Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of low temperature on development of the coccidium Eimeria funduli in the Gulf killifish

SUMMARY Eimeria funduli, a coccidium infecting the liver and pancreas of killifishes and requiring an intermediate host, was allowed to develop at 22±2 °C for 5, 10, 15 or 20 days (schizont through zygote stages) in Fundulus grandis and was then exposed to 10·0±0·5 °C for 20 days or to 7·0±0·5 °C for 5 or 20 days. Both low temperature treatments inhibited all developmental stages, except for the case of fish infected for 5 days before exposure to 7 °C in which infections were eliminated. Returning fish back to a temperature of 22 °C for 20 days resulted in resumed development of all stages at the same or somewhat reduced rate. In all cases, intensity of infections was greatly reduced during exposure to low temperatures. Many organisms exhibited abnormalities. Gamonts and zygotes were atrophied or disintegrated within their parasitophorous vacuoles in all exposures and, in fish exposed to 7 °C for 20 but not 5 days, about 30% of the oocysts were abnormal, with from 1–8 sporoblasts. Areas of degeneration or necrosis incorporated aggregates and single parasites in both the pancreas and the hepatic parenchyma. The granulocytic inflammatory response, which at 22 °C was normally restricted to the period spanning development of gamonts and formation of the oocyst wall, was inhibited or delayed from infiltrating infected, diseased areas at low temperatures. The response intensified after cold-exposed fish were returned to 22 °C. A fibroid, non-granulocytic response occurred in fish introduced 5 days post-infection to 10°C before being returned to warm water. Two other types of lesion occurred in the pancreas. The first could develop into necrosis and was associated with low temperature; it did not always involve infected tissue. The other, a degenerating focal alteration, was not necessarily associated with infections or low temperatures.
Oral Health Status and Gingival Response to Three Different Restorative Materials among Saudi Patients: A Clinical & Histopathological Study

Background: The correlation between oral health and dental restoration is fundamental. For the gingival and periodontal tissues to stay healthy, dental restoration should be in regularity with the surrounding tissues. This study aims to assess the oral health status and histopathological gingival response to three different restorative materials among Saudi patients. Methods: The study groups consist of 240 patients (50% males and 50% females), aged 18 - 45, with inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study. Participants are divided into three equal groups: those with composite resin restorations, those with amalgam restorations and those with glass ionomer restorations. Biopsies were taken from adjacent gingival tissues. Clinical parameters were determined by: plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). All data were collected and evaluated by through statistical analysis. Results: The clinical findings of the current study revealed that amalgam restorations produce a higher means of PLI, GI and CAL compared with composite resin restorations and glass ionomer restorations, but not insignificant levels, except CAL (p = 0.004*). As for histopathological findings, there were significant differences in gingival tissue response to amalgam restorations, composite resin restorations and glass ionomer cement fillings, where there were statistically significant differences in numbers of chronic inflammatory cells (p < 0.001). Conclusion: At the end of the present study, we concluded that the amalgam restorations are less biocompatible compared to composite resin restorations and glass ionomer restorations.
Innate immune responses in viral hepatitis: the role of Kupffer cells and liver-derived monocytes in shaping intrahepatic immunity in mice using the LCMV infection model

