Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HERBIVORE POPULATION CRASHES AND WOODLAND STRUCTURE IN EAST-AFRICA

1. Between 1985 and 1991, bush encroachment was serious in Lake Manyara National Park, northern Tanzania. Shrub cover increased by c. 20%. The increase was independent of initial (1985) shrub cover. 2. Since 1987 there has been a steep decline in the number of African elephant in the Park due to poaching. Elephant density decreased from about 6 km-2 to about 1 km-2. However, shrub establishment, as determined from counting tree-rings, preceded poaching. 3. Shrub establishment in two areas of the Park coincided with anthrax epidemics that drastically reduced the impala population. In the northern section of the Park this was in 1984, in the southern section in 1977. 4. The diameter increment of Acacia tortilis was 5-24 mm year-1, irrespective of the size of the trees. Size measurements indicated an even-aged stand of Acacia established in 1961, which coincided with another anthrax outbreak among impala. 5. Size measurements of old Acacia tortilis trees indicated another even-aged stand established at the end of the 1880s. The size of trees of this stand was not significantly different from a stand in Tarangire National Park, nor from a stand near Ndutu (on the boundary between Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area), also northern Tanzania. All three stands are likely to have originated from bush establishment caused by the rinderpest pandemic at the end of the 1880s. 6. It is suggested that seedling establishment of Acacia is a rare event under the prevailing conditions of high browsing pressures by ungulates such as impala. Punctuated disturbances by epidemics among these ungulates create narrow windows for seedling establishment, which may explain the occurrence of even-aged stands.
Quadruple Therapy Offers High SVR Rates in Patients with HCV Genotype 4 with Previous Treatment Failure

Background and Aims Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have made a revolution in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with promising reduction of HCV infection and disease morbidities. However, unfortunately, treatment failure still occurs in about 5–15% of patients treated with DAA‐based combination regimens. The primary aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a quadruple regimen of (sofosbuvir, daclatasvir, and simeprevir with a weight-based ribavirin) in chronic HCV DAAs-experienced patients. Methods This observational, open-label prospective study was carried out on 103 genotype 4 hepatitis C virus-infected patients who failed to achieve SVR12 after sofosbuvir-daclatasvir with or without ribavirin. Patients were treated for three months with sofosbuvir (400 mg), daclatasvir (60 mg), and simeprevir (150 mg) with a weight-based ribavirin dosage (1000–1200 mg/d). Response to treatment was determined by quantitative PCR for HCV at 3 months after the end of treatment (SVR12), and adverse events during the treatment were recorded. Results SVR was achieved in 100 patients (97.1%) at week 12 after treatment. No dangerous or life-threatening adverse events were recorded. Conclusions Retreatment of HCV genotype 4 patients with quadruple therapy is a good therapeutic option and achieves high response rates with minimal side effects.
The Ethanol Extract of Avocado (Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)) Seeds Successfully Induces Implant Regression and Restores Ovarian Dynamic in a Rat Model of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease with conventional therapies which do not have desirable effectiveness and possess many side effects. Scientific evidences suggest that medicinal plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and/or antiproliferative properties are potential alternatives for the treatment of endometriosis. The ethanol extract of Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) seeds was found exhibiting antiproliferative properties in vitro and in vivo. This study therefore is aimed at investigating the effects of such an extract on an experimental model of endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced by grafting uterine fragments onto the peritoneum of female Wistar rats. After checking the success of the transplantation surgery, animals with endometriosis were orally treated with the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds at the doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg. The positive control was treated with letrozole (10 mg/kg) while the negative control received the vehicle. Treatments lasted 7 days and animals were sacrificed thereafter. Endometrial implant volume was determined. Estradiol and progesterone levels were measured in serum samples and endometriosis lesions. The oxidative status of endometriosis lesions was evaluated. Histological analysis of endometriosis lesions, uterus, and ovaries was also performed. Results showed that the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds decreased endometrial implant volume (p < 0.001) and serum levels of estradiol and progesterone (p < 0.01). The levels of estradiol also decreased in endometriosis lesions at doses of 12.5 and 50 mg/kg (p < 0.001). Both malondialdehyde and glutathione levels increased in endometriosis lesions (p < 0.001). The ectopic endometrium height decreased and the number of antral follicles and corpora lutea (p < 0.05) increased while that of luteinized unruptured follicles decreased (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds displayed an antiendometriosis effect suggesting that it could be a potential alternative for the treatment of endometriosis.
Changes in Spatial Working Memory in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and is often accompanied by cognitive impairment. Little is known about the working memory of COPD patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the spatial working memory of COPD patients using the classical visuospatial working memory neuropsychological paradigms. This was a retrospective study of patients with COPD who were evaluated for neurocognitive functions between February and December 2018 at Hefei Second People's Hospital. Healthy controls (HC) were included. The neuropsychological tests included the Beijing Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA), digit span test (DS), Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test (CAVLT), Stroop test, and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). The COPD group performed worse in MoCA (22.3 ± 4.5 vs. 26.1 ± 2.9, P < 0.001), Stroop interference test (44.2 ± 16.9 vs. 36.8 ± 10.3, P = 0.038), and VFT (12.9 ± 2.8 vs. 15.3 ± 4.7, P = 0.021) vs. the HC group. Compared with the HC group, COPD patients had statistically significant differences with respect to 0-back RT (657 ± 46 vs. 578 ± 107, P = 0.001), 1-back accuracy (41.8 ± 12.1% vs. 81.5 ± 18.1%, P < 0.001), 1-back RT (592 ± 75 vs. 431 ± 138, P < 0.001), 2-back accuracy (31.4 ± 9.9% vs. 68.1 ± 16.6%, P < 0.001), and 2-back RT (563 ± 79 vs. 455 ± 153, P = 0.002). Only PaO2 was independently associated with 0-back RT (B = 0.992 ± 0.428, P = 0.028) and 1-back ACC (B = 0.003 ± 0.001, P = 0.004). COPD patients exhibit impairment in working memory and executive function, but not in short- or long-term memory. The impairment of working memory in a patient with COPD may be more due to integrate memory information rather than to memory information storage. COPD patients exhibit a frontal-type cognitive decline.
Inhibition of HAS2 and hyaluronic acid production by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in breast cancer

