Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth, Nodulation and Mycorrhizal Colonization in Bean Plants Improved by Rhizobial Inoculation with Organic and Chemical Fertilization

ABSTRACT The poor nutrition of organic crops during the early growth stage has frequently resulted in a low productivity. Nutrients from organic fertilizers are not available to crops unless they are mineralized and a low microbial population can further delay the decomposition processes. We hypothesized that increasing microbial population, such as rhizobia in the rhizosphere of the organic crops might offset the problem of low productivity by increasing the rate of mineralization of organic fertilizers. Accordingly, the current study was aimed at evaluating the responses of potted beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivar Hoseki) to rhizobial (Rhizobium leguminosarum cv. Phaseoli) inoculation in organically fertilized (OF) and chemically fertilized (CF) normal soils. Inoculation resulted in a significant increase in the pod yield (P < 0.05) with organic fertilizer, yet not with chemical fertilizer. Inoculation did not increase the shoot and root dry masses in the CF plants, yet did increase the shoot dry mass in the OF plants. Inoculation positively influenced nodulation in both the OF and CF plants, and the effect was more pronounced in the OF plants. The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal infection rates and frequency of arbuscule formation were always higher in the OF plants than in the CF plants, and moreover, the inoculation increased AM infectivity in the OF plants but not in the CF plants. The inoculated OF plants had more shoot N and P compared to un-inoculated plants, while the CF plants were unaffected. Interestingly, AM infection rates showed a significant positive correlation to the shoot P or N in the OF plants, yet the relation was not significant in the CF plants, indicating greater dependency of organic plants than the chemical plants on the symbiotic fungi. Therefore, the present results demonstrate importance of rhizobial inocula as a potential biofertilizer in organic farming.
Production of wheat-barley disomic addition lines possessing an Aegilops cylindrica gametocidal chromosome

Chromosome breaks occur in a hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum), variety Chinese Spring carrying a single gametocidal chromosome, 2C, from Aegilops cylindrica. In an attempt to induce breakage in barley chromosomes, we introduced the 2C chromosome into six wheat-barley addition lines. Plants disomic for each of the barley chromosomes and monosomic for 2C were identified using C-banding and meiotic analysis. Chromosomal breakage was expected to occur in the progeny of these lines.
Osteoporosis epidemiology using international cohorts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The field of osteoporosis research has been active for the past 20 years and has allowed significant advancement in the management of osteoporosis. This review will give an overview of the latest data from international cohorts that relate to current and recent osteoporosis research. RECENT FINDINGS The clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis relies heavily on bone mineral density (BMD) measured at femoral neck or spine and although BMD has excellent predictive value for future fractures, fracture risk assessment has evolved over the years, resulting in the birth of fracture prediction tools. Fracture risk factors not currently featured in these tools are being considered for inclusion, including imminent risk fracture following a sentinel fracture, number of falls, and previous vertebral fractures. Data from groups with comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are helping us understand how to best manage patients with multiple comorbidities. Finally, the prevalence of vertebral fracture in the older general population and other selected populations has been explored, alongside the global burden of osteoporosis and its consequences. SUMMARY Our understanding of osteoporosis continues to expand, but knowledge gaps remain.
Relative contribution of autochthonous and allochthonous carbon to limnetic zooplankton: A new cross-system approach

