Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer in Ife-Ijesha, Southwestern Nigeria: An Account of a 20- year Cancer Registration from Ife-Ijesha Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide and particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa as shown by cancer data published by World Health Organization. Nigeria like many countries in the West African region is experiencing an increase in cancer incidence, yet there is no centre exclusively devoted to cancer care and cancer research. It is said that environmental factors play a significant role in the causation of cancer, so it is important to know the pattern of cancer distribution in a specific geographical location.In Nigeria, there seems to be a changing pattern in the trends of some cancers during the last four decades. AIM & OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to describe the pattern of cancers seen in Ife-Ijesha zone, Southwestern Nigeria as recorded in the hospital-based Ife-Ijesha cancer registry between January 1991 to December 2010. The main objective of the study is to describe the pattern of cancer seen with reference to age, sex and site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a retrospective study of all cases of malignant tumour recorded in the Ife-Ijesha cancer registry which is located in the Department of Morbid Anatomy & Forensic Medicine of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile-Ife, Nigeria between January 1991 and December 2010. RESULTS: The total number of cancers recorded in the 20 years period that met the inclusions criteria were 6405. Out of these, 3498 (54.6%) were seen in females while 2907 (45.4%) were seen in males. Total number of malignant tumours recorded in paediatric age group was 692 (10.8%). The common malignant tumours in males in order of decreasing frequency were prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. In females, breast cancer was on top followed by cancer of the cervix, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukaemia and soft tissue tumours. There is an increasing trend in the incidence of breast cancer, prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, cervical cancer showed a decline. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown a probable rising trend in the pattern of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma recorded in Ife-Ijesha cancer registry. On the other hand, prostate cancer and cancer of the breast remained consistently the most frequent cancer in the males and females respectively. Lung cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma that are commonly seen in the Northern and Eastern regions of Africa are rare in this study.
Comprehensive Assessment Of Antioxidant Activities of Apigenin Isomers: Vitexin and Isovitexin

Introduction: Fenugreek is known to possess anti-diabetic as well as antioxidant properties known to increase with germination. Previous study from our laboratory has reported vitexin and isovitexin as major anti- oxidant compounds from germinated fenugreek seeds. The present study aimed to comprehensively assesses and compare their antioxidant activity. Methods: The antioxidant ability of these compounds against various radicals was checked using standard in vitro radical scavenging assays and pulse radiolysis. Protection conferred to mitochondria against oxidative damage was assessed by measuring the levels of lipid peroxides and protein sulphydryls. Protection from hydrogen peroxide induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was checked by MTT assay and by measuring intracellular ROS. Their ability to modulate intracellular antioxidant status was checked both at activity and RNA level. Result: Vitexin and isovitexin exhibited differential antioxidant activity against various radicals. Vitexin was a better nitric oxide scavenger while isovitexin scavenged superoxide radicals more efficiently. Pulse radiolysis studies revealed good antioxidant activity of both compounds against short-lived radicals and affected the formation and decay of the 2-dG transient species to the same extent. In oxidatively damaged mitochondria, lipid peroxidation was inhibited significantly by isovitexin whereas vitexin prevented decrease in protein sulphydryl content more effectively. These compounds protected HepG2 cells to the same extent against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative insult by reducing intracellular ROS and modulating the levels of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: The present study clearly demonstrates differential antioxi- dant potential of both vitexin and isovitexin and their role in mitigating oxidative stress induced damage and maintaining cellular redox homeo-
Locomotor activity and histological changes observed in a mouse model of knee osteoarthritis

