Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiota associated with Mollitrichosiphum aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Greenideinae): diversity, host species specificity and phylosymbiosis

Summary Symbiotic association is universal in nature, and an array of symbionts play a crucial part in host life history. Aphids and their diverse symbionts have become a good model system to study insect‐symbiont interactions. Previous symbiotic diversity surveys have mainly focused on a few aphid clades, and the relative importance of different factors regulating microbial community structure is not well understood. In this study, we collected 65 colonies representing eight species of the aphid genus Mollitrichosiphum from different regions and plants in southern China and Nepal and characterized their microbial compositions using Illumina sequencing of the V3 − V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. We evaluated how microbiota varied across aphid species, geography and host plants and the correlation between microbial community structure and host aphid phylogeny. Heritable symbionts dominated the microbiota associated with Mollitrichosiphum, and multiple infections of secondary symbionts were prevalent. Ordination analyses and statistical tests highlighted the contribution of aphid species in shaping the structures of bacterial, symbiont and secondary symbiont communities. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation between Mollitrichosiphum aphid phylogeny and microbial community composition, providing evidence for a pattern of phylosymbiosis between natural aphid populations and their microbial associates.
Early differences in cytokine production distinguish severity of COVID-19.

Most COVID-19 patients experience asymptomatic/mild symptoms, but some suffer critical symptoms requiring intensive care. It is important to determine how asymptomatic/mild patients react to SARS-CoV-2 infection and suppress virus spread. Innate immunity is important for evasion from the first virus attack, and it may play an important role in the pathogenesis in these patients. We measured serum cytokine levels of 95 COVID-19 patients during the infection's acute phase and are first to report that significantly higher IL-12 and IL-2 levels were induced in asymptomatic/mild patients versus those in the moderate/severe patients, indicating these cytokines' key roles in asymptomatic/mild infections' pathogenesis.
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Spirometra Tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) from Carnivorous Mammals in the Serengeti and Selous Ecosystems of Tanzania

Spirometra tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) collected from carnivorous mammals in Tanzania were identified by the DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and by morphological characteristics. A total of 15 adult worms were collected from stool samples and carcasses of Panthera leo, Panthera pardus, and Crocuta crocuta in the Serengeti and Selous ecosystems of Tanzania. Three Spirometra species: S. theileri, S. ranarum and S. erinaceieuropaei were identified based on morphological features. Partial cox1 sequences (400 bp) of 10 specimens were revealed. Eight specimens showed 99.5% similarity with Spirometra theileri (MK955901), 1 specimen showed 99.5% similarity with the Korean S. erinaceieuropaei and 1 specimen had 99.5% similarity with Myanmar S. ranarum. Sequence homology estimates for the ITS1 region of S. theileri were 89.8% with S. erinaceieuropaei, 82.5% with S. decipiens, and 78.3% with S. ranarum; and 94.4% homology was observed between S. decipiens and S. ranarum. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with 4 species of Spirometra and 2 species of Dibothriocephalus (=Diphyllobothrium). By both ML and BI methods, cox1 and ITS1 gave well supported, congruent trees topology of S. erinaceieuropaei and S. theileri with S. decipiens and S. ranarum forming a clade. The Dibothriocephalus species were sisters of each other and collectively forming successive outgroups. Our findings confirmed that 3 Spirometra species (S. theileri, S. ranarum, and S. erinaceieuropaei) are distributed in the Serengeti and Selous ecosystems of Tanzania.
The cytology of salivary gland neoplasms with globules of extracellular matrix: Case‐based review of adenoid cystic carcinoma and its potential mimics

