Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes in donors and recipients of kidney transplantations involving medically complex living donors – a retrospective study

We retrospectively compared the post‐transplantation graft survival and the donor’s estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) following living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) involving medically complex living donors (MCLDs) (the elderly and patients with obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or reduced renal function) and standard living donors (SLDs). The clinical data on patients who underwent LDKTs at our institution from 2006–2019, including 192 SLDs and 99 MCLDs, were evaluated. Regarding recipients, the log‐rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed a higher incidence of overall and death‐censored graft loss in the recipients who received kidneys from MCLDs (Hazard ratio = 2.16 and 3.25, P = 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), after adjusting for recipient‐related variables including age, sex, duration of dialysis, ABO compatibility, and donor‐specific antibody positivity. Regarding donors, a linear mixed model showed significantly lower postdonation eGFRs (−2.25 ml/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.048) at baseline in MCLDs than SLDs, but comparable change (difference = 0.01 ml/min/1.73 m2/year, P = 0.97). In conclusion, although kidneys from MCLDs are associated with impaired graft survival, the donation did not adversely affect the MCLDs’ renal health in at least the short‐term. LDKTs involving carefully selected MCLDs would be an acceptable alternative for recipients with no SLDs.
First record of Neocypholaelaps apicola from beehives in Hungary (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae): re-description and DNA barcoding

Following the first incident in Belgium, the second European record of the honeybee hive inhabiting mite, Neocypholaelaps apicola Delfinado-Baker et Baker, 1983, is presented from Budapest, Hungary. In contrast to the original host in Pakistan (Apis cerana indica Fabricius, 1793) and the host in Belgium (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879), the Hungarian specimens were associated to Apis mellifera mellifera Linnaeus, 1758. New knowledge about the morphology and the first Genbank sequences (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) are given with new drawings and scanning electron micrographs. Distinguishing characters between the two European Neocypholaelaps species are also presented.
Chitosan coating for inhibition of sclerotinia rot of carrots

Abstract In in vitro tests, chitosan at 1, 2, and 4% (w/v) significantly reduced the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on potato dextrose agar plates. The effect of chitosan coating on sclerotinia rot of carrots (Daucus carota L.) held at 22°C was also investigated. Carrot roots were coated with chitosan solutions (2 or 4%) and inoculated with mycelial plugs of S. sclerotiorum culture. After 5 days of storage, chitosan at both rates reduced significantly the incidence of rot (from 88 to c. 28%) and also the lesion size (from 26 to c. 12 mm) of the rot on roots. Microscope studies revealed that fungal mycelium exposed to chitosan appeared to be deformed and dead, whereas untreated mycelium was normal in appearance.
Distribution, diversity and potential agronomic value of Medicago polymorpha in Sardinia

SUMMARY Thirty-five populations of Medicago polymorpha were collected from throughout Sardinia (Italy) in 1989 with a view to developing pasture species suitable for improving degraded grasslands in the northern Mediterranean basin. Herbage and seed production were compared with the Australian cultivar, Circle Valley, over 2 years at Bonassai, north Sardinia. Regeneration in the 2 years after sowing and seed size were also estimated. All variables were related to collection site parameters using multivariate analysis. Herbage production varied between 2 and 8 t dry matter/ha, and up to 1·5 t/ha of seed was produced. K-means clustering of agronomic and morphological variables indicated that there were two groups present; one similar to variety polymorpha and one to variety vulgaris. There were two other single entry clusters, one of which contained cv. Circle Valley. Principal component analysis of the environmental variables indicated that cluster 1 (vulgaris) was more likely to come from mountainous areas where winter temperatures are low, and cluster 2 (polymorpha) from coastal areas where temperatures are mild. Regeneration of cluster 1 was better than that of cluster 2, which in turn was better than Circle Valley, indicating that populations in cluster 1 are better adapted to the management system imposed at Bonassai. The results indicate that M. polymorpha has considerable potential to improve the grasslands of Sardinia. However, it is unlikely that imported cultivars will be successful, and it seems important that the selection of local populations should continue. Commercial seed production in Sardinia is likely to be a problem, and grazing management under the conditions of communal ownership may have to be reviewed. It is important that future research and development involves farmers and other industry groups.
Nuevos braquiópodos prodúctidos (Rhynchonelliformea, Strophomenata) del Carbonífero de la región de Nochixtlán, Oaxaca

