Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some biochemical and physiological aspects of growth and gametogenesis in Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea edulis grown at sustained elevated temperatures

Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) and Ostrea edulis L. were grown at sustained temperatures of 12°, 15°, 18° and 21°C for a period of 19 weeks. Regular assays of weight specific ammonia excretion rate were made, following which animals were sacrificed for estimation of dry meat weight, dry shell weight, biochemical composition (percentage carbon, nitrogen, carbohydrate, ash) and gonadal development (histological assessment). Crassostrea gigas grew from an intial live weight of 5·2 g to values of 23·5, 28·2, 34·6 and 38·7 g at 120, 150, 180 and 21 °C respectively.
Qualidade para o cozimento de grãos de feijão obtidos em diferentes épocas de semeadura

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sowing periods on cooking quality of common bean cultivars. The completely randomized design was applied in a 5 x 2 x 4 factorial arrangement, with three replications. The TPS Nobre and Perola grains obtained from five sowing periods were set to imbibe during four different periods at room air temperature (4 to 16 hours of uptake). The percentage of normal and hard grains from TPS Nobre cultivar were not influenced by sowing periods, but a percentage increase of hard Perola grains was verified in late sowing. The lowest water uptake was obtained in the last sowing period and the regression effect was always significant. The cooking time varied according to sowing periods, for both cultivars, but it was reduced (15min 24s to 20min 37s). The correlation coefficients obtained differed in magnitude and significance for different sowing periods. The cooking quality of common bean varied according to sowing periods.
Novel aspects of cyanogenesis in Eucalyptus camphora subsp. humeana.

Cyanogenesis is the release of cyanide from certain organisms upon tissue disruption. Tissue disruption, such as that caused by folivory, brings cyanogenic glycosides into contact with catabolic enzymes and toxic HCN is subsequently released. The process provides a measure of defence against generalist herbivores. Within the genus Eucalyptus, several species have been identified as cyanogenic and all of these store cyanide exclusively in the form of the cyanogenic glycoside prunasin. Here we report for the first time cyanogenesis in Eucalyptus camphora subsp. humeana L.A. S. Johnson & K.D. Hill. We found that foliage contains at least five different cyanogenic glycosides, three of which were purified and identified (prunasin, sambunigrin and amygdalin). Two natural populations of E. camphora trees were screened for cyanogenesis, and quantitative polymorphism was measured at both sites. Trees varied in their capacity for cyanogenesis from 0.014 to 0.543 mg CN g-1 DW in one population and from 0.011 to 0.371 mg CN g-1 DW in the other. A progeny trial, testing both cyanogenesis and carbon-based defence (namely total phenolics and condensed tannins), was performed with seed sourced from two cyanogenic, open-pollinated maternal trees. Interestingly, the seedlings exhibited markedly lower levels of cyanogenesis and condensed tannins than the adult population, with some individuals completely lacking one or both of the chemical defences. Total phenolic concentrations, however, were significantly higher in the seedlings than in the parental population from which the seed was sourced. Eucalyptus camphora is relatively unique among cyanogenic trees having multiple foliar cyanogenic glycosides and an apparently marked ontogenetic regulation of cyanogenic capacity.
Identification and characterization of the phytoplasma associated with elm yellows in southern Italy and its relatedness to other phytoplasmas of the elm yellows group.

Summary In the neighbouring regions Basilicata, Campania, and Calabria of southern Italy, diseased trees of European field elm (Ulmus minor) were examined for phytoplasmal infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. All affected trees examined tested positively. Using a primer pair specific for the EY phytoplasma group and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of PCR-amplified ribosomal DNA, the organism detected was identified as the elm yellows (EY) phytoplasma. RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified ribosomal DNA was also employed to attempt differentiation within the EY group which includes, in addition to the EY agent, phytoplasmas infecting Rubus, alder, eucalypts, Spanish broom, and grapevine. Following separate digestion with AluI, RsaI, Sau3AI, MseI, HhaI, and KpnI, all PCR-products from EY-group phytoplasmas examined had similar RFLP profiles. When the same ribosomal DNA fragments were digested with TaqI restriction endonuclease, three different restriction profiles were detected among the EY-group phytoplasmas. These profiles represented, respectively, (1) the EY phytoplasma (2) the phytoplasmas causing rubus stunt and being associated with alder yellows, spartium witches broom, and eucalyptus little leaf, and (3) the flavescence doree phytoplasma. RFLP analysis using TaqI endonuclease enabled for the first time the differentiation of the phytoplasmas associated with alder yellows, eucalyptus little leaf, and spartium witches broom from the EY agent.
Transcribing prosody

