Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root mycorrhizal colonization and plant responsiveness are related to root plasticity, soil fertility and successional status of native woody species in southern Brazil

Twelve native woody species were studied to investigate the influences of soil fertility and root morphology on colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi during seedling establishment and growth. Seedlings were grown in soils of low and high natural fertility, uninoculated or inoculated with AM fungi, under greenhouse conditions. The mycorrhizal root colonization and plant responsiveness were higher among early successional species than late successional ones. Among early successional species, in both soils, mycorrhizal colonization provided significant increase in total dry mass, growth rates of shoot and root, root length, density of root tissues, root surface area and P concentration and content in the shoot. Early successional species grown with AM fungi displayed significant decreases in carbon allocation to roots, specific root length and the length and incidence of root hairs. Mycorrhizal colonization did not affect the root morphology of the late successional species in either soil. The growth of these woody species was influenced by differences in soil fertility. There was positive correlation between the degree of plant responses to AM inoculation with the percentage of root colonized by AM fungi. In both soils, plant responsiveness and mycorrhizal root colonization correlated positively to root-hair incidence and root-hair length and correlated negatively to fine-root diameter. The results suggest that during the establishment of seedlings, the large responses to the inoculation and colonization of roots by AM fungi are related to both the successional status and root morphological plasticity of the host plant, regardless of soil fertility.
Coloração verde nas folhas da cultura do alho vernalizado em resposta à adubação nitrogenada

A field experiment was carried out in order to determine the feasibility of monitoring nitrogen fertilization of vernalized garlic production by means of the correlation between the indirect measurement of the intensity of the green hue of the leaves (SPAD chlorophyll meter) and the plant nutritional condition and bulb yield. A randomized complete block design was used with six doses of nitrogen (0, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 kg ha-1) and five repetitions. Nitrogen rates were side-dressed applied at the 20th and the 75th days after emergence. Data were collected for green hue intensity (GHI) and N content of leaves, average weight, total production and bulb classification as per size. Nitrogen concentrations as well as GHI were affected by N rates. Significant correlations were found between GHI and N content of leaves, between bulb production and GHI, and also between output and N contents. The maximum GHI value was attained a N rate of 250 kg ha-1 and the maximum productivity and the maximum average bulb weight were attained at 268 kg ha-1. Given the proximity of these rates, these results indicate that chlorophyll measurement can be used for the recommendation of nitrogen fertilization of garlic cultures. The best economic return was obtained with a 237 kg ha-1 N rate.
FLAVONOID GLUCOSIDES FROM THE LEAVES OF CROTON TONKINENSIS GAGNEP., EUPHORBIACEAE

Summary Two flavone C-glucosides vitexin (1) and isovitexin (2) were isolated as the major constituents with the total content of 59.5% of the methanol extract of the Croton tonkinensis leaves along with an minor acylated flavonol O-glucoside kaempferol 3-O-�D-(6’’-O-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside (tiliroside, 3) (0.9%). The structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined on the basis of ESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Although the flavonoid glucosides found exclusively in the ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble fractions are reported for antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities their contribution to the medicinal properties of C. tonkinensis is demonstrated to be less than the lipid soluble entkaurene diterpenoid constituents of this plant.
Palatabilizantes em dietas para leitões de 6 a 18 kg

A total of 192 weaning crossbred Landrace x Large White piglets weighing 6.9 kg and 23 days old was used to determine the effect of addition of flavours in simple or complex diet on the performance, blood parameters and the organs weight of piglets. A randomized block design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme, with two diets (simple or complex) and addition or not of two flavours (F1 and F2), was used. It was observed that the flavour addition did not affect weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. The complex diet showed better feed conversion than the simple diet. The blood glucose concentration was higher in the pos-prandial period. The simple diet showed higher effect on the glucose levels. The blood glucose concentration was not influenced by the tested flavours. The insulin showed higher levels in the pos-prandial period, although it was also not influenced by both diets, as well as the tested flavours. The weight of liver, pancreas and kidneys was not affected by the addition of flavours, therefore, simple diet showed higher weight, when compared to the complex diet. It was concluded that the used flavours showed no effects on the piglet performance, blood parameters and organs weight.
NOTES: Transfer of Rhizobium japonicum Buchanan 1980 to Bradyrhizobium gen. nov., a Genus of Slow-Growing, Root Nodule Bacteria from Leguminous Plants