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the changes in locomotor activity in a mouse model of knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Materials and Methods] Fourteen 20-week-old mice were divided into control and OA groups. Knee OA was surgically induced under anesthesia by destabilizing the meniscus. The OA group was reared normally for 8 weeks following surgery, during which OA was induced. Locomotor activity was measured every hour for 8 weeks using an infrared locomotor activity measurement device. Histological changes were evaluated according to the classification-system of Glasson. [Results] Locomotor activity in the OA group significantly decreased up to 2 weeks after surgery. Histological findings in the control group revealed an irregular cartilage surface in a portion of the tibia with no other abnormalities. Contrastingly, those in the OA group had eburnation of the medial femoral condyle, as well as fibrillation and fissures in the medial tibial plateau. Histological scores in the OA group were significantly higher than the control group. [Conclusion] Locomotor activity evaluations, in addition to histological scores and findings, are imperative for studies aiming to clarify the disease state and effect of interventions using mice models.
EFFECTS OF THINNING AND HERBICIDE TREATMENTS ON NEST-SITE SELECTION BY SONGBIRDS IN YOUNG MANAGED FORESTS

Abstract Routine silvicultural practices continue to alter the structure and composition of forests after logging by removing deciduous vegetation from regenerating coniferous forests. We identified nest trees and surveyed vegetation in a 5 m radius surrounding songbird nests (nest patch) and compared the nest patches to available habitat in nine 11–22 year old conifer plantations (22–47 ha) where 90–96% of deciduous stems were removed by two treatments: manual thinning, and manual thinning plus application of glyphosate (herbicide). The control and two treatments were replicated three times. We characterized the nest patches of five species: Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri), Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), and Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina). During three post-treatment years, areas treated with thinning plus herbicide remained depauperate of deciduous vegetation whereas thinned sites experienced deciduous regrowth. Despite variation in the density of deciduous trees and in the type of tree used for nesting in the control and treatments, nest patches were positively correlated with the amount of remaining deciduous vegetation, representing habitat that either escaped or recovered from silvicultural treatments. That relationship was stronger in areas with the fewest deciduous trees. Nests were more likely to be successful in areas with more willow. Within a mosaic of managed forest stands, birds appear to use the same proximate habitat cues for selecting a nest patch despite varying fitness consequences across different silviculture regimes. Although birds appeared to compensate for changes in stand habitat by finding patches of untreated vegetation or altering the type of tree they nested in, there was a reproductive cost for some species.
Petrovic, M and Maganaris, CN and Bowling, FL and Boulton, AJM and Reeves, ND (2019)Vertical displacement of the centre of mass during walk- ing in people with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy does not explain their higher metabolic cost

People with diabetes display biomechanical gait alterations compared to controls and have a higher metabolic cost of walking (CoW), but it remains unknown whether differences in the vertical displacement of the body centre of mass (CoM) may play a role in this higher CoW. The aim of this study was to investigate vertical CoM displacement (and step length as a potential underpinning factor) as an explanatory factor in the previously observed increased CoWwith diabetes. Thirty-one non-diabetic controls (Ctrl); 22 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy (DM) and 14 patients with moderate/severe Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), underwent gait analysis using a motion analysis system and force plates while walking at a range of matched speeds between 0.6 and 1.6 m/s. Vertical displacement of the CoM was measured over the gait cycle, and was not different in either diabetes patients with or without diabetic peripheral neuropathy compared to controls across the range of matched walking speeds examined (at 1 m/s: Ctrl: 5.59 (SD: 1.6), DM: 5.41 (1.63), DPN: 4.91 (1.66) cm; p > 0.05). The DPN group displayed significantly shorter steps (at 1 m/s: Ctrl: 69, DM: 67, DPN: 64 cm; p > 0.05) and higher cadence (at 1 m/s: Ctrl: 117 (SD1.12), DM: 119 (1.08), DPN: 122 (1.25) steps per minute; p > 0.05) across all walking speeds compared to controls. The vertical CoM displacement is therefore unlikely to be a factor in itself that contributes towards the higher CoW observed recently in people with diabetic neuropathy. The higher CoW in patients with diabetes may not be explained by the CoM displacement, but rather may be more related to shorter step lengths, increased cadence and the associated increased internal work and higher muscle forces developed by walking with more flexed joints. 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Effects of ruminal digesta retention time on methane emissions: a modelling approach