Our starting point in this response is the “elusiveness” of prosodic aspects of speech, commented on by the author of the lead article of this clinical forum (Peppe, 2009). We suggest that a useful strategy for coming to grips with this “elusiveness”, on the part of clinical professionals confronted with what presents as prosodic abnormalities, is the endeavour to transcribe prosody—an endeavour unfortunately dismissed in the lead article. We argue that the transcription is an analytic exercise, and as such an important part of clinical decision making. We illustrate this with an example from prosodic disturbances in hearing impaired clients.
Interaction of mycorrhizal infection, phosphorus level, and moisture stress in growth of field corn

Field corn from four locations sampled through the growing season was colonized by mycorrhizal fungi despite fairly high (56 μg/g) soil phosphorus fertilities. The mycorrhizal fungi indigenous to these sites were also assessed and Glomus spp. were found to predominate in all but one soil wherein Cigaspora spp. were most common. Adequately watered greenhouse corn exposed to a range of phosphorus fertilities and inoculated with Glomus mosseae showed increased growth in sand amended with 15.0 or 22.5 ppm KH2PO4 over noninoculated controls. Growth of plants amended with 30.0 ppm KH2PO4, however, was smaller suggesting high fertility parasitism by the endophyte. In contrast, no mycorrhizal response was observed on plants exposed to cyclic drought stress, even though root colonization in draughted plants was greater than that observed in adequately watered plants at the lower phosphorus levels. Thus it appears that G. mosseae was unable to measurably improve the drought tolerance of corn and, in addition, any n.
Role Of Some Plant Extracts And Organic Manure In Controlling Tylenchulus Semipenetrans Cobb In Vitro And In Vivo In Citrus

The nematicidal activity of Acacia (Acacia arbica), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Lantana (Lantana cammara), Nerium (Nerium oleander), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) were tested against J2 of Tylenchulus semipenetrans in vitro and in vivo. The organic manure [ Livestock manure (2 kg), Rice straw (2 kg), Agricultural soil (2 kg),Bakery yeast (100 g), Sugar cane molasses (200 g), Agricultural sulfur (500 g), Wheat husk (1 kg), Vegetable nutrients containing NPK, White lime (200 g) and Charcoal (1 kg)] also was examined. In vitro, the aqueous plant extracts significantly increased the J2 mortality of citrus nematode T. semipenetrans in vitro, where the mortality (%) was in the range of 40.6 to 100.0%, compared to 1.0 to 2.0% in the distilled water treatment. Rosemary extract highly reduced the J2 of nematode at standard concentration of S, followed by extracts of Lantana, Calendula, Chamomile, Nerium and Acacia. The organic manure showing the effective reduction to J2 of citrus nematode, compared to control treatment. In greenhouse experiment, the aqueous extract of Rosemary also was effective against population density of J2 citrus nematode, where the mortality was 79.6%. Results revealed that the highest reduction of nematode females was 78.3% obtained with Calendula while the highest reduction of egg-masses was 70.0 % obtained with aqueous extract of Calendula and Lantana. The aqueous plant extract also increased the vegetative growth parameters such as length and fresh and dry weight of shoots of citrus seedlings. Rosemary gave the greatest increase in the length of shoots, Calendula significantly increased the weight of shoots, while the significant increase in shoot dry weight obtained with Lantana. The organic manure at rate of 20 g/pot had nematcidal effect against citrus nematode parameters, followed by rates of 15, 10 and 5 g/pots, respectively.
Basal Lineages of Angiosperms: Relationships and Implications for Floral Evolution

