Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in non-native plant invasion along mountain roads.

Plant associated mutualists can mediate invasion success by affecting the ecological niche of non-native plant species. Anthropogenic disturbance is also key in facilitating invasion success through changes in biotic and abiotic conditions, but the combined effect of these two factors in natural environments is understudied. To better understand this interaction, we investigated how disturbance and its interaction with mycorrhizas could impact range dynamics of non-native plant species in the mountains of Norway. Therefore, we studied the root colonisation and community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in disturbed vs. undisturbed plots along mountain roads. We found that roadside disturbance strongly increases fungal diversity and richness while also promoting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal root colonisation in an otherwise ecto- and ericoid-mycorrhiza dominated environment. Surprisingly, AM fungi associating with non-native plant species were present across the whole elevation gradient, even above the highest elevational limit of non-native plants, indicating that mycorrhizal fungi are not currently limiting the upward movement of non-native plants. We conclude that roadside disturbance has a positive effect on AM fungal colonization and richness, possibly supporting spread of non-native plants, but that there is no absolute limitation of belowground mutualists, even at high elevation.
COVID‐19 and Ischemic Stroke: Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings

SARS‐CoV‐2 causes multiorgan disease due to altered coagulability and microangiopathy. Patients may have an increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Our objective was to analyze clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of patients with ischemic CVA during the pandemic peak in our region, in order to identify atypical presentations.
Biological and serological characterization of three Montana RMV-like isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus

Three Montana (MT) RMV-like isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) collected from Choteau (MT-RMV-C), Fort Ellis (MT-RMV-FE), and Valier (MT-RMV-V) were characterized on the basis of transmission, virulence, serology, and cross-protection studies. Aphid transmission characteristics of MT RMV-like isolates were determined and compared with those of New York (NY) RMV, SGV, RPV, PAV, and MAV isolates (.)
Prefrontal Cortex Transcriptomic Deconvolution Implicates Monocyte Infiltration in Parkinson's Disease.

INTRODUCTION Although not considered a primary cause, neuroinflammation is associated with many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS To elucidate potential immune involvement in PD, the present study imputed immune cell abundances from bulk RNA-sequencing transcriptomic data of PD postmortem prefrontal cortices. CIBERSORTx, an RNA deconvolution algorithm that implements support vector regression, was used to measure the relative abundances of immune cells from a previously published gene expression dataset. Through this machine-learning approach, relative proportions of 22 immune cell subtypes present in the original brain tissue were estimated. RESULTS Prefrontal cortices from PD patients exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of monocytes compared to neuropathologically normal controls (p value = 0.0005). The relative proportions of the other 21 immune subtypes showed no significant differences between control and PD samples. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION The findings corroborate previous reports and suggest monocytes may be involved in PD pathogenesis.
Effects of Fermentation on Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy in Rapeseed Meal Fed to Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a by-product of rapeseed oil production. Owing to its lower cost and abundant sulfur-containing amino acids, RSM can be used for replacing soybean meal in broiler diets. However, its use is limited by the presence of numerous anti-nutritional factors. As an ancient technique to convert the complex substrates into simple compounds by a number of microorganisms, microbial solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been shown as an effective way to eliminate or reduce anti-nutritional factors in RSM and improve growth performance when fed to animals. This improvement is not yet clear; in particular, the understanding of the feeding nutritional value of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) is not very well studied. Hence, the trial is conducted to investigate the effects of fermentation on standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) in RSM fed to broiler chickens. According to our findings, fermentation had a significant effect on the chemical composition of RSM. In comparison to RSM, FRSM had greater nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values and SID of amino acids. FRSM was nutritionally superior to RSM for use in broiler diets. Abstract Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a common protein ingredient in animal diets, while the proportion of RSM in diets is limited because of its anti-nutritional factors. Fermentation based on mixed microbial strains appears to be a suitable approach to improve the nutritive value of rapeseed meal in animal feed. In this study, we evaluated the effects of fermentation on the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids in RSM fed broilers. The AME and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values of RSM and fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) were determined by the substitution method, with RSM and FRSM proportionally replacing the energy-yielding components of the basal diet by 30%. Results show that fermentation improved AME and AMEn of RSM from 7.44 to 8.51 MJ/kg and from 7.17 to 8.26 MJ/kg, respectively. In the second experiment, two experimental diets were formulated, with RSM and FRSM being the sole sources of amino acids. A nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was also formulated to determine endogenous amino acids losses (EAAL). Feeding on FRSM resulted in higher (p < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and SID of alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, lysine, arginine, and phenylalanine. No significant differences between RSM and FRSM were found for AID and SID of asparagine, histidine, threonine, serine, glutamine, praline, glycine, methionine, and cystine. FRSM had greater AMEn values and SID of amino acids compared to RSM, therefore, FRSM was nutritionally superior to RSM in broiler diets.
COVID-19 and myeloid cells: complex interplay correlates with lung severity.

