Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A maximum entropy model for predicting wild boar distribution in Spain

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in many areas of the Palearctic including the Iberian Peninsula have grown continuously over the last century. This increase has led to numerous different types of conflicts due to the damage these mammals can cause to agriculture, the problems they create in the conservation of natural areas, and the threat they pose to animal health. In the context of both wildlife management and the design of health programs for disease control, it is essential to know how wild boar are distributed on a large spatial scale. Given that the quantifying of the distribution of wild species using census techniques is virtually impossible in the case of large-scale studies, modeling techniques have thus to be used instead to estimate animals’ distributions, densities, and abundances. In this study, the potential distribution of wild boar in Spain was predicted by integrating data of presence and environmental variables into a MaxEnt approach. We built and tested models using 100 bootstrapped replicates. For each replicate or simulation, presence data was divided into two subsets that were used for model fitting (60% of the data) and cross-validation (40% of the data). The final model was found to be accurate with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.79. Six explanatory variables for predicting wild boar distribution were identified on the basis of the percentage of their contribution to the model. The model exhibited a high degree of predictive accuracy, which has been confirmed by its agreement with satellite images and field surveys.
Development and morphology of Uncinula necator following treatment with the fungicides kresoxim-methyl and penconazole

Epifluorescence microscopy and low temperature scanning electron microscopy were used to document the development of Uncinula necator on vine leaves and the antifungal effects of kresoxim-methyl and penconazole. Post-germinational growth and development followed a regular time course which was classified into 10 stages. Kresoxim-methyl was applied at a range of concentrations and at different times before and after inoculation. In glasshouse trials at moderate relative humidity (60%), all pre-infectional applications completely inhibited conidial germination. Lower efficacies were observed with detached leaves at high humidity in Petri dishes. Post-infectional applications of at least 8 mg a.i. l -1 inhibited sporulation and mycelial growth and 67 mg a.i. l -1 caused a partial collapse of surface structures. Penconazole applied at 17 mg a.i. l -1 did not inhibit germination, but prevented hyphal development and caused growth distortion with hyphal tip swelling. Pre- and post-infectional treatments had similar effects. Applications made 3 d after inoculation increased multiple appressoria and conidiophore formation.
Dietary valine levels affect growth, protein utilisation, immunity and antioxidant status in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

Abstract A 6-week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the influences of dietary valine (Val) levels on growth, protein utilisation, immunity, antioxidant status and gut micromorphology of juvenile hybrid groupers. Seven isoenergetic, isoproteic and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded Val levels (1·21, 1·32, 1·45, 1·58, 1·69, 1·82 and 1·94 %, DM basis). Each experimental diet was hand-fed to triplicate groups of twelve hybrid grouper juveniles. Results showed that weight gain percentage (WG%), protein productive value, protein efficiency ratio, and feed efficiency were increased as dietary Val level increased, reaching a peak value at 1·58 % dietary Val. The quadratic regression analysis of WG% against dietary Val levels indicated that the optimum dietary Val requirement for hybrid groupers was estimated to be 1·56 %. Gut micromorphology and expression of growth hormone in pituitary, insulin-like growth factor 1, target of rapamycin and S6 kinase 1 in liver were significantly affected by dietary Val levels. In serum, fish fed 1·58 % dietary Val had higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, lysozyme activities and IgM concentrations than fish fed other dietary Val levels. Fish fed 1·58 % dietary Val had higher expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 in head kidney than fish fed other dietary Val levels. Generally, the optimum dietary Val requirement for maximal growth of hybrid groupers was estimated to be 1·56 % of DM, corresponding to 3·16 % of dietary protein, and dietary Val levels affected growth, protein utilisation, immunity and antioxidant status in hybrid groupers.
In vitro plant regeneration from Narbon Vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L. ) using cotyledonary node explants

Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is an agriculturally important forage plant that widely grows in an area extending from Central Europe to various parts of Asia. The study reports axillary shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node explants obtained from, in vitro raised seeds of 4 - 5 and 14 - 15 days old seedlings on MS medium containing 2 - 6 mg/l kinetin-0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). No shoot regeneration was recorded on 14 - 15 days old cotyledon node explants. Whereas, 4 - 5 days old cotyledon node explants showed high regeneration potential with the highest number of 3.85 shoots per explant, with mean shoot length of 2.11 cm and shoot regeneration frequency of 93.33%. The shoots obtained from all regeneration media could be easily rooted after pulse treatment with 50 mg/l IBA for 7 min. All of which were morphologically normal and fertile and easily established under greenhouse conditions.
Corneal biomechanical outcome of collagen cross-linking in keratoconic patients evaluated by Corvis ST

