Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical impact of sarcopenia in patients with colon cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery

Purpose Previous studies have reported that progressive muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, has a negative impact on colon cancer treatment. However, the majority of studies have analyzed on patients undergoing open resection, and the association of sarcopenia with clinical outcomes is not clear for patients with colon cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on clinical outcomes after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer. Methods A total of 423 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer between November 2010 and October 2014 were included. Body composition was assessed by measuring muscle and fat areas at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) on preoperative computed tomography. The L3 skeletal muscle area was used to calculate the skeletal muscle index and to assess for sarcopenia. Results Sarcopenia was identified in 54 patients (12.8%). The median time to first flatus (3 days), median time to tolerable soft diet (4 days), and median length of hospital stay (7 days) were not significantly different between patients with and without sarcopenia. However, sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in the logistic regression multivariate analysis (P = 0.015). Sarcopenia was not associated with overall or disease-free survival. Conclusion Sarcopenia was not negatively associated with functional recovery, hospital stay, and oncologic outcomes in patients with colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery. However, sarcopenia was associated with postoperative complications after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
Changes in the Health-Related Quality of Life and Weight Status of Children with Overweight or Obesity Aged 7 to 13 Years after Participating in a 10-Week Lifestyle Intervention

Background: The aim of the study was to assess changes in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and weight status of children with overweight and obesity after participating in a 10-week family-based combined lifestyle group intervention in their community. Methods: In total, 340 children with overweight or obesity aged between 7 and 13 years, as well as one of their primary caregivers, took part in this intervention, in a real-world setting. The intervention comprised 20 group sessions for a 10-week period, and focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, social support, and self-efficacy in regard to healthy lifestyles. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-KIDS) questionnaires were used to determine generic and weight-specific HRQOL. Changes in HRQOL and BMI (standard deviation [SDS] of BMI, objectively measured) were tested using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann–Whitney U test, and paired t-test. Results: Generic quality of life (Z = −3.58, r = −0.25), weight-specific quality of life (Z = −4.83, r = −0.34), and SDS-BMI (d = 0.21) were all significantly improved after participating in the 10-week intervention. The mean attendance rate was 73.74%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that participation in the intervention LEFF for children with overweight and obesity was associated with improved generic and weight-specific HRQOL and SDS-BMI.
Outcomes of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy With Ceftriaxone for Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections—A Single-Center Observational Study

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Ceftriaxone is convenient for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), but data for this indication are limited. Methods Adult patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) BSI discharged on OPAT with cefazolin, oxacillin, or ceftriaxone for at least 7 days were included. We compared outcomes of ceftriaxone vs either oxacillin or cefazolin. Ninety-day all-cause mortality, readmission due to MSSA infection, and microbiological failure were examined as a composite outcome and compared among groups. Rates of antibiotic switches due to intolerance were assessed. Results Of 243 patients included, 148 (61%) were discharged on ceftriaxone and 95 (39%) were discharged on either oxacillin or cefazolin. The ceftriaxone group had lower rates of intensive care unit care, endocarditis, and shorter duration of bacteremia, but higher rates of cancer diagnoses. There was no significant difference in the composite adverse outcome in the oxacillin or cefazolin group vs the ceftriaxone group (18 [19%] vs 31 [21%]; P = .70), comprising microbiological failure (6 [6.3%] vs 9 [6.1%]; P = .94), 90-day all-cause mortality (7 [7.4%] vs 15 [10.1%]; P = .46), and readmission due to MSSA infection (10 [10.5%] vs 13 [8.8%]; P = .65). Antibiotic intolerance necessitating a change was similar between the 2 groups (4 [4.2%] vs 6 [4.1%]; P = .95). Conclusions For patients with MSSA BSI discharged on OPAT, within the limitations of the small numbers and retrospective design we did not find a significant difference in outcomes for ceftriaxone therapy when compared with oxacillin or cefazolin therapy.
Sub-lethal effects of permethrin exposure on a passerine: implications for managing ectoparasites in wild bird nests