Fourteen species of productid brachiopods from Ixtaltepec Formation, Oaxaca State in southeast Mexico, are described. All the species and most of the genus that are reported represent first records for Mexico, in the case of Echinoconchella this is the first report of the genus for North America. The species belong to the superfamilies Echinoconchoidea (Echinoconchus zapoteco sp. nov., Echinaria knighti, Karavankina cf. fasciata, Echinoconchella elegans), Linoproductoidea (Linoproductus cf. prattenianus, Linoproductus platyumbonus, Linoproductus sp., Marginovatia minor, Marginovatia aureocollis, Marginovatia cf. pumila, Cancrinella nunduva sp. nov., Ovatia muralis and Nuanducosia sulcata, new genus and species of Subfamily Anidanthinae) and Aulostegoidea (? Sinuatella sp.). The stratigraphic
Phylogenomic analysis reveals a two-stage process of the evolutionary transition of Shewanella from the upper ocean to the hadal zone.

Shewanella strains are characterized by versatile metabolic capabilities, resulting in their wide distribution in the ocean at different depths. Considering that particle sedimentation is an important dynamic process in the ocean, we hypothesized that hadal Shewanella species evolved from the upper ocean. In this study, we isolated three novel Shewanella strains from deep-sea sediments in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Genome sequencing indicated that strains YLB-06 and YLB-08 represent two novel species in the genus Shewanella. Through phylogenomic analysis, we showed that speciation and genomic changes in marine Shewanella strains are related to water depth. We further confirmed the aforementioned hypothesis and revealed a two-stage process of the evolutionary transition of Shewanella from the upper ocean to the hadal zone by comparative genomics and gene gain/loss analysis. Finally, the transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that recently obtained genes are strictly repressed and may thus play a minor role in the response to environmental changes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Neonatal apneic phenotype in a murine congenital central hypoventilation syndrome model is induced through non‐cell autonomous developmental mechanisms

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) represents a rare genetic disorder usually caused by mutations in the homeodomain transcription factor PHOX2B. Some CCHS patients suffer mainly from deficiencies in CO2 and/or O2 respiratory chemoreflex, whereas other patients present with full apnea shortly after birth. Our goal was to identify the neuropathological mechanisms of apneic presentations in CCHS. In the developing murine neuroepithelium, Phox2b is expressed in three discrete progenitor domains across the dorsal‐ventral axis, with different domains responsible for producing unique autonomic or visceral motor neurons. Restricting the expression of mutant Phox2b to the ventral visceral motor neuron domain induces marked newborn apnea together with a significant loss of visceral motor neurons, RTN ablation, and preBötzinger complex dysfunction. This finding suggests that the observed apnea develops through non‐cell autonomous developmental mechanisms. Mutant Phox2b expression in dorsal rhombencephalic neurons did not generate significant respiratory dysfunction, but did result in subtle metabolic thermoregulatory deficiencies. We confirm the expression of a novel murine Phox2b splice variant which shares exons 1 and 2 with the more widely studied Phox2b splice variant, but which differs in exon 3 where most CCHS mutations occur. We also show that mutant Phox2b expression in the visceral motor neuron progenitor domain increases cell proliferation at the expense of visceral motor neuron development. We propose that visceral motor neurons may function as organizers of brainstem respiratory neuron development, and that disruptions in their development result in secondary/non‐cell autonomous maldevelopment of key brainstem respiratory neurons.
Dynamics of algal production and ephemeropteran grazing of periphyton in a tropical stream