Purpose: A 6-month evaluation of the topographic and biomechanical changes induced by corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconic eyes using Pentacam and Corvis ST. Design: Longitudinal prospective case series. Methods: In this study, 67 eyes of 67 patients with progressive keratoconus (KCN) treated with “Epithelium-off” CXL were evaluated. Patients with stages 1 or 2 of KCN and a corneal thickness of at least 400 μm at the thinnest point were included. Standard ophthalmologic examinations were carried out for all patients. The topographic and biomechanical measurements of the cornea were obtained by Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) preoperatively and 6-month postoperatively. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.68 ± 4.23 years. There was significant difference in mean spherical equivalent (SE) before and 6 months after CXL. Uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity improved postoperatively, although not statistically significant. The mean and maximum keratometry showed a significant decrease 6 months after CXL (0.93 ± 0.38 D and 1.43 ± 0.62 D, respectively p < 0.001). Among Corvis ST parameters, first applanation length and velocity (AL1 and AV1) showed statistically significant changes. The radius at highest concavity changed significantly (0.13 ± 0.37 mm mean increase after CXL; p < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in stiffness parameter A1 (SP-A1; p < 0.001) and significant decreases were noted in integrated radius (IR) and deformation amplitude ratio (DAR; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Analyzing biomechanical changes after corneal cross-linking can provide basis for efficient KCN treatment. Corvis ST parameters demonstrated changes in corneal biomechanical characteristics indicative of stiffing after CXL.
Lacrimo‐auriculo‐dento‐digital syndrome: A novel mutation in a Korean family and review of literature

Lacrimo‐auriculo‐dento‐digital (LADD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in one of the three genes: fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), FGFR3, or FGF10. Affected patients have hypoplasia/aplasia of lacrimal ducts/glands, hypoplasia/aplasia of salivary glands, dental anomalies, ear anomalies, hearing loss, and digital anomalies.
A Pilot Screen of a Novel Peptide Hormone Library Identified Candidate GPR83 Ligands

The identification of novel peptide hormones by functional screening is challenging because posttranslational processing is frequently required to generate biologically active hormones from inactive precursors. We developed an approach for functional screening of novel potential hormones by expressing them in endocrine host cells competent for posttranslational processing. Candidate preprohormones were selected by bioinformatics analysis, and stable endocrine host cell lines were engineered to express the preprohormones. The production of mature hormones was demonstrated by including the preprohormones insulin and glucagon, which require the regulated secretory pathway for production of the active forms. As proof of concept, we screened a set of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and identified protein FAM237A as a specific activator of GPR83, a GPCR implicated in central nervous system and regulatory T-cell function. We identified the active form of FAM237A as a C-terminally cleaved, amidated 9 kDa secreted protein. The related protein FAM237B, which is 64% homologous to FAM237A, demonstrated similar posttranslational modification and activation of GPR83, albeit with reduced potency. These results demonstrate that our approach is capable of identifying and characterizing novel hormones that require processing for activity.
Antiplasmodial activity of a novel diarylheptanoid from Siphonochilus aethiopicus

Abstract The Nigerian and South African varieties of Siphonochilus aethiopicus were examined for their phytochemical constituents. The ethyl acetate extract of the rhizomes of the South African variety yielded a novel diarylheptanoid, 2,3-diacetoxy-7-(3′′,4′′-dihydroxy-5′′-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-5-heptene and the flavonoid 3,7-dimethoxyquercetin. From the hexane extract of the Nigerian variety, siphonochilone and another flavonoid, 3,4′,7-trimethylkaempferol were isolated. The isolated compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. The diarylheptanoid was then assayed for antiplasmodial activity in vitro using a Plasmodium falciparum growth inhibition assay. At the concentrations tested, the compound inhibited parasite growth by 69 − 74%, without producing cytotoxic or significant haemolytic effects. The antiplasmodial activity of the compound is likely mediated by direct mechanism(s) in erythrocytic – stage parasites. Graphical Abstract
An updated definition of genet applicable to clonal seaweeds, bryophytes, and vascular plants