Abstract Permethrin is increasingly used for parasite control in bird nests, including nests of threatened passerines. We present the first formal evaluation of the effects of continued permethrin exposure on the reproductive success and liver function of a passerine, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), for two generations. We experimentally treated all nest material with a 1% permethrin solution or a water control and provided the material to breeding finches for nest building. The success of two consecutive clutches produced by the parental generation and one clutch produced by first-generation birds were tracked. Finches in the first generation were able to reproduce and fledge offspring after permethrin exposure, ruling out infertility. Permethrin treatment had no statistically significant effect on the number of eggs laid, number of days from clutch initiation to hatching, egg hatch rate, fledgling mass or nestling sex ratio in either generation. However, treating nest material with permethrin significantly increased the number of hatchlings in the first generation and decreased fledgling success in the second generation. Body mass for hatchlings exposed to permethrin was lower than for control hatchlings in both generations, but only statistically significant for the second generation. For both generations, an interaction between permethrin treatment and age significantly affected nestling growth. Permethrin treatment had no effect on liver function for any generation. Permethrin was detected inside 6 of 21 exposed, non-embryonated eggs (28.5% incidence; range: 693–4781 ng of permethrin per gram of dry egg mass). Overall, results from exposing adults, eggs and nestlings across generations to permethrin-treated nest material suggest negative effects on finch breeding success, but not on liver function. For threatened bird conservation, the judicious application of this insecticide to control parasites in nests can result in lower nestling mortality compared to when no treatment is applied. Thus, permethrin treatment benefits may outweigh its sub-lethal effects.
Anuran richness (Amphibia: Anura) in remnant forest fragments of Araucaria Forest and Atlantic Rainforest in Paraná, Brazil

Our goal was to assess the species composition, reproductive modes and conservation status of the anurans of Araucaria Forest and Atlantic Rain Forest in the Campina Grande do Sul (CGS) and Bocaiuva do Sul (BS), in the state of Parana, Brazil. The list of species was assembled based on field and museum records. We recorded 35 species that showed 11 different reproductive modes. Thirty five species occurred in CGS and 20 in BS, one species is classified as “data deficient” under the IUCN criteria while just two species hold this classification within the state. Amphibian richness in these areas correspond to 24% of the known species diversity known for Parana. Species richness and community composition correspond to the regional phytophysiognomy and local environmental heterogeneity.
Metabolome analysis of the yeast Candida albicans during morphogenesis

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Part I: propofol, thiopental, sevoflurane, and isoflurane-A randomized, controlled trial of effectiveness.

UNLABELLED When compared with thiopental and isoflurane, propofol and sevoflurane are associated with a faster return to wakefulness after anesthesia. Yet their wider usage in inpatient surgery has been restrained by concerns regarding their acquisition costs and by lack of studies demonstrating improved patient outcome. We randomly allocated 453 adult surgical inpatients to one of four anesthetic regimens (thiopental-isoflurane, propofol-isoflurane, propofol induction and maintenance, or sevoflurane induction and maintenance) and measured their rate and quality of recovery. We found no significant differences in the rate and quality of recovery between groups. Propofol was associated with more pain on injection (P: < 0. 0005), but less cough during induction (P: = 0.003), and less early postoperative nausea and vomiting (P: = 0.003). We could not detect any significant advantages with propofol and sevoflurane, when compared with thiopental and isoflurane in adults undergoing elective inpatient surgery. IMPLICATIONS Propofol and sevoflurane do not offer any significant advantages over thiopental and isoflurane in adults undergoing elective inpatient surgery.
Mnemonic Instruction, with a Focus on Transfer.

