Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomass, fruit yield, water productivity and quality response of processing tomato to plant density and deficit irrigation under a semi-arid Mediterranean climate

Abstract. A 2-year study was conducted to examine the impact of deficit irrigation on dry biomass, water-use efficiency (WUE), fruit yield and quality in open-field processing tomato at high plant density in a semi-arid environment. Three irrigation treatments (nil; and 100% (full) and 50% (deficit) restoration of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), respectively) and two plant densities (2.5 (P1) and 5.0 (P2) plants m–2) were studied. Dry biomass and fruit yield per plant were lower in P2 than in P1, but at high plant density the crop compensated for biomass and yield decrease at the plant level. Fruit yield in P2 was greater than that in P1, by 36% in 2004 and 33% in 2005. Water limitation improved quality traits compared with full irrigation. Deficit irrigation, especially in P2, enhanced WUE and allowed a water saving of >45% relative to full irrigation, while keeping high levels of fruit quality. The yield response factor, Ky, which correlates relative fruit yield losses to relative ETc reduction, was higher (0.63) than Kss (0.44), which correlates relative total dry biomass losses to relative ETc reduction, revealing a greater crop sensitivity to soil-water deficit in terms of fruit yield than dry biomass. Therefore, Ky may of use in identifying the plant density at which water productivity is maximised or yield losses are minimised.
Causal associations of insulin resistance with coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization analysis

Introduction The relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular diseases is unclear. We aimed to examine the causal associations of IR with cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and its subtypes, using Mendelian randomization. Research design and methods Due to low sample size for gold standard measures and in order to well reflect the underlying phenotype of IR, we used 53 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with IR phenotypes (ie, fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) from recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) as instrumental variables. Summary-level data from four GWASs of European individuals were used. Data on IR phenotypes were obtained from meta-analysis of GWASs of up to 188 577 individuals and data on the outcomes from GWASs of up to 446 696 individuals. Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates were calculated with inverse-variance weighted, simple and weighted-median approaches and MR-Egger regression was used to explore pleiotropy. Results Genetically predicted 1-SD increase in IR phenotypes were associated with a substantial increase in risk of coronary artery disease (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.57 to 2.04, p<0.001), myocardial infarction (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.06, p<0.001), ischemic stroke (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.40, p=0.007) and the small-artery occlusion subtype of stroke (OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.49, p<0.001), but not associated with the large-artery atherosclerosis and cardioembolism subtypes of stroke. There was no evidence of pleiotropy. Results were broadly consistent in sensitivity analyses using simple and weighted-median approaches accounting for potential genetic pleiotropy. Conclusions This study provides evidence to support that IR was causally associated with risk of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and the small-artery occlusion subtype of stroke.
Following hybridization on sensor/array platforms by using SPR, elipsometer and MALDI-MS

Abstract The aim of this study is to develop a methodology in which Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Ellipsometer (EM) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) will be used together for detection of single-strand oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) targets. A selected target-ssODNs, and its complementary, the probe-ssODNs carrying a -SH end group, a spacer arm (HS-(CH2)6–(T)15, and a non-complementary ssODNs were used. Silicone based stamps with 16 regions were prepared and used for micro-contact printing (µCP) of the probe-ssODNs on the gold coated surfaces homogeneously. A modulator-spacer molecule (6-mercapto-1-hexanol) was co-immobilized to control surface probe density, to orientate the probe-ssODNs, and to eliminate the nonspecific interactions. SPR was used successfully to follow the hybridization of the target-ssODNs with the immobilized probe-ssODNs on the platform surfaces. Complete hybridizations were achieved in 100 min. It was obtained that there was a linear relationship between relative change in delta and target concentration below 1 µm. Using imaging version of ellipsometer (IEM) allowed imaging of the surfaces and supported extra datum for the SPR results. After a very simple dehybridization protocol, MALDI-MS analysis allowed detection of the target-ssODNs hybridized on the sensor/array platforms.
Dietary Protein Intake during Pregnancy Is Not Associated with Offspring Insulin Sensitivity during the First Two Years of Life

