Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth, yield and water use of lentils (Lens culinaris) in Canterbury, New Zealand

SUMMARY Lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) were sown on eight sowing dates from April to November in two seasons in Canterbury, New Zealand. In 1984/85, six sowing dates were combined with two lentil cultivars (Olympic and Titore) and two irrigation treatments. In 1985/86, Titore was sown on two dates, with four irrigation treatments. An additional experiment grown under rain shelters examined the response of Titore to four irrigation regimes. The 1984/85 season was dry and rainfall was only 70% of the long-term mean. In this season, seed yield was high, 3·3 t/ha from the May sowing. The 1985/86 season was wetter than average and seed yields were lower, ranging from 0·6 to 1·5 t/ha. Under rain shelters, seed yield ranged from the equivalent of 0·32 to 2·5 t/ha. Sowing date had the most marked effect on seed yield. In the 1984/85 season, all autumn and winter sowings yielded 2·4–3·3 t/ha, whereas the spring sowings yielded 0·5–1·5 t/ha. In 1985/86, unirrigated plots from the May sowing yielded 1·5 t/ha, whereas all other plots yielded c. 0·8 t/ha. Generally, the small-seeded cultivar Titore outyielded Olympic. Dry matter (DM) accumulation followed similar trends to seed yield. Seasonal DM accumulation followed a sigmoidal curve. Functional growth analysis indicated that plants from autumn/winter sowings had a weighted mean absolute growth rate of 110–171 kg/ha per day, whereas spring-sown plants grew at 96–137 kg/ha per day. The maximum crop growth rate was 230 kg/ha per day in the July 1984 sowing. There was little positive response to irrigation in both seasons. Under rain shelters, there was a linear increase in both dry matter and seed production with increased total water. Fully irrigated plants produced 1·27 g DM and 0·72 g seed/m2 per mm of water received. In the field experiments there was no relationship between maximum potential soil moisture deficit (D) and yield. Under rain shelters, however, there was a linear relationship which indicated a limiting deficit of c. 130 mm. The relationship showed that, for each millimetre increase in D above D1, 0·39% of the maximum yield was lost. Under the rain shelters, there was a strong relationship between yield and actual evapotranspiration (ET). Water-use efficiency (WUE) ranged from 2·81 g DM/m2 per mm ET in unirrigated plots to 0·69 g seed/m2 per mm ET. The results showed that lentil growers in Canterbury, and presumably in similar environments, are unlikely to benefit from irrigating their crops. In such environments, lentils appear to be an ideal dryland crop.
Nitrate availability and hydrophyte species richness in shallow lakes

Summary 1. Submerged plant richness is a key element in determining the ecological quality of freshwater systems; it has often been reduced or completely lost. 2. The submerged and floating-leaved macrophyte communities of 60 shallow lakes in Poland and the U.K. have been surveyed and species richness related to environmental factors by general linearised models. 3. Nitrogen, and more specifically winter nitrate, concentrations were most important in explaining species richness with which they were inversely correlated. Phosphorus was subsidiary. Such an inverse relationship is consistent with findings in terrestrial communities. Polish lakes, with less intensively farmed catchments, had greater richness than the U.K. lakes. 4. The richest U.K. communities were associated with winter nitrate-N concentrations of up to about 1-2? mg? L-1 and may correspond with 'good' ecological quality under the terms of the European Water Framework Directive. Current concentrations in European lowlands are often much higher.
Predictors of Mortality in Adults Admitted with COVID-19: Retrospective Cohort Study from New York City

Introduction Rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States, especially in New York City (NYC), led to a tremendous increase in hospitalizations and mortality. There is very limited data available that associates outcomes during hospitalization in patients with COVID-19. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the health records of patients with COVID-19 who were admitted from March 9–April 9, 2020, to a community hospital in NYC. Subjects with confirmed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the nasopharyngeal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) were included. We collected data related to demographics, laboratory results, and outcome of hospitalization. Outcome was measured based on whether the patient was discharged home or died during hospitalization. Results There were 888 consecutive admissions with COVID-19 during the study period, of which 513 were excluded with pending outcome or incomplete information. We included a total of 375 patients in the study, of whom 215 (57%) survived and 160 (43%) died during hospitalization. The majority of patients were male (63%) and of Hispanic origin (66%) followed by Blacks (25%), and others (9%). Hypertension (60%) stands out to be the most common comorbidity followed by diabetes mellitus (47%), cardiovascular disease (17%), chronic kidney disease (17%), and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (9%). On multiple regression analysis, increasing odds of mortality during hospitalization was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.06 per year increase; p < 0.0001), admission D-dimer more than 1000 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) (OR 3.16; 95% CI, 1.75–5.73; p<0.0001), admission C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of more than 200 milligrams per liter (mg/L) (OR 2.43; 95% CI, 1.36–4.34; p = 0.0028), and admission lymphopenia (OR 2.63; CI, 1.47–4.69; p 0.0010). Conclusion In this retrospective cohort study originating in NYC, older age, admission levels of D-dimer of more than 1000 ng/mL, CRP of more than 200 mg/L and lymphopenia were associated with mortality in individuals hospitalized for COVID-19. We recommend using these risk factors on admission to triage patients to critical care units or surge units to maximize the use of surge capacity beds.
Delayed corticosteroid hypersensitivity: a clinical management proposal.

