Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid Composition of two Fancy Meats (Liver and Heart) of African Giant Pouch Rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

An investigation into the concentrations of amino acids in the liver and heart of Cricetomys gambianus was carried out. The most abundant amino acid was Glu (12.9-13.0 g/100 g) and Leu was the most abundant essential amino acid (6.94-7.65 g/100 g). Whilst total amino acid content was 83.4- 91.4 g/100 g crude protein, the total essential amino acid content was 38.6-42.2 g/100 g or 46.2-46.3% with His but 35.6-39.9 g/100 g crude protein or 42.5-43.7% without His. When compared with whole hen's egg, Ser was the limiting amino acid in the two samples (0.38-0.47) whereas it was 1.12 (Lys) in liver and 1.26 (His) in heart. In comparison with pre-school child requirement, Leu (1.16) was limiting in liver and Thr (0.78) was limiting in heart. In comparison with provisional amino acid scoring pattern: Met+ Cys (0.95) was limiting in liver but Thr (0.66) was limiting in heart. The predicted protein efficiency ratio (P-PER) was 2.32-2.62 whereas the essential amino acid index was 1.20-1.31. Significant differences existed between the liver and the heart in their amino acid compositions and their comparisons with the whole hen's egg at r = 0.05.
A comparison of the establishment, productivity and feed quality of four cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and four brome (Bromus spp.) cultivars, under leaf stage based defoliation management

A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the differences in rate of establishment, productivity, feed quality, and response to defoliation frequency between new and old cultivars within the brome (Bromus spp.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) genera. Three of the more recent brome (Bareno, Gala, and Exceltas) and cocksfoot (Tekapo, Megatas, and Uplands) cultivars were compared with Matua and Kara, the most widely sown and utilised brome and cocksfoot dairy pasture cultivars, respectively. The improvements resulting from breeding and selection within the cocksfoot genera included faster seedling emergence and tiller production during establishment, higher tiller density once established, lower acid detergent fibre (ADF), higher crude protein (CP), and higher metabolisable energy (ME) concentrations. The newer cocksfoot cultivars had lower leaf and tiller dry matter (DM) yields than Kara, with little variation in ME levels between cultivars. The improvements resulting from breeding and selection within the brome genera, measured in this study, included faster seedling emergence, lower ADF, and higher CP concentrations. The higher fibre levels for Matua did not translate into a lower ME concentration; in fact, the energy content in Matua and Gala was higher than for all remaining cultivars. There were further similarities between Matua and Gala, the high water-soluble carbohydrate levels, leaf, and tiller DM yields of these cultivars, reflecting a strong regrowth response to defoliation. Further research in the field is required to confirm the observed variation within and between cocksfoot and brome cultivars, and to quantify the potential benefits of using the new v. the original cultivars.
Effect of Flash Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes-Related Distress, and Resource Utilization in the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) Nationwide Audit

OBJECTIVE The FreeStyle Libre (FSL) flash glucose-monitoring device was made available on the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) drug tariff in 2017. This study aims to explore the U.K. real-world experience of FSL and the impact on glycemic control, hypoglycemia, diabetes-related distress, and hospital admissions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Clinicians from 102 NHS hospitals in the U.K. submitted FSL user data, collected during routine clinical care, to a secure web-based tool held within the NHS N3 network. The t and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the baseline and follow-up HbA1c and other baseline demographic characteristics. Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of change in HbA1c following the use of FSL. Within-person variations of HbA1c were calculated using . RESULTS Data were available for 10,370 FSL users (97% with type 1 diabetes), age 38.0 (±18.8) years, 51% female, diabetes duration 16.0 (±49.9) years, and BMI of 25.2 (±16.5) kg/m2 (mean [±SD]). FSL users demonstrated a −5.2 mmol/mol change in HbA1c, reducing from 67.5 (±20.9) mmol/mol (8.3%) at baseline to 62.3 (±18.5) mmol/mol (7.8%) after 7.5 (interquartile range 3.4–7.8) months of follow-up (n = 3,182) (P < 0.0001). HbA1c reduction was greater in those with initial HbA1c ≥69.5 mmol/mol (>8.5%), reducing from 85.5 (±16.1) mmol/mol (10%) to 73.1 (±15.8) mmol/mol (8.8%) (P < 0.0001). The baseline Gold score (score for hypoglycemic unawareness) was 2.7 (±1.8) and reduced to 2.4 (±1.7) (P < 0.0001) at follow-up. A total of 53% of those with a Gold score of ≥4 at baseline had a score <4 at follow-up. FSL use was also associated with a reduction in diabetes distress (P < 0.0001). FSL use was associated with a significant reduction in paramedic callouts and hospital admissions due to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia/diabetic ketoacidosis. CONCLUSIONS We show that the use of FSL was associated with significantly improved glycemic control and hypoglycemia awareness and a reduction in hospital admissions.
Baja California Plant Field Guide

