Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of delayed processing on ovarian tissue stored for fertility preservation

Background Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is important for fertility preservation and conservation. Delay in OTC may be required for transport or workflow management, however little is understood about the effect of processing delay on the tissue. Objective To determine whether a delay of 24-48 hours to OTC affects primordial follicle (PF) health. Methods Ovaries (n=6 sheep) were processed immediately or after storage at 4°C (24h, 48h). Tissue was fixed fresh, after cryopreservation or 10-day xenotransplantation. Morphological assessment of follicle health and development was performed. Findings A total of 1541 follicles were analysed. A 24h processing delay did not impact PF health in fresh or cryopreserved tissue. In fresh tissue a 48h delay had an adverse effect on follicle health (OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.29-4.71). Interestingly, a 48h delay resulted in cryopreserved tissue being less likely to be graded as unhealthy compared to control (OR=0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.87). There was no difference in PF health or development across groups following xenotransplantation. Conclusion Ovarian tissue can be stored for up to 48 hours prior to cryopreservation with no net impact on PF health.
Antioxidant potential of herbs and spices during deep frying of ghee

The present study was carried out to evaluate antioxidant potential of ashwagandha, clove, coriander, green tea, shatavari and vidarikand extracts as compared to BHA. Clove, coriander and green tea extracts showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than vidarikand, shatavari and ashwagandha extracts. Radical-scavenging activity by DPPH model system revealed that clove and green tea extracts were superior to other extracts. All the natural antioxidants significantly reduced the formation of peroxides, FFA, thiobarbituric acid value and conjugated dienes. Ghee with added clove, green tea and coriander extracts showed higher induction period as compared to ghee containing vidarikand, ashwagandha, shatavari or BHA.
The diversity of chromosome races in Sorex araneus from European Russia

Over recent years there has been a particular effort to identify the main chromosome races of the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 in the European part of Russia. We report here on the karyotypes of 40 shrews from 18 widely distributed sites in European Russia. Three new chromosome races were described: the Manturovo {go, hi,jll, kq, mn, pr), the Neroosa (g/o, hi,j/l, klr, mn, p/q) and the Seliger (g, hn, ik,jl, m/q, o,pr). In addition, a single individual from Belarus, was from a new race: the Lepel (g/m, hk, i/p,jl, n/q, o/r), which has been further characterised by Mishta et al. (2000). Considering European Russia alone, there are now described eleven distinct chromosome races of the common shrew. Some of these races appear to belong to a Finnish-Ural Mts-West Siberian lineage, others have an affinity with the West European Karyotypic Group: European Russia appears to be a particularly interesting area, from the viewpoint of the colonization history of the common shrew. In terms of chromosome mutations, it appears that whole-arm reciprocal translocations have had an important role in the chromosome evolution of European Russian shrews.
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND RECRUITMENT PERIOD OF OCYPODE QUADRATA (DECAPODA, OCYPODIDAE) AT A SANDY BEACH IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract The reproductive cycle and recruitment period of a ghost crab population from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil were investigated by means of examining the developmental stages of gonads of breeding crabs and the ingress of young recruits to the studied population. Monthly collections over a one-year period were carried out during nocturnal low-tide periods at “Vermelha” beach. The morphology of the abdomen and pleopods was used for sex determination. All captured crabs were measured for carapace width and dissected for the determination of the development stage of the gonads. A total of 582 specimens was captured: 271 males, 241 females, and 70 juveniles. Size ranged from 8.5 to 37.5 mm for males, from 9.5 to 39.2 mm for females, and from 5.8 to 12 mm for early juveniles. Median size of males and females did not differ statistically. The frequency of ovigerous females was markedly low. The onset of sexual maturity in females is achieved at around 23 mm of carapace width. Mature females with advanced gonad stages were not recorded from May to September. Recruitment of young was highest during summer, but the presence of early and late juvenile specimens throughout the year indicates that continuous recruitment is taking place in the studied population.
Serum CCL 18 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common metabolic disorders seen in women of the reproductive age group, with the majority of them having insulin resistance. There is a need to identify sensitive markers of insulin resistance. CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL 18) secreted from white adipose tissue is upregulated in individuals with insulin resistance. Objectives: To study the correlation between serum CCL 18 levels and insulin resistance in PCOS. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 45 PCOS women and an equal number of age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. Estimation of serum CCL 18, serum testosterone, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis was done and HOMA IR was calculated. Results: Serum CCL 18 level was higher in women with PCOS when compared to controls. The mean level of serum CCL 18 (ng/mL) in the PCOS group and control group was 28.32 ± 4.17 and 11.90 ± 4.91, respectively (P < 0.001). Blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, modified Ferriman Gallway score (FG) score serum total testosterone, fasting serum insulin, and HOMA IR showed a relationship with serum CCL 18 levels. Serum CCL 18 was an independent predictor of PCOS (P < 0.05). A serum CCL 18 cutoff level of 18.84 ng/mL showed 93.3% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity in distinguishing PCOS subjects from healthy individuals. Conclusion: There is a significant correlation of serum CCL 18 level with insulin resistance in PCOS subjects and serum CCL levels can be considered as a marker of PCOS.
Impact of released Eurasian otters on a population of American mink: a test using an experimental approach

