Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High levels of genetic variability and panmixia of the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1816) in the main channel of the Amazon River

In this study, the complete mitochondrial control region of 48 tambaqui Colossoma macropomum specimens from five localities along a 2200 km transect of the Amazon basin was analysed. High genetic variability was observed in all localities sampled. Analyses of molecular variance indicated that nearly all of the molecular variance was contained within localities, and estimates of gene flow among localities were high. These results suggest that the tambaqui forms a panmictic population along the Solimoes-Amazon River channel and are in agreement with species-typical behaviour of semi-migratory movements driven by dispersal for feeding and reproduction during its life cycle. Inspite of the observed high levels of genetic variability and mutation-drift equilibrium of the mtDNA control region, the tambaqui has experienced a 90% demographic decrease and reduction of size at maturity in the past two decades. Population estimates based on molecular markers therefore do not reflect its current demographic status but rather its status in ecological time.
Synthesis, conformational study, and spectroscopic characterization of the cyclic Cα,α‐disubstituted glycine 9‐amino‐9‐fluorenecarboxylic acid

A series of terminally blocked peptides (to the pentamer level) from l‐Ala and the cyclic Cα,α‐disubstituted Gly residue Afc and one Gly/Afc dipeptide have been synthesized by solution method and fully characterized. The molecular structure of the amino acid derivative Boc‐Afc‐OMe and the dipeptide Boc‐Afc‐Gly‐OMe were determined in the crystal state by X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the preferred conformation of all of the model peptides was assessed in deuterochloroform solution by FT‐IR absorption and 1H‐NMR. The experimental data favour the conclusion that the Afc residue tends to adopt either the fully‐extended (C5) or a folded/helical structure. In particular, the former conformation is highly populated in solution and is also that found in the crystal state in the two compounds investigated. A comparison with the structural propensities of the strictly related Cα,α‐disubstituted Gly residues Ac5c and Dϕg is made and the implications for the use of the Afc residue in conformationally constrained analogues of bioactive peptides are briefly examined. A spectroscopic (UV absorption, fluorescence, CD) characterization of this novel aromatic Cα,α‐disubstituted Gly residue is also reported. Copyright © 1999 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving potassium acquisition and utilisation by crop plants

To avoid loss of yield, crops must maintain tissue potassium (K) concentrations above 5–40 mg K (g DM)–1. The supply of K from the soil is often insufficient to meet this demand and, in many agricultural systems, K fertilisers are applied to crops. However, K fertilisers are expensive. There is interest, therefore, in reducing applications of K fertilisers either by improving agronomy or developing crop genotypes that use K fertilisers more efficiently. Agronomic K fertiliser use efficiency is determined by the ability of roots to acquire K from the soil, which is referred to as K uptake efficiency (KUpE), and the ability of a plant to utilise the K acquired to produce yield, which is referred to as K utilisation efficiency (KUtE). There is considerable genetic variation between and within crop species in both KUpE and KUtE, and chromosomal loci affecting these characteristics have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and several crop species. Plant traits that increase KUpE include (1) exudation of organic compounds that release more non-exchangeable soil K, (2) high root K uptake capacity, (3) early root vigour, high root-to-shoot ratios, and high root length densities, (4) proliferation of roots throughout the soil volume, and (5) high transpiration rates. Plant traits that increase KUtE include (1) effective K redistribution within the plant, (2) tolerance of low tissue K concentrations, and, at low tissue K concentrations, (3) maintenance of optimal K concentrations in metabolically active cellular compartments, (4) replacement of K in its non-specific roles, (5) redistribution of K from senescent to younger tissues, (6) maintenance of water relations, photosynthesis and canopy cover, and (7) a high harvest index. The development of crop genotypes with these traits will enable K fertiliser applications to be reduced.
Impact of labelled glasses in a bar-laboratory setting: no effect on ad libitum alcohol consumption.

