Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphism in myostatin gene and athletic performance in Nordic horse breeds

Athletic performance including working ability, riding, racing and endurance has played a leading role in horse breeding possibly since their domestication. Even though traits of athletic performance are considered as complex and dependant on environment, management and training, it has been shown that heritability of some performance traits can be considerably high. Skeletal muscle system seems to be a key factor to exceptional athletic performance and numerous studies in other species (dogs, humans, sheep, cattle etc.) have shown that polymorphisms in MSTN gene can be responsible for phenotypic changes in muscle tissues. Several studies focusing on horse MSTN gene region have been made and some significant associations discovered in Thoroughbred populations. The main objective of this study is to estimate the allele frequencies of the g.66493737 SNP, which is the strongest associated SNP with the optimim race distance, and some additional SNPs (two in a promoter region and one downstream the gene) in MSTN gene of Nordic horse breeds and correlate them with performance trait data to create a deeper understanding of the gene’s influence on performance ability in horses. For analysis 25 horse breeds and four Donkey and Przewalski’s horse individuals were selected. Four SNP marker positions (g.65868604G>T, g.66493737C>T, g.66495696G>A, g.66495826G>A) and one insertion (Ins227) were chosen based on previously published research results. For genotyping SNPs real time PCR TaqMan approach and touchdown PCR for detection of Ins227 was used. Phenotypic data of performance traits were correlated with inferred haplotypes of Icelandic Horse and Coldblooded Trotters using R software. Results revealed segregation in all SNP marker positions, having variable allele frequencies between breeds and lacking g.66495696G homozygous individuals. No Ins227 allele was detected, except those in Thoroughbred horses and one heterozygous individual of Swedish Warmblood. Haplotype association resulted in some significant haplotype effects on proportions (p-value<0.05) and tolt - running walk - ability (p-value<0.05) in Icelandic horse. More significant effect was detected for Coldblooded Trotters where both haplotypes having mutation in proximal promoter region had a significant effect on total BLUP value and BLUP values for Position, Earnings and Time. Haplotype having g.66495696G allele shoved the most significant association having p-values from 0.029 for Start status BLUP value to 0.001 for Position and Earnings. Finally, we can conclude that tested polymorphisms in MSTN gene are widespread in Nordic Horse breeds and there are indications that some of them might have a functional effect on horse performance traits. In addition, we have obtained specific directions of further research possibilities.
Socio-Economic Determinants of Child Nutritional Status: Boys versus Girls

The inverse relationship between household socio-economic status (SES) and child mortality has been observed in many developing countries [1-5]. Child nutritional status was postulated to be one of the major pathways by which SES affects child mortality [6], and the positive relationship between SES and child nutritional status has also been documented in many studies [7-13] . But in most cases the relationship was examined in a univariate situation which neither allows one to assess the total importance of SES nor singles out any particular variable while controlling the effect of others. Moreover, while boys and girls were both included in the groups studied, the sex of the children was not considered in the analysis. Yet in societies where parents have a strong preference for male offspring, one suspects that the relationship between SES and child nutrition is different for boys and girls. In this paper, multivariate linear models of the relationship between child nutritional status and household socio-economic characteristics have been developed separately for boys and girls using data from a rural area of Bangladesh.
A COMPARISON OF INTRAVENOUS ONDANSETRON AND PALONOSETRON IN PREVENTING POST-OPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY

Objectives: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a frequently experienced complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study was planned to compare the antiemetic efficacy of palonosetron with ondansetron in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods: A total of 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups. Group O (n=50) received ondansetron (8 mg) and Group P (n=50) received palonosetron (0.075 mg) 3 min before induction of anesthesia. Post-operatively, patients were assessed for the occurrence of nausea, retching, or vomiting at 0–2, 2–6, 6–24, 0–24, and 24–48 h time intervals. The overall incidence of PONV in time frame (0–48 h) was determined. The need of rescue antiemetic, side effect profile, and patient satisfaction scores were also assessed.Results: The incidence and severity of nausea at all the time intervals were comparable in the two groups. The incidence of vomiting was significantly less in Group P as compared to Group O in 0–2 h (2% vs. 14%, p=0.027) and 0–24 h time intervals (10% vs. 30%, p=0.012). The overall incidence of PONV in 0–48h was lesser in Group P as compared to Group O (28% vs. 50%, p=0.024). Rescue antiemetic was required in greater number of patients in Group O as compared to Group P (p=0.038). Side effect profile and patient satisfaction scores were comparable in the two groups.Conclusion: Palonosetron is better than ondansetron in lowering the overall incidence of PONV in 0–48 h time interval, in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Endoscopic imaging and image-guided sampling for pancreatic neoplasia

