Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The toughest animals of the Earth versus global warming: Effects of long‐term experimental warming on tardigrade community structure of a temperate deciduous forest

Abstract Understanding how different taxa respond to global warming is essential for predicting future changes and elaborating strategies to buffer them. Tardigrades are well known for their ability to survive environmental stressors, such as drying and freezing, by undergoing cryptobiosis and rapidly recovering their metabolic function after stressors cease. Determining the extent to which animals that undergo cryptobiosis are affected by environmental warming will help to understand the real magnitude climate change will have on these organisms. Here, we report on the responses of tardigrades within a five‐year‐long, field‐based artificial warming experiment, which consisted of 12 open‐top chambers heated to simulate the projected effects of global warming (ranging from 0 to 5.5°C above ambient temperature) in a temperate deciduous forest of North Carolina (USA). To elucidate the effects of warming on the tardigrade community inhabiting the soil litter, three community diversity indices (abundance, species richness, and Shannon diversity) and the abundance of the three most abundant species (Diphascon pingue, Adropion scoticum, and Mesobiotus sp.) were determined. Their relationships with air temperature, soil moisture, and the interaction between air temperature and soil moisture were tested using Bayesian generalized linear mixed models. Despite observed negative effects of warming on other ground invertebrates in previous studies at this site, long‐term warming did not affect the abundance, richness, or diversity of tardigrades in this experiment. These results are in line with previous experimental studies, indicating that tardigrades may not be directly affected by ongoing global warming, possibly due to their thermotolerance and cryptobiotic abilities to avoid negative effects of stressful temperatures, and the buffering effect on temperature of the soil litter substrate.
VEGF as a Direct Functional Regulator of Photoreceptors and Contributing Factor to Diabetes-Induced Alteration of Photoreceptor Function

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major therapeutic target for blood–retina barrier (BRB) breakdown in diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and other hypoxic retinal vascular disorders. To determine whether VEGF is a direct regulator of retinal neuronal function and its potential role in altering vision during the progression of DR, we examined the immediate impact of recombinant VEGF (rVEGF) on photoreceptor function with electroretinography in C57BL6 background wild-type (WT) and Akita spontaneous diabetic mice. Shortly after intravitreal injections, rVEGF caused a significant reduction of scotopic ERG a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and photopic ERG b-wave amplitudes in a dose-dependent manner in dark-adapted 1.5-mo-old WT mice. Compared with WT controls, 5-mo-old Akita spontaneous diabetic mice demonstrated a significant reduction in scotopic ERG a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and photopic ERG b-wave amplitudes. However, the effect of rVEGF altered photoreceptor function in WT controls was diminished in 5-mo-old Akita spontaneous diabetic mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that VEGF is a direct functional regulator of photoreceptors and VEGF up-regulation in DR is a contributing factor to diabetes-induced alteration of photoreceptor function. This information is critical to the understanding of the therapeutic effect and to the care of anti-VEGF drug-treated patients for BRB breakdown in DR, AMD, and other hypoxic retinal vascular disorders.
Influence of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus and Yersinia ruckeri Co-Infection on a Non-Specific Immune System in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Simple Summary Although the intensification of fish production allows for better economic results, it also increases the risk of infections depending on fish density. Frequently occurring co-infections are difficult to diagnose because the isolated microorganisms are opportunistic, and their role in the development of disease is uncertain. The infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and bacteria Yersinia ruckeri are widespread pathogens of rainbow trout, causing economic losses in fish culture. The influence of the studied pathogens on non-specific immunity in both single and co-infections was determined. Results imply that IPNV infection may contribute to secondary bacterial infections. Abstract Background: The IPNV is one of the most common viral pathogens of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), while Y. ruckeri infections are widespread among bacterial agents. The current study aimed to determine the influence of IPNV and Y. ruckeri co-infection on a non-specific immune response. Methods: Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment determined the changes in non-specific immunity parameters upon the simultaneous occurrence of IPNV and Y. ruckeri infection. In the second experiment, infection with the IPNV was performed two weeks before Y. ruckeri infection. The level of total protein, gamma globulins, the activity of lysozyme and ceruloplasmin, as well as the metabolic activity and potential killing activity of phagocytes were measured: 0, 24 h, 72 h, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days after co-infection. Results: A differentiated effect on the parameters of the non-specific immune response was shown between single infections with the IPNV and Y. ruckeri as well as co-infection with these pathogens. Conclusions: The immune response in the course of a co-infection depended on the time between infections. IPNV infection causes lysozyme activity suppression, which may lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis Infection in Children Attending Daycare Centers in Medellín, Colombia