AIMS Information provided on glass labels may be an effective method to reduce alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of glass labels conveying unit information and a health warning in reducing ad libitum alcohol consumption. METHODS A cluster randomised experimental study was conducted to measure the efficacy of a labelled glass in reducing alcohol consumption in a semi-naturalistic bar-laboratory setting, in a sample of 81 pairs (n = 162) of UK young adult drinkers. Pairs were randomised to receive two 340 ml glasses of beer or wine: labelled or plain (control). Alcohol consumption was assessed in an ad libitum drinking period and urge to drink was measured at baseline and post drinking period. Focus groups (n = 2) were conducted and thematic analysis was used to gain an insight into the acceptability and the perceived effectiveness of the glasses. RESULTS Mean unit consumption was 1.62 (SD ± 0.83) units in the labelled glass condition and 1.69 (SD ± 0.82) units in the non-labelled glass condition. There were no significant effects of the labelled glasses on ad libitum alcohol consumption (95% CI -0.25 to 0.37, p = 0.35), despite participants (85%) noticing the information. Qualitative analysis of focus groups indicated that although participants perceived the glasses as a useful tool for increasing awareness of units and guidelines, they were viewed as limited in their potential to change drinking behaviour due to the unappealing design of the glass and a view that unit guidelines were not relevant to drinking patterns or contexts. CONCLUSIONS Labelled glasses did not change alcohol consumption in the current study, potentially due to ineffectiveness of this type of message in a young adult population. The information on the glasses was attended to, highlighting that glasses could be a feasible tool for providing information.
Linkage disequilibrium vs. pedigree: Genomic selection prediction accuracy in conifer species

Background The presupposition of genomic selection (GS) is that predictive accuracies should be based on population-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD). However, in species with large, highly complex genomes the limitation of marker density may preclude the ability to resolve LD accurately enough for GS. Here we investigate such an effect in two conifer species with ~ 20 Gbp genomes, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb. (Franco)) and Interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss x Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. ). Random sampling of markers was performed to obtain SNP sets with totals in the range of 200–50,000, this was replicated 10 times. Ridge Regression Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (RR-BLUP) was deployed as the GS method to test these SNP sets, and 10-fold cross-validation was performed on 1,321 Douglas-fir trees, representing 37 full-sib F1 families and on 1,126 Interior spruce trees, representing 25 open-pollinated (half-sib) families. Both trials are located on 3 sites in British Columbia, Canada. Results As marker number increased, so did GS predictive accuracy for both conifer species. However, a plateau in the gain of accuracy became apparent around 10,000–15,000 markers for both Douglas-fir and Interior spruce. Despite random marker selection, little variation in predictive accuracy was observed across replications. On average, Douglas-fir prediction accuracies were higher than those of Interior spruce, reflecting the difference between full- and half-sib families for Douglas-fir and Interior spruce populations, respectively, as well as their respective effective population size. Conclusions Although possibly advantageous within an advanced breeding population, reducing marker density cannot be recommended for carrying out GS in conifers. Significant LD between markers and putative causal variants was not detected using 50,000 SNPS, and GS was enabled only through the tracking of relatedness in the populations studied. Dramatically increasing marker density would enable said markers to better track LD with causal variants in these large, genetically diverse genomes; as well as providing a model that could be used across populations, breeding programs, and traits.
New combinations and updated descriptions in Podagrostis (Agrostidinae, Poaceae) from the Neotropics and Mexico

Abstract Based on morphological study and corroborated by unpublished molecular phylogenetic analyses, five grass species of high-mountain grasslands in Mexico, Central and South America, Agrostisbacillata, A.exserta, A.liebmannii, A.rosei, and A.trichodes, are transferred to Podagrostis and bring the number of species of this genus recognized in the New World to ten. The name Aperaliebmannii is lectotypified and epitypified. We provide an updated genus description for Podagrostis, and updated species descriptions, images, and notes on the new combinations. The diagnostic characteristics differentiating Podagrostis from Agrostis are: a) palea that reaches from (2/3) ¾ to almost the apex of the lemma; b) florets that usually almost equal the length of the glumes or are at least ¾ the length of the glumes; c) rachilla extension present and emerging from under the base of the palea as a slender short stub (rudimentary or up to 1.4 mm long, sometimes obscure in most florets in P.rosei), smooth or scaberulous, glabrous or distally pilulose (hairs < 0.3 mm long); d) lemmas usually awnless, sometimes with a short straight awn 0.2–0.6 mm long, inserted medially or in the upper 1/3 of the lemma, not surpassing the glumes (awn well-developed, straight or geniculate and inserted in lower 1/3 of lemma, not or briefly surpassing glumes in P.rosei). We include a generic key to distinguish the species of Podagrostis from other similar genera in Latin America and a key to distinguish the species of Podagrostis now accepted as occurring in these areas.
Which oak provenances for the 22nd century in Western Europe? Dendroclimatology in common gardens