Literature describing a relationship between dietary protein intake during pregnancy and offspring insulin resistance are equivocal perhaps because of the lapse between maternal and offspring measurements (~9–40 years). Thus, we evaluated protein intake in healthy women [n = 182, mean ± SD; body mass index (BMI): 26.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2] in early pregnancy (8.4 ± 1.6 weeks, EP), late pregnancy (30.1 ± 0.4 weeks, LP), and averaged throughout pregnancy, and determined the relationship between protein intake and offspring homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) at 12 (12mo) and 24 (24mo) months. EP protein (g·kg−1·day−1) did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.153, p = 0.429) or 24mo (β = −0.349, p = 0.098). LP protein did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.023, p = 0.916) or 24mo (β = −0.442, p = 0.085). Finally, average protein did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.711, p = 0.05) or 24mo (β = −0.445, p = 0.294). Results remained unchanged after adjusting for plant protein intake quartiles during pregnancy, maternal BMI, and offspring sex and body fat percentage. Additionally, these relationships did not change after quartile analysis of average protein intake, even after considering offspring fasting time and HOMA2-IR outliers, and maternal under-reporters of energy intake. Protein intake during pregnancy is not associated with indirect measurements of insulin sensitivity in offspring during the first two years of life.
Potential Relevance of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone to Ovarian Physiology

More than 30 years ago, Harris demonstrated the existence of a hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal pathway that could transmit secretory products from the hypothalamus to the adenohypophysis. In 1972, the presence of putative hypothalamic "releasing factors" was confirmed with the isolation and biochemical characterization of the decapeptide, pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2. Physiologic studies with synthetic decapeptide demonstrated that this gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulated the release of both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary Furthermore, GnRH was found to be biologically active in a variety of species, including rodents, livestock, and man. Thus, it was anticipated that the decapeptide could be used as a major tool in the regulation of fertility. However, early studies indicated that the biologic activity of the decapeptide was short-lived due to degradation and this meant that the hormone would have to be administered frequently. The degradation problem was alleviated with the development of analogues of GnRH. Since 1972, more than 2000 GnRH analogues have been synthesized; these include potent GnRH agonists as well as GnRH antagonists. Thus, GnRH analogues became available which were 200 times more potent than the natural decapeptide in stimulating the release of LH from the pituitary. Since pituitary gonadotropins are essential for normal gonadal functions and hypothalamic GnRH was believed to act solely on the pituitary gland, the potent GnRH agonists were predicted to be a potential means for increasing fertility. However, early studies using the agonists (or long-term treatment with pharmacologic doses of the natural hormone) as ovulationinducing agents in anovulatory women were only partially successful. GnRH treatment induced LH surges that were accompanied by a paradoxical decrease in luteal function, as reflected by decreased progesterone production. Subsequent studies confirmed the inhibitory effect of treatment with GnRH or its agonists on luteal function. In normal cycling women, daily subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of a potent GnRH agonist was shown to inhibit ovulation. Similar treatment in rats produced an inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis, ovulation, ovum transport, ovum implantation, pregnancy, and uterine growth. Several mechanisms were proposed to explain these paradoxical inhibitory actions of GnRH and agonists at the pituitary level: (1) chronic stimulation of the anterior pituitary by high doses of GnRH or agonists may desensitize the gonadotrophs to hypothalamic GnRH, resulting in decreased circulating gonadotropins and subsequent atrophy of reproductive organs; or (2) treatment with pharmacologic doses of GnRH or its agonists may stimulate the release of high levels of LH, which would result in LH-induced desensitization of ovarian cells to sub-
A composite nanocarrier to inhibit precipitation of the weakly basic drug in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract For weakly basic drugs, the sharp decrease of drug solubility and the following drug precipitation after drugs transferring from the gastric fluid to the intestinal fluid in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a main reason for the poor oral bioavailability of drugs. Here, an anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate (DE) was used as a model drug, and a composite nanocarrier system of DE was developed to improve the drug dissolution by decreasing the drug leakage in the stomach and inhibiting the drug precipitation in the intestinal tract. With the encapsulation of drugs in nanocarriers, the precipitation percentage of DE in composite nanocarriers was 22.25 ± 3.88% in simulated intestinal fluid, which was far below that of the commercial formulation. Moreover, the relative bioavailability of DE-loaded composite nanocarriers (456.58%) was greatly enhanced and the peak of its activated partial thromboplastin time was also significantly prolonged (p < .01) compared with the commercial formulation, indicating that the anticoagulant effect of DE was effectively improved. Therefore, the designed composite nanocarrier system of DE presents great potentials in improving the therapeutic efficiency and expanding the clinical applications of poorly water-soluble weakly basic drugs.
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a retrospective single-center experience

