Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the 'Scanogram' as an ultrasonic aid in assessing carcase composition of live sheep

An evaluation of the Scanogram as an aid in assessing carcase composition of live sheep was made using 23 Dorset Horn rams. Live animal measurements included tracings from Scanogram photographs taken at the 12th rib, tuber coxae and shoulder sites and an 18-hour fasted liveweight. Half carcases were dissected into fat, muscle, bone and connective tissue. Repeatability of photograph interpretation was of the order of 0.75 for fat depth at the 12th rib and tuber coxae sites and M. longissirnus area, but low for shoulder fat depth. Correlations between scan and carcase measurements made at the same site were of the order of 0.7 for 12th rib and tuber coxae fat depth and low and non-significant for shoulder fat depth and M. longissirnus area.Scanogram measurements of fat depth at the 12th rib and tuber coxae sites were the best predictors of percentage fat, and when considered in combination with liveweight provided the best estimate of total carcase fat weight. Liveweight was the best predictor of total muscle weight and the addition of Scanogram measurements to liveweight did not improve the accuracy of prediction. From examination of confidence intervals about predicted means it was concluded that the value of the Scanogram, as an aid to assessing carcase composition, was limited to differentiating between individual animals of widely differing carcase composition, or selecting groups of animals where confidence was required in the group mean.
Interaction between Musca domestica L. and its predator Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera, Muscidae): effects of prey density and food source abundance

Interaction between Musca domestica L. and its predator Muscina stabulans (Fallen) (Diptera, Muscidae): Effects of prey density and food source abundance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of prey density and food source abundance on the predatory behavior of Muscina stabulans over M. domestica. Three predator/prey proportions were evaluated (1:1, 1:3 and 1:6), using 100 third instar predator larvae against second instar prey larvae. Each proportion was maintained using three different levels of food substrate (25, 50 and 100 g). The experiments were carried out in triplicate in BOD incubators (25oC, UR 70% ± 10% and 12 h photoperiod). The mortality of the M. domestica larvae was 100% under all conditions, except in the 1:6 predator/prey proportion, at the 50g and 100g food substrate levels, where it was 99.99% and 99.22%, respectively. There was a significant increase in the development period of M. stabulans in relation to the increase in prey density and decrease in quantity of food substrate. An increase in the proportion of individuals and a reduction in the amount of resource slowed down larval development. Muscina stabulans pupal weight was proportional to the increase in prey density and the amount of food substrate. The proportion or the density influenced the survival of M. stabulans, with no difference in relation to the amount of food source and consequently in the interaction of the factors. There was no difference between the 1:1 and 1:3 predator-prey densities, with both differing from the 1:6 density.
Can we predict real‐time fMRI neurofeedback learning success from pretraining brain activity?

Neurofeedback training has been shown to influence behavior in healthy participants as well as to alleviate clinical symptoms in neurological, psychosomatic, and psychiatric patient populations. However, many real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies report large interindividual differences in learning success. The factors that cause this vast variability between participants remain unknown and their identification could enhance treatment success. Thus, here we employed a meta-analytic approach including data from 24 different neurofeedback studies with a total of 401 participants, including 140 patients, to determine whether levels of activity in target brain regions during pre-training functional localizer or no-feedback runs (i.e., self-regulation in the absence of neurofeedback) could predict neurofeedback learning success. We observed a slightly positive correlation between pre-training activity levels during a functional localizer run and neurofeedback learning success, but we were not able to identify common brain-based success predictors across our diverse cohort of studies. Therefore, advances need to be made in finding robust models and measures of general neurofeedback learning, and in increasing the current study database to allow for investigating further factors that might influence neurofeedback learning.
Prospective observational cohort study of early recurrent TIA

Objectives To evaluate the frequency, clinical and etiologic features, and short- and long-term outcomes of early recurrent TIA. Methods This prospective observational cohort study enrolled all consecutive patients with TIA referred to our emergency department and diagnosed by a vascular neurologist. Expedited assessment and best secondary prevention were performed within 24 hours. Primary endpoints were stroke and a composite outcome including stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and vascular death at 3, 12, and, for a subset of patients, 60 months; secondary outcomes were TIA relapse, cerebral hemorrhage, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and death resulting from other causes. Concordance between index TIA and subsequent stroke etiologies was also evaluated. Results A total of 1,035 patients (822 with a single TIA, 213 with recurrent TIA = 21%) were enrolled from August 2010 to December 2017. Capsular warning syndrome and large artery atherosclerosis showed the strongest relationship with early recurrent TIA. The risk of stroke was significantly higher in the early recurrent TIA subgroup at each follow-up, and most stroke episodes occurred within 48 hours of index TIA. TIAs with lesion, dysarthria, and leukoaraiosis were the 3- and 12-month independent predictors of stroke incidence after early recurrent TIA subgroup. Index TIA and subsequent stroke etiologies showed substantial concordance. An ABCD3 score >6 predicted a higher risk of stroke recurrence over the entire follow-up. Conclusions Our study evaluated long-term outcome after early recurrent TIA. Our observations support the importance of promptly detecting and treating patients with early recurrent TIAs to reduce the high early and long-term risk of poor clinical outcomes.
Purification and characterisation of a prominent polygalacturonase isozyme produced by Phomopsis cucurbitae in decayed muskmelon fruit