The authors conducted 4 experiments to examine mnemonic transfer in the form of knowledge generalization, in the context of an artwork-learning task. In each experiment, college students first studied a set of painting-artist name pairs using an adaptation of the face-name mnemonic technique. Immediate and 2-day delayed performance measures consisted of (a) tests over the studied paintings (memory) and (b) new tests over sets of nonstudied, yet thematically or stylistically similar, paintings by the same artists (transfer). In all 4 experiments mnemonic instruction produced memory benefits on a direct test over the studied paintings. Moreover, Experiments 1-3 indicated that on the transfer task mnemonic students who were directed to focus on the general theme or style of the artist outperformed both nonmnemonic control students and mnemonic students who focused on details of the paintings. Finally, the results of Experiment 4 further suggested that even when mnemonic-detail students are specifically informed about the nature of the forthcoming near-transfer task, their transfer performance is not facilitated.
Comparison s of Selected Stains for Distinguishing Between Live and Dead Eggs of the Plant-parasitic Nematode Heterodera glycines1

Seven stains were tested on Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode) to determine whether live and dead eggs of a plant-parasitic nematode could be distinguished from each other. When observed with bright- field microscopy, the stains chrysoidin, eosin-Y, new blue R, and nile blue A were useful in differentiating dead from live eggs, particularly when the stains were combined with dimethyl sulfoxide. Acridine orange, eosin-Y, fluorescein, and fluorescein diacetate, when observed with fluorescence optics, also differentially stained live and dead eggs. Evaluation of the pathogenicity and virulence of biological control agents of plant-parasitic nematodes often requires that live and dead nematodes be distinguished from each other. When nematode eggs, rather than motile ver- miform nematodes, are studied, it can be par- ticularly difficult to determine which individuals are alive and which are not. A number of stains have been used to help establish whether a nema- tode is dead or alive; however, as summarized by Hooper (1986), varying results have been re- ported for some of these stains. To test for fungal pathogenicity on eggs of plant-parasitic nema- todes, it is therefore necessary to determine which stains are the most reliable for differentiating dead and live eggs of these nematodes. To this end, we applied different stains to eggs of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines. Seven stains were tested on live eggs and on eggs that had been heated-killed or that had died of natural causes. Six of these stains had been used on plant-parasitic or free-living nematodes in earlier studies. One stain—aqueous fluores- cein—has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported as a stain for plant-parasitic nematodes. Even though some of these stains have been re- ported to be ineffective or inconsistent under cer- tain circumstances, we evaluated them to deter- mine whether they could be useful for studies of this nature. Because difficulty with infiltratio n might be one cause for variable results that have been reported in the literature, 6 of the stains
Nutrient Components Analysis of Eight Kinds of Seaweeds in Zhanjiang Sea Area

The nutrient components of eight kinds of common seaweeds,belonging to Rhodophyta,Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta collected from Zhanjiang coastal water,were analyzed.The results showed that carbohydrate was the main components in these algae which was about 48.22%-69.16%. Crude protein content was 2.81%-15.44%,with average of 9.25%,and amino acid content was high,with average of 16.01%,and the contents of Asp,Glu,Gly,Val and Leu were all high.The contents of both protein and Amino Acids were higher in species of Chlorophyta than those of species of Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta,and their amino acid score was the highest.Crude lipid content was the lowest,which was about 0.15%-1.17%,with average of 0.56%. Their crude fiber contents were nearly half of that of carbohydrate.According to their protein and crude lipid contents,Cymogongrus flabelliformis and Caulerpa racemosa var.peltata would be good food resources with the high protein and low lipid.In addition,the contents of mineral elements were rich,especially Fe and Zn.The contents of Cu,As and Ni were beyond national standard.
Double‐blind randomized controlled trial of baclofen vs. clonidine in the treatment of opiates withdrawal

Background: A variety of detoxification methods have been utilized for the treatment of opiate withdrawal syndrome, of which alpha‐adrenergic agonists have attracted considerable attention over the last two decades. However, accumulating evidence in rats shows the efficacy of the GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, in reducing alcohol intake and self‐administration of cocaine.
Investigations of glutathione S-transferase and peroxidase activities in auxin heterotrophic and autotrophic tobacco calli under salt stress conditions