Summary Background.Different clinical pictures are related to corticosteroids (CS) non immediate hypersensitivity and the frequency of these reactions can be underestimated. The classification of CS in 3 groups and the identification of two patient's profiles has been proposed by Baeck to help clinicians in the management of these cases. Methods. Data of 14 patients with clinical history of delayed reactions to various CS and positive skin test and/or oral challenge are retrospectively analyzed. Results. Three different patterns of patients are identified evaluating history, clinical picture and tests results. The first one (6 pts, 43%) is characterized by cutaneous and/or mucosal reaction due to inhaled Budesonide and patch test positive only to topical molecules belonging to the group 1 of CS. The second pattern (4 pts) has clinical history of local and systemic skin reactions to the topic and parenteral administration of the same or other steroid drugs. Patients belonging to the third pattern (4 pts) have a history of systemic reactions to general administration of CS without previous contact reaction. Pattern 2 and 3 show a wide sensitization to molecules belonging to the 3 groups of CS. All the patients show patch test positive to Budesonide. Conclusions. Although the lack of standardization, the allergy workup proves useful to differentiate patients sensitized to one or few molecules from polysensitized and to identify the culprit drugs. Intradermal and challenge test are necessary to complete the diagnostic workup. The results suggest the possibility of a different management of patients. Patients of pattern one can be only patch tested with a limited series of CS belonging to the 3 groups. They don't need an extensive exclusion of steroids use. The pattern 2 and 3 must be submitted instead to a complete allergological individual evaluation to identify alternative tolerated drugs, because of the risk of systemic reactions. The Baeck's classification shows limited usefulness in these cases.
Safety of Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa Inhibitors Used in Stroke-Related Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Endovascular therapy and intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator are the 2 most recommended treatments for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa inhibitors are short-acting selective reversible antiplatelet agents that emerged as promising therapeutic agents for AIS about 10 years ago. Given the unclear safety profile and application coverage of GP inhibitors, we conducted this meta-analysis to explore the same. Methods: We used GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors, intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality as the key words on Medline, Web of Science, and the Embase databases. Randomized controlled trials, prospective literatures, and retrospective studies in English published between 1990 and 2020 were screened. The outcomes were relative risk (RR) of death and 90-day intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We pooled the results in 2 categories and conducted a subgroup analysis stratified by different drugs. The choice of the effects model depended on the value of I 2. Results: In all, 3700 patients from 20 studies were included. No GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors were found to have a remarkable influence on the ICH rate. The RR values of symptomatic ICH for abciximab and eptifibatide were 4.26 (1.89, 9.59) and 0.17 (0.04, 0.69), respectively. Both tirofiban and abciximab could decrease the mortality rate within 90 days. Age > 70 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale > 15, and overall dose > 10 mg are risk factors for ICH events with tirofiban usage. Thrombectomy combined with tirofiban was safe for arterial reocclusion prevention. Conclusions: In stroke-related treatment, administration of GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors could be safe, but care should be taken regarding drug species and doses. Abciximab can increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Tirofiban and eptifibatide can be considered safe in low doses. Suitable patients should be selected using strict criteria.
GENIC VARIATION IN POPULATIONS OF MEXICAN LAGOMORPHS