Phomopsis cucurbitae is a latent infection fungus which causes muskmelon fruit decay only after harvest. It can cause severe losses during fruit storage and marketing in the U.S.A. , Japan and some Central American countries. Previous studies showed that P. cucurbitae produced polygalacturonase (PG) in both culture and muskmelon fruit tissue. In this study, a prominent PG isozyme (PG1) produced by P. cucurbitae in decayed fruit was purified to homogeneity by a procedure of extraction, ultrafiltration, preparative isoelectric focusing, anion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. The isozyme had a primary endo-activity, a relative molecular weight of 54 kD according to SDS-PAGE, and a pl of 4.2 based on IEF-PAGE. The isozyme was active in a low pH range from 2 to 6, and was optimum at pH 5. Optimum temperature for the activity of PG1 was 40—45 °C. The K m and V max on polygalacturonic acid were 44.7 μg ml −1 and 0.14 μg −1 enzyme, respectively. The purified PG1 effectively macerated mature fruit tissue, suggesting that the isozyme may be involved in the pathogenesis of Phomopsis fruit rot of muskmelon.
Decomposition of straw from herbage seed production: Effects of species, nutrient amendment and straw placement on C and N net mineralization

Abstract The market for cereal cover crop straw and herbage seed straw has diminished in many seed-production areas due to there being less livestock. Seed growers therefore want to chop and return the straw both in the sowing year and in the seed-harvest years. The objectives of this research were (1) to compare decomposition rates of straw of barley and wheat cover crops and timothy (Phleum pratense L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed crops, (2) to study the effect on soil microbial activity of adding mineral nitrogen or fresh leaves from undersown seed crops, and (3) to evaluate the effect of straw placement/soil contact on straw-decomposition rates. Microbial activity/straw-decomposition rates were evaluated by regular measurement of CO2 production in four laboratory incubation experiments lasting for 150–161 days. Microbial activity was always enhanced by adding straw on the soil surface. Straw of barley resulted in higher CO2 production than did straw of wheat, while straw of red clover and meadow fescue resulted in higher CO2 production than with straw of timothy. Inclusion of fresh leaves of white clover and timothy increased CO2 production during the first and second half of the incubation experiments, respectively. Neither in the sowing year nor in the seed-harvest year was microbial activity stimulated by adding fertilizer nitrogen, but soil mineral nitrogen by the end of the experiments was higher after adding fertilizer or fresh leaves, and lower after adding grass seed straw. Presumably owing to higher humidity, straw decomposition in a field experiment was higher in timothy stubble than in wheat stubble and higher at 2 cm than at 10 cm above the soil surface. For practical seed production, growers are recommended to leave short stubble, to chop the straw as finely as possible, and to distribute the straw evenly on the surface in close contact with soil particles.
Invasivenessof T-Cell Hybridomasin Vitroand Their Metastatic Potentialin Vivo

BW5147 lymphoma cells, which are noninvasive and nonmetastatic, were fused with normal T-lymphocytes. The invasiveness of the generated T-cell hybridomas was tested in hepatocyte cultures, and their metastatic potential was tested by tail vein injection. A total of 29 hybridomas generated from alloantigen-activated T-cells were all found to be invasive. One of these cell lines rapidly lost invasiveness in culture. Most hybridomas generated from nonstimulated spleen T-cells were also invasive, but 5 of 27 were not. Six invasive and four noninvasive hybri domas were injected into the tail vein of syngeneic mice. All invasive cell lines caused extensive and widespread tumor growth, particularly in the liver, which was usually severalfold enlarged; the spleen; kidneys; and ovaries. In contrast the noninvasive hybrids, which were tumorigenic upon s.c. injection, did not form any mA©tastases.We conclude that properties derived from normal T-cells, when introduced into noninvasive T-lymphoma cells, cause them to become invasive as well as meta static. Furthermore for this tumor cell type invasiveness as measured in hepatocyte cultures appears to be closely associ ated with the ability to colonize organs from the bloodstream.
The effect of prophylactic thoracic duct ligation during esophagectomy on the incidence of chylothorax and survival of the patients: an updated review