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides high-resolution images of the pancreas. There are two fundamental echoendoscope designs, yet no data support use of one type over the other. Once lesion is detected, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is performed, but standard (STN) processing techniques can be associated with limited cellularity, leading to evaluation of novel filter-clot (FC) cellblock technique. With improved quality of EUS-FNA samples, it may be possible to pre-operatively evaluate biomarker status of pancreatic lesions to better risk stratify and tailor future treatments to individual patients. Aims: 1) To compare pancreatic lesion detection rates using radial and linear EUS and to determine incremental diagnostic yield of second EUS exam in tandem study. 2) To compare diagnostic yield and accuracy of STN and FC techniques of processing EUS-FNA samples. 3) To determine whether DPC4 gene status using EUS-FNA samples correlate with clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. Methods: High-risk individuals (HRIs) in screening program underwent radial or linear EUS or tandem radial and linear EUS in randomized order. Pancreatic lesion detection rates were compared. EUS-FNA samples during a 13-month period were used to compare the sample adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of STN and FC techniques. Retrospective review was performed evaluating whether Dpc4 immunolabeling status in EUS-FNA samples of PC patients correlated with pattern of disease progression and clinical outcomes.
Isolation and Identification Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria from Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 11 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com Silent presence of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) has been observed since last 100 years, but now the increasing incidence of NTM is threatening the successful implementation of ongoing Tuberculosis control programme. While for identification and control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis many advanced efforts are being made, at the same time the silently growing menace of non-tuberculous mycobacterium is receiving little attention. This study is aimed at providing early and accurate detection of NTM from isolated mycobacterium by using routine biochemical tests. In the laboratory, specimen were processed by modified Petroff”s and cultured in a pair of Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and MGIT culture, samples were processed by NALC NaOH method, and inoculated in MGIT culture tube. The LJ medium were incubated at 37°C for 8 weeks and LJ slopes were examined daily for one weak and then every week for colonies of acid fast bacilli (AFB). Once the growth appeared, it was confirmed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Mycobacterium isolates were identified by batteries of biochemical tests. All the identification tests were standardized and monitored by including standard mycobacterium cultures as positive and negative controls. During the study period, a total of 4104 culture positive for Mycobacterium were found which included LJ positive (3060) and MGIT positive (1044) cultures. The total 60 mycobacterium growths were identified as NTM which included 41 NTM from LJ positive culture and 19 from MGIT culture. NTM isolated using LJ culture from the male was 29 and in female 12. In MGIT culture system NTM isolated were 13 from male and 06 from female Tb suspects. The mycobacterium species identification results showed that NTM isolated in our laboratory belong to all the 4 groups of runyon classification. Total number of NTM found was as follows: in Gr1 (5,) Gr 11 (08), Gr111 (31) and Gr1V (16). The most common species identified in this study was M. simae (12%) followed by M. avium (10), M. gordonae (08%) and M. kansasi (08%) etc. The study showed that most of the NTMs were isolated from sputum (37%) followed by pleural pus (21.66), Lymph node aspirate (20%), pleural fluid (7%), bronchial wash (8%), pus (3%), CSF (1.66%) and ascitic fluid (1.66%). The isolation of NTMs from all types of samples indicated that they not only cause pulmonary but are also responsible for extra pulmonary diseases. This study is giving a clear message to clinical microbiologists that any positive growth of Mycobacterium cannot be left for discard till the whole process of identification and sensitivity of the organism is complete. K e y w o r d s Non tuberculous mycobacterium, Loweinstein Jensen media, Mycobacterium avium Accepted: 22 October 2018 Available Online: 10 November 2018 Article Info Int.J.Curr.Microbiol. App.Sci (2018) 7(11): xx-xx
Conseqncias da multicolinearidade sobre a anlise de trilha em canola

