Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thoracic duct identification with indocyanine green fluorescence during minimally invasive esophagectomy with patient in prone position

Abstract Chylothorax is a serious complication of transthoracic esophagectomy. Intraoperative thoracic duct (TD) identification represents a possible tool for preventing or repairing its lesions, and it is most of the time difficult, even during high-definition thoracoscopy. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility of using near-infrared fluorescence-guided thoracoscopy to identify TD anatomy and check its intraoperative lesions during minimally invasive esophagectomy. A 0.5 mg/kg solution of indocyanine green (ICG) was injected percutaneously in the inguinal nodes of 19 patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy in a prone position, before thoracoscopy. TD anatomy and potential intraoperative lesions were checked with the KARL STORZ OPAL1® Technology. In all of the 19 patients where transthoracic esophagectomy was feasible, the TD was clearly identified after a mean of 52.7 minutes from injection time. The TD was cut for oncological radicality in two patients, and it was successfully ligated under the ICG guide. No postoperative chylothorax or adverse reactions from the ICG injection occurred. The TD identification with indocyanine green fluorescence during minimally invasive esophagectomy is a simple, effective, and non-time-demanding tool; it may become a standard procedure to prevent postoperative chylothorax.
Effects of COVID‐19 on Parkinson's Disease Clinical Features: A Community‐Based Case‐Control Study

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on clinical features of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been poorly characterized so far. Of 141 PD patients resident in Lombardy, we found 12 COVID‐19 cases (8.5%), whose mean age and disease duration (65.5 and 6.3 years, respectively) were similar to controls. Changes in clinical features in the period January 2020 to April 2020 were compared with those of 36 PD controls matched for sex, age, and disease duration using the clinical impression of severity index for PD, the Movement Disorders Society Unified PD Rating Scale Parts II and IV, and the nonmotor symptoms scale. Motor and nonmotor symptoms significantly worsened in the COVID‐19 group, requiring therapy adjustment in one third of cases. Clinical deterioration was explained by both infection‐related mechanisms and impaired pharmacokinetics of dopaminergic therapy. Urinary issues and fatigue were the most prominent nonmotor issues. Cognitive functions were marginally involved, whereas none experienced autonomic failure. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Efeito de antibiótico e probióticos sobre o desempenho e rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte

A completely randomized design with five replicates and 150 chicks per experimental unity were used to evaluate the effect of growth promoters on feed intake, weight gain and feed:weight gain ratio of broilers. The experimental diets were: 1- initial diet (20.2% of crude protein and 2931kcal of metabolizable energy) from 1 to 20 days of age (ID) and final diet (18.5% of crude protein and 2993kcal of metabolizable energy) from 21 to 40 days of age (FD); 2- ID plus 0.02% of Calsporin10 probiotic and FD plus 0.02% of Calsporin10 probiotic; 3- ID plus 2.0% of probiotic Estibion and FD plus 0.63% of probiotic Estibion; 4- ID plus 0.013% of Zinc bacitracin and FD plus 0.013% of Zinc bacitracin. During the initial period broilers fed on probiotic diets showed lower feed intake and better feed:weight gain ratio. However growth promoters have no effect on the studied traits in the final and total periods. Higher thigh yields were observed for male fed on poliprobiotic diets.
Defense responses to Meloidogyne exigua in resistant coffee cultivar and non-host plant

The resistance of coffee plants to Meloidogyne exigua is conferred by the gene Mex-1. However, the mechanisms of resistance still need to be clarified. Therefore, the penetration, development and reproduction of two populations of M. exigua (M1, isolated from the coffee plant and M2, from rubber tree) in susceptible (Coffea arabica 'Catuai') and resistant (C. canephora 'Apoata') cultivars were studied. A greater quantity of J2 from M1 penetrated the susceptible cultivar, but there was no difference between the cultivars for M2. Although the resistant coffee cultivar formed some galls, the nematode did not reproduce. M2 did not induce the formation of galls or the production of eggs in either cultivars. Events related to hypersensitive reaction (HR) were observed as well as other defense responses of the coffee cultivar against M. exigua, which inhibited the formation of the feeding site, provoked emigration of the J2 and delayed or inhibited development and reproduction. The response of the non-host plant was more effective, because it did not allow development of the nematode or, consequently, its reproduction. It was concluded that the coffee cultivar's resistance to M. exigua is not restricted to HR, but rather to a set of defense responses, both constitutive and induced, expressed after nematode penetration, especially phenolic-like compounds.
Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking, and Drunkenness Experience in Adolescence: Complex Associations with Family, Peers, Social Context, and Risk Perceptions