We measured the 13 C signature of epilimnetic CO 2 , particulate organic carbon (POC), and zooplankton in 27 lakes in late summer, and used the relationships between the POC and zooplankton signatures and the CO 2 signature to estimate the average autochthonous contribution to these fractions of the plankton and the average photosynthetic fractionation. Using this novel approach, average autochthonous contribution to epilimnetic POC was between 62 and 75 %. Epilimnetic zooplankton were between 77 and 91 % autochthonous, indicating that zooplankton bias their feeding towards the autochthonous fraction of POC. On average, zooplankton were 1.2‰ enriched in 13 C relative to POC, but their biased feeding on phytoplankton means that they can be depleted relative to POC in lakes where POC is highly depleted in 13 C. The relationship between 13 C-POC and 13 CO 2 allowed us to estimate average photosynthetic fraction as ―15.9‰. This estimate is independent of how much allochthonous C contributes to POC. Given the strength of the relationships between 13 C of POC or zooplankton with 13 CO 2 signature, we infer that variation in photosynthetic fractionation was not a major contributor to differences among lakes in POC and zooplankton 13 C signature. Allochthonous C is an important, although clearly secondary, source of C to zooplankton of these lakes in late summer.
Vitamin D–vitamin D receptor system down-regulates expression of uncoupling proteins in brown adipocyte through interaction with Hairless protein

Abstract Our previous study showed that feeding mice with vitamin D deficiency diet markedly alleviated high-fat-diet-induced overweight, hyperinsulinemia, and hepatic lipid accumulation. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency up-regulated the expression of uncoupling protein 3 (Ucp3) in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). The present study aimed to further investigate the effects of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (Vdr) on Ucp1–3 (Ucps) expression in brown adipocyte and the mechanism involved in it. Rat primary brown adipocytes were separated and purified. The effects of the 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; the hormonal form of vitamin D) and Vdr system on Ucps expression in brown adipocytes were investigated in basal condition and activated condition by isoproterenol (ISO) and triiodothyronine (T3). Ucps expression levels were significantly down-regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the activated brown adipocyte. Vdr silencing reversed the down-regulation of Ucps by 1,25(OH)2D3, whereas Vdr overexpression strengthened the down-regulation effects. Hairless protein did express in brown adipocyte and was localized in cell nuclei. 1,25(OH)2D3 increased Hairless protein expression in the cell nuclei. Hairless (Hr) silencing notably elevated Ucps expression in activated condition induced by ISO and T3. Moreover, immunoprecipitation results revealed that Vdr could interact with Hairless, which might contribute to decreasing expression of Vdr target gene Ucps. These data suggest that vitamin D suppresses expression of Ucps in brown adipocyte in a Vdr-dependent manner and the corepressor Hairless protein probably plays a role in the down-regulation.
Effect of Extraction Conditions on the Recovery and Potency of Antioxidants in Oat Fiber

The inhibitory activities toward the lipoxygenase action on linoleic acid were quantified and compared from different fractions derived from oat fiber. Based on these findings, a suitable procedure that yields a fraction with the high inhibitory activity was developed. The unit operations of the procedure involve alkali aqueous extraction followed by pH adjustment and separations of insoluble fiber particles from soluble extracts. The inhibitory activity was most effectively extracted into the solution using an extraction media with pH 10. By relowering the pH of the alkali aqueous extract, the inhibitory activity could be collected as a precipitate. Such a fraction comprised 7.2% of the fiber dry matter. Compared to the untreated oat fiber, the inhibitory activity was purified 17-fold and the yield of the activity was 125%. Such a fraction had high protein (88% w/w) and lipid (12%) contents, whereas the carbohydrate content (3%) was low. Keywords: Oat fiber; dioxygenation; antioxidants; aqueous extract
Mycorrhizal dependency of two Hawaiian endemic tree species: koa and mamane.

Abstract Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi have been proposed as a low‐input solution to the problem of inadequate phosphorus (P) levels in many tropical and subtropical soils. To determine the mycorrhizal dependency of two Hawaiian endemic tree species, mamane (Sophora chrysophylla Seem.) and koa (Acacia koa Gray), seedlings were grown in the greenhouse with and without the VAM fungus, Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith emend Koske, at three levels of soil solution P (0,0.02, and 0.20 mg P/L) in a volcanic ash soil. Inoculation significantly increased colonization of roots by the VAM fungus in both mamane and koa seedlings. At 0.02 mg P/L, mamane inoculated with the VAM fungus had significantly greater subleaflet P concentrations at 48 days after planting (DAP), and significantly greater leaf areas, shoot dry weights, and root lengths at harvest compared to uninoculated plants. At 0 mg P/L, koa grown in association with the VAM fungus had significantly greater subleaflet P concentrations at 4.
Innovations in Indian Fermented Milk Products — A Review