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) induces growth arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, however the exact mechanisms are unclear. Although the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a ligand dependent transcription factor, is required for growth regulation by vitamin D, the specific target genes that trigger these effects are unknown. Genomic profiling of murine mammary tumor cells with differential VDR expression identified 35 transcripts that were altered by the 1,25D3-VDR complex including Hyaluronan Synthase-2 (Has2). Here we confirmed that 1,25D3 reduces both HAS2 gene expression and hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis in multiple models of breast cancer. Furthermore, we show that the growth inhibitory effects of 1,25D3 are partially reversed in the presence of high molecular weight HA. HAS2 expression and HA production are elevated in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through stable expression of TGFβ, SNAIL or TWIST and in those expressing oncogenic H-RASV12, indicating that deregulation of HA production may be an early and frequent event in breast tumorigenesis. 1,25D3 also reduces HA secretion and acts additively with an HA synthesis inhibitor to slow growth of cells expressing TGFβ, SNAIL and TWIST. Analysis of mammary gland and tumors from Vdr knockout mice suggest that loss of VDR is associated with enhanced HAS2 expression and HA production in vivo. These data define a novel role for 1,25D3 and the VDR in control of HA synthesis in epithelial tissues that likely contributes to its anti-cancer actions.
Sitagliptin Mitigates Total Body Irradiation-Induced Hematopoietic Injury in Mice

Sitagliptin, an inhibitor of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4), has been implicated in the regulation of type 2 diabetes. However, the role and mechanism of sitagliptin administration in total body irradiation (TBI)- induced hematopoietic cells injury are unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that sitagliptin had therapeutic effects on hematopoietic damage, which protected mice from 7.5 Gy TBI-induced death, increased the numbers and colony formation ability of hematopoietic cells. These therapeutic effects might be attributed to the inhibition of NOX4-mediated oxidative stress in hematopoietic cells, and the alleviation of inflammation was also helpful. Therefore, sitagliptin has potential as an effective radiotherapeutic agent for ameliorating TBI-induced hematopoietic injury.
Barley β-Glucan Lowers Serum Cholesterol Based on the Up-Regulation of Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase Activity and mRNA Abundance in Cholesterol-Fed Rats

Barley, which is high in soluble dietary fiber (particularly β-glucan), is thought to have hypocholesterolemic effects. The present study was performed to further elucidate the hypocholesterolemic actions of waxy barley, and the extent to which they can be attributed to β-glucan. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=21) were fed control (fiber-free) diets, diets with the addition of 2.5% refined β-glucan or 30% waxy barley that provides approximately 2.5% β-glucan in the diet for 2 wk. Body weight gain and food efficiency of rats were unaffected by diet. β-glucan or waxy barley decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (p<0.05) by 13.5% or 18.9%, and also decreased LDL-cholesterol 19.4% or 24.3%, respectively. Addition of refined β-glucan or waxy barley to the diet resulted in greater bile acid excretions (p<0.05) compared to the control group. The waxy barley diet up-regulated by 2.3 times and the β-glucan diet by 1.5 times the activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). Hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA level paralleled the increases in enzyme activity. The results of this study suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effects of both β-glucan and a waxy barley diet may be due to the enhancement of CYP7A1 expression resulting from increased fecal excretion of bile acids.
An analysis of the hypothesis that amino acid requirements for chicks should be stated as a proportion of dietary protein