We estimated the net primary productivity of periphyton algae and rate of macroinvertebrate grazing in a third-order stream in coastal Atlantic forest, Brazil. Net primary productivity was estimated from the growth curve of periphyton chlorophyll, based on the relationship between algal density and algal production, with baetid ephemeropteran grazers excluded by highintensity electric shocks. We fit a logistic model and cite the maximum productivity 44.7mgCm � 2 d � 1 . We manipulated grazing pressure by excluding the shrimp Macrobrachium olfersi by low-intensity electrical exclusion—the shrimp was known to have a negative effect on ephemeropteran grazing and to cause a trophic cascade on periphyton. Thus, rate of grazing was estimated at the normal level of grazing and with grazing enhanced by the exclusion of shrimps. Normal level of grazing reduced periphyton algal stock (6mg chlorophyll m � 2 ) by slightly less than 50%, enhanced grazing by slightly more than 50%. This implied that grazing removed algae at approximately the maximum net productivity—that is 19%d � 1 and24%d � 1 ofalgalstockinnormalandenhancedgrazingrespectively,equivalentto 44.1mgC m � 2 d � 1 in both cases. The observed net primary productivity obtained by direct measurementmatchesthatexpectedfrompredictiveequationsbasedonchlorophylllevels,but isatthelowerpartoftherangeobservedinworldwideandtropicalsurveys.Itmatchesresultsof recentstudiesinthetropicswhichusedopen-channeldielchangesinoxygentocalculategross primary productivity. The method appears reliable and is potentially applicable to situations in which other methods are constrained by low productivity and other technical difficulties.
Cost-effectiveness analyses of breast cancer medications use in developing countries: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background Pharmacoeconomic evaluation is important for breast-cancer medications due to their high costs. To our knowledge, no systematic literature reviews of pharmacoeconomic studies for breast-cancer medication use are present in developing-countries. Objectives To systematically review the existing cost-effectiveness evaluations of breast-cancer medication in developing-countries. Methodology A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and EconLit. Two researchers determined the final articles, extracted data, and evaluated their quality using the Quality of Health-Economic Studies (QHES) tool. The interclass-correlation-coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess interrater-reliability. Data were summarized descriptively. Results Fourteen pharmacoeconomic studies published from 2009 to 2019 were included. Thirteen used patient-life-years as their effectiveness unit, of which 10 used quality-adjusted life-years. Most of the evaluations focused on trastuzumab as a single agent or on regimens containing trastuzumab (n = 10). The conclusion of cost-effectiveness analysis varied among the studies. All the studies were of high quality (QHES score >75). Interrater reliability between the two reviewers was high (ICC = 0.76). Conclusion In many studies included in the review, the use of breast-cancer drugs in developing countries was not cost-effective. Yet, more pharmacoeconomic evaluations for the use of recently approved agents in different disease stages are needed in developing countries.
Hydrochemistry of Cachoeira River (Bahia State, Brazil)

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the spatial-temporal changes of chemical elements in the surface waters of the Cachoeira River in order to evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic activities in water quality; Methods: Samples were collected monthly between August 2008 and August 2009 at six collection points along the river. The abiotic parameters dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity and temperature were performed in the field using portable digital meters; concentration of ions nitrite (NO 2– ), nitrate (NO 3 ), ammonia (NH 4+ ), phosphate (PO 4– ), sodium (Na + ), calcium (Ca +2 ), potassium (K + ), chloride (Cl – ), magnesium (Mg +2 ), sulfate (SO 4–2 ) were determined by ion chromatography and bicarbonate (HCO 3– ) was calculated by a model of ionic associations originated from alkalinity values; Results: The spatial variations showed that anthropogenic activities and land use changes (cocoa crops and pasture) appear to be the major factors influencing the distribution of nutrients in the Cachoeira River; however, lithology seems to be the factor influencing the major ions;
Digestibility of amino acids and concentrations of metabolizable energy and net energy are greater in high-shear dry soybean expellers than in soybean meal when fed to growing pigs.

