Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, imidacloprid and some of their metabolites in maize silage

Abstract In this study, a validation of a multi-residue analysis method was performed for the simultaneous analysis of chlorpyrifos (CHL), deltamethrin (DEL) and Imidacloprid (IMI) residues and some of their metabolites in maize silage, by LC MS/MS. Extraction was conducted with acetonitrile acidified with 1% acetic acid. To avoid the matrix effect, a matrix matched calibration was used. The method was validated according to the SANTE/12682/2019 Guidelines. Selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), trueness (recovery %) and precision (intra-day and inter-day) parameters were evaluated in line with the SANTE document. The linearities of all compounds were quite confident (R2≥ 0.98) and no interference was observed. The LOD and LOQ values were between 2.76 µg kg−1 to 53.61 µg kg−1 and 9.19 µg kg−1 to 178.71 µg kg−1, respectively. The recovery, repeatability RDSr and reproducibility RDSR values of compounds were calculated between 93.7–109.2%, 1–15%, and 1–13%, respectively. Consequently, results obtained with the evaluation of all parameters were found to be compatible with the SANTE validation criteria, so the method was reliable, effective and easy to use for the detection of insecticides and metabolites in maize silage with LC MS/MS.
Acremonium terricola Culture’s Dose–Response Effects on Lactational Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Ruminal Characteristics in Holstein Dairy Cows

Acremonium terricola culture (ATC) has similar bioactive constituents to Cordyceps and is known for its nutrient and pharmacological value, indicating the potential of ATC as a new feed additive in dairy cow feeding. The primary aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of increasing amounts of ATC in diets on milk performance, antioxidant capacity, and rumen fermentation, and the secondary aim was to evaluate the potential effects of high doses of ATC. A total of 60 multiparous Holstein cows (110 ± 21 days in milk; 2.53 ± 0.82 parity) were assigned into 15 blocks and randomly assigned to one of four groups: 0, 30, 60, or 300 g/d of ATC per cow for 97 days. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in the Mixed procedure. Dry-matter intake was not changed (p > 0.05), while energy-corrected milk and fat-corrected milk yields increased linearly and quadratically, and somatic cell count in milk decreased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.05). The lactation efficiency and the yields of milk fat and protein increased linearly (p < 0.05). On day 90, serum catalase level, total oxidative capacity, glutathione peroxidase, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin M concentrations were significantly higher in the 60 and 300 g/d groups than in the 0 g/d group (p < 0.05). ATC addition showed linear effects on total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate, branched VFA concentrations, and rumen pH (p < 0.05). Supplementing 60 and 300 g/d ATC significantly affected the bacterial composition (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R–7_group and Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group were significantly increased by 60 g/d supplementation, and the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG_002, Acetitomaculum, Olsenella, and Syntrophococcus were significantly increased by 300 g/d supplementation (p < 0.05). ATC was effective in enhancing rumen fermentation and reducing somatic cell count in milk, thereby improving milk yield. The optimized dose of ATC was 60 g/d for lactating cows, and there were no risks associated with high doses of ATC.
Reservoir of Antibiotic Residues and Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci in a Healthy Population in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Antimicrobial resistance threatens infectious disease management outcomes, especially in developing countries. In this study, the occurrence of resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (rCoNS) and antibiotic residues in urine samples of 401 healthy individuals from Korle-Gonno (KG) and Dodowa (DDW) in Ghana was investigated. MALDI-ToF/MS with gram-staining techniques detected and identified the CoNS. SPE-LC-MS/MS detected and quantified nine commonly used antibiotics in the samples. The results showed 63 CoNS isolates detected in 47 (12%) samples, with S. haemolyticus (78%) and S. epidermidis (8%) being predominant. Most of the isolates (95%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic, with the highest resistance observed against sulphamethoxazole (87%). Resistance profiles in samples from DDW and KG were largely comparable, but with some differences. For instance, DDW isolates were more resistant to gentamicin (p = 0.0244), trimethoprim (p = 0.0045), and cefoxitin (p = 0.0078), whereas KG isolates were more resistant to erythromycin (p = 0.0356). Although the volunteers had not knowingly consumed antibiotics two weeks before sampling, antibiotic residues, ranging between 1.44–17000 ng mL−1 were identified in 22% of urine samples. Samples with antibiotic residues were likely to also contain rCoNS (89%). The most frequent antibiotics detected were tetracycline (63%) and ciprofloxacin (54%). Healthy individuals could thus be reservoirs of antibiotic residues and rCoNS at the community level.
Astroglial gliotransmitters released via Cx43 hemichannels regulate NMDAR‐dependent transmission and short‐term fear memory in the basolateral amygdala