The statistical multivariate analysis has a widespread use by researchers, creating a large demand for specific knowledge regarding its application concerning its assumptions and or limitations. In order to evaluate the degree of association among different characters of agronomic importance with an estimative reliable in biological terms, it is striking to quantify the multicolinearity among the studied variables. In addition, the types of statistical and mathematical models used in determining this linear dependence between classifying or independent variables may or may not be adequate for estimatives of biological parameters evaluated. The present work has as objective to present a critical evaluation on the degree of multicolinearity identified and evaluated on the path analysis performed on parts of a canola experiment. The results allow to postulate that path analysis application on the degree of severe multicolinearity produces results with no biological importance for the plant breeder. However, this limitation can be easily identified and corrected through path analysis with colinearity employing a constant (k) on diagonal axis of XX matrix. The model of analysis with severe multicolinearity, however overestimated the single correlation coefficient values comparatively with the weak multicolinearity. Even so, it may not be necessarily more precise, mainly regarding the evaluation of a restricted number of variables included in the analysis or an overlapping of the explainable variables.
Sexual biochemistry in the deep sea – the link between phytoplankton and abyssal holothurians

Holothurians play an important role in carbon cycling. They dominate the abyssal oceanic megabenthos, reworking large amounts of organic matter. Holothurians require essential organic nutrients, such as carotenoids for their reproduction. Enhanced carotenoid concentration in the ovaries of echinoderms increases reproductive output and larval survival. Carotenoids cannot be synthesised de novo by holothurians, only by phytoplankton. To examine the link between diet and reproduction in deep-sea holothurians, the pigment biochemistry of holothurians, sediment and particulate organic matter from three abyssal sites as investigated. A temporal comparison at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP), NE Atlantic, has shown 1) the supply of organic material (OM) can affect the diet of holothurians, depending on their feeding adaptations and 2) holothurian reproductive biochemistry can be affected by compositional differences in the OM reaching the seafloor, although the extent of this influence appears to differ between species. Two abyssal sites around the Crozet Islands, Southern Ocean, were investigated to compare contrasting OM supply on the diet and reproductive biochemistry of holothurians. The sites are only 460 km apart, with no topographic boundary to separate them. However, they are subject to differing overlying primary productivity regimes and therefore biochemical differences can be ascribed to the composition and amount of organic matter reaching the sea floor at each site. The results showed that 1) the quantity of OM reaching the seafloor at each site differed, mirroring the overlying primary productivity regimes. This was also reflected in the diet of some holothurian species, depending on their ability to take advantage of the fresh material. 2) The reproductive biochemistry of the holothurians sampled at both sites showed quantitative differences, mirroring the supply of OM to each benthic site. The present study has shown that changes in the composition and quantity of the supply of OM to the deep-sea floor can affect holothurian diet and ovarian biochemistry. This may lead to large community changes as seen at the PAP in the NE Atlantic, which alters the reworking rate of the sediment, ultimately affecting the sequestration of carbon.
Statistical Methods and Analysis for Human Genetic Copy Number Variation and Homozygosity Mapping

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are used primarily for genetic association studies, with data being analyzed in most cases one SNP at a time. Several other applications of SNP arrays, however, involve integration of data over multiple markers for a single individual. Two such applications of SNP arrays are studies of copy number variants (CNVs) and regions of homozygosity or identity by descent. Hidden Markov models are a common approach to both of these problems, but other methods have been used as well. In this dissertation I address several methodological issues related to these two types of analysis, and also apply the methods to several datasets. The purpose of my studies in CNVs is to better detect and analyze CNVs. A major concern for all copy number variation (CNV) calling algorithms is their reliability and repeatability. I use family data as a verification standard to evaluate CNV calling strategies and methods. I make recommendations for how CNV calls can be used in genome-wide association studies. I then apply them to analyze CNVs in studies of psychiatric disorders and birth outcomes. Results from these studies have the potential for great public health significance, because they can lead to better understanding of the genetic etiology and eventually to better markers for disease screening and diagnosis. Homozygosity mapping is a powerful method to map genes for rare recessive disorders. However, current methods are not ideal, especially when using high density SNP array data from consanguineous families. This study develops improved methods for homozygosity mapping using dense SNP data, and thus will improve the ability of geneticists to find genetic causes of rare recessive diseases. Many of these rare disorders are life-threatening; identification of the disease genes may help with early diagnosis and treatment.
The Host Immune Response to Streptococcus pneumoniae: Bridging Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Abstract : Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn) remains the primary cause of community-acquired pneumonia throughout the world, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates in the young and elderly. A better understanding of the host response to the organism would aid in the development of more effective antibiotics and vaccines. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the initial recognition of pathogens by binding conserved moieties known as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). This interaction is translated through the induction of signaling cascades that ultimately results in the production of various chemical mediators necessary for the activation of the adaptive arm of the immune response. Presentation of processed antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by antigen presenting cells occurs, leading to effective help by primed T cells (T(eff)) to naive B cells in a process known as linked recognition. The activation and proliferation of B cells into mature plasma cells results in the development of appropriate antibody responses that are critically important in the clearance of extracellular bacteria such as Pn. These responses, however, need to be modulated so that inappropriate immune activation does not lead to anergy or over-responsiveness. The naturally occurring thymic population of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) survey and monitor the actions of T(eff) to prevent such inappropriate responses. In the following dissertation, I have used a murine model to study the host response to Pn. Specifically, I have focused on previous findings in the lab that suggested a possible role for Tregs as well as TLRs in our model system. I found that Tregs do not appear to play a part in modulating acute humoral responses to a bacterial pathogen such as Pn.
Combining ability of physiological growth parameters in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Combining ability studies were conducted on brinjal to isolate desirable parents and F1 cross combinations for yield and physiological growth parameters. Both additive and non-additive type of gene effects were observed to be operative for various characters. Parental lines SM6–6, Punjab Barsati, Hisar Shyamal and Arka Nidhi were observed to be good general combiners for yield, crop growth rate, leaf weight ratio, specific leaf weight, net assimilation rate and leaf area. The mean squares for sca were greater than those for gca in all the characters except leaf area, leaf weight ratio (45 DAT) and specific leaf weight (45 DAT). The superior performance of F1 hybrids showing high sca was largely due to epistatic interaction. Punjab Barsati x SM6–7, SM6–6 x Hisar Shyamal and Arka Nidhi x Punjab Barsati were the best specific crosses for fruit yield per plant and different growth parameters in the present study.
Breakfast Intake and its Association with Body Mass Index among Pre-schoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