Soybean expellers may be produced by dry extrusion and mechanical oil pressing of soybeans, but there is limited information about the nutritional value of expellers produced via this procedure. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and total dietary fiber (TDF), and concentrations of digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) are greater in soybean expellers than in soybean meal (SBM) when fed to growing pigs. Pigs were the offspring of Line 359 boars mated to Camborough females (Pig Improvement Company, Hendersonville, TN). In Exp. 1, nine growing barrows (initial body weight: 55.98 kg ± 13.75 kg) with T-cannulas installed in the distal ileum were allotted to 1 of 3 diets using a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods. Two diets were formulated to contain 35% soybean expellers or 33% SBM as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of AA from the pigs. Ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each 7-d period. Results indicated that the SID of most indispensable and dispensable AA were greater (P < 0.05) or tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in soybean expellers than in SBM. In Exp. 2, a corn-based diet and 2 diets based on corn and each of the 2 soybean products were formulated. Twenty-four growing barrows (initial body weight: 44.88 kg ± 2.17 kg) were allotted to 1 of the 3 diets with 8 pigs per diet. Urine and fecal samples were collected for 4 d after 5 d of adaptation. Results indicated that the ATTD of energy and TDF was not different between soybean expeller and SBM, but the ATTD of TDF in the 2 soybean products was greater (P < 0.05) than in corn. Concentrations of DE and ME in soybean expellers were greater (P < 0.05) compared with corn or SBM. Soybean expellers had greater (P < 0.05) calculated NE compared with SBM, but there was no difference in NE between corn and soybean expellers. In conclusion, values for SID of most AA and DE, ME, and NE in soybean expellers were greater than in SBM.
Studies with a cloned Escherichia coli C 2-oxo-hept-3-ene-1,7-dioate hydratase gene

A cloned gene specifying the 2-oxo-hept-3-ene-1,7-dioate (OHED) hydratase of Escherichia coli C was used to produce large amounts of the hydratase enzyme. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a simple two-step procedure and some of its properties investigated. The first 34 residues at the amino terminus were sequenced and a mixture of oligonucleotides corresponding to the first six amino acid residues was constructed. This mixture was used as a probe to look for sequence homology in DNA obtained from various related organisms that had OHED hydratase activity. Strong hybridization was seen for E. coli strains B and C but E. coli strain W and Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1 showed no detectable hybridization.
High Mass Resolution, Spatial Metabolite Mapping Enhances the Current Plant Gene and Pathway Discovery Toolbox.

Understanding when and where metabolites accumulate provides important cues to the gene function. Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) enables in situ temporal and spatial measurement of a large assortment of metabolites, providing mapping information regarding their cellular distribution. To describe the current state and technical advances of using MSI in plant sciences, we employed MSI to demonstrate its significant contribution to the study of plant specialized metabolism. We show that coupling MSI with (i) RNA silencing (RNAi), (ii) virus induced gene silencing (VIGS), (iii) agroinfiltration or (iv) samples derived from plant natural variation provides great opportunities to understand the accurate gene-metabolite relationship and discover novel gene-associated metabolites. This was exemplified in three plant species (i.e. tomato, tobacco and wheat) by mapping the distribution of metabolites possessing a range of polarities. In particular, we demonstrate that MSI is able to spatially map an entire metabolic pathway, including intermediates and final products, in the intricate biosynthetic route to tomato fruit steroidal glycoalkaloids. We thus envisage MSI as a key component of the metabolome analysis arsenal employed in plant gene discovery strategies.
Occurrence and diversity of endophytic fungi in Bletilla ochracea (Orchidaceae) in Guizhou, China

