Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is There a Bidirectional Association between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Periodontitis? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has reproductive and metabolic properties that may be linked to periodontitis (PD). This study aimed to update and render a robust critical assessment on all evidence linking PCOS and PD, and appraising a hypothetical bidirectional association. Five databases (PubMed, Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL) were searched up to May 2020. Case-control and cohort studies on the association of PCOS and PD were included. The risk of bias of observational studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random effects meta-analyses of standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) were performed. We followed Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) to appraise the strength and quality of the evidence. Twelve case-controls fulfilled the inclusion criteria (876 with PCOS and 48170 healthy controls), all scored as having a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis revealed that PCOS females have 28% more risk towards PD, and PD females have 46% more risk to have PCOS. PCOS females with PD had higher gum bleeding, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss than non-PCOS females with PD. Populations with undefined periodontal status contribute to underestimated results. On the basis of the available evidence, it is possible to assume a bidirectional link between PCOS and PD. That is, PCOS increases by 28% the risk of having PD and in the same fashion, PD increases by 46% the risk of having PCOS. Furthermore, women with PCOS were associated with worsening clinical characteristics and inflammation of PD. These findings suggest that PCOS and PD may be linked. Hence, further prospective and clinical trial studies with nonsurgical periodontal therapy are necessary to clarify the existence of an increased risk of PCOS in women with PD and vice-versa.
Gestion écologique des nématodes phytoparasites tropicaux

Dans le cas des systemes de culture extensifs soudano-saheliens, les intrants et les recommandations agronomiques etaient essentiellement destines a lutter contre les facteurs limitants les plus apparents, au detriment des moins evidents, comme les nematodes dont les symptomes sont atypiques. Mais la disparition de ces intrants et l’emploi tres irregulier d’engrais ont nivele cette distorsion du fait que les nouvelles methodes sont orientees vers une gestion globale de la fertilite du milieu. Dans le cas des nematodes, la principale difficulte provient du fait que, sans nematicide, il faut desormais lutter contre des parasites sans pouvoir en reduire le nombre. Cependant, leur effet pathogene peut etre attenue en modifiant la structure specifique de leur peuplement. Les relations mesologiques sol-nematodes, certaines pratiques culturales comme la jachere qui exploitent les relations hotes-parasites, ou encore les organismes antagonistes figurent parmi les facteurs susceptibles d’agir sur l’equilibre des especes au sein des peuplements de nematodes. Leur mise en oeuvre, a l’echelle du bassin versant, pourrait etre facilitee en exploitant la propriete qu’a le ruissellement de transporter des materiaux (comme les particules de sol) ou des organismes (notamment des nematodes). Une organisation spatiale de l’occupation des parcelles sur le bassin versant en fonction du passage de l’eau de ruissellement pourrait probablement limiter la reinfestation precoce des champs cultives apres une jachere. La dependance des nematodes vis-a-vis des plantes et du sol ainsi que leur presence dans les eaux de ruissellement leur conferent un role d’indicateur biologique d’autant plus interessant qu’ils sont aisement manipulables.
Antifeedant and toxic effects of drimanes on Colorado potato beetle larvae

Among the drimane compounds tested, the dialdehydes polygodial and warburganal were the most active as antifeedants against Colorado potato beetle larvae, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in a dual‐choice assay with potato, Solanum tuberosum L. , leaf discs. Lactones were less effective. Direct observations showed that decreased feeding on leaf discs treated with polygodial and warburganal was accompanied by increased locomotory activity. Topical application of these two compounds on the insect's cuticle decreased food intake of untreated leaf discs, indicating that besides deterrent effects, toxic properties of these molecules influence feeding behaviour.
Environmental heterogeneity of World Wildlife Fund for Nature ecoregions and implications for conservation in Neotropical biodiversity hotspots