In Malaysia, breakfast is the most frequently skipped meal. Skipping breakfast has been associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. However, this relationship has not been investigated widely among preschoolers in Malaysia. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between breakfast intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) among preschoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga (TPK), Kuala Nerus. A total of 131 Malays preschoolers aged four to six years old were recruited from nine TPK using convenience sampling method. Information on sociodemographic, breakfast intake pattern and anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were obtained. Respondents consisted of 74 (56.5%) boys and 57 (43.5%) girls. Anthropometric results showed that 8.4% preschoolers were overweight and obese. Among the preschoolers, 22.1% of them were breakfast skippers. In terms of gender breakdown, 20.3% boys and 24.6% girls skipped breakfast. There was a significant association between breakfast intake and BMI status among preschoolers (p = 0.003). This indicated that preschoolers that skipped breakfast were associated with overweight or obese compared to those who consumed breakfast daily. Breakfast consumption is a marker of a healthy lifestyle which can reduce the risk of childhood obesity. This habit should be inculcated during this critical period of life in which parents play a vital role in promoting breakfast consumption among preschoolers.
VARIATIONS IN THE SIZE OF THE SAHARA DESERT FROM 1980 TO 1997

Satellite data and ground rainfall measurements have been used to study variations in the size of the Sahara Desert from 1980 to 1997. Through a combination of the satellite and ground data, the 200 mm yr1 precipitation boundary was mapped for the Saharan-Sahelian region by year. Although highly significant year-to-year variation in the size of the Sahara Desert has occurred, no systematically increasing or decreasing trend from 1980 to 1997 was evident. The area of the Sahara Desert varied from 9 980 000 km2 in 1984 to km2 in 8 600 00
Compatible arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Jatropha curcas and spore multiplication using cereal crops

Jatropha curcas is being considered as a biofuel crop for Thailand. Seedlings of J. curcas were used as bait plants to trap compatible arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in field soils in northern Thailand. Of the ten species of AMF that were trapped, two species, Scutellospora heterogama (CMU33) and Entrophospora colombiana (CMU05) produced abundant spores (>50 spores/100 g soil) and heavily colonized the roots of the trap plant. In a second experiment, the two AMF species were used to assess the effectiveness of four annual cereal crop plants (job’s tears, Coix lacryma-jobi; rice, Oryza sativa; sorghum, Sorghum bicolor; maize, Zea mays) as suitable nurse plants for AMF spore multiplication. Higher mycorrhizal colonization and spore production were found after 120 days in sorghum than in the other crop species. Spore multiplication did not occur with corn and CMU33, nor with rice and CMU05. Except for the shoots of rice, inoculation increased the root and shoot dry weight of all four crop species. Sorghum is a suitable host for spore multiplication of E. colombiana but an alternative host, with the potential to produce higher spore yields, is required for S. heterogama.