Abstract Background & aims Very few data are available in literature about the role of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and previous studies are mainly case reports and case series on a very small number of patients and nodules. In this study, we aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of RFA for the treatment of unresectable ICC. Methods This is a retrospective observational cohort study comprising all consecutive patients treated with RFA for unresectable ICC at Policlinico Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Primary endpoint was Local Tumor Progression-Free Survival (LTPFS) while Overall Survival (OS) was also assessed as secondary endpoint. Results From January 2014 to June 2019, 29 patients with 117 nodules underwent RFA. Technique effectiveness 1 month after RFA was 92.3%; median LTPFS was 9.27 months. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that LTPFS was significantly related to tumor size ≥20 mm. At a median follow up of 39.9 months, median OS from the date of RFA was 27.5 months, with an OS of 89%, 45% and 11% at 1, 2 and 4 years, respectively. Number of overall lesions and the sum of their diameter at the moment of the first RFA significantly affected OS in multivariate analysis. Minor and major complication rates were 14% and 7%, respectively. Conclusion Tumor size ≥20 mm was associated with lower LTPFS, representing a potential useful threshold value. A careful evaluation of tumor burden appears as a crucial element in choosing the best therapeutic strategy in unresectable ICC.
Host tree architecture mediates the effect of predators on herbivore survival

Abstract 1. Vegetation structural complexity is an important factor influencing ecological interactions between different trophic levels. In order to investigate relationships between the architecture of trees, the presence of arthropod predators, and survival and parasitism of the autumnal moth Epirrita autumnata Borkhausen, two sets of experiments were conducted.
Role of Pd(II)–chitooligosaccharides–Gboxin analog in oxidative phosphorylation inhibition and energy depletion: Targeting mitochondrial dynamics

In this work, we have successfully upgraded the crab wastes into Pd(II) complex of Gboxin analog–chitooligosaccharides conjugate (Pd(II)COS@GbA). This new complex has a high capacity to inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells (IC50 = 1.92 μg/ml). This activity could be attributed to its ability to induce mitochondrial fragmentation through increasing mitochondrial fission dynamin‐related protein 1 (p < .05) and down‐regulation of optic atrophy 1 proteins (p < .05). Moreover, this complex can effectively disrupt ATP synthase action leading to declined ATP production, along with downstream of ATPase inhibitor factor1 that hinder energy production in the cancer cells. Also, it has an anti‐inflammatory effect by triggering modulators for the release of inflammatory molecules such as TNF‐α (p < .05), IL‐6 (p < .05), and mRNA transcripts of COX‐II (p < .01). Therefore, Pd(II)COS@GbA exhibited significant anti‐prostate cancer activity through different mechanisms in inducing energy depletion and mitochondrial fragmentation leading to disrupted oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Complex Pd(II)COS@GbA is more cytotoxic for PC3 than RWPE‐1 which in turn means it is may act as a selective cytotoxic agent for prostate cancer.
Recombination of bacteriophage λ in recD mutants of Escherichia coli