Patterns and trends in angiosperm evolution can only be inferred using a well‐resolved and well‐supported phylogenetic tree, and many inferences of character evolution across the angiosperms rely on reconstructions at or near the base of the tree. For this reason, inferences of phylogeny and evolution in basal angiosperms have implications for understanding evolution in the angiosperms as a whole. Recent studies have concluded that the first three branches of extant angiosperms are Amborella, Nymphaeales, and a clade of Austrobaileya, Trimenia, and Illiciales; relationships among basal angiosperms following these early diverging branches are less clear. In this article, we (1) review the evidence for these basal relationships inferred from sequence data for three genes, (2) address the relationships among the clades of noneudicot angiosperms, including the monocots, based on both this large analysis of the angiosperms and new, more focused analyses of basal angiosperms alone, and (3) consider the implications of these phylogenetic relationships for the evolution of floral traits, particularly of the perianth. Using the best tree currently available and data on floral characters taken from the literature, we hypothesize that the early angiosperm flower had spiral phyllotaxis, with a small but indeterminate number of undifferentiated perianth organs. From this simple flower, a whorled floral arrangement, with a fixed number of sepals and petals, evolved quite early in angiosperm evolution. Reversions to spiral phyllotaxis, changes in merosity, and losses of floral parts occurred several times in the early evolutionary history of the angiosperms.
D-Tagatose increases butyrate production by the colonic microbiota in healthy men and women

D-Tagatose is partly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. Most of it is fermented by the large intestinal microbiota. The effect of D-tagatose on the composition of the microbiota and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was studied in vivo and in vitro. Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints were also studied. The in vivo study was performed according to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, five-way cross-over design in healthy subjects (12 men and 18 women). All subjects consumed 30 g raspberry jam containing 7.5 or 12.5 g D-tagatose, 7.8 g fructo-oligosaccharides (positive reference), 7.6 g D-tagatose plus 7.5 g fructo-oligosaccharides, or 15.1 g sucrose (negative reference) at breakfast for 2 weeks in different orders. At the end of each treatment period lipids and safety parameters in blood and GI complaints were evaluated by questionnaires, and faecal microbiota and SCFAs were measured. Furthermore, test-tube incubations of faecal slurries with D-tagatose, fructo-oligosaccharides and sucrose were performed. An in vitro model simulating the large intestine was used to assess the mechanistic effect of D-tagatose on microbiota composition and SCFA production. The high-tagatose treatment resulted in increased numbers of faecal lactobacilli in men, but not in women. Also in vitro, lactobacilli increased. Both the test-tube incubations of fresh faeces from the in vivo study with D-tagatose and the study in the in vitro model showed increased butyrate production after all treatments with D-tagatose. High-tagatose, but not low-tagatose, resulted in a slightly increased defecation frequency and stools of thinner consistency. Only a few GI complaints were reported. The data indicate that daily consumption of 7.5 or 12.5 g D-tagatose may lead to increased production of butyrate and to an increase of lactobacilli, without serious GI complaints. In view of the health-promoting effects of butyrate and lactobacilli, D-tagatose may be considered a prebiotic substrate.
Predators and nest success of Sky Larks Alauda arvensis in large arable fields in the Czech Republic

Capsule Nest failure owing to a range of predators was high, but the level and specificity of nest depredation cannot be generalised. Aims To determine fates and predators of Sky Lark nests in conventionally managed arable fields in the Czech Republic. Methods Sky Lark nests in large fields (mainly Maize, Sugar Beet and Opium Poppy) were monitored by means of continuous video surveillance. Results Primary nest fates of 42 active nests were fledging (13), depredation (22), desertion (5), nestling death (1), and flooding (1). The overall nest success (Mayfield estimate) was 17% (all mortality factors considered) or 27% (only depredation). Depredation events were caused by Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (11), Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (4), Stone Marten Martes foina (3), Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus (2), Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (2), Hedgehog Erinaceus sp. (2) and Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula (1). Successful nests were only slightly more away from field edge than depredated nests; nests taken by birds tended to be closer to field edge than those depredated by mammals. The possible reasons for the absence of a clear edge effect include comparatively large field parcels (about 50 ha) and location of nests far from field edge (median = 195 m). Conclusion Nest survival and composition of nest predators are site‐specific and contingent upon the study method and may not be simply generalised.
Interactive effects of chronic deer browsing and canopy gap disturbance on forest successional dynamics

