Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined use of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels can help clinically diagnose bacterial co-infections in children infected with H1N1 influenza

Objective This study evaluated the diagnostic value of measuring the levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to differentiate children co-infected with H1N1 influenza and bacteria from children infected with H1N1 influenza alone and to provide a reliable clinical diagnostic support system with improved accuracy and precision control. Methods Consecutive patients (children aged <5 years) with laboratory-confirmed H1N1 influenza who were hospitalized or received outpatient care from a tertiary-care hospital in Canton, China between 1 January 2012 and 1 September 2017 were included in the present study. Laboratory results, including serum PCT and CRP levels, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and blood and sputum cultures, were analyzed. The predictive value of the combination of biomarkers versus either biomarker alone for diagnosing bacterial co-infections was evaluated using logistic regression analyses. Results Of 3180 children infected with H1N1 influenza, 226 (7.1%) met the bacterial co-infection criteria, with Staphylococcus pneumoniae being the most commonly identified bacteria (36.28%). Significantly higher PCT (1.46 vs 0.21 ng/ml, p<0.001) and CRP (19.20 vs 5.10 mg/dl, p<0.001) levels were detected in the bacterial co-infection group than in the H1N1 infection only group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed independent associations between PCT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.34-2.42, p<0.001) and CRP levels (OR:1.09, 95% CI, 1.06-1.13, p<0.001) with bacterial co-infections. Using PCT or CRP levels alone, the areas under the curves (AUCs) for predicting bacterial co-infections were 0.801 (95%CI, 0.772-0.855) and 0.762 (95%CI, 0.722-0.803), respectively. Using a combination of PCT and CRP, the logistic regression-based model, Logit(P)=-1.912+0.546 PCT+0.087 CRP, showed significantly greater accuracy (AUC: 0.893, 95%CI: 0.842-0.934) than did the other three biomarkers. Conclusions The combination of PCT and CRP levels could provide a useful method of distinguishing bacterial co-infections from an H1N1 influenza infection alone in children during the early disease phase. After further validation, the flexible model derived here could assist clinicians in decision-making processes.
Omics Technologies in Unraveling Plant Stress Responses; Using Sorghum as a Model Crop, How Far Have We Gone?

Owe to sedentary and sessile nature of plants, they require efficient innate mechanisms that will allow them to adapt to various sudden environmental changes that pose harmful conditions. Moreover, as animals; more importantly human survival on earth depends largely on plants survival, there is therefore an immense pressure for production of agricultural crops with higher yields and adaptive strategies to environmental stresses. There is therefore need to focus attention to more effective and efficient means that will provide applicable information to improve plants adaptation mechanisms towards their survival in this era of uncertain climatic change. The whole genome sequencing of cereal crops such as maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum genomes together with the use of omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics have created a platform for further research in establishing networks of interaction between genes, proteins and metabolites that are involved in stress response mechanisms. This review thus highlights these omics approaches employed in understanding potential roles of these signaling molecules and metabolic pathways using Sorghum; a naturally stress tolerant crop as a model, towards optimum development and/or improvement of other economic crops that are often susceptible to diverse environmental stresses.
Diversity of Soil Cyanobacteria in Relation to Dominant Wild Plants and Edaphic Factors at Western Saudi Arabia