Auxin autotrophic and heterotrophic lines of tobacco calli may differ not only in their indoleacetic acid (IAA) synthetizing abilities and sensitivities to exogenous auxins, but also in their stress tolerance. Auxin autotrophic callus tissues were generated and the growth of cultures was compared with that of the heterotrophic lines of the same tissues on MS medium containing different concentrations of NaCl. The growth remand usually higher in autotrophic calli than in heterotrophic calli with increasing NaCl concentrations. The glutathione S-transferase and peroxidase activities were higher in the autotrophic lines, but their level did not increase further with the salt treatment as much as in the heterotrophic tissues.
Quantification of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) estrogen receptor-alpha messenger RNA and its expression in the ovary during the reproductive cycle.

This study developed a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to measure estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) mRNA in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Using RT-PCR, and primers based on the known ERalpha DNA sequence in this species, cDNA sequences representing most of the protein coding region were obtained from ovary poly A(+) RNA. Using these DNA sequences as probes in Northern blot hybridizations confirmed that a single transcript of 4.2 kilobases in poly A(+) RNA could be detected in liver and ovary RNA. For the quantitative RT-PCR assay an internal standard RNA molecule was produced to control for inherent inter-tube differences in amplification efficiency and permit accurate quantification of ERalpha mRNAs. The quantitative RT-PCR assay proved to be highly specific for ERalpha mRNA with a detection limit of 6.9 fg, which corresponds to 273 fg ERalpha mRNA/microg total RNA. The quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to measure the levels of ERalpha mRNA in ovaries of rainbow trout at different stages of reproductive development. Ovarian ERalpha mRNA expression was found during two distinct periods of reproductive development, in pre-vitellogenic ovaries of fish with ovarian follicle diameters (OFDs) </=100 microm and in mid-vitellogenic ovaries with OFDs >1000 microm. ERalpha mRNA could not be detected in the ovaries of fish with OFDs >100 microm but </=1000 microm. The highest levels of ERalpha mRNA were found in late vitellogenic ovaries of fish with OFDs >2000 microm.
Repetitive DNA sequences in Crocus vernus Hill (Iridaceae): The genomic organization and distribution of dispersed elements in the genus Crocus and its allies

Eight clones of repetitive DNA were isolated from Crocus vernus Hill. The genomic organization of the clones was analyzed by in situ hybridization to C. vernus and Southern hybridization to a range of Crocus and other species. Seven clones were used for in situ hybridization. Sequence analysis showed that all eight clones were nonhomologous, and thus represented eight different sequence-families. In situ hybridization showed that six were dispersed in high copy numbers on all chromosomes of the C. vernus genome, whereas one was localized proximal to the secondary constriction, at the NOR (nucleolar organizer region) and was not further analyzed, as it was considered part of the 18S-25S rDNA repeat. Except for short palindromes, none of the sequences showed notable internal structures. Clone pCvKB4 showed homology to the reverse transcriptase gene of Ty1-copia-like retrotransposons; the others showed no homology to known sequences. When used as probes for Southern hybridization, four showed a ladder of 3-4.
Effect of Clear Choice™ Herbicide on Tropical Sod Webworms (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in St. Augustinegrass

Clear Choice® (Petro-Canada, Calgary, Canada) is an environmentally-friendly herbicide for broad-leaf weed control in turfgrasses. However, our laboratory and field data show that the herbicide also will help control tropical sod webworm, Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenee, populations in St. Augustinegrass. We believe this is the first report of an herbicide helping to control a pest insect in any turfgrass. Mortality is primarily caused in small and medium-sized larvae by a feeding response (starvation or toxicity via ingestion) rather than direct contact or volatilization. Future research will be needed to determine the specific chemical(s) responsible for the larval mortality and if the herbicide may also help control other insect pests of turfgrasses.
Phase synchronisation system receiver module for the Mid-Frequency Square Kilometre Array

