Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Catastrophes, disturbances and density-dependence: population dynamics of the spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys desmarestianus) in a neotropical lowland forest

Capture–mark–recapture methods were used to study the influence of density-dependent and density-independent factors on population dynamics of the spiny pocket mouse Heteromys desmarestianus in a lowland forest in Belize. Fourteen trapping sessions were conducted in six 0.5-ha grids at irregular intervals from July 2000 to March 2005. Responses by H. desmarestianus to four disturbance events depended on the type and magnitude of the events. Although fluctuations in density were strongly related to fruit availability, the disturbances tended to magnify direct and delayed density-dependent effects on reproduction and juvenile survival. A catastrophic flood in July 2000 eliminated the entire population, but by September 2001 population density had increased from 34.4 individuals ha−1 immediately pre-flood to 42.5 individuals ha−1. Indirect effects from a hurricane in October 2001 had greater and longer lasting influences on demographic rates than direct effects from less severe floods in August 2002 and September 2003. Fruiting ceased for almost 2.5 y after the hurricane, resulting in extremely low juvenile survival and a decline in density from 46.8 individuals ha−1 in January 2002 to 23.0 individuals ha−1 in January 2004. Fruiting began again in January 2004, and after several subsequent pulses of reproduction and generally higher rates of juvenile survival the population reached a maximum of 77.3 individuals ha−1 in March 2005. Inferences from the study, especially on the duration of delayed-density-dependent effects, must be made cautiously because of the irregular trapping intervals resulting from the unplanned disturbances. However, the results indicate that population dynamics of many tropical small-mammal populations will be driven by direct and indirect effects from density-independent events that amplify density-dependent influences on demographic rates.
Impact of irradiation and thermal processing on the immunoreactivity of shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) proteins

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of gamma radiation alone or in combination with heat on the immunoreactivity of shrimp. Peeled shrimp muscle was subjected to gamma radiation (1, 5, 10 and 15 kGy) followed by boiling (5 min, 10 min and 15 min). Shrimp protein extract (PE) and a major allergen (Pen a 1) from treated shrimp were analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot using a specific IgE antibody from patients who were allergic to shrimp. Results showed that gamma radiation + heat could significantly affect shrimp immunoreactivity. The immunoreactivity of PE and Pen a 1 was also determined by using competitive inhibition ELISA (Ci-ELISA). The IC50 of PE and Pen a 1 from shrimp treated with gamma radiation + heat was 5- to 30-fold higher than that of untreated shrimp. The immunoreactivity of gamma irradiated shrimp decreased with increasing dose of radiation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Histórico genético e populacional do rebanho Nelore Puro de Origem no Sertão Nordestino

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Pure Nelore cattle breed background in the Brazilian Northeastern Sertao region by determining its population structure and quantifying genetic, phenotypic and environmental progress based on ponderal development traits. Pedigree data of animals born between 1964 and 2006 and weight values, adjusted to 205 and 365 days of age, of bovines born between 1978 and 2006 were used. The small number of ancestors explained the population's low genetic variability and the reduced heritability coefficient values observed for growth traits. The mean inbreeding coefficient and the percentage of endogamic animals within the population increased over the generations. However, the mean inbreeding coefficient of endogamic animals decreased over the generations, indicating that mating between closely related individuals is being avoided. The effective size of the population ranged from 100 to 200 animals throughout nearly all of the studied period. No genetic gains were detected for this period. Nevertheless, a remarkable phenotypic gain was obtained due to environmental improvements.
Hepatic complications of COVID‐19 and its treatment

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is highly contagious and has a variety of clinical manifestations, it can affect a number of other organs in addition to the lungs, and liver injury may occur. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause liver injury through systemic inflammatory response syndrome, cytokine storms, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, side effects of treatment drugs, and underlying liver disease and can attack liver cells directly via angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2. Clinical studies have found that liver injury in COVID‐19 patients mainly manifests as abnormal liver biochemical indicators, but there have been no reports of liver failure caused by this disease. The number of COVID‐19 patients with liver injury is increasing, and the incidence of liver injury in COVID‐19 patients with severe disease are higher than in patients with mild disease. Liver injury may be a risk factor, which worsens in patients with COVID‐19, and hence it is necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of liver injury in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID‐19.
Assessment of dysphonia: cepstral analysis versus conventional acoustic analysis

