Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paradigm of deep pectoral myopathy in broiler chickens

Deep pectoral myopathy (DPM) of musculus pectoralis minor is an anomaly observed in gallinaceous poultry. To date its cases have been reported in adult pedigree turkeys and hens and in recent years also in broiler chickens. This degeneration is manifested in an abnormal appearance of breast muscles, with changes in colour from pink to green, as well as changes in the texture of the muscle tissue. The anomaly is found most frequently in genetic lines of chickens characterised by dynamic weight increment in the rearing period as well as a considerable increase in the proportion of pectoral muscles. The mechanism for the development of myopathy is already well known. It is related with ischemic necrosis initiated by rapid physical activity of birds, which mobilises pectoral muscles, normally relatively inactive in modern intensive animal management systems. Absence of symptoms manifested in vivo results in a situation when muscles affected by myopathy are identified only during carcass dissection. An increasing number of cases of this anomaly, as well as the fact that necrotic lesions affect valuable carcass elements make this problem one of great importance for chicken growers and abattoirs and poultry processing plants. In recent years DPM cases have been reported with increasing frequency in the USA, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria in commercial genetic lines. In Poland, a number of DPM cases have been recorded in large populations in flocks of five to seven week old chickens from 0.02% up to 1.9%. Risk factors for the occurrence of DPM on farms have been analysed, and are considered mainly due to intensive wing flapping. Identification of these factors may result in better farm management and constitute the basis for the DPM prevention system. A solution to this problem is not available currently.
COVID-19: Pain Management in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection—Molecular Mechanisms, Challenges, and Perspectives

Since the end of 2019, the whole world has been struggling with the pandemic of the new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Available evidence suggests that pain is a common symptom during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to the World Health Organization, many patients suffer from muscle pain (myalgia) and/or joint pain (arthralgia), sore throat and headache. The exact mechanisms of headache and myalgia during viral infection are still unknown. Moreover, many patients with respiratory failure get admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for ventilatory support. Pain in ICU patients can be associated with viral disease itself (myalgia, arthralgia, peripheral neuropathies), may be caused by continuous pain and discomfort associated with ICU treatment, intermittent procedural pain and chronic pain present before admission to the ICU. Undertreatment of pain, especially when sedation and neuromuscular blocking agents are used, prone positioning during mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may trigger delirium and cause peripheral neuropathies. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge regarding challenges associated with pain assessment and management in COVID-19 patients. A structured prospective evaluation should be undertaken to analyze the probability, severity, sources and adequate treatment of pain in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Associations of Sleep Quality and Frailty among the Older Adults with Chronic Disease in China: The Mediation Effect of Psychological Distress

Frailty affects the elderly and leads to adverse health outcomes. Preliminary evaluations have suggested that sleep quality and psychological distress are predictors of frailty among older adults. However, the mechanisms by which sleep quality affect frailty had not been fully addressed in the previous research. This study aimed to explore the mediation effect of psychological distress on the association between sleep quality and frailty among the elderly with chronic diseases in rural China. A total of 2346 old adults were included in the analysis. Frailty status was measured by Fried Phenotype criteria. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and psychological distress was examined by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Ordinal logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationships between sleep quality and frailty. Mediation test was also conducted by bootstrap method. The prevalence rate of frailty among the elderly with chronic diseases was 21% in rural China. Compared with the elder of robust status, respondents identified as having frailty have lower SES, less vigorous physical activity, and worse self-reported health status. Poor sleep quality was a significant predictor of frailty with mediators (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.19–1.76). Mediation analysis suggested that psychological distress mediated 41.81% of total effect between sleep quality and frailty. This study indicated that poor sleep quality was significantly related to frailty, and psychological was a mediator of this association. However, we could not investigate causal relationships between variables since this was one cross-sectional study. These findings suggested that an early detection of sleep problems and also psychological disorders should be taken to prevent frailty among the rural older adults in China.
Effects of African cassava mosaic geminivirus on the yield of cassava.