Summary The genet of clonal plants is currently defined as the genetic individual that develops from the zygote and that produces ramets vegetatively. Genetic individuality refers to the fact that it is considered to be a genetically uniform plant. However, somatic mutations may give rise to genetic mosaics within the genet, invalidating the assumption of its genetic uniformity. On the other hand, zygotes are not the only initial cells of genets, since parthenogenetic female gametes may also develop into new individuals directly. Sexual and asexual types of reproduction are similar in terms of dispersal, dormancy, recruitment, and seedling development, especially compared with vegetative fragmentation, process that does not create new genets. For other clonal autotrophic macroorganisms, such as clonal bryophytes and red seaweeds, new individuals that result from reproduction develop from a variety of spores, not from zygotes. These considerations suggest that the existing definition of genet should be updated. For clonal autotrophic macroorganisms, in general, the genet may be defined as the free-living individual that develops from one original zygote, parthenogenetic gamete, or spore and that produces ramets vegetatively during growth. The degree of genetic differentiation between consecutive generations of genets will primarily depend on the type of reproduction involved. Der Genet klonaler Pflanzen ist definiert als das genetische Individuum das sich aus einer Zygote entwickelt und das auf vegetative Weise Rameten produziert. Der Begriff der genetischen Individualitat besagt, dass das Individuum genetisch homogen ist. Jedoch konnen somatische Mutationen innerhalb des Genets dazu fuhren, dass sich ein genetisches Mosaik entwickelt, das die genetische Individualitat des Organismus verletzt. Andererseits konnen Geneten sich nicht nur aus Zygoten entwickeln, aber auch parthenogenetisch von weiblichen Gameten abstammen. Sexuelle and asexuelle Fortpflanzung gleichen einander in Verbreitung, Ruhezustand, Rekrutierung, und Keimlingsentwicklung, speziell verglichen mit vegetativer Fragmentation, einem Prozess bei dem sich keine neuen Geneten entwickeln. Neue Individuen von anderen klonalen, autotrophen Makroorganismen wie klonale Bryophyten und Rotalgen entwickeln sich aus einer Vielfalt von Sporen, nicht aus Zygoten. In dieser Hinsicht sollte die Definition von Genet fur klonale autotrophe Makroorganismen aktualisiert werden. Generell kann der Genet als das freilebende Individuum definiert werden, das sich aus einer Zygote, einem parthenogenetischen Gameten oder einer Spore entwickelt, und das Gameten auf vegetative Weise produziert. Der Grad der genetischen Differenzierung zwischen konsekutiven Generationen hangt primar von der Reproduktionsart ab.
Association between unhealthy plant-based diets and the metabolic syndrome in adult men and women: a population-based study in South Korea

Abstract No studies have investigated the associations between established plant-based diet indices and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). We evaluated the associations between an overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI), unhealthy PDI (uPDI) and the MetS in a nationally representative sample using data from 14 450 Korean adults (≥19 years) in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012–2016. Dietary intakes were assessed by a semi-quantitative FFQ. In the PDI, all plant foods received positive scores. In the hPDI, only healthy plant foods received positive scores. In the uPDI, only unhealthy plant foods received positive scores. All indices reverse scored animal food intake. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between three PDI and the MetS by sex, adjusting for potential risk factors. A total of 23·3 % of Korean adults had the MetS. In the overall study population, individuals in the highest quintile of uPDI had greater odds (OR 1·54, 95 % CI 1·28, 1·86, Ptrend < 0·001) of the MetS than those in the lowest quintile. Higher uPDI score was associated with higher odds of hypertriacylglycerolaemia in men and abdominal obesity, high fasting glucose and hypertriacylglycerolaemia in women. No significant associations were observed between PDI, hPDI and the MetS. Greater adherence to unhealthy plant-based diets was associated with greater odds of the MetS and its components suggesting the importance of the quality of plant-based diet in South Korean adults. Sex differences may be considered when recommending plant-based diets for the prevention and management of metabolic diseases.
Fixed Orientation Interconnection Problems : Theory , Algorithms and Applications

