Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weight Loss, Body Composition, and Health of High School Wrestlers

In brief: Body weight, percent body fat, grip strength, illnesses, energy level, emotional stability, and bowel habits were studied in 104 wrestlers and 73 control subjects at the beginning and end of the 1980–81 and 1981–82 winter wrestling seasons. Wrestlers lost significantly more body fat than controls, and their grip strength and energy levels also decreased. There were no differences between groups in illnesses or emotional stability, but wrestlers' bowel habits were more regular. Emotional stability declined among wrestlers in lower weight classes. Comparisons between weight classes suggest that different growth allowances may be warranted during the season.
Genome-Wide Association Study for Maize Leaf Cuticular Conductance Identifies Candidate Genes Involved in the Regulation of Cuticle Development

The cuticle, a hydrophobic layer of cutin and waxes synthesized by plant epidermal cells, is the major barrier to water loss when stomata are closed at night and under water-limited conditions. Elucidating the genetic architecture of natural variation for leaf cuticular conductance (gc) is important for identifying genes relevant to improving crop productivity in drought-prone environments. To this end, we conducted a genome-wide association study of gc of adult leaves in a maize inbred association panel that was evaluated in four environments (Maricopa, AZ, and San Diego, CA, in 2016 and 2017). Five genomic regions significantly associated with gc were resolved to seven plausible candidate genes (ISTL1, two SEC14 homologs, cyclase-associated protein, a CER7 homolog, GDSL lipase, and β-D-XYLOSIDASE 4). These candidates are potentially involved in cuticle biosynthesis, trafficking and deposition of cuticle lipids, cutin polymerization, and cell wall modification. Laser microdissection RNA sequencing revealed that all these candidate genes, with the exception of the CER7 homolog, were expressed in the zone of the expanding adult maize leaf where cuticle maturation occurs. With direct application to genetic improvement, moderately high average predictive abilities were observed for whole-genome prediction of gc in locations (0.46 and 0.45) and across all environments (0.52). The findings of this study provide novel insights into the genetic control of gc and have the potential to help breeders more effectively develop drought-tolerant maize for target environments.
L’INFESTATION DE LUCIOBARBUS CALLENSIS (CYPRINIDÉS) PAR LES COPÉPODES PARASITES DANS LE BARRAGE FOUM EL KHANGA (SOUK-AHRAS, ALGÉRIE) par

La maladie parasitaire chez les poissons est l’un des facteurs les plus importants limitant la production aquacole et sa viabilité économique. Les conditions pathologiques résultant de l’infection parasitaire atteignent souvent des proportions importantes dans des conditions naturelles et contrôlées en aquaculture. Malgré des progrès considérables dans la parasitologie des poissons au cours des dernières décennies, des lacunes majeures subsistent dans la connaissance de la taxonomie, de la biologie, de l’épizootiologie et la lutte contre les parasites des poissons, y compris les ectoparasites comme les copépodes qui sont responsable de la perte de poids, perturbation de la reproduction ou impuissance, cécité, comportement anormal, lésions épithéliales, déformations des branchies et autres symptômes. Ce travail s’intéresse à l’étude de l’infestation, par les copépodes ectoparasites, de 341 poissons de l’espèce Luciobarbus callensis (Valenciennes, 1842) dans le barrage Foum El Khanga (Souk-Ahras), à raison de 30 individus par mois. L’examen des branchies de l’ensemble de poissons échantillonnés a permis de recenser 170 copépodes parasites. L’observation des critères morpho-anatomiques des
Comparative Water Relations of Two Contrasting Date Palm Genotypes under Salinity

