Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of type of physical activity measure on the relationship between body fatness and habitual physical activity in children: a meta-analysis

Background: The relationship between activity levels and body fat in children is unclear, despite a large number of studies. The issue is clouded by the wide variety of methods used to assess children's activity levels. It is important to assess whether the type of activity measure influences the fatness-activity relationship. This is a first step to uncovering the role of modifying variables such as gender, age, maturity, etc. Primary objective: This study uses meta-analytic procedures to synthesize the results of such studies and to assess whether the type of activity measure used has an effect on the strength of the relationship observed. Methods and procedures: Fifty studies were located that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight per cent of the studies showed a negative relationship, 18% no relationship and 4% a positive relationship between physical activity and body fatness. Data were analysed using the meta-analytic procedures described by Rosenthal (Meta-analytic Procedures for Social Research, Sage, 1991). Main outcomes and results: The mean effect size indicated a small to moderate, inverse relationship (r =-0.16). Mean effect sizes differed significantly (F(3,5,2) 8.04, p < 0.001) according to the activity measure used: questionnaire, r =-0.14; motion counters, r =-0.18; observation, r =-0.39; heart rate (HR), r = 0.00. Observation measures elicited a significantly stronger relationship with body fat than did questionnaire or heart rate measures (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the effect sizes elicited by observation and motion counters. Correlational analyses revealed no effect of age group or gender on the strength of the relationship between fatness and activity. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests there is a small to moderate relationship between body fat and activity in children. It is important to note, however, that the size of the relationship depends on the activity measure used. It is therefore recommended that direct measures of movement, such as observation or motion counter methods, are used to assess the relationship of activity levels with health.
Genetic Variances for Forage Yield in Crested Wheatgrass at Six Levels of Irrigation

(.) A line-source sprinkler system was used under a field rainout shelter to evaluate the dry matter yield of 29 clonal lines of crested wheatgrass at six levels of water application. Forage yield declined linearly from optimum water levels to levels representative of severe drought. Broad-sense heritability values along with the range and genetic variance among clonal lines also declined markedly as water application decreased. (.)
Dietary phosphorus leaching and apparent phosphorus digestibility from different inorganic phosphorus sources for South African abalone (Haliotis midae L.)

The objective of this study was to determine phosphorus leaching of diets supplemented with various inorganic phosphorus sources [mono basic sodium phosphate (MSP), mono basic calcium phosphate (MCP), a 3 : 1 mixture of mono and dibasic calcium phosphate (MDCP), dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP)], and the apparent phosphorus digestibility of these sources in Haliotis midae. A trend of increased dietary phosphorus leaching from diet pellets with increased water solubility of sources was observed. MSP presented the highest (P < 0.05) phosphorus leaching (58.8%), while a value of 14.9% was obtained with DCP. Unexpectedly high phosphorus leaching (48.7% maximum) was obtained for a reference diet consisting of commercial feed ingredients (fish meal, soya bean meal, cottonseed meal) without any phosphorus supplementation. DCP presented a lower (P < 0.05) apparent phosphorus digestibility (27.9%) than MSP (66.5%), MCP (72.6%) and MDCP (66.3%). When dietary phosphorus leaching and apparent phosphorus digestibility were take into account, MDCP seems to be the most promising inorganic phosphorus source for inclusion in abalone diets. Further research should concentrate on minimizing dietary phosphorus leaching through feed preparation techniques.
Factors influencing the relative fitness of hatchery and wild spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Wenatchee River, Washington, USA

Understanding the relative fitness of naturally spawning hatchery fish compared with wild fish has become an important issue in the management and conservation of salmonids. We used a DNA-based parentage analysis to measure the relative reproductive success of hatchery- and natural-origin spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the natural environment. Size and age had a large influence on male fitness, with larger and older males producing more offspring than smaller or younger individuals. Size had a significant effect on female fitness, but the effect was smaller than on male fitness. For both sexes, run time had a smaller but still significant effect on fitness, with earlier returning fish favored. Spawning location within the river had a significant effect on fitness for both sexes. Hatchery-origin fish produced about half the juvenile progeny per parent when spawning naturally than did natural-origin fish. Hatchery fish tended to be younger and return to lower areas of the watershed than.
Contribution of growth phases to adult size