Recent data indicate that the slow-growing, non-acid-producing root nodule bacteria of leguminous plants should be separated from the fast-growing, acid-producing strains and placed in a new genus. The separation is warranted by numerical taxonomy, deoxyribonucleic acid base ratio determinations, nucleic acid hybridization, ribosomal ribonucleic acid cistron similarities, serology, composition of extracellular gum, carbohydrate utilization and metabolism, bacteriophage and antibiotic susceptibilities, protein composition, and types of intracellular inclusion bodies in the bacteroid forms. The name proposed for the new genus is Bradyrhizobium. The type species of the genus is B. japonicum (Buchanan 1980) comb. nov. (basonym: Rhizobium japonicum Buchanan 1980), the type strain of which is ATCC 10324.
The Effect of Oligomerization on A Solid-Binding Peptide Binding to Silica-Based Materials

The bifunctional linker-protein G (LPG) fusion protein comprises a peptide (linker) sequence and a truncated form of Streptococcus strain G148 protein G (protein G). The linker represents a multimeric solid-binding peptide (SBP) comprising 4 × 21-amino acid sequence repeats that display high binding affinity towards silica-based materials. In this study, several truncated derivatives were investigated to determine the effect of the SBP oligomerization on the silica binding function of LPG (for the sake of clarity, LPG will be referred from here on as 4 × LPG). Various biophysical characterization techniques were used to quantify and compare the truncated derivatives against 4 × LPG and protein G without linker (PG). The derivative containing two sequence repeats (2 × LPG) showed minimal binding to silica, while the truncated derivative with only a single sequence (1 × LPG) displayed no binding. The derivative containing three sequence repeats (3 × LPG) was able to bind to silica with a binding affinity of KD = 53.23 ± 4.5 nM, which is 1.5 times lower than that obtained for 4 × LPG under similar experimental conditions. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy studies indicated that the SBP degree of oligomerization has only a small effect on the secondary structure (the linker unravels the beginning of the protein G sequence) and chemical stability of the parent protein G. However, based on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), oligomerization is an important parameter for a strong and stable binding to silica. The replacement of three sequence repeats by a (GGGGS)12 glycine-rich spacer indicated that the overall length rather than the SBP oligomerization mediated the effective binding to silica.
Phenotypic Variation for Diastatic Power, β-Amylase Activity, and β-Amylase Thermostability vs. Allelic Variation at the Bmy1 Locus in a Sample of North American Barley Germplasm

Malting quality data were collected on malts from three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding program trials. We tried to identify causal polymorphisms in the Bmy1 intron III and coding regions for use in marker-assisted selection. Abundant malting quality variation exists in the spring barley germplasm despite the parents having identical Bmy1 intron III and coding regions. After complete Bmy1 sequencing, no polymorphisms associated with malting quality phenotypes, indicating the genetic basis for the observed variation resides outside Bmy1. Complete allele sequencing identified one winter barley parent that had a novel Bmy1 allele (Sd1a) based on amino acid substitutions that are candidates as causative agents for the phenotypic variation. Marker-assisted selection against the Sd1a allele could be effective in improving diastatic power (DP). The Sd1a allele is associated with low DP and is present in only three of the 51 lines, presumably due to preceding generations being selected for high DP. Selection for DP has subsequently eliminated the Sd1a allele from this breeding program. This research shows the importance of having complete allele sequences and knowledge of functional polymorphisms in target genes before using marker-assisted selection.
West Nile Virus Restriction in Mosquito and Human Cells: A Virus under Confinement

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds. However, WNV has a broad host range and can be transmitted from mosquitoes to several mammalian species, including humans, through infected saliva during a blood meal. Although WNV infections are mostly asymptomatic, 20% to 30% of cases are symptomatic and can occasionally lead to severe symptoms, including fatal meningitis or encephalitis. Over the past decades, WNV-carrying mosquitoes have become increasingly widespread across new regions, including North America and Europe, which constitutes a public health concern. Nevertheless, mosquito and human innate immune defenses can detect WNV infection and induce the expression of antiviral effectors, so-called viral restriction factors, to control viral propagation. Conversely, WNV has developed countermeasures to escape these host defenses, thus establishing a constant arms race between the virus and its hosts. Our review intends to cover most of the current knowledge on viral restriction factors as well as WNV evasion strategies in mosquito and human cells in order to bring an updated overview on WNV–host interactions.
The relationship between germline cells and apical complex in the testes of the milkweed bug throughout postembryonic development