This is a complete revision of the first botanical field guide on this subject. This revision, like the initial edition , discusses the more common and dominant woody plants, but also annuals that are often seen in Baja California. Over 400 plants are discussed along with 285 color photographs, and nearly 40 more pages of text have been added to bring the total to 256. The chapters on geography, geology, phytogeography, climate, cacti and endemism have considerably more information than the first printing; in addition there is a new chapter concerning coastal wetlands. Each illustrated plant has a description on the facing page assisting even the novice to identify the specimen. The scientific,common and Spanish names are given, as well as information concerning the region of the peninsula where the plant may be found and the habitat in which it thrives. Endemic plants are identified and discussed; there are also brief discussions of the uses of many of the plant! s by both the aborigines and the Baja Californians living there today. Both vegetative and topographical maps are included on the inside covers; There are also four pages of descriptive drawings. Other pages furnish a glossary of botanical terms and Spanish words plus an extensive bibliography of the natural history of Baja California. This comprehensive plant field guide will prove invaluable for both the casual visitor and the serious amateur as well as an excellent text for students. The cardon pictured on the cover may be the tallest ever photographed. It measures over 60 feet or 20 meters and is possibly 400 years old. ; it is located in Llano San Pedro approximately 27 miles south of Bahia de los Angeles
IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE ISOLATED FROM APRICOT TREES IN THE ERZURUM PROVINCE OF TURKEY AND EVALUATION OF CULTIVAR REACTION

In the present investigation, bacterial isolates from infected apricot trees grown in the vicinity of Erzurum (Turkey) were studied. A total of 104 bacterial isolates were obtained from diseased apricot samples and identified as Pseudomonas spp. Most of these strains (75 of 104) proved to belong to the genus Pseudomonas upon further identification. The results of the HR (hypersensitive reaction) and pathogenicity tests showed that 67 of the strains belonged to P. syringae pv. syringae, whereas the others were HR negative and nonpathogenic on apricot. Data of resistance studies suggested that none of the tested apricot cultivars were resistant to P. syringae pv. syringae. It was determined that the most susceptible cultivar was Hacihaliloglu and the tolerant cultivars were Sekerpare, Roxana and Hasanbey.
Interactions Between Ca2+ and H+ and Functional Consequences in Vascular Smooth Muscle

Abstract —Ca 2+ and H + ions can profoundly alter vascular tone. In many physiological and pathological processes, changes in the concentration of both ions occur. Thus, to understand the processes and mechanisms that modify force, it is necessary to understand what changes occur in these ions and, importantly, how they interact with each other. In this minireview, we highlight the quantitatively important mechanisms involved in the contractile responses of vascular tissues to pH change and discuss the cellular and molecular reasons underlying these responses.
Sexual Orientation Identity Disparities in Mammography Among White, Black, and Latina U.S. Women.