The reasons for among-animal variations in methane (CH4) emissions are not fully understood. There is experimental evidence that ruminal digesta mean retention time (MRT) can affect CH4 emissions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of among-animal variations in MRT on CH4 emissions and nutrient supply for dairy cow (default MRT = 34 h) and sheep (default MRT = 41 h), using the mechanistic Nordic dairy cow model Karoline. The simulations (n = 100) were made for a cow (bodyweight 600 kg) and for a sheep (bodyweight 60 kg) eating 20 kg and 1.0 kg DM/day, respectively. The diet for the dairy cow consisted of grass silage, barley and rapeseed meal (60 : 30 : 10 on a DM basis; crude protein 156 g/kg DM, neutral detergent fibre 450 g/kg DM) and the sheep diet was grass alone. Normal distribution of MRT values was assumed. Variability (coefficient of variation (CV) = 0.086) on default MRT was introduced by random-number generator of Excel. Intake, diet composition and digestion kinetic parameters were constant in all simulations, only ruminal MRT variables were changed in each simulation. Predicted CH4 emission increased with increased MRT for dairy cow (range from 407 to 488 g/day) and sheep (from 25.0 to 29.2 g/day). Increases in predicted CH4 emissions were partly associated with enhanced organic matter (OM) digestibility in dairy cow (from 0.715 to 0.758) and sheep (from 0.731 to 0.773). Greater CH4 emissions per kilogram digested OM with increased MRT were mainly related to reduced efficiency of microbial cell synthesis in the rumen both for dairy cows (22.8 ± 0.91 g N/kg OM truly digested; CV = 0.040) and for sheep (20.7 ± 0.92 g N/kg OM truly digested; CV = 0.044). Predicted CH4 yield was 20% and 17% greater in dairy cow and sheep, respectively, with the short (n = 10) compared with the long (n = 10) ruminal digesta MRT. Linear regression indicated that CH4 emissions increased by 0.37 (dairy cow) and 0.33 (sheep) g/kg DM intake per 1 h increase in ruminal digesta MRT. It is concluded that among-animal variation in MRT can markedly contribute to among-animal variation in CH4 emissions from ruminants.
Regressive progression, progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii)

Dillman, C.B. , Bergstrom, D.E. , Noltie, D.B. , Holtsford, T.P. & Mayden, R.L. (2010). Regressive progression, progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 45–60.
Mammals of Mexico

Ceballos, G. (ed.). 2014. Mammals of Mexico . Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 974 pp. ISBN 13:978-1-4214-0843-9, price (hardbound), $150.00. Ceballos’ and Oliva’s Los mamiferos silvestres de Mexico (2005) was a ground-breaking volume stemming originally from funding by CONABIO (Comision Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad) in 1992. A result of years of effort, it compiled all the available information through 2004 on the ecology, biogeography, taxonomy, and systematics of some 530 mammalian species (including distributional maps and a bibliography) in one of earth’s major biodiversity hotspots. Now, Ceballos provides us with the Mammals of Mexico , which although largely an English translation of the earlier work, updates our knowledge of Mexico’s mammals through 2011. Like its predecessor, it includes checklists and species accounts as well as an updated bibliography; it also provides a broad overview of some 200 years of research on the mammals of the region in this diverse country. Following mostly the nomenclature of Wilson and Reeder (2005), the book synthesizes the information from hundreds of workers in the field; in addition, it includes black and white photographs of skulls of most species as well as appendices with tracks of medium- and large-sized mammals. The book is divided into 5 parts; the 1st part covers diversity and conservation of Mexican mammals. In a section on global mammal species diversity, it is noted that Mexico has fully 11% of the world’s mammals; table 1 shows 544 species (up some 19 species from Ceballos and Oliva [2005]) of which 161 are endemic. However, totals for the other 18 countries in that … Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131, USA; e-mail: nicte.ordonez-garza{at}ttu.edu
Weed Control in Pea with Reduced Rates of Imazethapyr Applied Preemergence and Postemergence1