Simple Summary Blastocystis infection affects more than 1000 million people globally. Its frequency varies depending on sociodemographic conditions, hygienic habits, provision of public services, and predisposing factors for contracting the infection, considering the child population as the most affected in developing countries. The lack of studies on this protozoan prevents the understanding of its transmission dynamics and its implications for the population’s health. For this protozoan, the diagnosis is based on microscopic reporting by conventional techniques; and subtype identification, which vary depending on the epidemiological distribution, host, and symptoms. In our study, we describe its epidemiological and molecular characterization in a child population. Additionally, we compare the diagnosis methods of Blastocystis; our research identified a better sensitivity with molecular methods and a great diversity of alleles and subtypes in this population. Abstract Background: The present study aims to perform an epidemiological and molecular characterization of Blastocystis infection in a child population attending daycare centers of Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A total of 265 children aged 0–5 years were enrolled in five children’s centers in urban sectors of Medellín, northwestern Colombia. Stool samples were taken to identify intestinal parasites by direct examination, Ritchie–Frick concentration, and molecular identification of Blastocystis by conventional PCR and subtype (ST) identification by PCR barcoding with subsequent phylogenetic reconstruction. Kappa index was calculated to evaluate the agreement between microscopy and PCR for the diagnosis of Blastocystis. Results: The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was 36.6% (97/265), with Blastocystis as the most frequent parasitic protozoan at 15.8% (42/265), followed by Giardia intestinalis at 15.5% (41/265) and Endolimax nana at 15.1% (40/265). The prevalence of Blastocystis by PCR was 53.2% (141/265), the subtypes identified were ST3 at 30.5% (18/59), ST2 at 23.7% (14/59), ST1 at 20.3% (12/59), and with less frequency, ST4 at 5.1% (3/59), ST6 at 1.7% (1/59) and ST16 at 15.3% (9/59) allele 162. Conclusion: This study provides the first genetic characterization of Blastocystis subtypes circulating in a population of Medellín, Colombia, and also updates the epidemiology of Blastocystis subtypes in the world with the first identification of ST16 in humans.
A Simulation Study of Water Injection Position and Pressure on the Knock, Combustion, and Emissions of a Direct Injection Gasoline Engine

A turbocharged downsizing spark ignition (SI) engine combined with direct injection technology has the potential to improve the power and fuel economy and reduce emissions. However, gasoline engines are prone to knocking under low-speed and high-load conditions, which limits the application and development of downsizing SI engines. In this study, numerical simulation methods are used to explore the feasibility of water injection in the intake port to reduce the knock tendency of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and to explore the effects of different water injection pressures on combustion and emissions. First, the GDI engine is induced to knock by increasing the compression ratio and advancing the spark timing. Then, the influences of low position and no angle (LPNA) and high position and angled water injector arrangements on engine combustion are explored. When the water injector arrangement is LPNA, the turbulent kinetic energy near the spark plug is higher, the equivalence ratio is more evenly distributed, and the engine knock intensity is smaller. Finally, when the arrangement of the water injector is LPNA, the effects of water injection pressure on the knock, combustion, and emissions of the GDI engine are explored. The results show that when the water injection pressure is 5 bar, the knock intensity of the engine is the smallest, the cycle work is the highest, and the emissions of NOx and unburned hydrocarbon are the lowest.
Development of nanostructured smart delivery systems for pesticides and fertilizers

Agriculture forms the backbone of third world economies. The global agricultural sector has been experiencing major challenges including an increasing risk of disease, high production costs due to the high cost of fertilizer and pesticides, threats to agricultural production from changing weather patterns and a growing demand for healthy, safe food.The use of nanomaterials for the controlled delivery of fertilizers and pesticides is nascent technology that has the potential to increase the efficiency of food production and decrease pollution. In this study, the prospect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) and purified montmorrilonite (MMT) for storage and controlled release of fertilizer and fungicide molecules was investigated. A series of MSNs with particle sizes, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore diameters, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas and BJH total pore volumes ranging between 50 nm – 900 nm, 2.4 nm - 4.4 nm, 589 m2g-1 - 1013 m2g-1 and 0.61 cm3g-1 – 0.81 cm3g-1, respectively were synthesized via Liquid Crystal Templating Mechanism (LCT) by varying the molar ratio of reagents. Urea, as a model fertilizer molecule was loaded into the carrier matrices by a simple immersion technique using concentrated aqueous urea solution while metalaxyl, as a model fungicide was loaded by a rotar - vapor method. Successful loading was confirmed by infrared (IR) spectral analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and N2 sorption studies. The loaded amounts of agrochemicals were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/ DTA). About 15.5 % (w/w) of urea was entrapped into the MSN pores and ~21.4 % w/w intercalated into MMT interlayer space. Metalaxyl entrapment/ intercalation content were 14 % w/w and 8.1 % w/w for MSN and MMT, respectively. Adsorption processes were mainly by physical forces.The release process of urea-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (UMSN) and urea-loaded montmorillonite (UMMT) in water and soil indicated a sustained slow release-profile. The findings for soil release studies of UMSN revealed at least fivefold improvement in the release period while MMT retarded the release of urea significantly. Release of the fungicide entrapped in the MSN and intercalated into MMT matrix also revealed sustained release behaviour. About 76 % of the free metalaxyl was released in soil within a period of 30 days while only 11.5 % and 11.9 % of the metalaxyl contained in MSN and MMT carriers, respectively were released within the same period. Our study showed that MSN and MMT can be used to successfully store agrochemical molecules and significantly delay their release in soil.
Comparison of the Genetic Structure of Invasive Bigheaded Carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) Populations in Central-European Lacustrine and Riverine Habitats

