Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food Resource Utilization OF Three Co-Occurring Carnivorous Fish Species in A Shallow Lowland Reservoir in South Eastern Sri Lanka: Approach to Minimize Competition.

Food resource exploitation pattern of three carnivorous fish species namely, Mystus spp, Glossogobius giuris and Channa striata, co-occurring in a shallow South-Eastern Sri Lankan reservoir was investigated. The fish community of this reservoir was represented by two introduced exotic tilapias and eight indigenous riverine species including five cyprinids, a clarid, a hemiramphid and a gobid. Fishes were sampled by three types of gear i.e. gill nets, bottom trawl, and cast net, at four sampling stations during day and night time. To determine the ontogenical diet changes, fishes were divided into six length classes. The stomach contents were analyzed based on species, fishing time and size class using the fishes collected on each sampling occasion to establish their feeding ecology. Point method was used to estimate the relative biovolume of different food items. Each fish specimen was assigned a value ranging from 1-5 based on its stomach fullness. The Schoener’s formula was employed to calculate the proportional overlap in food consumption between any two species pair and, any two size classes of a particular fish species. The statistical package SPSS (version 10) was used to analyze data. Three carnivorous species fed mainly on fish, insects and zooplankton, but not in same proportion. Gut fullness categories exhibited significantly different variations between day and night time as well as among different size groups in the three fish species. Differences in diet composition and feeding intensities were observed in all the three species according to their respective size. Habitat partitioning of three cooccurring species was found to center upon spatial (surface, column and bottom) and temporal (day and night time) segregation. Role of these three carnivorous fish species in the reservoir is highlighted and they seemed to play an invaluable role, to maintain a healthy stable reservoir, in addition to their food and ornamental value.
A simple and fast PCR protocol to detect Listeria monocytogenes from meat

Primers for the iap gene were used to develop and optimise a PCR technique for detecting Listeria monocytogenes in meat. The use of these primers gave good results in the detection of L monocytogenes in either artificially or naturally contaminated foodstuffs. The lowest sensitivity limit achieved with PCR was 101–102 cells ml-1 or g-1 product, either in pure cultures or in artificially and naturally contaminated meat. The PCR method devised has high sensitivity and specificity. It appears to give good results and is very easy and fast to perform, requiring only 30 h to detect Listeria from meat, whereas, conventional methods require almost 96–120 h. © 1997 SCI.
Toward a Taxonomy of Belgian Daily Activity Spaces

From the planner's point of view, a taxonomy of the urban daily activity spaces (DAS) is considered as an introductory step toward explaining the differential growth within an urban system. The cluster-analysis method of Rubin and Friedman (1967) is applied to the Belgian DAS, and yields three types. A first cluster identifies the large agglomerations including the older regional centres. The second and third clusters clearly show various aspects of regional structure. They demonstrate the taxonomic power of the method as well as providing a possible basis for planning policy.
Interventional low‐dose azithromycin attenuates cigarette smoke‐induced emphysema and lung inflammation in mice

Cigarette smoke (CS)‐induced emphysema is an important contributor to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We have shown the efficacy of azithromycin in reducing airway inflammation in COPD and in reducing exacerbations in severe asthma; however, the effects of long‐term azithromycin on emphysema development have not been shown. We employed live animal imaging to monitor emphysema‐like development and the effects of interventional azithromycin treatment in CS‐exposed mice. BALB/c mice (female, 10 weeks; n = 10) were exposed to CS for 1 hr twice daily, 5 days/week, and for 12 weeks (CS). Half were cotreated with low‐dose azithromycin during weeks 7–12 (CS + Azi; 0.2 mg kg−1 day−1). Microcomputed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired longitudinally. Histological examinations were performed post mortem (mean linear intercept (Lm) and leukocyte infiltration). CS increased median Lm (CS: 42.45 µm versus control: 34.7 µm; p = .0317), this was recovered in CS + Azi mice (33.03 µm). Average CT values were reduced in CS mice (CS: −399.5 Hounsfield units (HU) versus control: −384.9 HU; p = . 0286) but not in CS + Azi mice (−377.3 HU). CT values negatively correlated with Lm (r = −.7972; p = .0029) and T2‐weighted MRI (r = −.6434; p = .0278). MRI also showed significant CS‐induced inflammatory changes that were attenuated by azithromycin in the lungs, and positively correlated with Lm (r = .7622; p = .0055) and inflammatory foci counts (r = .6503; p = .0257). Monitoring of emphysema development is possible via micro‐CT and MRI. Interventional azithromycin treatment in CS‐exposed mice attenuated the development of pulmonary emphysema‐like changes.
Decellularized human corneal stromal cell sheet as a novel matrix for ocular surface reconstruction

