Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrences of heart disease in apparently healthy cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Objective: Annual health screening inclusive of heart workup is recommended for the detection of heart diseases, especially in asymptomatic patients (no clinical signs). This study determined the occurrences of the common heart disease and the risk factors in apparently healthy cats. Materials and methods: This prospective study that screened 59 healthy cats and the status of the heart were evaluated based on a combination of findings from physical examination, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurement, routine blood test, urinalysis, and total thyroid level. Results: Approximately 40.7% (n = 24/59) of the apparently healthy cats were diagnosed with heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (62.5%) remains to be the most commonly diagnosed. The mean age was 4.9-year old (age range, 7-month-old to 19-year-old). The prevalence was higher in males (45.0%; n = 17/38) cats, especially the domestic shorthairs (46.0%; n = 11/24). Among the healthy cats with vertebral heart scale (VHS) > 8.0, only 52% (n = 12/23) of them were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. However, 33% (n = 12/36) of the cats with normal VHS ≤ 7.9 were diagnosed with heart disease. Consistently, all healthy cats with abnormal heart sounds were diagnosed with heart disease. About 31.4% (n = 16/51) of these cats with typical heart sound had cardiomyopathy too. Conclusion: The occurrence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats has no association with the patient’s age, sex, and VHS, except for the heart sound. Echocardiography remains the best diagnostic tool, as normal heart size and normal heart sound do not exclude cardiomyopathy in this group of apparently healthy cats.
On the Leucanthemopsis alpina (L.) Heywood growing in the Illyrian region

Abstract Leucanthemopsis alpina (L.) Heywood (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) is a small, caespitose plant growing in high alpine environments in all the main southern European mountain ranges. However, the species status in the Balkan Peninsula (and especially in the Dinaric Alps) is not very well known. Surrounding this area, different L. alpina subspecies are found in the Eastern Alps and in the Carpathians. These subspecies differ from one another, both morphologically and in chromosome number. The present study aims to better characterise the populations of L. alpina in the Illyrian and Balkan regions by undertaking a comprehensive survey of herbarium collections for the species in this area, by applying flow cytometry for ploidy determination and by sequencing of two chloroplast markers. Results from our investigation suggest that the only population of the species in the Dinaric Alps is found in the Vranica Mts (Bosnia and Herzegovina). This population consists of diploid plants (unlike tetraploid populations from the Eastern Alps) that are slightly distinct genetically from those of the subspecies growing in the Eastern Alps and the Tatra Mts. Both the ploidy and their genetic distinction indicate that Vranica Mts most probably served as a refugium for the species during the Pleistocene glaciations. Considering its isolated geographical range and its genetic distinction, the population of L. alpina growing in the Vranica Mts should be considered as a separate subspecies.
Long‐lived larch clones may conserve adaptations that could restrict treeline migration in northern Siberia

Abstract The occurrence of refugia beyond the arctic treeline and genetic adaptation therein play a crucial role of largely unknown effect size. While refugia have potential for rapidly colonizing the tundra under global warming, the taxa may be maladapted to the new environmental conditions. Understanding the genetic composition and age of refugia is thus crucial for predicting any migration response. Here, we genotype 194 larch individuals from an ~1.8 km2 area in northcentral Siberia on the southern Taimyr Peninsula by applying an assay of 16 nuclear microsatellite markers. For estimating the age of clonal individuals, we counted tree rings at sections along branches to establish a lateral growth rate that was then combined with geographic distance. Findings reveal that the predominant reproduction type is clonal (58.76%) by short distance spreading of ramets. One outlier of clones 1 km apart could have been dispersed by reindeer. In clonal groups and within individuals, we find that somatic mutations accumulate with geographic distance. Clonal groups of two or more individuals are observed. Clonal age estimates regularly suggest individuals as old as 2,200 years, which coincides with a major environmental change that forced a treeline retreat in the region. We conclude that individuals with clonal growth mode were naturally selected as it lowers the likely risk of extinction under a harsh environment. We discuss this legacy from the past that might now be a maladaptation and hinder expansion under currently strongly increasing temperatures.
Clinicopathologic characteristics, pathology, and prognosis of 77 dogs with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Abstract Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of nonimmune complex glomerulopathy and the prognosis and clinicopathologic findings associated with this condition have not been described in dogs. Objective To characterize the presentation and identify clinical factors associated with the survival of dogs with FSGS. Animals Seventy‐seven dogs diagnosed with FSGS based on evaluation of renal biopsy samples submitted to the International Veterinary Renal Pathology Service. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of dogs biopsied for evaluation of proteinuria between January 2015 and May 2017. Results The incidence of FSGS among all dogs biopsied for proteinuria was 26%. Significantly more females (48; 62.3%) than males (29; 37.7%) were affected (P = .04). At the time of biopsy, median serum creatinine concentration (SCr) was 1.2 mg/dL (range, 0.3‐8.7), median serum albumin concentration (Alb) was 2.8 g/dL (range, 1.1‐4.6), median systolic blood pressure was 153.5 mm Hg (range, 95‐260), and median urine protein : creatinine ratio was 5.9 (range, 1.4‐22). Median survival time after biopsy was 258 days (range, 26‐1003) for dogs that died from all causes (n = 32). Factors that were associated with a shorter survival time included SCr ≥ 2.1 mg/dL (P < .01) and Alb < 2 g/dL (P < .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Most dogs with FSGS were female, and although commonly hypertensive, azotemia, severe hypoalbuminemia and ascites or edema were observed infrequently. Variables significantly associated with survival time were SCr and Alb.
Primary seed dispersal by a sigmodontine rodent assemblage in a Peruvian montane forest