Summary The apical complex of Oncopeltus fasciatus is already fully developed at hatching of the first instar larva (L1). It consists of a vesicular structure containing 12 cells, which show an epithelial organization around a small lumen. These cells can be easily distinguished by their electron-dense cytoplasm and a nucleus which encloses a large condensed nucleolus; they do not divide further during postembryonic development. Their subcellular structure remains virtually unchanged from L1 until death of old age. Apical complex cells have a remarkably thin layer of cytoplasm around the nucleus, with many free ribosomes. Their most notable features are vesicular sER, which is continuous with the nuclear envelope, and the Golgi complex. The Golgi complex always faces the surface of the apical complex, where germline cells are apposed; however, no secretory processes involving the Golgi complex could be detected. In the newly hatched larva, anlagen of the testis follicles each contains only about four germline cells arranged around the apical complex, and surrounded by several (four to eight) follicle border cells. Even at this stage, the germline cells exhibit an unusual asymmetric shape. They each consist of a globular perikaryon, which at one side extends projections towards the apical complex where they terminate. During L1 and L2, germline cells divide symmetrically. At the beginning of L3, they start to generate spermatogonia, and spermatocyst development commences. Follicle border cells send extensions towards the spermatogonia and enwrap them, and thus become spermatocyst envelope cells. Usually, one cyst is surrounded by one envelope cell which becomes polyploid as the cyst enlarges. The relationship of apical complex cells and the terminals of germline cell projections have been analyzed in greater detail. The projection terminals often show bouton-like swellings at the surface of apical cells. The intercellular cleft is exceptionally narrow at these sites, but specialized cell-cell junctions are not discernible. Projection terminals contain many mitochondria, and autophagic vacuoles—defined by structure and enzymatic activity—are often present. Terminals are apparently constantly involuted and formed anew. The presence of sites of specialised contact between apical cells and germline cells prompts the conclusion that signals are exchanged at these sites which have an impact on the germline cells. Possibly they control the stem cell character of germline cells and the spermatogonial pathway.
COVID-19-Related Information Sources and the Relationship With Confidence in People Coping with COVID-19: Facebook Survey Study in Taiwan

Background People obtain information on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from the internet and other sources. Understanding the factors related to such information sources aids health professionals in educating individuals. Objective This study used data collected from the online survey study on COVID-19 in Taiwan to examine what major COVID-19 information sources are available and which sources are significantly related to the self-confidence of people in coping with COVID-19 in Taiwan. Methods A total of 1904 participants (1270 non–health-care workers and 634 health care workers) were recruited from the Facebook advertisement. Their major sources of information about COVID-19, the relationships between the sources and demographic factors, and the relationships between the sources and the self-confidence in coping with COVID-19 were surveyed. Results Most Taiwanese people relied on the internet for COVID-19 information. Many respondents also used a variety of sources of information on COVID-19; such variety was associated with sex, age, and the level of worry toward COVID-19, as well as if one was a health care worker. For health care workers, the use of formal lessons as an information source was significantly associated with better self-confidence in coping with COVID-19. The significant association between receiving information from more sources and greater self-confidence was found only in health care workers but not in non–health-care workers. Conclusions Medical professionals should consider subgroups of the population when establishing various means to deliver information on COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver

A novel strain of coronoviridae (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan China in December 2019. Initially, infection presented with a broad spectrum of symptoms which typically included muscle aches, fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via ACE2 receptors which are abundant throughout the respiratory tract. However, there is evidence that these receptors are abundant throughout the body, and just as abundant in cholangiocytes as alveolar cells, posing the question of possible direct liver injury. While liver enzymes and function tests do seem to be deranged in some patients, it is questionable if the injury is due to direct viral damage, drug-induced liver injury, hypoxia, or microthromboses. Likely, the injury is multifactoral, and management of infected patients with pre-existing liver disease should be taken into consideration. Ultimately, a vaccine is needed to aid in reducing cases of SARS-CoV-2 and providing immunity to the general population. However, while considering the types of vaccines available, safety concerns, particularly of RNA- or DNA-based vaccines, need to be addressed.
Endothelium function dependence of acute changes in pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated slowing

Flow-mediated slowing (FMS), defined as the minimum pulse wave velocity (PWVmin) during reactive hyperemia, is potentially a simple, user-objective test for examining endothelial function. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of a known endothelial dysfunction protocol on arm PWV and PWVmin. Complete data were successfully collected in 22 out of 23 healthy adults (23.8 years [SD 4.1], 16 F, 22.8 kg/m2 [SD 2.8]). Local endothelial dysfunction was induced by increasing retrograde shear stress in the upper arm, through inflation of a distal (forearm) tourniquet to 75 mmHg, for 30 min. Pre- and post-endothelial dysfunction, PWV was measured followed by simultaneous assessment of PWVmin and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). PWV was measured between the upper arm and wrist using an oscillometric device, and brachial FMD using ultrasound. FMD (%) and PWVmin (m/s) were calculated as the maximum increase in diameter and minimum PWV during reactive hyperemia, respectively. Endothelial dysfunction resulted in a large effect size (ES) decrease in FMD (∆ = −3.10%; 95% CI: –4.15, –2.05; ES = −1.3), and a moderate increase in PWV (∆ = 0.38 m/s; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.69; ES = 0.5) and PWVmin (∆ = 0.16 m/s; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.28; ES = 0.6). There was a large intra-individual (pre- vs post-endothelial dysfunction) association between FMD and PWVmin (r = −0.61; 95% CI: –0.82, –0.24). In conclusion, acute change in PWV and PWVmin are at least partially driven by changes in endothelial function.
Augmented Visual Feedback: Cure or Distraction?