Based on the data of the First Zurich Longitudinal Growth Study we investigate how interindividual differences in adult size arise in the variables leg height, sitting height and standing height, arm length, biiliac width and bihumeral width. Specifically, we are also interested in the question of whether across sexes and variables the same growth phases and the same parameters are predictive for achieving a certain adult size. A rather complex pattern emerges, demonstrating that regulation of growth is not the same for boys and girls and moreover is not the same for the six anthropometric variables studied. Prepubertal growth is characterized by its intensity (average velocity) and by its duration. Whereas duration has by itself no appreciable influence on adult size, prepubertal intensity determines adult size to a high degree across all variables and both sexes. The intensity of prepubertal growth determines adult size to a larger degree for boys than for girls. For a given size at the end of the prepubertal period, a small duration enhances the chance of obtaining a large adult size. Compared with prepubertal growth, the amount of variance of adult size explained is small for pubertal parameters, and - with respect to linear measures - significant for girls only. A small duration of prepubertal growth is in the following mainly compensated by a stronger pubertal spurt (PS), to a varying degree across variables. The overall picture which emerges indicates that sitting height - and to a lesser extent bihumeral width - develop in a more irregular fashion than the variables biiliac width and leg height.
Efecto de la temperatura y la suplementación energética sobre la producción de leche en vacas lecheras a pastoreo

Se realizo un ensayo con el objeto de determinar el efecto de la suplementacion a la sombra durante los meses de verano para vacas que pastorean una pradera de trebol blanco - ballica perenne (Trifolium repens L. -Lolium multiflorum L.). Se compararon 4 tratamientos: I. Pastoreo dia y noche sin suplementacion; II. Pastoreo dia y noche mas suplementacion; III. Pastoreo dia y noche mas suplementacion a la sombra entre 11:30 y 17:00 h; y IV. Pastoreo dia y noche mas suplementacion al sol entre 11:30 y 17:00 h. Se utilizaron 32 vacas Holstein con una produccion promedio inicial de leche de 20,5 L d-1, las que fueron distribuidas en un diseno de bloques. Los resultados mostraron que no hubo un efecto significativo (P ³ 0,05) de los tratamientos sobre la produccion de leche, siendo el tratamiento III donde se obtuvo la mayor produccion de leche (19,5 L d-1). Las temperaturas ambientales durante los meses de enero y febrero alcanzaron 33,5 y 34,5oC, respectivamente. Las temperaturas rectales fueron significativamente mas altas (P < 0,05) en los tratamientos donde los animales permanecieron al sol, alcanzando los 39,55; 39,00 y 39,43oC para los tratamientos II, III y IV, respectivamente. Se observo un leve aumento en el consumo de ensilaje de maiz en los animales que permanecieron a la sombra. El menor consumo de ensilaje de los animales que permanecieron al sol fue aparentemente compensado con un mayor consumo de pradera en el periodo nocturno. Se realizaron mediciones de comportamiento animal por observacion durante las 24 h.
Nutritional evaluation of some processed catering foods

Five prepared catering dishes were analysed to evaluate the proximate composition and the fatty acids, vitamin E, thiamine and riboflavin content. The correspondent values were calculated from actually available food composition tables (two from Italy, one from the UK and one from the USA). When using more than one database to calculate the composition of a complex recipe the average values were similar to the analytical ones despite the wide range reported for some variables. However, there was no significant difference in the statistical analyses between the analytical values and databases, or among the databases themselves. Therefore if the composition of a specific recipe is required, analyses would be advisable, but the available databases are quite adequate if the evaluation is for groups of people, even allowing for the seasonal variability of ingredients.
Evaluating the Prudence of Parents: Daily Energy Expenditure Throughout the Annual Cycle of a Free-Ranging Bird, the Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes Chrysolophus