Tliis review considers studies pe$ornzed over inany years in 12 countries on the effects of African cassava rnosaic geminivirus (ACMV) on yield. Some experiments compared the yield of plants raised from ACMV-infected cuttings with equivalent uninfected controls in forrnal replicated trials. In others, yield data were obtained from plants selected in experiniental plantings or farmers' fields according to the type and severity of symptonzs expressed or the date when they Jirst appeared. Such studies Izave slzown that the effects of ACMV on yield depend 012 variety and stage of irzfection but are usually substantial. Plants grown from injected cuttings are much inore seriously affected than those irzfected later bji the whitejly vector (Bemisia tabaci) and plants infected at a late stage of crop growth are almost unafected. Positive relationships Izave been established between the extent and severity of the leaf symptonis and yield loss, but losses can be considerable, even in varieties designated as resistant. Tlie limitations of these studies are discussed and emphasis is placed on tlze need for additional irzfonnation on the effects of ACMV on the yield of the improved virus-resistant varieties now available. Data are also required on possible conzpetition and coinpensation effects within nzixed stands of infected arid uniizfected plants at different sites, spacings and levels of soil fertility.
The reflection of moisture content on palm oil development during the ripening process of fresh fruits.

This research has been done to determine the relationship between moisture content in mesocarp and kernel and palm oil development during the ripening process of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). For this purpose, Tenera oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) variety (a cross between Dura and Pisifera) on eight years old palms planted in 2003 at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Research Station were selected. Fresh fruit bunches were harvested and were divided into three regions (top, middle and bottom) where the fruits from outer and inner layers of them were removed randomly during the ripening process between 8, 12,16 and 20 weeks after anthesis. The soxhlet extraction tubes were used to the palm oil extraction. Calculation of earned data related to ripening time, oil yield and moisture content has done by MSTAT-C and Microsoft Excel computer programs. The results showed that with fruit development from 8 weeks after anthesis until the end of the ripening stage, mesocarp moisture content decreased from 86.33% to 20.86% while oil percent increased from 1.24% at 8 weeks after anthesis to 29.6% at 20 weeks after anthesis. From 12 weeks after anthesis until the end of the ripening stage, kernel moisture content decreased from 45.63% to 30.48%. The lowest kernel oil percent of 0.03% was recorded at 12 weeks after anthesis, while the highest kernel oil content of 3.21% was recorded at 20 weeks after anthesis.
Occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection: the Polish experience.

