Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thickness of Intraretinal Layers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Depending on a Concomitant Diabetic Neuropathy: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study Using Deviation Maps for OCT Data Analysis

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) supports the detection of thickness changes in intraretinal layers at an early stage of diabetes mellitus. However, the analysis of OCT data in cross-sectional studies is complex and time-consuming. We introduce an enhanced deviation map-based analysis (MA) and demonstrate its effectiveness in detecting early changes in intraretinal layer thickness in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to common early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) grid-based analysis (GA). To this end, we obtained OCT scans of unilateral eyes from 33 T2DM patients without diabetic retinopathy and 40 healthy controls. The patients were categorized according to concomitant diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN). The results of MA and GA demonstrated statistically significant differences in retinal thickness between patients and controls. Thinning was most pronounced in total retinal thickness and the thickness of the inner retinal layers in areas of the inner macular ring, selectively extending into areas of the outer macular ring and foveal center. Patients with clinically proven DN showed the strongest thinning of the inner retinal layers. MA showed additional areas of thinning whereas GA tended to underestimate thickness changes, especially in areas with localized thinning. We conclude that MA enables a precise analysis of retinal thickness data and contributes to the understanding of localized changes in intraretinal layers in adults with T2DM.
Climbing walls, making bridges: children of immigrants’ identity negotiations through capoeira and parkour in Turin

Capoeira and parkour are two different body practices which have gained worldwide attention in urban settings in the last few decades. The following paper will explore how capoeira and parkour relate to the construction of identity paths amongst children of immigrants between 12 and 20 in Turin, Italy. It will do so by looking at how such practices are used by young men of migrant origin to negotiate and perform narratives of self-worth, belonging and recognition within marginalising and excluding urban environments. This study acknowledges that social identifications are created, negotiated and (re)produced through bodily and spatial means and within networks of power relations. Following this premise, the insights proposed in this paper suggest that the ambivalent and fluid use of bodies and spaces implied by capoeira and parkour can represent a meaningful lens to understand the embodied and spatial identity negotiations enacted by participants in their daily lives. This theoretical perspective will illuminate the place that active bodies, spaces and leisure practices take in the negotiation of social identities, and dynamics of inclusion/exclusion, enacted by youth of migrant origin within early twenty-first century Turin cityscape.
Studies of physiochemical and microbial properties of soils from rainforest and plantation in Ondo state, Nigeria

Microbial population, and biomass as well as hydrolytic enzymes of soil that are responsible for biodegradation of various structural complexes of plant litters and dead organic compounds from Ondo State Aforestation project at Lisagbede (Oluwa forest reserve) were studied. Soil fungi and bacteria were isolated and identified from two sources namely Gmelina aborea plantation (planted for over 15 years) and an adjacent natural forest at different depth levels (0 - 10, 10 - 20 and 20 - 30 cm) by weighing 1.0 g of soil into 9.0 ml of sterilized water, shaken and diluted 1 in 1000, 0.5 ml each of this was poured onto separate sterilized Petri dish and overlaid with potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar, allowed to incubate at 27 and 32 o C for five and one day respectively. The results of the study revealed that all the parameters showed slight increase in natural forest soil as compared to the G. aborea plantation soil. Substantive differences were obtained in soil microbial biomass for each sampling depth in the natural forest compared to the G. aborea plantation. While there were no much differences in the soil physicochemical properties of the forest and plantation. Bacteria and fungi isolates of the two locations and their enzymes activities were similar. Two fungi Aspegillus niger and Penicillium italicum isolated from the two locations produced hydrolytic enzyme activities of cellulase, �-amylase, �- amylase and protease which are degrading enzymes.
In the Eye of the Beholder: Psychopathy and Fear Enjoyment.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the relations between psychopathic traits and fear enjoyment. METHOD In Study 1, 140 undergraduate participants (62 men, 78 women) watched footage of video game play meant to induce either excitement or fear, rating each on positive/negative adjectives. In Study 2, 150 undergraduate participants (94 women, 56 men) rated valence (positive/negative) of 20 sets of morphed surprise/fear photos. RESULTS In Study 1, participants with higher levels of psychopathy rated the fear video as less negative and more positive. In Study 2, valence ratings became more negative as fear information increased (fear-laden faces were rated more negatively than surprise-laden faces). As well, there were significant interactions between psychopathy and morph level in predicting valence with psychopathic traits being associated with giving higher positivity ratings to fear-laden faces. CONCLUSIONS The results of these two studies suggest that people with psychopathic traits have a more positive interpretation of the experience of fear, which could extend to evaluations of others' experiences of fear.
Screening of Natural Antioxidants from Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants contain high levels of natural antioxidants and exhibited strong antioxidant activity. In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, a screening of natural antioxidants from some Tunisian medicinal plants commonly associated with treatment of some diseases were conducted. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and hydrolysables tannins were measured, and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays. Results prove that there are important quantities of these compounds in Tunisian medicinal plants. A positive linear correlation between Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and the phenolic compound contents suggested that these compounds were a major contributor of antioxidant activity of these plants. The results from this study will help us understand the antioxidant capacity profiles of these medicinal plants, and also investigate new sources of natural antioxidants.
Taxonomic notes and new records of the genus Sphingonaepiopsis Wallengren, 1858 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in Iran

