Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 'Clean, Green and Ethical' Concept in Animal Production

Summary In response to changes in society and thus the marketplace, animal industries need to become ‘clean, green and ethical’ (CGE). To be ‘clean’, the industries need to minimise the use of drugs, chemicals and exogenous hormones. To be ‘green’, the industries need to minimise their impact on the environment. To be ‘ethical’, the industries need to avoid practices that compromise animal welfare. Importantly, CGE practices must apply to all participants in the supply chain, from producer to consumer. This paper presents our approach for CGE management of small ruminants on farms in Australia, a context that is directly relevant to the Uruguayan sheep industry because there are so many common aspects in livestock management in the two countries. The major topics are: 1) control of the timing of reproductive events by using socio-sexual signals (the ‘male effect’); 2) ‘focus feeding’ – short periods of nutritional supplementation that are precisely designed for each event in the reproductive process; 3) ‘nutritional pharmacology’ – the possibility of using forages containing ‘bioactive’ compounds to improve health, efficiency and environmental impact; 4) maximizing offspring survival by a combination of management and nutrition; 5) genetic selection to improve reproductive efficiency and animal heath. These tools involve novel ways of manipulating the endogenous control systems of the animals and many of them can be applied to cattle production systems. Ultimately, CGE management can be cost-effective, increase productivity and, at the same time, greatly improve the image of meat and milk industries in society and the marketplace.
Acupuncture for metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Acupuncture may have benefits in the treatment of MetS. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of MetS. Methods: Large-sample randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment for MetS were extracted from multiple Chinese and English databases and analyzed using meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy/effectiveness of acupuncture with respect to various MetS indices in comparison with control treatments including conventional medications (CMs) and lifestyle intervention (LI), together and separately. Results: A total of 13 RCTs were identified with 423 subjects undergoing acupuncture regimens and 411 receiving control interventions. Active acupuncture yielded better outcomes than sham acupuncture with respect to improving multiple MetS indices. Acupuncture monotherapy had similar effectiveness in controlling triglyceride levels and high-density lipoprotein levels compared to CMs. The overall effects of adjunctive acupuncture were markedly greater than those of controls (CMs + LI, CMs, and LI) with respect to waist circumference with a mean difference of −5.11 cm (Z = 4.57, p < 0.001) and body mass index with a mean difference of −2.54 (Z = 5.38, p <0.001), and improvements were observed in most hyperlipidemia indices and fasting blood glucose. An evidence-based acupuncture regimen was identified as a future treatment strategy for MetS. Conclusion: Acupuncture is beneficial in the treatment of MetS and could serve as an alternative therapy for MetS-associated conditions. Larger-scale RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy/effectiveness of our recommended evidence-based acupuncture regimen in MetS.
Phenotypic analysis of misato function reveals roles of noncentrosomal microtubules in Drosophila spindle formation

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Phenotypic analysis of misato function reveals roles of noncentrosomal microtubules in Drosophila spindle formation. Violaine Mottier-Pavie, Giovanni Cenci, Fiammetta Vernì, Maurizio Gatti, Silvia Bonaccorsi
Isolation and transcriptional characterization of mouse perivascular astrocytes

In the post-natal mammalian brain perivascular astrocytes (PAs) ensheath blood vessels to regulate their unique permeability properties known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Very little is known about PA-expressed genes and signaling pathways that mediate contact and communication with endothelial cells (ECs) to regulate BBB physiology. This is due, in part, to lack of suitable models to distinguish PAs from other astrocyte sub-populations in the brain. To decipher the unique biology of PAs, we used in vivo gene knock-in technology to fluorescently label these cells in the adult mouse brain followed by fractionation and quantitative single cell RNA sequencing. In addition, PAs and non-PAs were also distinguished with transgenic fluorescent reporters followed by gene expression comparisons using bulk RNA sequencing. These efforts have identified several genes and pathways in PAs with potential roles in contact and communication with brain ECs. These genes encode various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and adhesion receptors, secreted growth factors, and intracellular signaling enzymes. Collectively, our experimental data reveal a set of genes that are expressed in PAs with putative roles in BBB physiology.
Partial prostate re-irradiation for the treatment of isolated local recurrence of prostate cancer in patients previously treated with primary external beam radiotherapy: short-term results of a monocentric study.

