Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response to selection and genetic drift in three populations derived from the golden glow maize population

Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) in maize (Zea mays L.) is used to develop populations with superior combining ability, and it is usually assumed that these populations must be genetically distinct for RRS to be effective. Starting from two randomly derived subpopulations, GG(A) and GG(B), of the open-pollinated maize population 'Golden Glow' (GGC0), we conducted six cycles of full-sib RRS for grain yield and moisture. Our objectives were to (i) document selection response; (ii) evaluate inter and intrapopulation genetic diversity; and (iii) review selection response relative to gene action, heterosis, inbreeding, and genetic drift. We performed a generation means analysis (GMA) using GG(A), GG(B), and a third population of Golden Glow developed by 21 cycles of mass selection for prolificacy, GG(MP). Field performance was evaluated at four environments in Wisconsin. We analyzed allele frequency changes using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Selection response for grain yield of GG(A) x GG(B) population crosses was 5.3 g plant(-1) cycle(-1). Grain moisture and root lodging decreased by -0.5% cycle(-1) and -5.2% cycle(-1), while prolificacy increased by 0.03 ears cycle(-1). After six cycles of RRS, GG(A) and GG(B) diverged genetically from each other, as well as from GG(MP)C21 and Golden Glow. Gene diversity within GG(A) and GG(B) decreased. However, total gene diversity over both GG(A) and GG(B) did not change over cycles of RRS. Genetic drift did not appear to seriously impede selection response. Most of the selection response, regardless of trait, selection method, or subpopulation, was attributed to additive genetic effects.
A Novel Wearable Device for Motor Recovery of Hand Function in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Background. In monkey, reticulospinal connections to hand and forearm muscles are spontaneously strengthened following corticospinal lesions, likely contributing to recovery of function. In healthy humans, pairing auditory clicks with electrical stimulation of a muscle induces plastic changes in motor pathways (probably including the reticulospinal tract), with features reminiscent of spike-timing dependent plasticity. In this study, we tested whether pairing clicks with muscle stimulation could improve hand function in chronic stroke survivors. Methods. Clicks were delivered via a miniature earpiece; transcutaneous electrical stimuli at motor threshold targeted forearm extensor muscles. A wearable electronic device (WD) allowed patients to receive stimulation at home while performing normal daily activities. A total of 95 patients >6 months poststroke were randomized to 3 groups: WD with shock paired 12 ms before click; WD with clicks and shocks delivered independently; standard care. Those allocated to the device used it for at least 4 h/d, every day for 4 weeks. Upper-limb function was assessed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 8 using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), which has 4 subdomains (Grasp, Grip, Pinch, and Gross). Results. Severity across the 3 groups was comparable at baseline. Only the paired stimulation group showed significant improvement in total ARAT (median baseline: 7.5; week 8: 11.5; P = .019) and the Grasp subscore (median baseline: 1; week 8: 4; P = .004). Conclusion. A wearable device delivering paired clicks and shocks over 4 weeks can produce a small but significant improvement in upper-limb function in stroke survivors.
A new standard radiographic reference for proximal fibular height in children

Background and purpose — To date there is a lack of studies defining the anatomical position of the proximal fibula. This is especially relevant when planning surgical interventions affecting the knee joint such as permanent or temporary epiphysiodesis to correct leg length discrepancies or angular deformities in growing patients. The goal of this study is to establish a standardized measurement technique and radiological reference values for the position of the proximal fibula in children. Patients and methods — 500 measurements were performed in calibrated long standing anteroposterior radiographs of 256 skeletally immature patients (8–16 years; 233 female, 267 male legs). As a radiographic reference in the frontal plane, the distance between the center of the proximal tibial growth plate and a line tangential to the tip of the fibular head and horizontal to the imaging plane was measured (dPTFH). Results — The average value of dPTFH in the studied population (median age 12 years) was –2.7 mm (SD 3, CI –3.0 to –2.5) and normally distributed (p = 0.1). There were no clinically significant sex or age-dependent differences. The inter-rater reliability analysis showed excellent ICC values (ICC = 0.88; CI 0.77–0.93). Interpretation — This study provides a new radiographic reference value to assess the position of the proximal fibula in relation to the proximal tibia in children and adolescents. This reference can aid preoperative decision-making as to whether additional fibular epiphysiodesis is necessary when performing tibial epiphysiodesis to correct moderate leg-length discrepancies.
SARS-CoV-2 strategically mimics proteolytic activation of human ENaC