Abstract Background: A number of correlates to adolescent substance use have been shown, yet their unique predictive influence is unclear. We investigated the incremental validity of demographics, family background, school variables, risk perception, parental alcohol attitudes, age of first alcohol use, peer group influence, and behavioral variables as they concurrently predicted last month alcohol use, binge drinking, and drunkenness experience frequency. Methods: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses in a sample of N = 743 adolescents (mean age = 15.01). Results: All predictors explained 26–40% of the total variance. Alcohol use was predicted by age, gender, having two working parents, academic family background, relationship to parents, relative risk perception, parental acceptance of alcohol use, age of first use, talking about positive aspects of alcohol, normality of alcohol use among peers, time spent with friends, and going out to clubs. Binge drinking was predicted by age, working parents, school problems, relative risk perception, parental alcohol acceptance, age of first use, talking about positive aspects of alcohol, time spent with friends, and going out to clubs. Drunkenness was predicted by age, relationship to parents, school problems, relative risk perception, age of first use, talking about positive aspects of alcohol, and going out to clubs. Conclusions: Researchers need to take the complexity of adolescent substance use into account when designing studies and interventions. Relative risk perception emerged as the strongest (positive) predictor, indicating that adolescents are able to rather accurately assess their own risk and risk awareness alone does not suffice to engage in protective behavior.
Characterization of chemotaxis and motility response towards fructose in Escherichia coli.

Peritrichously flagellated bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) perform chemotaxis by a biased random walk toward various chemicals, which was driven by the bacterial flagellar motor. Fructose, a typical monosaccharide that can attract E. coli. However, little is known about the chemotaxis and motility response of E. coli towards fructose. Here, we characterized the chemotaxis behavior of E. coli to different concentrations of fructose from 0 mM to 50 mM by using microfluidics and bead assay. We observed the wild-type cells responded to the stimulus of fructose, which suggested fructose is an attractant to E. coli, while the cells defective in chemotaxis could not sense the stimulus of fructose. The motility of wild-type cells was reduced in various concentrations of fructose, which helped the aggregation of cells near surfaces, in contrast with the result that the fructose showed no effect on the motility of the cells defective in chemotaxis. Similar phenomena are expected to be found in the effect of other monosaccharides to E. coli.
Identification of tissue-specific gene clusters and orthologues of nodulation-related genes in Vigna angularis

Nitrogen fixation in legumes is an important agricultural trait that results from symbiosis between the root and rhizobia. To understand the molecular basis of nodulation, recent research has been focused on the identification of nodulation-related genes by functional analysis using two major model legumes, Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus. Thus far, three important processes have been discovered, namely Nod factor (NF) perception, NF signalling and autoregulation of nodulation. Nevertheless, application of the results of these studies is limited for non-model legume crops because a reference genome is unavailable. However, because the cost of whole-transcriptome analysis has dropped dramatically due to the Next generation sequencer (NGS) technology, minor crops for which reference sequences are yet to be constructed can still be studied at the genome level. In this study, we sequenced the leaf and root transcriptomes of Vigna angularis (accession IT213134) and de novo assembled. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using the transcriptome assembly to effectively identify tissue-specific peptide clusters related to tissue-specific functions and species-specific nodulation-related genes.
THE SOCIABLE WEAVER, PART 2: NEST ARCHITECTURE AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

