Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secondary Metabolites in Maca as Affected by Hypocotyl Color, Cultivation History, and Site

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) hypocotyls are reported to have a favorable biological activity in man. The presumed bioactive constituents seem to vary among maca hypocotyl color types, but the residual variation is large. This study tested the hypothesis that, apart from color types, environmental factors have a distinct influence on the concentration of characteristic secondary metabolites in maca. In a field experiment at 4100 m altitude (Peru), maca of four hypocotyl color types was evaluated at two sites with different soil types. At each site, experimental areas were either never cultivated or cultivated with maca 2 to 3 yr ago followed by a fallow period. Applying four color replicates per site and area resulted in 64 plots (100 plants plot -1 ). Especially color type largely influenced concentrations of macaene, macamides, β-sitosterol, campesterol, and glucosinolates. Site (also clearly affecting growth yield) was weaker in effect on these metabolites but still significantly influenced concentrations of some constituents, while the effect of cultivation history was widely absent. Macaene, macamides, and β-sitosterol were negatively correlated with glucosinolates. This shows that environmental conditions and color type have to be considered in producing maca with high concentrations of distinct bioactive metabolites.
First record of Phyllochaetopterus socialis Claparède, 1870 (Annelida: Polychaeta) in Mar del Plata Harbor, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Agregados del poliqueto tubicola Phyllochaetopterus socialis Claparede, 1870 fueron registrados por primera vez en el Puerto de Mar del Plata (38°02? S; 57°31? 30? W), Buenos Aires, Argentina, en diciembre de 2003 mediante buceo autonomo a 6 m de profundidad. Los agregados fueron observados sobre sustrato duro, en el limite inferior del submareal. El presente trabajo amplia el rango de distribucion de dicha especie para Sudamerica, de la cual se tienen registros confirmados unicamente para el sur de Brasil y el Rio de la Plata (Argentina).
Pourable Artificial Diet for Rearing Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Methods to Optimize Larval Survival and Synchronize Development

Abstract Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a recently introduced non-native invasive species in the United States that has the potential to destroy several tree species in urban and forest habitats. The ability to rear A. glabripennis in quarantine is critical to rapid progress on techniques for the exclusion, detection, and eradication of this pest. Survival and development were compared for larvae from two populations (Chicago, IL, and Queens, NY) on six diets containing varying levels of Fe (69–237 mg/liter) and for three populations (Illinois and New York plus Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China) under four larval chill treatments (6, 9, 12, or 16 wk of development before chill). Larval survival and percentage pupation significantly decreased and developmental time slightly increased with increasing Fe levels in the diet. Larval survival and percentage of pupation were highest, adults weighed the most, and developmental time was shortest when larvae were reared on a pourable modification of the Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman) (ER) diet. Individuals from the China and Illinois populations were heavier than those from New York. On average, larvae from the Illinois population were ready to pupate sooner than those from New York or China. Some larvae that had not reached their critical weight for pupation before the chill period required a second chill period before initiating pupation. Overall survival increased as the developmental time period before chill increased. Further evaluation of the effects of temperature on development is needed to better understand the triggers for pupation and to predict the timing of various stages.
Predação de sementes de Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) O'Kuntze (Arecaceae) por Pachymerus nucleorum Fabricius (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae)

Seed predation on Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) O'Kuntze, 1891(Arecaceae) palm by Pachymerus nucleorum Fabricius, 1972 was evaluated from September 2003 to September 2005 at the Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The biology and behaviour of P. nucleorum on A. arenaria and predation rates were described. Fruits found beneath 50 palms were collected, monthly, for each one of the two sampled areas at PNRJ (ridge forest and Clusia Sclthdl (Clusiaceae) open shrubland formation). The evaluation of preyed fruits was done by counting exit holes of Bruchinae in the field, the emergence of these insects in the laboratory and from fruits dissected. It was verified that Pachymerus nucleorum oviposit on young developing infrutescences, different from literature records for other palm species, for which oviposition takes place on the fruit already on the ground. Fruit predation by P. nucleorum was 29.3% at ridge forest and 20.6% at Clusia open shrubland formation. The life cycle of P. nucleorum was long and with wide range of variation within samples, what suggests a possible diapause in some stage of life cycle.
Nutrient Flux, Uptake, and Autotrophic Limitation in Streams and Rivers