OBJECTIVES The disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), termed COVID-19, is asymptomatic or mild in most cases. These patients do not need treatment in hospital and can be isolated at home. To date, most studies have been conducted among inpatients with severe COVID-19. In this study, the authors surveyed patients with mild COVID-19 who remained in home isolation, and analyzed the sources and occupational risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out on April 17-18, 2020, among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who remained in home isolation in Poland. Data were acquired through a structured interview that included questions about the isolation course, symptoms, comorbidities, infection source, household characteristics, occupation, and workplace. Data were presented with descriptive statistics. RESULTS Of the 4878 patients in home isolation, the authors were able to contact 3313. Of them, 1191 patients declined their invitation, and 2122 agreed to take part. The median age of the patients included in the study was 50 years; 59% were female. Most patients (92%) had not been abroad before the infection. More than half (55%) knew how they became infected; of them, 75% became infected at work. Of all patients, 70% were occupationally active. Nearly half of the occupationally active patients (48%) worked in healthcare, 3% worked in public administration or defense, 3% worked in transportation, and 2% worked in education. Sixty-five percent of the occupationally active patients worked in companies with >100 employees. CONCLUSIONS Most of the patients with COVID-19 in home isolation in Poland were occupationally active, wherein the majority of people who were aware of the source of SARS-CoV-2 infection worked in healthcare. As most of the infected patients worked in companies with >100 employees, which is not a Polish employment pattern, the authors expect that smaller companies may have a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Rooting of apical hardwood cuttings of fig tree 'Roxo de Valinhos' with application of IBA and hydrogen cyanamide.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a acao do AIB e cianamida hidrogenada no enraizamento de estacas apicais lenhosas de figueira 'Roxo de Valinhos'. Estacas caulinares lenhosas da porcao apical dos ramos, coletadas no final da primeira quinzena de julho, foram padronizadas com 20 cm de comprimento e diâmetro proximo a sete mm. As estacas foram tratada ou nao com AIB a 2.000 mg L-1 por 10 seg. e, em seguida, foram enterradas em leito de areia umedecido sob telado constituido de sombrite com 50% de luminosidade. Imediatamente apos o plantio, cinco cm do apice das estacas foram pincelados, com diferentes concentracoes de cianamida hidrogenada: 0; 5; 10; 15; 20 e 25 mL L-1. Passados 60 dias da estaquia, foram mensurados a porcentagem de estacas vivas, enraizadas, brotadas, o numero medio das brotacoes e raizes, alem do comprimento medio das brotacoes. Uma amostragem de cada tratamento foi transplantada para sacolas plasticas com capacidade de 3 L (30 x 18 cm), preenchidas com substrato a base de casca de pinus e foram desbrotadas, preservando apenas uma unica brotacao por estaca. Aos 30; 60 e 90 dias apos o transplantio, mensurou-se o comprimento medio da brotacao. Para a melhoria do enraizamento adventicios, emissao e crescimento das brotacoes em estacas lenhosas apicais de figueira, devem-se aplicar 2.000 mg L-1 de AIB associados com 10 mL L-1 de cianamida hidrogenada.
The T2 Toxin Produced by Fusarium spp. Impacts Porcine Duodenal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS)-Positive Nervous Structures—The Preliminary Study

T2 toxin synthetized by Fusarium spp. negatively affects various internal organs and systems, including the digestive tract and the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. However, knowledge about the effects of T2 on the enteric nervous system (ENS) is still incomplete. Therefore, during the present experiment, the influence of T2 toxin with a dose of 12 µg/kg body weight (b.w.)/per day on the number of enteric nervous structures immunoreactive to neuronal isoform nitric oxide synthase (nNOS—used here as a marker of nitrergic neurons) in the porcine duodenum was studied using the double immunofluorescence method. Under physiological conditions, nNOS-positive neurons amounted to 38.28 ± 1.147%, 38.39 ± 1.244%, and 35.34 ± 1.151 of all enteric neurons in the myenteric (MP), outer submucous (OSP), and inner submucous (ISP) plexuses, respectively. After administration of T2 toxin, an increase in the number of these neurons was observed in all types of the enteric plexuses and nNOS-positive cells reached 46.20 ± 1.453% in the MP, 45.39 ± 0.488% in the OSP, and 44.07 ± 0.308% in the ISP. However, in the present study, the influence of T2 toxin on the intramucosal and intramuscular nNOS-positive nerves was not observed. The results obtained in the present study indicate that even low doses of T2 toxin are not neutral for living organisms because they may change the neurochemical characterization of the enteric neurons.
WAVE1 and WAVE2 have distinct and overlapping roles in controlling actin assembly at the leading edge

SCAR/WAVE proteins and Arp2/3 complex assemble branched actin networks at the leading edge. Two isoforms of SCAR/WAVE, WAVE1 and WAVE2, reside at the leading edge, yet it has remained unclear whether they perform similar or distinct roles. Further, there have been conflicting reports about the Arp2/3-independent biochemical activities of WAVE1 on actin filament elongation. To investigate this in vivo, we knocked out WAVE1 and WAVE2 genes, individually and together, in B16-F1 melanoma cells. We demonstrate that WAVE1 and WAVE2 are redundant for lamellipodia formation and motility. However, there is a significant decrease in the rate of leading edge actin extension in WAVE2 KO cells, and an increase in WAVE1 KO cells. The faster rates of actin extension in WAVE1 KO cells are offset by faster retrograde flow, and therefore do not translate into faster lamellipodium protrusion. Thus, WAVE1 restricts the rate of actin extension at the leading edge, and appears to couple actin networks to the membrane to drive protrusion. Overall, these results suggest that WAVE1 and WAVE2 have redundant roles in promoting Arp2/3-dependent actin nucleation and lamellipodia formation, but distinct roles in controlling actin network extension and harnessing network growth to cell protrusion.
Nutrient digestibility profile of premium (category III grade) animal protein by‐products for temperate marine fish species (European sea bass, gilthead sea bream and turbot)