Summary Maclean, G. L. 1973. The Sociable Weaver, Part 2: Nest architecture and social organization. Ostrich 44:191-218. Sociable Weavers build nest masses in a number of indigenous tree species (especially on Acacia giraffae branches) and on artificial nest sites like telephone poles. They never build in exotic trees. Nest masses are built of grass straws and roofed over with a superstructure of coarser material such as thorn twigs. The grass substructure contains the nest chambers which do not interconnect. The substructure may be divisible into two or more levels, each forming a social unit comprising the birds inhabiting it. Each social level of birds is confined to its own structural level at all times, but a bird may roost in any chamber within its own level. The superstructure is not divisible into social units and any bird may build or perch on any part of the superstructure. Movements of birds from one colony to another are rare. The colony at one nest mass leaves the nest at about sunrise in sum.
Effect of body size, body mass, and body condition on reproduction of female South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in Namibia

The relationships between female reproductive parameters (fertility, pregnancy, and lactation status) and body mass, body condition, and body length in South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) were investigated over 4 years. Ovulation rate in every year was 100% despite interannual differences in female body condition index (BCI). The overall pregnancy rate was 79%. The proportion of pregnant females was related to BCI but not to body mass or body length. In good years, BCI decreased through the first part of the reproductive cycle to a minimum at implantation and increased again through pregnancy. In 1989, BCI declined over the whole reproductive cycle, and there was a higher proportion of nonpregnant females and failures of lactation. Thus, poor nutritional conditions may affect reproductive success through failure to rear a pup, and pup production the following year may also be reduced. This lower rate of pregnancy is partly explained by an increase in the incidence of spontaneous abortions, bu.
Ecology of sandstone ravine myxomycetes from Saxonian Switzerland (Germany)

We describe the ecology of a highly specialized community of ravine myxomycetes from sandstone gorges of the Saxonian Switzerland region (near Dresden, Germany). Five taxa, Colloderma robustum, Diderma ochraceum, Lamproderma columbinum, L. puncticulatum agg. and Lepidoderma tigrinum, account for 87% of all records. Colloderma robustum and Diderma lucidum are new records for Germany; Diderma ochraceum was known from a few collections only. A total of 127 small-scale vegetation releves showed that the community occurs only in deep and narrow ravines (mean horizon openness 4.9%) on nearly vertical rocks (mean inclination 79°), and preferentially in northern exposition (42% of all releves). Substrate pH is very acidic (mean 3.35). At the fructification time of the myxomycetes (beginning of October) the microclimate is very constant with temperatures around 10°C and nearly 100% relative humidity around the day. Beside green algae (associated with 100% of all myxomycete records, most common was Coccomyxa confluens (Kutz.) Fott s.l. ) the bryophytes Mylia taylorii (64%), Dicranodontium denudatum (59%), Tetraphis pellucida (50%) and Diplophyllum albicans (40%) were of high indicator value for this community. Low values for niche width of the five more common myxomycete species reflect the high degree of specialization for the community as a whole, whereas niche overlap between species is high. Low values for the Cole index of association can be interpreted as competition between species or, more likely, reflect the relative rarity of fruiting colonies.
Mark–Recapture Estimates of Harp Seal Pup (Phoca groenlandica) Production in the Northwest Atlantic

Pup production of the northwest Atlantic harp seal population (Phoca groenlandica) was estimated using a modified Petersen model corrected for tag loss and nonreporting of recovered tags. Variance estimates were corrected for the additional sources of variation due to tag loss, reporting rate, and the estimation of the number of seals examined for tags. Experiments were conducted in March of 1978, 1979, and 1980 with 9154, 4939, and 6246 pups being tagged in each year, respectively. Estimates from short-term recoveries (within the same year) were unreliable because of failure to satisfy the assumption of uniform mixing of marked and unmarked seals. Pooled estimates from long-term recoveries (1–3 yr) were considered more reliable, with the 1978 estimate of 506 000 ± 77 000 (1 SE) and the 1979 estimate of 489 000 ± 71 000 being most reliable. Based on the results of this study and on the trend in catches of pups and immatures in West Greenland, we conclude that harp seal pup production and hence population .
Response from Chris Langdon, Biosphere 2 Center