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is an important tool for diagnosing salivary gland neoplasms and for guiding clinical management. The classic adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a basaloid neoplasm with abundant extracellular matrix. The presence globules of extracellular matrix are quite characteristic of AdCC but not diagnostic. We selected from our files six FNA cases that contained at least some globules of amorphous matrix that are similar to the ones seen in AdCC. The aim of this case‐based review is to discuss the pitfalls and some of the common differential diagnoses of AdCC in FNA cytology. By the end of this review, we hope to have shared with the readers the lessons we learned from these cases and to highlight the key criteria needed to make a correct diagnosis of AdCC based on cytomorphology. The importance of considering other entities, in addition to AdCC, whenever a salivary gland FNA presents with globules is emphasized.
The influence of teacher-student proximity, teacher feedback, and near-seated peer groups on classroom engagement: An agent-based modeling approach

Fostering students’ classroom engagement is a research hotspot in classroom teaching management. Enhancing classroom engagement requires consideration of the interactive effects of physical and interpersonal environments. Considering the characteristics of physical space, the teacher gives feedback on student engagement in terms of different seating positions. Further, near-seated peer group engagement has an impact, though previous research has found this to be inconsistent. The teacher and near-seated peer groups have different paths of influence on classroom engagement, and there is interplay between them. However, based on realistic classroom scenarios, it is difficult for traditional research methods to reveal how spatially heterogeneous and non-linear micro-interactions among teachers, students, and near-seated peer groups evolve into dynamic changes in macro-classroom engagement. Hence, this study utilized agent-based simulation to explore the non-linear dynamic mechanism underlying how teacher-student proximity, teacher feedback, and near-seated peer groups affect classroom engagement, thereby shedding light on the evolutionary features of classroom engagement. According to the results, the teacher’s positive feedback promoted an S-shaped increase in classroom engagement, and the closer a student sat to the teacher, the greater the increase was. The level and homogeneity of near-seated peer group engagement were predictors of changes in classroom engagement. Moreover, the proximity of students to the teacher, teacher feedback, and near-seated peer groups had a joint effect on student engagement. The compensation effect of the teacher’s positive feedback on the impact of low-engagement, near-seated peer groups was weaker than that of highly engaged, near-seated peer groups on the effects of the teacher’s negative feedback. This suggests that the model of teacher-student proximity and teacher feedback effects differed from that of near-seated peer group influence, and the two interacted and showed asymmetry.
Early transmissibility assessment of the N501Y mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom, October to November 2020

Two new SARS-CoV-2 lineages with the N501Y mutation in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein spread rapidly in the United Kingdom. We estimated that the earlier 501Y lineage without amino acid deletion Δ69/Δ70, circulating mainly between early September and mid-November, was 10% (6–13%) more transmissible than the 501N lineage, and the 501Y lineage with amino acid deletion Δ69/Δ70, circulating since late September, was 75% (70–80%) more transmissible than the 501N lineage.
Funnel‐and‐Gate Performance in a Moderately Heterogeneous Flow Domain

The funnel‐and‐gate ground water remediation technology (Starr and Cherry 1994) has received increased attention and application as an in situ alternative to the typical pump‐and‐treat system. Understanding the effects of heterogeneity on system performance can mean the difference between a successful remediation project and one that fails to meet its cleanup goals.
Ultrasonic Investigation on Nanocrystalline Barium Borate (BBO) Glass Ceramics

Barium Borate (BBO) glasses containing different compositions of BaO and B2O3 with BaF2, Cr2O3 and TiO2 have been prepared by normal melting and annealing technique. The prepared bulk BBO glasses have been subjected to heat‐treatment. The heat‐treated BBO glasses produce nanophase BBO crystals in its structure. The existence of nanophase structure of the BBO crystals have been studied through XRD and the results reveal that the size of the particles is in the order of less than 100 nm. The SEM studies also support the observed XRD study and it explores the crystalline BBO crystal in the nano range. Further, the ultrasonic velocity, attenuation and their related parameters have been measured before and after heat‐treatment. The observed higher magnitude of variation in the ultrasonic parameters in nanophase glasses when compared with bulk glasses reveals a reduction in the particle size. The present investigation reveals that ultrasonics is one of the best tools to characterise the nanophase materials.
Validation of estimated glycaemic index and glycaemic load, stratified by race, in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2)