Purpose: Our goal was to examine sexual orientation identity disparities in mammography in relationship to race/ethnicity among U.S. women. Methods: Using nationally representative 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey data, we used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the odds of receiving a mammogram in the past year in relationship to sexual orientation identity among White, Black, and Latina U.S. women 40-75 years of age (N = 45,031) separately, adjusting for demographic factors. We also assessed whether socioeconomic and health care factors attenuated sexual orientation identity disparities in mammography across racial/ethnic groups. Results: Among White women, bisexual women had significantly lower adjusted odds of mammography compared to heterosexual women (odds ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.99). Among Black women, the adjusted odds of mammography were significantly higher among bisexual women relative to heterosexual women (2.53, 1.08-5.92). Black lesbian women appeared to have lower adjusted odds of mammography compared to their heterosexual counterparts; however, this difference was not statistically significant (0.80, 0.46-1.38). Similarly, among Latina women, lesbian women also seemed to have lower adjusted odds of mammography relative to heterosexual women, but this disparity was also not statistically significant (0.64, 0.37-1.13). Adding socioeconomic factors completely attenuated the disparity between White bisexual and heterosexual women (0.76, 0.52-1.10). Conclusions: Sexual orientation identity disparities in receiving a mammogram in the past year differed in relationship to race/ethnicity among White, Black, and Latina U.S. women. Additional research with larger samples of Black and Latina lesbian and bisexual women is needed to more accurately estimate and explain observed differences.
Trichothecenes and lipases are host-induced and secreted virulence factors of Fusarium graminearum

We investigate secreted virulence factors of F. graminearum , namely trichothecenes and lipases. The first gene of the trichothecene pathway, the trichodiene synthase ( Tri5 ), was disrupted in different F. graminearum wild-type strains, producing high or medium amounts of deoxynivalenol (DON) or nivalenol. All disruption mutants ceased to produce trichothecenes and showed a similar reduced virulence on wheat but unchanged virulence to barley. Nivalenol proved to be a weak virulence factor to maize, whereas DON production displayed no influence on maize infection. Therefore, trichothecenes are host specific virulence factors. Mutants lacking DON colonized only the inoculated wheat spikelets. These spikelets showed heavy cell-wall thickening that seemed to prevent the mutant from growing through the rachis node into the rachis. No such symptoms were found in spikelets inoculated with the wild type. Disruption mutants of FGL1 , a secreted lipase, showed similar symptoms on wheat spikelets as the Δ tri5 muta.
Human bone marrow stem/stromal cell osteogenesis is regulated via mechanically activated osteocyte‐derived extracellular vesicles

Bone formation or regeneration requires the recruitment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of stem/stromal progenitor cells. A potent stimulus driving this process is mechanical loading. Osteocytes are mechanosensitive cells that play fundamental roles in coordinating loading‐induced bone formation via the secretion of paracrine factors. However, the exact mechanisms by which osteocytes relay mechanical signals to these progenitor cells are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the potency of the mechanically stimulated osteocyte secretome in driving human bone marrow stem/stromal cell (hMSC) recruitment and differentiation, and characterize the secretome to identify potential factors regulating stem cell behavior and bone mechanobiology. We demonstrate that osteocytes subjected to fluid shear secrete a distinct collection of factors that significantly enhance hMSC recruitment and osteogenesis and demonstrate the key role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in driving these effects. This demonstrates the pro‐osteogenic potential of osteocyte‐derived mechanically activated extracellular vesicles, which have great potential as a cell‐free therapy to enhance bone regeneration and repair in diseases such as osteoporosis.
Photosynthetic performance at low temperature of Bouteloua gracilis Lag., a high-altitude C4 grass from the Rocky Mountains, USA

