Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of an Exercise Program and Ergonomic Advices on Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and purpose: Low back pain is a common and costly problem in pregnancy. It is one of the main reasons for disability, absence from work and responsible for huge direct and indirect economical impact. Women seem to be more prone to low back pain and pregnancy is one of the conditions that predispose women to low back pain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an exercise program and ergonomic advices in the treatment of low back pain in pregnant women. Materials and methods: Following ethical approval and through a randomized controlled clinical trial, 120 pregnant women with low back pain were randomly allocated into two groups; an experimental and a control group. The experimental group (n=60) received intervention including therapeutic exercise combined with ergonomic advices and the control group (n=60) was given no intervention. Pain on Visual Analogue Scale and functional disability on Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire were measured after intervention and at three months follow-up. Results: Intra-group changes indicated that there was a significant reduction on pain intensity and functional disability in the experimental group (p 0.05). Inter-groups changes showed significant improvements in both pain intensity and functional disability following intervention (P<0.01) in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.01 in both instances). This significant differences in pain intensity and functional disability were maintained at three months follow–up between the two groups (P<0.01 in both instances). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that therapeutic exercise and ergonomic advices could be considered as effective approaches in the treatment of low back pain in pregnancy. Therefore, more emphasis should be put on regular exercise and ergonomic advices during pregnancy and afterwards in order to prevent and control such a common and costly health problem.
Development of Methicillin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus sciuri by Transcriptional Activation of the mecA Homologue Native to the Species

ABSTRACT The β-lactam resistance gene mecA was acquired by Staphylococcus aureus from an extraspecies source. The search for the possible origin of this gene has led to the identification of a close structural homologue of mecA as a native gene in the animal species Staphylococcus sciuri. Surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of S. sciuri isolates were fully susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics in spite of the ubiquitous presence of the mecA homologue in the bacteria. We now describe two unusual S. sciuri strains isolated from humans—SS-37 and SS-41—that showed resistance to methicillin associated with high rates of transcription of the mecA homologue and production of a protein resembling penicillin binding protein 2a, the gene product of S. aureus mecA. In strain SS-37 increased transcription of the mecA homologue was related to insertion of an IS256 element upstream of the structural gene, and strain SS-41 had single nucleotide alterations in the promoter region of the mecA homologue which appear to be related to up-regulation of the rate of transcription. A third methicillin-resistant human isolate of S. sciuri that carries both the native mecA homologue and a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) type mecA, strain K3, was now shown to be unstable in the absence of drug selection, causing the segregation of antibiotic-susceptible cells accompanied by the loss of the MRSA type mecA. These observations illustrate the remarkable variety of strategies available to bacteria for acquiring mechanisms of drug resistance in the in vivo environment.
Effects of external NaCl on the growth of Atriplex amnicola and the ion relations and carbohydrate status of the leaves

Atriplex amnicola, was grown in nutrient solution cultures with concentrations of NaCl up to 750 mol m−3. The growth optimum was at 25–50 mol m−3 NaCl and growth was 10–15% of that value at 750 mol m−3 NaCl. Sodium chloride at 200 mol m−3 and higher reduced the rate of leaf extension and increased the time taken for a leaf to reach its maximal length. Concentrations of Na+, K+ and Mg2+ in leaves of different ages were investigated for plants grown at 25, 200 and 400 mol m−3 NaCl. Although leaves of plants grown at 200 and 400 mol m−3 NaCl had high Na+ concentrations at young developmental stages, much of this Na+ was located in the salt bladders. Leaves excluding bladders had low Na+ concentrations when young, but very high in Na+ when old. In contrast to Na+, K+ concentrations were similar in bladders and leaves excluding bladders. Concentrations of K+ were higher in the rapidly expanding than in the old leaves. At 400 mol m−3 NaCl, the K+:Na+ ratios of the leaves excluding bladders were 0.4–0.6 and 0.1 for rapidly expanding and oldest leaves, respectively. The Na+ content in moles per leaf, excluding bladders, increased linearly with the age of the leaves; concurrent increases in succulence were closely correlated with the Na + concentration in the leaves excluding the bladders. Soluble sugars and starch in leaves, stems and buds were determined at dusk and dawn. There was a pronounced diurnal fluctation in concentrations of carbohydrates. During the night, most plant parts showed large decreases in starch and sugar. Concentrations of carbohydrates in most plant organs were similar for plants grown at 25 and 400 mol m−3 NaCl. One notable exception was buds at dusk, where sugar and starch concentrations were 30–35% less in plants grown at 400 mol m−3 NaCl than in plants grown at 25 mol m−3 NaCl. The data indicate that the growth of A. amnicola at 400 mol m−3 NaCl is not limited by the availability of photosynthate in the plant as a whole. However, there could have been a growth limitation due to inadequate organic solutes for osmotic regulation.
Impaired Spatial Learning and Unaltered Neurogenesis in a Transgenic Model of Alzheimers Disease After Oral Aluminum Exposure