Dahi is considered the oldest Indian fermented milk product and is equivalent to Western yogurt from which derivatives such as shrikhand (sweetened concentrated curd) and lassi (stirred curd) are derived. Dietetic significance of Indian fermented milk products has been established due to its various nutritional and therapeutic properties. Acceptable quality dahi could be obtained with the application of acid producing as well as flavor (primarily diacetyl)-producing organisms and adopting a two-stage fermentation. Biotechnological innovations suggest inclusion of certain probiotic and beneficial bacteria for further enhancement in the dietetic properties of traditional dahi. Application of bio-preservatives and thermization (mild heat-treatment) may be recommended for shelf-life extension of dahi to extend the market reach.
The role of the light/dark cycle in the daily rhythm of serum proteins in Equus caballus

This research was carried out on five clinically healthy Sella Italiana horses to determine the daily rhythm of total proteins and their fractions, to establish if these rhythms are endogenously generated and to assess the role of light as synchroniser of these rhythms. Blood samples were collected from each subject every 3 h over a period of 48 h, starting at 9:00 on day 1 and finishing at 9:00 on day 3, into vacutainer tubes without an anticoagulant via intravenous cannulas inserted into the jugular vein. Total serum proteins, albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulin concentrations were assessed in all samples. The application of two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of the time of day on total proteins, albumin, β1- and β2-globulins, and of the experimental conditions on total proteins α1-, α2-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins. No statistical modifications were observed on the A/G ratio. Daily rhythmicity was exhibited only by total proteins and albumin during the L/D cycle. We can claim that the fluctuation of serum total proteins and albumin concentrations are daily and not circadian and that they are driven by the L/D cycle.
Pupunha no mercado de Manaus: preferências de consumidores e suas implicações

The demand for fresh fruit of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) has remained stable through 50 years of research and promotion in the Brazilian Amazon. Interviews with 30 consumers at the principal market in Manaus, Amazonas, during the second harvest determined that red (by 53%), medium weight (67%), moderately oily fruit (53% oily and 40% moderately oily), in large bunches (50%) with a reasonable price (R$5 = US$2 / bunch in October 2001) is preferred, which is different from the fruit used in promotion (large, dry, higher price) and difficult for breeders to create. Quantifying and detailing these preferences are essential to guide future research and promotion.
Usability, user experience and accessibility: towards an integrative model

Abstract Within the field of ergonomics, the concepts of usability, user experience and accessibility have played an increasingly important role. The present paper examined the meaning of these concepts and their relationship to each other, which included an analysis of the definitions, methods, and typical outcome measures employed. Despite some concerns in the literature about the utility of usability, user experience and accessibility as umbrella terms, we provide arguments for their continued use. The article proposes how the three concepts and their different perspectives can be integrated. We propose the term ‘interaction experience’ (IX) as a higher-level concept. Due to the multi-facetted nature of umbrella concepts, we suggest using spider charts as a means to report the results of evaluating artefacts with regard to usability, user experience and accessibility. Practitioner Summary: A better integration of the concepts of usability, user experience and accessibility is expected to provide some benefits to practitioners. We propose employing spider charts for reporting the outcome of artefact evaluations regarding the three concepts. This may help practitioners interpret the characteristics of a device at a glance. Abbreviations: IX: interaction experience; UX: user experience; ISO: International Standard Organisation
Aspects of the relation between Cyanophora paradoxa (Korschikoff) and its endosymbiotic cyanelles Cyanocyta korschikoffiana (Hall & Claus) II. The photosynthetic pigments