Interconnection problems have natural applications in the design of integrated circuits (or chips). A modern chip consists of billions of trans istors that are connected by metal wires on the surface of the chip. These metal w ires are routed on a (fairly small) number of layers in such a way that electri cally independent nets do not intersect each other. Traditional manufacturin g technology limits the orientations of the wires to be either horizontal or vertica l — and is known as Manhattan architecture. Over the last decade there has been a growing interest in gene ral architectures, where more than two perpendicular orientations can be used f or routing. This development has made fixed orientation interconnection pro blems (where an arbitrary set of fixed orientations can be used) interesting fr om a research point of view. In particular, the problem of computing minimum lengt h networks with fixed orientations — the so-called fixed orientation Steiner tr e problem — has received significant attention. This doctoral dissertation is a collection of twelve resear ch papers and a survey on the fixed orientation Steiner tree problem and some of its gen eralizations. One of the main contributions is a linear time algorithm for comput ing a Steiner minimum tree for a given full topology. Also, a linear programming fo rmulation is presented for the problem. For the general problem an exact algorithm t at computes optimal solutions to problem instances with thousands of poin ts is described and implemented. A novel paradigm for routing a chip using a gene ral architecture is implemented and tested on a set of benchmark instances; the a pproach documents the advantages of using more than two fixed orientations in ch ip design. The last part of the dissertation is concerned with generali zations that are motivated by chip design. Firstly, a catalog of problems that can be solved on the so-called Hanan grid is presented. Next, generalizations r elated to signal delay and group interconnections are studied, and finally, proper ties of the rotational Steiner tree problem are given. The results of the dissertation represent a significant step forward, both concerning theory and algorithms, for the fixed orientation Steiner tre e problem. In addition, the work maintains a close link to applications and generali zations motivated by chip design.
Ki67, CD105, and α-SMA Expression Supports Biological Distinctness of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in the Background of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Background: The clinicopathological distinctness of oral squamous cell carcinoma arising in the background of oral submucous fibrosis (OSCC-OSF) is well known; however, the molecular distinctness of this unique OSCC-OSF has not been investigated to date. With this in mind, we compared the expression of Ki67, CD105, and α-SMA between OSCC-OSF and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 105 OSCC-OSF and 112 OSCC cases were subjected to immunohistochemistry for evaluation of Ki67, CD105, and α-SMA expression. Results: Ki67 (labeling index) LI, MVD and α-SMA expression were significantly higher in OSCC compared to OSCC-OSF. Ki67 LI and MVD was significantly higher in OSCC compared to OSCC-OSF in parameters such as well-differentiated, early TNM stage, non-metastatic, and more than 3-year survival. α-SMA expression was significantly higher in OSCC compared to OSCC-OSF in parameters such as moderate differentiation, metastatic lesions, and survival less than 3 years. Ki67 LI, MVD and α-SMA showed significant positive correlation with each other in OSCC and OSCC-OSF. Conclusion: Proliferation, neoangiogenesis and myofibroblast differentiation were significantly higher in the OSCC group compared to the OSCC-OSF group. This suggests the biological distinctness of OSCC-OSF, which could help the future development of targeted therapies.
Sex-related differences in brain dynamism at rest as neural correlates of positive and negative valence system constructs

ABSTRACT Clinical anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental illnesses, likely representing maladaptive expressions of negative valence systems concerned with conditioned responses to fear, threat, loss, and frustrative nonreward. These conditions exhibit similar, striking sex/gender-related differences in onset, incidence, and severity for which the neural correlates are not yet established. In alarge sample of neurotypical young adults, we demonstrate that intrinsic brain dynamism metrics derived from sex-sensitive models of whole-brain network function are significantly associated with valence system traits. Surprisingly, we found that greater brain dynamism is strongly positively correlated to anxiety and depression traits in males, but almost wholly decoupled from traits for important cognitive control and reappraisal strategies associated with positive valence. Conversely, intrinsic brain dynamism is strongly positively coupled to drive, novelty-seeking and self-control in females with only rare or non-significant directional negative correlation with anxiety and depression traits. Our results suggest that the dynamic neural correlates of traits for valence, anxiety and depression are significantly different in males/men and females/women. These findings may relate to the known sex/gender-related differences in cognitive reappraisal of emotional experiences and clinical presentations of anxiety and depression, with potential relevance to gold standard therapies based on enhancing cognitive control strategies.
Comparison of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Allogenic Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implantation on Chondral Defect of Knee: Assessment of Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-Up

Biological repair of cartilage lesions remains a significant clinical challenge. A wide variety of methods involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been introduced. Because of the limitation of the results, most of the treatment methods have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) implantation were approved by Korea FDA. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after two different types of MSCs implantation in knee osteoarthritis. Fifty-two patients (52 knees) who underwent cartilage repair surgery using the BMAC (25 knees) and hUCB-MSCs (27 knees) were retrospectively evaluated for 2 years after surgery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the score of visual analogue scale (VAS), the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Cartilage repair was assessed according to the modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (M-MOCART) score and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) cartilage repair scoring system. At 2-year follow-up, clinical outcomes including VAS, IKDC, and KOOS significantly improved (P < 0.05) in both groups; however, there were no differences between two groups. There was no significant difference in M-MOCART [1-year (P = 0.261), 2-year (P = 0.351)] and ICRS repair score (P = 0.655) between two groups. Both groups showed satisfactory clinical and MRI outcomes. Implantation of MSCs from BMAC or hUCB-MSCs is safe and effective for repairing cartilage lesion. However, large cases and a well-controlled prospective design with long-term follow-up studies are needed.