Simple Summary Bigheaded carps (bighead carp and silver carp) originated in Southeast and East Asia, and their hybrids were stocked for economic reasons to Hungarian natural waters such as Lake Balaton for decades, while the Tisza River was populated by escaped individuals with farm origins. The presence of these alien species and their hybrids in Hungarian natural water bodies may pose significant ecological risks (connected with their phytoplankton and zooplankton consumption). To be able to deal with the ecological risks and to understand the potential of invasiveness of these species, one must have information on the population-level genetic structures of these alien fish stocks. Ten microsatellite DNA markers and one mitochondrial marker were used to address these questions. The results showed that the two stocks are genetically different; the lake population was genetically more diverse and consisted of hybrid and silver carp individuals, while the river population contained only silver carps. The mitochondrial sequences found in the two populations originated from the Yangtze River. Based on the different genetic structures of the stocks, one can assume that bigheaded carps do not reproduce in Lake Balaton, while the Tisza River stock represents significant reproductive potential and may become invasive in this river. Abstract Bigheaded carps (bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and their hybrids play an important ecological and economic role in their original habitat, while their introduced stocks may pose serious ecological risks. To address questions about the persistence and invasiveness of these fish, we need to better understand their population structures. The genetic structures of bigheaded carp populations inhabiting Lake Balaton and the Tisza River were examined with ten microsatellite markers and a mitochondrial DNA marker (COI). The Lake Balaton stock showed higher genetic diversity compared with the Tisza River stock. Based on hierarchical clustering, the Tisza population was characterized only by only silver carps, while the Balaton stock included hybrid and silver carp individuals. All COI haplotypes originated from the Yangtze River. Based on the high genomic and mitochondrial diversity, along with the significant deviation from H–W equilibrium and the lack of evidence of bottleneck effect, it can be assumed that bigheaded carps do not reproduce in Lake Balaton. The present stock in Balaton may have originated from repeated introductions and escapes from the surrounding fishponds. The Tisza stock consists solely of silver carp individuals. This stock appears to have significant reproductive potential and may become invasive if environmental factors change due to climate change.
Temporal trends in the association of social vulnerability and race/ethnicity with county-level COVID-19 incidence and outcomes in the USA: an ecological analysis

Background The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the socially vulnerable and minority communities in the USA initially, but the temporal trends during the year-long pandemic remain unknown. Objective We examined the temporal association of county-level Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a percentile-based measure of social vulnerability to disasters, its subcomponents and race/ethnic composition with COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the USA in the year starting in March 2020. Methods Counties (n=3091) with ≥50 COVID-19 cases by 6 March 2021 were included in the study. Associations between SVI (and its subcomponents) and county-level racial composition with incidence and death per capita were assessed by fitting a negative-binomial mixed-effects model. This model was also used to examine potential time-varying associations between weekly number of cases/deaths and SVI or racial composition. Data were adjusted for percentage of population aged ≥65 years, state-level testing rate, comorbidities using the average Hierarchical Condition Category score, and environmental factors including average fine particulate matter of diameter ≥2.5 μm, temperature and precipitation. Results Higher SVI, indicative of greater social vulnerability, was independently associated with higher COVID-19 incidence (adjusted incidence rate ratio per 10 percentile increase: 1.02, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.03, p<0.001) and death per capita (1.04, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.05, p<0.001). SVI became an independent predictor of incidence starting from March 2020, but this association became weak or insignificant by the winter, a period that coincided with a sharp increase in infection rates and mortality, and when counties with higher proportion of white residents were disproportionately represented (‘third wave’). By spring of 2021, SVI was again a predictor of COVID-19 outcomes. Counties with greater proportion of black residents also observed similar temporal trends in COVID-19-related adverse outcomes. Counties with greater proportion of Hispanic residents had worse outcomes throughout the duration of the analysis. Conclusion Except for the winter ‘third wave’, when majority of the white communities had the highest incidence of cases, counties with greater social vulnerability and proportionately higher minority populations experienced worse COVID-19 outcomes.
The MTT assay application to measure the viability of spermatozoa: A variety of the assay protocols