Abstract: Assessments of biotic nutrient limitation in aquatic ecosystems typically rely on concentrations and ratios of potentially limiting nutrients. While successful in lakes, this approach has been less effective in streams, which often are dominated by benthic autotrophs (e.g., algae and vascular plants). We compared water-column nutrient concentration (C) to 3 alternative metrics and assessed their ability to predict autotrophic nutrient limitation in streams. One metric, nutrient flux (F) is the product of nutrient concentration and stream discharge. The other 2 metrics, autotrophic uptake length (Sw,a) and autotrophic uptake velocity (Vf,a), are derived from nutrient-spiraling theory and incorporate nutrient uptake. To evaluate the ability of each metric to predict nutrient limitation, we analyzed nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) data from the Lotic Intersite Nitrogen eXperiment (LINX) (phases I and II; n = 80 streams across North America). We calculated NDS response ratios (RRs) to quantify the strength of autotrophic nutrient limitation in each stream, and we regressed RRs against each of the 4 metrics for N and P. For the LINX I analysis, Sw,a was the best predictor of autotrophic N limitation. F and Vf,a also performed well, and C was a poor predictor. In contrast, all 4 metrics were poor predictors of N limitation for the LINX II analysis when evaluated for individual streams, by land use, and within regions. None of the metrics were able to predict P limitation for either LINX study. Accuracy could be enhanced by developing new methods to quantify autotrophic nutrient uptake and limitation in stream reaches, but consistency with nutrient-spiraling theory and improved predictability of autotrophic N limitation make Sw,a a potentially useful metric for evaluating N limitation in streams.
Effects of soy isoflavones on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflavones on systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in PD patients. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 PD patients were randomly assigned to either the isoflavone or the placebo group. The isoflavone group received 100 mg soy isoflavones daily for 8 weeks, whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and the end of eighth week, serum high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (VCAM‐1), E‐selectin, and malondialdehyde were measured. Serum VCAM‐1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone group at the end of Week 8 compared to baseline (p = .01), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Serum ICAM‐1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone (p = .01) and placebo (p = .01) group compared to baseline. However, the reduction of ICAM‐1 was significantly higher in the isoflavone group than in the placebo group (p = .02). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum E‐selectin, malondialdehyde, and hs‐CRP. This study indicates that isoflavones reduce serum VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1, which are two CVD risk factors, in PD patients.
Psoriasis in difficult to treat areas: treatment role in improving health-related quality of life and perception of the disease stigma

Abstract Background When psoriasis affects scalp, nails, palms and soles, it is considered difficult to treat and causes severe impairment of life quality. Objective We evaluated which difficult site most impacts on the patient’s quality of life and how quality of life changes during treatment. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in patients receiving adalimumab over a 24 weeks period, through assessment at weeks 0, 4 and 24 using PASI, PAIN VAS, ITCH VAS, DLQI, NAPSI, PSSI. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between the various measurements on the basis of three different deltas (between T0 and T24, between T0 and T4, between T0 and average between T4 and T24) Results The correlation matrix between T0 and T24 shows a significant correlation between delta PASI and delta ITCH and delta ITCH and delta DLQI and a significant correlation between ITCH delta and DLQI delta and a correlation close to significance between DLQI and NAPSI. Conclusion We identified itching as a mediator between the cutaneous extension of psoriasis and the impact on quality of life. We also documented the predominant role of nail psoriasis in defining the impact on the quality of life of the psoriatic patient.
TRPV4 Antagonism Prevents Mechanically Induced Myotonia

Myotonia is caused by involuntary firing of skeletal muscle action potentials and causes debilitating stiffness. Current treatments are insufficiently efficacious and associated with side effects. Myotonia can be triggered by voluntary movement (electrically induced myotonia) or percussion (mechanically induced myotonia). Whether distinct molecular mechanisms underlie these triggers is unknown. Our goal was to identify ion channels involved in mechanically induced myotonia and to evaluate block of the channels involved as a novel approach to therapy.
Mapping brain asymmetry in health and disease through the ENIGMA consortium

Left–right asymmetry of the human brain is one of its cardinal features, and also a complex, multivariate trait. Decades of research have suggested that brain asymmetry may be altered in psychiatric disorders. However, findings have been inconsistent and often based on small sample sizes. There are also open questions surrounding which structures are asymmetrical on average in the healthy population, and how variability in brain asymmetry relates to basic biological variables such as age and sex. Over the last 4 years, the ENIGMA‐Laterality Working Group has published six studies of gray matter morphological asymmetry based on total sample sizes from roughly 3,500 to 17,000 individuals, which were between one and two orders of magnitude larger than those published in previous decades. A population‐level mapping of average asymmetry was achieved, including an intriguing fronto‐occipital gradient of cortical thickness asymmetry in healthy brains. ENIGMA's multi‐dataset approach also supported an empirical illustration of reproducibility of hemispheric differences across datasets. Effect sizes were estimated for gray matter asymmetry based on large, international, samples in relation to age, sex, handedness, and brain volume, as well as for three psychiatric disorders: autism spectrum disorder was associated with subtly reduced asymmetry of cortical thickness at regions spread widely over the cortex; pediatric obsessive–compulsive disorder was associated with altered subcortical asymmetry; major depressive disorder was not significantly associated with changes of asymmetry. Ongoing studies are examining brain asymmetry in other disorders. Moreover, a groundwork has been laid for possibly identifying shared genetic contributions to brain asymmetry and disorders.
Fermented wheat bran by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus boosts the intestinal microflora of broiler chickens