Abstract: We examined quantity and quality components of primary seed dispersal for an assemblage of sigmodontine rodents in a high-elevation montane tropical forest in Peru. We collected faecal samples from 134 individuals belonging to seven rodent species from the subfamily Sigmodontinae (Cricetidae) over a 2-y period. We conducted seed viability tests for seeds found in faecal samples. We identified seeds from eight plant families (Bromeliaceae, Annonaceae, Brassicaceae, Ericaceae, Melastomatacae, Myrtaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae), nine genera and 13 morphospecies. The most abundant seeds belonged to Gaultheria sp. 1 (46% of total) and Miconia sp. 1 (31% of total), while the most viable seeds belonged to Greigia sp. (84% viability) and Guatteria sp. (80% viability). We utilized relative rodent abundance, seed species diversity, seed abundance and seed viability per rodent species to calculate an index of rodent disperser effectiveness, and found that Thomasomys kalinowskii was the most effective disperser, followed by Akodon torques, Calomys sorellus, Thomasomys oreas, Oligoryzomys andinus and Microryzomys minutus. Plant genera dispersed by sigmodontine rodents overlapped more with bird- and terrestrial-mammal-dispersed plants than with bat-dispersed plants. Future neotropical seed dispersal studies should consider small rodents as potential seed-dispersers, especially in tropical habitats where small-seeded, berry-forming shrubs and trees are present.
Characterisation of Bacteriocins Produced by Lactobacillus spp. Isolated from the Traditional Pakistani Yoghurt and Their Antimicrobial Activity against Common Foodborne Pathogens

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely known for their probiotic activities for centuries. These bacteria synthesise some secretory proteinaceous toxins, bacteriocins, which help destroy similar or interrelated bacterial strains. This study was aimed at characterising bacteriocins extracted from Lactobacillus spp. found in yoghurt and assessing their bactericidal effect on foodborne bacteria. Twelve isolated Lactobacillus spp. were examined to produce bacteriocins by the organic solvent extraction method. Bacteriocins produced by two of these strains, Lactobacillus helveticus (BLh) and Lactobacillus plantarum (BLp), showed the most significant antimicrobial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. Analysis of SDS-PAGE showed that L. plantarum and L. helveticus bacteriocins have a molecular weight of ~10 kDa and ~15 kDa, respectively. L. plantarum (BLp) bacteriocin was heat stable while L. helveticus (BLh) bacteriocin was heat labile. Both bacteriocins have shown activity at acidic pH. Exposure to a UV light enhances the activity of the BLh; however, it had negligible effects on the BLp. Different proteolytic enzymes confirmed the proteinaceous nature of both the bacteriocins. From this study, it was concluded that bacteriocin extracts from L. helveticus (BLh) can be considered a preferable candidate against foodborne pathogens as compared to L. plantarum (BLp). These partially purified bacteriocins should be further processed to attain purified product that could be useful for food spoilage and preservation purposes.
Harm reduction via online platforms for people who use drugs in Russia: A qualitative analysis of web outreach work

Background Harm reduction services to people who use drugs (PWUD) in Russia are insufficient in terms of quantity, government endorsement, and accessibility. The situation has recently deteriorated even further because of social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently several harm reduction organizations have started to provide some harm reduction services via online platforms by web outreach. However, little is known on how online outreach services are organized and implemented. Drawing on the example of St. Petersburg-based NGO “Humanitarian Action” we explored web outreach work in Telegram instant messenger. Methods 4 semi-structured interviews with the NGO staff and 301 cases of web outreach work with PWUD comprised the dataset. The process of web outreach, service provision to PWUD, and PWUD’s needs were thematically analyzed. Results Three stages of the process of web outreach work were determined: clients initiating communication, NGO workers addressing clients’ needs, and NGO workers receiving clients’ feedback. Communication proceeded either in group chat or in direct messages. Challenges in addressing clients’ needs happened when clients turned for help in nighttime, sent recorded voice messages, sent unclear messages, and/or were unwilling to transition to telephone communication. All web outreach workers reported receiving only positive feedback on their work. PWUD’s needs were categorized into two major themes, depending on whether they can be addressed fully or partially online. In cases of online only provision of services, web outreach workers helped PWUD treat minor injection drug use complications, obtain verified harm reduction information and receive general psychological support. In instances of partial online services provision, PWUD were assisted in getting treatment of severe injection drug use complications, overdoses, and in accessing offline medical, psychological, social, legal and harm reduction services. Conclusions Our research demonstrated that web outreach work is a convenient tool for delivering some harm reduction services to PWUD either partially or completely online and recruiting new clients (including hard-to-reach PWUD that avoid attending brick-and-mortar facilities). It indicates that harm reduction organizations should consider incorporating online harm reduction services into their activities. However, more research is needed to explore relative advantages and disadvantages of online harm reduction services delivery.
Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma comorbid with cirrhosis

