Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Criconemoides Magnoliae N. Sp. and C. Juniperi N. Sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) From Kumaon Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

Two new species of Criconemoides viz. C. magnoliae and C. juniperi are described. C. magnoliae n. sp. associated with rhizosphere of Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L.) is characterised by 100-110 body annules with non-retrorse and unlobed first annule, 46-52 μ long spear and vulva and anus located on tenth to eleventh and seventh to eighth annules respectively from posterior end. C. juniperi n. sp. found associated with the rhizosphere of Juniper (Juniperus macropoda Boiss.) is distinct in having a short body, 196-252 μ long, 105-115 total body annules, spear 75-91 μ long, excretory pore on 37th-38th annule from anterior end, vulva and anus located on twelfth to thirteenth and eighth to ninth annules respectively from tail terminus and in the absence of spermatheca and egg.
BODy WEIGHT AND CONDITION OF kENTUCky THOROUGHBRED MARES AND THEIR FOALS AS INFLUENCED By MONTH OF FOALING, SEASON, AND GENDER

Thoroughbred mares (n=3909) and their foals born in central Kentucky were studied to assess the influence of month of birth, season, and gender on body weight, condition score, and daily weight gain. Month of birth affected growth of suckling foals, as winter-born foals were smaller at birth and grew slower during the first two months compared with spring-born foals. Mare weight change and body condition score appeared to be related to seasonal and management factors, as winter-foaling mares lost weight, showing lower body weights and lower body condition scores post-foaling than spring-foaling mares. Later in lactation when pasture availability increased in the spring, winter-foaling mares gained more weight and supported faster growth rates in their foals than later-foaling mares. Faster growth rates exhibited by winter foals at 3 to 4 months of age may be due to greater milk production, greater pasture intake by the foals, or a combination of both.
The role of carbonic anhydrases in extinction of contextual fear memory

Significance Disruption of memories of stressful events may trigger maladaptive responses that are distinctive features of obsessive-compulsive disorders, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety. Drugs available to alleviate these disorders have minimal or inconsistent efficacy. The gold standard treatment, exposure therapy, is based on extinction, which refers to a new memory trace inhibiting original memory retrieval. As not all patients experience beneficial effects of this therapy, drugs potentiating extinction are of utmost importance for improving treatment. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are involved in several physiological processes, including memory. The present study indicates that their activation potentiates extinction. Thus, CA activators may have the potential to improve the clinical efficacy of exposure-based treatments of obsessive-compulsive disorders, phobias, generalized anxiety, and PTSD. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes present in mammals with 16 isoforms that differ in terms of catalytic activity as well as cellular and tissue distribution. CAs catalyze the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate and protons and are involved in various physiological processes, including learning and memory. Here we report that the integrity of CA activity in the brain is necessary for the consolidation of fear extinction memory. We found that systemic administration of acetazolamide, a CA inhibitor, immediately after the extinction session dose-dependently impaired the consolidation of fear extinction memory of rats trained in contextual fear conditioning. d-phenylalanine, a CA activator, displayed an opposite action, whereas C18, a membrane-impermeable CA inhibitor that is unable to reach the brain tissue, had no effect. Simultaneous administration of acetazolamide fully prevented the procognitive effects of d-phenylalanine. Whereas d-phenylalanine potentiated extinction, acetazolamide impaired extinction also when infused locally into the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, basolateral amygdala, or hippocampal CA1 region. No effects were observed when acetazolamide or d-phenylalanine was infused locally into the substantia nigra pars compacta. Moreover, systemic administration of acetazolamide immediately after the extinction training session modulated c-Fos expression on a retention test in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of rats trained in contextual fear conditioning. These findings reveal that the engagement of CAs in some brain regions is essential for providing the brain with the resilience necessary to ensure the consolidation of extinction of emotionally salient events.
Beware, commercial chondroitinases vary in activity and substrate specificity.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) are negatively charged polysaccharides found abundantly in animal tissue and have been extensively described to play key roles in health and disease. The most common method to analyze their structure is by digestion into disaccharides with bacterial chondroitinases, followed by chromatography and/or mass spectrometry. While studying the structure of oncofetal chondroitin sulfate, we noted large variation in the activity and specificity of commercially available chondroitinases. Here we studied the kinetics of the enzymes and used high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the di- and oligosaccharide products resulting from the digestion of commercially available bovine chondroitin sulfate A, shark chondroitin sulfate C, and porcine dermatan sulfate, focusing on chondroitinases ABC, AC, and B from different vendors. Application of a standardized assay setup demonstrated large variations in the enzyme specific activity compared to the values provided by vendors, large variation in enzyme specific activity of similar enzymes from different vendors, and differences in the extent of cleavage of the substrates and the generated products. The high variability of different chondroitinases highlights the importance of testing enzyme activity and monitoring product formation in assessing the content and composition of chondroitin and dermatan sulfates in cells and tissues.
Nitrogen cycling in a semi-arid Mediterranean region: changes in soil N and organic matter under several crop/livestock production systems