The current distribution area of the two sympatric oaks Quercus petraea and Q. robur covers most of temperate Western Europe. Depending on their geographic location, populations of these trees are exposed to different climate constraints, to which they are adapted. Comparing the performances of trees from contrasting populations provides the insight into their expected resilience to future climate change required for forest management. In this study, the descendants of 24 Q. petraea and two Q. robur provenances selected from sites throughout Europe were grown for 20 years in three common gardens with contrasting climates. The 2420 sampled trees allowed the assessments of the relationship between radial growth and climate. An analysis of 15-year chronologies of ring widths, with different combinations of climate variables, revealed different response patterns between provenances and between common gardens. As expected, provenances originating from sites with wet summers displayed the strongest responses to summer drought, particularly in the driest common garden. All provenances displayed positive significant relationships between the temperature of the previous winter and radial growth when grown in the common garden experiencing the mildest winter temperatures. Only eastern provenances from continental cold climates also clearly expressed this limitation of growth by cold winter temperatures in the other two common gardens. However, ecological distance, calculated on the basis of differences in climate between the site of origin and the common garden, was not clearly related to the radial growth responses of the provenances. This suggests that the gradient of genetic variability among the selected provenances was not strictly structured according to climate gradients. Based on these results, we provide guidelines for forest managers for the assisted migration of Quercus petraea and Q. robur provenances.
Harmful Algal Bloom Toxicity in Lithobates catesbeiana Tadpoles

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) have become a major health concern worldwide, not just to humans that consume and recreate on contaminated waters, but also to the fauna that inhabit the environments surrounding affected areas. HABs contain heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacterial lipopolysaccharide, and cyanobacterial toxins such as microcystins, that can cause severe toxicity in many aquatic species as well as bioaccumulation within various organs. Thus, the possibility of trophic transference of this toxin through the food chain has potentially important health implications for other organisms in the related food web. While some species have developed adaptions to attenuate the toxic effects of HAB toxins, there are still numerous species that remain vulnerable, including Lithobates catesbeiana (American bullfrog) tadpoles. In the current study we demonstrate that acute, short-term exposure of tadpoles to HAB toxins containing 1 µg/L (1 nmol/L) of total microcystins for only 7 days results in significant liver and intestinal toxicity within tadpoles. Exposed tadpoles had increased intestinal diameter, decreased intestinal fold heights, and a constant number of intestinal folds, indicating pathological intestinal distension, similar to what is seen in various disease processes, such as toxic megacolon. HAB-toxin-exposed tadpoles also demonstrated hepatocyte hypertrophy with increased hepatocyte binucleation consistent with carcinogenic and oxidative processes within the liver. Both livers and intestines of HAB-toxin-exposed tadpoles demonstrated significant increases in protein carbonylation consistent with oxidative stress and damage. These findings demonstrate that short-term exposure to HAB toxins, including microcystins, can have significant adverse effects in amphibian populations. This acute, short-term toxicity highlights the need to evaluate the influence HAB toxins may have on other vulnerable species within the food web and how those may ultimately also impact human health.
Evaluating Narrative Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence-base.

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is an intervention for trauma-spectrum disorders. Originally developed to treat refugee populations, NET has since been tested for efficacy across different settings. In this review, the NET evidence-base is examined through a retrieval, synthesis, and appraisal of randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2002. Two independent reviewers (SR & NS) searched online databases including EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Twenty-four RCTs were selected for a meta-analysis of three outcomes: PTSD diagnosis and PTSD and depression symptoms. All outcomes were analysed at short-term (3 - 4 months), mid-term (6 - 7 months), and long-term (≥ 12 months) data points. A random-effects model was applied to yield standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (OR) as indicators of NET treatment effect. Subgroup analyses for type of trauma and type of control groups were conducted to examine potential heterogeneity. For the NET group, moderate effect sizes for PTSD symptom severity were observed at mid- and long-term, and at mid-term for depression symptom severity. The number of PTSD diagnoses decreased significantly in the short-term for the NET condition, but this was not sustained at the long-term. Caution must be exercised when interpreting these results due to high heterogeneity estimates and low quality of evidence across trials. Potential small-study effects further complicate the interpretation of the findings. Recommendations are made for augmenting statistical significance research with qualitative analysis of NET efficacy to better inform clinical practice.
European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility recommendations for conducting gastrointestinal motility and function testing in the recovery phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic

During the peak of the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, care for patients with gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders was largely suspended. In the recovery phases of the pandemic, non‐urgent medical care is resumed, but there is a lack of guidance for restarting and safely conducting motility and function testing. Breath tests and insertion of manometry and pH‐monitoring probes carry a risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 spread through droplet formation.
Population declines of Yosemite toads in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California