Many different therapeutic options are available for locally recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). However, standard treatment has not yet been established. We conducted a partial prostate re-irradiation (PPR) program for the treatment of isolated and limited-size intraprostatic recurrences, in patients who previously underwent external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) as primary treatment for prostatic cancer (PCa). The analysis of this experience in terms of feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy is reported. The inclusion criteria of this retrospective analysis were: previous definitive EBRT, evidence of biochemical recurrence, radiological detection of isolated local relapse, and PPR as local salvage therapy. Gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were registered according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria. Between July 2012 and May 2019, 44 patients were treated with PPR. All patients completed the planned treatment. The median follow-up was 25.4 months. Tumor progression was observed in 18 patients (40.9%). Two-year local control, biochemical failure- and clinical relapse-free survival rates were 90.1%, 58.3%, and 67.9%, respectively. The occurrence of biochemical failure after PPR is lower for patients with the time interval between the primary EBRT and first biochemical failure > 4 years; local control results strongly associated with a biologically effective dose (BED) at first EBRT > 177Gy. No acute grade 3 or greater toxic events were observed. Two late grade 3 GU toxicities were reported. Although retrospective in design, our study indicates that PPR appears as a feasible, well-tolerated, and effective salvage treatment for isolated local PCa recurrence. Long term data are required in order to confirm these results.
Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal formula combined with western medicine for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract Background: The combined therapy of Chinese herbal formula and western medicine against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) could significantly improve the clinical effect, reduce the recurrence rate and the side effects of western medicine, and even reduce the dosage and course of treatment of western medicine. This study tried to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety traditional Chinese herbal formula combined with western medicine in the treatment of GERD. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese herbal formula combined with western medicine for GERD patients will be systematically searched using the PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Chinese Biological and Medical database (CMB) until Aug. 28, 2020. Two researchers will perform data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently. Statistical analysis will be conducted in RevMan 5.3. Results: This study will summarize the present evidence by exploring the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal formula combined with western medicine in the treatment of GERD. Conclusions: The findings of the study will help to determine potential benefits of traditional Chinese herbal formula combined with western medicine against GERD. Ethics and dissemination: The private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also will not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval is not required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences. OSF Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/RSAVF.
Success rates of inoculation of the various compartments of embryonated chicken eggs at different incubation days

ABSTRACT Inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs has been widely used during the past decades; however, inoculation success rates have not been investigated systematically. In this study named success rates were assessed in brown eggs incubated between 5 and 19 days, which were inoculated with 0.2 ml methylene blue per egg. Inoculations were performed in a simple and fully standardized way. Five embryonic compartments were targeted blindly (amniotic cavity, embryo, allantoic cavity, albumen and yolk) with needles of four different lengths; albumen and yolk were targeted with eggs in upside down position. Three compartments were inoculated within sight (air chamber, chorioallantoic membrane and blood vessel). Twenty embryos were used per incubation day, intended deposition site and needle length. Success rates were assessed by visual inspection after breaking the eggs. The inoculations targeting albumen, yolk, amniotic cavity and embryo yielded low scores. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to elucidate the reason(s) for these low success rates: needles used were of appropriate length, but embryo and amniotic cavity had variable positions in the eggs, while albumen and yolk rapidly changed position after turning the eggs upside down. The latter led to adjustment of the inoculation method for albumen and yolk. Failures to inoculate compartments within sight were immediately visible; therefore, these eggs could be discarded. Except for the amniotic cavity, full scores (20/20) were obtained for all compartments although not always on every day of incubation. In conclusion, the present study may serve as a guide to more accurately inoculate the various chicken embryo compartments. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Blind inoculation of embryonated egg compartments was successful, except for the amniotic cavity. MRI showed rapid position change of albumen and yolk after turning eggs upside down. In ovo vaccination against Marek’s disease might be improved by using 38 mm needles.
Tunable bet hedging in yeast responses to osmotic stress