Salinity is a global agricultural problem, resulting in a significant reduction in the plantation areas and the crop yields, especially in arid and semiarid regions. The date palm is relatively salt-tolerant plant species, although the nature of salt tolerance is poorly understood. In this study, the salt stress responses of a salt-tolerant “Umsila” was compared with salt-susceptible “Zabad” date palm cultivars. Various physiological parameters, plant-water relations, and anatomical characteristics were analyzed. The results revealed that although salinity has negatively affected both cultivars, Umsila exhibited more stable photosynthesis than Zabad as reflected by the quantum yield (Qy) and the stomatal conductance (GS). Similarly, Umsila showed a more dynamic root system and efficient water relations than Zabad as demonstrated by the leaf water potential (LWP) and relative water content (RWC) during salinity. Umsila also accumulated greater abundances of soluble sugars, potassium (K+), calcium (Ca+2), proline, glycine betaine, and lignin and formed extra layers of Casparian strips in the root tissues when the seedlings were grown under saline conditions. Together, the results obtained from this study have offered some insights into the salt tolerance mechanisms in the date palm.
The distribution indices of erythrocytes: which one for acute ischemic stroke?

Abstract Background The erythrocytes distribution indices are reported from same histogram but they have different reference intervals and calculated by distinct measurements. Objectives To explore whether the RDW-CV and RDW-SD values may predictive and prognostic significance in ischemic stroke patients and to clarify the relation each of these indices with stroke severity and 3-months survival. Materials and methods Cumulative survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and life curves were compared to RDW-CV, RDW-SD quartiles. The risk factors were described with a multivariable cox proportional hazard model. Results In acute ischemic stroke, RDW-CV was more specific and RDW-SD was more sensitive (92% vs. 80%) (52% vs. 48%). RDW-CV values higher than 14.7% are associated with 11-fold increase in the risk of stroke; and the level of RDW-CV does show a linear relationship with the severity of stroke. However, when we evaluated RDW-SD, higher 43.55 fL RDW-SD values was have 16-fold increase in severity of stroke and have a relatively high linear relationship with stroke severity scores to RDW-CV. Conclusions RDW-CV and RDW-SD levels have different prognostic poor outcomes for interpreting in ischemic stroke events approach and these should be used alone and comparatively with the AIS predictive and prognostic approach.
Edaphoclimatic Conditions of the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region Affect the Productivity and Composition of Sunflower Oil

It has been suggested that fatty acid balance in standard sunflower oil may be influenced by the genotype of the plant or by variation in environmental growth conditions. Therefore, this study analysed aspects of sunflower productivity and oil quality obtained from achenes of plants cultivated in a semi-arid environment, resulting from seed obtained from other regions with different edaphoclimatic characteristics. The experiment was conducted between February and May, in a Brazilian semi-arid area. At 90 days after sowing (DAS), the physiological maturation period, tissue was harvested, and the yield of plant green matter, oil and oil per hectare was evaluated. A comparative analysis of the oil content of achenes before and after planting (parental v progeny) was performed. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design of 4 treatments (genotypes), Embrapa122, BRSG01, Helio253 and Helio250, and 4 replications, for a total of 16 experimental plots, with each plot constituting 8 plants. In this study, sunflowers were produced in the climatic conditions of the Brazilian semi-arid region with biomasses, achenes and oil contents that were different from other crop productions in the country, providing the possibility of obtaining oil with a distinct chemical composition.
Chchd10 or Chchd2 are not Required for Human Motor Neuron Differentiation In Vitro but Modify Synaptic Transcriptomes

Mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins CHCHD2 and CHCHD10 have roles in diseases affecting motor neurons such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and axonal neuropathy and in Parkinson’s disease, and form a complex of unknown function. Here we address the importance of these two proteins in human motor neurons. We show that gene edited human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) lacking either CHCHD2 or CHCHD10 are viable and can be differentiated into functional motor neurons that fire spontaneous and evoked action potentials. Knockout iPSC and motor neurons sustain mitochondrial ultrastructure and show reciprocal compensatory increases in CHCHD2 or CHCHD10. Knockout motor neurons have largely overlapping transcriptome profiles compared to isogenic control line, in particular for synaptic gene expression. Our results show that absence of CHCHD2 or CHCHD10 does not disrupt functionality, but induces similar modifications in human motor neurons. Thus pathogenic mechanisms may involve loss of synaptic function.
Diversity of Phytophthora Species Associated with Quercus ilex L. in Three Spanish Regions Evaluated by NGS