The mechanisms controlling the photosynthetic performance of C4 plants at low temperature were investigated using ecotypes of Bouteloua gracilis Lag. from high (3000 m) and low (1500 m) elevation sites in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Plants were grown in controlled-environment cabinets at a photon flux density of 700 μmol m−2 s−1 and day/night temperatures of 26/16 °C or 14/7 °C. The thermal response of the net CO2 assimilation rate (A) was evaluated using leaf gas-exchange analysis and activity assays of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) and pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK). In both ecotypes, a reduction in measurement temperature caused the CO2-saturated rate of photosynthesis to decline to a greater degree than the initial slope of A versus the intercellular CO2 response, thereby reducing the photosynthetic CO2 saturation point. As a consequence, A in normal air was CO2-saturated at sub-optimal temperatures. Ecotypic variation was low when grown at 26/16 °C, with the major difference between the ecotypes being that the low-elevation plants had higher A; however, the ecotypes responded differently when grown at cool temperature. At temperatures below the thermal optimum, A in high-elevation plants grown at 14/7 °C was enhanced relative to plants grown at 26/16 °C, while A in low-elevation plants grown at 14/7 °C was reduced compared to 26/16 °C-grown plants. Photoinhibition at low growth temperature was minor in both ecotypes as indicated by small reductions in dark-adapted Fv/Fm. In both ecotypes, the activity of Rubisco was equivalent to A below 17 °C but well in excess of A above 25 °C. Activities of PEPCase and PPDK responded to temperature in a similar proportion relative to Rubisco, and showed no evidence for dissociation that would cause them to become principal limitations at low temperature. Because of the similar temperature response of Rubisco and A, we propose that Rubisco is a major limitation on C4 photosynthesis in B. gracilis below 17 °C. Based on these results and for theoretical reasons associated with how C4 plants use Rubisco, we further suggest that Rubisco capacity may be a widespread limitation upon C4 photosynthesis at low temperature.
EXPLORING THE MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE RHIZOSPHERES OF EXOTIC BAMBOOS

We need to believe that our atmosphere is changing- uneven climate patterns will draw us to the cliff of alarming situation of global warming. With this shift of climatic patterns, it has influenced the above and below ground entities of ecosystem. The objectives of this study were to quantify mycorrhizal association and glomalin content in seven exotic bamboo species raised in bambusetum of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The study further addresses activities of soil microbial community in terms of moisture, respiration, enzymes (dehydrogenase and phosphatase), carbon, aggregation and their inter-relationship besides their possible role in carbon sequestration in relation to bamboo-mycorrhizae. The study observed that Melocanna baccifera (40.91µg/gm/hr) recorded significantly maximum soil respiration. The dehydrogenase activity was measured highest of 92.95 µg/25ml/g/24hr in Dendrocalamus gigantius while lowest of 12.61 µg/25ml/g/24hr was quantified for M. baccifera. The maximum acid phosphatase activity was recorded in D. gigantius (18.914mg/g/hr). The alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded highest in Cephalostachyum pergracile (0.1502mg/g/hr) while lowest was registered in Bambusa multiplex (0.0432mg/g/hr). The highest microbial biomass carbon was quantified in Bambusa polymorpha (518.97mg/kg) and lowest was in D. gigantius (102.89mg/kg). Maximum root colonization was found in Bambusa tulda (59.05%) with maximum spores were counted in the soil collected from the root zone of D. gigantius (52.56/ml) and the lowest spore count was recorded in B. multiplex (13.22/ml). The maximum value of glomalin content was recorded in C. pergracile (84.09µg/ml) and minimum was found in B. multiplex (48.24µg/ml). The study explored the potential of soil microbes and mycorrhizae along with these exotic bamboos in mitigating the elevated CO2, which probably becomes a suitable candidate in sequestering the carbon dioxide.
Contaminated Well Water: A Risk Factor ForHelicobacter Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs worldwide but the transmission of this human gastric pathogen remains poorly understood. Risk factors are sociodemographic- and hygiene-related with faecal-oral and oral-oral routes as likely modes of transmission. Based on epidemiological studies, water supplies have been identified as possible reservoirs to acquire the bacterium. Our laboratory has conducted H. pylori studies, including a microbiological examination of untreated well water. This study investigated the possible transmission of H. pylori among asymptomatic individuals using/drinking these well waters. The study consisted of a self-administered or parent-completed questionnaire (age-dependent), eliciting information on lifestyle habits and their use/drinking the well water as well as the H. pylori [ 13 C]urea breath test. Applying household cluster sampling, a total of 91 subjects (44 users of H. pylori positively and 47 negatively tested wells) were screened for their H. pylori status. The group was comprised of 42 males and 49 females, i.e., 73 adults and 19 children under the age of 18 (mean age 39.5 years with a range between 3-80 years). Logistic regression analyses identified the drinking of well water as the significant risk factor for a positive colonisation status [Odds Ratio (OR)=8.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.4-29.0; p<0.001]. The acquisition of the H. pylori pathogen from well water appears to be age-dependent (Chi 2 27.7,
Antitumor effects of Viscum album L. on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma In vivo