Competition is considered to be a major evolutionary driving force within assemblages of related and morphologically similar species, but it is notoriously difficult to test and quantify especially amongst species that cannot be easily manipulated in a laboratory or in the field. By exploiting a re-introduction of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in the Upper Thames catchment (UK) in 1999 we performed an experiment to test whether there was evidence of competition between otters and American mink (Mustela vison). Mink and otters are semi-aquatic mustelids belonging to the same guild. Otters are expected to be the dominant competitor because they are larger and better adapted at exploiting aquatic resources. Our hypothesis was that mink declines when the density of otters increases. We measured the effect of competition at the population level, by observing whether mink distribution and densities changed in an area of 1353 km2 in association with the arrival of its putative competitor. We estimated distribution and densities by means of sign surveys and trapping. The results showed that otters were associated with a significant and rapid reduction in the densities of mink, while mink occupancy remained approximately the same in an area of 2464 km2 that was used as a control. We observed that the spatial distribution of the mink population throughout its decline was influenced by the yearly cycle of mink activities, with areas being temporarily re-colonized during the dispersal season. Mink is an invasive species in the UK threatening the survival of some native species. Our findings suggest that the re-establishment of otter populations is likely to lead to a decline of mink that may, in turn, be beneficial to native species threatened by this invasive.
A phylogeny of ranid frogs (Anura: Ranoidea: Ranidae), based on a simultaneous analysis of morphological and molecular data