The study aims at evaluating cyanobacterial diversity along altitudinal gradient with respect to various edaphic factors at western Saudi Arabia. Thirty-one cyanobacteria species belonging to 17 genera were isolated and identified along the different sites of the study area. Nostoc and Spirulina had the highest number of species in the study area (four species each), followed by Chroococcus and Oscillatoria (two species each). The number of colonies had positive correlation with organic matter and phosphates. The application of the two-way indicator species analysis to the data set of Original Research Article Al-Sodany et al.; ARRB, 26(3): 1-14, 2018; Article no.ARRB. 40492 2 the percentage presence of 31 cyanobacteria species in 40 stands resulted in agglomerating of 6 groups (communities) at 4 th level of classification. The application of the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicates reasonable segregation between these groups . The application of CCA on the cyanobacteria communities and environmental variables indicated that some cyanobacteria species are correlated positively with total number of associated plants, TSS and phosphates such as Woella saccata Wolle, Chroococcus minor Lemm, Chroococcus majore Lemm, Microcystis areuginosa, Smith Anabaena spiroides Lemm and Nostoc muscorum Agard, while others are negatively correlated with organic matter, chlorides, pH, EC, clay and silt such as Oscillatoria limosa Bory, Synchococcus sp. , Spirulina major Kutz and Lyngbya borgertii Lemm. It is worthy to mentioned that, the soil samples dominated by Commicarpus sinaicus Meikle, Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. &Hook. f. ex A. Gray, Argemone ochroleuca Sweet, Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Boiss. , Acacia tortolis (Forssk.) Galasso & Banfi and Morettia parviflora Boiss. had no cyanobacteria species.
Nutritional and bioactive compounds in dried tomato processing waste

ABSTRACT This research investigated the nutritional and antioxidant composition of tomato processing waste with the aim to enable the development of new alternatives for the recycling of this by-product. The samples of dried tomato waste were found to contain 176.2 g/kg protein, 21.9 g/kg fat, 524.4 g/kg crude fiber and 42.1 g/kg ash. The essential amino acids represented 34.2% of total protein, the most abundant being leucine, followed by lysine and isoleucine. Unsaturated fatty acids represent 77.04% of the total fatty acids, linoleic being the major one. The results confirmed that dried tomato wastes contain considerable amounts of lycopene (510.6 mg/kg) and β-carotene (95.6 mg/kg) and exhibited good antioxidant properties. Total phenolics showed average contents of 1229.5 mg GAE/kg, of which flavonoids accounted for 415.3 mg QE/kg. Ellagic and chlorogenic acids were the most abundant phenolic acids while among flavonoids only rutin and myricetin were quantified.
Recovered and dead outcome patients caused by influenza A (H7N9) virus infection show different pro-inflammatory cytokine dynamics during disease progress and its application in real-time prognosis

The persistent circulation of influenza A(H7N9) virus within poultry markets and human society leads to sporadic epidemics of influenza infections. Severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the virus lead to high morbidity and mortality rates in patients. Hyper induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is known as “cytokine storm”, is closely related to the process of viral infection. However, systemic analyses of H7N9 induced cytokine storm and its relationship with disease progress need further illuminated. In our study we collected 75 samples from 24 clinically confirmed H7N9-infected patients at different time points after hospitalization. Those samples were divided into three groups, which were mild, severe and fatal groups, according to disease severity and final outcome. Human cytokine antibody array was performed to demonstrate the dynamic profile of 80 cytokines and chemokines. By comparison among different prognosis groups and time series, we provide a more comprehensive insight into the hypercytokinemia caused by H7N9 influenza virus infection. Different dynamic changes of cytokines/chemokines were observed in H7N9 infected patients with different severity. Further, 33 cytokines or chemokines were found to be correlated with disease development and 11 of them were identified as potential therapeutic targets. Immuno-modulate the cytokine levels of IL-8, IL-10, BLC, MIP-3a, MCP-1, HGF, OPG, OPN, ENA-78, MDC and TGF-β 3 are supposed to be beneficial in curing H7N9 infected patients. Apart from the identification of 35 independent predictors for H7N9 prognosis, we further established a real-time prediction model with multi-cytokine factors for the first time based on maximal relevance minimal redundancy method, and this model was proved to be powerful in predicting whether the H7N9 infection was severe or fatal. It exhibited promising application in prognosing the outcome of a H7N9 infected patients and thus help doctors take effective treatment strategies accordingly.
Effect of cultivar and agronomic management on feed barley production in Alberta environments