There is a need to quantify the effects on soil N of introducing different legumes into the farming systems of West Asia and North Africa. This paper presents 6 years results from an on-going experiment aimed at examining the productivity of several crop/livestock farming systems in north west Syria. Changes in total soil N and organic matter when either medic pasture (3 stocking rates), vetch, lentil, fallow or watermelon were rotated yearly with wheat were examined. In addition, in the sixth year of the experiment, mineral N levels in the soil and the N content of the wheat and legumes shoots were determined in order to formulate a simple N balance for each rotation. Medic pasture and vetch rotations increased total soil N and the organic matter content of the soil. Lentil had no effect on total soil N or the organic matter content. Total soil N also remained constant in the fallow rotation, but organic matter content of the soil tended to decrease. The changes in soil properties had implications for the long term production from the different rotations, and highlighted the importance of retaining legume residues for maintaining fertility.
Between‐ and within‐population morphological comparisons of all castes between monogynous and polygynous colonies of the ant Myrmica kotokui

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Stander Use in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Results From a Large Natural History Database

The purpose of this study was to describe stander use in a natural history cohort of drug therapy naïve, children not walking and with SMA and identify factors associated with consistent stander use. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe stander use in a natural history cohort of drug therapy-naïve children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who are not walking and identify factors associated with consistent stander use. Methods: Data from 397 children with SMA types 1 and 2 characterized the prevalence and frequency of stander use. Predictors of consistent stander use explored were SMA type, survival motor neuron 2 gene (SMN2) copy number, respiratory support, and motor performance. Results: Prevalence of consistent stander use was 13% in type 1 and 68% in type 2. SMA type, SMN2 copy number, respiratory support, and head rotation control each predicted consistent stander use. Conclusions: Findings characterize stander use in children with SMA who are not walking, address important safety considerations, identify factors that may inform physical therapists' clinical decision-making related to standing program prescription, and provide guidance for future prospective studies.
Simulation of the influence of poor soil drainage on grass‐based dairy production systems in Ireland

A dairy cow system simulator, Dairy_sim, designed for assessing the interaction of climate and management on dairy cow production, based on rotational grass grazing, was further developed by integrating a soil water model. The soil water model was based on the concept of soil water deficits, and influenced the growth of grass herbage in the simulator when there was an excess of water over field capacity and when water content in the soil was approaching wilting point. The soil water model was tested using baseline meteorological data (1961‐1990) and then the system simulation was parameterized and tested for poorly drained soils using data from a research farm in the west of Ireland. After testing, the effects of regional differences in climate on system management on well- and poorly drained soils were compared. Down-scaled Global Climate Model (GCM) data for the baseline years (1961‐1990) were used for this purpose. These data resulted in slightly more favourable weather than that recorded. It was found that the simulator was capable of generating results in good agreement with published data for dairy production on poorly drained soils. The regional analysis showed dairy farms on well-drained soils outperformed their equivalents on poorly drained soils and, in general, were able to sustain higher stocking rates by 0AE6‐0AE9 cows ha )1 . Dry matter production was around 1AE5‐3 t ha )1 greater per annum on well-drained soils compared to poorly drained soils. The simulator, Dairy_sim, also captured a large difference in the requirement for housing and forage between the well and poorly drained soils. The simulation model can now be used to evaluate interactions between soils, systems and weather, and is thus a more useful tool for developing practical advice and for evaluating the impacts of possible climate change.
Evolutionary and contemporary responses to habitat fragmentation detected in a mesic zone marsupial, the long‐nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) in south‐eastern Australia

Outside of Australia's Wet Tropics, studies of the biogeographical patterns of unglaciated Southern Hemisphere mesic environments are limited, and have primarily focused on herpetofauna. In this study mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite (nuDNA) analyses were used to investigate the impact of biogeographical barriers on the evolutionary history of the widespread Australian marsupial Potorous tridactylus, as well as the effect of recent human‐mediated habitat fragmentation.
Parkinson's Disease, NOTCH3 Genetic Variants, and White Matter Hyperintensities

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on magnetic resonance imaging may influence clinical presentation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), although their significance and pathophysiological origins remain unresolved. Studies examining WMH have identified pathogenic variants in NOTCH3 as an underlying cause of inherited forms of cerebral small vessel disease.
Tetrahydrocurcumin mitigates acute hypobaric hypoxia‐induced cerebral oedema and inflammation through the NF‐κB/VEGF/MMP‐9 pathway