markdownabstract__Abstract__ This study was performed to elucidate the immunological role of the liver in viral hepatitis. The immune functions of the liver are shaped by the intrahepatic cells present during steady state condition, as well as the recruited immune cells during liver inflammation. Liver resident Kupffer cells, by performing endocytosis, determine the functionality of the liver as a filtering organ. Additionally, Kupffer cells produce IL-10. This function, regulated by Ctcf, suggests the potential of Kupffer cells to perform immunoregulation. Monocytes patrol the liver in the steady state, but accumulate in the liver during viral hepatitis. They show functional versatility as demonstrated in the distinct polarization towards TNF-producing and endocytic cells in LCMV-infected and LPS-treated livers, respectively. During LCMV-induced hepatitis, fractions of both Kupffer cells and inflammatory monocytes alter their F4/80 expression, posing a challenge in immunological studies using flow cytometry. Furthermore, in this study we describe distinct clinical responses induced by TLR7 treatment at different phases of LCMV infection, which are associated with distinct states of immune activation. Results from our study contribute to better understand the regulation of intrahepatic immune responses in the steady state condition and during viral hepatitis. Better insights in the functions of Kupffer cells and inflammatory monocytes will open up their potential to be targeted by HBV and HCV therapy. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of characterizing the intrahepatic immune responses during chronic viral hepatitis to understand the mechanisms for the induction of adverse side-effects by TLR7 treatment. This information is valuable in order to prevent or predict the clinical outcome of TLR7-based treatment of HBV or HCV patients. Although this need to be validated in more detail, our findings suggest the significance of evaluating the TLR7 expression levels, either intrahepatic or systemic, in chronically infected patients prior to TLR7 treatment to minimalize the occurrence of adverse side-effects.
Reproduction and abundance of the fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus) in relation to weather conditions in Tunisia

The fat sand rat Psammomys obesus is the main reservoir host of cutaneous leishmaniasis in North Africa and western Asia. In order to understand better the transmission of this disease to humans, a longitudinal study of a population of the rodent was carried out in Tunisia. Rodents were collected in 10 trapping sessions between May 1995 and January 1997, using mole traps and cage traps. The structure of the population was established from eye lens weights and the reproductive state was determined on dissection. Reproduction took place continuously from autumn 1995 to spring 1996 with sexual activity rates from 60–65% in females and 23–100% in males. The mean litter size rose from 3.6 in September to 6.1 in March. Reproduction ceased completely in the summer of 1996, and did not start again till January 1997, following an apparent failure in the autumn. Animals born early in the breeding season bred at an early age, but those born later delayed breeding till the following season. At most times the population clearly consisted of two cohorts, one born in the most recent breeding season, and one born in the preceding one. In response to the reproductive cycle, population numbers showed an increase in winter and a decline in summer. The peak observed in March 1996 was due to the sexual activity of multiparous females and young breeding females. At this time there was a female bias in the sex ratio. In a winter dry period, favourable habitat for breeding was confined to an area in which several species of Chenopodiaceae were associated. Sexual activity in females was clearly correlated with rainfall and rain days, with a 1 month delay ( r = 0.78; P = 0.007). Male sexual activity was independent of weather conditions. This result is comparable with other rodents of Sahelian or tropical conditions. The increase in fertility was unrelated to age and is discussed in the light of food availability as a proximate factor. The persistence of the parasite causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in host populations is discussed.
Peer Effects in the Trading Decisions of Individual Investors

"This study examines for evidence of peer effects in the trading decisions of individual investors from Mainland China, a country whose cultural and social structures are vastly different from those of Western countries. Cultural differences, as widely documented, play a significant role in social interactions and word-of-mouth behavior. In contrast to US studies, we find robust evidence that the trading decisions of Chinese investors are influenced, via word of mouth, by those of their peers who maintain brokerage accounts at the same branch, but not by those whose accounts are maintained at another branch located in the same city. " Copyright (c) 2010 Financial Management Association International.
Honesty in Managerial Reporting: Is it Affected by Perceptions of Horizontal Equity?