The taxonomy, morphology, biology and distribution of Sphingonaepiopsis gorgoniades (Hubner [1819]) and S. nana (Walker 1856) are reviewed. The validity of subspecies within S. gorgoniades is re-examined and it is concluded that there is no justification for their continued recognition. Sphingonaepiopsis gorgoniades pfeifferi Zerny 1933 is therefore confirmed as a synonym of S. gorgoniades. Records of Sphingonaepiopsis in the collection of the Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum (HMIM), Tehran, Iran, are collated and mapped, and the first confirmed occurrence reported of the Afrotropical S. nana in mainland southwest Asia, an increase in the known range of the species. Global distribution maps are provided for both species.
Effect of invasive strategy on long-term mortality in elderly patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The elderly have the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease and frequently present with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study, our aim was to evaluate the effect of an invasive strategy on long-term mortality in patients of 80 years and older presenting with ACS. METHODS Patients who were admitted to hospital with ACS were recruited using appropriate ICD codes in the computerised hospital data system. After exclusion of patients below 80 years old, the remaining 156 patients were involved in the final analyses. Ninety-four of 156 patients (60.3%) underwent coronary angiography and they constituted the invasive-strategy group, whereas the remaining 62 (39.7%) patients were treated medically and they constituted the conservative-strategy group. RESULTS Median follow-up duration of patients was 8.5 (0-61) months. Total mortality at the end of the follow-up period was 24 (25.5%) patients in the invasive-strategy group and 30 (48.4%) in the conservative-strategy group (p = 0.006). According to Cox regression analysis, the invasive strategy (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12-0.56, p = 0.001), presentation with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (OR: 7.76, 95% CI: 1.74-34.57, p = 0.002), low ejection fraction below 40% (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.43-6.76, p = 0.004), heart rate (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99, p = 0.013) and GRACE risk score between 150 and 170 (OR: 7.76, 95% CI: 1.74-34.57, p = 0.002) were related to long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our results show the benefit of the invasive strategy on mortality rate in elderly patients over 80 years old and presenting with ACS.
A linear viscoelasticity for decadal to centennial time scale mantle deformation

The extended Burgers material (EBM) model provides a linear viscoelastic theory for interpreting a variety of rock deformation phenomena in geophysics, playing an increasingly important role in parameterizing laboratory data, providing seismic wave velocity and attenuation interpretations, and in analyses of solid planetary tidal dispersion and quality factor Q. At the heart of the EBM approach is the assumption of a distribution of relaxation spectra tied to rock grain boundary and interior granular mobility. Furthermore, the model incorporates an asymptotic long-term limiting behavior that is Maxwellian. Here we use the extensively developed linear theory of viscoelasticity to isolate those parameters of EBM that apply to both post-seismic relaxation processes involving flow of olivine rich upper mantle material and to studies of tides, where periods of forcing range from 12 h to 18.6 years. The isolated EBM parameters should also apply to theoretical and geodetic studies of glacial isostatic adjustment, especially when the initiation of continuous cryospheric surface unloading dates to the 20th or 21st century. Using analytical Laplace transformed solutions of Boussinesq’s half-space load problem, we show that the effects of EBM transient rheology may have substantial influence on geodetic interpretations of unloading induced crustal motions even on time scales that are sub-decadal.
A case control study to investigate differences in motor control between individuals with and without non-specific low back pain during standing