Viscum album L. is a parasitic plant that grows on various trees, commonly known as European mistletoe. In the present study, the antitumor effects of mistletoe have been assessed. The model of choice was Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC), which was inoculated in Swiss female mice. The Viscum album (VA) therapy was applied before and after EAC inoculation, and the results were both compared to EAC inoculated alone and with doxorubicin treated groups. In EAC injected animals, VA significantly increased the WBC count and the granulocytes number; while in the animals receiving VA before EAC administration, the plant extract seems to provide a lesser effect. The antiproliferative effect of VA was stronger in pretreated group, manifested by a lower cellular concentration, and a higher percentage on non-viable tumor cells.
Chromosome mapping of the large elaenia (Elaenia spectabilis): evidence for a cytogenetic signature for passeriform birds?

Among birds, Tyrannidae comprises one of the most diverse and species-rich families. Although cytogenetic data have shown interesting results in this family, such as variations in the macrochromosome morphology and diploid number, only a few species have had their karyotypes described. In the present study, we report the characterization of the karyotype of Elaenia spectabilis (Passeriformes, Tyrannidae) by means of classical and molecular cytogenetics. The results show that syntenic groups of Gallus gallus (GGA) were conserved, except GGA1 and GGA4, which were divided into two different pairs each. However, the results obtained with Leucopternis albicollis probes revealed the occurrence of inversions in segments homologous to GGA1q, similar to those observed in other Passerifomes (Turdus), and one inversion in GGA1p. These results suggest that the centric fission in GGA1, as well as the inversions observed in segments homologous to GGA1q, appeared in the early history of Passeriformes because they could be detected in Oscine and Suboscine species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 115, 391–398.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF SOIL AND CROP DEBRIS INOCULA TO THE OUTBREAK OF BACTERIAL COMMON BLIGHT IN FIELD BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris L) UNDER ZIMBABWEAN CONDITIONS

An experiment was carried out to assess the contribution of soil and crop debris inocula to the outbreak of bacterial common blight in field beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in Zimbabwe. A field, in which beans had been grown the previous season, was planted with three bean varieties on solarized and unsolarized plots with and without infected bean residues. The trial was laid as a 3 × 4 factorial experiment in a complete randomized design. Disease incidence and severity, grain yield, and seed-borne bacterial population were assessed for on growing plants and harvested seed. Disease incidence and severity were not influenced by inocula source. The bean variety had significant effects on the incidence of outbreak, but not on the severity of the disease, with Michigan C20 and Cranberry having higher disease incidences than Mkuzi. Grain yield of the three varieties were significantly different from each other, with the Cranberry variety producing the highest yield of 2.008 t/ha compared to 1.33 and 0.956 t/ha for Mkuzi and Michigan C20, respectively. Inocula source affected yield, with the solarized soil minus debris treatment, giving the highest yield of 2.068 t/ha. Harvested seed bacterial population was influenced by variety, with Michigan C20 having the highest population of 6.91 × 10 4 cfu/ml. The experiment showed that Xanthomonas phaseoli survives in the soil and crop debris in Zimbabwe. However, soil and crop debris inocula had no effect on disease incidence and severity, but provided inocula for disease development. Mkuzi was more tolerant to common bacterial blight than Michigan C20 and Cranberry.