Response from Chris Langdon, Biosphere 2 Center: Judith Weis asks, “Does Cohn’s lack of comment about the estuary mean that they have given up on it altogether? ”The answer is that the experts we brought in had few good ideas on research that could be achieved only at Biosphere, thus we have let that system take its natural course. The suggestion to install a tidal system was helpful, but what is really needed at this point are committed investigators willing to expend time and energy actually making necessary modifications and demonstrating the potential of the facility. In the ocean, rain forest, and agricultural biomes, this has been done and exciting results have been obtained. Regarding the statement about the green color of the water in the coral reef (ocean) system being unhealthy, we point out our recently published paper (Marubini et al. 2001) showing that growth rates of nubbins of the coral Porites compressa grown in the B2 tank are similar to previously reported growth rates for P. compressa and the very similar Caribbean species P. porites measured by the same methodology (Marubini and Davies 1996, Marubini and Atkinson 1999, Marubini and Thake 1999). Community metabolism values are low in comparison with a tropical algal–coral reef flat, but typical of high-latitude, shallow, coral reef lagoonal environments (Atkinson et al. 1999). If the rates of production are normalized to the amount of light received, they are comparable to rates measured on Eniwetok. The yellow-greenish color of the water is due to a high concentration (dissolved organic carbon 250 μM, dissolved organic nitrogen 50 μM, dissolved organic phosphorus 0.3 μM) of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). We know of no evidence that this material is unhealthy for the biota, beyond its effect on the penetration of light. We have moved slowly to remove the material for two reasons. First, we had a long-term CO2-calcification experiment under way that we didn’t want to perturb. Second, we needed to find a way to remove the material that would not put the nitrogen and phosphorus back into the water. After some experimentation we decided to use charcoal filtration. We will soon collect some of the CDOM for analysis by interested investigators and then begin to pass the ocean water through charcoal filters. We expect the cleanup operation will take 6 to 9 months.
TAXONOMIC STUDY OF METHANOL-ASSIMILATING YEASTS

Thirty-one freshly isolated strains of methanol-assimilating yeasts were identified as Pichia cellobiosa (3 strains), Candida boidinii (20 strains), Candida cariosilignicola (1 strain), Candida succiphila (6 strains), and Torulopsis molischiana (1 strain). Kloeckera sp. No. 2201 and Candida methanolica, which were reported as methanol-assimilating yeasts, and Candida koshuensis were reidentified as C. boidinii on the basis of biological and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Torulopsis methanolovescens showed characteristics similar to those of Pichia lindnerii, and the chemotaxonomic characteristics of the two were in good agreement. The DNA base composition (GC-content of DNA) of these yeasts was distributed in a broad range from 29.2% to 50.2%. The ubiquinone system, proton magnetic resonance spectra of cell-wall mannans, and electrophoretic patterns of methanol oxidase were characteristic for each species. These methanol-assimilating yeasts were divided into four groups: 1) the C. boidinii group, 2) methanol-assimilating Hansenula and its closely related yeasts, 3) the P. cellobiosa group, and 4) the Hansenula capsulata group.
Transovarial transmission of symbionts in Xiphinema brevicollum (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Transovarial transmission of bacterial symbionts in Xiphinema brevicollum was examined by means of electron microscopical- and fluorescence microscopical observations of intra-uterine and freshly laid non-embryonated eggs, as well as of embryonated eggs. The symbionts are mainly aggregated near one of the egg poles and this is observed in non-embryonated as well as in embryonated eggs. The bacteria are present in intestinal cells of first stage juveniles that are still enclosed by the egg-shell. In subsequent juvenile developmental stages their number increases and the intestinal cells are filled with the symbionts. Bacteria were not present in the genital primordium. It is hypothesised that the aggregated symbionts at one of the egg poles become enclosed in the E founder cell during embryogenesis and subsequently are distributed to the endodermal daughter cells. The bacteria become enclosed in the ovarial wall through an unknown mechanism only during the later stages of gonad development. Transmission transovarienne des symbiontes de Xiphinema brevicollum (Nematoda: Longidoridae) - La transmission transovarienne des symbiontes bacteriens de Xiphinema brevicollum a ete etudiee par observations en microscopie electronique et a fluorescence d'œufs non embryonnes, encore contenus dans l'uterus ou fraichement pondus, et d'œufs embryonnes. Les symbiontes sont en majorite agreges a l'un des poles de l'œuf, que celui-ci soit embryonne ou non. Les bacteries sont presentes dans les cellules intestinales du premier stade juvenile encore contenu a l'interieur de la coque de l'œuf. Chez les stades juveniles ulterieurs leur nombre croit et les cellules intestinales sont remplies de symbiontes. Ces bacteries sont absentes du primordium genital. L'hypothese est avancee que les symbiontes agreges a l'un des poles de l'œuf se retrouvent, au cours de l'embryogenese, dans la cellule fondatrice E et sont par la suite repartis dans les cellules endodermiques filles. Les bacteries ne se retrouvent dans la paroi ovarienne que lors des derniers stades du developpement de la gonade par un mecanisme encore inconnu.
The lesser of two weevils: physiological responses of spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) to above- and belowground herbivory by Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus achates