Wheat bran, while a nutritious and economic feed ingredient, contents high levels of non-starch polysaccharides which entraps nutrients and interferes digestion and absorption. To study the influence of fermented wheat bran by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus on growth performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens, a total of 180 broilers (21-day-old, mixed of male and female) were randomly divided into 3 treatments, with 6 replicates in each treatment and 10 broilers in each replicate: 1) control check (CK), corn-soybean meal-based diet; 2) wheat bran group (WB), 5% of the corn were replaced with wheat bran; and 3) fermented wheat bran group (FWB), 5% of the corn were replaced with fermented wheat bran. Growth performance was determined in the period of 21- to 42-day-old. Intestinal digestive enzyme activities and microbiota diversity were analyzed on day 42. No differences were observed on growth performance among treatments (P > 0.05). The activity of amylase in the duodenum of FWB was 1.56 times higher than CK (P < 0.05). The Chao1 index of microbiota in cecum of FWB increased 24.26% compared with CK (P < 0.01). The amount of Bifidobacteriaceae in cecum of WB was 29.1 times and 15.8 times higher than CK and FWB (P < 0.05) respectively. Principal co-ordinates analysis in cecum revealed the dissimilarity microbiota among treatments. In summary, the use of fermented wheat bran to partially replace corn (5%) in diets had no adverse effect on growth performance and triggered beneficial effects such as increasing duodenal amylase activity and intestinal microflora abundance in broiler chickens. These observations support that solid-state fermentation by xylanase-producing Bacillus cereus is feasible approach to pre-treat wheat bran for feedstuff industry.
The association of non-suicidal self-injurious and suicidal behaviors with religiosity in hospitalized Jewish adolescents

Religiosity may be a potent protective factor against self-injurious and suicidal behaviors. However, no previous study has addressed this relationship in adolescent psychiatric population. This study aimed to examine the association between religiosity and non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors, among hospitalized Jewish adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study of 60 hospitalized Jewish adolescents in two mental health centers. They were evaluated for religiosity, NSSI, and suicidal behaviors. The following religiosity measures were found to be protective against NSSI: a higher degree of adherence to religious practices (extrinsic measure) (beta = −0.083, p = .006), a higher level of belief in religious principles (intrinsic measure) (beta = −0.063, p = .008) and a self-reported higher religious affinity (χ2 = 7.64, p = .022). The severity of suicidal ideation inversely correlated with the extrinsic measure (standardized beta = −0.2, t = −2.5, p = .015) and with self-reported degree of religious affinity (analysis of variance, F = 3.5, p = .035). History of transition in religious affinity was associated with worse suicidal ideation (3.77 ± 1.8 vs. 2.26 ± 1.99, t = −3.25, p = .004) and with suicide attempts (OR = 3.89 (95% CI: 1.08 – 14.03), p = . 004); however, these relationships were mediated by history of abuse. This study provides first evidence of a protective effect of some religiosity measures on NSSI and suicidal behaviors in hospitalized Jewish adolescents.
Who benefits most from resilience-building groups for ‘at-risk’ older people? a pilot service-evaluation

Abstract Objectives Resilience-building interventions have not yet targeted older adults, despite the importance of well-being for maintaining independence and health. The ‘My Generation’ programme aims to build resilience through greater access to social networks, well-being activities, and psycho-educational support; this paper examines service evaluation data from its pilot implementation to identify factors leading to positive outcomes. Method The ‘My Generation’ programme comprises eight weekly 2-hour group sessions; each session includes both psychoeducation and a well-being activity. Participants were invited to complete questionnaires at the start and end of the course, and 12 weeks later. These included measures of well-being, loneliness, social connections and self-efficacy. Results Baseline assessments were completed by 239 older people (average age 71, range 50-97), attending 38 courses in four centres. Most were female (80%), 40% were widowed, 25% divorced/separated and 64% lived alone. Demographics did not differ between those completing post-intervention assessments (N = 137) and those who did not. Compared with normative data, participants had significantly lower well-being and greater feelings of loneliness than age-peers. Significant improvements in well-being, self-efficacy, social connections and one measure of loneliness were evident at post-intervention and follow-up assessments. Improvement in well-being at post-intervention was greater in those who were divorced/separated and who were not carers, and at follow-up in females and those living alone. Conclusion The ‘My Generation’ package appeared effective in improving well-being, self-efficacy, social connections and aspects of loneliness in at-risk older people. More research is needed to identify the intervention’s key components and possible between-centre differences in outcomes.
The role of Direct Oral Anticoagulant in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome on single or dual antiplatelet regime: review of opportunities and challenges.