Abstract Objective: Few studies have validated FFQ estimates of dietary glycaemic index (GI) and load (GL). We investigated how well our estimates of overall GI and GL from FFQs correlate with estimates from repeated 24 h recall data to validate overall GI and GL in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2). Design: The AHS-2 is a prospective population-based cohort of 95 873 Seventh-day Adventist adult church members enrolled from 2002 to 2007 to investigate diet, cancer and mortality. Setting: A 204-item FFQ was used to assess race- and gender-specific validity of GI and GL and 24 h recall data, from the calibration sub-study, were used as the reference. Participants: The 734 calibration study participants were randomly selected by church and included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites but were otherwise similar to the whole cohort with respect to gender, age, education and vegetarian status. Results: The deattenuated correlation coefficients for overall GI ranged from 0·19 (95 % CI −0·06, 0·53) in black men to 0·46 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·60) in black women, with both non-black men and women falling between those values (0·45 (95 % CI 0·35, 0·65) and 0·38 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·57), respectively). GL correlations were somewhat higher for all study participants. When looking at the entire cohort, the deattenuated validity correlation value for overall GI was (r 0·38, 95 % CI 0·36, 0·47) and GL was (r 0·39, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·49). Conclusions: Our findings support the cautious use of our FFQ in epidemiological studies when assessing associations of overall GI and GL with disease risk. However, observed differences by race should be considered when interpreting results.
Functional traits and symbiotic associations of geoxyles and trees explain the dominance of detarioid legumes in miombo ecosystems.

The miombo region in Africa is covered by a mosaic of woodlands and geoxylic grasslands and subject to disturbances like fires, frost and drought, and low nutrient availability. The dominance of Fabaceae Detarioideae species in miombo ecosystems is remarkable but little understood. We therefore compared plant functional traits (PFTs) of common woody species of the Angolan plateau, grouped by life form (trees, geoxyles), lineage (Fabaceae: Detarioideae, non-Detarioideae) and symbiont association (ectomycorrhiza, rhizobia). PFTs reflect group-specific adaptations to prevalent environmental conditions. To analyse the impact of environmental drivers, we selected PFTs reflecting ecophysiological aspects of leaf morphology, nutrient content and water transport. Traits were measured following standardized protocols. We found differences in key PFTs between trees and geoxyles reflecting both, life form specific adaptations to environmental conditions and lineage specific strategies to cope with environmental stresses. We interpret higher leaf thickness and higher wood density of geoxyles as responses to harsher open environments. Fabaceae in general and ectomycorrhizal species showed better nutrient status. Symbiotic associations of detarioid legumes with ectomycorrhiza show specific advantages for phosphorous uptake as compared to Rhizobia associated Fabaceae and to non-Fabaceae and thus may be crucial for the stunning dominance of Detarioideae in miombo landscapes.
High Plant Uptake of Radiocesium from Organic Soils Due to Cs Mobility and Low Soil K Content

Post-Chernobyl experience has demonstrated that persistently high plant transfer of 137Cs occurs from organic soils in upland and seminatural ecosystems. The soil properties influencing this transfer have been known for some time but have not been quantified. A pot experiment was conducted using 23 soils collected from selected areas of Great Britain, which were spiked with 134Cs, and Agrostis capillaris grown for 19−45 days. The plant-to-soil 134Cs concentration ratio (CR) varied from 0.06 to 44; log CR positively correlated to soil organic matter content (R 2 = 0.84), and CR values were highest for soils with low distribution coefficients (Kd) of 134Cs. Soils with high organic matter contents and high concentrations of NH4+ in solution showed high 134Cs mobility (low Kd). The plant-to-soil solution 134Cs ratio decreased sharply with increasing soil solution K+. A two parameter linear model, used to predict log CR from soil solution K+ and Kd, explained 94% of the variability in CR values. In conclusion,.
Prevalence and Multilocus Genotyping of Giardia lamblia in Cattle in Jiangxi Province, China: Novel Assemblage E Subtypes Identified