Although it is well established that aluminum (Al) is neurotoxic, the potential role of this element in the etiology of Alzheimers disease (AD) is not well established. In this study, we evaluated the effects of oral Al exposure on spatial learning, memory and neurogenesis in Tg2576 mice, an animal model of AD in which Abeta plaques start to be deposited at 9 months of age. Aluminum was given as Al lactate (11 mg/g of food) for 6 months. At 11 months of age a water maze test was carried out to evaluate learning and memory. Subsequently, mice were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and sacrificed 24 hours or 28 days after the last injection in order to assess proliferation, survival and differentiation of neurons. We observed impaired acquisition in the water maze task in Al-treated Tg2576 mice, as well as worse memory in the Al-exposed groups. In terms of neurogenesis, no effects of aluminum were observed in proliferation, survival and differentiation. The results of this investigation suggest that Tg2576 mice fed for 210 days with rodent chow supplemented with Al lactate at 11 mg/g of food have impaired spatial learning although their neurogenesis remains unmodified.
Bioleaching: metal solubilization by microorganisms

Bioleaching is a simple and effective technology for metal extraction from low-grade ores and mineral concentrates. Metal recovery from sulfide minerals is based on the activity of chemolithotrophic bacteria, mainly Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and T. thiooxidans, which convert insoluble metal sulfides into soluble metal sulfates. Non-sulfide ores and minerals can be treated by heterotrophic bacteria and by fungi. In these cases metal extraction is due to the production of organic acids and chelating and complexing compounds excreted into the environment. At present bioleaching is used essentially for the recovery of copper, uranium and gold, and the main techniques employed are heap, dump and in situ leaching. Tank leaching is practised for the treatment of refractory gold ores. Bioleaching has also some potential for metal recovery and detoxification of industrial waste products, sewage sludge and soil contaminated with heavy metals.
The effect of creatine monohydrate supplement on stroke volume during high intensity aerobic exercise in non active adults

Ель: Креатин является самым популярным дополнением для улучшения состава тела и анаэробной работы. Есть некоторые другие свойства креатина в отношении фитнеса и аэробных характеристик. Целью настоящего исследования является определение действия добавки креатина на ударный объем сердца. Материал: 38 неактивных взрослых аспирантов были разделены (n = 20) на две группы, у которых вес составлял 76,34 +- 11,73 кг, а рост составлял 174,89 +- 5,82 см, тогда как контрольная группа (плацебо) в весе составляла 81,83 +- 13,10 кг, а в росте - 176,29 +- 5,2 см. Результаты: Результаты этого исследования показывают, что не существует никакого существенного влияния на ударный объем сердца во время аэробных упражнений высокой интенсивности. Результаты данных в настоящем исследовании также показывают, что не существует никакого эффекта от добавки креатин моногидрата на ударный объем сердца во время физических упражнений. Однако показано, что наблюдается увеличение ударного объема сердца от теста к тесту в экспериментальной группе, в то время как контрольная группа не имеет никакого увеличения, а ударный объем в этой группе уменьшился в период от начала и до конца эксперимента. Выводы: Ударный объем обычно уменьшается во время упражнений с высокой интенсивностью на конечной стадии. Кстати, текущие исследования показали, что уменьшение ударного объема на заключительных этапах выполнения упражнений с постепенным их увеличением, будет более медленным в результате добавка креатин моногидрата.
Bimodal Pollination by Wasps and Beetles in the African Milkweed Xysmalobium undulatum

