Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil microbial diversity under typical vegetation zones along an elevation gradient in Helan Mountains

The study of elevational diversity gradients dates back to the foundation of biogeography. Elevational diversity patterns on plant and animal taxa have been studied exclusively over the past century,however,pattern of soil microbial diversity along an elevation gradient remain poorly understood,especially in the arid sand areas. Helan Mountain is one of few well conserved natural ecosystems in North-West of China,which have the characteristic of the significant vertical distribution of vegetation and the vegetation horizontal zonation from desert to frigid zones. Therefore,it will provide us an idea study model to assess the generality of elevational diversity patterns for soil bacterial diversity along an elevation gradient. Here,we present a comprehensive analysis of soil bacterial community composition and diversity along six elevations representing six typical vegetation types from desert steppe to subalpine meadow. The structure and function of soil microbial community were studied by using Biolog plate and phospholipid fatty acid methyl ester( FAMEs), respectively. The results showed that soil microbial functional diversity and community structure differed significantly along the elevation gradient( vegetation types). Shannon-Weiner index( H) of soil microbe and species evenness index( E) showed an increasing trend( P0. 05). The order of microbial metabolic activity was subalpine meadow cold temperate coniferous forest coniferous mixed forest temperate coniferous forest arid dwarf-scrub desert steppe,thus the maximal microbial metabolic activity would alter soil C and N cycling to meet available nutrients for plants in the high altitude sites,because soil N and P increased with the elevation The FAMEs analysis showed that micro flora shifted along the elevational gradient and soil bacteria dominated microbial community,however,differed significantly along the elevation gradient( vegetation types). Soil microbial diversity and number and type of phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers were the highest in the cold temperate coniferous forest. The relative contents of phospholipid fatty acid in bacteria,fungi were also the highest in the cold temperate coniferous forest. The order of microbial community diversity was cold temperate coniferous forest coniferous mixed forest temperate coniferous forest subalpine meadow mountain xerophytic shrub desert steppe,which indicated that more litter or organic resource in forest ecosystems than grasslands would favor soil microbial diversity. These results supported that microbes do not follow the elevational diversity patterns of plants and the difference could be caused by ecological and evolutionary processes across the gradient. The finding suggests that there were more suitable microorganisms,which played more important in maintaining ecosystem stability in the arid sand areas.
Effect of weed management practices on nutrient uptake by summer mungbean (vigna radiata (l.) wilczek) and associated weeds

Field studies carried out at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 1986 and 1987 indicated that under unweeded conditions, summer mungbean could utilize only 55.6, 10.2 and 49.1 kg'ha of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively, whereas weeds removed 79.1, 19.8 and 79.1 kg/ha. Effective weed management through fluchloralin 0.75 kg/ha resulted in an uptake of 111.4, 22.7 and 97.5 kg/ha N,P and K, respectively by the crop and allowed only 3.1, 0.7 and 4.1 kg/ha, NPK to be dtpleted by weeds. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin at at 0.75 kg/ha and two hand Aveedings (3 and 5 weeks after sowing) also proved equally effective in increasing uptake of nutrients by the crop. Closer-row-spacing at 15 cm instead of 25 cm could not reduce the nutrient depletion by weeds.
Production and characterization of Bt Cry1Ac resistance in bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)

The heritability, stability, and fitness costs in a Cry1Ac-resistant Helicoverpa zea colony (AR) were measured in the laboratory. In response to selection, heritability values for AR increased in generations 4 to 7 and decreased in generations 11 to 19. AR had significantly increased pupal mortality, a male-biased sex ratio, and lower mating success compared to the unselected parental strain (SC). AR males had significantly more mating costs compared to females. AR reared on untreated diet had significantly increased fitness costs compared to rearing on Cry1Ac treated diet. AR had significantly higher larval mortality, lower larval weight, longer larval developmental period, lower pupal weight, longer pupal duration, and higher number of morphologically abnormal adults compared to SC. Due to fitness costs after 27 generations of selection as described above, AR was crossed with a new susceptible colony (SC1), resulting in AR1. After just two generations of selection, AR1 exhibited significant fitness costs in larval mortality, pupal weight and morphologically abnormal adults compared to SC1. Cry1Ac-resistance was not stable in AR in the absence of selection. This study
The WT1 interacting protein: A choreographer of podocyte morphology and transcription

xiv 1. CHAPTER 1 . 1 1.1 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) . 2 1.2 Physiology of the glomerulus . 3 1.2. 1 The filtration barrier . 3 1.3 Podocytes . 5 1.3. 1 Structure . 5 1.3. 2 Cell biology . 9 1.4 Podocyte plasticity: Actin cytoskeleton . 10 1.5 WT1 Interacting Protein (WTIP) . 11
An overview of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: epidemiology and control measures