We measured daily energy expenditure (DEE) continuously for a whole year in a free ranging bird, the macaroni penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus. We combined these measurements with concurrently recorded foraging behaviour, and literature information on body mass and dietary factors to estimate prey consumption rates and foraging success. DEE was at a maximum during late chick-rearing but was equally high during all other active phases of the breeding season. DEE was approximately 4xresting metabolic rate, which accords with established theory and suggests a common 'energetic ceiling' throughout the summer period. However, whether this represents a maximum in physiological capacity, or a rate which optimises fitness is still unclear. Rates of prey consumption and foraging success followed different patterns from daily energy expenditure. Daily prey consumption was high as the penguins prepared for long fasts associated with moulting and incubation but relatively low during chick-rearing, when foraging areas were restricted and foraging success lower. It appears that the energy intake of macaroni penguins is subject to extrinisic or environmental constraints rather than to intrinsic physiological limits.
Vibrotactile adaptation impairs discrimination of fine, but not coarse, textures

The effect of vibrotactile adaptation on the ability to discriminate textured surfaces was examined in three experiments. The surfaces were rectilinear arrays of pyramids produced by etching of silicon wafers. Adaptation to 100-Hz vibration severely hampered discrimination of surfaces with spatial periods below 100 w m (Experiment 1), but had little effect on the discrimination of coarser textures (Experiment 2). To determine which vibrotactile channel—Rapidly Adapting or Pacinian—plays the larger role in mediating the discrimination of fine textures, widely separated adapting frequencies (10 and 250 Hz) were used in Experiment 3. The fact that high- but not low-frequency adaptation interfered with discrimination suggests that the Pacinian system contributes importantly to this ability. Taken as a whole, the results of this study strongly support the duplex theory of tactile texture perception, according to which different mechanisms—spatial and vibrotactile—mediate the perception of coarse and fine textures, respectively.
Cross-taxon congruence in Mediterranean temporary wetlands: vascular plants, crustaceans, and coleopterans

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the dynamics of plant, crustacean, and coleopteran assemblages living in Mediterranean temporary wetlands. We measured assemblage parameters (species richness, diversity and abundance) and succession rates during the hydroperiod for each assemblage analysed. Moreover, the species were classified according to their affinity to the temporary aquatic habitats in order to study if each assemblage had similar patterns among species groups of habitat affinity. Only among plants, the temporary water species were dominant in terms of species richness, diversity or abundance. Cross-taxon congruence between plants and crustaceans, previously reported, was not confirmed when temporal succession was taken into account, suggesting different temporal patterns for the studied taxa. Plants showed the lowest level of successional changes and significant differences between local and regional diversity. In contrast, coleopterans had the highest level of successional changes and a different relationship between local and regional diversity, with regard to the hydroperiod phase. Finally, crustaceans had intermediate levels of successional changes and the relationship between the local and regional diversity during the hydroperiod was dependent on the type of organism (generalist vs. temporary water species). All of this gave evidence of the difficulties to use one taxonomic group in order to elucidate the ecological patterns of other groups.
PHOSPHOLIPID COMPOSITION OF HUMAN SPERM AND SEMINAL PLASMA IN RELATION TO SPERM FERTILITY

The phospholipid and fatty acid composition of sperm was studied in 8 healthy and 16 infertile men. Infertile men randomly formed from the patients with normal semen parameters according to WHO criterion. Therefore, all semen parameters of infertile patients were similar to the same characteristics of the semen of healthy men, except the abnormal forms. The amount of abnormal forms in infertile men was significantly higher than in healthy men. Sperm from infertile men show a drastic loss of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. At the same time, the significant increase of phosphatidyl serine in the sperm and seminal plasma of sterile patients was found. Lysophosphatidyl serine in the sperm of the infertile men was detected. Fatty acid composition of the semen of infertile men was altered. The levels of stearic and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) was dramatically lowered, but the values of some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and docosatetraenoic) acids increased. There was significant positive correlation between docosahexaenoic acid and sperm motility (r =. 82, p <. 001) and negative correlation between linolenic acid and spermatozoa motility (r=-0.58, p<.05). Infertility of men with normal semen quality can originate from the disorder of sperm lipid metabolism. The drastic loss of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with simultaneous enhancement of phosphatidyl serine and some n - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm could be an important cause of male infertility.
Tooth organogenesis and regeneration