RecBCD enzyme is centrally important in homologous recombination in Escherichia coli and is the source of ExoV activity. Null alleles of either the recB or the recC genes, which encode the B and C subunits, respectively, manifest no recombination and none of the nuclease functions characteristic of the holoenzyme. Loss of the D subunit, by a recD mutation, likewise results in loss of ExoV activity. However, mutants lacking the D subunit are competent for homologous recombination. We report that the distribution of exchanges along the chromosome of Red−Gam−phage λ is strikingly altered by recD null mutations in the host. When λ DNA replication is blocked, recombination in recD mutant strains is high near λ's right end. In contrast, recombination in isogenic recD+ strains is approximately uniform along λ unless the λ chromosome contains a χ sequence. Recombination in recD mutant strains is focused toward the site of action of a type II restriction enzyme acting in vivo on λ. The distribution of exchanges in.
Assessment and Monitoring of Fish Quality from a Coastal Ecosystem under High Anthropic Pressure: A Case Study in Southern Italy

Fish is a nutrient-rich food but, at the same time, consumption of fish is a possible source of exposure to heavy metals. Since many coastal Mediterranean areas suffer from great anthropomorphic pressure, the aim of this study was to assess the level of potentially toxic inorganic elements in different fish samples from the coastal zone of Southern Italy (Gela) where there is a high mortality rate linked to cancer disease and congenital malformations. The presence of mercury, cadmium, lead, nickel, arsenic, vanadium, and chromium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The risk assessment was evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake by calculating the amount of potentially toxic elements that an average individual adult weighing 60 kg would ingest. Moreover the non-carcinogenic risk was estimated by target hazard quotient (THQ). The study evidenced significant contamination by inorganic elements, especially cadmium, which can be linked to industrial pollution. The THQ indexes, as indicators of human health, suggest that the consumption of fish from the study area is not free of risk.
Economics of Fishery Management

In an unmanaged fishery the costs of catching a unit weight of fish will tend to rise until they are equal to the value of the catch. There is likely to be an excessive amount of fishing which adds to the costs, but adds little or nothing to the total catch, and may even decrease it. In practice the amount of fishing will often exceed the equilibrium, due to delays in reacting to falling catch rates, year-to-year fluctuation in the fishery, etc. The labor and capital engaged in fishing is often relatively immobile, and once excess capacity has developed it is not easily reduced without special measures.A number of different measures are available to control both the amount of fishing and the sizes of the fish caught. These are outlined, and the advantages and disadvantages briefly discussed. Several of the methods of controlling the amount of fishing tend to add to unit costs, and therefore offer little long-term benefits. These benefits can only be assured by control of the total capacity engaged in a fi.
Upregulation of TIGIT and PD-1 in Colorectal Cancer with Mismatch-repair Deficiency

ABSTRACT Background: The role of T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) with mismatch repair deficiency is unknown. Methods: This was a study of 60 CRC patients with mismatch repair deficiency and 30 healthy controls between June 2015 and October 2015. Results: The expression of Foxp3, PD-1, and TIGIT was higher in cancer tissues compared with adjacent mucosa (all P < .05). Patients with advanced TNM stage had a significantly higher expression of TIGIT (P = .025) and PD-1 (P = .020) than patients with early-stage CRC. The disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with high TIGIT (HR = 3.96, 95%CI: 1.34–11.69, P = .013) or PD-1 (HR = 214.8, 95%CI: 49.88–925.2, P < .001) expression were better. The overall survival (OS) of the patients with CRC and high expression of PD-1 was worse than those with low expression (HR = 4.01, 95%CI:1.26–12.69, P = .019). Conclusion: TIGIT and PD-1 are upregulated in CRC with mismatch repair deficiency and associated with TNM stage and DFS.
Targeted Theranostics for Tuberculosis: A Rifampicin-Loaded Aggregation-Induced Emission Carrier for Granulomas-Tracking and Anti-Infection.