The shortage of donor corneas as well as the limitations of tissue substitutes leads to the necessity to develop alternative materials for ocular surface reconstruction. Corneal surface substitutes must fulfill specific requirements such as high transparency, low immunogenicity, and mechanical stability combined with elasticity. This in vitro study evaluates a decellularized matrix secreted from human corneal fibroblasts (HCF) as an alternative material for ocular surface reconstruction. HCF from human donors were cultivated with the supplementation of vitamin C to form a stable and thick matrix. Furthermore, due to enhanced cultivation time, a three‐dimensional like multilayered construct which partly mimics the complex structure of the corneal stroma could be generated. The formed human cell‐based matrices (so‐called cell sheets [CS]) were subsequently decellularized. The complete cell removal, collagen content, ultrastructure, and cell toxicity of the decellularized CS (DCS) as well as biomechanical properties were analyzed. Surgical feasibility was tested on enucleated porcine eyes. After decellularization and sterilization, a transparent, thick, cell free, and sterile tissue substitute resulted, which allowed expansion of limbal epithelial stem cells with no signs of cytotoxicity, and good surgical feasibility. DCS seem to be a promising new corneal tissue substitute derived from human cells without the limitation of donor material; however, future in vivo studies are necessary to further elucidate its potential for ocular surface reconstruction.
Effect of Glycosylated Nitrosohemoglobin on Quality of Cooked Meat Batters during Chill Storage

Sodium nitrite is a key traditional meat-curing agent in meat industry. However, because of its carcinogenicity, the studies about nitrite substitutes have been focused on for many years. In this study, Glycosylated Nitrosohemoglobin (G-NO-Hb) solution synthesized by porcine blood, nitrite and sugar through maillard reaction was applied in cooked meat batters to replace for nitrite. Color difference, Thiobarbituric Acid- Reactive Substances (TBARS) and total Aerobic Plate Count (APC) were determined in order to evaluate the quality of meat batters. UV-Vis spectra analysis showed that the produced pigment through maillard reaction was G-NO- Hb. The a*-values of batters treated with G-NO-Hb showed a significant increase (p 0.05), which indicated that the addition of G-NO-Hb contributed to the formation of red pigment in cooked meat batters. Also, both TBARS values and APC of meat batters treated with G-NO-Hb, especially those added with G-NO-Hb solution (6 g nitrite/kg reaction system) were significantly lower than the control samples (p<0.05). It revealed that G-NO-Hb was a potential nitrite substitute for coloring, antioxidation and antisepticise during meat curing.
Nicarbazin has no effect on reducing feral pigeon populations in Barcelona.

BACKGROUND Nicarbazin is an anti-coccidial product sometimes used as a contraceptive to reduce the size of feral pigeon populations. However, its effectiveness in reducing pigeon population size in cities has generated some controversy. Here, we evaluate its effectiveness in Barcelona city. RESULTS We set 23 feeding stations in which we provided nicarbazin and 10 feeding stations with a placebo (untreated corn). Censuses were carried out before and after one year of treatment, in radii of 200 m around each feeder. We additionally censused 28 circles of 200 m of radius distributed randomly 200 m away from the feeders and 28 circles distributed >500 m away from the feeders, which acted as controls. Population size across the whole city was also evaluated pre- and post-treatment. We found that feral pigeon density did not change after one year of treatment, either in the circles around feeding stations with nicarbazin or in the areas around control stations distributed at 200 and > 500 m from the feeders. Population size in placebo circles rose after a year by 10%. The pigeon census for the whole city of Barcelona showed a 10% increase. CONCLUSION Overall, our results indicate that the nicarbazin treatment had no effect on the feral pigeon population size, and we advise against its use as a pigeon control method, at least in large cities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A quantitative analysis of species sorting across organisms and ecosystems