High‐altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) is a potentially fatal manifestation of high‐altitude sickness and is caused partly by inflammation and the blood–brain barrier disruption. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) has been reported to exert effective antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects; This study sought to elucidate the underlying mechanism of THC in mitigating HACE using a mouse model. Our results revealed that prophylactic administration of THC (40 mg/kg) for 3 days significantly alleviated the increase in brain water content (BWC), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and TNF‐α levels caused by acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH). Additionally, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased by THC to enhance the ability to resist hypoxia. Histological and ultrastructural analysis of the cerebrum revealed that THC administration mitigated AHH‐induced pericellular oedema and reduced the perivascular space, resulting in the simultaneous remission of oedema and protection of mitochondria in the cerebrum. In vitro, astrocytes exposed to hypoxia (4% O2) for 24 hr exhibited and increase in IL‐1β expression followed by an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Furthermore, THC administration remarkably downregulated VEGF, matrix metallopeptidase‐9 (MMP‐9), and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) expression, both in vivo and in vitro. Our data highlight the potential prophylactic activity of THC in HACE, it effectively mitigates AHH‐induced cerebral oedema and inflammation is associated with the inhibition of the NF‐κB/ VEGF/MMP‐9 pathways.
Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Ubrogepant Coadministered With Sumatriptan and of the Safety of Ubrogepant With Triptans

To evaluate the potential for pharmacokinetic interaction and the safety and tolerability when ubrogepant and sumatriptan are coadministered in a Phase 1 study in healthy participants, and to inform the safety and tolerability of ubrogepant alone and in combination with triptans in Phase 3 trials in participants with migraine.
Values of long noncoding RNA SAMMSON in the clinicopathologic features and the prognostic implications of human gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of lncRNA-survival associated mitochondrial melanoma-specific oncogenic non-coding RNA (lncRNA-SAMMSON) in the development and clinicopathological parameters of gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Tissue specimens were collected from GC patients who received treatment in our hospital. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was used to determine lncRNA-SAMMSON expression. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected to suppress the expression of lncRNA-SAMMSON in vitro. Pearson's χ2-test was used to investigate the interaction of lncRNA-SAMMSON with clinicopathological parameters of GC patients. Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank analysis were used to analyze the progression-free survival time and overall time of GC patients. Furthermore, transwell assay and wound healing assay were conducted to determine the invasion and migration abilities of GC cells, respectively. RESULTS QRT-PCR results showed that lncRNA-SAMMSON was abnormally overexpressed in GC tissues and cells (p<0.05). Pearson's χ2-test illustrated that clinical stage, distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis were closely related to lncRNA-SAMMSON expression in GC patients (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis represented that GC patients with high lncRNA-SAMMSON expression had significantly shorter progression-free survival time and overall survival time (p<0.05). Transwell assay and wound healing assay proved that inhibition of lncRNA-SAMMSON in GC cells dramatically reduced the invasion and migration abilities of GC cells, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LncRNA-SAMMSON played an important role in the development of GC, which might be regarded as a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.
Modeling mosquito-borne and sexual transmission of Zika virus in an enzootic host, the African green monkey

Mosquito-borne and sexual transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV), a TORCH pathogen, recently initiated a series of large epidemics throughout the Tropics. Animal models are necessary to determine transmission risk and study pathogenesis, as well screen antivirals and vaccine candidates. In this study, we modeled mosquito and sexual transmission of ZIKV in the African green monkey (AGM). Following subcutaneous, intravaginal or intrarectal inoculation of AGMs with ZIKV, we determined the transmission potential and infection dynamics of the virus. AGMs inoculated by all three transmission routes exhibited viremia and viral shedding followed by strong virus neutralizing antibody responses, in the absence of clinical illness. All four of the subcutaneously inoculated AGMs became infected (mean peak viremia: 2.9 log10 PFU/mL, mean duration: 4.3 days) and vRNA was detected in their oral swabs, with infectious virus being detected in a subset of these specimens. Although all four of the intravaginally inoculated AGMs developed virus neutralizing antibody responses, only three had detectable viremia (mean peak viremia: 4.0 log10 PFU/mL, mean duration: 3.0 days). These three AGMs also had vRNA and infectious virus detected in both oral and vaginal swabs. Two of the four intrarectally inoculated AGMs became infected (mean peak viremia: 3.8 log10 PFU/mL, mean duration: 3.5 days). vRNA was detected in oral swabs collected from both of these infected AGMs, and infectious virus was detected in an oral swab from one of these AGMs. Notably, vRNA and infectious virus were detected in vaginal swabs collected from the infected female AGM (peak viral load: 7.5 log10 copies/mL, peak titer: 3.8 log10 PFU/mL, range of detection: 5–21 days post infection). Abnormal clinical chemistry and hematology results were detected and acute lymphadenopathy was observed in some AGMs. Infection dynamics in all three AGM ZIKV models are similar to those reported in the majority of human ZIKV infections. Our results indicate that the AGM can be used as a surrogate to model mosquito or sexual ZIKV transmission and infection. Furthermore, our results suggest that AGMs are likely involved in the enzootic maintenance and amplification cycle of ZIKV.
Underwater Sound Measurements of a High-Speed Jet-Propelled Marine Craft: Implications for Large Whales