SUMMARY Mesoamerica, Chocó and the tropical Andes are recognized as biodiversity hotspots where conservation action is urgently needed. Because World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) ecoregions are commonly used as the basis for conservation decisions, an understanding of WWF ecoregions’ environmental heterogeneity and their representation in current protected areas (PAs) is important for identifying priority areas for conservation. Thirteen environmental domain classifications based on 22 climatic and topographical variables and the Shannon diversity index were used to quantify environmental diversity for each WWF ecoregion. The area of each environmental domain and ecoregion was compared with the World Database on Protected Areas 2007. The most environmentally-diverse ecoregions were poorly represented in the PAs and several ecoregions showed low environmental heterogeneity representation inside PAs, for example the Balsas depression, Sierra Madre del Sur and the Chiapas Sierras in Mexico, some sierras in Central America, the Middle Magdalena, inter-Andean valleys, the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia and the Western Moist Forest of Ecuador. Using WWF ecoregions as equivalent units for conservation and management can be misleading, given their environmental heterogeneity; therefore, they have limited usefulness in assessing environmental representation in PAs. An underestimation of environmental heterogeneity representation in PAs can have misleading implications for conservation actions in regions where detailed biological information is lacking. Conservation efforts should focus on the environmental domains and ecoregions showing high environmental heterogeneity that is poorly represented in PAs.
Temporal and Spatial Relations between the Spawning of Humpback Chub and Roundtail Chub in the Upper Colorado River

Abstract Gonadosomatic indices (100 × gonad weight/whole-body weight) and the occurrence of expressible gametes indicated a temporal overlap in the spawning of humpback chub Gila cypha and roundtail chub G. robusta at Black Rocks, a turbulent, deepwater reach of the upper Colorado River, Colorado (39°N, 109°W). Radiotelemetry showed that roundtail chub moved throughout the upper Colorado River during the spawning season, whereas humpback chub were restricted almost entirely to the 1.8-km Black Rocks reach; however, spatial isolation of the species during spawning was not demonstrated. A principal component analysis of morphologic measurements taken from live fish supported taxonomic assignments made in the field and suggested that most of the few specimens considered hybrids or intergrades by field personnel were actually humpback chub; however, an analysis based on fin ray counts indicated that this group included roundtail chub, hybrids, or backcross individuals. The strong affinity of humpback chub for.
Animal welfare in a global perspective

Wereldwijd overzicht van dierenwelzijnswetgeving, praktijken en percepties, met voorbeeldstudies over kippenvlees uit Brazilie en Thailand, eieren uit India en de Verenigde Staten, welzijnswetgeving voor kweekvis en welzijnsaspecten van (vermeende) overpopulatie van wilde dieren.Global survey of animal-welfare regulations, practices and perceptions, with case studies on poultry meat from Brazil and Thailand, eggs from India and the USA, welfare regulations of farmed fish and welfare aspects related to (perceived) overpopulation of wildlife
Encounters between two sympatric carnivores: red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and European badgers (Meles meles)

Interspecific interactions between sympatric carnivores have important implications for intra-guild competition, epidemiology (here especially in the context of rabies and bovine tuberculosis), and strategies for species-specific population management. Data are provided on 135 interspecific encounters between at least 35 European badgers Meles meles and a minimum of five red foxes Vulpes vulpes , gathered with the aid of remote video surveillance at an artificial feeding site, and in the vicinity of six badger setts. We hypothesized that interspecific competition would be manifest in aggression and changes in vigilance and feeding, with the larger badger having the advantage, and we sought to explore differences in any such changes at the two types of site. Badgers were clearly dominant over foxes, fed in longer bouts and were less vigilant. At badger setts, once it was clear that the encounter was not going to escalate to aggression, each species was unaffected by the presence, proximity or orientation of the other. There are preliminary indications that foxes sometimes seek the company of badgers.
Relative Bioavailability of Basic Zinc Sulfate and Basic Zinc Chloride for Chicks

Abstract An experiment was conducted to compare the estimated relative bioavailability of two new potential sources of zinc (Zn), basic Zn sulfate and basic Zn chloride with that of feed-grade Zn oxide, using reagent-grade Zn sulfate heptahydrate as the standard in chicks fed for 21 days. Based on bone Zn accumulation regressed on added dietary Zn concentration and assuming a value of 100% for reagent-grade Zn sulfate, relative bioavailability values were 101, 107, and 49% for basic Zn sulfate, basic Zn chloride, and Zn oxide, respectively.
Cuticle and muscle variation underlying phenotypic plasticity in barnacle feeding leg and penis form