Molecular mimicry is an evolutionary strategy adopted by viruses to exploit the host cellular machinery. We report that SARS-CoV-2 has evolved a unique S1/S2 cleavage site, absent in any previous coronavirus sequenced, resulting in the striking mimicry of an identical FURIN-cleavable peptide on the human epithelial sodium channel α-subunit (ENaC-α). Genetic alteration of ENaC-α causes aldosterone dysregulation in patients, highlighting that the FURIN site is critical for activation of ENaC. Single cell RNA-seq from 66 studies shows significant overlap between expression of ENaC-α and the viral receptor ACE2 in cell types linked to the cardiovascular-renal-pulmonary pathophysiology of COVID-19. Triangulating this cellular characterization with cleavage signatures of 178 proteases highlights proteolytic degeneracy wired into the SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle. Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into a global pandemic may be driven in part by its targeted mimicry of ENaC-α, a protein critical for the homeostasis of airway surface liquid, whose misregulation is associated with respiratory conditions.
Influence of Dietary Fats and Estradiol 17 Beta Monopalmitate Upon the Edible Meat Yield of Roaster Chickens

Abstract THE beneficial effects of estrogenic type hormones for finishing roaster chickens have been known and studied for a number of years. The first material to gain wide commercial application in the poultry industry was diethylstilbestrol. The many advantages of this material as a finishing agent have been well examined and one attribute was that its use increased the dressing percentage (Detwiler et al., 1950; Fromm and Margolf, 1956). An amendment to the Pure Food and Drug law in 1962 prevented further use of diethylstilbestrol as a finishing agent in poultry. Diligent search for a material which would be acceptable for use in poultry was climaxed with the Food and Drug Administration approval of estradiol-17 beta-mono-palmitate in 1964. It has been reported that, among other attributes, this substance is also capable of increasing the dressing percentage or eviscerated yield (Wesley et al., 1965; Megally and Stadelman, 1967). The work reported here .
Downregulation of miRNA-146a-5p promotes malignant transformation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells by glioma stem-like cells