The emergence and dissemination of carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, constitute a serious threat to public health, since carbapenems are the agents of last resort in the treatment of life-threatening infections caused by drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. In K. pneumoniae, carbapenem resistance was first reported a decade ago and has subsequently emerged in several countries. One particular group of transmissible plasmid-encoded carbapenemase enzymes, designated K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), confers carbapenem resistance to K. pneumoniae strains and is rapidly spreading worldwide. In addition to KPC-producing K. pneumoniae, several different metallo-&bgr;-lactamase-producing strains have been identified. These include New Delhi metallo-&bgr;-lactamase, Verona integron-encoded metallo-&bgr;-lactamase and imipenemase metallo-&bgr;-lactamase. Finally, class D carbapenemases, including oxacillin-type carbapenemases, also occur in K. pneumoniae. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) can cause several types of healthcare-associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, urinary tract infections and meningitis, and is associated with high mortality rates. Multifactorial intervention, including hand hygiene, contact precautions, patient and staff cohorting, minimizing invasive device use, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, screening, active surveillance testing and chlorhexidine bathing, may be an effective strategy for reducing the nosocomial transmission of CRKP. Moreover, the rapid notification of clinical infection whenever CRKP are identified from clinical specimens allows the timely implementation of control measures.
Subspecialized radiology reporting: productivity and impact on the turnaround times for radiology reports in a middle-income country

Objective To evaluate the effect that transitioning from a model of general radiology reporting to one of subspecialized radiology reporting has on report turnaround times (TATs) and on productivity in the radiology department of a hospital in a middle-income country. Materials and Methods The reporting workflow in our radiology department was changed from general reporting (any radiologist reporting imaging studies for any specialty) to subspecialized reporting (radiologists exclusively reporting imaging studies that fall within their subspecialty-abdominal, musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic, emergency, or neurological imaging). This was a retrospective study in which we compared general reporting with subspecialized reporting in terms of the following variables: the TAT; the proportions of reports completed within 2 h and within 24 h (TAT-2h and TAT- 24 h, respectively); and productivity. Data were collected over two 24-month periods (2015-2016 for general reporting and 2017-2018 for subspecialized reporting). Results A total of 208,516 reports were generated. The median report TAT decreased from 49.1 h and 52.9 h in 2015 and 2016, respectively, to 16.1 h and 15.2 h in 2017 and 2018, respectively (p < 0.001). The TAT-2h also improved, increasing from 8.7% and 7.9% in 2015 and 2016, respectively, to 52.0% and 61.3% in 2017 and 2018, respectively (p < 0.001), as did the TAT- 24 h, which increased from 12.1% and 14.1% in 2015 and 2016, respectively, to 74.3% and 78.7% in 2017 and 2018, respectively (p < 0.001). Between the two periods, the total number of scans performed increased by 33% (p = 0.001). Conclusion The implementation of a subspecialized reporting system significantly improved the median TAT for radiology reports, as well as increasing the TAT-2h and TAT- 24 h, during a time of increased productivity.
Pyrazinamide Resistance and Mutation Patterns Among Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Henan Province

Purpose This study was designed to identify the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of pyrazinamide (PZA) resistance among multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) from Henan and to evaluate the efficacy of pncA, rpsA, and panD mutations in predicting PZA resistance. Materials and Methods A total of 152 MDR strains were included in this study. The Bactec MGIT system was used to determine PZA susceptibility for all strains. The pncA, rpsA, and panD genes were sequenced to identify any mutations, and the sequences were then aligned with the sequence of standard strain H37Rv. Moreover, the correlations between PZA-resistant phenotypes and treatment outcomes were analysed. Results Of the152 strains, 105 had a PZA-resistant phenotype, and 102 harboured the pncA mutation. The PZA resistance rate was higher in the strains with resistance to all four first-line drugs and those that were pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR). A total of 100 different pncA mutation patterns were identified, including 80 point mutations and 20 insertions/deletions, and 32 new pncA mutation patterns were detected. In this study, 13 strains had multiple mutations. Of the11 PZA-resistant strains without pncA mutations, two harboured the rpsA mutation, and one harboured the panD mutation. With PZA susceptibility results as the reference, single-gene pncA sequencing had sensitivity of 89.52% and specificity of 89.36%. With the combination of rpsA and panD, the sensitivity increased to 92.38%, and the specificity remained the same. No significant differences were observed in the sputum smear/culture conversion rate between PZA-resistant patients and PZA-sensitive patients. However, PZA resistance was related to the time to sputum smear/culture conversion (P = 0.018). Conclusion The combination of pncA, rpsA, and panD was beneficial for the timely diagnosis of PZA resistance and could provide a laboratory basis for customizing treatment regimens for MDR-TB patients.
Antitumour peptide based on a protein derived from the horseshoe crab: CIGB‐552 a promising candidate for cancer therapy