Introduction Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) is very difficult to perform in patients with cirrhosis because of the haemorrhagic and fibrotic nature of the liver, although there are various advantages to laparoscopic surgery. Aim To investigate the surgical outcomes, and efficacy and safety of LH versus open hepatectomy (OH) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection. Material and methods A total of 112 patients with cirrhosis, who underwent hepatectomy, were analysed retrospectively. We investigated the safety and efficacy of LH for HCC with cirrhosis. Student’s t and χ2 tests, Mann-Whitney’s U test, Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, and Fisher’s exact test were used in the statistical analysis. Results Seventy-one patients underwent LH, and 41 underwent OH. The conversion rate from LH to OH was 12.7%. After propensity score matching, the estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the LH group than in the OH group (25 vs. 310 ml; p < 0.001), and there was a significant difference between the groups in the operative time (p = 0.091). The LH group had complication rates of 3.6% and 0% for refractory ascites and pleural effusion, respectively, while those were 17.9% and 10.7%, respectively, in the OH group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.005, respectively). The LH group had no mortality, whereas the OH group had a mortality rate of 10.7% (p = 0.038). The postoperative length of stay was significantly longer in the LH group than in the OH group (9 days vs. 14 days) (p = 0.002). Conclusions LH can be performed safely for HCC with cirrhosis. More favourable results are achieved with LH than with OH in terms of surgical outcomes.
Plant and fruit responses of lysimeter-grown ‘Braeburn’ apple to deficit irrigation

SummaryDeficit irrigation (DI) at different times during the growing season was investigated for its effects on plant water relations, growth, and fruit quality of ‘Braeburn’ apple trees grown in lysimeters. Five year old trees on MM.106 rootstock were subjected to three irrigation treatments: well-watered control (C), early deficit-irrigated (ED) from 40 d after full bloom (DAFB) until harvest, and late-deficit irrigated (LD) from 102 DAFB to harvest in a completely randomized design. Both ED and LD trees developed lower soil water content and lower predawn and midday leaf water potential (ψ) than C trees. Reduction occurred in trunk diameter growth, return bloom and mean fruit mass for ED fruit. The LD treatment increased the concentration of fruit total soluble solids (TSS), aroma volatiles, and resulted in more mature fruit based on higher ethylene production at harvest and on TSS concentration. Firmness and aroma volatile concentration were greater in LD and ED fruit than in C fruit after 12 weeks of.
Elk resource selection patterns in a semiarid riparian corridor

Elk (Cervus elaphus) have depredated corn at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (BDANWR), New Mexico, USA, which has interfered with the refuge's ability to provide supplemental nutrition to overwintering sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) and other waterbirds. To identify management options for minimizing cropland depredation, we examined elk resource selection patterns using negative binomial generalized linear mixed models. We used 8,244 global positioning system (GPS) locations collected from 9 adult female elk to model fine-scale resource use (sampling units were 100 × 100-m cells; n = 3,646) and corn field use (sampling units were corn fields; n = 18) by a resident herd along the Rio Grande River in central New Mexico, USA. The fine-scale model suggested that elk use in cropland areas increased when alfalfa and corn were present and elk use was greatest 0.14 km from uncultivated areas. Elk use in uncultivated areas increased as canopy cover increased. Elk use exhibited a quadratic relationship with hiding cover, which varied with distance to cropland. We validated the fine-scale model with an independent sample of radio-marked adult female elk (n = 12; 1,106 locations). The fine-scale model was successful in predicting elk use; 84.1% (SE = 1.1) of radio-marked elk locations fell within high or medium-high use cells. Corn field use models indicated that elk use increased as the proportion of the corn field perimeter adjacent to alfalfa increased. Elk use of corn fields declined as distance to uncultivated areas and the proportion of other corn fields at the same growth stage increased. Probability of elk use peaked when corn reached heights of 1.4 m to 1.7 m and use varied with distance to uncultivated areas. Corn fields at these heights were in the late vegetative or tassel-milk growth stage, which are the stages at which damage to corn plants is most detrimental to yield. The average distance each elk moved per day during the corn growing season was 5,013 m (SD = 957) and varied among individuals (3,251–6,317 m). This is relatively large in relation to the size of the managed floodplain at BDANWR. Our results, couched in elk daily movements, can help direct crop management, vegetation manipulation, and timing of hazing efforts aimed at reducing elk use of crops. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
A CYTOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ZEA-TRIPSACUM HYBRIDS