All the photosynthetically active pigments in Cyanophora paradoxa are located within the endosymbiotic cyanelles Cyanocyta korschikoffiana. These pigments include β-carotene, chlorophyll a, zeaxanthin and the two bilichromoproteins allo- and c-phycocyanin. The dimer of allo-phycocyanin has a molecular mass of 28 × 103, and is composed of two subunits of 12.6 × 103 each. The dimer of c-phycocyanin has a molecular mass of 31 x 103, and is composed of two subunits of 13.2 x 103 and 14.5 × 103 respectively.
Multipronged strategy including genetic analysis for assessing conservation options for the snow leopard in the central Himalaya

Abstract The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an endangered carnivore of southern and central Asia. Approximate 10% of the global population occurs in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The snow leopard is thought to be in decline because of human–snow leopard conflicts, poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, decreasing prey populations, and a lack of awareness and enforcement of conservation legislation. In this study, we used habitat surveys and genetic analyses of putative snow leopard scats to estimate the abundance, habitat preferences, and diet profile of the snow leopard in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Cliffs, grassland, and shrubland at high elevation (3,000–5,000 m) were the preferred habitats of snow leopards. Eighty-three percent of collected scats collected were verified to be from snow leopards using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome-b species-specific polymerase chain reaction assays. Sixty-two percent of the scats were successfully genotyped using 6 microsatellite markers, and identified as having originated from 5 different individuals. The dispersion of multiple scats from the same individual suggested minimum movement ranges of 89.4 km2 for males and 59.3 km2 for females. Estimated population density was 1.9 individuals/100 km2 and 22 snow leopards were estimated to inhabit the upper Mustang region. Microhistological analysis of scats (n = 248) revealed that blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) was the primary wild prey (63%), and livestock also contributed significantly (18%) to snow leopard diet. We used a multipronged strategy for assessing conservation options for this rare carnivore and compared our findings with those pertaining to other predators of the region that share similar habitats and resources. The findings from this study will be helpful in managing snow leopards and similar carnivore populations across the snow leopard's entire geographic range.
Surgical Field Visualization during Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Comparison of Propofol- vs Desflurane-Based Anesthesia

Objective To assess if the type of general anesthetic affects bleeding and field visualization during endoscopic sinus surgery. Study Design Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting Academic teaching hospital and Veterans Affairs hospital in the United States. Subjects and Methods Seventy patients were randomized to 1 of 3 anesthetic regimens: (1) the volatile anesthetic desflurane (n = 22), (2) intravenous anesthesia with propofol (n = 25), or (3) a combination of propofol and desflurane (n = 23). Intravenous remifentanil was titrated to decrease the mean arterial pressure to 60 to 70 mm Hg but not ≥30% from baseline. Surgical bleeding scores were recorded along with bleeding rates and hemodynamic parameters, including cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance through pulse contour analysis from a radial arterial line. Statistics: multiple comparison tests and regression analyses; α = . 05. Results There were no differences in bleeding rate (median, 0.58, 0.85, 0.57 mL min–1), bleeding score (2.1, 2.0, 2.0), surgery duration (79, 81, 86 minutes), extubation time (9, 7, 8 minutes), recovery room time (65, 61, 61 minutes), or any hemodynamic parameters among groups 1 through 3, respectively. Group 1 required lower remifentanil infusions than group 2 (0.11 vs 0.26 µg kg–1 min–1; P = .01). The bleeding score correlated positively with height (P = .014) and the Lund-MacKay score (P = .013). Bilateral vs unilateral surgery led to longer surgery duration (P = .001) and recovery room time (P = .004). Conclusion When remifentanil is used for controlled hypotension, propofol has no advantage over desflurane to improve surgical field visualization during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Computational Investigation of the Spin-Density Asymmetry in Photosynthetic Reaction Center Models from First Principles.