ABSTRACT: This study examines whether changes in salary and the horizontal equity of salary influence the degree of honesty in managerial reporting. The study makes a unique contribution by examining whether changes in honesty are different when they are in response to changes in an individual’s own salary than when they are in response to changes in the salary of his peers. The results showed that when horizontal equity was increased by increasing participant salary (with peer salary held constant), the change in honesty was significantly different than when horizontal equity was increased by decreasing peer salary (with participant salary held constant). However, when horizontal equity was decreased, the effect on honesty was about the same, whether the decrease was accomplished by decreasing participant salary or increasing peer salary. The study also showed that after controlling for effects associated with experience with the task and participants’ own salary changes, perceived changes in the horizon.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization rate among ruminant animals slaughtered for human consumption and contact persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria

This study determined the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization rate among ruminant animals slaughtered for human consumption and contact persons. Nasal and milk product samples were collected from the main abbatoir in Maiduguri and analyzed using standard bacteriological procedures. A total of 510 samples were analyzed, 87 (17.1%) S. aureus isolates were identified, 33 (34.6%) MRSA and 54 (65.9%) methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were detected. 19 (21.8%) MRSA and 17 (19.5) MSSA strains were recovered from cattle, 10 (12.5%) MRSA isolates were recovered from the Red Bororo cattle breed and 12 (17.1) MSSA from carmelius dromedarius. In overall antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, MRSA isolates exhibited multidrug resistance pattern, moderate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (42.2%), tobramycin (36.4%), amikacin (36.4%), streptomycin (42.2%), while majority of MSSA isolates demonstrated high sensitivity pattern (>70%). Six (6.9%) S. aureus isolates (2 MRSA from cattle and 4 MSSA from sheep) exhibited inducible phenotype. In conclusion, the study findings reveal a relatively high MRSA colonization rate and unique resistance pattern, particularly to topical antimicrobial agents (fusidic acid, mupirocin) that are not routinely used in veterinary medical practice in the study area. The study findings provides a baseline epidemiological information for better understanding of MRSA infections in human and veterinary medicine including foods of animal origin. Key words: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), colonization rate, ruminant animals, contact persons, abattoir.
Evaluation of Gonadal Exposure Dose in Long Bone Plain Radiography for Radiation Protection

Introduction: Long bone examination in standing position, as one of the diagnostic methods in plain radiography, is most commonly used in the field of medical diagnosis, especially leg length discrepancy. However, with regard to this examination, reproductive organs are exposed to radiation as they are placed in the adjacent area to the long bone. Due to the sensitivity of gonads to radiation, their exposure must be kept as minimal as possible to the extent to which proper diagnosis is feasible in order to reduce tumor growth in lower extremity examination. The purpose of this study was to optimize the radiation dose in the long bone examination in standing position. Material and Methods: This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the radiation exposure dose to a phantom and estimate effective doses and organ-specific doses (i.e., testes and ovaries) among patients using PC-based Monte Carlo program. Results: A phantom examination in the posterior-anterior (PA) configuration produced a radiation dose nine and three times smaller than those in the anterior-posterior (AP) and AP with shielding configurations, respectively. In a patient study (PA configuration), the testes, ovaries and effective doses were estimated at 15, 1.2, and 2 times smaller than those in the AP configuration, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that examinations in the PA configuration produce a smaller radiation dose than those in the AP configuration.
Distribution, Abundance, and Status of Cuban Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis nesiotes)

Abstract We conducted the first country-wide survey between 1994 and 2002 to examine the distribution, abundance, and conservation status of Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis nesiotes) populations throughout Cuba. Ground or air surveys or both were conducted at all identified potential areas and locations previously reported in the literature. We define the current distribution as 10 separate localities in six provinces and the estimated total number of cranes at 526 individuals for the country. Two populations reported in the literature were no longer present and two localities not previously reported were discovered. The actual number of cranes at two localities was not possible to evaluate due to their rarity. Only four areas (Isle of Youth, Matanzas, Ciego de Avila, and Sancti Spiritus) each support more than 70 cranes. The remaining locations each have less than 25 individuals. Sandhill Cranes appear to be declining and have almost disappeared in Pinar del Rio and Granma provinces, and in northern Matanzas Province. Identified threats to the remaining populations include habitat modification (woody plant encroachment, agricultural expansion, and fire suppression), predation due to wild hogs (Sus scrofa), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), mongoose (Crossarchus spp.), and poaching.
Life histories and life history strategies of invertebrates inhabiting intermittent streams in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Intermittent streams are predicted to harbour macroinvertebrate taxa with particular life history traits that allow them to complete development in a limited time and survive periods without water. Three intermittent headwater streams in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, had more taxa with very small body size, plurivoltine life cycles, low dissemination potential, long-lived adults and asexual reproduction than three nearby perennial streams. We traced the population size structure and adult flight periods of six aquatic insect taxa, and the population size structure of an aquatic snail, in three intermittent streams to provide basic information on larval growth rates and infer whether they use particular life history stages to survive summer drought. The insect taxa appeared to over-summer primarily as eggs, whereas the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum over-summered at various stages of maturity. Final instar larvae and adults of most insect taxa appeared well ahead of stream drying, suggesting they can survive early-onset drought. However, late-onset drought would allow more larvae to complete development.
Seasonal variation and effect of salinity on the total protein, glycogen and cholesterol content in the testes of Mystus vittatus (Bloch)