It has been suggested that flowers of some plants are specialized for pollination by two unrelated species (or functional groups) of pollinators. However, evidence for ‘bimodal pollination systems’ has been extremely limited. Studies of the milkweed Xysmalobium undulatum in South Africa showed that its flowers are visited by a range of different insects (representing 18 families), but only two groups, represented by the chafer beetle Atrichelaphinis tigrina and pompilid wasps in the genus Hemipepsis, effect pollination. Experiments showed that both these pollinator groups are effective in removing and inserting pollinia. Pollinia are attached to clypeal hairs and mouthparts on the wasps and tarsal hairs and spines on the beetles. Although considerably less abundant than the beetles, Hemipepsis spp. wasps move more quickly among flowers and appeared to be more effective pollinators overall. Experimental hand‐pollinations conducted in the field showed that X. undulatum is genetically self‐incompatible and thus completely reliant on pollinators for reproduction. We conclude that X. undulatum has a bimodal pollination system, specialized for pollination by Hemipepsis pompilid wasps and the chafer beetle A. tigrina.
Applications of marine refugia to coastal fisheries management

Marine fisheries refugia, unaltered areas that serve as sources of replenishment, can potentially compensate for recruitment and ecosystem overfishing and enhance fishery yields for some coastal stocks. The efficacy of refugia in fisheries management is virtually untested, despite the existence of many marine parks and reserves. Evidence from existing marine reserves indicates that increased abundance, individual size, reproductive output, and species diversity occurred in a variety of marine species in refuges of various sizes, shapes, and histories in communities ranging from coral reefs to temperate kelp forests. Fishery yield enhancement in areas surrounding refuges occurred in the few studies where yields were examined. The export of propagules required to enhance fisheries in areas surrounding refugia adds a level of complexity to the design of fishery refugia beyond that of terrestrial reserves. Fishery refugia design should consider species life histories, oceanographic regimes, habitat quality, a.
Growth and Natural Mortality Rates of Red Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) in British Columbia

Abstract Growth and natural mortality rates (M) of the red sea urchin (RSU), Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, were estimated based on tetracycline tagging studies and abundance surveys in Queen Charlotte Islands (QCI), Price Island (PI), Alert Bay (AB), and Tofino, British Columbia. Growth was modeled using the Tanaka function and logistic dose-response function and was variable between locations. The growth rate of the RSU remained constant or even increased in the first few years, before declining with test diameter or age. The RSU appeared to be a slow growing and long lived species. Growth for the RSU to recruit into the fishery, at a test diameter of 90 mm, took about 10 and 14 y in QCI and AB respectively, and about 18.5 y in PI and Tofino. Growth rates seemed to be correlated with population density. RSU density was the lowest in QCI, and lower in AB than in PI or Tofino. M was estimated by comparing the survey-derived density of the RSU with the expected density calculated using the growth function and the densities in the previous survey years. The estimated mean M was about 0.08 y−1 in PI and Tofino, 0.12 y−1 in QCI, and 0.21 y−1 in AB.
Cutting Edge: Early IFN-γ Signaling Directly Enhances Primary Antiviral CD4+ T Cell Responses1

IFN-γ drives CD4+ T cell differentiation toward the Th1 phenotype (Th1) and suppresses Th2 development. Current evidence indicates that IFN-γ inhibits T cell proliferation and decreases T cell survival. In contrast to the above, we show here that antiviral CD4+ T cell generation after infection is reduced in the absence of IFN-γ signals. The deficient expansion of cells was not due to perturbations in T cell sensitivity to peptide or to altered migratory patterns through nonlymphoid tissues. Instead, IFN-γ enhanced early antiviral CD4 responses largely through direct signals into these cells. Our data challenge prevailing dogma and have implications for how the sizes of the CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses are established.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION INTERVALS AND ANTITRANSPIRANT (KAOLIN) ON SUMMER SQUASH (Cucurbita pepo L.) GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY AND ECONOMICS.