BACKGROUND Despite the developments of single or dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin and/or clopidogrel, pra - sugrel or ticagrelor, post-acute coronary syndrome a room for potential improvement toward optimal prevention persist. Addition of a direct oral anticoagulant to the antiplatelet treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome is clinically practiced in cases where anticoagulation is indicated by high thromboembolic risk. OBJECTIVE The main objectives of this review, was to explore the role of supplementation with a direct oral anticoagulant to an - tiplatelet (aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor) in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS We have searched the Medline, for studies involving direct oral anticoagulant use in acute coronary syndrome. We have reviewed specific relevant 9 meta-analyses between the years 2012 to 2019. RESULTS Our review of nine meta-analyses has revealed that addition of direct oral anticoagulant to antiplatelet therapy compared with antiplatelet alone was beneficial about the composite end-points of major ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore the combined regimen of single antiplatelet plus direct oral anticoagulant is as effective as the triple regimen of dual an - tiplatelet plus direct oral anticoagulant and results in less bleeding. CONCLUSION Cardiologists should balance the efficacy with higher risk of bleeding with more intensified DOAC therapy. Better risk characterization and timely adaptation of the regime to the patients need should be tested. Recurrent ischemic event and bleeding event risk scoring should guide individualized treatment.
Effect of galactooligosaccharides delivered in ovo on meat quality traits of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress

A study was carried out to evaluate meat quality traits in fast-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with trans-galactoolighosaccarides (GOS) and exposed to heat stress. On day 12 of egg incubation, 3,000 fertilized eggs (Ross 308) were divided into prebiotic group (GOS) injected with 3.5 mg GOS/egg, saline group (S) injected with physiological saline, and control group (C) uninjected. After hatching, 900 male chicks (300 chicks/treatment) were reared in floor pens in either thermoneutral (TN; 6 pens/group, 25 birds/pen) or heat stress conditions (HS, 30°C from 32 to 42 D; 6 pens/group, 25 birds/pen). At 42 D of age, 15 randomly chosen birds/treatment/temperature were slaughtered and the pectoral muscle (PM) was removed for analyses. Data were analyzed by GLM in a 3 × 2 factorial design. In ovo treatment had no effect on PM weight, pH, water-holding capacity, and shear force. GOS and S birds had lighter (L*, P < 0.01) PM than C group, whereas the latter showed a higher (P < 0.05) yellowness index (b*) compared to S group. Proximate composition, cholesterol, and intramuscular collagen properties were not affected by treatment. As for fatty acid composition, only total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content and n-6 PUFA were slightly lower in GOS group compared to S. Heat stress had a detrimental effect on PM weight (P < 0.01) and increased meat pH (P < 0.01). PM from HS chickens was darker with a higher b* index (P < 0.05) and had a higher (P < 0.01) lipid content and a lower (P < 0.05) total collagen amount. Total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and PUFA were similar among groups. Significant interactions between factors were found for fatty acid composition: GOS decreased (P < 0.01) SFA and increased (P < 0.05) MUFA contents in HS birds. In conclusion, in ovo injection of GOS could mitigate the detrimental effect of heat stress on some meat quality traits.
The green hydra symbiosis and ammonium. I. The role of the host in ammonium assimilation and its possible regulatory significance

Evidence for ammonium assimilation by host and symbiont in algal─invertebrate symbioses is summarized and critically evaluated. The host from all strains of hydra studied possessed glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities. The host from associations with high maltose releasing algae (E/E, E /3N8) had high GS and low GDH activities, whereas aposymbiotic animals (EALB) and the association with a low maltose releasing alga (E/NC) had low GS and high GDH activities. The observation that symbiotic animals do not release ammonium in the light, whereas aposymbiotic animals release substantial amounts, may be explicable on the basis of variation in the ability of the host to assimilate ammonium. Thus, the photosynthetic inhibitor DCMU had no effect on ammonium release by symbiotic animals, with the possible exception of E/NC. Methionine sulphoximine (MSO) completely inhibited GS activity from EALB both in vitro and in vivo. In the presence of MSO, ammonium release was enhanced in both EALB and E/E. In continuous darkness, an increase in ammonium released by symbiotic animals (E/E) was correlated with a decrease in host GS activity. It is suggested that the evidence is consistent with host and not symbiont assimilation of ammonium. A model of symbiont regulation is proposed based on regulation of ammonium supply as a means of controlling both perialgal vacuolar pH and symbiont nitrogen status.