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are promising carriers in cell-based therapies against central nervous system diseases, and have been evaluated in various clinical trials in recent years. However, bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) are reportedly involved in tumorigenesis initiated by glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). We therefore established three different orthotopic models of GSC-MSC interactions in vivo using dual-color fluorescence tracing. Cell sorting and micropipetting techniques were used to obtain highly proliferative MSC monoclones from each model, and these cells were identified as transformed MSC lines 1, 2 and 3. Nineteen miRNAs were upregulated and 24 miRNAs were downregulated in all three transformed MSC lines compared to normal BMSCs. Reduced miR-146a-5p expression in the transformed MSCs was associated with their proliferation, malignant transformation and overexpression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D. These findings suggest that downregulation of miR-146a-5p leads to overexpression of its target gene, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D, thereby promoting malignant transformation of MSCs during interactions with GSCs. Given the risk that MSCs will undergo malignant transformation in the glioma microenvironment, targeted glioma therapies employing MSCs as therapeutic carriers should be considered cautiously.
Blood Pressure and Risks of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Controversies persist regarding the association between blood pressure (BP) and the risks of cognitive impairment and dementia due to inconsistent definitions of BP exposure and varying population characteristics. Here, we searched PubMed and performed a meta-analysis of the influence of BP exposure on the risks of cognitive disorders in prospective studies. Dose-response analyses were performed to illustrate the existence of linear/nonlinear relationships. The credibility of each meta-analysis was evaluated according to the risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. Of the 31 628 citations, 209 were included in our systematic review, among which 136 were eligible for the meta-analysis. Overall, stronger associations were found in midlife than late-life. Moderate-quality evidence indicated that midlife hypertension was related to a 1.19- to 1.55-fold excess risk of cognitive disorders. Dose-response analyses of 5 studies indicated that midlife systolic BP >130 mm Hg was associated with an increased risk of cognitive disorders. With regard to BP exposure in late-life, high systolic BP, low diastolic BP, excessive BP variability, and orthostatic hypotension were all associated with an increased dementia risk. Encouragingly, the use of antihypertensive medications exhibited a 21% reduction in dementia risk. The U-shaped dose-response curve indicated that the protective window of diastolic BP level was between 90 and 100 mm Hg for low risk of Alzheimer disease. The relationships between BP variables and cognitive disorders are age- and BP type-dependent. Antihypertensive medications were associated with a reduced risk of dementia. However, the optimal dose, duration, and type for preventing cognitive disorders warrant further investigation.
Hypertension and heart failure: focus on high-risk populations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hypertension is a common, modifiable precursor to heart failure. Lifetime risk for development varies across age, sex, race and ability to achieve adequate blood pressure control. RECENT FINDINGS Although meta-analyses seemingly support intensive blood pressure control to reduce incident heart failure, randomized clinical trials are limited and do not enroll a large number of female, minority, elderly or treatment-resistant patients. Heterogeneity further adds to complexity; however, enhanced cognizance of these disparities can aid clinicians in creating patient-centered care plans. SUMMARY High-risk populations constitute an overwhelming percentage of the comorbid disease burden. Future clinical trials must reflect this diverse population to truly determine appropriate blood pressure targets and pharmacotherapy to reduce cardiovascular events.
Anatomical description of the origin and distribution of the lumbosacral plexus in one puma (Puma concolor)

Wild felids often suffer spinal and limb disorders; however, their nervous system anatomy is poorly studied. Herein, the lumbosacral plexus (Plexus lumbosacralis) of an adult puma and the motor and sensitive innervation of the pelvic limb is described. We found anatomical similarities to other felids, but also some differences. Branches L4‐S3 form the lumbosacral plexus (Plexus lumbosacralis) in the puma. The femoral nerve (N. femoris) arises from the union of L4‐L5, while in other felids, it is formed by L5‐L6. Unlike in the cat, the sartorius muscle receives branches from the saphenous (N. saphenous) and femoral nerves (N. femoris), and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles are innervated by a branch of the soleus muscle.
Wood and Stem Anatomy of Saururaceae with Reference to Ecology, Phylogeny, and Origin of the Monocotyledons

Stern and rhizome anatomy is reported for Anemopsis californica Hook. , Houttuynia cordata Thunb. , and Saururus cernuus L. Secondary growth is reported for the first time in Saururaceae. Cambia function indefinitely in Anemopsis in both fascicular and interfascicular areas. Interfascicular cambium is minimal in Saururus and absent in Houttuynia; fascicular cambium is present in both genera and produces a finite quantity of vessels, fiber-tracheids, and axial parenchyma but no rays. Anemopsis has vessels with simple perforation plates plus tracheids in wood, suggestive of adaptation to fluctuating water availability. The scalariform perforation plates of Houttuynia and Saururus suggest an unbroken history of occupancy of mesic habitats. Ethereal oil cells are reported for rays of Anemopsis, and for pith and cortex of the three genera studied. Stern idioblasts and other histologieal details are ineluded along with wood data in anatomical deseriptions of sterns. DNA data as weIl as maeromorphologie al data implicate Saururaeeae, along with Aristolochiaceae, Lactoridaceae, and Piperaceae as paleoherbs elose to the origin of monoeotyledons. Key wood features that unite these families are cited. Chloranthaeeae, whieh share stern endodermis and sealariform perforation plates with Saururaeeae, are also considered elose. Features of Saururaceae that are analyzed with respeet to monoeotyledon origin inelude loss of interfaseieular cambium, minimization of faseieular cambium, lack of imperforate traeheary elements in monocotyledon bundles, trimery, the sympodial habit, and production of adventitious roots.
Macular Hole Closure Without Endotamponade Application