Microbes limit risk by stochastic bet hedging – low frequency expression of less fit, slow growing cells constitutively preadapted against many stresses including antibiotics. By contrast, here we report continuous variation in the induced frequency of cells with slow osmotic stress signaling, survival and proliferation among 50 ecologically-distinct strains of budding yeast challenged by sudden hyperosmotic stress. Despite extensive variation in early mortality, strains displayed robust perfect adaptation and recovery of steady-state viability in moderate stress. In severe stress survival depended on strain-specific proportions of cells with divergent strategies. ‘Cautious’ cells survived without dividing; ‘reckless’ cells attempted to divide too soon and failed, killing both mother and daughter. We show that heritable frequencies of cautious and reckless cells produce a rapidly diversifying template for microbial bet hedging that mimics natural variation in stress responses whose timing, amplitude and frequency could evolve – be ‘tuned’ by – different patterns of environmental stress.
An Artificial Immune-Based Intrusion Detection Model Using Vaccination Strategy

Artificial immune algorithm is proven to be efficient for intrusion detection.By using vaccination and niching strategy,a novel dynamic intrusion detection model based on immune evolution is designed.A scheme for vaccine obtainment and vaccination is also proposed in this paper.By using vaccination operator,the model can pass excellent gene to the offspring.By applying niching strategy,the proposed model guarantees the feasibility of the vaccine obtaining and vaccination,whilst obtaining faster convergence rate and maintaining the multiformity of antibody.The experimental results show its feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Changes in Red Tide Events and Phytoplankton Community Composition in Tokyo Bay from the Historical Plankton Records in a Period between 1907 and 1997.

Historical plankton records on red tide events and phytoplankton community in Tokyo Bay published between 1907 and 1997 were reviewed to elucidate long-term changes. Before 1940s, naked flagellates unpreservable in formalin-seawater predominated over the phytoplankton, and were major causative organisms of red tides. Community composition of diatoms and armored dinoflagellates in the bay and the adjoining water, Uraga Channel, showed little change in this period. In 1950s, a red tide by a diatom Thalassiosira mala was recorded for the first time. Eutrophication process developed rapidly between late 1950s and early 1970s, and now the bay is one of the most polluted inlet waters in the world. In the meantime, that by Skeletonema costatum came to occur very frequently. The basic community composition of phytoplankton in recent days was already molded in late 1960s with rapid eutrophication process. Species diversity reduced owing to desappearance of neritic/oceanic species from the bay and the occupation by several dominant species. Clear dissimilarity of phytoplankton community composition between Tokyo Bay and Uraga Channel was also made up in this period, suggesting large environmental differences between the two areas. The biomass of diatoms has been increasing since 1950s, mainly due to S. costatum. Since 1970, Heterosigma akashiwo came to make red tides frequently and occasionally built up exceptionally high biomass(>1000 mg-chl. a m-3). Since early 1980s, nano-and micro-fragellates came to be a major component of phytoplankton. The cell densities of brackish water species have been increasing since 1980s with increase of freshwater inflow caused by a human population growth around the bay. Averaged annual occurrence of red tide events varied as follows ; twice for 1900s-1940s, five times for 1950s, ten times for 1960s, 14 times for 1970s, 19 times for 1980s and 15 times for 1990s. These results suggest that the artificial impacts on the aquatic ecosystem of Tokyo Bay altered the community composition of phytoplankton between 1955 and 1970.
A novel method to assess valvulo-arterial load in patients with aortic valve stenosis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Introduction: Ventricular function in elderly patients with aortic stenosis is impeded both by restricted aortic flow and arterial stiffening. A number of patients continue to have exertional intolerance after relief of aortic valvular obstruction due to unrecognized ventriculo-arterial coupling mismatch. Hypothesis: Quantification of valvulo-arterial load (VAL), using a simultaneous applanation tonometry/cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) technique, can accurately assess the relative contributions of aortic stiffness and valve gradient in older patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: Elderly patients with aortic stenosis underwent a simultaneous applanation tonometry/CMR protocol. CMR provided left ventricular volume and aortic flow simultaneously with radial applanation tonometry pressure acquisition. Central aortic pressure was derived by transformation of the radial applanation tonometry waveform. VAL was determined as the relationship of derived aortic pressure to CMR aortic flow in frequency domain (central illustration). Results: Twenty patients (age 80 ± 9 years; 12 males; blood pressure 140/75 ± 20 mmHg) with aortic stenosis on transthoracic echocardiogram (16 severe; mean gradient 45 ± 16 mmHg; aortic valve area 0.8 ± 0.2 cm2) were enrolled. Derived aortic pressure and flow waveforms correlated well with invasive data. Increased VAL was significantly associated with advanced age (P = 0.04) and raised SBP (P < 0.01), irrespective of aortic stenosis severity. Conclusion: Difficulties in the measurement and accuracy of ventriculo-arterial coupling means that it is not routinely measured in patients with aortic stenosis. We describe a new noninvasive index that provides an accurate assessment of valvular and arterial load on the left ventricle. VAL may help detect those at risk of ventriculo-arterial coupling mismatch and assist in selection of those most likely to benefit from an invasive procedure.
SelfPose: 3D Egocentric Pose Estimation From a Headset Mounted Camera