The diversity of Phytophthora species in declining Fagaceae forests in Europe is increasing in the last years. The genus Quercus is one of the most extended Fagaceae genera in Europe, and Q. ilex is the dominant tree in Spain. The introduction of soil-borne pathogens, such as Phytophthora in Fagaceae forests modifies the microbial community present in the rhizosphere, and has relevant environmental and economic consequences. A better understanding of the diversity of Phytophthora spp. associated with Q. ilex is proposed in this study by using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in six Q. ilex stands located in three regions in Spain. Thirty-seven Phytophthora phylotypes belonging to clades 1 to 12, except for clades 4, 5 and 11, are detected in this study, which represents a high diversity of Phytophthora species in holm oak Spanish forests. Phytophthora chlamydospora, P. citrophthora, P. gonapodyides, P. lacustris, P. meadii, P. plurivora, P. pseudocryptogea, P. psychrophila and P. quercina were present in the three regions. Seven phylotypes could not be associated with known Phytophthora species, so they were putatively named as Phytophthora sp. Most of the detected phylotypes corresponded to terrestrial Phytophthora species but aquatic species from clades 6 and 9 were also present in all regions.
Development of lentiviral vectors targeted to P38MAPK inhibition and Akt activation in motor neurons of a mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. This leads to weakness and muscular atrophy that evolves to paralysis and death. Studies on patients and animal models of ALS suggest that the pathology is the consequence of the unbalance between pro-degenerative (p38MAPK) and pro-survival (Akt) pathways in motor neurons. In order to re-equilibrate this complex interplay, the major objective of this study was to develop a gene-based approach to target, in vivo, these two intracellular signaling proteins. We demonstrated for the first time that a construct derived from Hb9 promoter can be used in lentivectors to restrict transgene expression to motor neurons in vivo; moreover we found that induction of Akt pathway, through expression of constitutively activated Akt3 in motor neurons, prevents neuronal loss in SOD1G93A mice, although it does not influence their premature death. On the other hand, we used RNAi to downregulate p38MAPKalpha in a mouse model of ALS. We revealed that expression of p38MAPK-targeted shRNA in the spinal cord of presymptomatic mice reduces motor neuronal loss in the early phases of the pathology, but then it is not able to sustain neuronal survival during disease progression, eventually resulting in worsening of symptoms and shortening of life span. We found preliminary evidences that hyperactivation of microglial cells may be responsible for this more aggressive phenotype, suggesting that a fine tuning of microglial reactivity may be important to avoid pro-degenerative effects. Overall these data support the hypothesis that modulation of pro-degenerative and pro-survival pathways may help counteracting motor neuronal degeneration, and strengthen the evidence that preservation of neuronal perikaria is not sufficient to ameliorate disease progression in ALS. The peripheral compartment (axons, muscles) should be regarded as an additional target for potential therapeutic approaches.
Selenium biofortification on garlic growth and other nutrients accumulation

ABSTRACT Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and has anti-cancer function. Garlic can accumulate Se, so it is an option to Se supplementation in the human diet. The aim of this research was to study Se uptake and accumulation during garlic growth. Four doses of Na2SeO4 and Na2SeO3 solution were applied in the substrate (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha-1 Se) for one time in August 2014, with a random plot design and 3 replicates on garlic clone Rubi INTA. Three harvests were made, in September, October and December 2014. After each harvest, leaves, bulbs and roots were separated and conditioned (peeled and chopped), lyophilized, and finally acid-digested prior to Se, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, P and S determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Se accumulation was proportional to Se doses and did not affect garlic growth. Also, Se distribution among different organs was related to the garlic growth cycle. The Se presence decreased accumulation of Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, P and S but increased Zn accumulation in plants. Garlic can be an important Se source to humans but it is important to consider Se-doses for biofortification.
Analysis of unusual and signature APOBEC-mutations in HIV-1 pol next-generation sequences