1. Morphogenesis and cell differentiation during tooth development . 2 2. Cell and tissue interactions and signaling centers . 2 3. Regulation and molecular basis of odontogenic competence . 4 4. Regeneration capacity and stem cells in mammalian teeth . 5 5. Mouse incisor stem cell niche . 6 6. Molecular regulation of the stem cell niche . 6 7. Future perspectives for stem cell – based tooth bioengineering . 7 8. References . 9
Is fasting insulin associated with blood pressure in obese children?

Primary objective : We tested whether fasting insulin levels are associated with blood pressure in a large sample of obese children. Subjects and methods : Three hundred and ® f ty obese children (F:M ratio ˆ 1.03) of 10.1§ 2.7 y of age (mean§ SD) were consecutively enrolled at an Outpatient Paediatric Clinic. Obesity was diagnosed on the basis of a relative weight for age > 120% and hypertension on the basis of a systolic (SBP) or diastolic (DBP) blood pressure > 95th percentile for age after adjustment for height (Ht). Main outcome and results : Insulin was signi® cantly higher in hypertensive . n ˆ 202;58%† than normotensive . n ˆ 148;42%† children (16 vs 14 mU mL¡1, geometric mean, p < 0:01, ANOVA) but the di erence was not clinically relevant. Moreover, (log-transformed) insulin explained only 7 and 4% of SBP and DBP variance, respectively (p < 0:0001 for both) and this contribution disappeared after the confounding e ects of age, weight or other anthropometric dimensions were taken into account (p ˆ ns, ANCOVA). Conclusions : This study does not support the hypothesis of a clinically relevant association between fasting insulin and blood pressure in obese children.
Anthology of Anther/Pollen-Specific Promoters and Transcription Factors

Pollen, regarded as the gold dust carrying the male germ line of flowering plants, is generated in the male reproductive organ called stamen. During the last few years, molecular biology and genetics have been integrated to enhance our knowledge regarding the structural and functional aspects of anther and pollen development. The promoters of several anther-/pollen-specific genes have been characterized to help understand the development of anther that involves the expression of a large number of genes temporally as well as spatially. The cis-acting regulatory elements of promoters necessary for interaction with transcription factors and their activity have been delineated. Many transcription factor genes having distinct anther-specific expression pattern have been identified with the help of transcriptome studies in Oryza sativa as well as Arabidopsis thaliana. The nature of complex interactions between genes and regulatory hierarchy involving developmental signal cascades have been investigated to design a working model for anther development. The immediate challenge ahead is to isolate and functionally characterize missing links and terminal ends of regulatory components for enhancing our knowledge about the male gametophyte development. The information generated on this aspect would help design suitable strategies to develop traits such as male sterility in crop plants.
Preservation of alpha-tocopherol in sunflower oil by herbs and spices

The ability of some commercially available herb and spice extracts to preserve alpha-tocopherol in sunflower oil during heating at 85-105°C was assessed using sunflower oil as a model system. The Rancimat® was evaluated for the heating stage and was used throughout as it was shown to be viable: α-tocopherol did not evaporate under the test conditions. The delay in the onset of rancidity was found to be directly related to the initial α-tocopherol concentration (P < 0.01). Rosemary, thyme, turmeric, sage, oregano and cumin extracts (2000 mg.kg−1) delayed rancidity (P < 0.01) and preserved α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). Some preservation was observed with clove extract but coriander and cardamom extracts were pro-oxidants. With thyme extract, the log of the induction time (as an indicator of the delay in rancidity) was directly proportional to the temperature (85-100°C). The ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol extracts of fresh sage were effective for preserving α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). With thyme, rosemary and sage extracts, the increase in the preservation of α-tocopherol was directly related to the concentration of the herb extract (P < 0.01) and was quite effective even at 100 mg.kg−1. The increased delay in the onset of rancidity was due directly to the improved preservation of α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). In further experiments, the preservative effect of turmeric was shown not to be due to its reported major antioxidant, curcumin, even though it delayed rancidity. When herb/spice extracts were examined mixed with thyme, bay and turmeric showed synergism (P < 0.01) whereas bay alone was slightly inhibitory. The mode of action appeared to be due to free radical activity rather than through singlet oxygen generation.
A retrospective study of serum KL-6 levels during treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a report from the Ad Hoc Committee for Safety of Biological DMARDs of the Japan College of Rheumatology