ABSTRACT Background The role of thoracic duct ligation (TDL) during esophagectomy remains controversial. This review aimed to elucidate the effect of TDL on chylothorax and survival of the patients after esophagectomy for cancer. Methods We searched articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar till May 2020 according to the PRISMA guidelines using the terms of [Oesophagectomy OR esophagectomy] AND [chylothorax] AND [thoracic duct ligation]. Only those compared the incidence of chylothorax in patients who ligated or resected the thoracic duct (ligation group) or preserved the thoracic duct (preservation group) were selected. Results First, 15 studies including one randomized controlled trial were collected for meta-analysis regarding post-esophagectomy chylothorax. Of these, 3658 patients underwent TDL and 4638 cases preserved the thoracic duct. Both groups showed similar chylothorax rate (odd ratios 0.73 in favor of ligation group; 95% conﬁdence interval [CI] 0.50–1.07, p = 0.11). Second, four studies providing survival information were included for another meta-analysis, and the patients in preservation group demonstrated better 5-year overall survival compared to those in ligation group (odds ratio 1.25; 95% CI 1.08–1.44, p = 0.002). Conclusions The present review provided updated evidence opposing prophylactic TDL during esophagectomy for lowering chylothorax. Considering the harmful effect of TDL on survival of the patients, further well-designed trials should be considered in selected cases under strict supervision.
The phytochemical epigallocatechin gallate prolongs the lifespan by improving lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in high‐fat diet‐fed obese rats

We have recently reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could extend lifespan in healthy rats. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of a high dose of EGCG in extending the lifespan of obese rats. Ninety adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control (NC), high‐fat (HF) and EGCG groups. Serum glucose and lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress were dynamically determined from adulthood to death, and the transcriptome and proteome of the liver were also examined. The median lifespans of the NC, HF and EGCG groups were 693, 599 and 683 days, respectively, and EGCG delayed death by 84 days in obese rats. EGCG improved serum glucose and lipids and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress associated with aging in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet. EGCG also significantly decreased the levels of total free fatty acids (FFAs), SFAs and the n‐6/n‐3 ratio but significantly increased the n‐3 FFAs related to longevity. The joint study of the transcriptome and proteome in liver found that EGCG exerted its effects mainly by regulating the suppression of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen species metabolism, suppression of oxidative stress, activation of fatty acid transport and oxidation and cholesterol metabolism. EGCG significantly increased the protein expression of FOXO1, Sirt1, CAT, FABP1, GSTA2, ACSL1 and CPT2 but significantly decreased NF‐κB, ACC1 and FAS protein levels in the livers of rats. All the results indicate that EGCG extends lifespan by improving FFA metabolism and reducing the levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress in obese rats.
Changing trends in frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens causing catheter related infections in children

Catheter-related infections (CRIs) by bacterial pathogens are the frequent cause of nosocomial infections in hospitalized pediatric patients. The undertaken study was carried out at two different time duration in 2005 and 2011 to determine the changing trend in bacterial pathogens isolated from catheters and their antimicrobial susceptibility in children. Patients implanted with endotracheal tube (ETT), peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC), urinary catheters (UC) and central venous catheters (CVC) were included in this study. The prevalence of the organism causing CRI and its antibiotic susceptibility was determined using standard microbiological assay. In the present study, the most frequent catheter colonizing bacteria in 2005 were Pseudomonas spp. 30% (n = 30) followed by Klebsiella spp. 27% (n = 27) and Escherichia coli 27% (n = 27). In contrast, the most frequently isolated pathogens in 2011 were found to be Klebsiella spp. 34.7% (n = 40), followed by E. coli 25.2% (n = 29) and Pseudomonas spp. 15.6 % (n = 18). Beside these commonly isolated pathogens, we have also isolated Acinetobacter spp. 9.57% (n = 11), Enterobacter spp. 5.21% (n = 6) and Citrobacter spp. 0.86% (n = 1) in 2011. A significant increase in the resistance of Gram negative bacteria to amikacin, co-amoxiclav, cefixime and cefpriome was documented from 2005 to 2011. On the other hand, in 2011, the resistance of Gram positive bacteria to amikacin, co-amoxiclav, fusidic acid and teicoplanin was significantly increased. The isolation of causative agents of CRIs and the antibiogram of these pathogens may be helpful for a more appropriate and optimized treatment with potential benefits for the patients as well as for the rationale antibiotic policy.
A Phylogenetic Assessment of Pocket Gophers (Geomys): Evidence from Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genes