Astrocytes release gliotransmitters via connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels into neighboring synapses, which can modulate synaptic activity and are necessary for fear memory consolidation. However, the gliotransmitters released, and their mechanisms of action remain elusive. Here, we report that fear conditioning training elevated Cx43 hemichannel activity in astrocytes from the basolateral amygdala (BLA). The selective blockade of Cx43 hemichannels by microinfusion of TAT‐Cx43L2 peptide into the BLA induced memory deficits 1 and 24 h after training, without affecting learning. The memory impairments were prevented by the co‐injection of glutamate and D‐serine, but not by the injection of either alone, suggesting a role for NMDA receptors (NMDAR). The incubation with TAT‐Cx43L2 decreased NMDAR‐mediated currents in BLA slices, effect that was also prevented by the addition of glutamate and D‐serine. NMDARs in primary neuronal cultures were unaffected by TAT‐Cx43L2, ruling out direct effects of the peptide on NMDARs. Finally, we show that D‐serine permeates through purified Cx43 hemichannels reconstituted in liposomes. We propose that the release of glutamate and D‐serine from astrocytes through Cx43 hemichannels is necessary for the activation of post‐synaptic NMDARs during training, to allow for the formation of short‐term and subsequent long‐term memory, but not for learning per se.
Optimisation of the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay in Uveal Melanoma Research

The treatment of uveal melanoma and its metastases has not evolved sufficiently over the last decades in comparison to other tumour entities, posing a great challenge in the field of ocular oncology. Despite improvements in the conventional treatment regime and new discoveries about the genetic and molecular background of the primary tumour, effective treatment strategies to either prevent tumours or treat patients with advanced or metastatic disease are still lacking. New therapeutic options are necessary in order to achieve satisfactory local tumour control, reduce the risk of metastasis development, and preserve the eyeball and possibly the visual function of the eye. The development of in vivo model systems remains crucial for the identification and investigation of potential novel treatment modalities. The aim of this study was the optimisation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model for uveal melanoma research. We analysed the established CAM assay and its modification after the implantation of three-dimensional spheroids. The chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo was used to implant uveal melanoma-cell-line-derived spheroids in order to study their growth rate, angiogenic potential, and metastatic capability. Using the UM 92.1, UPMD2, UPMM3, and Mel270 cell lines, we were able to improve the viability of the embryos from 20% to >80% and to achieve up to a fourfold volume increase of the transplanted spheroid masses. The results point to the value of an optimised chicken embryo assay as an in vivo model for testing novel therapies for uveal melanoma by simplifying the research conditions and by contributing to a considerable reduction in animal experiments.
A review of mammalian in vivo genotoxicity of hexavalent chromium: implications for oral carcinogenicity risk assessment

Abstract Assessment of genotoxicity is a critical component of mode of action (MOA) analysis and carcinogen risk assessment due to its influence on quantitative risk extrapolation approaches. To date, clear guidance and expert consensus on the determination of a mutagenic MOA remains elusive, resulting in different estimates of carcinogenic risk for the same chemical among different stakeholders. Oral toxicity criteria for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], for example, differ by orders of magnitude due largely to the interpretation of in vivo genotoxicity data. Herein, we review in vivo genotoxicity studies for Cr(VI) to inform the MOA for Cr(VI)-induced tumors observed in a two-year cancer bioassay in mice and rats exposed via drinking water. Overall, genotoxicity results in carcinogenic target tissues (viz., oral cavity and duodenum) are negative. Results in the intestine are consistent with imaging data indicating little to no chromium present in the crypt compartment following oral exposure. Positive genotoxicity results in nontarget tissues have been reported at high doses mostly following nonphysiological routes of exposure. Given the negative genotoxicity results in carcinogenic target organs from oral exposure to Cr(VI), there is scientific justification to support the use of nonlinear low-dose extrapolation methods in the derivation of oral toxicity criteria for Cr(VI). These results highlight important differences between genotoxicity testing for hazard identification purposes and quantitative risk assessment.
RESEARCH ON COILED TUBING DRILLING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION

Since the early 1990s, the coiled tubing drilling(CTD) technology has grown as a low-cost and high-efficiency drilling technology, which has such an advantage of re-entry drilling and UBD drilling in wellbores below 1000 m of the well depth, and the CDT technology was deemed as a new drilling technology to substitute for conventional drilling technologies. Based on the review of the background and the state of the art of CTD technology, the CT reliability, the pressure loss caused by CTD fluid friction, the cutting-carrying during CTD, and the recent theoretical studies are analyzed. And the recent development and application of CTD equipment and downhole tools are introduced, the main CTD technology application scenarios and the status quo of CT microdrilling are described. Finally, the application prospects and development trend of CTD technology are forecast.
Gender differences in motor and non-motor symptoms in early Parkinson disease

