Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) Diversity and Abundance in Two Quebec Vineyards

Abstract The wine-making region of southern Quebec in Canada experiences growing conditions that are unique in northeastern North America. After an outbreak of insect pests in 1996, a study of insect groups that may include potential pests or beneficial species was initiated. This article reports on the weevil diversity and abundance during three consecutive years of sampling (1997–1999) in two vineyards. All weevils were collected using pitfall and flight intercept traps. In total, 3,176 specimens were collected, representing 73 species in three families of Curculionoidea. The family Curculionidae was the most species rich, especially the subfamilies Ceutorhynchinae, Curculioninae, and Entiminae. Four of the species recorded are known to feed on the genus Vitis (Vitaceae) in North America: Madarellus undulatus (Say), Barypeithes pellucidus (Boheman), Otiorhynchus ovatus (L.), and Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.). Of these, O. sulcatus is thought to represent the greatest potential threat based on adult abundance at one of the sites and the negative impact of this species in other wine-making regions in North America. Four species [Ceutorhynchus oregonensis Dietz, Pelenomus waltoni (Boheman), Rhinoncus perpendicularis (Reiche), and Sphenophorus minimus Hart] are recorded in Quebec for the first time. A significant number of weevils collected during this study are adventive species associated with agroecosystems of northeastern North America.
INFLUENCE OF N-(4-METHOXY-2- NITROPHENYL)-β-ALANINE SODIUM SALT ON RAPE (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) SEED YIELD AND ITS QUALITY

Atlikti N-(4-metoksi-2-nitrofenil)-β-alanino natrio druskos poveikio Land Mark veislės rapsų sėklų derliui ir kokybei tyrimai lauko sąlygomis (2007–2009 m.) ir konstatuota, kad sis junginys padidino vidutinį trejų metų rapsų derlių ir pagerino maistines sėklų savybes, sumažindamas gliukozinolatų ir eruko rūgsties kiekius. Tyrimais įrodyta, kad N-(4-metoksi-2- nitrofenil)-β-alanino natrio druska yra efektyvus rapsų augimo reguliatorius ir gali būti naudojamas pramoniniu mastu. Sio junginio augalų augimą reguliuojantis poveikis sietinas su jam būdingomis osmolitų savybėmis. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ct. 59.1. 1529
The Impact of Molecular Genetics on Plant Pathology

We are in the midst of a biological revolution based on molecular biology. In theory, at least, genes from any organism can be transferred to any other organism, and as a result of our increased understanding of gene regulation in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, many of the transferred genes can be expressed in the recipient. For example, it has recently been shown that genes for resistance to the herbicide glyphosate, present in bacteria, can be transferred to tobacco plants and expressed in them, rendering these plants resistant to glyphosate (22). Such gene transfer was inconceivable just a few years ago. The purpose of this article is to explain to plant pathologists with little or no expertise in molecular biology how this revolution has come about, as well as what impact it has had, is having, and will continue to have on plant pathology. Molecular genetics is a subset of molecular biology; it deals with the study of genes at the molecular level. Today, it usually involves the manipulation of DNA in vitro, which is the focus of this review. Perhaps the earliest use of the term in print was in 1959 when the new Journal of Molecular Biology invited papers on molecular genetics as well as on other aspects of molecular biology. It may be relevant to note that in 1986 "Molecular Plant Pathology" appeared as a section heading in Phytopathology and that, in the same year, the title of the journal Physiological Plant Pathology was changed to Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. Plant pathologists are going molecular.
Rice α‐mannosidase digesting the high mannose glycopeptide of glutelin