This paper documents changes in the size of a breeding population of Yosemite toads, Bufo canorus, over 20 years at Tioga Pass, California. Surveys of B. canorus numbers in breeding aggregations were made yearly from 1971 to 1982, and less systematic observations were made from 1983 to 1991. Six other populations in the eastern Sierra Nevada were surveyed occasionally from 1973 to 1990. The total number of marked males entering the largest breeding pools at Tioga Pass declined nine-fold from 1974 to 1982. The mean number of toads found in daily searches during breeding also dropped over the 20 year study. Similar declines occurred at smaller breeding sites throughout Tioga Pass Meadow and at the six other populations. In 1990 we found evidence for continued reproduction by B. canorus at all but one location (Sylvester Meadow), although reproduction was minimal at Tioga Pass. No single source of mortality was responsible for all the declines. We interpret the decline in our study populations as caused primarily by drought, disease, and predation. Spring snow depths in 1976,1977 and 1987-1991 were below the 62 year average, resulting in low tadpole survival. The death of adults from disease at Tioga Pass, and from predation at another site (Mildred Lake) also contributed to the declines. Although habitat destruction and localized human activities were not major factors, some natural variables responsible for the declines may have had anthropogenic components.
Influence of opponent ranking on the physical demands encountered during Ultimate Frisbee match-play

ABSTRACT There is a lack of evidence regarding the match demands encountered in elite Ultimate Frisbee (UF) overall and dependent upon opponent ranking. These data may be useful to elite UF coaches to implement optimal training loads and recovery strategies. Therefore, this study quantified the physical demands of elite UF match-play and analysed differences in demands according to opponent ranking. Twelve UF players from the same national team participated in the study. An observational design was used to compare the physical demands encountered by players between opponents carrying different rankings (1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th) during four official matches in a 5-team competition. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in sprinting and repeated-sprinting activity were evident across UF matches between opponents. In contrast, a higher (moderate-large) quantity and greater intensities of body impacts were observed in UF matches played against higher-ranked (1st) compared to lower-ranked teams (3rd, 4th, and 5th). Additionally, greater (moderate-large) PL and metabolic power were observed in matches played against higher-ranked (1st) compared to lower-ranked teams (3rd and 4th). These findings suggest coaches may need to reduce the training loads in the next days after the matches played against higher-ranked opponents compared to when facing lower-ranked opponents.
A Review of Models Used for Investigating Barriers to Healthcare Access in Australia

Understanding barriers to healthcare access is a multifaceted challenge, which is often highly diverse depending on location and the prevalent surroundings. The barriers can range from transport accessibility to socio-economic conditions, ethnicity and various patient characteristics. Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world; however, there are several concerns surrounding its accessibility, primarily due to the vast geographical area it encompasses. This review study is an attempt to understand the various modeling approaches used by researchers to analyze diverse barriers related to specific disease types and the various areal distributions in the country. In terms of barriers, the most affected people are those living in rural and remote parts, and the situation is even worse for indigenous people. These models have mostly focused on the use of statistical models and spatial modeling. The review reveals that most of the focus has been on cancer-related studies and understanding accessibility among the rural and urban population. Future work should focus on further categorizing the population based on indigeneity, migration status and the use of advanced computational models. This article should not be considered an exhaustive review of every aspect as each section deserves a separate review of its own. However, it highlights all the key points, covered under several facets which can be used by researchers and policymakers to understand the current limitations and the steps that need to be taken to improve health accessibility.
The evaluation of early stage oxidative status in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats

Abstract Early-stage diabetes can be defined as the stages before absolute insulin deficiency in patients. In this study, the early stage oxidative effect of streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetes mellitus was evaluated. 28 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; control group and 7th, 14th, 21st days diabetic groups. Diabetic groups received single 65 mg/kg STZ injection intraperitoneally. Rats were decapitated at 7th, 14th and 21st days, liver tissues were taken. Nitric oxide(NO), malondialdehyde(MDA) levels and catalase, arginase activities were measured. MDA and NO levels were increased (respectively p < .001 and p < .01), mainly 14 and 21 days after STZ administration; moreover, while liver catalase activity was progressively decreased (p < .001), oppositely arginase was increased in the same time period (p < .01). Results show that MDA and nitric oxide together with catalase and arginase switch at an early stage of diabetes and they may contribute to subsequent complications related to diabetes via increased oxidative damage.