The estimation of the relative roles of environment, space, and their interactions in structuring community composition is one of the central topics of community ecology. I conducted a quantitative review to determine if the degree of species sorting (SS) by the abiotic environment varied predictably between organism types and ecosystems. SS was quantified as the relative fraction of community variation that is explained by environmental variables. I integrated data from 326 variation partition analyses in a generalized linear model, and found that a mean of 26.1% (minimum 0%, maximum 88%) of the variance in community composition was explained by environmental variables. I also found that organism body size and dispersal group were not related to the degree of SS. SS varied among trophic positions, being highest in autotrophs and omnivores and lowest in herbivores and decomposers. SS also varied among ecosystem types: it was lowest in lakes and highest in estuaries and marine environments. Studies using a.
Multicenter evaluation of Xpert HIV‐1 viral load assay for HIV quantification in China

New approaches to increase HIV‐1 testing and HIV‐1 viral load (VL) monitoring are needed for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in China. The Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay was prequalified by the World Health Organization in 2017 but has not been evaluated in China. A multicenter evaluation was conducted to assess the accuracy of the Cepheid Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay compared to the Abbott RealTime HIV‐1 assay in China. Overall agreement was seen in 558 of 562 specimens (99.29%) with a κ value of 0.962. Pearson's coefficient between the two assays was 0.943. Analyzed by the Bland‐Altman method, the mean bias was −0.54 log10 copies/mL, and 94.05% results fell within the 95% confidence limit of agreement (−1.248 to 0.168 log10 copies/mL). The coefficient of variation of the Cepheid Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay ranged from 0.61% to 1.55%, as determined by testing eight positive plasma specimens with three different lots on different days. Due to its simplicity, random‐access, rapid turnaround time, and accuracy, the Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay can be used in local hospitals and clinics that bear the burden of identifying and treating HIV patients in China.
Extraction, Purification and Partial Characterization of Cladophora glomerata Against Multidrug Resistant Human Pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii and Fish Pathogens

The antibacterial effect of the crude methanol extracts and purified fractions of Cladophora glomerata (Linnaeus) Kutzing (Cladophoraceae) against multidrug resistant human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii and fish pathogens were investigated. Cladophora glomerata demonstrated appreciable activity against the human pathogen A. baumannii and fish pathogens Vibrio fischeri, V. vulnificus, V. anguillarum, V. parahaemolyticus, E. coli and B. cereus. TLC Purified fractions III and V of green seaweed C. glomerata inhibited the human pathogen A. baumannii and fish pathogens V. fischeri and V. vulnificus. Purified fraction II of the same seaweed inhibited only V. fischeri and V. vulnificus. Methanol extract of C. glomerata inhibited E. coli and B. cereus growth at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 75 µg/ml and other species at 100 µg/ml. Whereas, V. vulnificus growth was inhibited at a minimum concentration of 125 µg/ml. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of hydrocarbon compounds in active fractions II, III and V of C. glomerata. These findings demonstrate that the methanol extract and their purified fractions of C. glomerata exhibited appreciable antimicrobial activity and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products.
Expanded roles for the MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins

The MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins plays a critical role in excising and repairing misincorporation errors during DNA replication. In many eukaryotes, members of this family have evolved to modulate and resolve recombination intermediates into crossovers during meiosis. In these organisms, such functions promote the accurate segregation of chromosomes during the meiosis I division. What alterations occurred in MutL homolog (MLH) family members that enabled them to acquire these new roles? In this review, we present evidence that the yeast Mlh1–Mlh3 and Mlh1–Mlh2 complexes have evolved novel enzymatic and nonenzymatic activities and protein–protein interactions that are critical for their meiotic functions. Curiously, even with these changes, these complexes retain backup and accessory roles in DNA mismatch repair during vegetative growth.
Feasibility and needs for simultaneous or staged bone augmentation to place prosthetically guided dental implants after extraction or exfoliation of first molars due to severe periodontitis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess bone volumes, healed ridge topography and possibility to plan prosthetically guided implants (PGI) at least 6 months after extraction or exfoliation of first molars as a consequence of terminal periodontitis (EEFMP). MATERIAL AND METHODS 45 subjects with Stage III-IV periodontitis providing 74 extraction sites (maxillary=51 and mandibular=23) were included. The degree of residual periodontal support on each root was assessed by combining periodontal and radiographic data. Digital planning of PGI with 4.8mm/4.1mm diameter, 8mm long, root-form dental implant and need for bone augmentation (BA) were performed using CBCT with a radiographic stent. Possibility of standard implant placement (STANDARD) and need for simultaneous or staged BA were assessed. RESULTS Planning PGI placement was possible in all cases. For a 4.8mm diameter implant, STANDARD was possible in 37.8 % of the sites, 33.8% required BA at the time of implant placement and 28.4% required staged BA before PGI. The use of 4.1 mm rather than 4.8 mm diameter implant allowed STANDARD in an additional 8.1% of cases that originally required simultaneous BA/osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE). The level of periodontal bone loss did not predict the complexity of implant placement, but significant differences were observed comparing maxillary with mandibular sites. CONCLUSION PGI planning at sites with first molar loss due to terminal periodontitis is possible but poses great challenge to rehabilitation, often requiring advanced augmentation procedures and sinus augmentation.
Antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Salvia officinalis L. collected in Syria

The essential oils of Salvia officinalis L. collected at two different altitudes in Syrian coastline were analyzed by gas chromatography. Plant’s development stage and the ecological factors had impact on the qualitative composition of S. officinalis essential oil. Although, the major components of the essential oils extracted from plants grown at both altitudes were 1,8-cineol, camphor, borneol, α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, β-myrcene and caryophyllene, their percentage changed according to the altitude. S. officinalis essential oil was for its antibacterial activities by using Gram- positive and negative bacteria. Both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus group D were efficiently inhibited after 10 min of contact at oil concentration of 20 μl/ml. The inhibitory effect of the essential oil on Candida albicans was total and definitive within a minimum of contact time and oil concentration. But the essential oil showed a temporary bacteriostatic effect on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, as well as Pseudomonas aeruoginosa . In comparison with most known antibiotics, the efficiency of S. officinalis essential oil was much better, especially against bacteria resistant to antibiotic. Key words: Essential oil, Salvia officinalis L. , antibacterial activities, inhibitory effect, bacteriostatic effect.
Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

With early and effective antiretroviral therapy and improved survival for persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection (PLHIV), this patient population now faces an increasingly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the data on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for revascularization of coronary artery disease (CAD) in HIV+ patients is limited.
Creation of triploid citrus hybrids by electrofusion of haploid and diploid protoplasts.