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay is one of the methods used to evaluate the viability of sperm. In the assay, a tetrazolium component (MTT) is converted into MTT formazan by some specific enzymes in the viable cells. The amount of formazan product in theory is directly correlated with the percentage of viable sperms. It is quantified by measuring the absorbance using a spectrophotometer. The present article compiles the MTT assays that have been used to determine sperm viability in most animal species and humans. In each assay, other factors apart from the number of viable cells that potentially influence the accuracy and precision of results are stated, such as preparations of sperm and MTT solutions, length and conditions of incubation, and a solubilizing agent as well as the formazan detection method. Also, the strengths and shortcomings of the MTT test comparison with the others are summarized at the end of this article. This information may be useful for prospective researchers deciding to implement this colorimetric method in their experiments.
Longitudinal 3D Study of Anterior Tooth Wear from Adolescence to Adulthood in Modern Humans

Simple Summary Tooth wear is the loss of tooth substance during everyday functioning by means other than dental caries. It is expected at a certain level in every person, and it increases with age. In the last decades, due to the increased life expectancy and high patient demands, it has become an important problem modern dentistry has to face. However, the average amount of tooth wear among individuals remains controversial. The purpose of this clinical study was to precisely detect the extent of anterior tooth wear over a thirteen-year period, from adolescence to adulthood. The present study revealed the very high tooth wear occurrence in the population already at early adulthood and showed that wear monitoring at an individual level is important for dentists to enable the better understanding of the problem and allow timely targeted interventions for patients in need. These might be preventive, such as the prescription of mouth guards to limit grinding and the cessation of harmful habits that lead to tooth wear, or interceptive, such as the restoration of the lost tooth substance to stop the progress of the condition and improve esthetics and function. Abstract In modern humans, tooth wear can easily be observed as a loss of tooth substance, but its precise measurement is problematic. The aim of this longitudinal cohort study was to determine the precise amount of occlusal tooth wear in the anterior permanent dentition from adolescence to adulthood. Corresponding tooth crowns from serial 3D digital dental models of 72 individuals were best fit-approximated by applying novel, highly accurate 3D superimposition methods. The superimposed crowns were simultaneously sliced on intact structures, and the differences in the volumes of the subsequent occlusal parts were calculated. Over a thirteen-year period, there was an average loss of anterior occlusal surfaces of 1.58 mm3 per tooth. Tooth surface loss in at least one tooth was higher than 1 mm3 in 93.1% of the human subjects. Tooth wear severity differed by sex and tooth type, with males showing higher values versus females and upper canines versus other anterior teeth. The study revealed the endemic occurrence of occlusal anterior tooth wear, highlighting the need for monitoring of the condition in the population to identify high-risk patients and enable timely interventions. The novel methods applied here on 3D digital models are recommended for this.
Assessing the conservation of Miombo timber species through an integrated index of anthropogenic and climatic threats

Abstract Aim Angolan Miombo woodlands, rich in timber species of the Leguminosae family, go through one of the highest rates of deforestation in sub‐Saharan Africa. This study presents, on the basis of updated information of the distribution of Leguminosae timber species native to Angola, an integrated index framing the main threats for trees, which aims to support new conservation measures. Location Sub‐Saharan Africa, Republic of Angola. Methods The current distribution areas of six Leguminosae timber species (i.e., Afzelia quanzensis, Brachystegia spiciformis, Guibourtia coleosperma, Isoberlinia angolensis, Julbernardia paniculata, and Pterocarpus angolensis) were predicted through ensemble modeling techniques. The level of threat to each species was analyzed, comparing the species potential distribution with a threat index map and with the protected areas. The threat index of anthropogenic and climatic factors encompasses the effects of population density, agriculture, proximity to roads, loss of tree cover, overexploitation, trends in wildfires, and predicted changes in temperature and precipitation. Results Our results revealed that about 0.5% of Angola's area is classified as of “Very high” threat, 23.9% as “High” threat, and 66.5% as “Moderate” threat. Three of the studied species require special conservation efforts, namely B. spiciformis and I. angolensis, which have a large fraction of predicted distribution in areas of high threat, and G. coleosperma since it has a restricted distribution area and is one of the most valuable species in international markets. The priority areas for the conservation of Leguminosae timber species were found in Benguela and Huíla. Main conclusions This study provides updated data that should be applied to inform policymakers, contributing to national conservation planning and protection of native flora in Angola. Moreover, it presents a methodological approach for the predictions of species distribution and for the creation of a threat index map that can be applied in other poorly surveyed tropical regions.