Recent literature has indicated altered motor control in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). These individuals present variations in back muscular activity and center of mass (CoM) oscillations. The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of quantitatively measuring these differences using standard parameters with electronic devices. Twenty individuals with NSLBP and 20 healthy controls, matched by sex and age, performed a total of three trials under three different conditions for 90 seconds each. These conditions were standing on firm ground with eyes open, with eyes closed and standing on unstable foam with eyes open. Balance data was acquired via a Kistler force platform and muscular activity was measured by electromyography derived bilaterally from the erector spinae. Afterwards, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire on their current mood, pain rating, well-being, disability and physical activity. Descriptive data from the questionnaire showed an average acute pain score of 2.6 and an average pain score of 5.1 for the prior six weeks in the NSLBP group, while the control group reported an acute pain of 0.1 and an average pain of 0.5. For wellbeing, differences were found only for the physical scale. Average disability was low for the NSLBP group. No differences in physical activity were found among groups. A repeated measures ANOVA did not show significant differences between groups for any parameter. There was also no main effect for the standing conditions and no interaction between group and condition. Simultaneously measuring biomechanical and neuromuscular parameters, allowed for a fine grain approach to understanding motor control in individuals with NSLBP. This study did not find differences as described in the literature, and suggests further examination of factors involved in pain and control processes to better understand implications of NSLBP and possible avenues for support.
ENHANCING THE SCIENTIFIC VALUE OF THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

'National Wildlife Research Centre, Canadian Wildlife Service, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario KlA OH3, Canada; 2Bird Studies Canada, P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario NOE IMO, Canada; 3PMB 327, 40 Court Street, Middlebury, Vermont 05753, USA; 4U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland 20708, USA; 5Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA; and 6Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
Molecular cloning, in silico chromosome location and expression analysis of gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase gene in common wheat

Tocopherols, known collectively as vitamin E, are micronutrients with antioxidant properties synthesized only by photosynthetic organisms that play important roles in human and animal nutrition. The enzyme gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) converts δ- and γ-tocopherol to β- and αtocopherol, which is a committed step to elevate vitamin E activity and nutrition value. Here, we presented the cloning, chromosome location and expression characterization of a cDNA from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that encoded a putative γ-TMT. This gene (designated TaTMT, accession number: DQ139266) had a total length of 1288 bp with an open reading frame of 1098 bp, and encoded a predicted polypeptide of 365 amino acids with a molecular weight of 39.5 kDa and an isoelectric point of 7.2. The deduced amino acid sequence shared high similarity to those of the previously cloned γ-TMT genes from other plants and had a chloroplast transit peptide predicted by TargetP algorithm. Chromosome location of TaTMT based on sequence similarity and map position of the EST was mapped in wheat 6AL, 6BL and 6DL chromosomes. In silico, expression analysis revealed that TaTMT was constitutively expressed in various organs, whereas it was not detectable in callus, cell culture and sheath. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that TaTMT was abundantly expressed in stem and leaf, but was showed very low expression level in root, indicating the expression of TaTMT was tissue specific in photosynthetic organs. However, the expression level of TaTMT was not regulated by high light oxidative stress and this was not surprising because γ-TMT can only convert tocopherol types but not the total volume of antioxidant tocopherols. These molecular analysis results provided fundamental and important information for genetic improvement of bread wheat vitamin E micronutrient quality.
Comparative Effects of Dietary Hemp and Poppy Seed Oil on Lipid Metabolism and the Antioxidant Status in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the dietary inclusion of hemp seed oil (HO) and poppy seed oil (PO) on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant status of lean and genetically obese Zucker rats. The rats were fed a control diet for laboratory rodents or a modification with HO or PO. Both oils reduced body and epididymal fat and liver cholesterol levels and promoted oxidative stress in the liver of obese rats. The HO reduced plasma triglycerides and had a stronger liver cholesterol-lowering effect in obese rats than PO. In the lean rats, HO and PO had no effects on the body fat content, plasma lipid profile, or lipid metabolism in the liver. HO considerably elevated the content of α-linolenic acid in the liver and increased the liver ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the lean rats. In conclusion, the regular consumption of both oils increases the accumulation of essential fatty acids in the liver of healthy animals, whilst not having any adverse effects on the body, whereas in genetically obese rats, the effects of both dietary oils on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant status are unequivocal and only partially beneficial.
Evaluating multiple causes of amphibian declines of Ecuador using geographical quantitative analyses

