliberate introductions may be necessary to overcome these limitations. In a 7‐year study, we assessed the importance of gaps created by sod cutting, of plant stage, and of plant origin for the restoration of populations of Scorzonera humilis, a threatened long‐lived plant of nutrient‐poor, wet grasslands. The effect of gaps on seedling emergence and survival varied strongly among the 12 sites. Gaps increased survival at nutrient‐rich, but reduced it at nutrient‐poor sites. Remarkably, young plants grown for only 5 weeks in the laboratory and transplanted into the same sites had much higher survival than seedlings from seeds sown and there were no differences in survival between nutrient‐rich and nutrient‐poor sites. The field performance of the plants from the various populations of origin varied depending on the site into which they were transplanted, indicating genotype by environment interactions and genetic differentiation among populations, but there was no home‐site advantage. While sowing only succeeded in producing adult plants in five sites, transplanting succeeded at 10 sites. Our results suggest that transplanting young plants could be a much more effective and faster way to establish new populations than sowing seeds.
A Checklist of the Phytoplankton Flora of a Southern Nigerian Lotic Ecosystem

This study presents a first compilation of phytoplankton species composition of a stretch of fresh and brackish water ecosystem in Southern Nigeria. Samples collection spanned a period of sixteen months (January 2003 to April 2004). Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly in the open water using plankton net of 55 µm mesh size towed horizontally for about five minutes. The net hauls were transferred into 200 mL properly labelled plastic containers and immediately preserved with 4% formation solution. Samples were examined and illustrations made with a Leitz Orthoplan Research Microscope equipped with a tracing and measuring devices at the phycology laboratory in University of Benin, Benin City. A seasonal pattern of phytoplankton variation was observed with a hundred and 154 phytoplankton species recorded. The taxa recorded belong to four divisions namely: Bacillariophyceae (diatoms), Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae), Euglenophyceae (euglenoids) and Chlorophyceae (green algae). The Diatoms were the predominant group and account for 79% of total species composition. Others are Chlorophyceae 19.77%; Cyanophyceae 1% and Euglenophyceae, 0.23%. The brackish water stations recorded relatively higher number of species and number of individuals of each species than the freshwater stations. An array of floristically diverse phytoplankton was observed with notable common and cosmopolitan diatom species like Coscinodiscus and Nitschia spp in abundance.
Alteration of taste or smell as a predictor of COVID-19

We read the studies by Jin et al 1 and Lin et al 2 regarding the GI manifestations in COVID-19 with great interest. Recently, alteration in taste (dysgeusia, hypogeusia, ageusia) or smell (dysosmia, hyposmia, anosmia) has been increasingly reported in Western patients with COVID-19.3–10 However, these symptoms were not reported from these two studies from China.1 2 Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of taste or smell alteration in patients with COVID-19 and to calculate the accuracy of these symptoms in the prediction of COVID-19. We searched articles in the PubMed database from 1 January 2020 through 10 May 2020 using the keywords “COVID-19” and “taste” or “smell” without any limitations in the search fields (registration number: CRD42020187912). Of the 48 articles identified using the above search strategy, 30 were excluded (9 irrelevant, 9 comments, 5 review articles, 5 case reports, 2 series of cases with taste/smell alteration) and 18 were eligible for meta-analysis (study methods and references can be found in the online supplementary materials). 1–5 …
Prediction of carcass composition from carcass conformation in cattle

SUMMARY Conformation of carcasses from 98 steers from ten different sire breeds was classified according to two visual systems and two objective measurements, which were related to both commercial and dissected carcass composition of their hindquarters. The visual carcass conformation systems, unlike the objective systems, accounted for only a small percentage of the variation in some carcass traits after adjusting for the weights of the right hindquarter and of dissected fat from that hindquarter. Of the carcass conformation systems tested, the objective measurement of area appears to be the best predictor of carcass traits, with the variation in the weight of meat being reduced by 13·4% (P < 0·001) by the inclusion of area measurements. It is suggested that an objective assessment of carcass conformation might be of use in a national carcass classification or grading system.
State-dependent life history plasticity in Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): interactions among photoperiod and growth modulate smolting and early male maturation

An experiment was performed to determine the relative effects of photoperiod at emergence and growth rate on smolting pattern and early male maturation rate in Sacramento River (California, USA) winter-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) (listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act). Fry were ponded on the same day but at three different points in the seasonal photoperiod cycle (using artificial lighting) spanning the natural range of emergence timing in this population. Significant increases in gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity and seawater survival were found during March and April in all treatments, similar to yearling smolting patterns found in many salmonids. Fish that emerged early and grew at a relatively high rate also demonstrated signs of smolting in August–November. Male maturation was growth dependent, with HiFeed groups maturing at a rate double that found in LoFeed groups. Male maturation was also photoperiod dependent with a linear relation found between emergence date and .