Many aspects of barnacle body form are known to be developmentally plastic. Perhaps the most striking examples of such plasticity occur in their feeding legs and unusually long penises, the sizes and shapes of which can change dramatically and adaptively with changes in conspecific density and local water flow conditions. However, whether variation in overall appendage form is mirrored by structural responses in cuticle and muscle is not known. In order to determine how structural variation underlies phenotypic plasticity in barnacle appendages, we examined barnacles occurring at low and high population densities from one wave-protected and one wave-exposed site. We used histological sectioning and fluorescence microscopy of feeding legs and penises to compare cuticle thickness, muscle thickness, and muscle organization, and artificial penis inflation to compare penis extensibility. We observed striking differences in cuticle thickness, muscle thickness, and muscle organization between sites that differed in water velocity, but we found no clear differences associated with variation in conspecific density. Penis extensibility also did not differ consistently between sites. These results are consistent with an adaptive explanation for much of the remarkable and complex variation in barnacle feeding leg and penis morphology among sites that differ in water velocity.
Role of ADAM23 in Normal Human Keratinocytes

Author(s): Yeon, Soo Jung | Advisor(s): Kim, Reuben | Abstract: “High risk” human papillomaviruses (HPV) are known to cause or are closely associated with the development of head and neck cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Integration of HPV DNA into host genome and subsequent expression of viral oncogenes, such as E6 and E7, are critical initial events for the HPV-associated cancer development; however, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to convert normal cells to malignant phenotypes, and other additional genetic and/or epigenetic events in the HPV-infected cells are required. Previously, we utilized the high-throughput RNAi Decode Library system on human oral keratinocyte-16B (HOK-16B), an immortalized but non-tumorigenic keratinocyte harboring HPV-16 genome, and identified ADAM23 as a putative tumor suppressor that functionally convert HOK-16B cells to tumorigenic. Here, we aimed to determine effects of ADAM23 in proliferation potential (e.g., population doublings) in the absence of HPV backgrounds in normal human oral and epidermal keratinocytes (NHOKs and NHEKs) and OKF6, hTERT-immortalized human oral keratinocytes. During the serially subcultured NHOKs, ADAM23 expression was significant increased during replicative senescence. Overexpression ADAM23 in NHOKs and NHEKs did not cause any changes in population doubling although they exhibited increased expression of p16. Knockdown of ADAM23 in NHEKs had no significant changes in their population doubling. Similarly, overexpression of ADAM23 OKF6 cells yielded no gross alterations in proliferation potential. When the Wnt signaling pathway is examined by treating LiCl or Wnt3a, overexpression of ADAM23 activated Wnt signaling pathway as demonstrated by increased expression of beta-catenin. Our data suggest that ADAM23 has limited effects on keratinocytes in the absence of HPV.
Effect of cage density on the performance of 25- to 84-week-old laying hens

Three experiments were carrie out to evaluate the influence of cage density on the performance of 25- to 84-week-old laying hens. Forty hundred Lohmann-LSL layers were distributed in cages (100x40x 45x50cm) according to a completely randomized experimental design with split plot in time.Three treatments (10, 12, or 14 hens per cage, corresponding, to 450, 375, and 321cm2/bird, respectively), with 15 assessment periods (four weeks each), and eight replicates per treatment were applied. Considering that layer's production cycle is affected by age, three experimental trials (25 to 44; 45 to 64 and 65 to 84 weeks of age) were carried out, and the data collected in each trial was individually analyzed. Increasing cage density significantly reduced feed intake in all phases studied. Increasing birds/cm2 significantly decreased feed intake and improved feed conversion at all stages of study, and egg production was only affected in 45-week-old birds. The number of birds per cage should be reduced as birds age in order not to affect their performance. Birds with more cage space in the presented higher feed intake; however, this did not result in higher egg production or lower mortality. These results suggest that up to 45 weeks of age, 375 cm2 per layer results in the best performance, and from then on, 450 cm2 per bird is required to maintain egg production and to reduce hen mortality.
Phylogenetic analyses of bacteria in sea ice at Cape Hallett, Antarctica