Introduction At low mutation-detection thresholds, next generation sequencing (NGS) for HIV-1 genotypic resistance testing is susceptible to artifactual detection of mutations arising from PCR error and APOBEC-mediated G-to-A hypermutation. Methods We analyzed published HIV-1 pol Illumina NGS data to characterize the distribution of mutations at eight NGS thresholds: 20%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2%, and 0.1%. At each threshold, we determined the proportion of amino acid mutations that were unusual (defined as having a prevalence <0.01% in HIV-1 group M sequences) or were signature APOBEC mutations. Results Eight studies, containing 855 samples, in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive were analyzed. As detection thresholds were lowered, there was a progressive increase in the proportion of positions with both usual and unusual mutations and in the proportion of all mutations that were unusual. The median proportion of positions with an unusual mutation increased gradually from 0% at the 20% threshold to 0.3% at the 1% threshold and then exponentially to 1.3% (0.5% threshold), 6.9% (0.2% threshold), and 23.2% (0.1% threshold). In two of three studies with available plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, the proportion of positions with unusual mutations was negatively associated with virus levels. Although the complete set of signature APOBEC mutations was much smaller than that of unusual mutations, the former outnumbered the latter in one-sixth of the samples at the 0.5%, 1%, and 2% thresholds. Conclusions The marked increase in the proportion of positions with unusual mutations at thresholds below 1% and in samples with lower virus loads suggests that, at low thresholds, many unusual mutations are artifactual, reflecting PCR error or G-to-A hypermutation. Profiling the numbers of unusual and signature APOBEC pol mutations at different NGS thresholds may be useful to avoid selecting a threshold that is too low and poses an unacceptable risk of identifying artifactual mutations.
The Rab5-Rab11 endosomal pathway is required for BDNF-induced CREB transcriptional regulation in neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key regulator of the morphology and connectivity of central neurons. We have previously shown that BDNF/TrkB signaling regulates the activity and mobility of the GTPases Rab5 and Rab11, which in turn determine the post-endocytic sorting of signaling TrkB receptors. Moreover, altered Rab5 or Rab11 activity inhibits BDNF-induced dendritic branching. Whether Rab5 or Rab11 activity is important for local events only, or also for regulating nuclear signaling and gene expression, is unknown. Here, we investigated whether BDNF-induced signaling cascades were altered when early and recycling endosomes were disrupted by the expression of dominant negative mutants of Rab5 and Rab11. The activities of both Rab5 and Rab11 were required for sustained activity of Erk1/2 and nuclear CREB phosphorylation and for increased transcription of BDNF-dependent genes containing CRE-binding sites that include activity-regulated genes such as Arc, Dusp1, c-fos and Egr1 and growth and survival genes such as Atf3 and Nf1. Based on our results, we propose that the early and recycling endosomes provide a platform for the integration of neurotrophic signaling from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in neurons and that this mechanism likely regulates neuronal plasticity and neuronal survival. Significance Statement BDNF is a soluble neurotrophic factor that regulates plastic changes in the brain, including dendritic growth, by binding to its plasma membrane receptor TrkB. BDNF/TrkB activates signaling cascades leading to activation of CREB, a key transcription factor regulating circuit development and learning and memory. Our results uncover the cellular mechanisms that central neurons use to integrate the signaling of plasma membrane receptors with nuclear transcriptional responses. We found that the endosomal pathway is required for the signaling cascade initiated by BDNF and its receptors in the plasma membranes to modulate BDNF-dependent gene expression and neuronal dendritic growth mediated by the CREB transcription factor in the nucleus.
ULK complex organization in autophagy by a C-shaped FIP200 N-terminal domain dimer