During the last two decades, major taxonomic rearrangements were instituted in the anuran family Ranidae. Most of these changes were not based on phylogenetic analysis, and many are controversial. Addressing the phylogeny of Ranidae requires broader taxon sampling within the superfamily Ranoidea, the phylogenetic relationships and higher classification of which are also in a state of flux. No comprehensive attempt has yet been made to reconstruct ranid phylogeny using both morphological and molecular data. In the present contribution, data from 178 organismal characters were collated for 74 exemplar species representing the families Arthroleptidae, Hemisotidae, Hyperoliidae, Mantellidae Microhylidae, Petropedetidae, Rhacophoridae, Sooglossidae, and most subfamilies of Ranidae. These were combined with ∼1 kb of DNA sequence from the mitochondrial 12S rDNA and 16S rDNA gene regions in a simultaneous parsimony analysis with direct optimization. Results support the classification of Hemisus with the brevicipitine microhylids, confirm that Arthroleptidae (and its two component subfamilies Astylosterninae and Arthroleptinae) are monophyletic, and advocate the recognition of Leptopelidae. Monophyly of Ranidae is compromised by recognition of Petropedetidae, Rhacophoridae and Mantellidae, which should be recognized as subfamilies of Ranidae at present. Furthermore, Petropedetidae was found to be grossly paraphyletic, comprising three clades which are all considered separate subfamilies of Ranidae, i.e., Petropedetinae, Phrynobatrachinae and Cacosterninae. Three well defined subfamilies of Ranidae were consistently retrieved as monophyletic in a sensitivity analysis, i.e., Tomopterninae, Ptychadeninae and Pyxicephalinae. However, Ptychadeninae and Pyxicephalinae were embedded in Raninae and Dicroglossinae, respectively. Ceratobatrachinae is removed from Dicroglossinae. Dicroglossinae is synonymized with Pyxicephalinae. A new subfamily Strongylopinae is proposed. Raninae should be conservatively treated as a “metataxon” (sensu Ford and Cannatella, 1993 ) until such time as it is fully revised. Tomopterninae is removed from synonymy with Cacosterninae. Morphological synapomorphies are reported for major monophyletic clades retrieved in the simultaneous analysis with equal weights. The present study found that many Old World clades appear to contain both African and Asian taxa, contrary to the findings of some recent biogeographical analyses. This study demonstrates the value of broad taxonomic sampling in ranid phylogeny, and highlights the immense contribution that can be made from detailed morphological data.
Healthcare Capacity, Health Expenditure, and Civil Society as Predictors of COVID-19 Case Fatalities: A Global Analysis

Background: The rapid growth in cases of COVID-19 has challenged national healthcare capacity, testing systems at an advanced ICU, and public health infrastructure level. This global study evaluates the association between multi-factorial healthcare capacity and case fatality of COVID-19 patients by adjusting for demographic, health expenditure, population density, and prior burden of non-communicable disease. It also explores the impact of government relationships with civil society as a predictor of infection and mortality rates. Methods: Data were extracted from the Johns Hopkins University database, World Bank records and the National Civic Space Ratings 2020 database. This study used data from 86 countries which had at least 1,000 confirmed cases on 30th April 2020. Negative binomial regression model was used to assess the association between case fatality (a ratio of total number of confirmed deaths to total number of confirmed cases) and healthcare capacity index adjusting for other covariates. Findings: Regression analysis shows that greater healthcare capacity was related to lesser case-fatality [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.5811; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4727–0.7184; p < 0.001] with every additional unit increase in the healthcare capacity index associated with a 42% decrease in the case fatality. Health expenditure and civil society variables did not reach statistical significance but were positively associated with case fatalities. Interpretation: Based on preliminary data, this research suggests that building effective multidimensional healthcare capacity is the most promising means to mitigate future case fatalities. The data also suggests that government's ability to implement public health measures to a degree determines mortality outcomes.
THE EFFICIENCY OF SOUND PRODUCTION IN TWO CRICKET SPECIES, GRYLLOTALPA AUSTRALIS AND TELEOGRYLLUS COMMODUS (ORTHOPTERA: GRYLLOIDEA)

1. Males of Gryllotalpa australis (Erichson) (Gryllotalpidae) and Teleogryllus commodus (Walter) (Gryllidae) produced their calling songs while confined in respirometers. 2.G. australis males used oxygen during calling at a mean rate of 4.637 ml O2 h−1, equivalent to 27.65 mW of metabolic energy, which was 13 times higher than the resting metabolic rate. T. commodus males used oxygen during calling at a rate of 0.728 ml O2 h−1, equivalent to 4.34 mW, which was four times the resting metabolic rate. 3. The sound field during calling by males represents a sound power output of 0.27 mW for G. australis and l.51 × l0.3 mW for T. commodus. 4. The efficiency of sound production was 1.05% for males of G. australis and 0.05% for males of T. commodus. Comparison with other insect species suggests that none is more than a few percent efficient in sound production.
Demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis in Benghazi, Libya