Every year, an area of sea ice forms around the continent of Antarctica that is inhabited by communities of microbes. Although the microbial component of this habitat has been postulated to play an ecologically important role in the Southern Ocean, our understanding of the diversity of Antarctic sea-ice bacteria is limited. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial components present in sea ice at Cape Hallett. Total community DNA was isolated from sea-ice cores and the 16S ribosomal RNA genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a range of universal and targeted primer sets. PCR products were de-replicated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and distinct RFLP types were sequenced. The major bacterial classes identified consisted of α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, Cytophaga–Flavobacteria–Bacteroides group and a small number of Gram-positive species. Our findings indicate that the bacterial component of sea ice at Cape Hallett is primarily heterotrophic. Cyanobacteria and Archaea were not detected using the methods and primer sets employed in this study. However, bacteria whose 16S rDNA sequences cluster with species that encode phototrophic genes were detected in our sea-ice samples. This raised the possibility that bacterial phototrophy may occur in Antarctic sea ice.
DETERMINATION OF APPARENT AND TRUE DIGESTIBILITY OF POULTRY BY PRODUCT MEAL IN BROILER CHICKENS

In order to determination of ileum apparent and true digestibility of two samples of poultry by product meal, an experiment was conducted with a total of 60 day-old broiler chicks, Ross 308 strain. Poultry by-product meal was prepared from two slaughter house in Alborz province. Samples were sent to laboratory for determination of chemical analysis. The birds received commercial broiler starter and grower diets from day l to 30. On day 30, sixty birds of uniform nearly some body weight (38±4 g) were allocated to twelve groups of five birds each and assigned to twelve cages. There were three dietary treatments, two diets containing two samples of poultry by-product meal (PBPM) and a nitrogen-free diet. Apparent digestibility values of the assay diet, using ileal contents, were calculated using chromic oxide as indigestible marker. True digestibility values were calculated using endogenous output determined by feeding a nitrogen-free diet. In day 42, birds were slaughtered by CO2 and ileum content was collected. Apparent and true digestibility of protein, Ca, P and metabolizable energy were calculated. Result showed there is difference between two samples of PBPM in chemical composition and nutrient digestibility. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in sample 2 were higher than sample 1 (3665±137.75 vs. 3241±2.85 and 3495±134.45 vs. 3111±1.50, respectively) however these differences were not significant in some cases.
Root growth of wheat. I. Early patterns of multiplication and extension of wheat roots including effects of levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Wheat root growth was followed to 30 days from planting in wheat supplied with standard, twofold, half and nil levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Root numbers and lengths followed consistent patterns of increase in the seminal and nodal root systems of all treatments. Most root components demonstrated their highest rates of relative increase in length and number immediately after first appearance. Within a few days this decreased to a constant rate of increase which continued until the end of the experiment. Rates during the stages of constant relative increase were higher with increasing order of lateral, and the same for all treatments, except when nutrient deficiency seriously suppressed root growth. Potassium deficiency stopped root growth completely within 10–12 days of planting. Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies gave increasing delays in root component appearance with increasing order of lateral. Increasing suppression of seminal lateral numbers and a severe suppression of nodal root growth followed. Lower root numbers caused by nitrogen deficiency were compensated by greater lateral lengths in the seminal but not the nodal root systems. Some reduction in root growth resulted from application of the half and twofold levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. All responses to applied nutrient levels were more obvious with increasing order of lateral and with the nodal rather than seminal root systems. The nodal root system reflected plant response better than the seminal root system.
Changes of Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant System in Serum and Tissues of Patients With Alopecia Areata