COVID-19 spans and wide range of symptoms, sometimes with profound immune system involvement. How immune cell subsets change during the disease course and with disease severity needs further study. While myeloid cells have been shown to initiate and maintain responses to pneumonia and lung inflammation, often playing a role in resolution, their involvement with COVID-19 remains unknown. In this issue of the JCI, Sánchez-Cerrillo and Pedro-Landete et al. investigated dendritic cells and monocytes from blood and bronchial secretions of patients with varying COVID-19 severity and with healthy controls. The authors conclude that circulating monocytes and DCs migrate from the blood into the inflamed lungs. While sampling differences in sex, collection timing, bacteria/fungal infection, and corticosteroid treatment limit interpretation, we believe that reprograming monocyte or macrophages by targeting immunometabolism, epigenetics, or the cytokine milieu holds promise in resolving lung-inflammation associated with COVID-19.
Characterization of Local and Systemic Impact of Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Feeding and Whitefly-Transmitted Tomato Mottle Virus Infection on Tomato Leaves by Comprehensive Proteomics

Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) is a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) begomovirus transmitted to solanaceous crops by the whitefly species complex (Bemisia tabaci), causing stunted growth, leaf mottling, and reduced yield. Using a genetic repertoire of seven genes, ToMoV pathogenesis includes the manipulation of multiple plant biological processes to circumvent antiviral defenses. To further understand the effects of whitefly feeding and whitefly-transmitted ToMoV infection on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Florida Lanai’), we generated comprehensive protein profiles of leaves subjected to feeding by either viruliferous whiteflies harboring ToMoV, or non-viruliferous whiteflies, or a no-feeding control. The effects of whitefly feeding and ToMoV infection were measured both locally and systemically by sampling either a mature leaf directly from the site of clip-cage confined whitefly feeding, or from a newly formed leaf 10 days post feeding (dpf). At 3 dpf, tomato’s response to ToMoV included proteins associated with translation initiation and elongation as well as plasmodesmata dynamics. In contrast, systemic impacts of ToMoV on younger leaves 10 dpf were more pronounced and included a virus-specific change in plant proteins associated with mRNA maturation and export, RNA-dependent DNA methylation, and other antiviral plant processes. Our analysis supports previous findings and provides novel insight into tomato’s local and systemic response to whitefly feeding and ToMoV infection.
Density-dependence and optimal harvesting of fluctuating populations