The present study has been undertaken to find out whether the biochemical constituents i.e. protein, glycogen and cholesterol content of the freshwater catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch) at different seasons, could be related to reproductive cycle of the fish. The study on the salinity has been undertaken to find out its effect on the fish growth and maturation of testes. The Gonadosomatic index of the testes increased during the pre spawning season April, May and June 2009 reaching a maximum during the spawning season in the months of July, August and September 2009. The protein, glycogen and cholesterol content in the testes during the pre spawning season increased and reaches maximum during the spawning season along with the Gonadosomatic index. The fishes were subjected to salinity. The maximum number of fishes survived at 20% 0S salinity. In the fishes subjected to 20% 0S salinity, the Gonadosomatic index of the testes increased and the values of the protein, glycogen and cholesterol content in the testes increased when compared to that of the controls during the pre spawning and spawning season.
ERGENLERDE PROBLEM ÇÖZME BECERİLERİ ve YETKİNLİK İNANÇLARI

Bu calismanin amaci ergenlerin problem cozme becerileri ile akademik sosyal ve duygusal yetkinlik inanclari arasindaki iliskiyi incelemek ve yetkinlik inanclari ve problem cozme becerilerinin cinsiyet degiskenine gore farklilasip farklilasmadigini ortaya koymaktir Bu amacla farkli orta ogretim okullarinda okumakta olan 145’i kiz 118’i erkek toplam 263 ergenden veri toplanmistir Veri toplamak amaciyla ergenlere “Problem Cozme Envanteri” ve “Ergenlerde Yetkinlik Beklentisi Olcegi” kullanilmistir Bulgulara gore ergenlerin akademik sosyal ve duygusal yetkinlik inanclari ile problem cozme becerileri arasinda pozitif yonde anlamli iliski bulunmustur Ayrica akademik ve duygusal yetkinlik inanclarinin problem cozme becerilerini anlamli olarak yordadigi gorulmustur Diger taraftan cinsiyete gore ergenlerin problem cozme becerileri ve duygusal yetkinlik inanclari anlamli bir bicimde farklilasmaktadir Son olarak cinsiyet in problem cozme ve duygusal yetkinlik inanci uzerinde onemli bir etkiye sahip oldugu gorulmustur Bulgular literatur isiginda tartisilmistir
Manual Acupuncture Using the Wide Rotation Method in Treating Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis (AC), is one of the disorders commonly encountered in clinical practice which caused great disability in performing daily activities. The cause of AC is unknown, but its pathogenesis involves shoulder joint capsule synovial tissue inflammation that produces pain and the formation of fibrotic tissue. The forming of fibrotic tissue causes the shrinkage of joint space and limitation in the shoulder range of motion (ROM). Many modalities of treatment had been used to treat AC, but there has been no consensus regarding the best treatment. Acupuncture had been used in the treatment of AC and showed good results, especially in reducing pain and improving ROM. This paper showcased the effects of manual acupuncture using the wide rotation stimulation method, a rarely used technique that has never been published before, in the treatment of AC. In this case report, the wide rotation stimulation method showed great results in reducing pain and improving ROM.
Description of Bursaphelenchus piceae sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) from larval galleries of the six-toothed spruce bark beetle, Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karsten.