Giardia lamblia is a common enteric pathogen associated with diarrheal diseases. There are some reports of G. lamblia infection among different breeds of cattle in recent years worldwide. However, it is yet to know whether cattle in Jiangxi province, southeastern China is infected with G. lamblia. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and examine the multilocus genotypes of G. lamblia in cattle in Jiangxi province. A total of 556 fecal samples were collected from 3 cattle breeds (dairy cattle, beef cattle, and buffalo) in Jiangxi province, and the prevalence and genotypes of G. lamblia were determined by the nested PCR amplification of the beta-giardin (bg) gene. A total of 52 samples (9.2%) were positive for G. lamblia. The highest prevalence of G. lamblia was detected in dairy cattle (20.0%), followed by that in beef cattle (6.4%), and meat buffalo (0.9%). Multilocus sequence typing of G. lamblia was performed based on sequences of the bg, triose phosphate isomerase and glutamate dehydrogenase loci, and 22, 42, and 52 samples were amplifiable, respectively, forming 15 MLGs. Moreover, one mixed G. lamblia infection (assemblages A and E) was found in the present study. Altogether, 6 novel assemblage E subtypes (E41*–E46*) were identified for the first time. These results not only provided baseline data for the control of G. lamblia infection in cattle in this southeastern province of China, but also enriched the molecular epidemiological data and genetic diversity of G. lamblia in cattle.
Nutrient Distribution and Sampling for Leaf Analysis in St. Augustinegrass

Abstract Leaf nutrient analysis for turfgrass is typically performed on clipping samples. However, since clippings of St. Augustingrass used in lawns consist primarily of the youngest leaves, they may not be the best material to sample, especially for mobile elements. This study examined the concentration gradients of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) among leaves of various ages to determine their relative mobility within St. Augustingrass [Stenotaphrum secondatum (Walt.) O. Kuntze] plants, and to determine which age of leaves were the best indicators of plant nutritional status for each element. To provide varying levels of fertility on a Hallandale fine sand soil in southern Florida, a landscape area of “Floratam” St. Augustingrass was either not fertilized or fertilized with 4.9 g N m−2 every 3 months from either a mostly water soluble 16–4–8 (N–P2O5–K2O) fertilizer blend or an 8–4–12–4 Mg (N–P2O5–K2O–Mg) controlled-release fertilizer blend containing micronutrients. Leaf samples were obtained twice for analysis, once during the cooler winter months and once during the warmer summer months. About 50 shoots were sampled from each plot, and the leaves were separated according to their position on the shoot axis. Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn content. Concentrations of each element in each leaf and fertilizer plot were used to determine which leaf position provided the best indicator of plant nutrient status for each element. Nitrogen, P, K, and Mn showed decreasing leaf elemental concentrations with increasing leaf age, as is typical for mobile elements, while Ca, Mg, and Zn had higher concentrations in the older leaves and were considered immobile in this species. Leaf Fe concentrations were not correlated with either fertilizer treatment or leaf position. Leaf 3, which is the oldest leaf, followed by Leaf 2, was found to be the best indicator of plant nutrient status for all elements, regardless of their mobility. Leaf 1, which is the primary component of turfgrass clippings, was generally the poorest indicator of plant nutritional status and is not recommended for leaf nutrient analysis.
Generation and Characterization of Gasoline Engine Exhaust Inhalation Exposure Atmospheres