Abstract Gender differences in motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson disease (PD) are still controversial. This study aimed to investigate gender differences in clinical characteristics in patients with early PD. This study included 415 PD patients (201 men and 214 women) with modified Hoehn-Yahr stage 1 to 3 and a disease duration of ≤5 years. Demographic information was obtained by interviews, and motor and non-motor PD symptoms were evaluated with appropriate scales. Women with PD had a shorter duration of formal education than men with PD. No significant differences were found in other demographic variables. Women with PD had significantly lower scores in Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III and postural tremor compared to men with PD, which was significant after controlling for formal education. No significant gender-related differences were found in scores related to other motor symptoms. Concerning non-motor symptoms, men with PD had higher scores of sexual function on the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, which means sexual dysfunction was more severe or occurred more frequently in men with PD. Women with PD had significantly higher scores of sleep disturbance in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which was not significant after adjustment for multiple comparison. The present study suggests that women with PD had milder motor symptoms compared to men with PD, and gender differences in sexual function can be observed as non-motor symptoms.
Erection Scheme of Overhead Grounding Wire on Composite Material Pole and Its Grounding for 110k V Double Circuit Overhead Transmission Lines

It is attempted for Chinese scholars to apply insulation pole composed of composite material in the erection of 110 k V overhead transmission lines located at the regions with strong lightning activity and/or serious pollution to enhance the phase-to-ground air gap distance and creepage distance effectively.However,with the enhancement of insulation level whether the overhead ground wire should be erected on the composite material pole as well as its grounding downlead should be equipped are key problems that the lightning protection technology has to be faced with.As to the composite material pole for 110 k V transmission lines,the lightning performances of transmission line erected on it without overhead grounding wire and those of 110 k V transmission line erected on the steel tower with the same conductor heights are contrasted and researched,and considering the differences in such factors as lightning attracting ability,lightning impulse dielectric strength and probability of sustainedarc between the two kinds of transmission lines it is found that the difference in the lightning attracting ability between the two kinds of transmission lines can be neglected;the lightning impulse dielectric strength of composite material pole without overhead grounding wire is higher than that of steel tower by 3.5 times and the probability of sustained arc of the former is only 53% of the latter,however,the lightning withstand level of the former is only 24.5k A and the lightning outage rate of the former reaches up to 1.13 times/(100 km? a),and the two indices of composite material pole are obviously worse than those of steel tower.For reasons given above,it is recommended to erect overhead ground wire on composite material poles.Besides,through comparing the estimated results of the differences of lightning performances under various grounding schemes it is found that if the overhead ground line erected on the composite material pole is not grounded via the grounding downlead,the lightning performance of composite material pole is evidently worse than that of steel tower,therefore it is proposed that the overhead ground wire erected on the composite material pole should be grounded one after another.In conclusion,during the design of lightning protection and grounding scheme for 110 k V transmission line erected on composite material poles the overhead ground wire should be erected and the grounding of the overhead ground wire should be grounded via metal downlead one after another.
Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation

Some species of primitive predatory ants, despite living in a colony, exercise their hunting collection strategy individually; their venom is painful, paralyzing, digestive, and lethal for their prey, yet the toxins responsible for these effects are poorly known. Ectatomma opaciventre is a previously unrecorded solitary hunting ant from the Brazilian Cerrado. To overcome this hindrance, the present study performed the in vitro enzymatic, biochemical, and biological activities of E. opaciventre to better understand the properties of this venom. Its venom showed several proteins with masses ranging from 1–116 kDa, highlighting the complexity of this venom. Compounds with high enzymatic activity were described, elucidating different enzyme classes present in the venom, with the presence of the first L-amino acid oxidase in Hymenoptera venoms being reported. Its crude venom contributes to a state of blood incoagulability, acting on primary hemostasis, inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and operating on the fibrinolysis of loose red clots. Furthermore, the E. opaciventre venom preferentially induced cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cell lines and three different species of Leishmania. These data shed a comprehensive portrait of enzymatic components, biochemical and biological effects in vitro, opening perspectives for bio-pharmacological application of E. opaciventre venom molecules.
Emission Quenching in Tetraphenylfuran Crystal: Why This Propeller-Shaped Molecule Does Not Emit in the Condensed Phase