Reciprocal crosses involving various combinations of diploid (2n = 20) and tetraploid (2n = 40) Zea mays L. (maize), diploid (2n = 20) Zea mexicana (Schrad.) Kuntze (annual teosinte), and tetraploi.
Pollen Morphology of Selected Bee Forage Plants

Pollen taxonomy is the prerequisite to compar e the pollen present in honey samples with special reference to melissopalynological investigation. There is a scope to prepare pollen reference slides of flowering plants visited by honeybees of different ecological regions. The present study was undertak en during March 2010 to June 2012 in Western Ghats of Karnataka. Sixty eight flowering plants visited by honeybees were collected from Western Ghats of Karnataka and pollen morphological studies have been carried out . Species belonging to family Astraceae pollen are spinolous spherical in shape. The different species in families Fabaceae has a great morphological diversity. They also have variation in symmetry, position and distribution of apertures, exine structure and sculpture of the pollen wall. The pol len grain of plants belonging to family Malvaceae is echinate. Species of family Myrtaceae pollen are colporate and prolate.
Persistent Poverty and Cancer Mortality Rates: An Analysis of County-Level Poverty Designations

Background: Cancer mortality is higher in counties with high levels of (current) poverty, but less is known about associations with persistent poverty. Persistent poverty counties (with ≥20% of residents in poverty since 1980) face social, structural, and behavioral challenges that may make their residents more vulnerable to cancer. Methods: We calculated 2007 to 2011 county-level, age-adjusted, and overall and type-specific cancer mortality rates (deaths/100,000 people/year) by persistent poverty classifications, which we contrasted with mortality in counties experiencing current poverty (≥20% of residents in poverty according to 2007–2011 American Community Survey). We used two-sample t tests and multivariate linear regression to assess mortality by persistent poverty, and compared mortality rates across current and persistent poverty levels. Results: Overall cancer mortality was 179.3 [standard error (SE) = 0.55] deaths/100,000 people/year in nonpersistent poverty counties and 201.3 (SE = 1.80) in persistent poverty counties (12.3% higher, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, cancer mortality was higher in persistent poverty versus nonpersistent poverty counties for overall cancer mortality as well as for several type-specific mortality rates: lung and bronchus, colorectal, stomach, and liver and intrahepatic bile duct (all P < 0.05). Among counties experiencing current poverty, those counties that were also experiencing persistent poverty had elevated mortality rates for all cancer types as well as lung and bronchus, colorectal, breast, stomach, and liver and intrahepatic bile duct (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Cancer mortality was higher in persistent poverty counties than other counties, including those experiencing current poverty. Impact: Etiologic research and interventions, including policies, are needed to address multilevel determinants of cancer disparities in persistent poverty counties.
Dancing to improve balance control, cognitive-motor functions and quality of life after stroke: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Dance is an intrinsically motivating activity that includes social interaction, stimulation through music, the pleasure of moving despite pathology-induced motor limitations, and it also has good perceived benefits among participants. Feeling pleasure while moving is essential to finding the motivation to engage in a rehabilitation programme. It is, therefore, urgent to provide persons in a poststroke situation with motivating physical activity opportunities. Very few studies have examined dance in a stroke context, while it is highly adapted and effective for other chronic conditions. Our primary objective is to assess the effects of dance programme on patients’ balance control after stroke. Our secondary objective is to investigate the effects of dance on cognitive function, strength, coordination, functional status, balance confidence, quality of life, motivation and adherence. Our hypothesis is that dance increases balance and motor capacities, and improves poststroke quality of life, adherence and motivation. Methods and analysis Forty-eight subjects with stroke in subacute phase will be randomised into two groups: (1) intervention (dance and standard rehabilitation) and (2) control (standard rehabilitation). Before intervention, stroke severity, cognitive abilities and motor capacities will be assessed. Two baseline tests will be planned to evaluate the stability of individuals. Participants will attend a weekly 60-min dance class for 6 weeks. Cognitive and motor functions (balance, lower-limbs strength, coordination and motor level), quality of life (Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale) will be measured at weeks 4 and 6 in both groups. Participant satisfaction with regard to dance will be tested, as well as adherence and adverse effects. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the Swiss Ethics Committee of the CER Vaud (2019-01467). Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences. Trial registration number NCT04120467.