Abstract Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the extent to which smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) can replace or complement the conventional acoustic measures of jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio in the assessment of various types of dysphonia. Methodology A total of 60 males and 80 females were divided into two groups: dysphonic group and control group (30 males and 40 females in each group). The voice samples in the form of sustained vowel /a/ phonation and continuous speech were recorded and assessed using auditory perceptual analysis, acoustic analysis, and cepstral analysis. Results Jitter was found to have the best predictive ability during sustained phonation, whereas CPPS was found to have the best predictive ability during continuous speech. Conclusion Cepstral analysis is as reliable as the conventional acoustic analysis in the diagnosis of dysphonia and to detect its severity. However, CPPS cannot replace conventional acoustic measures.
DNA vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques

Prototype DNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 The development of a vaccine to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an urgent biomedical need. Yu et al. designed a series of prototype DNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is used by the virus to bind and invade human cells. Analysis of the vaccine candidates in rhesus macaques showed that animals developed protective humoral and cellular immune responses when challenged with the virus. Neutralizing antibody titers were also observed at levels similar to those seen in humans who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Science, this issue p. 806 Successful protection against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques by means of a prototype DNA vaccine is described. The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made the development of a vaccine a top biomedical priority. In this study, we developed a series of DNA vaccine candidates expressing different forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and evaluated them in 35 rhesus macaques. Vaccinated animals developed humoral and cellular immune responses, including neutralizing antibody titers at levels comparable to those found in convalescent humans and macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2. After vaccination, all animals were challenged with SARS-CoV-2, and the vaccine encoding the full-length S protein resulted in >3.1 and >3.7 log10 reductions in median viral loads in bronchoalveolar lavage and nasal mucosa, respectively, as compared with viral loads in sham controls. Vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibody titers correlated with protective efficacy, suggesting an immune correlate of protection. These data demonstrate vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 in nonhuman primates.
Ellagic acid protects mice against sleep deprivation-induced memory impairment and anxiety by inhibiting TLR4 and activating Nrf2

Sleep disorder has become a prevalent issue in current society and is connected with the deterioration of neurobehaviors such as mood, cognition and memory. Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic phytoconstituent extracted from grains and fruits that has potent neuroprotective properties. This research aimed to study the alleviative effect and mechanism of EA on memory impairment and anxiety caused by sleep deprivation (SD). EA ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in SD mice, associated with increased dendritic spine density, and reduced shrinkage and loss of hippocampal neurons. EA reduced the inflammatory response and oxidative stress injury caused by SD, which may be related to activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and mitigation of the TLR4-induced inflammatory response. In addition, EA significantly reduced the mortality and ROS levels in glutamate (Glu)-induced hippocampal neuron injury, and these effects of EA were enhanced in TLR4 siRNA-transfected neurons. However, knockdown of Nrf2 dramatically restrained the protective impact of EA on Glu-induced toxicity. Taken together, EA alleviated memory impairment and anxiety in sleep-deprived mice potentially by inhibiting TLR4 and activating Nrf2. Our findings suggested that EA may be a promising nutraceutical ingredient to prevent cognitive impairment and anxiety caused by sleep loss.
Radially Sectored Hydraulic Pathways in the Xylem of Thuja occidentalis as Revealed by the Use of Dyes

Thuja occidentalis shows slow growth, strip-bark morphology, and extreme longevity when growing on cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada. To test whether these features could result from sectored radial architecture, dye-infusion experiments were performed on trees in four different age/size categories. Safranin and/or crystal violet were infused for up to 2 wk into young lateral roots. Plants were then harvested, serial-sectioned, and photographed. When two dyes were infused simultaneously, different lateral roots were used. Trees were also infused with dye, wounded, and then resupplied with dye to determine whether hydraulic pathways were altered as predicted by commonly accepted models. The results showed rapid radially sectored dye uptake in trees older than 1 yr. Individual roots tended to supply dye to only part of the crown. Wounding had no influence on the pattern of dye distribution. Stem segments with opposing, overlapping, and adjacent saw cuts had hydraulic conductance values near zero. The results indicate that T. occidentalis has sectored radial architecture that almost completely isolates the hydraulic pathways to particular parts of the stem and crown. The results indicate that the survival, morphology, and longevity of this species are related to the capacity of this species to sector productivity and mortality in resource-patchy environments.
A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species

Abstract A new pirate spider (family Mimetidae) is described as Australomimetus mendax new species from Tasmania, Australia. In this context, all mimetid species currently known from the island have been reviewed and re-illustrated. Five species are recorded and they all belong to the genus Australomimetus Heimer 1986. Re-illustrated here are Australomimetus maculosus (Rainbow 1904), A. tasmaniensis (Hickman 1929) new combination, A. aurioculatus (Hickman 1929) new combination and A. audax (Hickman 1929) new combination. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic relationships of these species and provide distribution maps of their Tasmanian records. Australomimetus mendax is the only species currently endemic to Tasmania. All other species exhibit wide distribution patterns from tropical Queensland to Western Australia. The ranges of A. aurioculatus and A. audax – species originally thought to be Tasmanian endemics – are now extended to include the Australian mainland as well. The cosmopolitan genus Mimetus Hentz 1832 is restricted and excludes all pirate spiders with a Tasmanian distribution.
Enhancing employee wellness: Translating an effective community behavioral weight-loss treatment to the worksite