Due to their substantial fluorescence quantum yields in the crystalline phase, propeller-shaped molecules have recently gained significant attention as potential emissive materials for optoelectronic applications. For the family of cyclopentadiene derivatives, light-emission is highly dependent on the nature of heteroatomic substitutions. In this paper, we investigate excited state relaxation pathways in the tetraphenyl-furan molecule (TPF), which in contrast with other molecules in the family, shows emission quenching in the solid-state. For the singlet manifold, our calculations show nonradiative pathways associated with C-O elongation are blocked in both vacuum and the solid state. A fraction of the population can be transferred to the triplet manifold and, subsequently, to the ground state in both phases. This process is expected to be relatively slow due to the small spin-orbit couplings between the relevant singlet-triplet states. Emission quenching in crystalline TPF seems to be in line with more efficient exciton hopping rates. Our simulations help clarify the role of conical intersections, population of the triplet states and crystalline structure in the emissive response of propeller-shaped molecules.
Functional Brain Changes Due to Chronic Abdominal Pain in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

INTRODUCTION: Various chronic pain conditions go along with functional and structural brain changes. This study aimed to investigate functional and structural brain changes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: Sixty-four subjects were included in the final analysis (32 IBD patients with chronic abdominal pain; 32 age-matched and sex-matched controls). All patients suffered from chronic abdominal pain, defined as a score of ≥3/10 on the visual analog scale for at least 3 months in the past 6 months. Besides structural MRI, resting state functional MRI was used to compare functional connectivity of 10 networks between groups. RESULTS: Patients with IBD showed no structural brain alterations but a significantly increased resting state functional connectivity of the secondary somatosensory cortex within the salience network. DISCUSSION: Because the secondary somatosensory cortex saves sensory stimuli and compares novel information with latter experiences, these functions may be maladaptive in IBD patients with abdominal pain.
Diet analysis using generalized linear models derived from foraging processes using R package mvtweedie

Abstract Diet analysis integrates a wide variety of visual, chemical, and biological identification of prey. Samples are often treated as compositional data, where each prey is analyzed as a continuous percentage of the total. However, analyzing compositional data results in analytical challenges, for example, highly parameterized models or prior transformation of data. Here, we present a novel approximation involving a Tweedie generalized linear model (GLM). We first review how this approximation emerges from considering predator foraging as a thinned and marked point process (with marks representing prey species and individual prey size). This derivation can motivate future theoretical and applied developments. We then provide a practical tutorial for the Tweedie GLM using new package mvtweedie that extends capabilities of widely used packages in R (mgcv and ggplot2) by transforming output to calculate prey compositions. We demonstrate this approach and software using two examples. Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) provisioning their chicks on a colony in the northern Gulf of Alaska show decadal prey switching among sand lance and prowfish (1980–2000) and then Pacific herring and capelin (2000–2020), while wolves (Canis lupus ligoni) in southeast Alaska forage on mountain goats and marmots in northern uplands and marine mammals in seaward island coastlines.
Dynamics of germination stimulants dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide in the root exudates and extracts of sunflower

ABSTRACT Orobanche cumana Wallr. (Orobanche cernua Loefl.) causes severe yield losses of confectionary sunflower in China. While germination of O. cumana is stimulated by sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) from host sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide isolated from sunflower root exudates are known as STLs to specifically induce O. cumana germination. Two major confectionary sunflower cultivars, SH363 (highly susceptible to O. cumana) and TH33 (resistant to O. cumana), were planted in China. However, STLs in these two sunflower cultivars has remained unknown. To identify STLs from root and exudates of sunflower for better understanding the role of stimulants in parasitic interaction of sunflower and O. cumana, we tested dehydrocostus lactone (DCL) and costunolide (CL) in root and root exudates of susceptible and resistant sunflower cultivars. The stimulant activity of sunflower root exudate and root extract to germination of O. cumana were also determined. Dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide were identified through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Both DCL and CL were found in root extracts and root exudates in the whole tested time point from two sunflower cultivars. The concentration of dehydrocostus lactone was higher than that of costunolide at the same tested growth stage of each sunflower cultivar. It was observed that higher quantity of dehydrocostus lactone in susceptible cultivar than resistant cultivar of root and root exudates at later tested developmental stages. However, the amount of CL was no significant difference between SH363 and TH33 at all tested stages. The release amount of DCL from susceptible cultivar is 3.7 folds that of resistant cultivar at 28 DAT. These findings suggested that DCL was the one of the major signal compound in these two sunflower cultivars, and lower dehydrocostus lactone might contribute to the resistance of sunflower TH33 to O. cumana.