In recent years, deficit irrigation has been widely investigated as a valuable and sustainable production strategy in Egypt. Hence, the present investigation was conducted in a clay loam soil at a private farm near Mansoura city, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the two summer seasons of 2008 and 2009 to investigate the effects of three irrigation intervals (8, 12 and 16 days, from first irrigation), spraying kaolin at (0, 3 and 6 %) as antitranspirant at 25, 40 and 55 days from planting and their interactions on growth, yield, fruit quality and water use efficiency of summer squash cv. Eskandrani. Results indicated that irrigation every 8 days throughout growing season resulted in highest foliage weight, leaves weight per plant, mean fruit weight, total fruit yield/fed. , marketable yield/fed. and seasonal applied water in both summer seasons. On the contrary, increasing irrigation intervals from 8 up to 16 days caused significant increases in leaves dry matter percentage, total soluble solids and dry matter percentage in fruit and water use efficiency in both seasons. On the other hand, all studied characters except leaves dry matter percentage, dry matter percentage in fruit and seasonal applied water were significantly increased with increasing kaolin levels in both seasons. The interaction effect between irrigation intervals and kaolin levels was significant for all the studied parameters in both seasons. The highest net return was observed with plants watered every 8 days and received kaolin at 6% concentration followed by watered every 12 days and received kaolin at 6% concentration that had higher benefit: cost ratio. From the economic and nutritional point of view, it could be concluded that irrigation every 12 days intervals combined with spraying kaolin at 6% concentration to summer squash cv. Eskandrani might gave the chance for increasing water use efficiency and produce satisfactory and good marketable fruit yield under similar conditions of this work.
Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on heart rate variability

Introduction: Strict lockdown rules were imposed to the French population from 17 March to 11 May 2020, which may result in limited possibilities of physical activity, modified psychological and health states. This report is focused on HRV parameters kinetics before, during and after this lockdown period. Methods: 95 participants were included in this study, who underwent regular orthostatic tests (a 5-minute supine followed by a 5-minute standing recording of heart rate (HR)) on a regular basis before, during and after the lockdown (BSL, CFN and RCV, respectively). HR, power in low- and high-frequency bands (LF, HF, respectively) and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) were computed for each orthostatic test, and for each positions. Subjective well-being was assessed on a 0-10 visual analogic scale (VAS). Results: Out of the 95 participants, 19 (WB+) reported an improved well-being (i.e., increase >2 in VAS score) during CFN, contradictory to the 76 other participants (WB-). There was an increase in HR and a decrease in RMSSD when measured supine in CFN and RCV, compared to BSL in WB-, whilst opposite results were found in WB+ (i.e. decrease in HR and increase in RMSSD in CFN and RCV; increase in LF and HF in RCV). There was a moderate significant correlation between VAS and HR, RMSSD, HF, respectively, in the supine position; the higher the VAS score (i.e., subjective well-being), the higher the RMSSD and HF and the lower the HR. In standing position, HRV parameters were not modified during CFN. Conclusion: The strict COVID-19 lockdown likely had opposite effects on French population as 20% of participants improved parasympathetic activation (RMSSD, HF) and rated positively this period, whilst 80% showed altered responses and deteriorated well-being. The changes in HRV parameters during and after the lockdown period were in line with subjective well-being responses. These results confirmed the usefulness of HRV as a non-invasive means for monitoring well-being and health in the general population.
Using a double codend to reduce discard mortality