We present a computational analysis of the spin-density asymmetry in cation radical states of reaction center models from photosystem I, photosystem II, and bacteria from Synechococcus elongatus, Thermococcus vulcanus, and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, respectively. The recently developed FDE-diab methodology [J. Chem. Phys., 2018, 148, 214104] allowed us to effectively avoid the spin-density overdelocalization error characteristic for standard Kohn-Sham Density Functional Theory and to reliably calculate spin-density distributions and electronic couplings for a number of molecular systems ranging from inner pairs of (bacterio)chlorophyll a molecules in vacuum to large protein including up to about 2000 atoms. The calculated spin densities show a good agreement with available experimental results and were used to validate reaction center models reported in the literature. Here we demonstrate that the applied theoretical approach is very sensitive to changes in molecular structures and relative orientation of molecules. This makes FDE-diab a valuable tool for electronic structure calculations of large photosynthetic models effectively complementing the existing experimental techniques.
A 14-year Prospective Study of Human Coronavirus Infections in Hospitalized Children

Background: Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been recognized as causative agents of respiratory tract infections. Our aim was to describe HCoV infections in hospitalized children in a prospective surveillance study for 14 years and compare them with other respiratory viruses. Methods: As a part of an ongoing prospective study to identify the etiology of viral respiratory infections in Spain, we performed the analysis of HCoV infections in children hospitalized in a secondary hospital in Madrid, between October 2005 and June 2018. Clinical data of HCoV patients were compared with those infected by rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza. Results: The study population consisted of 5131 hospitalizations for respiratory causes in children. A total of 3901 cases (75.9%) had a positive viral identification and 205 cases (4.1%) were positive for HCoV. Only 41 cases (20%) of HCoV infection were detected as single infections. Episodes of recurrent wheezing were the most common diagnosis, and 112 children (54%) had hypoxia. Clinical data in HCoV cases were similar to those associated with rhinovirus; however, patients with HCoV were younger. Other viruses were associated with hypoxia more frequently than cases with HCoV; high fever was more common in influenza infections and bronchiolitis in respiratory syncytial virus group. Although a slight peak of circulation appears mostly in winter, HCoV has been detected throughout the year as well. Conclusions: HCoV infections represent a small fraction of respiratory infections that require hospitalization in children and their characteristics do not differ greatly from other respiratory viral infections.
Global real‐world evidence of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir as simple, effective HCV treatment: Analysis of 5552 patients from 12 cohorts

Achieving sustained virological response (SVR; cure) in hepatitis C patients using a simple regimen is key to making elimination by 2030 possible. In the largest real‐world analysis to date, the effectiveness of pangenotypic, panfibrotic, single‐tablet, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) once‐daily for 12 weeks was assessed in 12 clinical real‐world cohorts from various geographical areas, settings and treatment practices. Factors affecting risk of not achieving SVR were assessed.
Stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19: technical observations and patient characteristics

Background COVID-19 infections have been shown to be associated with a range of thromboembolic disease. Objective To describe our endovascular experience in a consecutive series of patients with COVID-19 who presented with large vessel occlusions, and to describe unique findings in this population. Methods Mechanical thrombectomy was performed on five consecutive patients with COVID-19 with large vessel occlusions. A retrospective study of these patients was performed. Patient demographics, laboratory values, mechanical thrombectomy technique, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were reviewed. Results Four patients with COVID-19 presented with anterior circulation occlusions and one patient with COVID-19 presented with both anterior and posterior circulation occlusions. All patients had coagulation abnormalities. Mean patient age was 52.8 years. Three patients presented with an intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. Two patients presented with an intracranial occlusion and a tandem thrombus in the carotid bulb. One patient presented with an occlusion in both the internal carotid and basilar arteries. Clot fragmentation and distal emboli to a new vascular territory were seen in two of five (40%) patients, and downstream emboli were seen in all five (100%) patients. Patient clinical outcome was generally poor in this series of patients with COVID-19 large vessel occlusion. Conclusion Our series of patients with COVID-19 demonstrated coagulation abnormalities, and compared with our previous experience with mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion, this group of patients were younger, had tandem or multiple territory occlusions, a large clot burden, and a propensity for clot fragmentation. These patients present unique challenges that make successful revascularization difficult.