Next generation radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), require precise microwave frequency reference signals to be transmitted over fiber links to each dish to coherently sample astronomical signals. Such telescopes employ phase stabilization systems to suppress the phase noise imparted on the reference signals by environmental perturbations on the links; however, the stabilization systems are bandwidth limited by the round-trip time of light travelling on the fiber links. A phase-locked Receiver Module (RM) is employed on each dish to suppress residual phase noise outside of the round-trip bandwidth. The SKA RM must deliver a 3.96 GHz output signal with 4 MHz of tuning range and less than 100 fs of timing jitter. We present an RM architecture to meet both requirements. Analytical modelling of the RM predicts 30 fs of output jitter when the reference signal is integrated between 1 Hz and 2.8 GHz. The proposed RM was conceived with best practice electromagnetic compatibility in mind, and to meet size, weight and power requirements for the SKA dish indexer. As the ngVLA reference design also incorporates a round-trip phase stabilization system, this RM may be applicable to future ngVLA design.
Bee foraging behavior and pollinating activity on rabbiteye blueberry Vaccinium ashei Reade

A study was conducted on the value of cultivated Vaccinium ashei Reade as a floral resource for bees. Nectar standing crop varied over blooming season and with age of flower. Average volume of nectar standing crop per flower was 2.85 μl, with an average sucrose concentration of 29.45%. Nectar standing crop and nectar production during 24 h were affected by age of flowers and increased significantly in flowers older than one day. Sucrose concentration of nectar was inversely correlated with relative humidity at 24 h and 12 h preceding measurements as well as at the time of measurements.
The synthesis, wall-binding and breakdown of hemicelluloses in maize cell-suspension cultures

Plant growth occurs by cell expansion, which requires modification of the cell wall constituents, especially hemicelluloses. Fundamental processes thought to underlie cell expansion have been studied in the presented work using maize cell-suspension cultures as a model for graminaceous monocots. Studying synthesis and breakdown of hemicelluloses in primary cell walls was possible by pulse-labelling the cultures with L-[13H]arabinose. The 'careers' of [3H]xylan and [3H]xyloglucan molecules, the polymers of principal interest, were charted over a 7-d period. Time-dependent changes in quantity and Mr of [3H]xylan and [3H]xyloglucan were monitored in each of three separate compartments: protoplasmic, cell wall and surrounding medium. A method was developed to separate protoplasmic contents from the cell wall without causing polymer degradation. Alkali treatment (6 M NaOH at 37°C) was shown then to solubilise essentially all remaining (wall-bound) 3H-polymers. Gelpermeation chromatography (GPC) on Sepharose CL-4B was used to size-fractionate the isolated 3H-polymers. Alkali treatments, similar to those employed to extract wall-bound 3H-hemicellulose, were found to minimise aggregation of xylan and xyloglucan caused by sample storage and such treatments were applied to 3Hpolymers from each of the cell compartments. GPC-fractionated 3H-polymers were Driselase-digested to diagnostic 3H-fragments; maximisation of [3H]xylan susceptibility to Driselase required an acid pre-treatment. The data presented illustrate the synthesis and subsequent secretion of 3H-polymers from the protoplasm to the cell wall, where they become integrated before subsequent degradation or sloughing to the culture medium. Protoplasmic [3H]xylan and [3H]xyloglucan were polymerised from 40 kDa to 2 MIDa before secretion to the cell wall, where the hemicelluloses further increased in size to over 2 MIN. Within the medium, [3H]xylan and [3H]xyloglucan were approximately 1-2 MDa until 2 d after the onset of 3H-labelling, when they dramatically increased in size, probably due to phenolic coupling. The Mr values observed were much higher than reported for rose hemicellulose (Thompson and Fry, 1997).