Broad-spectrum weed control options for pea are limited. Field experiments conducted from 1998 to 2000 evaluated reduced rates of imazethapyr for selective control of grass and broadleaf weed species in pea. Imazethapyr was applied preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the PRE rate of 75 g ai/ha currently labeled in Ontario. A rate of 45 g/ha or greater was required to maintain consistent control of common lambsquarters and wild mustard when imazethapyr was applied PRE. Green foxtail and redroot pigweed control was excellent at all PRE rates 56 d after treatment. The 75-g/ha rate was required to maintain effective and consistent control of common ragweed. No injury or yield reductions were observed for any of the PRE application rates of imazethapyr. Reduced rates as low as 30 g/ha of imazethapyr applied POST maintained high levels of weed control. Pea tolerance to low rates of imazethapyr applied POST was acceptable except when applied in a year of low rainfall when peas experienced moisture stress. Nomenclature: Imazethapyr; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. #3 CHEAL; common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. # AMBEL; green foxtail, Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. # SETVI; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE; wild mustard, Sinapsis arvensis L. # SINAR; pea, Pisum sativum L. ‘Bolero’, ‘Sanchos’. Additional index words: Herbicide efficacy, pea yields, reduced herbicide rates. Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; OCHU, Ontario corn heat units; POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence.
Crecimiento, madurez y mortalidad del pez gallo, Callorhinchus callorynchus, en el Golfo San Matías, Patagonia norte, Argentina

Detailed knowledge of the life history parameters of chondrichthyans is required to assess their population status and vulnerability to fishing mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate growth, maturity length (LM50%), longevity (Emax) and natural mortality rate (M) of the cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus, in the San Matias Gulf, Argentina. The length range in the commercial catches was 22 to 58 cm for males and 25 a 76 cm for females, while in fisheries surveys was 13 to 59 cm for males and 14 to 69 cm for females. The sex ratio was biased to the males. The Gompertz L0 fixed growth model was the most adequate according to biological selection criteria. The parameters were: i) females: L= 70.75 cm and K= 0.17 year -1 ; and ii) males: L= 56.11 cm and K= 0.257 year -1 . A LM50%= 43.39 cm, a Emax= 13.7 year and a M= 0.35 year -1 were estimated for males, while a LM50%= 47.48 cm, a Emax= 21.4 year and a M= 0.23 year -1 were estimated for females. The results of this work show that there is sexual dimorphism in life-history characteristics of the cockfish. Females reach a larger size, mature later, grow slower and live longer than males.
DIVERSITY AND ASSEMBLAGE PATTERNS OF JUVENILE AND SMALL SIZED FISHES IN THE NEARSHORE HABITATS OF THE GULF OF THAILAND

Species richness, abundance, diversity and fi sh assemblage patterns in seagrass beds, mangroves, mudfl ats and sandy beaches were investigated at Had Khanom Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, Thailand. Fish samples were collected using a beach seine during the day on alternate months between February and December 2009. The juvenile fi shes and adults of small sized fi shes accounted for 95.6% in total catch. In total, 131 species from 48 families were collected. Of these, 76, 74, 55 and 47 species were caught in seagrass beds, mangroves, mudfl ats and sandy beaches, respectively. Leiognathidae was the most diverse family present in seagrass beds, mudfl ats and sandy beaches, with seven species obtained at each habitat. The most diverse family (13 species) in mangroves was Gobiidae. The three most abundant species in each habitat represented more than 60% of the catches although they showed temporal variations in abundance. Abundance and diversity indices varied spatially with the highest values occurring in seagrass beds and mangroves. Signifi cant temporal variation was only observed in the abundance data with the lowest value in February. Four general patterns of fi sh assemblages were identifi ed (G1 to G4) by cluster analysis, loosely based on habitat preference. Species such as Siganus javus, Ambassis kopsii, and Leiognathus decorus are considered generalists and commonly found in all habitat types sampled. Ambassis nalua, Ambassis vachellii, and Scatophagus argus were exclusively found in mangroves while Siganus canaliculatus, Monacanthus chinensis, and Terapon puta were only found in seagrass beds. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity and transparency of the water were monitored. While spatio-temporal variation was evident, they did not predict fi sh assemblage patterns. Only the fi sh assemblage patterns in the mangroves could be correlated to the parameters measured using linear discriminant analysis, with a prediction success of 83 %.
Functional response of an ambush predator: Chaoborus americanus predation on Daphnia pulex