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by skin fibrosis, vasculopathy, and internal organ involvement. This study aims to determine the frequency of clinical manifestations of SSc among Libyan patients in Benghazi. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients (28 females) attended the Rheumatology Clinic at Benghazi Medical Center between January 2016 and December 2019. They were diagnosed to have SSc according to American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2013 revised classification criteria and were classified into diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and localized systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) disease subsets. Results: We reviewed the data of the 30 patients, including 28 (93.3%) females and 2 (6.7%) males (female: male ratio 14:1); the mean age at diagnosis was 40.5 ± 21.5 years (17–62 years). Twenty-four (80%) patients were diagnosed as dcSSc, whereas 6 (20%) were diagnosed as lcSSc. On diagnosis, patients with dcSSc were comparatively younger than those with lcSSc. The frequency of musculoskeletal manifestations and organ involvement was more frequent among patients with dcSSc (P = 0.001). All the thirty patients had rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibody positivity. Anti-Scl-70 was only positive in the dcSSC subset in all patients of dcSSc only, whereas anti-centromere Ab was positive in all patients of lcSSc only. Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the clinical manifestations of SSc in the Libyan population. Our disease cohort showed similarity to what was published in other cohorts with regard to the age at the time of diagnosis, gender, and autoimmune profile.
Efficacy of Kappaphycus and Gracilaria sap on growth and yield improvement of sesame in new alluvial soil

A field experiment was conducted during pre-kharif season of 2012 and 2013 with the focal objectives of studying the efficacy of seaweed saps derived from two marine algae viz. Kappaphycus and Gracilaria on growth and yield improvement of sesame , nutrient uptake by the crop and monetary advantage. The foliar spray was performed thrice at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% v/v) of seaweed extracts. Such application of seaweed extracts significantly enhanced the growth and yield parameters. The highest seed yield was evidenced with the combined applications of 15% Kappaphykus sap and 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and this treatment was closely followed by the application of 15% Gracilaria sap along with 75% RDF. The maximum net monetary return (`28650) and benefit: cost ratio (1.99) were documented with this treatment. Nutrient uptake (N, P and K) was also increased with seaweed extract applications.
Myroides and Neurology: An Overview

Table 1: Case reports of patients with neurological infections by Myroides species References Macfarlane et al. Bhat et al. Year, country 1985, Jamaica 2019, India Age/sex 6 weeks/male 37 years/female Comorbidities Prematurity Anaplastic astrocytoma in the right frontal lobe Central nervous system infection Meningitis (hydrocephalus and ventriculitis) Meningitis following supratentorial craniotomy
Effect of age and parity on maternal behaviour in single-bearing Merino ewes

Behavioural factors associated with lamb mortality were examined in regard to the relative effects of age and parity in single-bearing Merino ewes. Primiparas tended to have longer labour and higher lamb mortality than multiparous ewes. Maternal behaviour in primiparas was characterised by more desertions, a smaller proportion that stood and started to groom their lambs immediately after birth, and a larger proportion with non-cooperative behaviour during the initial sucking attempts of the lamb. These traits, and a high incidence of malpresentations, were particularly marked in 5-year-old primiparas deliberately denied access to rams in previous seasons. There was no evidence of improved maternal behavioural attributes associated with increasing age of ewe that were independent of previous experience in giving birth and rearing lambs.
Perceptions of resource users and managers towards fisheries management options in Kenyan coral reefs