Abstract Objective: We investigated associations between treatment with methotrexate (MTX) or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and elevation of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Using a standardized form, data were collected retrospectively from medical records and analyzed descriptively. Results: Of a total of 198 RA patients with KL-6 serum levels measured at initiation of treatment (month 0) and two or more times by month 12, 27 (17.9 %) of 151 RA patients treated with biological DMARDs, including infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, and tocilizumab (the biological DMARDs group), and 5 (10.6 %) of 47 patients treated without biological DMARDs but with MTX (MTX group), met criterion B (max. KL-6 ≥500 U/ml and >1.5-fold from baseline) by 12 months. The majority of patients (n = 28) meeting criterion B had no apparent interstitial lung disease or malignancy. Of these 28 patients, 21 had serum KL-6 levels available after reaching their maximum level, and 13 (61.9 %) of the 21 then met criterion R [decrease to less than 500 U/ml or to less than (baseline + 0.5 × (maximum − baseline))] by month 12. Conclusion: Serum KL-6 levels may increase during treatment with MTX or these biological DMARDs without significant clinical events.
In Vitro Bulblet Induction from Bulb Scales of Endangered Ornamental Plant Muscari Azureum

ABSTRACT Muscari azureum with beautiful white and sky blue flowers is an important endangered ornamental plant of Turkey and needs exploitation for commercial propagation. 2–4 bulb scale explants of M. azureum were cultured in basal media supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 20 g/l mannitol, 20 g/l sucrose, 0.5 mg/l NAA and different concentrations of BAP, KIN, 2iP and TDZ plus 2 g/l gelrite. The best regeneration on 2 or 4 scales and “the highest mean number of bulblets per explants (mean 8.77per explant)” was achieved on an Orchimax medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP, 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 20 g/l mannitol, 20 g/l sucrose and 0.5 mg/l NAA for 2-scales. Mature bulblets were excised and individually rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA, 0.5 g/l activated charcoal, 20 g/l sucrose and 6 g/l agar. Regenerated plants from 2 and 4 scales were acclimatized with a 14% survival rate after 3 weeks.
Notes on some Opisthobranch gastropods from the Chesapeake Bay

Seventeen species of opisthobranchs from Chesapeake Bay were studied, 4 Cephalaspidea, 6 Ascoglossa, 5 Doridoidea, and 2 Eolidoidea. The radula of “Acteon” punctostriatus from Chesapeake Bay shows that the species comes under Rictaxis Dall, 1871, hence the species called punctostriatus from Brazil, a true Acteon, receives a new name, Acteon pelecais. Two species of Haminoea, distinguished by a small cylindrial shell, H. succinea, and a larger ovoid shell, H. solitaria, have consistent anatomical features. The generic name of Stiliger has to be replaced by Ercolania due to Baba & Hamatani’s (1970a) redescription of Stiliger ornatus. Alderia harvardiensis is identical with A. modesta which occurs in Finland, California, and Brazil. Hermaea cruciata is redescribed. It differs from H. coirala from Brazil. The substitution of Cargoa for Okenia is unnecessary. Cratena kaoruae Marcus, 1957, from Brazil is a synonym of C. pilata. Tenellia pallida is a junior synonym of T. adspersa (Nordmann, 1845).