α-Mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) from rice dry seeds was purified to homogeneity. Optimum pH and Km for pNP-α-Man hydrolysis were pH 4.3–4.5 and 1.04 mM, respectively. The enzyme digested mannobioses such as Manα-1,2Man, Manα-1,6Man, Manα-1,3Man but Manα-1,4Man. Zn2+ ion was required for the activity, whereas EDTA and swainsonine inhibited the activity by 80 and 96%, respectively. The rice storage protein, glutelin was prepared and its basic subunits were shown to have high mannose-type sugar chains by two-dimensional mapping using NH2-P and C18 silica columns. They were Man9GlcNAc2, Man8GlcNAc2, Man7GlcNAc2, Man6GlcNAc2 and Man5GlcNAc2. All these oligosaccharides were digested by the purified α-mannosidase, and Man-GlcNAc2 and mannose were formed. Glycopeptides, having these high mannose-type sugar chains, could also be digested by the α-mannosidase. Subunits were prepared from glutelin basic subunit and the richest subunit among them, subunit 2 (isoform 2), was digested by the α-mannosidase. Isoform 2 was digested by V8 protease only partially and slowly. However, isoform 2, pre-treated with the α-mannosidase, was rapidly and completely digested by V8 protease.
Machine Learning Clustering for Blood Pressure Variability Applied to Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and the Hong Kong Community Cohort

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to classify the BPV levels using different machine learning algorithms. Visit-to-visit blood pressure readings were extracted from the SPRINT study in the United States and eHealth cohort in Hong Kong (HK cohort). Patients were clustered into low, medium, and high BPV levels with the traditional quantile clustering and 5 machine learning algorithms including K-means. Clustering methods were assessed by Stability Index. Similarities were assessed by Davies-Bouldin Index and Silhouette Index. Cox proportional hazard regression models were fitted to compare the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. A total of 8133 participants had average blood pressure measurement 14.7 times in 3.28 years in SPRINT and 1094 participants who had average blood pressure measurement 165.4 times in 1.37 years in HK cohort. Quantile clustering assigned one-third participants as high BPV level, but machine learning methods only assigned 10% to 27%. Quantile clustering is the most stable method (stability index: 0.982 in the SPRINT and 0.948 in the HK cohort) with some levels of clustering similarities (Davies-Bouldin Index: 0.752 and 0.764, respectively). K-means clustering is the most stable across the machine learning algorithms (stability index: 0.975 and 0.911, respectively) with the lowest clustering similarities (Davies-Bouldin Index: 0.653 and 0.680, respectively). One out of 7 in the population was classified with high BPV level, who showed to have higher risk of stroke and heart failure. Machine learning methods can improve BPV classification for better prediction of cardiovascular diseases.
Effect of heavy ion-beam irradiation on plant growth and mutation induction in Nicotiana tabacum

Ion-beam mutagenesis is a highly effective way to rapidly create new cultivars. To optimize conditions for heavy ion mutagenesis, we irradiated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) tissues at various developmental stages with heavy ion beams of various doses and examined the effects of irradiation by monitoring plant growth and mutation induction. The effects differed among irradiated tissues. Sensitivity to heavy ion-beam irradiation increased in the following order: dry seeds, imbibed seeds, and culture tissues. We isolated three white flower mutants. One, BWF1, was found to be a novel mutant, in which the synthesis of proanthocyanidin was up-regulated. The others may have a mutation in some regulatory genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. These results suggest that the developmental state of plant tissues is critical for efficient plant mutagenesis, and that the broad spectrum of mutations may be induced by heavy ion-beam irradiation at molecular level.
Sperm selection strategies and their impact on assisted reproductive technology outcomes