Amphibians are declining at alarming rates worldwide; however, the causes of these declines remain somewhat elusive. Here we evaluated three major threats implicated in declines of populations and disappearance of Ecuadorian amphibians: chytridiomicosis, climate change, and habitat loss. We assessed spatial patterns of these key threats to Ecuadorian amphibians using a multi-species database of endemic frogs along with information on the pathogen's distribution and environmental requirements, species sensitivity to climate change (indirectly based on species geographical distribution and ecological properties) and habitat loss. Our results show that amphibians display a non-random pattern of extinction risk, both geographically and taxonomically. Further, climate change, chytridiomicosis, and their synergetic effects, are likely currently exerting the greatest impact on amphibians in Ecuador, while habitat loss does not seem to be causing precipitous declines. The most threatened species under the IUCN extinction risk categories are exactly those that appear to be the most affected by these threats. By examining multiple potential causes of amphibian threat level in a spatially explicit framework our study provides new insights about what combination of factors are most important in amphibian declines in a tropical diversity hotspot. Further, our approach and conclusions are useful for studying declines in other regions of the world.
A Comparison of Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Communities on Small Caribbean Islands

Abstract An ongoing survey of macroinvertebrates inhabiting the relatively unstudied freshwater habitats on 14 small Caribbean islands was initiated in 1991. These collections have yielded almost 200 species; when these species are combined with collections previously made by other researchers, a total of at least 328 freshwater macroinvertebrates are now known from these islands. The dominant taxa on the islands include several species of snails, shrimps, mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, and other insects. Many of these species have fairly widespread distributions across the islands. Most stream species are associated with leaf packs, and most pond species are associated with aquatic macrophytes. As is typical of tropical island systems, the macroinvertebrate faunas of these islands are sparse, most likely because of their oceanic origin, their small size, and the frequent disturbances to their freshwater environments.
Seasonal change in pupation behaviour and pupal mortality in a swallowtail butterfly

La plasticidad fenotipica en el color de las pupas es el resultado de un proceso evolutivo que permite a las pupas ser cripticas. Ademas de las caracteristicas del lugar de pupacion, el color de la pupa viene determinado por el fotoperiodo que experimenta la larva. Los fotoperiodos largos y cortos favorecen, respectivamente, la formacion de pupas verdes y marrones. Este polifenismo estacional frecuentemente se correlaciona con el tipo de desarrollo, de manera que las pupas verdes siguen un desarrollo directo mientras que las marrones entran en diapausa. Entre 1996 y 2000, se controlaron los zstadios inmaduros de Iphiclides podalirius sobre sus plantas nutricias naturales en una localidad del noreste de Espana. Se siguio a las larvas hasta su lugar de pupacion, y se anotaron las caracteristicas de dichos lugares y el destino final de las pupas. Antes de agosto, todas las pupas observadas fueron verdes y de desarrollo directo; a principios de agosto, las pupas fueron dimorficas; posteriormente, todas fueron marrones y entraron en diapausa. Tal como predice la teoria, las diferencias entre generaciones sucesivas respecto los lugares de pupacion se relacionaron con el color de las pupas. Las pupas verdes se localizaron sobre la planta nutricia, mientras que las marrones se localizaron entre la hojarasca. La mortalidad oscilo entre el 14,3 y el 100%. La predacion por parte de aves insectivoras fue el principal factor de mortalidad para las pupas verdes y tambien fue importante para las pupas marrones. Los resultados sugieren que la preferencia por la hojarasca como lugar de pupacion en las generaciones que entran en diapausa ha evolucionado para reducir la gran mortalidad que tendria lugar sobre la planta nutricia. En las generaciones de verano, la preferencia por lugares alejados del suelo podria ser el resultado de una respuesta evolutiva tanto frente a los depredadores no visuales (micromamiferos) como visuales (aves).
Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Assessment of Their Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity and Study of Capping Proteins

The development of nanotechnology in the last two decades has led to the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various biomedical applications, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer therapies. However, the potential of the medical application of AgNPs depends on the safety of their use. In this work, we assessed the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles and identified biomolecules covering AgNPs synthesized from actinobacterial strain SH11. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was studied by MTT assay, cell LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) release, and the measurement of ROS (reactive oxygen species) level while genotoxicity in Salmonella typhimurium cells was testing using the Ames test. The in vitro analysis showed that the tested nanoparticles demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against RAW 264.6 macrophages and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, biosynthesized AgNPs did not show a mutagenic effect of S. typhimurium. The analyses and identification of biomolecules present on the surface of silver nanoparticles showed that they were associated with proteins. The SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) analysis revealed the presence of 34 and 43 kDa protein bands. The identification of proteins performed by using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) demonstrated their highest homology to bacterial porins. Capping biomolecules of natural origin may be involved in the synthesis process of AgNPs or may be responsible for their stabilization. Moreover, the presence of natural proteins on the surface of bionanoparticles eliminates the postproduction steps of capping which is necessary for chemical synthesis to obtain the stable nanostructures required for application in medicine.