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Purpose: We describe an alternative vitreoretinal technique that allows for the macular hole closure without filling the vitreous cavity with gas. Methods: A prospective interventional one-center case series from March 2019 to January 2020. The patients underwent the formation of viscoelastic-assisted temporal internal limiting membrane flap without any gas endotamponade. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and foveal structure in optical coherence tomography images were evaluated. Results: Macular hole closure was achieved with a single procedure in 11 of 12 eyes with no endotamponade application. Preoperative, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 1.11 (Snellen equivalent 20/258) ± 0.28 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (range 1.398–0.523). We were able to assess visual acuity as early as on the first postoperative day in all patients. It ranged from 1.398 to 0.523 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent 20/500–20/67) with a mean of 0.97 (20/186) ± 0.29. Final best-corrected visual acuity was 0.31 (Snellen equivalent 20/40) ± 0.18 (range 0.699–0.1) at the end of the 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: This technique avoids the application of any tamponade, does not require positioning, and seems to provide macular hole closure rates similar to those of traditional vitrectomy with gas.
Male meiosis in sweet cherry is constrained by the chilling and forcing phases of dormancy.

Male meiosis in temperate fruit trees occurs in the anthers once a year synchronized with the seasons. The alternation of dormant and growth cycles determines the optimum moment for the male gametophyte formation, a sensitive process to both cold and warm temperatures. This ensures pollen viability and subsequent reproduction success that guarantee fruit production. In this work, we explore how male meiosis frame in seasonality in sweet cherry. For this purpose, the dormant phases, male meiosis, and blooming dates were established in four cultivars with different flowering dates and chilling requirements over seven seasons. The chilling and heat requirements for each cultivar were empirically estimated, and chilling and heat temperatures were quantified according to the Dynamic and Growing Degree Hours (GDH) models respectively. Endodormancy was overcome approximately a fortnight earlier during the colder winters than during the milder winters. Against our initial hypothesis, these differences were not clearly reflected in the time of male meiosis. The period between chilling fulfillment and meiosis lasted several weeks in which a high amount of GDH accumulated. Results showed that male meiosis is conditioned by endodormancy but especially by warm temperatures during the forcing period. This differs from that described in other related species and opens a frame for further studies to understand the strategies of synchronizing dormancy with seasons.
Microelement composition of serum in Dolgans, indigenous inhabitants of the Russian Arctic, in the conditions of industrial development of territories

ABSTRACT The geochemical conditions of landscapes are the content in the environment of certain chemical elements and their compounds, the lack or excess of which causes deviations in the state of human health. This problem has arisen in connection with the extraction of alluvial diamonds and the forthcoming development of the Tomtor deposit of rare-earth metals in the territories where the indigenous peoples of the North live. The study included 107 indigenous people of the North, belonging to the ethnic group of Dolgans living in the village of Yuryung-Khaya, Anabar district, Yakutia of Russia. The method of mass spectrometry was used to study the content of 13 trace elements in blood serum (P, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cs, Pb). The study revealed an increase in the content of the macroelement phosphorus (148 mg/L) and trace elements of chromium (277 μg/L), manganese (133 μg/L), iron (5219 μg/L), nickel (57 μg/L) in serum of Dolgans, which may affect the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system and other diseases among indigenous inhabitants of the Arctic under conditions of industrial development of territories.
‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.)