Abstract Genic variation among representatives of Mexican lagomorphs as revealed by allozymic variation at 31 presumptive loci of Lepus californicus, L. callotis, L. flavigularis, Romerolagus diazi, and Sylvilagus floridanus, was assessed using horizontal gel electrophoresis. Results indicated that the most genically variable species is the widespread L. callotis, whereas the least variable is the endangered L. flavigularis. Genetic distances and phenograms showed that jackrabbits are highly similar to each other and that Romerolagus is genically more similar to Sylvilagus than to Lepus.
Development, optimization, and evaluation of PEGylated brucine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Abstract The application of nanotechnology to drug delivery systems for cancer therapy has progressively received great attention. The most heavily investigated approach is the development of nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). These NPs could be further improved by surface modification utilizing a hydrophilic biodegradable polymer such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) to achieve passive targeting. Modified NPs can deliver drugs such as brucine (BRU), which has shown its potential in cancer therapy. The objective of the current investigation was to develop and evaluate the passive targeting of long-circulating PLGA NPs loaded with BRU. NPs were characterized in terms of drug-excipient compatibility studies, including FTIR and DSC; physicochemical evaluations including particle size, zeta potential, morphological evaluation, entrapment efficiency and percentage yield; total serum protein adsorbed onto NP surfaces; and in vitro release of the loaded drug. Factorial design was employed to attain optimal PLGA-loaded NPs. Finally, the in vivo anti-tumor activity of BRU-loaded PLGA NPs was evaluated in tumor-bearing mice. The NPs obtained had smooth surfaces with particle sizes ranged from 94 ± 3.05 to 253 ± 8.7 nm with slightly positive surface charge ranged from 1.09 ± 0.15 to 3.71 ± 0.44 mV. Entrapment of BRU ranged between 37.5 ± 1.8% and 77 ± 1.3% with yields not less than 70.8%. Total protein adsorbed was less than 25.5 µg total protein/1 mg NP. In vitro drug release was less than 99.1% at 168 h. Finally, significant reductions in tumor growth rate and mortality rate were observed for PEG PLGA NP formulations compared to both BRU solution and naked NPs.
Performance evaluation of rice varieties under the System of Rice Intensification compared with the conventional transplanting system

A field experiment was conducted at Deras Research Farm, Khurda district, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, to evaluate the performance of different rice varieties managed under System of Rice Intensification (SRI) compared with the current transplanting system (CTS). Five rice varieties were used for the study: (i) Khandagiri (early-duration, 90 days); (ii) Lalat (early-medium duration, 110 days); (iii) Surendra (late-medium duration, 130 days); (iv) Hybrid CRHR-7 (late-medium duration, 135 days); and (v) Savitri (long-duration, 145 days). It was seen that SRI practices significantly (p < 0.05) improved the harvest index, percentage of effective tillers, panicle length, and various yield components in all the varieties. SRI hills having an open-canopy structure with higher leaf area index (LAI) resulted in greater light interception than the conventional transplanting methods. At the ripening stage, SRI plants had better root growth and a higher xylem exudation rate than CTS plants. This was associated with higher levels of chlorophyll in the lower leaves and a higher photosynthesis rate. Delayed senescence with enhanced photosynthesis in the lower leaves was also responsible for supplying more assimilates toward the roots for maintaining their higher activity. These features might also contribute to the improvement of grain filling and grain weight in SRI-grown plants as all the varieties performed better in terms of grain yield (12–42% higher) with this alternative management.
Emerging Technologies for the Extraction of Marine Phenolics: Opportunities and Challenges

Natural phenolic compounds are important classes of plant, microorganism, and algal secondary metabolites. They have well-documented beneficial biological activities. The marine environment is less explored than other environments but have huge potential for the discovery of new unique compounds with potential applications in, e.g., food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. To survive in a very harsh and challenging environment, marine organisms like several seaweed (macroalgae) species produce and accumulate several secondary metabolites, including marine phenolics in the cells. Traditionally, these compounds were extracted from their sample matrix using organic solvents. This conventional extraction method had several drawbacks such as a long extraction time, low extraction yield, co-extraction of other compounds, and usage of a huge volume of one or more organic solvents, which consequently results in environmental pollution. To mitigate these drawbacks, newly emerging technologies, such as enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) have received huge interest from researchers around the world. Therefore, in this review, the most recent and emerging technologies are discussed for the extraction of marine phenolic compounds of interest for their antioxidant and other bioactivity in, e.g., cosmetic and food industry. Moreover, the opportunities and the bottleneck for upscaling of these technologies are also presented.
Latitudinal Differentiation in Copepod Growth: An Adaptation to Temperature

We demonstrate the presence of significant differentiation in development rate, adult body length, and stomatic growth rate in the estuarine harpacticoid copepod Scottolana canadensis (Willey) collected from a broad range of latitudes (27°—43° N) and reared in the laboratory for several generations under the same conditions (15 g salts per 1000 g seawater, and 15°, 20°, 25°, or 28°C). The changing pattern of differential growth with increased temperature suggests local adaptation to maximize scope for growth under prevailing temperatures conditions; northern—derived individuals grew faster at low but not at high temperatures. See full-text article at JSTOR
Building on Surface-Active Ionic Liquids for the Rescuing of the Antimalarial Drug Chloroquine

Ionic liquids derived from classical antimalarials are emerging as a new approach towards the cost-effective rescuing of those drugs. Herein, we disclose novel surface-active ionic liquids derived from chloroquine and natural fatty acids whose antimalarial activity in vitro was found to be superior to that of the parent drug. The most potent ionic liquid was the laurate salt of chloroquine, which presented IC50 values of 4 and 110 nM against a chloroquine-sensitive and a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively, corresponding to an 11- and 6-fold increase in potency as compared to the reference chloroquine bisphosphate salt against the same strains. This unprecedented report opens new perspectives in both the fields of malaria chemotherapy and of surface-active ionic liquids derived from active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Expression of the Insulin-like Growth Factor system in first and second trimester human embryonic and fetal gonads.