Abstract: The area sown to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Alberta, Canada, and the rate of yield increase relative to other major crops have declined in recent decades. Advanced agronomic management of feed barley may increase the seeded area and differentially influence cultivar performance. Field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016 at 11 rainfed and three irrigated environments in Alberta to evaluate the performance of 10 feed barley cultivars under standard and advanced agronomic management. Advanced management included supplemental postemergence N, the plant growth regulator chlormequat chloride, and two foliar fungicide applications. Cultivars responded similarly to management in the low disease pressure environments encountered in the study. The two-row cultivars CDC Austenson, Xena, and CDC Coalition were the highest yielding overall, while Champion had the greatest yields in moisture-limited environments. The feed grain quality of two-row cultivars was superior to six-row cultivars. Recently released six-row cultivars were among the lowest yielding. Negative or static yield increases were observed for all newer cultivars (2006–2013 registrations) compared with the older cultivar, Xena (2000 registration). In comparison, the overall 9.3% yield increase from advanced management was notable. Advanced management yield increases were greater (8%–18%) in environments with 251–502 mm of precipitation and smaller (1%–3%) in moisture-limited environments. Management had negligible effects on lodging and grain quality. Optimal yield and quality were achieved with the two-row cultivars, CDC Austenson, Xena, or CDC Coalition, and advanced management in high precipitation environments. In environments with less precipitation, optimal yields were achieved with Champion and standard management.
Checklists of Parasites Stray Cats Felis Catus of Iraq

The literature reviews of all reports of parasites fauna cats Felis catus in Iraq species of including 15 protozoa (Babesia spp., Crptosporidium spp., C. muris, C. parvum, Cytauxzoon felis, Eimeria cati, Entamoeba spp., Giardia sp., Giardia spp., Isospora ssp., I. felis., I. rivolta, Leishmania tropica and Toxoplasma gondii), five trematoda (Heterophyes aequalis, H. heterophyes, Opisthorchis felineus, O. tenuicollis and Paragonimus killicotti), 17 cestoda (Diphyllobothrium sp., D. latum, Diplopylidium acanthotetra, D. nolleri, Dipylidium spp., D. caninum, D. sexcoronatum, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides, J. pasqualei, Mesocestoides variabilis, Spirometra sp., S. erinaceieuropaei, S. mansonoides, Taenia sp., Taenia spp. and T. taeniaeformis), 18 nematoda) Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Ancylostoma spp. , A. paraduodenale, A. tubaeforme, Capillaria spp. , C. arophilia, C. felis, Dioctophyma renale, Dirofilaria immitis, Ganathostoma sp. , Ollulanus tricuspis, Physaloptera praeputiale, Pterygodermatites cahirensis, Rictularia cahirensis, Strongyloides spp. , Toxascaris leonine, Toxocara sp. and T. cati) and seven arthropoda (Ctenocephalides felis, Felicola subrostratus, Ixodes spp., Otodectes cynotis, Rhipicephalus sp., R. sanguineus and R. turanicus).
The effect of vermicompost on the growth and quality of cress (Lepidium sativum)

doi: 10.15159/jas.18. 02 ABSTRACT. Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworm, which are capable of improving soil health and nutrient status. Vermiculture is a process by which all types of biodegradable wastes such as farm wastes, kitchen wastes, market wastes, bio-wastes of agro based industries, livestock wastes etc. are converted while passing through the worm-gut to nutrient rich vermicompost. The aim was to find suitable substrate to grow cress. 1. 30% vermicompost, peat, sand and dolomite stone. 2. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, perlite. 3. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel. 4. Growth substrate bought from a shop in Estonia (seller didn't allow to usage the name of the brand). 5. 20% vermicompost and organic matter rich claysoil. Results: Most elongated cress plants were in treatment 4, and the shortest ones in treatment 5. At the same time the longest roots were measured from plants in treatment 2, but shortest in treatment 5. The thickest stem was measured by treatment 1 and the thinnest stem was by treatment 5. The chemical analyses are showing that the smallest content of nitrogen was by treatment 3 and the highest by treatment 4. The smallest content of phosphorus was by treatment 5 and the highest by treatment 4. The smallest content of potassium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 5. The smallest content of calcium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 3. The smallest content of magnesium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 5. Conclusion: out of the results of this experiment we could conclude that the best substrate to grow cress is substrate number 3: 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel.
Taxonomic composition and changes in system of Amelanchier. Medik. Genus