Traditional technical strategies for mitigating collateral fishing mortality have involved improving gear selectivity (to reduce bycatch) and, more recently, concomitant changes to onboard handling procedures to reduce some of the negative impacts to the remaining discards. A less common approach is to modify gears physically to minimize deleterious catching mechanisms and subsequent mortalities during fishing. This study aimed to investigate the utility of the latter category of modifications for penaeid trawls by separating a codend into two compartments (termed a double codend) to alleviate interactions between catches. Compared with a conventional design, the double codend significantly reduced the immediate (from 17.1 to 13.8) and short-term (22.5 to 17.1) mortalities of discarded juvenile school prawns (Metapenaeus macleayi). The effectiveness of the double codend remained independent of other factors known to affect the fate of discarded juvenile M. macleayi, including cloud cover and, owing to minimal variability, the weight of the total catch. However, irrespective of the codend configuration, overall mortalities were also positively correlated with the quantity of jellyfish. We conclude that when combined with modifications to improve selectivity and appropriate onboard handling strategies, compartmentalizing codend catches could cumulatively reduce unaccounted fishing mortality.
Economic Impacts from the Promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies - The German Experience

The allure of an environmentally benign, abundant, and cost-effective energy source has led an increasing number of industrialized countries to back public financing of renewable energies. Germany's experience with renewable energy promotion is often cited as a model to be replicated elsewhere, being based on a combination of far-reaching energy and environmental laws that stretch back nearly two decades. This paper critically reviews the current centerpiece of this effort, the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), focusing on its costs and the associated implications for job creation and climate protection. We argue that German renewable energy policy, and in particular the adopted feed-in tariff scheme, has failed to harness the market incentives needed to ensure a viable and cost-effective introduction of renewable energies into the country's energy portfolio. To the contrary, the government's support mechanisms have in many respects subverted these incentives, resulting in massive expenditures that show little long-term promise for stimulating the economy, protecting the environment, or increasing energy security.
Phenotypic Analysis of Meltrin α (ADAM12)-Deficient Mice: Involvement of Meltrin α in Adipogenesis and Myogenesis

ABSTRACT Meltrin α (ADAM12) is a metalloprotease-disintegrin whose specific expression patterns during development suggest that it is involved in myogenesis and the development of other organs. To determine the roles Meltrin α plays in vivo, we generated Meltrin α-deficient mice by gene targeting. Although the number of homozygous embryos are close to the expected Mendelian ratio at embryonic days 17 to 18, ca. 30% of the null pups born die before weaning, mostly within 1 week of birth. The viable homozygous mutants appear normal and are fertile. Most of the muscles in the homozygous mutants appear normal, and regeneration in experimentally damaged skeletal muscle is unimpeded. In some Meltrin α-deficient pups, the interscapular brown adipose tissue is reduced, although the penetrance of this phenotype is low. Impaired formation of the neck and interscapular muscles is also seen in some homozygotes. These observations suggest Meltrin α may be involved in regulating adipogenesis and myogenesis through a linked developmental pathway. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a candidate substrate of Meltrin α, and we found that TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate)-induced ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF is markedly reduced in embryonic fibroblasts prepared from Meltrin α-deficient mice. We also report here the chromosomal locations of Meltrin α in the mouse and rat.
Texasweed (Caperonia palustris) Interference in Drill-Seeded Rice

Abstract Field research was conducted near Saint Joseph, LA, in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate Texasweed interference in drill-seeded rice. Season-long Texasweed interference at 1 plant m−2 was estimated to cause 5% yield loss. Yield loss from 10 and 50 plants m−2 was 31 and 61%, respectively. Yield loss was primarily due to a reduction in effective tillers per square meter. Thousand-grain weight of rice was not affected by season-long Texasweed interference. Path analysis indicated yield component compensation, i.e., a reduction in effective tillers per square meter probably caused an increase in grains per panicle. However, that effect was not strong enough to reverse the detrimental effect of reduced effective tillers per square meter on rice yield. The critical period of Texasweed interference to cause more than 5% yield loss was estimated to be between 0 and 6 wk after rice emergence. Nomenclature: Texasweed, Caperonia palustris (L.) St. Hil. CNPPA; rice, Oryza sativa L. ORYSA.