Abstract The physiological responses of plants to variable levels of root and shoot herbivory in the field may yield valuable insights regarding potential compensation or tolerance responses for herbivory. In an infestation of Centaurea stoebe (spotted knapweed) located in the Colorado foothills, we measured physiology, biomass, and flower production of individual plants undergoing a natural range of herbivory by the above- and belowground biological control insects, Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus achates. Over the growing season, net carbon assimilation rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and intercellular leaf [CO2] (C i) all decreased, while water use efficiency increased. The decrease in these physiological traits was due to an increase in the intensity of L. minutus damage over time; effects of C. achates root damage to plant physiology, including transpiration were only marginally significant. The effects of these two species on plant physiology were not interactive, and Larinus minutus was found to exert larger negative effects on this invasive plant in terms of plant physiology and potential reproductive output than C. achates. While previous studies have shown C. achates to have significant negative effects on population densities of spotted knapweed, the addition of Larinus minutus to the suite of insects used in biological control of spotted knapweed should facilitate continued or enhanced reduction in densities of this noxious weed.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Spanish patients with Alzheimer’s disease during the COVID‐19 lockdown

Background and purpose The COVID‐19 epidemic is affecting almost all individuals worldwide, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are particularly at risk due to their characteristics and age. We analysed the impact of the pandemic on these patients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms and their quality of life after 5 weeks of lockdown in Spain. Methods A total of 40 patients with a diagnosis of MCI (n = 20) or mild AD (n = 20) from the Cognitive Stimulation Program of the Cognitive Disorders Unit were evaluated. All patients had undergone a previous evaluation during the month before the lockdown, and were re‐evaluated after 5 weeks of lockdown. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and EuroQol‐5D questionnaire (EQ‐5D) were used to assess neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients and the quality of life in patients as well in caregivers. Results The mean (SD) total baseline NPI score was 33.75 (22.28), compared with 39.05 (27.96) after confinement (P = 0.028). The most frequently affected neuropsychiatric symptoms were apathy [4.15 (3.78) vs. 5.75 (4.02); P = 0.002] and anxiety [3.95 (3.73) vs. 5.30 (4.01); P = 0.006] in patients with MCI, and apathy [2.35 (2.70) vs. 3.75 (3.78); P = 0.036], agitation [0.45 (1.14) vs. 1.50 (2.66); P = 0.029] and aberrant motor behaviour [1.25 (2.86) vs. 2.00 (2.93); P = 0.044] in patients with AD. We did not observe differences in EQ‐5D scores during the re‐evaluation. The 30% of patients and 40% of caregivers reported a worsening of the patients' health status during confinement. Conclusions The results of this study show the worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with AD and MCI during 5 weeks of lockdown, with agitation, apathy and aberrant motor activity being the most affected symptoms.