Seedlessness is a major criterion for the citrus fresh fruit market. Triploidy breeding therefore appears very promising for the selection of new citrus cultivars. CIRAD bas developed a new method for triploid synthesis, achieved by somatic hybridisation between diploid and haploid lines. This method makes it possible to add, without recombination, a haploid genome to the whole diploid genome of high organoleptic quality cultivars. Somatic hybridisation is done by electrofusion of protoplasts isolated from haploid embryogenic callus lines of clementine, obtained from haploid embryos generated by induced gynogenesis, and callus lines or mesophyll protoplasts of nine diploid cultivars. Regenerated plants or calli are studied by flow cytometry and molecular markers in order to assess their ploidy level and their nuclear genome origins, respectively. Triploid hybrids, as well as some tetraploid and pentaploid hybrids, have been obtained for each combination. This ploidy polymorphisrn could be due to the presence, detected by flow cytometry, of diploid and triploid cells in the haploid callus. More than 200 polyploid hybrid plants are currently being propagated in greenhouses. Triploid hybrids should be exploited directly after evaluation, while tetraploid hybrids will join the pool of allotetraploids for further sexual breeding with diploids. (Resume d'auteur)
Non linear mixed modeling to describe the taper of clonal Eucalyptus sp.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of the logistic model related to taper in order to estimate the volume of the individual trees of Eucalyptus in a clonal plantation with different classes of age and diameter. For testing purposes, we used the non-linear mixed effects regression model, and the classes of diameter and age were considered as random effects of this process. The model considered three different scenarios: (i) fit of the model in its original format, considering diameter’s class within different age classes with random effect; (ii) fit of the model in its original format, considering diameter’s class within different age classes with random effect plus the addition of total height as covariate; and (iii) relativization of the original model for diameter and total height and by considering age as a random effect. In short, comparing the first two scenarios, the standard error was reduced by 40 %, ranging from 1.4727 to 0.8970 cm, and when comparisons were made between the second and third scenarios for volume estimation purposes, an increase of the model accuracy to 1.3 % with the application of the third scenario was observed; furthermore, improvements in the scatter plot of the observed versus predicted values were observed.
COMPARISON OF TECHNIQUES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF BROWN RING DISEASE AND DETECTION OF VIBRIO TAPETIS IN THE MANILA CLAM, VENERUPIS (RUDITAPES) PHILIPPINARUM

Abstract The bacterium, Vibrio tapetis, is the aetiological agent of Brown Ring Disease (BRD), which affects the Manila clam, Venerupis (Ruditapes) philippinarum. Two PCR assays for detection of V. tapetis were applied to a sample of 52 Manila clams, and evaluated in comparison with the more traditional V. tapetis detection method of microbiological isolation and characterization, as well as the traditional BRD diagnostic technique of shell valve analysis. The pathogen was detected in 15.4% of the sample using the PCR assay of Rodríguez et al. (2003, 2006) in 50% of the sample using the PCR assay of Paillard et al. (2006) and in 36.5% of the sample by microbiological methods. Whereas shell valve analysis was the least sensitive technique, detecting BRD in 7.7% of the sample, it was an essential diagnostic tool because it was the only technique that identified the disease, rather than the aetiological agent. None of the four techniques was sufficient on its own for effective BRD diagnosis; rather various combinations of two techniques were the minimum required. The combination of shell valve analysis with the assay of Paillard et al. (2006) proved to be the most sensitive and rapid of those tested. Shell valve analysis was the most time-efficient and cost-effective technique, whereas microbiological characterization was the most time-consuming, and PCR detection, using either set of primers, the most expensive. These results may need to be considered in light of diagnosis and management of BRD.
Influence of temperature and spawning effort on Haliotis tuberculata mortalities caused by Vibrio harveyi: an example of emerging vibriosis linked to global warming

Since 1998, Haliotis tuberculata mass mortalities have been occurring regularly in wild abalone populations in France during their reproductive period and in conjunction with seawater summer temperature maxima and Vibrio harveyi presence. To confirm the importance of bacterial exposure, temperature and reproductive status on abalone susceptibility, experimental infections via bath exposure were performed using abalone ranging from immature to reproductively mature. Ripe abalone were more susceptible to the bacterium than immature specimens (P<0.001), and a difference of only 1 °C in temperature had a highly significant impact on the mortalities (P<0.001). The natural mortalities that were surveyed during summer 2007 confirmed that recent epidemic losses of European abalone appeared in conjunction with host reproductive stress, elevated temperatures and presence of the pathogen V. harveyi. In view of the elevation of the mean summer temperatures observed in Brittany and Normandy over the last 25 years, this temperature‐dependent vibriosis represents a new case of emerging disease associated with global warming.