Tuberculosis (TB) causes a global burden with its high rates of infection and death, especially the irrepressible threats of latent infection and drug resistance. Therefore, it is important to construct efficient theranostics for the prevention and control of TB. Herein, we created a targeted theranostic strategy for tuberculosis with a rifampicin-loaded aggregation-induced emission (AIE) carrier and performed testing in laboratory animals. The AIE carrier was constructed to localize in the granulomas and emit fluorescent signals at the early stage of infection, enabling the early diagnosis of TB. Subsequently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated to eradicate infection, and the loaded rifampicin (RIF) was released for the synergistic treatment of persistent bacteria. Furthermore, targeted TB therapy was performed with the light-controlled release of ROS and accurate delivery of RIF, which realizes an anti-infection effect, providing an especially important treatment for drug-resistant TB. Thus, targeted theranostics for tuberculosis in laboratory animals possess the potential to become granulomas-tracking and anti-infection strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of TB.
Insect flower visitors, foraging behaviour and their effectiveness as pollinators of Persoonia virgata R. Br. (Proteaceae)

Leioproctus species are frequent flower visitors to Proteaceae and have been inferred as pollinators of many species of Persoonia. This study investigated frequency of flower visitors, their behaviour and the breeding system of Persoonia virgata. The two most frequent visitors were the native bees Trigona carbonaria Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and females of Leioproctus (Cladocerapis) speculiferus Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Colletidae). These species have different foraging strategies on the flowers of P. virgata and, on the basis of more frequent stigma contact, L. speculiferus was found to be the most effective pollinator. Pollination studies indicated that fruit set of bagged flowers (0.5% and 9.2%) was significantly less (P < 0.001) than fruit set of control flowers left open to visitors (24.0% and 48.9%) in two experiments, respectively. Furthermore, flowers that were bagged and cross-pollinated set significantly (P < 0.001) more fruit (43.8%) than flowers that were bagged and self-pollinated (6.6%), suggesting partial self-incompatibility. No significant difference in fruit set was found between control flowers and cross-pollinated flowers, indicating that flower visitors of P. virgata were efficient vectors of cross-pollen from plant to plant.
EFFECT OF DIASPORE CHARACTERISTICS ON REMOVAL OF SEEDS ADAPTED FOR DISPERSAL BY ANTS

We investigated the role of ant behavior as a selective influence on the presentation and morphology of elaiosome-bearing seeds in Australian sclerophyll vege- tation by manipulating characteristics of natural and artificial diaspores. We compared the response to these diaspores of three seed-removing ant species, two of which (Rhytidoponera "metallica" and Aphaenogaster longiceps), produce more favorable seed fates than the third species (Pheidole sp. 1). We measured the effect on removal rate of diaspore arrangement (degree of clumping), elaiosome removal, diaspore size (i.e., mass), elaiosome/load ratio, and composition of both the elaiosome and seed. Clumped seeds were removed significantly faster than single seeds by Pheidole sp. 1, a group forager. A. longiceps, a solitary forager, removed single seeds faster while R. "me- tallica" removed single and clumped seeds at the same rate. The presence of elaiosomes on seeds increased removal rates, especially by A. longiceps and R. "metallica. " Both A. longiceps and R. "metallica" responded positively to elaiosome/load ratio while Pheidole sp. 1 responded mainly to diaspore size. These species-specific responses were such that diaspores with high elaiosome/seed ratios are more likely to be removed by A. longiceps or R. "metallica" than by Pheidole sp. 1. Diaspore characteristics other than size had inconsistent effects on removal rates. The differential response of the ant species to such characteristics as seed arrangement and elaiosome/seed ratios demonstrates the way in which ant behavior may have been an important selective force in the evolution and maintenance of myrmecochory.