A brief history of studying Amelanchier Medik. genus is represented in a retrospec­ tive discourse. Besides, the analysis of current state of its taxonomic and systematic studies. The reasons that complicate the identification of plants, as well as the structure of the genus system, are defined. The most convenient taxonomic features of the genus are named. The controversial issues of the genus system are discussed, based on the classical, molecular and genetic positions. The analysis of the available publications and electronic databases on the taxonomy of species Amelan chier enabled us to state their ambiguous interpretation and, in effect, reduce the number of recognized species of the excepted status in the genus composition. We can assume that the revealed tendencies concerning the clarifying status of the species indicate the change of views on the taxonomy of the Juneberry. In terms of the concept of the species, its converted rank as a monotypic species to the polytypic (monophyletic) species is evident with the smallest number of distinctive features. A more thorough study shows manifestation of the species variability in its process of adaptation to environmental factors. Differences on species and intraspecies classification of the genus found in various publications point to incompleteness of its system and the necessity for further research using both modern and traditional methods.
In vitro ruminal degradation of neutral detergent fiber insoluble protein from tropical pastures fertilized with nitrogen

The objective was to determine in vitro the NDF insoluble protein (NDIP) extension and degradation rate of four tropical grasses by the potential effect of N fertilization. The grasses ( Andropogon gayanus , Brachiaria brizantha , Cynodon plectostachyus and Megathyrsus maximus ) that grow in Mexico were used. Each grass was grown in four plots (5×5 m), fertilized (relationship equivalent to 0 and 100 kg N/ha) and clipped 35 d after the N fertilization. A complete randomized block design with factorial arrangement 4×2, and two replicates per treatment was used, where the factors were grass species and N fertilization. Non-protein nitrogen (NPN), buffer insoluble protein (IP), NDIP and acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP) were performed. Freeze-dried samples were incubated at 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h. After fermentation, the CP content of the NDF residues was determined. An exponential equation was used to determine the rate of the NDIP disappearance. There was no detectable interaction between type of grass and fertilization level. The NDIP (as %CP) averaged 35 % with a range of 10 to 60 %. The NDIP variation was primarily due to species. The extent and rates of degradation of the NDIP were 70.6 % and 7.1 %/h respectively, with no N-fertilization effect. The NDIP was degraded faster ( P ≤0.05) than NDF (7.7 vs 5.0 %/h). These data show that the NDIP is ruminally degraded and that this fraction significantly contributes to the rumen nitrogen supply.
Using Hydrogen Stable Isotope Ratios to Trace the Geographic Origin of the Population of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Trapped in Northern China

Abstract The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a generalist feeder that is known to successfully feed and breed on a variety of fruits and vegetables in the tropical and subtropical zones of Asia. Recently, the northward extension of B. dorsalis has been reported, and this geographic range increase relates to both climate changes and the rapid development of domestic and international trade and travel. However, it has not been possible to determine the origin of this pest, which is trapped in north China. In this study, traps baited with the sex attractant methyl eugenol were used to collect B. dorsalis in Beijing, China. With these traps B. dorsalis populations were sampled at the same time in 5 different latitudes of China and used to determine the distribution of δ2H stable isotope values. The relationship between rainwater and the B. dorsalis δ2H stable isotope values at these sites was modelled, which then could be used to hypothesize the population origin of B. dorsalis trapped in Beijing, China. The results showed that δ2H stable isotope values for B. dorsalis from Beijing were not consistent with that of the rainwater in Beijing, but rather were consistent with the results obtained from Fuzhou in southeast China. Bactrocera dorsalis trapped in Beijing was not a resident population, and may have come from South China. The fruit and vegetable trade may have vectored the fly northward in China. Our results also showed that δ2H stable isotope technology is a promising strategy for tracing the population origins of invasive fruit flies.
The effect of a mixture of two plant growth-promoting bacteria from Argentina on the yield of potato, and occurrence of primary potato diseases and pest – short communication