Theoretical analyses of deterministic population models have shown that the maximum sustained harvest of density dependent populations occurs at the population density with maximum growth rate. This traditional approach to harvesting does not include the effects of a variable environment. Here we analyse by means of diffusion theory the dynamics of populations at risk of extinction from demographic and environmental stochasticity as well as harvesting. These dynamical results are used to derive approximate formulas for the expected cumulative harvest before extinction and the mean and standard deviation of the annual harvest. Analyses of these expressions show that the optimal strategy is to harvest at the maximum rate when the population size is above a critical size c, with no harvest below c. Numerical analyses show that c is relatively independent of the form of density dependence. However, the threshold c decreases with the degree of environmental fluctuations and when the maximum rate of harvest is decreased.
Comparison of Sport Competitive Anxiety Levels of Flemish athletes with and without intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND High anxiety levels are common in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and anxiety can affect sport performance, but sport competitive anxiety profiles in athletes with ID are unknown. METHODS A total of 303 athletes; 116 with ID (33% female, M age = 22.64, SD = 3.94), and 187 without ID (54% female, M age = 21.81, SD = 3.23), completed the modified questionnaire Sport Anxiety Scale-2-FLemish-ID (SAS-2-FL-ID). RESULTS The SAS-2-FL-ID was a valid tool to use in a population of athletes with ID. They had higher trait anxiety (9.36 ± 2.62) than peers without ID (7.58 ± 2.44), F = 26.95, p<. 001. With respect to sport anxiety, they only scored higher on the "concentration disruption" subscale. Their overall level of competitive anxiety across all subscales (24.14 ± 7.73) was significantly lower compared to athletes without ID (26.51 ± 7.49), F = 27.10, p<. 001. CONCLUSION On the sporting field, athletes with ID worry less and feel less somatic anxiety compared to athletes without ID.
Genetics of Arthrogryposis and Macroglossia in Piemontese Cattle Breed

Simple Summary The study was carried out in order to investigate the genetic background of arthrogryposis and macroglossia in the Piemontese cattle breed, for which limited information is available so far. The genotyping of affected and healthy animals with a high-density chip and the subsequent genome-wide association study did not evidence a single strong association with the two pathologies. Therefore, for arthrogryposis, the results do not support the existence of a single-gene model, as reported for other breeds. Rather, 23 significant markers on different chromosomes were found, associated to arthrogryposis, to macroglossia, or to both pathologies, suggesting a more complex genetic mechanism underlying both diseases in the Piemontese breed. The significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) allowed the identification of some genes (NTN3, KCNH1, KCNH2, and KANK3) for which a possible role in the pathologies can be hypothesized. The real involvement of these genes needs to be further investigated and validated. Abstract Arthrogryposis and macroglossia are congenital pathologies known in several cattle breeds, including Piemontese. As variations in single genes were identified as responsible for arthrogryposis in some breeds, we decided: (i) to test the hypothesis of a similar genetic determinism for arthrogryposis in the Piemontese breed by genotyping affected and healthy animals with a high-density chip and applying genome-wide association study (GWAS), FST and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) procedures, and (ii) to investigate with the same approach the genetic background of macroglossia, for which no genetic studies exist so far. The study included 125 animals (63 healthy, 30 with arthrogryposis, and 32 with macroglossia). Differently from what reported for other breeds, the analysis did not evidence a single strong association with the two pathologies. Rather, 23 significant markers on different chromosomes were found (7 associated to arthrogryposis, 11 to macroglossia, and 5 to both pathologies), suggesting a multifactorial genetic mechanism underlying both diseases in the Piemontese breed. In the 100-kb interval surrounding the significant SNPs, 20 and 26 genes were identified for arthrogryposis and macroglossia, respectively, with 12 genes in common to both diseases. For some genes (NTN3, KCNH1, KCNH2, and KANK3), a possible role in the pathologies can be hypothesized, being involved in processes related to muscular or nervous tissue development. The real involvement of these genes needs to be further investigated and validated.
Quasi-Irreversible Inhibition of CYP2D6 by Berberine