Three trials, with classical experimental designs for in vivo digestibility studies, were conducted to determine the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of protein (ADCp), lipid (ADCl), energy (ADCe) and amino acids (AA) in selected animal by-products fed to European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Trial 1), gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata (Trial 2), and turbot, Psetta maxima (Trial 3). In each trial, five experimental diets [including a reference diet (RD)] where fish meal (FM) was used as the sole protein source were fed ad libitum to the fish for a period of 4 weeks. Test diets were based on the FM RD and obtained by replacing 30% of the RD with a category III designated European animal by-products (fit for human consumption), namely: steam hydrolysed feather meal (HFM), enzyme-treated feather meal (EFM), poultry meat meal (PMM) and spray-dried haemoglobin meal (SDHM). Faecal material was collected using the ‘Guelph system’, and nutrient and energy digestibility coefficients were related to the measurement of chromic oxide (Cr2O3) incorporated into the diet at a rate of 0.5%. Without any exception, FM diets yielded the best digestibility values for all macro-nutrients and by all fish. Among the test ingredients, ADCp was consistently higher for PMM and SDHM in the three species (85.5%, 91.1% in sea bass; 79.2%, 82.8% in sea bream; and 78.4%, 74.8% in turbot). Conversely, ADCp of HFM and EFM were less efficiently digested (67.2%, 68.2% in sea bass; 21.5%, 21.7% in sea bream; and 46.6%, 36.0% in turbot). However, the novel processing method applied to feather meal did not considerably influence the digestibility of most of the nutrients in this feedstuff. The current investigation yielded valuable numerical ADC for EAA considered to be of prime importance in generating balanced diet formulations.
Examination of SOD1 aggregation modulators and their effect on SOD1 enzymatic activity as a proxy for potential toxicity

Small‐molecule inhibitors of abnormal protein self‐assembly are promising candidates for developing therapy against proteinopathies. Such compounds have been examined primarily as inhibitors of amyloid β‐protein (Aβ), whereas testing of inhibitors of other amyloidogenic proteins has lagged behind. An important issue with screening compound libraries is that although an inhibitor suitable for therapy must be both effective and nontoxic, typical screening focuses on efficacy, whereas safety typically is tested at a later stage using cells and/or animals. In addition, typical thioflavin T (ThT)‐fluorescence‐based screens use the final fluorescence value as a readout, potentially missing important kinetic information. Here, we examined potential inhibitors of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) using ThT‐fluorescence including the different phases of fluorescence change and added a parallel screen of SOD1 activity as a potential proxy for compound toxicity. Some compounds previously reported to inhibit other amyloidogenic proteins also inhibited SOD1 aggregation at low micromolar concentrations, whereas others were ineffective. Analysis of the lag phase and exponential slope added important information that could help exclude false‐positive or false‐negative results. SOD1 was highly resistant to inhibition of its activity, and therefore, did not have the necessary sensitivity to serve as a proxy for examining potential toxicity.
Is the north side of the Strait of Gibraltar more diverse than the south side? A case study using the intertidal peracarids (Crustacea: Malacostraca) associated to the seaweed Corallina elongata