The perceptions of Kenyan resource users and managers towards gear and area management were examined through face-to-face interviews to identify areas of agreement and disagreement and compare with compliance. Opinions were sought about gears that sustained fish catch, gears discouraged by the government and traditional leaders, and the benefits of area management were sought. There was good agreement among most groups and traditional leaders about the gears discouraged by government, with beach seines and spear guns the most commonly listed. This indicates good agreement between government and traditions, promoted by recent government legislation, but compliance was poor since nearly two-thirds of fishers used these recently prohibited gears. This was due, in part, to lesser agreement concerning gears that promote a sustainable fishery, with spear guns and beach seines scaled low, but moderately supported in this respect by those fishers that use these gears. These gears persist because of the lack of shared evidence about the yields and sustainability of the various gears and social and economic aspects, such as increased competitiveness and decreased costs of the gears. There is evidence that beach seines lower yields but this gear persists because it is more competitive and has lower costs to the user than the other gears. Spear guns also persist because young and poor fishermen, who cannot afford costs associated with other gears, use them. Government employees scaled the benefits of area, and particularly closed area, management, higher than fishers, which is an issue of conflict but, nonetheless, has good compliance because of the long history of closed area management. For both types of management, shared perceptions alone were insufficient to achieve high compliance, and active enabling and enforcement by managers is needed.
The influence of oil type and frying temperatures on the texture and oil content of French fries

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of the frying medium and temperatures on fat content and texture of French fries. The material taken for the study consisted of seven types of vegetable oil: refined sunflower, rape, soy, olive oil, palm, partially hydrogenated rape oil (modified oil I) and a blend of vegetable oils (modified oil II). The French fries prepared from Asterix potato variety were fried at oils heated to 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 °C. The length of frying (12, 10, 8, 6.5 and 4.5 min, respectively) depended on oil temperature. Fat content and the texture of French fries were determined. The type of frying medium significantly affects the texture of French fries. Temperature influenced both the fat content and texture of product. The increase of frying temperature decreased fat uptake and hardness of French fries. French fries fried in rape oil exhibited the most delicate texture and the lowest oil absorption when compared with French fries fried in other types of oil under investigation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Annona muricata SEED ON LIVER FUNCTION ENZYMES IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE MICE

This study investigated the methanolic extract of Annona muricata seed on some liver enzymes: serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as well as the liver histology. Twenty male mice were used in this study. Sixteen mice were alloxanized (200 mg/kg of alloxan intraperitoneal (i.p.). The four control (group A) mice were administered normal saline (i.p). The mice were confirmed diabetic and randomly divided into four experimental groups (B, C, D, and E). Group A (control) received normal rat chow, Group B (diabetic control) received normal rat chow, Group C received 200 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract, Group D received 400 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract, and Group E received 600 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract. At the end of 30 days experiment, result showed statistically significant difference in blood glucose level between Group A (CONT) (92.33 ± 8.81mg/ml) compared to Group B (485.67 ± 16.19 mg/ml) Group C (137.33 ± 11.61 mg/ml), and Group D (130.00 ± 9.54 mg/ml) at P 0.05. There was a statistically significant decrease in body weight at P 0.05 between the final body weight and initial body weight of Group A (CONT) (37.33 ± 3.71 vs. 37.00 ±3.51), and Group B (38.07 ± 1.55 vs. 44.20 ± 0.61). In serum ALP level, result showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in Group A (CONT) (10.91
Measuring copepod abundance in deep-water winter habitats in the NE Norwegian Sea: intercomparison of results from laser optical plankton counter and multinet

The main purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the laser optical plankton counter (LOPC) as a Calanus finmarchicus monitoring tool in the NE Norwegian Sea in winter. To test this, a multinet and an LOPC were used simultaneously to sample overwintering copepods in the Lofoten basin in January 2007. Additional data from an LOPC laboratory experiment were also analyzed to help the interpretation of the field data. Both the laboratory data and the field data indicated that the presence of particles other than zooplankton generally contaminated the zooplankton signal in the LOPC data. However, reliable abundance estimates could be made from the LOPC data by choosing an appropriate size range in the LOPC size distribution. This size range was determined by comparing LOPC abundance estimates from systematically varying size ranges to multinet zooplankton abundance data. The average difference was smallest for a size range of about 900–1500 μm. As C. finmarchicus, stages IV and V, was by far the most abundant species in the NE Norwegian Sea, abundance estimates from the LOPC in this size range were in practice estimates of C. finmarchicus abundance, making the LOPC suitable as a tool for providing high resolution winter data in the NE Norwegian Sea.