CONTEXT Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) signaling is crucial for sex differentiation and development of Leydig and Sertoli cells in fetal mice testes. No such information is available for human embryonic and fetal testes and ovaries. OBJECTIVE To investigate presence and activity of the IGF signaling system during human embryonic and fetal ovarian and testicular development. DESIGN Human embryonic and fetal gonads were obtained following legal terminations of pregnancies. Gene expression was assessed by microarray and qPCR transcript analyses. Proteins of the IGF system components were detected with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses. Specimens were included between 2010-2017. SETTING University Hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Ovaries and testes from a total of 124 human embryos and fetuses aged 5-17 post conception weeks (pcw) were obtained from healthy women aged 16-47 years resident in Denmark or Scotland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Gene expression analysis using microarray was performed in 46 specimens and qPCR analysis in 56 specimens, both sexes included. Protein analysis included 22 specimens (11 ovaries, 11 testes). RESULTS IGF system members were detected in embryonic and fetal testes and ovaries, both at gene transcript and protein level. A higher expression of IGF regulators was detected in testes than ovaries, with a preferred localization to Leydig cells. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the IGF system is active during very early gestation where it may have a regulatory role in Leydig cells.
All‐trans‐retinoic acid shifts Th1 towards Th2 cell differentiation by targeting NFAT1 signalling to ameliorate immune‐mediated aplastic anaemia

Severe acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) is a serious disease characterised by autoreactive T cells attacking haematopoietic stem cells, leading to marrow hypoplasia and pancytopenia. Immunosuppressive therapy combined with antithymocyte globulin and ciclosporin can rescue most patients with AA. However, the relapse after ciclosporin withdrawal and the severe side effects of long‐term ciclosporin administration remain unresolved. As such, new strategies should be developed to supplement current therapeutics and treat AA. In this study, the possibility of all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) as an alternative AA treatment was tested by using an immune‐mediated mouse model of AA. Results revealed that ATRA inhibited T‐cell proliferation, activation and effector function. It also restrained the Fas/Fasl pathway, shifted Th1 towards Th2 cell development, rebalanced T‐cell subsets at a relatively high level and corrected the Th1/Th2 ratio by targeting NFAT1 signalling. In addition, ATRA inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and promoted regulatory T‐cell development. Therefore, ATRA was an effective agent to improve AA treatment outcomes.
Molecular principles of assembly, activation, and inhibition in epithelial sodium channel

The molecular bases of heteromeric assembly and link between Na+ self-inhibition and protease-sensitivity in epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) are not fully understood. Previously, we demonstrated that ENaC subunits – α, β, and γ – assemble in a counterclockwise configuration when viewed from outside the cell with the protease-sensitive GRIP domains in the periphery (Noreng et al., 2018). Here we describe the structure of ENaC resolved by cryo-electron microscopy at 3 Å. We find that a combination of precise domain arrangement and complementary hydrogen bonding network defines the subunit arrangement. Furthermore, we determined that the α subunit has a primary functional module consisting of the finger and GRIP domains. The module is bifurcated by the α2 helix dividing two distinct regulatory sites: Na+ and the inhibitory peptide. Removal of the inhibitory peptide perturbs the Na+ site via the α2 helix highlighting the critical role of the α2 helix in regulating ENaC function.
Methionine Restriction Regulates Cognitive Function in High-fat Diet-fed Mice: Roles of Diurnal Rhythms of SCFAs Producing- and Inflammation- related Microbes.

SCOPE Methionine restriction (MR) is known to potently alleviate inflammation and improve gut microbiome in obese mice. The gut microbiome exhibits diurnal rhythmicity in composition and function, and this, in turn, drives oscillations in host metabolism. High-fat diet (HFD) strongly altered microbiome diurnal rhythmicity, however, the role of microbiome diurnal rhythmicity in mediating the improvement effects of MR on obesity-related metabolic disorders remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or HFD for 4 weeks, followed with a full diet (0.86% methionine, w/w) or a methionine-restricted diet (0.17% methionine, w/w) for 8 weeks. Analyzing microbiome diurnal rhythmicity at six time points, our results showed that HFD disrupted the cyclical fluctuations of the gut microbiome in mice. MR partially restored these cyclical fluctuations, which led to time-specifically enhance the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria, increased the acetate and butyric, and dampened the oscillation of inflammation-related Desulfovibrionales and Staphylococcaceae over the course of one day. Notably, MR, which protected against systemic inflammation, influenced brain function and synaptic plasticity. CONCLUSION MR could serve as a potential nutritional intervention for attenuating obesity-induced cognitive impairments by balancing the circadian rhythm in microbiome-gut-brain homeostasis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.