Abstract: Radiated noise from a high-speed jet-propelled watercraft (the M/V Alakai, 1,646 tons, length 117 m) was measured at hydrophone depths of 3, 6, and 10 m while the ship passed by at speeds of 6.17333 m/sec (12 knots), 12.3467 m/sec (24 knots), and 19.0344 m/sec (37 knots). Noise spectra were similar for all speeds and hydrophone depths. Spectra peaked below 100 Hz and dropped off continuously at higher frequencies. Calculated source level noise was 10 to 20 dB lower than noise from propeller-driven ships and much lower than for ships of similar speed. Although exposure to noise radiating from the M/V Alakai over short time periods is unlikely to cause hearing damage to whales, the combination of low radiated noise levels and high transit speeds leads to a shorter closing time (defined as time between when source level of the ship at a stationary receiver is greater than ambient noise and time that a ship traveling directly toward the receiver arrives at its location) between ship and whale. Compared with other types of ships traveling at similar speeds, closing time for the Alakai ranges from 20 sec shorter (at 6.17333 m/sec [12 knots]) to 22 min shorter (at 19.0344 m/sec [37 knots]). Shortest closing time for the Alakai is 89.1 sec at a speed of 6.17333 m/sec (12 knots). Shortened closing time might reduce successful detection and avoidance of high-speed jet-propelled ships by whales, and increased speed shortens the time during which whales have the opportunity to respond to this detection.
Phylogenetic Relationships Among the Methylotrophic Methane-Producing Bacteria and Emendation of the Family Methanosarcinaceae

The phylogenetic relationships among seven strains of methylotrophic methane-producing bacteria were determined by ribosomal ribonucleic acid hybridization and deoxyribonucleic acid homology techniques. The strains tested had deoxyribonucleic acid guanine-plus-cytosine contents of 39 to 43 mol% and represented a diversity of phenotypic characteristics. Our results indicate that these strains should be divided into six species within the genera Methanosarcina, Methanolobus, and Methanococcoides. The genus Methanosarcina includes Methanosarcina barkeri strains MS and 227, Methanosarcina sp. strain TM-1, Methanosarcina acetivorans strain C2A, and Methanosarcina mazei strain S-6. The genus Methanolobus is represented by Methanolobus tindarius strain Tindari 3, and the genus Methanococcoides is represented by Methanococcoides methylutens strain TMA-10. Despite phenotypic similarities between Methanolobus tindarius and Methanococcoides methylutens, we propose that these species remain in separate genera based on differences in ribosomal ribonucleic acid homology and fractional differences in midpoint temperatures. The divisions indicated by deoxyribonucleic acid homology experiments complemented the ribosomal ribonucleic acid hybridization results. Phenotypic characteristics were consistent with these phylogenetic divisions; an apparent exception was cell wall composition, which is a conserved trait. Methanosarcina acetivorans had only a thin protein cell wall, but all other strans of Methanosarcina previously studied have been reported to have heteropolysaccharide cell walls. We present evidence which indicates that a protein component may be associated with the heteropolysaccharide cell wall of Methanosarcina barkeri strain 227.
Using Ground Foraging Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Functional Groups as Bioindicators of Forest Health in Northern Arizona Ponderosa Pine Forests

Abstract Reintroduction of fire and thinning have been suggested as the main practices to regain forest health in ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona. Recent silvicultural programs and the occurrence of catastrophic wildfires have created a range of disturbance severities and a mosaic of forest conditions. Sixteen stands were randomly selected to create a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, (1) unmanaged, (2) thinned, (3) thinned and burned, and (4) wildfire, with four replicates of each treatment. We assessed changes occurring in ground foraging ant functional groups at the stand scale as related to these treatments. A pitfall trapping scheme was implemented during the summer months of 2002 and 2003. A total of 18,009 specimens were collected representing 20 species from 10 genera. We found that traditional biodiversity measures, such as species richness, diversity, and dominance were a less satisfactory measure of treatment impact on ants than functional group analysis, which allowed us to consider the ecosystem role of each species. We found that different functional groups were dominant under different levels of disturbance severity and suppressed or excluded other functional groups that were less suited to the disturbance intensity. Maintaining a diversity of habitat types is suggested for supporting ecologically diverse ant functional groups and improve forest health.