The application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has revolutionised the treatment of human infertility, giving hope to the patients previously considered incapable of establishing pregnancy. While semen analysis is performed to access whether a sample has an adequate number of viable, motile and morphologically normal sperm cells able to achieve fertilisation, sperm selection techniques for ART aim to isolate the most competent spermatozoon which is characterised by the highest fertilising potential. Based on the semen analysis results, the correct sperm selection technique must be chosen and applied. In this review, different sperm selection strategies for retrieving spermatozoa with the highest fertilising potential and their impact on ART outcomes are discussed. In addition, advantages and disadvantages of each method and the best suited techniques for each clinical scenario are described.
Hsa-miR-425-5p promotes tumor growth and metastasis by activating the CTNND1-mediated β-catenin pathway and EMT in colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with high mortality. However, the roles of miR-425-5p and its underlying mechanism in CRC remain unknown. Here, RT-qPCR confirmed that miR-425-5p expression was increased by miR-425-5p mimic in SW480 cells and decreased by miR-425-5p inhibitor in LOVO cells. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assays revealed that the increased miR-425-5p promoted cell viability, cell cycle entry, migration and invasion in CRC. Besides, miR-425-5p overexpression induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) with upregulation of Fibronectin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and downregulation of E-cadherin. Moreover, miR-425-5p overexpression induced c-myc, Cyclin D1 and MMP7 levels, and promoted β-catenin translocation to the nucleus. Knockdown of miR-425-5p exerted opposite effects. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-425-5p directly targeted CTNND1. Overexpression of miR-425-5p repressed CTNND1 expression at mRNA and protein levels. Silencing of CTNND1 had the inhibitory effect of miR-425-5p inhibitor on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and the activation of β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, miR-425-5p promoted tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. In conclusion, miR-425-5p may promote tumorigenesis and metastasis through activating CTNND1-mediated β-catenin pathway, which may provide therapeutic targets for human CRC.
Prediction of yield loss caused by Orobanche spp. in carrot and pea crops based on the soil seedbank

Root parasites of the genus Orobanche cause serious losses in many subtropical crops. Direct control options are very limited and crop yield loss can reach 100%. Prediction of potential damage in a crop before sowing or planting would support farmers in their choice of crop. This paper discusses the relationship between the number of Orobanche spp. seeds in the field and yield loss in peas (Pisum sativum L.) and carrots (Daucus carota L.) in Israel. Yield loss due to Orobanche crenata Forsk. in peas was 100% at high infestations, whereas in carrots when O. crenata and O. aegyptiaca were present it stabilized at about 50% for moderate infestations of 200 seeds per kg of soil. Statistical analyses related the yield loss from parasitism in peas and carrots to the numbers of Orobanche seeds remaining in the soil. A rectangular hyperbolic model, previously applied to competition data, fitted the data well. Confidence intervals for per cent yield loss were calculated using the bootstrap method. The practical applications of these models in predicting yield loss are discussed.
Tolerability considerations for gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for endometriosis

ABSTRACT Introduction The second-line treatment of endometriosis-related pain symptoms includes injectable depot formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH-as). These drugs improve the symptomatology by inducing a hypoestrogenic status and a consequent regression of endometriotic implants. However, GnRH-a may cause a not negligible rate of adverse events, in particular vasomotor symptoms and bone mineral density loss, that may limit patients’ adherence and safety on long-term treatment. Several strategies have been suggested to improve the compliance to treatment. Areas covered This narrative review aims to give an overview of the safety and tolerability of GnRH-a therapy and to present the different options of steroidal and non-steroidal add-back therapies in order to reduce the hypoestrogenic side effects. Expert opinion Side effects of long term GnRH-a treatment are particularly relevant. Although it has been known the efficacy of GnRH-as for treating endometriosis-associated pain, the best schedules of therapy in terms of duration and dosages are still to be defined. The ideal treatment schedule of GnRH-a is still a matter of debate as to the optimal add-back combination.
Cumulative soft drink consumption is associated with insulin resistance in Mexican adults.

BACKGROUND Insulin resistance (IR) is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other cardiometabolic diseases. Recent studies suggest that soft drink consumption could increase IR. However, inconsistent findings have been observed. OBJECTIVE The aim was to estimate the association between the cumulative consumption of soft drinks and IR by means of the HOMA-IR in Mexican adults. METHODS We analyzed the association between cumulative consumption of soft drinks and HOMA-IR change after 7 y of follow-up in participants (n = 1073) of the Health Workers Cohort Study. Soft drink consumption was estimated by food-frequency questionnaires. Insulin was measured by chemiluminescence, and fasting glucose was measured with the enzymatic colorimetric method. HOMA-IR was computed as fasting insulin (mIU/L) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. To assess the relation between cumulative soft drink consumption and HOMA-IR change, we performed robust linear regression models. Additionally, we used fixed-effects models to estimate the association between changes in soft drink consumption and change in HOMA-IR. RESULTS At baseline, the average age was 44 y. Mean cumulative soft drink consumption was 0.42 servings/d. Median HOMA-IR increased from 1.5 at baseline to 2.0 at follow-up. Soft drink consumption was positively associated with HOMA-IR change. In the multiple linear regression analysis, for each increase in the consumption of 2 (355 mL) soft drinks/d, the average change between baseline and follow-up HOMA-IR showed an increase of 1.11 units (95% CI: 0.74, 1.48). CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis that, in Mexican adults, a higher soft drink consumption is associated with an increase in HOMA-IR, despite known risk factors. These findings support the need for reinforcing policies to reduce soft drink consumption in our population.
CARD14E138A signalling in keratinocytes induces TNF-dependent skin and systemic inflammation