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships within Geomys historically have been difficult to assess using morphometric and chromosomal data. DNA sequences from the nuclear-encoded interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein gene (Rbp3) and mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA) gene were used to examine the relationships within Geomys. In addition, sequence data from Rbp3 and mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene regions were combined with DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene (Cytb) reported in a previous study. Results from phylogenetic analyses support previously established relationships in the recognition of 4 species groups (breviceps, bursarius, personatus, and pinetis) and a minimum of 12 species. Additionally, results agree with previous studies in considering the elevation of G. pinetis mobilensis and G. breviceps sagittalis to species-level status and in reevaluating the taxonomic status of 2 additional subspecies (G. personatus davisi and G. p. maritimus).
Using genomics to gain insights into the evolution and biology of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi on European horse chestnut

Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi ( Pae ) causes a devastating bleeding canker disease of European horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ) in northwest Europe. The pathogen can enter woody branches directly via lenticels, leaf scars and nodes, causing lesions in the cortex and phloem. Cankers can expand rapidly, causing bleeding symptoms on the stem and branches, and the trees suffer progressive crown dieback often leading to mortality. To gain insights into the evolutionary and biological adaptations of Pae , the draft genome sequences were generated for four strains of Pae including three strains from Britain and the type strain from India that causes leaf spot on Indian horse chestnut ( Aesculus indica ). The genomic data suggest that the British and Indian Pae strains share a recent common ancestor and that the three British Pae strains descend from a single, very recent introduction of the bacterium into Britain. A phylogenetic analysis based on a set of conserved genes showed that Pae belongs to a distinct clade of P. syringae pathovars adapted to woody hosts. Genomic comparisons with other P. syringae pathovars showed that Pae has acquired genes that may enable it to infect and live within the woody parts of the tree. These include genes involved in the degradation of plant-derived aromatic compounds, and others which likely have a role in disabling the tree’s defense responses. These genes have not yet been found in other pathovars of P. syringae that infect herbaceous plants but may be conserved in other tree-infecting bacteria and thus, may be important to our understanding of the infection processes of bacterial tree diseases. the pathogenicity of strain 2250 was confirmed by inoculating a cell suspension on to wounded horse chestnut shoots and observing subsequent development of lesions. The Indian strain of Pae (NCPPB3681) was isolated in 1969 from a leaf lesion on Indian horse chestnut in Northern India (Durgapal, 1971). DNA preparation and sequencing, genome assembly and alignment, bioinfomatic analyses and phylo- genetic analyses were carried out as described in Green et al. (2010).
Competitive Balance and Match Uncertainty in Grand-Slam Tennis

This article tests whether the increase in seeded players in tennis grand-slam tournaments from 16 to 32 in 2001 led to decreased competitive balance. In doing so, two alternative measures of competitive balance for single-elimination tournaments are proposed based on the performance of seeded players. Likewise, the differences in competitive balance due to gender and court surface are also analyzed. Additionally, using data from tennis grand-slam matches from 2005 to 2008, this article analyzed the determinants of ex post match level uncertainty with probit models.
Characteristics of Homicide Events and the Decline in Homicide Clearance

Following the national pattern, homicide clearance rates in Chicago have continuously declined for several decades. This study focuses on the influence of changing characteristics of homicide events on the decline in homicide clearances. Most previous studies are not suitable to address the decline issue because of their methodological limitations. The decline is a longitudinal process and a cross-sectionally identified relationship could be a temporary association at a particular point in time. The current study investigates all the key relationships with two longitudinal methods: pooled cross-sectional time series and ARIMA and by controlling for community-level factors. The results show that homicides involving concomitant felony, Latino victims, strangers, and vehicle body location are significantly and consistently related to the decline, whereas other previously identified predictors do not remain significant over time. The current paper also explains how effects of homicide event variables can be translated into actions and help improve clearance outcome.
In vitro cytotoxic effects and apoptosis induction by a methanol leaf extract of carob tree ( Ceratonia siliqua L.)

This research evaluated the in vitro apoptotic inducing properties of a methanol leaf extract of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) on a human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa). The cell viability effect on a prostate (DU-145), breast (MDA-MB-231) and colon cell line (HCT-166) was also assessed. The effect of the extract on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by HeLa cells was studied, and a phytochemical evaluation was made by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC). Total mean yield of identified phenols was 261.1 mg/g DW, and (+)-catechin was the major compound (76.8 mg/g DW). The extract decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and a more pronounced effect on HeLa line was observed. In vitro cytotoxic activity was associated with apoptosis, but not to the increase of ROS production. Among the tested compounds identified in the extract, the highest activity was detected with gallic acid (GA), (+)-catechin and quercetin, with reductions in HeLa cells viability down to 8.0, 11.9 and 27.1%, respectively. This is the first report on the apoptotic activity of a leaf extract of carob tree on a human cancer cell line, suggesting that it may be a potential source of chemopreventive compounds. Key words: Antioxidants, antiproliferation, cell cycle, flavonoids, polyphenols, reactive oxygen species (ROS).