In our previous study, Hwang-Ryun-Hae-Dok-Tang, which contains berberine (BBR) as a main active ingredient, inhibited cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 in a quasi-irreversible manner. However, no information is available on the detailed mechanism of BBR-induced CYP2D6 inhibition. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize the inhibition mode and kinetics of BBR and its analogues against CYP2D6 using pooled human liver microsomes (HLM). BBR exhibited selective quasi-irreversible inhibition of CYP2D6 with inactivation rate constant (kinact) of 0.025 min−1, inhibition constant (KI) of 4.29 µM, and kinact/KI of 5.83 mL/min/µmol. In pooled HLM, BBR was metabolized to thalifendine (TFD), demethyleneberberine (DMB), M1 (proposed as demethylene-TFD), and to a lesser extent berberrubine (BRB), showing moderate metabolic stability with a half-life of 35.4 min and a microsomal intrinsic clearance of 7.82 µL/min/mg protein. However, unlike BBR, those metabolites (i.e., TFD, DMB, and BRB) were neither selective nor potent inhibitors of CYP2D6, based on comparison of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Notably, TFD, but not DMB, exhibited metabolism-dependent CYP2D6 inhibition as in the case of BBR, which suggests that methylenedioxybenzene moiety of BBR may play a critical role in the quasi-irreversible inhibition. Moreover, the metabolic clearance of nebivolol (β-blocker; CYP2D6 substrate) was reduced in the presence of BBR. The present results warrant further evaluation of BBR–drug interactions in clinical situations.
Increases in HIV status disclosure and sexual communication between South African men who have sex with men and their partners following use of HIV self-testing kits

ABSTRACT Availability of HIV self-testing may increase HIV testing frequency among men who have sex with men (MSM). It is unclear, however, if self-testing may impact HIV-related sexual behaviors among MSM, including HIV status disclosure and condom use. We conducted a mixed methods analysis of changes in HIV-related behaviors after HIV self-testing introduction, using data from 110 MSM participating in a feasibility and acceptability study of HIV self-testing in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. We found increased HIV status disclosure from study participants to sexual partners after HIV self-testing introduction, from 61.8% at baseline to 75.5% at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.04), but decreased condom use with female partners (p = 0.03). Qualitative interviews reveal that some participants used test results to inform condom use. Distribution of self-testing kits can improve mutual disclosure, but should be accompanied by information stressing that the tests may not detect early HIV infections or other sexually transmitted infections.
Association of Prionus Root Borers with Nutrition, Growth and Yield of Pecan, Carya illinoensis Koch1

Leaflet weight, shoot length, and yield were less while alternate bearing and Prionus beetle emergence were greater from declining than normal trees. Potassium and Ca concentration in leaflets from declining trees was less than in those from normal trees. However, Prionus infestation of declining trees was not a secondary effect of currently existing nutrient shortages or excesses.
An Adaptive Multi-Channel Cooperative Data Transmission Scheduling in VANETs

The Internet of Vehicle (IoV) technology is one of the most important technologies of modern intelligent transportation. The data transmission scheduling method is a research hotspot in the technology of IoV. It is a challenge to ensure the stability of data transmission due to fast network topology changes, high data transmission delays, and some other reasons. Aiming at the above problems, a multi-channel data transmission cooperative scheduling algorithm is proposed. First, construct a feasible interference map based on the data items sent and received by vehicles in the road scene. Second, assign channels to the nodes in the interference map based on the Signal-to-Interference-Noise-Ratio (SINR). Finally, the optimal multi-channel data transmission cooperative scheduling scheme is achieved through the ISing model. Simulation results show that compared with the traditional algorithm, the network service capacity is increased by about 31% and the service delay is reduced by about 20%. It ensures that emergency data is preferentially transmitted to the target vehicle and the maximum weighted service capacity of the network.
Long-term survival in patients with primary intracranial germ cell tumors treated with surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy, and radiotherapy: a single-institution study.

OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes and toxicities of patients with intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs). METHODS This study retrospectively included 110 consecutive patients (70 patients in the germinomatous group and 40 patients in the nongerminomatous GCT [NGGCT] groups) receiving surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed primary intracranial GCTs. In the authors' protocol, patients with GCTs were further divided into the following four groups: the germinomatous group and the NGGCT groups (mature teratoma, intermediate prognosis, or poor prognosis). RESULTS The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the patients in the germinomatous group were significantly higher than those in the NGGCT group (p < 0.001). The 5-, 10-, and 20-year OS rates in the germinomatous group were 97.1%, 95.7%, and 93.2%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 11.0 years. On the contrary, the 5-, 10-, and 20-year OS rates in the NGGCT group were 67.3%, 63.4%, and 55.4%, respectively. The 5-, 10-, and 20-year PFS rates were 91.4%, 86.6%, and 86.6%, respectively, in the germinomatous group, whereas those of the NGGCT group were approximately 67.4%, 60.2%, and 53.5%, respectively. Based on the four types of classification in our study, the 5-, 10-, and 20-year OS rates in the NGGCT intermediate prognosis group were 78.9%, 71.8%, and 53.8%, respectively. On the contrary, the 3- and 5-year OS rates in the NGGCT poor prognosis group were 42.9% and 34.3%, respectively. Moreover, toxicities with the treatment of intracranial GCTs were found to be tolerable in the present study population. The multivariate survival models for OS in the NGGCT intermediate prognosis and poor prognosis groups demonstrated that only the alpha-fetoprotein status was significantly associated with worsened OS (HR 3.88, 95% CI 1.29-11.66; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The authors found that platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy result in favorable survival outcomes in patients with germinomatous GCTs. Clinical outcomes were still unfavorable in the NGGCT intermediate prognosis and poor prognosis groups; therefore, a new protocol that increases the survival rate of patients belonging in both groups should be considered.
Interaction between ammonium and phosphate uptake rates in the seagrass Zostera noltii

Foliar ammonium and phosphate uptake rates and their interactions were assessed in whole seagrass Zostera noltii plants incubated in 2-compartment transparent chambers. This method allowed the calculation of nutrient uptake rates by leaves and by roots and rhizomes independently, avoiding plant breakage. Overall, a direct linear relationship between foliar uptake rates and seawater nutrient concentrations (phosphate or ammonium) was found, with uptake rates much higher in the first 5 min (nutrient adsorption). This faster adsorption was followed by slower uptake rates (nutrient absorption) in the next time intervals. When both nutrients were supplied separately, foliar ammonium uptake rates were 3-fold higher than those of phosphate in the range of the nutrient concentrations assayed for the whole incubation interval (120 min). When both nutrients were added simultaneously (10 μM phosphate and 50 μM ammonium, final concentrations), ammonium uptake rates were similar to those values recorded when ammonium was provided alone, whereas phosphate uptake rates were about 55% lower than those measured when phosphate was added alone. This study reveals for the first time the inhibitory effect of ammonium on phosphate uptake in seagrasses.
Mammalian herbivory shapes intraspecific trait responses to warmer climate and nutrient enrichment

Variation in intraspecific traits is one important mechanism that can allow plant species to respond to global changes. Understanding plant trait responses to environmental changes such as grazing patterns, nutrient enrichment and climate warming is, thus, essential for predicting the composition of future plant communities. We measured traits of eight common tundra species in a fully factorial field experiment with mammalian herbivore exclusion, fertilization, and passive warming, and assessed how trait responsiveness to the treatments was associated with abundance changes in those treatments. Herbivory exhibited the strongest impact on traits. Exclusion of herbivores increased vegetative plant height by 50% and specific leaf area (SLA) by 19%, and decreased foliar C:N by 11%; fertilization and warming also increased height and SLA but to a smaller extent. Herbivory also modulated intraspecific height, SLA and foliar C:N responses to fertilization and warming, and these interactions were species‐specific. Furthermore, herbivory affected how trait change translated into relative abundance change: increased height under warming and fertilization was more positively related to abundance change inside fences than in grazed plots. Our findings highlight the key role of mammalian herbivory when assessing intraspecific trait change in tundra and its consequences for plant performance under global changes.