ABSTRACT In 2017, we conducted a field experiment to test the influence of a mixture of two plant growth-promoting bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azospirillum brasilense) on the yield of three potato varieties. In addition, the influence of the mixture on potato susceptibility to infection by the pseudofungus Phytophthora infestans and fungus Alternaria solani and to attacks by the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) was investigated. It was the first experiment of its kind in Europe. In the unusually hot and dry year, a positive influence on the yield (17%–31%) was found in all three varieties when the tubers were soaked in the bacterial mixture prior to sowing. We observed no significant differences in potato resilience/susceptibility to harmful organisms among the different treatments (soaked tubers, sprayed tubers, untreated tubers); however, there were significant differences in the productivity between the tuber varieties. The results of our research indicate the bacterial mixture used in this study has a high potential to support satisfactory potato yields under dry conditions and under low levels of infection by foliar fungal diseases and attacks by foliar insects.
Arcabouços de quitosana/agente antineoplásico: síntese, caracterização e aplicação.

As neoplasias constituem um conjunto de doencas que se caracterizam por uma massa anormal de tecido com crescimento descontrolado e excessivo em relacao aos demais tecidos normais. De acordo com o comportamento biologico, elas podem ser classificadas em benignas ou malignas (câncer). Segundo o Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), sao esperados 576 mil casos novos de câncer para 2014 e 2015 no Brasil. O combate ao câncer e feito com medidas preventivas, diagnostico precoce e tratamento. O sistema de liberacao controlada de farmacos atraves da utilizacao de biomateriais polimericos associados a compostos com acao antineoplasica pode ser empregado como alternativa de tratamento para esta patologia. Desta forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo a sintese e caracterizacao de arcaboucos de quitosana utilizados como carreadores da droga antitumoral (1,4- Naftoquinona), cuja taxa de liberacao podera ser controlada pela utilizacao de um agente reticulante como o tripolifosfato de sodio (TPP), com a perspectiva da confeccao de um sistema de liberacao controlada de farmacos antitumorais. O metodo consiste na solubilizacao da quitosana em acido acetico, adicao do farmaco, congelamento, liofilizacao e reticulacao com TPP. Todas as amostras foram caracterizadas por Difracao de Raios X (DRX), Microscopia Eletronica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raios X (EDS), Espectroscopia na Regiao do Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Biodegradacao Enzimatica, A microscopia (MEV) evidenciou a formacao de arcaboucos porosos de quitosana (Q), quitosana com TPP (QT), quitosana com 1,4 – Naftoquinona (QN) e quitosana com TPP e 1,4 – Naftoquinona (QNT). Ja no EDS foi observada a presenca de elementos quimicos como sodio, fosforo, nitrogenio, carbono e oxigenio. A reticulacao dos arcaboucos, comprovada pelo FTIR, DRX, Termogravimetria, Grau de Intumescimento e EDS, aumentou a taxa de degradacao dos mesmos demonstrada pelo ensaio de Biodegradacao Enzimatica. A incorporacao do farmaco foi confirmada por DRX, FTIR, Grau de Intumescimento e Termogravimetria. Desta forma, pode-se concluir que houve a formacao de arcaboucos reticulados e nao reticulados porosos, com propriedades morfologicas e fisico-quimicas que podem contribuir para carrear farmacos antineoplasicos, sendo possivel controlar a taxa de degradacao dos mesmos e consequentemente a liberacao do farmaco.