We present a new solution to egocentric 3D body pose estimation from monocular images captured from a downward looking fish-eye camera installed on the rim of a head mounted virtual reality device. This unusual viewpoint leads to images with unique visual appearance, characterized by severe self-occlusions and strong perspective distortions that result in a drastic difference in resolution between lower and upper body. We propose a new encoder-decoder architecture with a novel multi-branch decoder designed specifically to account for the varying uncertainty in 2D joint locations. Our quantitative evaluation, both on synthetic and real-world datasets, shows that our strategy leads to substantial improvements in accuracy over state of the art egocentric pose estimation approaches. To tackle the severe lack of labelled training data for egocentric 3D pose estimation we also introduced a large-scale photo-realistic synthetic dataset. <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol{x}$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi mathvariant="bold">x</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="tome-ieq1-3029700.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>R-EgoPose offers 383K frames of high quality renderings of people with diverse skin tones, body shapes and clothing, in a variety of backgrounds and lighting conditions, performing a range of actions. Our experiments show that the high variability in our new synthetic training corpus leads to good generalization to real world footage and to state of the art results on real world datasets with ground truth. Moreover, an evaluation on the Human3.6M benchmark shows that the performance of our method is on par with top performing approaches on the more classic problem of 3D human pose from a third person viewpoint.
A protocol of systematic review

Background: This study will summarize the clinical significance of E-Cadherin and b-catenin in early gastric cancer (EGC). Methods: Eligible case-control studies were searched from Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, CBM, and CNKI from inception to the present. In addition, we will also search other sources to avoid missing potential studies. Two authors will independently carry out study selection, data collection, and study methodological quality. A fixed or random-effects model will be utilize to synthesize the data, and RevMan 5.3 software will be used for data analysis. Results: This study will summarize all eligible studies to investigate the clinical significance of E-Cadherin and b-catenin in EGC. Conclusion: The findings of this study may present a genuine understanding of perspective on the clinical significance of ECadherin and b-catenin in EGC. Abbreviations: CCSs = case-control studies, CIs = confidence intervals, EGC = early gastric cancer, MD = mean difference, PRISRMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis.
Highly elevated base excision repair pathway in primordial germ cells causes low base editing activity in chickens

Base editing technology enables the generation of precisely genome‐modified animal models. In this study, we applied base editing to chicken, an important livestock animal in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, and research through primordial germ cell (PGC)‐mediated germline transmission. Using this approach, we successfully produced two genome‐modified chicken lines harboring mutations in the genes encoding ovotransferrin (TF) and myostatin (MSTN); however, only 55.5% and 35.7% of genome‐modified chickens had the desired base substitutions in TF and MSTN, respectively. To explain the low base‐editing activity, we performed molecular analysis to compare DNA repair pathways between PGCs and the chicken fibroblast cell line DF‐1. The results revealed that base excision repair (BER)‐related genes were significantly elevated in PGCs relative to DF‐1 cells. Subsequent functional studies confirmed that the editing activity could be regulated by modulating the expression of uracil N‐glycosylase (UNG), an upstream gene of the BER pathway. Collectively, our findings indicate that the distinct DNA repair property of chicken PGCs causes low editing activity during genome modification, however, modulation of BER functions could promote the production of genome‐modified organisms with the desired genotypes.