Background: As rates of obesity continue to rise in the USA, there is a need for effective treatments for excess adiposity. Behavioral weight-loss interventions can produce clinically meaningful weight reduction through life-style modifications. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of high-intensity behavioral weight-loss interventions at worksites. Aim: The present research investigated the effectiveness of a previously validated behavioral weight-loss intervention in a Hawai‘i worksite. Methods: Thirty-six participants were recruited from the employee population of a local employer. Participants received six months of group behavioral weight-loss treatment from trained providers. Anthropomorphic, physiological, psychological, and behavioral assessments were collected pre and post treatment. Select physiological and behavioral assessments were collected every four sessions. Results: Sixty-one percent of participants adhered to treatment, and 78% of participants completed treatment. From pre to post treatment, results found that participants achieved clinically significant improvements in weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, with accompanying physiological, psychological, and behavioral improvements (F(12, 2)=101.379, p=0.010, partial η2=0.998). Analyses revealed that participants also achieved significant changes in weight, BMI, and waist circumference across time points, as well as improvements in specific eating habits. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the efficacy of a worksite behavioral weight-loss program. The present intervention produced clinically significant weight losses for a large proportion of participants, accompanied by significant improvements in physiological, behavioral, and psychological outcomes. This research is promising for the ongoing implementation of behavioral weight-loss approaches.
Micronucleus assay for predicting side effects of radiotherapy for cervical cancer

ABSTRACT Radiotherapy (RT) is an important treatment for cervical cancer. The quality of life of patients undergoing RT may be compromised during and following treatment by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, burns, erythema and fistula. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assays may be useful for predicting adverse effects of RT for cancer. The CBMN test is easy to perform and is reproducible for screening subjects exposed to ionizing radiation. We investigated the use of the frequency of micronuclei (MN) from peripheral blood samples, irradiated in vitro, as a possible biomarker to predict the side effects of RT in patients with cervical cancer. We used 10 patients with cervical cancer receiving RT and chemotherapy. We found a strong relation between the frequency of MN and the appearance of acute side effects of RT for cervical cancer. We suggest that the methodology presented here may be useful for predicting side effects of RT for patients affected by cervical cancer and who have undergone chemotherapy.
Older Workers on the COVID-19-Frontlines without Paid Sick Leave

ABSTRACT The rapid spread of COVID-19 has left many workers around the world – workers in food distribution, truckers, janitors, and home and personal health care workers – deeply concerned about contracting the virus from exposure at work. In particular, older workers in frontline occupations are vulnerable to illness and to the deadly and debilitating effects of COVID-19, especially with inadequate protective gear and inadequate sick leave. In the absence of strong unions, which ensure that employers provide workers with accurate information, robust training, adequate equipment, and paid leave in the event of quarantines or illness, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for additional legislation to shore up worker protections and provide paid sick leave.
Dynamic right and left ventricular interactions in the pig

What is the central question of this study? Are the mechanisms that cause ventricular interdependence different when due to primary right to left ventricular pressure loading? What is the main finding and its importance? An instantaneous selective increase in aortic pressure causes an immediate increase in right ventricular end‐systolic pressure independent of the pericardium, whereas a selective increase in pulmonary artery pressure decreases left ventricular diastolic compliance owing to a subsequent increasing right ventricular end‐diastolic volume as a function of an intact pericardium limiting biventricular volume. Changes in contraction synchrony of either ventricle do not appear to be causing these effects.
Oncological outcomes in patients undergoing major glossectomy for advanced carcinoma of the oral tongue.