The objectives of this study were to describe the peracaridean fauna associated to the algae Corallina elongata from the Strait of Gibraltar, and explore possible biodiversity and biogeographical patterns of variation along the north–south and Atlantic–Mediterranean axes across the Strait of Gibraltar. Twenty-five stations were selected along the north and south coasts of the Strait to cover the broadest possible range of human pressure and environmental conditions, including both natural rocky shores and artificial breakwaters. The alga Corallina elongata was selected as substrate, and the peracaridean crustaceans were identified to species level and classified in geographical distribution groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore and confirm patterns of variation. Forty peracarid species were collected, most of them with an Atlantic–Mediterranean distribution (67%) with only the gammarid Parhyale eburnea, being an endemic Mediterranean species. The most common species collected during the present study were the gammarids Hyale stebbingi, Jassa marmorata, Stenothoe monoculoides and Ampithoe spp. , the caprellids Caprella grandimana and C. penantis, the isopod Ischyromene lacazei and the tanaid Tanais dulongi. The number of species per station and the diversity index were significantly higher in the stations located along the north side of the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the two-way ANOVA discarded differences between north and south due to the type of substrate (natural versus artificial) and degree of human pressure. Based on peracaridean assemblages, the Strait of Gibraltar behaves as a whole and homogeneous region, with a very similar faunal composition in all stations and there is not a clear gradient of species substitution from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic stations. Provided that we selected the same substrate in all stations, and that statistical analyses revealed that differences between north and south stations were not due to environmental factors such as anthropogenic stress or type of substrate, we should look to historical biogeographical reasons to explain the higher diversity in the north side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Multi-Beat Averaging Reveals U Waves Are Ubiquitous and Standing Tall at Elevated Heart Rates Following Exercise

The reporting of U wave abnormalities is clinically important, but the measurement of this small electrocardiographic (ECG) feature is extremely difficult, especially in challenging recording conditions, such as stress exercise, due to contaminating noise. Furthermore, it is widely stated that ECG U waves are rarely observable at heart rates greater than 90 bpm. The aims of the study were (i) to assess the ability of multi-beat averaging to reveal the presence of U waves in ECGs contaminated by noise following exercise and (ii) to quantify the effect of exercise on U wave amplitude. The multi-beat averaging algorithm was applied to recover U waves in 20 healthy subjects in pre- and post-exercise recordings. Average beats were generated from 30 beat epochs. The prevalence of U waves and their amplitudes were measured in pre- and post-exercise recordings and changes in amplitude due to exercise were quantified. U waves were present in all subjects in pre-exercise recordings. Following exercise, U waves could not be seen in standard ECG but were observable in all 20 subjects by multi-beat averaging and despite significantly increased mean (±SD) heart rate (63 ± 8 bpm vs. 100 ± 9 bpm, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, U waves were observable in all subjects with heart rates greater than 90 bpm. U waves significantly increased in amplitude following exercise (38 ± 15 μV vs. 80 ± 48 μV, p = 0.0005). Multi-beat averaging is effective at recovering U waves contaminated by noise due to exercise. U waves were measurable in all subjects, dispelling the myth that U waves are rarely seen at elevated heart rates. U waves exhibit increased amplitudes at elevated heart rates following exercise.
Patterns of gap-phase replacement in a subalpine, old-growth forest

Small-scale natural disturbances involving the death of one to a few trees and creating gaps in the forest canopy are key processes in the population and community ecology of many forests. I examined the patterns of replacement in gaps in a subalpine old-growth forest in southern coastal British Columbia to assess their role in the forest community. I found no evidence that self replacement or reciprocal replacement act to maintain the current community composition. Gapmaker-gapfiller comparisons indicated preferential replacement of all species by Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), suggesting that the community is undergoing successional change. Nor did gap size, location within a gap, or local canopy composition appear to exert a strong influence on the species composition of regeneration within the gap. The only circumstance where Pacific silver fir was not overwhelmingly dominant among gapfillers was on stumps, where almost all successful western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) gapfillers were located. These patterns suggest that neither species-specific interactions between gapmakers and gapfillers nor variability in gap environments is adequate to maintain the current composition of the forest canopy. How- ever, caution is indicated in projecting a long-term trend from this short-term assessment of community trajectory.