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of augmented feedback on participants’ workload, performance, and distribution of visual attention. Background An important question in human–machine interface design is whether the operator should be provided with direct solutions. We focused on the solution space diagram (SSD), a type of augmented feedback that shows directly whether two aircraft are on conflicting trajectories. Method One group of novices (n = 13) completed conflict detection tasks with SSD, whereas a second group (n = 11) performed the same tasks without SSD. Eye-tracking was used to measure visual attention distribution. Results The mean self-reported task difficulty was substantially lower for the SSD group compared to the No-SSD group. The SSD group had a better conflict detection rate than the No-SSD group, whereas false-positive rates were equivalent. High false-positive rates for some scenarios were attributed to participants who misunderstood the SSD. Compared to the No-SSD group, the SSD group spent a large proportion of their time looking at the SSD aircraft while looking less at other areas of interest. Conclusion Augmented feedback makes the task subjectively easier but has side effects related to visual tunneling and misunderstanding. Application Caution should be exercised when human operators are expected to reproduce task solutions that are provided by augmented visual feedback.
Heavy Metal-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Possible Reversal Strategies

Heavy metals are considered a continuous threat to humanity, as they cannot be eradicated. Prolonged exposure to heavy metals/metalloids in humans has been associated with several health risks, including neurodegeneration, vascular dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cancer, etc. Small blood vessels are highly vulnerable to heavy metals as they are directly exposed to the blood circulatory system, which has comparatively higher concentration of heavy metals than other organs. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is an umbrella term used to describe various pathological processes that affect the cerebral small blood vessels and is accepted as a primary contributor in associated disorders, such as dementia, cognitive disabilities, mood disorder, and ischemic, as well as a hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we discuss the possible implication of heavy metals/metalloid exposure in CSVD and its associated disorders based on in-vitro, preclinical, and clinical evidences. We briefly discuss the CSVD, prevalence, epidemiology, and risk factors for development such as genetic, traditional, and environmental factors. Toxic effects of specific heavy metal/metalloid intoxication (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Cu) in the small vessel associated endothelium and vascular dysfunction too have been reviewed. An attempt has been made to highlight the possible molecular mechanism involved in the pathophysiology, such as oxidative stress, inflammatory pathway, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression, and amyloid angiopathy in the CSVD and related disorders. Finally, we discussed the role of cellular antioxidant defense enzymes to neutralize the toxic effect, and also highlighted the potential reversal strategies to combat heavy metal-induced vascular changes. In conclusion, heavy metals in small vessels are strongly associated with the development as well as the progression of CSVD. Chelation therapy may be an effective strategy to reduce the toxic metal load and the associated complications.
Risk Perception Among Non-industrial Private Forest Owners

Based on an enquiry, risk perception among non-industrial private forest owners is described in relation to climate change and forestry hazards. Of the respondents, 11% took action to remedy the effects of climate change. Out of a given set, hazards were ranked according to each respondent's experience of recent substantial financial loss to the estate and in relation to his or her willingness to make investments aimed at risk reduction. For each hazard, the respondent assessed the risk in four classes ranging from very high to negligible risk. Six hazards were considered most problematic in all three aspects: browsing damage, falling timber prices, damage by wind, spruce bark beetle, root rot and pine weevil. A majority of the respondents claimed to take action to reduce the risk associated with at least one hazard, while 35% did not know whether they did. Excluding climate change, the need for decision support was the largest in relation to damage by wind owing to a combination of perceived high risk and a high level of ignorance in relation to whether risk-reducing measures were taken.
Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index in No-Risk Pregnancies: Effects of Auditory Stimulation and Pregnancy Order

Pulsatility index (PI) values in a fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) were compared in no-risk pregnancies to examine the differences related to auditory stimulation test and pregnancy order. The study included 196 women with no-risk pregnancies selected from the database of more than 1000 pregnant women divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 98 nulliparous women (C1 = 98) and Group 2 consisted of 98 parous women (C2 = 98). All pregnant women were of comparable age and fetal gestational age (GA) when MCA-PI values were recorded. Measurements of PI values in fetal MCA were obtained before and immediately after the application of fetal auditory stimulation test. The MCA-PI measuring was conducted in the period between the 36th and the 41st week of GA. The results showed that PI baseline values and PI values after defined auditory stimulation were significantly different when measured in nulliparous women compared to parous women (p = 0.001; p = 0.003, respectively), while no group differences were observed in relative PI value changes due to auditory stimulation. These findings suggest that hemodynamic changes in fetal MCA caused by defined auditory stimulation measured by PI value changes may be valuable in the assessment of fetal auditory perception functionality and its development.