Exposure atmospheres for a rodent inhalation toxicology study were generated from the exhaust of a 4.3-L gasoline engine coupled to a dynamometer and operated on an adapted California Unified Driving Cycle. Exposure levels were maintained at three different dilution rates. One chamber at the lowest dilution had particles removed by filtration. Each exposure atmosphere was characterized for particle mass, particle number, particle size distribution, and detailed chemical speciation. The majority of the mass in the exposure atmospheres was gaseous carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organics, with small amounts of particle-bound carbon/ions and metals. The atmospheres varied according to the cycle, with the largest spikes in volatile organic and inorganic species shown during the “cold start” portion of the cycle. Ammonia present from the exhaust and rodents interacted with the gasoline exhaust to form secondary inorganic particles, and an increase in exhaust resulted in higher proportions of secondary inorganics as a portion of the total particle mass. Particle size had a median of 10–20 nm by number and approximately 150 nm by mass. Volatile organics matched the composition of the fuel, with large proportions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons coupled to low amounts of oxygenated organics. A new measurement technique revealed organics reacting with nitrogen oxides have likely resulted in measurement bias in previous studies of combustion emissions. Identified and measured particle organic species accounted for about 10% of total organic particle mass and were mostly aliphatic acids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Carotenoid profile in breast milk and maternal and cord plasma: a longitudinal study in Southwest China

Abstract Carotenoids are increasingly being implicated to have an important role in brain and eye development. This study aimed to quantify the content and profile of carotenoids in human breast milk, maternal plasma and neonatal umbilical cord plasma in Chengdu, an urban area in Southwest China. In this study, fifty-four healthy mothers were enrolled. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were collected. Concentrations of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene and lycopene) were analysed by HPLC. We found that carotenoid concentrations decreased from colostrum to mature milk. Hydrocarbon carotenoids with weaker polarity decreased more than the polar carotenoids. Lycopene concentrations dropped by 99 %, β-carotene by 92 %, β-cryptoxanthin by 83 %, lutein by 32 % and zeaxanthin by 22 %. Lycopene and β-carotene accounted for 70 % of the total carotenoids in colostrum, and lutein predominated amongst carotenoids in transitional milk and mature milk (51–55 %). Carotenoid concentrations in maternal plasma were much higher than that in cord plasma. Lutein predominated in cord plasma. The concentrations of all carotenoids in maternal plasma were correlated with those of cord plasma and human milk. These results are consistent with selective transport mechanisms in the mammary gland related to the polarity of carotenoids, and each carotenoid has its own implications, which may have different priorities in the early life development of infants. These findings may help guide dietary recommendations for carotenoid inclusion in infant formulas.
Single versus two-implant mandibular overdentures using early-loaded titanium-zirconium implants with hydrophilic surface and ball attachments: 1-year randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the outcomes of the mandibular overdenture retained by one (1-IOD) or two (2-IOD) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants received new complete dentures, were assessed at baseline and randomly assigned to groups. Early loaded single midline implant (1-IOD) or two implants in the canine regions bilaterally (2-IOD). Ball attachments were used for overdenture retention. Post-treatment outcomes (6- and 12-month follow-ups) included patient satisfaction, oral health-related quality of life measures, and chewing function. Data analysis included within- and between-group comparisons, and Generalized Estimating Equations. Both superiority and non-inferiority hypotheses were tested. RESULTS Forty-seven participants were included (1-IOD=23; 2-IOD=24). Significant improvements in OHIP-Edent were observed after insertion of new dentures and at the 1-year follow-up compared to baseline. No differences were found between the 1- and 2-IOD groups for the OHIP-Edent and QoLFAST scores. Patient satisfaction with the mandibular denture improved significantly from baseline to the 6-month follow-up and remained unaltered until 1 year, with no differences between groups. The magnitudes of treatment effect sizes were moderate to large for patient-reported outcomes. Progressive improvement in chewing function occurred in both groups. Non-inferiority testing based on a 15% non-inferiority margin showed inconclusive results for patient-reported outcomes, whilst chewing function in the 1-IOD group was concluded to be not inferior to the 2-IOD group. CONCLUSIONS Results support the use of both 1- and 2-IOD. The 1-IOD was also an acceptable alternative to the 2-IOD as a secondary option for the treatment of the edentulous mandible.