Peptide‐based cancer therapy has been of great interest due to the unique advantages of peptides, such as their low MW, the ability to specifically target tumour cells, easily available and low toxicity in normal tissues. Therefore, identifying and synthesizing novel peptides could provide a promising option for cancer patients. The antitumour second generation peptide, CIGB‐552 has been developed as a candidate for cancer therapy. Proteomic and genomic studies have identified the intracellular protein COMMD1 as the specific target of CIGB‐552. This peptide penetrates to the inside tumour cells to induce the proteasomal degradation of RelA, causing the termination of NF‐κB signalling. The antitumour activity of CIGB‐552 has been validated in vitro in different human cancer cell lines, as well as in vivo in syngeneic and xenograft tumour mouse models and in dogs with different types of cancers. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the experimental data obtained on the action of CIGB‐552, including its mechanism of action and its therapeutic potential in human chronic diseases. This peptide is already in phase I clinical trials as antineoplastic drug and has also possible application for other inflammatory and metabolic conditions.
Histopathologic Response Is a Positive Predictor of Overall Survival in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant/Perioperative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers—Analysis from a Large Single Center Cohort in Germany

There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of neoadjuvant/perioperative chemotherapy (NCT) for gastro-esophageal cancer (GEC) on overall survival. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of multimodal treatments in a large single center cohort. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated with NCT, followed by intended curative oncological surgery for locally advanced gastric cancer. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify the predictors of overall survival. From over 3000 patients, 702 eligible patients were analyzed. In the univariate analysis clinical stage, application of preoperative PLF, requirement of surgical extension, UICC-stage, grading, R-status, Lauren histotype, and HPR were the prognostic survival factors. In multivariate analysis PLF regimen, UICC-stages, R-status, Lauren histotype, and histopathologic regression (HPR) were significant predictors of overall survival. Overall HPR-rate was 26.9%. HPR was highest in the cT2cN0 stage (55.9%), and lowest in the cT3/4 cN+ stage (21.6%). FLOT demonstrated the highest HPR (37.5%). Independent predictors for HPR were the clinical stage and grading. Kaplan Meier analyses demonstrated significant survival benefits for the responding patients (p < 0.0001). HPR after NCT was an important prognostic factor to predict overall survival for locally advanced GEC. FLOT should be the preferred regimen in patients undergoing NCT ahead of surgery.
Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

Lycopene, belonging to the carotenoids, is a tetraterpene compound abundantly found in tomato and tomato-based products. It is fundamentally recognized as a potent antioxidant and a non-pro-vitamin A carotenoid. Lycopene has been found to be efficient in ameliorating cancer insurgences, diabetes mellitus, cardiac complications, oxidative stress-mediated malfunctions, inflammatory events, skin and bone diseases, hepatic, neural and reproductive disorders. This review summarizes information regarding its sources and uses amongst different societies, its biochemistry aspects, and the potential utilization of lycopene and possible mechanisms involved in alleviating the abovementioned disorders. Furthermore, future directions with the possible use of this nutraceutical against lifestyle-related disorders are emphasized. Its protective effects against recommended doses of toxic agents and toxicity and safety are also discussed.
Biological Processes Highlighted in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the Sparkling Wines Elaboration