Abstract ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ narrow‐leaved plantain was bred by four generations of selection from 109 seed populations, collected mainly from the Manawatu region, New Zealand. Compared with this highly varied base germplasm, Lancelot is a rosette‐forming cultivar but is more erect, densely‐tillered, productive, and uniform. Lancelot has been evaluated in pure and mixed swards under sheep grazing. The growth rate of animals is not high from feeding on pure swards if the foliage is rank or at the heading stage, both of which reduce intake. Carcass characteristics of sheep fed plantain are typical for their growth rates and the meat flavours/odours are typical of those fed grasses, less intense than those fed legumes. Animal performances from plantain/legume mixtures have matched those of other species in legume mixtures. There are indications that Lancelot has several mild ‘medicinal’ effects: anthelmintic activity in test tube assays (though not in grazing trials); antibiotic effect on rumen flora; high.
Online Learning Algorithm for Distributed Convex Optimization With Time-Varying Coupled Constraints and Bandit Feedback

This article focuses on multiagent distributed-constrained optimization problems in a dynamic environment, in which a group of agents aims to cooperatively optimize a sum of time-changing local cost functions subject to time-varying coupled constraints. Both the local cost functions and constraint functions are unrevealed to an individual agent until an action is submitted. We first investigate a gradient-feedback scenario, where each agent can access both values and gradients of cost functions and constraint functions owned by itself at the chosen action. Then, we design a distributed primal–dual online learning algorithm and show that the proposed algorithm can achieve the sublinear bounds for both the regret and constraint violations. Furthermore, we extend the gradient-feedback algorithm to a gradient-free setup, where an individual agent has only attained the values of local cost functions and constraint functions at two queried points near the selected action. We develop a bandit version of the previous method and give the explicitly sublinear bounds on the expected regret and expected constraint violations. The results indicate that the bandit algorithm can achieve almost the same performance as the gradient-feedback algorithm under wild conditions. Finally, numerical simulations on an electric vehicle charging problem demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Effects of an Edible Coating and Cold Storage on Shelf-life and Quality of Cherries

The effects of an edible coating, i.e. SemperfreshTM and cold storage on shelf-life and quality of cherries were studied. Two groups of cherries (Prunus avium) were coated just after harvest with 10 and 20 g/L SemperfreshTM fruit coating which is composed of sucrose esters of fatty acids, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and mono-diglycerides of fatty acids. Half of the cherries from each of the above groups was stored at ambient temperature (∼30±3 °C) and at 40–50% relative humidity, the other half of the cherries was stored at cold storage (0 °C) and at 95–98% relative humidity. Each group was analysed for the following quality parameters: firmness, weight loss, titratable acidity, soluble solid content, sugar content, ascorbic acid content, and external color. It was demonstrated that SemperfreshTM was effective to reduce the weight loss and increase firmness, ascorbic acid content, titratable acidity and skin color of cherries during storage time. However, soluble solid content and sugar content were not affected by coating. The results of this study suggest that SemperfreshTM increased the shelf-life of the cherries by 21% at 30±3 °C and by 26% at 0 °C without perceptible losses in quality.
The Influence of Feeding Time and Frequency on the Growth, Survival, Feed Conversion, and Body Composition of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Cultured in a Three-Tier, Closed, Recirculating Raceway System

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted over two years to establish a feeding strategy which would optimize growth, feed conversion, and survival of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in three-tier, closed, recirculating raceway systems. Small and large fingerling channel catfish (mean weights of 26 g/fish and 219 g/fish, respectively) were stocked into culture systems and maintained for 70 and 120 days, respectively. Three feeding treatments were examined in this study. The treatments were: channel catfish fed 3% of body weight once daily at 0800; channel catfish fed 3% of body weight once daily at 1700; and channel catfish fed 1.5% of body weight twice daily at 0800 and 1700. Raceway effluent total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) levels 6.5 hours post-feeding for small and large channel catfish in the single feeding treatments were twice (P<0.05) those of channel catfish receiving the daily ration over two feedings. The feeding treatments examined were found not to significantly influence the response variables of th.