INTRODUCTION Major glossectomy is the treatment of choice in locally advanced tongue cancer. It remains the only option in the presence of recurrent or residual disease. The long-term outcomes for patients undergoing major glossectomy have traditionally been poor, with significant morbidity and poor oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to report on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing major glossectomy. METHODS All patients undergoing major glossectomy between 2014 and 2018 were included in the study. The data of 85 patients with advanced carcinoma of the oral tongue were evaluated. All were under the care of a single surgical and reconstructive team at two hospitals in Mumbai. RESULTS The median patient age was 45 years. At the most recent follow-up, 55 patients (65%) were alive, 47 of whom were disease free. Twenty-nine patients (34%) had locoregional recurrence and twenty-five (29%) had distant metastasis. At a median follow-up of 19 months, rates for 2-year locoregional control, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 69%, 61% and 62% respectively. Perinodal extension demonstrated a trend towards poor DFS (p=0.060), as did perineural invasion (p=0.055). Node positivity was a significant factor for poor OS, DFS and locoregional control. Multiple node involvement was significantly associated with poor OS on multivariate analysis (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Node positivity and multiple node involvement were associated with poor outcomes. Major glossectomy may be offered as a curative option for selected patients with advanced carcinoma of the oral tongue with node negative or limited neck nodal disease (N1).
Associations Between Subjective Tinnitus and Cognitive Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound source, and bothersome tinnitus has been linked to poorer cognitive performance. This review comprehensively quantifies the association between tinnitus and different domains of cognitive performance. The review protocol was preregistered and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review and analyses were reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. Peer-reviewed literature was searched using electronic databases to find studies featuring participants with tinnitus who had undertaken measures of cognitive performance. Studies were assessed for quality and categorized according to an established cognitive framework. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on various cognitive domains with potential moderator variables assessed where possible. Thirty-eight records were included in the analysis from a total of 1,863 participants. Analyses showed that tinnitus is associated with poorer executive function, processing speed, general short-term memory, and general learning and retrieval. Narrow cognitive domains of Inhibition and Shifting (within executive function) and learning and retrieval (within general learning and retrieval) were also associated with tinnitus.
Characterization of Rhizobium sp. (Cicer arietinum L.) by immunofluorescence, immunodiffusion, and intrinsic antibiotic resistance

Twenty-nine cultures of Rhizobium spp. for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from various culture collections were characterized by serological techniques and by intrinsic antibiotic resistance (IAR). Fluorescent antibodies (FAs) against the somatic antigens of eight of the inoculum-quality strains grouped all cultures into at least four distinct somatic serogroups. Serogroup I (Nitragin 27A8) contained the majority of the strains. Serogroups II (Nigragin 27A3) and III (TAL-480) each crossreacted with one strain, while serogroup IV (USDA 3HOa9) consisted only of the homologous strain. Nine of the chickpea strains and 55 other cultures from among strains of R. leguminosarum, R. lupini, R. japonicum, and Rhizobium spp. (Vigna, Sesbania, and Stylosanthes) did not react with any of the four specific FAs. Immunofluorescence – cross adsorption and immunodiffusion analyses of cultures within serogroup I revealed that four of the strains most commonly recommended for inoculum use were serologically identical. The int.
FATTY ACIDS, TOCOPHEROLS, STEROLS, PHENOLIC PROFILES AND OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF CUCUMIS MELO VAR. AGRESTIS OIL

Oil extracted from the seeds of Cucumis melo var. agrestis, collected from Ghibaish (sandy soil) and Gezira (heavy clay soil) provinces in Sudan, was studied in terms of the profile of fatty acids, tocopherols and sterols as well as phenolic compounds and oxidative stability by Rancimat (Metrohm AG, Herisau, Switzerland). The predominant fatty acid was 18:2n-6, representing 61.3 and 61.4% for Ghibaish and Gezira samples, respectively. There were no variations among the contents of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1n-9 and 18:2n-6 between the two samples. γ-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in both samples, representing 80.7 and 77.6% of the total tocopherols, respectively, followed by α-tocopherol at 18 and 21%, respectively. Total sterol content was 3,879.0 and 3,785.0 mg/kg for Ghibaish and Gezira samples, respectively. The main sterol of the two oils was β-sitosterol. The two samples showed an oxidative stability of 5.9 and 5.7 h, respectively. The content of total phenolic compounds was determined in each sample according to the Folin-Ciocalteau method as 33.0 and 31.9 mg/g of dry product, respectively. The phenolic compounds of the oil were separated using a solid phase extraction. The fractions were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection, which revealed four peaks in the two samples. The major components were catechin, vanillic acid, sinapic acid and callistephin. There was little variability according to location between the two samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Two samples from dried seeds of Cucumis melo var. agrestis were collected. Seeds were crushed and ground using a grinding mill; the oil was extracted from the ground seeds by extraction with petroleum ether in a Soxhlet apparatus, and the physicochemical properties of C. melo var. agrestis oil were determined. The fatty acid and sterol composition were investigated using gas chromatography; the different tocopherol homologs were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the oil oxidative stability was studied by Rancimat (Metrohm AG, Herisau, Switzerland) apparatus. The phenolic compounds were extracted from the obtained oil and then identified by HPLC with diode-array detection.