This is a review of previously published data from experiments designed to measure the chicks' requirement for an essential amino acid in diets containing surplus protein (generally in the range 220–300 g crude protein (CP)/kg diet). The evidence shows that, within this range, the requirement for a first limiting amino acid increases nearly in direct proportion to the CP content of the diet. To explain this, the following possibilities are considered: (1) that energy supply was limiting the response to a critical amino acid, (2) that the experiments were conducted in environments which limited heat disposal by the chicks, (3) that results from the trials have been misinterpreted because growth rate rather than protein deposition was used as a response measure, (4) that the availability of amino acids in the diets was lower than had been assumed, (5) that nutrients other than the amino acid under study were limiting performance, and (6) that there was an imbalance of amino acids in the diet. It is concluded that only the last explanation fits the facts. The imbalances reported have led to a decline in the efficiency of the utilisation of the first limiting amino acid in some instances. The depressed growth observed with a high-protein diet limiting in one essential amino acid could not be attributed to lowered feed intake in most cases. The imbalance is, in these respects, different from classical imbalances which result from loading the diet with a mixture of essential amino acids. From the evidence reviewed, some doubt is cast on the validity of the dilution method for estimating amino acid requirements; nevertheless it its concluded that the dilution method remains the most trustworthy procedure for making estimates to be used in practical diet formulation. It is recommended that, in future, programmes for diet formulation should be modified to prevent surplus protein being permitted in the solution, unless a proportional adjustment is made to the minima prescribed for amino acids likely to be present in limiting proportions.
EFFECTS OF CONSTANT TEMPERATURE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND SIMULATED RAINFALL ON DEVELOPMENT AND SURVIVAL OF THE SPRUCE SPIDER MITE (OLIGONYCHUS UNUNGUIS)

Abstract Experiments were conducted on Fraser fir, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir, seedlings or cut terminals. Results indicate that Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) responds most favorably to temperatures approximating 26 °C and to relative humidity levels approaching 50 to 60%. Developmental time, time to 50% mortality, net reproductive rate, mean generation time, intrinsic rate of natural increase, finite rate of increase, and days for populations to double were computed for each temperature and relative humidity regime. Simulated rainfall severely limits population density on Fraser fir seedlings. Résumé Des expériences ont été réalisées sur des plantules et des pousses coupées de sapin fraser, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. Les résultats indiquent qu'Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) répond le plus favorablement à des températures autour de 26 °C et des niveaux d'humidité relative de 50 à 60%. Le temps de développement, le temps requis pour 50% de mortalité, le taux net de reproduction, le temps moyen de génération, le taux intrinsèque d'accroissement naturel, le taux d'accroissement par unité de temps, et le nombre de jours requis pour le dédoublement de la population, ont été calculés pour chaque régime de température et d'humidité. La pluie simulée limite sérieusement la densité de population sur les plantules de sapin Fraser.
Unraveling the mystery of the glacier bear: Genetic population structure of black bears (Ursus americanus) within the range of a rare pelage type

Abstract Glacier bears are a rare grey color morph of American black bear (Ursus americanus) found only in northern Southeast Alaska and a small portion of western Canada. We examine contemporary genetic population structure of black bears within the geographic extent of glacier bears and explore how this structure relates to pelage color and landscape features of a recently glaciated and highly fragmented landscape. We used existing radiocollar data to quantify black bear home‐range size within the geographic range of glacier bears. The mean home‐range size of female black bears in the study area was 13 km2 (n = 11), whereas the home range of a single male was 86.9 km2. We genotyped 284 bears using 21 microsatellites extracted from noninvasively collected hair as well as tissue samples from harvested bears. We found ten populations of black bears in the study area, including several new populations not previously identified, divided largely by geographic features such as glaciers and marine fjords. Glacier bears were assigned to four populations found on the north and east side of Lynn Canal and the north and west side of Glacier Bay with a curious absence in the nonglaciated peninsula between. Lack of genetic relatedness and geographic continuity between black bear populations containing glacier bears suggest a possible unsampled population or an association with ice fields. Further investigation is needed to determine the genetic basis and the adaptive and evolutionary significance of the glacier bear color morph to help focus black bear conservation management to maximize and preserve genetic diversity.
The Patterns and Puzzles of Genetic Diversity of Endangered Freshwater Mussel Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 Populations from Vistula and Neman Drainages (Eastern Central Europe)