ABS TRACT Objective: Alo pe ci a are a ta (AA), is an au to im mu ne inf lam ma tory di se a se, cha rac te ri zed by the loss of the scalp ha ir, and its eti o logy and pat ho ge ne sis is still unk nown. To se arch the ro le of oxi da ti ve stress in the eti o pat ho ge ne sis, li pid pe ro xi da ti on and an ti o xi dant enz yme le vels are stu di ed in the se rum and tis su es of pa ti ents with AA. Material and Met hods: The study was per for med on 21 adult pa ti ents di ag no sed as AA and 21 he althy vo lun te ers. All sub jects we re nons mo kers, did not ha ve any syste mic di se a se and had not re ci e ved any syste mic or to pi cal the raphy. Blo od samp les we re ob ta i ned from both the pa ti ents and the con trol gro up, and tis su e spe ci mens we re ta ken only from the alo pe cic and nor mal scalp tis su es of the pa ti ent gro up. Ma lon di al dehy de (MDA), su pe ro xi de dis mu ta se (SOD) and glu tat hi o ne pe ro xi da se (GP) enz yme le vels we re stu di ed. Stu dent’s t test and Mann Whit ney U test we re used for the statis ti cal analy sis. Re sults: Se rum erit rocy te SOD and GP le vels we re sig ni fi cantly hig her in the pa ti ents with AA when com pa red with the con trol gro up (p=0.025, p=0.033, res pec ti vely). Plas ma MDA le vels we re hig her in the pa ti ent gro up, but this was not sta tis ti cally sig ni fi cant (p=0.109). SOD le vels of alo pe cic tis su es we re sig ni fi cantly hig her than nor mal tis su es for the pa ti ents (p=0.018). The re was not any dif fe ren ce for the le vels of GP and MDA in the alo pe cic and nor mal tis su es (p=0.458, p=0.660, res pec ti vely). Conc lu si on: An ti o xi dant enz yme le vels (SOD and GP) we re hig her in the pa ti ent gro up com pa red with con trol gro up, furt her mo re for the pa ti ent gro up the se le vels we re hig her in alo pe cic tis su es com pa red with nor mal tis su es. The re fo re it is tho ught that, as the re sult of oxi da ti ve stress and li pid pe ro xi da ti on, an ti o xi dant enz yme le vels are in cre a sed. In conc lu si on it is de ci ded that, li pid pe ro xi da ti on and chan ges in oxi dant-an ti o xi dant systems may play an im por tant ro le in the pat ho ge ne sis of AA.
Some evidence for ballast water transport being the vector of the quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis Andrusov, 1897) introduction into Western Europe and subsequent upstream dispersal in the River Rhine.

Sampling in May 2008 by the author in the Main-Danube canal (Germany) as well as earlier sampling by Van der Velde and Platvoet (2007) indicated that the quagga mussel introduction into Western Europe was not the result of range expansion from its native range through the River Danube and subsequently the Main-Danube canal and River Rhine, as previously suggested.Ballast water transport and release in the Hollandsch Diep, a section of one of the distributaries in the Rhine delta (The Netherlands), is now considered the most likely vector and dispersal source.
Herbivorous arthropods on bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Khun) in Australia compared with elsewhere

The herbivorous arthropod fauna of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Khun), at a site near Sydney, Australia, is described and compared with previously reported bracken faunas in other geographic regions. Monthly sampling over 18 months found 17 species of herbivorous arthropods (15 insect and two mite species) from five orders. At the ordinal level, the mixture differed substantially from the bracken faunas of sites in Britain and Papua New Guinea. Notable was the presence of Thysanoptera and Acari, and the absence of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. The mixtures of orders/families represented in the site bracken faunas in Britain, and less so in Australia, resembled those in the pool of herbivorous arthropods in those regions. Further, the mixture of orders on bracken was more similar to the mixture of orders on other ferns than to the mixture of orders among herbivorous insects on all plants; such similarity was not evident at family level. Compared with sites in other regions, the Sydney site had an abundance of pinna-sucking species and a dearth of mining species. Differences between regions in feeding niches most occupied tended to correspond with the differences in orders represented. Not all features of the fauna of bracken near Sydney reflected differences in the general herbivorous arthropod fauna of Australia compared with other regions, or differences between the herbivore faunas of ferns and seed plants. Its composition must be attributed in part to stochastic aspects of the speciation of herbivorous arthropods onto host plants.