The interaction of browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and canopy gap disturbances may affect long-term tree composition and lead to significant changes in forest structure. We used an individual-based forest gap model (ZELIG) to better understand the aggregate and interactive impacts of these processes on the long-term (200 years) successional dynamics of a mesic deciduous forest. We parameterized ZELIG to: (1) simulate successional dynamics within a temperate deciduous secondary forest typical of eastern North America; (2) simulate browsing impacts by white-tailed deer; and (3) simulate gap-scale disturbance of variable size and frequency. Our estimates of browsing impacts by species were derived from a 20-year, four-hectare deer exclusion study. Model calibration matched observed tree species composition, density by size class, and total basal area (39.92 m2 ha−1 vs. 37.13 m2 ha−1). Simulated deer browsing had little impact on total basal area over two centuries. However, deer browsi.
A diminutive deinonychosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of Öösh (Övörkhangai, Mongolia)

Prieto-Márquez, A. , Minjin B. & Horner, J.R. iFirst article. A diminutive deinonychosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of Öösh (Övörkhangai, Mongolia). Alcheringa, 1–19. ISSN 0311-5518. We describe a new specimen of small maniraptoran theropod from the Early Cretaceous Öösh locality, Övörkhangai province, central Mongolia. This exemplar ISMD-VP09 preserves a maxillary fragment, two teeth and partial appendicular elements. The strict consensus of a parsimony analysis of 68 coelurosaur taxa places this theropod within Deinonychosauria with an unresolved relationship with the other members of the clade. Support for this clade was based on two unambiguous synapomorphies: maxillary dentition with at least some teeth lacking denticles anteriorly, and ungual and penultimate pedal phalanx II highly modified for hyperextension, with ungual II being more strongly curved and substantially larger than that of digit III. The finding of a new small theropod specimen in the Öösh Formation adds to the deinonychosaur fossil record from the same beds, until now restricted to the dromaeosaurid Shanag ashile.
Clostridial Bacteremia in the Community Hospital

Anaerobic infections are not commonly studied in the community hospital. The aim of this study was to determine demographic factors, the portals of entry and underlying disorders for clostridial bacteremia and to determine whether appropriate (recommended) treatment is effective. Medical records were reviewed for 42 patients with clostridial bacteremia at 1 Florida, USA, hospital and 4 Dayton, Ohio, USA, hospitals. Fourteen (33.3%) of the patients had clostridial micro-organisms that were isolated in cultures with polymicrobial isolates. Only about half of the patients had fever at the onset of their bacteremia and only slightly more than half had elevated leukocyte counts. The most common portals of entry for the micro-organisms were gastrointestinal (42.9%), unknown (35.7%) and skin (16.7%). The most common underlying disorders were advanced malignancy (31.0%), diabetes mellitus (14.3%), none determined (12.0%) and acute cholecystitis (9.5%). The mortality rate was 23.8%. Timely appropriate treatment was started in only about half of the instances. Appropriate (recommended) treatment did not significantly affect survival (p=0.469). Clostridial infections and bacteremia exist in the community hospital most commonly in severely ill patients. The fact that clostridia are commonly cultured in blood cultures positive for other bacterial pathogens and that appropriate treatment for clostridia did not affect patient survival, call into question the significance and pathogenicity of clostridial organisms. On the other hand, if clostridial bacteremia was not considered in half these patients with bacteremia, it is possible that more indolent clostridial infections are being overlooked.
Temporal Risk Assessment for Lyme borreliosis in Denmark

The prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus nymphs in Denmark was found to be approximately 5%. The mean abundance of infected nymphs varied from 0.3 to 4.4 per 100 m2 according to site. The seasonal occurrence of infected nymphs in a beech forest coincided with seasonal distribution of neuroborreliosis cases. In order to establish a working hypothesis, it was assumed that the availability of habitats and human habitat preferences is one of the factors leading to low number of neuroborreliosis cases in the spring. In addition, this paper gives a description of the neuroborreliosis cases in Denmark in the period 1985-97 and offers a possible explanation for the variation in cases. The explanation is based on an assessment of tick density, which by comparison with the number of neuroborreliosis cases provides information on the infectivity of ticks. The model suggests that high temperatures and low precipitation in the autumn is essential for the transmission of B. burgdorferi sensu lato to reservoir hosts or development of B. burgdorferi sensu lato within ticks, which secures high tick infectivity in the following season.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Otosclerosis: A Clinical and Radiologic Survey of 437 Cases

The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between bone level thresholds and the extension of otosclerotic foci within the otic capsule. The study consisted of a retrospective case review in a university hospital. We included patients who underwent surgery for otosclerosis in our department and who had a CT scan prior to surgery. We analyzed the data charts and CT scans of 437 cases (386 patients). On CT scan, we distinguished patients with fenestral otosclerosis and/or with a pericochlear focus. A pericochlear focus could be extended (Group 2) or not (Group 1) to the cochlear endosteum. Data for Groups 1 and 2 were compared with those for the control group of all patients for whom CT scan showed no cochlear focus (Group 3). Of the 437 CT scans, 399 were positive (91.3%). An anterior focus was reported in 305 cases (69.8%), a footplate thickening in 21 cases (4.8%) and both anomalies were encountered in 60 cases (13.7%). A pericochlear focus was reported in 53 examinations. This focus was extended to the endosteum in 14 cases (26.4% of the pericochlear foci). In Group 1, preoperative air conduction (AC) thresholds were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). The air--bone gap was also significantly larger in Group 1 (p<0.05). Bone conduction (BC) thresholds were lower in Group 1 than in the control group but the difference was not significant. In Group 2, preoperative AC thresholds were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). BC thresholds were also lower in Group 2 than in the control group and the difference was significant (p<0.05). As a result of this study, we assume that there may be a relationship between bone level thresholds and the radiological extension of otosclerosis within the otic capsule.
Diurnal variations of C-reactive protein in trait and sickle cell disease patients

Sickle cell disease (HbSS) is the most common variant of β-globin gene, resulting from the replacement of glutamic acid by valine at position 6 in the β chain. Under the action of certain factors, such as cold, fever, dehydration, and infections, sickle cell crisis is usually precipitated. The crisis predisposes to aggregation of sickle cells, which may produce vaso-occlusion of capillaries, resulting in pain, swelling, and infarction. In response to inflammation, the liver releases a variety of acute phase proteins. C-reactive protein (CRP) is pentameric hepatocyte protein and is the measure marker of the “acute phase response,” or the formation of plasma proteins in response to an inflammatory stimulus in human. This study is an attempt to document diurnal variations in the level of CRP in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in steady or crisis state. Saliva samples from SCD, sickle cell trait (SCT), and control subjects were collected continuously over a period of three days. C-reactive protein level was detected using RHELAX CRP Latex kit with the sensitivity of 0.6 mg/dl. When pooled data were subjected for Cosinor rhythmometry, it failed to detect sinusoidality among SCD patients suggesting a constant elevated level of CRP level due to inflammation. However, a statistically significant circadian variation among control and SCT in CRP levels was discerned. Result suggests that although the level of CRP in SCT is comparatively higher than the normal individuals, the CRP contents significantly fluctuate in the absence of chronic inflammation among traits. The rhythm-adjusted mean was found to be significantly higher in SCD (p ≤ 0.005) patients when compared to control and trait subjects. A constant higher level of CRP can also be an indicator of future cardiac complications in SCD patients.