Sparkling wines elaboration has been studied by several research groups, but this is the first report on analysis of biological processes according to the Gene Ontology terms (GO terms) and related to proteins expressed by yeast cells during the second fermentation of sparkling wines. This work provides a comprehensive study of the most relevant biological processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae P29, a sparkling wine strain, during the second fermentation under two conditions (without and with endogenous CO2 overpressure) in the middle and the end of second fermentation. Consequently, a proteomic analysis with the OFFGEL fractionator and protein identification with LTQ Orbitrap XL coupled to HPLC were performed. The classification of biological processes was carried out using the tools provided by the Saccharomyces Genome Database. Results indicate that a greater number of biological processes were identified under condition without CO2 overpressure and in the middle of the fermentation versus the end of the second fermentation. The biological processes highlighted under condition without CO2 overpressure in the middle of the fermentation were involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes and catabolic and biosynthetic processes. However, under CO2 overpressure, specific protein expression in response to stress, transport, translation, and chromosome organization and specific processes were not found. At the end of fermentation, there were higher specific processes under condition without CO2 overpressure; most were related to cell division, growth, biosynthetic process, and gene transcription resulting in increased cell viability in this condition. Under CO2 overpressure condition, the most representative processes were related to translation as tRNA metabolic process, chromosome organization, mRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis, and ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, probably in response to the stress caused by the hard fermentation conditions. Therefore, a broader knowledge of the adaptation of the yeast, and its behavior under typical conditions to produce sparkling wine, might improve and favor the wine industry and the selection of yeast for obtaining a high-quality wine.
High Mean Corpuscular Volume as a Predictor of Poor Overall Survival in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Background Increasing numbers of recent studies have demonstrated that high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a predictor of poor overall survival (OS) and therapeutic response in patients with solid tumors. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between high MCV and OS in patients with advanced esophageal cancer (EC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Patients and Methods Enrolled in this study were 249 patients with advanced EC who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Pre-treatment MCV values were collected in all patients and their correlations with OS and pathophysiological characteristics were analyzed. The chi-square test was used to explore the correlation between MCV and various clinical pathophysiological characteristics, and the prognostic significance of high MCV using Kaplan–Meier curves and the Cox proportional hazards model. All P-values were two-tailed and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results According to ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of MCV was 93.6 fL. The mean OS was 14.7 months in all 249 EC patients, 10.9 months in patients with MCV >93.6 fL, and 18.8 months in patients with MCV <93.6 fL; the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). Chi-square test showed that the MCV value was correlated with the N stage of the tumor and the therapeutic effect, indicating that the higher the MCV was, the higher the T stage of the tumor and the worse the therapeutic effect would be (p=0.012 and p <0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that MCV (OR = 1.864, 95% CI: 1.439–2.415) was an independent prognostic factor for OS in EC patients. Conclusion High MCV is a poor predictor of OS in patients with advanced EC receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Components of Diversity: Multivariate Analysis with Interaction

We use the effective number of species as a measure of the diversity of a community. Shannon's function H' and other logarithmic or multiplicative indices of diversity give components of diversity which are difficult to interpret. Exp(H') and the reciprocal of Simpson's index, which mea- sure the effective number of species, are linearly related to the number of species. The effective number of species is partitionable into components determined by resource dimensions and their interaction. Components of diversity measure differences which are found by using various niche axes alone and together. Our method allows the analysis of relations between the overall structure of the community or guilds and their resource space. The residual component of diversity measures the niche overlap of species in respect to the resource dimensions studied.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Young Patients: An Analysis of Clinical, Pathologic and TNM Stage Characteristics Compared to the Elderly

Purpose To compare clinicopathologic factors including tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage between young and elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods This retrospective study compared the following characteristics between 52 young patients with NSCLC (<50 years of age) and 67 elderly patients with NSCLC (>60 years): duration of symptoms before medical consultation, smoking index, family history of cancer, Ki-67 index, and pTNM stage. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors predictive of greater stage NSCLC (stage III/IV compared to stage I/II) within each age group. Results The incidence of adenocarcinoma was higher in the young than in the elderly (P=0.006). Smoking index (P=0.002) and Ki-67 index (P<0.001) were lower in the young than in the elderly. In young patients with NSCLC, delayed treatment (greater duration from symptoms to medical consultation, P=0.050) and active tumor proliferation (higher Ki-67 index, P=0.003) were predictive of more advanced cancer stage (III/IV), with only symptom duration being predictive of stage III/IV NSCLC among elderly patients. Among young patients, cough (P=0.021) and chest congestion (P=0.040) were the most significant warning symptoms of advanced-stage NSCLC. Conclusion High tumor proliferation and delayed treatment are predictive of advanced NSCLC on presentation among young individuals. Early diagnosis by imaging, such as with the use of low dose computed tomography (LDCT), for young individuals with coughing and chest congestion over 1 month might be effectiveto improve prognosis and outcomes.
Ontario Geriatric Specialist Physician Resources 2018

Background The number of older adults with complex health needs in Ontario is growing. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requested a resource mapping project to assess the current 2018 and projected 2025 number of specialist physician resources. Methods Geriatric specialist physicians were defined as geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, and Care of the Elderly (COE) physicians. We determined the current number of geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, and COEs and clinical full-time-equivalent complement (CFTE) for geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry specialists. We projected the number of new trainees expected to enter practice and the number of physicians expected to retire by 2025. We compared these numbers and projections against established specialist/population ratios for geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists. Results There was a deficit of geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists (geriatricians: CFTE deficit of 150.5; geriatric psychiatrists: CFTE deficit of 116.3). In 2025, the projected CFTE deficit of geriatricians will increase to at least 210.35 and geriatric psychiatrists to 194.6. Only about 30% of COE physicians work in direct support of specialized services for the elderly. Conclusions There is significant current and anticipated undersupply in the required number of geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, and COE physicians to meet anticipated population demand.