Mussels of the family Unionidae are important components of freshwater ecosystems. Alarmingly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species identifies almost 200 unionid species as extinct, endangered, or threatened. Their decline is the result of human impact on freshwater habitats, and the decrease of host fish populations. The Thick Shelled River Mussel Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 is one of the examples that has been reported to show a dramatic decline of populations. Hierarchical organization of riverine systems is supposed to reflect the genetic structure of populations inhabiting them. The main goal of this study was an assessment of the U. crassus genetic diversity in river ecosystems using hierarchical analysis. Different molecular markers, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer ITS region, and mitochondrial DNA genes (cox1 and ndh1), were used to examine the distribution of U. crassus among-population genetic variation at multiple spatial scales (within rivers, among rivers within drainages, and between drainages of the Neman and Vistula rivers). We found high genetic structure between both drainages suggesting that in the case of the analyzed U. crassus populations we were dealing with at least two different genetic units. Only about 4% of the mtDNA variation was due to differences among populations within drainages. However, comparison of population differentiation within drainages for mtDNA also showed some genetic structure among populations within the Vistula drainage. Only one haplotype was shared among all Polish populations whereas the remainder were unique for each population despite the hydrological connection. Interestingly, some haplotypes were present in both drainages. In the case of U. crassus populations under study, the Mantel test revealed a relatively strong relationship between genetic and geographical distances. However, in detail, the pattern of genetic diversity seems to be much more complicated. Therefore, we suggest that the observed pattern of U. crassus genetic diversity distribution is shaped by both historical and current factors i.e. different routes of post glacial colonization and history of drainage systems, historical gene flow, and more recent habitat fragmentation due to anthropogenic factors.
Lack of uptake of Renibacterium salmoninarum by gill epithelia of rainbow trout

The role of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) gill cells in uptake of the salmonid pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum was examined using in vitro, whole animal and isolated perfused head models. Uptake of the pathogen was observed only when dissected gill tissue was exposed to the live pathogen. In contrast, live cells of Yersinia ruckeri interacted with the gill epithelia in the isolated perfused head model, confirming the findings of previous studies with whole animal and in vitro systems. These results are discussed in relation to the role of gill tissue in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) pathogenesis and in antigen trapping.
Floral biology of a primary rain forest palm, Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm.

Received May 1986, accepted for publication October 1986 BURQUEZ, A,, SARUKHAN K. , J. & PEDROZA, A. L. , 1987. Floral biology of a primary raiu forest palm, Astrocarpm mexicanum Liebm. A detailed account of the changes in visitor numbers and behaviour, inflorescence phenology, and breeding systems is presented. Inflorescences open early in the morning (05.00 hours). Stigmas remain receptive for 15 h, while anther dehiscence occurs 20 h after inflorescence opening. Maximum pollen viability occurs the next day at 05.00 hours. This combination of features largely precludes self-pollination. Controlled pollinations show that apomixis and auto-pollination are absent, and indicate strong incompatibility. In contrast, cross-pollinations do not differ in fruit set from open-pollinated controls. The fruit set in inflorescences exposed to pollinators for different periods after opening (and later stopping pollinator activity by fumigation), indicates that pollination occurs soon after inflorescence opening. The visitors comprise a numerous and diverse fauna (15 families; 34 species). Features such as pollen loads, abundance, behaviour, and diet patterns, segregate them into: herbivores and predators (Aves, Orthoptera), pollen thieves (Apidae), and true pollinators (most Coleoptera and Diptera). The elevation in inflorescence temperature during opening, and 24 h later, is discussed in relation to cantharophily. As! rocaryurn mexicanurn is an example of a highly diverse pollination system in which many animals can coexist. It represents an important resource during the dry season, and provides food and space for refuge and mating. The genetic consequences of having a host of pollinators with different dispersal capabilities are explored. ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS:-Arecaceae
Hair follicle group and skin follicle population of some non-Merino breeds of sheep

Skin specimens from 494 ewes were collected in flock samples of 11-23 animals, mostly 8-18 months old, from Australian and overseas sources among the following breeds: Corriedale, Polwarth, Lincoln, English Leicester, Border Leicester, Romney Marsh, Southdown, Dorset Horn, Suffolk, Ryeland, Scottish Blackface, Welsh Mountain, Swaledale, Cheviot, Wiltshire, and Swedish Landrace. The specimens were taken by a standard biopsy method and evaluated in the manner described by Carter and Clarke (1956). For each flock sample the mean, standard error, and range of individual values were recorded for the following estimates : total (np+s) follicle population density; primary (np) follicle population density; ns/np, ratio; primary fibre diameter (dp); secondary fibre diameter (2,) ; fibre diameter of the composite population (dp+s) ; of primary and secondary fibre diameters (dp/ds) . The data supplement those recorded for the Australian Merino sheep (Carter and Clarke 1957), and demonstrate the small hair follicle groups apparently characteristic of most British short-, long-, and carpet-wool breeds in well-marked contrast to the large groups in the skin follicle population of the Australian Merino. This difference between the Merino and other breeds may be general except where new breeds have developed from crossing with the Merino or its derivatives, when hair follicle groups of intermediate size may be found as in the Corriedale and Polwarth.