The autophagy-initiating human ULK complex consists of the kinase ULK1/2, FIP200, ATG13, and ATG101. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was used to map their mutual interactions. The N-terminal 640 residues (NTD) of FIP200 interact with the C-terminal IDR of ATG13. Mutations in these regions abolish their interaction. Negative stain electron microscopy (EM) and multiangle light scattering showed that FIP200 is a dimer whilst a single molecule each of the other subunits is present. The FIP200 NTD is flexible in the absence of ATG13, but in its presence adopts the shape of the letter C ∼20 nm across. The ULK1 EAT domain interacts loosely with the NTD dimer, while the ATG13-ATG101 HORMA dimer does not contact the NTD. Cryo-EM of the NTD dimer revealed a structure similarity to the scaffold domain of TBK1, suggesting an evolutionary similarity between the autophagy initiating TBK1 kinase and the ULK1 kinase complex. Summary The human ULK complex consists of ULK1/2, FIP200, ATG13, and ATG101. We found that the FIP200 N-terminal domain is a C-shaped dimer that binds directly to a single ATG13 molecule and serves as the organizing hub of the complex.
Assess the Effect of Micronutrients and Bio-regulators on Growth, Flowering, Fruiting and Yield of Guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Allahabad Safeda

1 Department of Fruit Science, ICAR-Central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, P.O Kakori, Lucknow, Uttarpradesh-226 101, India 2 ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station-IIHR, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India 3 College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India 4 ICAR-Central Institute of Water Management, C.S Pur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha -751 003, India
P-073 Preoperative Risk Factors for Postoperative Clostridium Difficile Infection in Ileal Pouch Patients

BACKGROUND: The association between preoperative Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and postoperative CDI in ileal pouch patients has not been investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether preoperative CDI has an impact on the occurrence of postoperative CDI in patients with the ileal pouch. METHODS: Consecutive eligible ileal pouch patients from between February 2005 and December 2012 were identified from the Pouchitis Registry. Patients in the Registry with known the status of CDI of the pouch were surveyed with a structured questionnaire regarding the preoperative C. difficile test and its treatment. Medical records were also reviewed. Demographics and clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated with univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: A total of 412 patients who were tested for CDI after pouch surgery were surveyed and 145 patients (35.2%) returned the questionnaires. A total of 102 patients with preoperative C. difficile test were identified for this study and 21 patients (20.6%) tested positive for C. difficile test after colectomy. On logistic regression analysis, male patients were 7.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.99, 30.94, P = 0.003) times more likely to have CDI than women. In addition, preoperative significant comorbidities (odds radio [OR] = 4.37; 95% CI: 1.09, 17.55; P = 0.037) and preoperative use antibiotics for other indications (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 1.71,19.19; P = 0.005) were found to be associated with postoperative CDI of the pouch. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the preoperative CDI was associated with the occurrence of postoperative CDI (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.36, 3.99, P = 0.769). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative CDI occurred frequently in male patients with IPAA. In addition, preoperative comorbidities and antibiotic use were found to be risk factors. However, preoperative CDI did not appear to be associated with an increased risk for postoperative CDI in pouch patients.
Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of domestic citrus cultivar ‘Haryejosaeng’

A new early maturing satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) ‘Haryejosaeng’ was developed at the Citrus Research Institute, Korea. The present study investigated the variation in total phenolics (TP), flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of fruits of ‘Haryejosaeng’ according to the harvest from September 2018 to December 2018, in Jeju. Colorirmetric methods were employed for the quantitative TP analysis, and the antioxidant activity by in vitro assay methods for DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide. The flavonoid and carotenoid compositions of ‘Haryejosaeng’ were compared with HPLC method. The total phenolics contents, flavonoid, antioxidant activity in both peel and flesh of ‘Haryejosaeng’ decreased during ripening. However, the amounts of β-cryptoxanthin in flesh increased from 0.2 to 1.86 mg/100 g during ripening. The major flavonoids of ‘Haryejosaeng’ extract were narirutin, hesperidin, rutin, nobiletin, and tangeretin. The changes observed for the antioxidant activity of ‘Haryejosaeng’ was correlated with the content of flavonoid and phenolics which can indicate that these compounds may act by capturing free radicals. Therefore, these results suggest that fruits of ‘Haryejosaeng’ are a significant source of antioxidant compounds such as phenolics, flavonoid and β-cryptoxanthin. These finding will allow the determination of appropriate times for harvesting Haryejosaengs containing the highest amount of specific bioactive makers for achieving improved health benefits and functional properties.