Previous studies regarding fungal specificity and diversity of the Orchidaceae mainly focus on the mycorrhizal fungi. In contrast, little knowledge of endophytic communities and distributions of non-mycorrhizal fungi in different organs and different sites of orchidsare available. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence and species diversity of culturable endophytic fungi from roots and leaves of terrestrial orchid Bletilla ochraceafrom 5 sites in Guizhou. A total of 1026 fungal strains were isolated, and identified to 88 taxa. The 7 species of Epulorhiza, Ceratorhiza and Sebacina (each with > 5% total relative frequency, Basidiomycetes), and 1 species of Phomopsis (6.38%, Ascomycetes) were found to be dominant in roots. In comparison, 5 species of Colletotrichum, Guignardia andCercospora (Ascomycetes) were dominant from leaves. Different species composition was found from different sites for both roots and leaves, and possible reasons are discussed. There was no or very few overlapping species found between roots and leavesin all sampling sites, indicating potential tissue specificity. The occurrence of fungal species from leaves was found to be significantly affected by geographic and environmental factors, and on the other hand, no significant correlation between fungal occurrence and geographic factors was found from roots. Key words: Ecological distribution, fungal community, identification, mycorrhizal fungi, Shannon-Wiener diversity index.
Assessment of cortisol in swine by saliva: new methodological approaches Summary

The aim of this study was to compare the common method of saliva sampling with cotton buds to a new one. The advantage of this new method, called Oral Diffusion Sink (ODS) is the continuous measuring without any manipulation of the animals. During about 8 hours it is possible to accumulate Steroids from saliva with a defined flow rate through the ODS. After alcohol extraction all samples were measured by a radioimmunoassay. In order to compare these two methods, the cortisol concentrations ofthe daily profile, as well as two defined Stressors - social isolation and a 2-hours transport - were assessed in 10 German Landrace pigs. The daily hourly circadian rhythm measured in cotton buds showed significantly higher concentrations in the morning than in the evening (p=0.007). During social isolation significantly higher cortisol concentrations (p=0.009) and disintegration ofthe circadian rhythm could be observed in cotton buds, but not in ODS. Highest cortisol levels were found during transportation 60 min after loading (18.9 ± 3.9 nmol/1). ODS samples correlated significantly with' cotton bud samples taken quarterly (r=0.685; p=0.04). These results demonstrate that ODS may be a good method for a continuous monitoring of acute stress. Discrepancies in the daily cortisol profile and social isolation between concentrations of ODS and hourly taken cotton bud samples need to be clarified.
XXII.—The Genus Primula: Sections Cuneifolia, Floribundae, Parryi, and Auricula

The typical species of this small section and the first to be described is P. cuneifolia. Within its compass are three other plants which in their time have been given specific diagnoses but are here regarded as coming more properly into the category of subspecies—P. saxifragifolia, P. hakusanensis, and P. heterodonta. P. cuneifolia, thus interpreted, has a distribution extending from N.E. Siberia to Japan, the Aleutian Islands, and the Alaskan coast. The section contains two other species—P. nipponica which is confined to Japan, and P. suffrutescens from the Sierra Nevada of California, thus widely separated geographically.
The effects of magnesium supplementation on obesity measures in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Previous studies reported inconsistent findings regarding the effects of magnesium supplementation on obesity measures. This study was done to quantify the effect of magnesium supplementation on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Body Fat (BF) percentage and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR). Four online databases (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library) were searched until March 2020 using relevant keywords. Random-effects model was used to pool effect sizes; Cochran’s Q-test and I2 index assessed heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and Egger test were used to check the robustness of findings and the possibility of publication bias, respectively. Thirty-two RCTs including different dosage of magnesium (48–450 mg/d), and duration (6–24 weeks) were entered to this study. Magnesium supplementation resulted in a great reduction in BMI [Weighted Mean Difference (WMD): −0.21 kg/m2, 95% CI: −0.41, −0.001, P = 0.048, I 2 = 89.5%, n = 22], which was mainly driven by the effect among those with magnesium deficiency, insulin resistance related disorders, and obesity at baseline. No significant change was observed in bodyweight, WC, BF percentage and WHR as compared to controls. However, the change in body weight, and WC was significant in subgroups of participants with insulin resistance related disorders, hypertension, obesity, magnesium deficiency at baseline, and females. We found a significant reduction in BMI following magnesium supplementation. The change in body weight and WC were evident in certain subgroups.