Estimations of invertebrate predation parameters usually rely on behavioral observations and on feeding rates in single, arbitrary prey densities. In this study, predation parameters were estimated directly from functional response data. This type of analysis relies on many prey densities and therefore should lead to more widely applicable parameter values. Functional response curves of third—and fourth—instar Chaoborus americanus preying on five size—classes of Daphnia pulex in the laboratory were examined. Data for each size—class were fitted to Rogers' random predator equation, a modification of Holling's type II functional response equation. The data fit the model well. The parameters a' (instantaneous attack rate) and Th (handling time) were calculated for each prey size from these curves. Attack rate reached a maximum, indicating highest vulnerability, at an intermediate size. Deduced handling times were greater than simple observation would suggest and were highly correlated with prey dry mass, suggesting digestion as the primary component. Results of mixed—size—class experiments were compared to predictions based on the parameters from single—size—class experiments. The ratio of predation—caused mortality rates for prey size—classes was consistent with the predictions, suggesting that no active behavioral selection was occurring. Feeding rates in mixed—sized—class experiments were underestimated when experiments were run a month later than the single—size—class experiments during the 1st yr of this study. However, when single— and mixed—size—class experiments were run simultaneously during the 2nd yr, predictions were very close to observed feeding rates. This indicates the possibility that predator age and seasonal physiological changes affect functional response parameters. Attack rate increased with temperature, probably due to increased encounter rates as Daphnia swimming speed increased. Handling time decreased with increased temperature, probably due to increased digestive rate. The biological significance of Holling's parameters and those of other more behaviorally based models is discussed.
PATTERN AND BIOLOGICAL MICROSITE EFFECTS IN TWO SHRUB COMMUNITIES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'

Strip transects of 100 contiguous, aligned quadrats were sampled during the spring blooming in a creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) semidesert and a chamise (Adenostomafasciculatum) chaparral, with species covers in quadrats recorded. Techniques of pattern analysis included recip- rocal averaging ordination of quadrats, measurements of pattern diversity and pattern periodicity, and species association and contagion. In both communities the first ordination axis expressed a strong pattern of differentiation of the herb flora from shrub centers to openings; second and third axes expressed other responses of herb species to shrub species and shrub cover. The pattern axis represents a principal direction of niche difference to which most species responded and along which several pairs of congeners were separated. Pattern periodicities were 6 m (weakly defined) in the semidesert and 9 m in the chaparral; pattern diversities were 1.4 and 1.8 half-changes. Quadrat species richness was highest in the transitions between shrub clumps and openings in the semidesert, but higher in the openings and lower under the shrubs of the chaparral. Overall alpha diversity resulted from roughly comparable contributions of point or small-quadrat diversity, pattern diversity of more common species, and rare species. The importance of biological modification of microsites for pop- ulation function and niche relationships is suggested by species responses to the primary pattern axis, the responses of some herb species to particular shrub species, and the indicated allelopathic effects in the chaparral.
The Australian Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications

A low order least-squares nonconforming finite element(NFE) method is proposed for magnetohydrodynamic equations with EQ 1 element and zero-order Raviart-Thomas element. Based on the above element’s typical interpolations properties, the existence and uniqueness of the approximate solutions are proved and the optimal order error estimates for the corresponding variables are derived.