Bursaphelenchus piceae sp. n. is described from the bark of Norway spruce, Picea abies . Adults and propagative juveniles of the nematode are found in larval galleries of the six-toothed spruce bark beetle, Pityogenes chalcographus , while its dauer juveniles aggregate in Malpighian tubules of older larvae, pupae and adult beetles. The new species is characterised by the body length of 719 (530-945) μm in female and 632 (474-808) μm in male, its moderately slender body (a = 41.4 (35.4-50.2) and 42.6 (35.1-47.2) in female and male, respectively), and small spicules (16.0 (14.0-18.3) μm along arc and 13.7 (12.2-15.5) μm along chord). The extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, long post-uterine sac extending for 67-91% of vulva-anus distance, and number (7) and arrangement of male caudal papillae suggest that B. piceae sp. n. is closely related to the xylophilus -group yet it differs by the relatively small, claw-like spicules with no cucullus at the tip. The close relation of B. piceae sp. n. to the xylophilus -group has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Morphologically B. piceae sp. n. most closely resembles B. tokyoensis and B. fagi but can be separated from both by the unique shape of the spicules. The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). The presence of dauer juveniles of B. piceae sp. n. in Malpighian tubules of adult P. chalcographus may lead to extensive damage to this organ as shown by local expansion of the tubule basement membrane and degradation of its cellular epithelium. Detailed phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. piceae sp. n. together with five other bark beetle-associated Bursaphelenchus species, namely B. trypophloei , B. masseyi , B. tiliae , B. tokyoensis and B. fagi , constitutes a small phylogenetic clade that is most closely located to, but separate from, the xylophilus -group.
Peer Bullying in Primary Schools in Low Socio-Economic Level

Acts of violence have been increasing in recent years in the world and in Turkey. Reflections of these events are seen in schools. One of the most pervasive forms of school violence is bullying. The evidence indicates that school bullying has a variety of negative consequences for both bullies and victims. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequencies and the types of bullying; the gender of the bullies; the places of the bullying and the individuals whom the victims talk about the bullying in peer groups with low socio economic status. During the study 295 pupils had been reached. According to the results of the study, there is a significant difference in some types of bullying in terms of gender. In addition that bullying exists in schools at low socio-economic status and it is important that the Ministry of National Education should consider school bullying as a serious problem, and that it has negative consequences on pupils’ physical, social and emotional damage in terms of the victim. It means continuous and repetitive exposure to bullying behavior harms these children's psycho-social development, and therefore their well-being or life quality. Hence, effective bullying prevention and intervention training programs are needed.
Retention of larval haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus in the Georges Bank region, a gyre-influenced spawning area

Monthly distribution patterns of haddock larvae are described from coastal MARMAP' surveys as part of a broad-based program to study recruitment processes in shelf waters from Cape Hatteras. North Carolina to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, an area of nearly 260,000 km2. Within this area haddock spawn during winter and spring. Peak spawning occurs in late March-early April. The principal spawning grounds lie over the eastern half of Georges Bank. Other spawning areas include Nantucket Shoals, western Georges Bank, coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine, and the western perimeter of the Scotian Shelf. A large anticyclonic gyre and strong rotary tidal currents hold haddock larvae on Georges Bank. The gyre carries haddock larvae westward along the southern half of the bank, largely over depths between 50 and 100 m. Some are advected as far west as Nantucket Shoals but most are retained on the bank east of Great South Channel. There is no evidence of a significant loss of haddock larvae south across the shelf break nor do larvae originating on Georges Bank mix with their counterparts in the Gulf of Maine or along the western part of the Scotian Shelf.