To investigate how the CARD14E138A psoriasis-associated mutation induces skin inflammation, a knock-in mouse strain was generated that allows tamoxifen-induced expression of the homologous Card14E138A mutation from the endogenous mouse Card14 locus. Heterozygous expression of CARD14E138A rapidly induced skin acanthosis, immune cell infiltration and expression of psoriasis-associated pro-inflammatory genes. Homozygous expression of CARD14E138A induced more extensive skin inflammation and a severe systemic disease involving infiltration of myeloid cells in multiple organs, temperature reduction, weight loss and organ failure. This severe phenotype resembled acute exacerbations of generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare form of psoriasis that can be caused by CARD14 mutations in patients. CARD14E138A-induced skin inflammation and systemic disease were independent of adaptive immune cells, ameliorated by blocking TNF and induced by CARD14E138A signalling only in keratinocytes. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory therapies specifically targeting keratinocytes, rather than systemic biologicals, might be effective for GPP treatment early in disease progression.
Effects of dietary energy and nitrogen supplements on rumen fermentation and protozoa population in buffalo and zebu cattle

The effects were assessed of two energy sources in concentrate (ground grain corn vs. citrus pulp) and two nitrogen sources (soybean meal vs. urea) on rumen metabolism in four buffaloes and four zebu cattle (Nellore) with rumen cannula and fed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with feeds containing 60% sugar cane. Energy supplements had no effect on the rumen ammonia concentration in cattle, but ground grain corn promoted higher ammonia level than citrus pulp in buffalo. Urea produced higher ammonia level than soybean meal in both animal species. On average, the buffaloes maintained a lower rumen ammonia concentration (11.7 mg/dL) than the cattle (14.5 mg/dL). Buffaloes had lower production of acetic acid than cattle (58.7 vs. 61.6 mol/100 mol) and higher of propionic acid (27.4 vs. 23.6 mol/100 mol). There was no difference in the butyric acid production between the buffaloes (13.6 mol/100 mol) and cattle (14.8 mol/100 mol) and neither in the total volatile fatty acids concentration (82.5 vs. 83.6 mM, respectively). The energy or nitrogen sources had no effect on rumen protozoa count in either animal species. The zebu cattle had higher rumen protozoa population (8.8 × 105/mL) than the buffaloes (6.1 × 105/mL). The rumen protozoa population differed between the animal species, except for Dasytricha and Charonina. The buffaloes had a lower Entodinium population than the cattle (61.0 vs 84.9%, respectively) and a greater percentage of species belonging to the Diplodiniinae subfamily than the cattle (28.6 vs. 1.4%, respectively). In cattle, ground corn is a better energy source than citrus pulp for use by Entodinium and Diplodiniinae. In the buffaloes, the Entodinium are favored by urea and Diplodiniinae species by soybean meal.
Comparison of the content of crude protein and amino acids in the whole bodies of cocks and hens of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids at the end of fattening.

Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and the content of individual amino acids (AA) were deter - mined in the bodies of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids including feathers after 40 days of fattening. Percentages for the content of individual AA were then calculated from the total sums of AA. The level of CP, irrespective of sex, was 453.16 ± 5.916 g/kg of DM for the Ross and 470.94 ± 5.404 g/kg of DM for the Cobb hybrid ( P ≤ higher values were found in cocks. Of the total sums of AA in DM of Ross broilers, the largest presence (here and after in %) was that of Glu (14.92), followed by Leu (8.80), Asp (8.73), Gly (8.71), Arg (7.21), Val (6.33), and Pro (6.09). The lowest contents were those of Met (2.41) and His (3.28). For the Cobb hybrid, the AA were Glu (13.90), Asp (9.12), Gly (8.48), Leu (8.43), Arg (7.48), Lys (6.44), and Pro (6.09). The AA lowest contents were those of Met (2.30) and His (3.16).
Compliance of Antihypertensive Medication and Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019: a Cohort Study Using Big Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service

Background There is a controversy whether it is safe to continue renin-angiotensin system blockers in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We analyzed big data to investigate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor blockers have any significant effect on the risk of COVID-19. Population-based cohort study was conducted based on the prescription data from nationwide health insurance records. Methods We investigated the 1,374,381 residents aged ≥ 40 years living in Daegu, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, between February and March 2020. Prescriptions of antihypertensive medication during the year before the outbreak were extracted from the National Health Insurance Service registry. Medications were categorized by types and stratified by the medication possession ratios (MPRs) of antihypertensive medications after controlling for the potential confounders. The risk of COVID-19 was estimated using a difference in difference analysis. Results Females, older individuals, low-income earners, and recently hospitalized patients had a higher risk of infection. Patients with higher MPRs of antihypertensive medications had a consistently lower risk of COVID-19 than those with lower MPRs of antihypertensive medications and non-users. Among patients who showed complete compliance, there was a significantly lower risk of COVID-19 for those prescribed angiotensin II receptor blockers (relative risk [RR], 0.751; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.587–0.960) or calcium channel blockers (RR, 0.768; 95% CI, 0.601–0.980). Conclusion Renin-angiotensin system blockers or other antihypertensive medications do not increase the risk of COVID-19. Patients should not stop antihypertensive medications, including renin-angiotensin system blockers, because of concerns of COVID-19.
Mitochondrial genes: signals and noise in the phylogenetic reconstruction of the annual killifish genus Cynolebias (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae)

The genus Cynolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) is a locally endemic and speciose group of Neotropical fishes with an annual life cycle. Members of the genus vary greatly in morphology and behaviour, and extensive interspecific karyotypic divergence has been documented among species from Uruguay, Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We present a molecular systematic hypothesis of the relationships between these Cynolebias species based on phylogenetic analysis of a combined dataset containing 1825 base pairs of DNA sequence, representing three mitochondrial genes. The protein-coding cytochrome-b gene, the 12S and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes, alone and in combination, yield robust support for monophyly within Cynolebias. Furthermore, our analyses identify two major Cynolebias clades, one of which contains at least four monophyletic groups. Corrected mtDNA genetic distances range from 5.2 to 17.5% between Cynolebias species, and application of a molecular clock suggests the occurrence of two pulses of cladogenesis, one in the late Miocene and another in the Pliocene–Pleistocene. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 76, 49–59.
A New Barremian (Early Cretaceous) Ichthyosaur from Western Russia

ABSTRACT A new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur, Sveltonectes insolitus, gen. et sp. nov., is described from a sub-complete and three-dimensionally preserved specimen from the late Barremian of western Russia. This new taxon is supported by 11 cranial, dental, and postcranial autapomorphies, and is also characterized by features previously considered as autapomorphic for some other Ophthalmosauridae, such as a processus narialis on the prefrontal and relatively long hind fins with pre- and postaxial accessory digits. We conducted a new phylogenetic analysis of Thunnosauria, which supports a ‘Stenopterygius’ origin for Ophthalmosauridae. Sveltonectes is regarded as the sister taxon of Aegirosaurus, which shares a similar skull roof construction. Contrary to most other Cretaceous ichthyosaurs, Sveltonectes is characterized by delicate and sharply pointed teeth, confirming that the ophthalmosaurids were ecologically highly diversified during the Early Cretaceous.