Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microclimatic Response to Increasing Shrub Cover and Its Effect on Sphagnum CO2 Exchange in a Bog

Abstract: We examined the effect of long-term nitrogen (plus phosphorus and potassium) fertilization, resulting in increased shrub cover, on seasonal changes in understory light, soil temperature, and soil moisture in an ombrotrophic bog. An increase in leaf area index (LAI) was negatively correlated with light transmission through the canopy, decreasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the peat surface by up to an average of 77% compared to unfertilized plots. Owing to the denser shrub canopy, near surface soil temperature was cooler in summer and less spatially variable within the fertilized plots. A laboratory study of the environmental controls on Sphagnum capillifolium carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange showed that there were significant interactions between moisture and temperature, but changes in CO2 exchange in response to temperature or moisture were small compared to the influence of light. These results suggest that the absence of moss in the fertilized plots may be, in part, the result of decreased light availability. Alterations to the competitive balance between the shrub and moss layer could lead to changes in C storage in these ecosystems.
Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria From Shao-jiou-luo (Fermented Zoned Cerith), a Traditional Fermented Food in Taiwan

This study investigated the distribution of the native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in shao-jiou-luo (fermented zoned cerith), a popular traditional fermented food in Taiwan. A total of 129 cultures of LAB were isolated from shao-jiou-luo samples, and 14 cultures were isolated from its main raw material, zoned cerith. These isolates were divided into classes by phenotype and then into groups by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA. The identification results revealed 11 bacterial species belonging to five genera in shao-jiou-luo and three species belonging to two genera in zoned cerith. The most common bacterial genera in shao-jiou-luo were heterofermentative Weissella and Leuconostoc. On the other hand, Enterococcus aquimarinus was the most common species found in the raw zoned cerith sample. In conclusion, the results suggest that heterofermentative LAB species greatly contributed to the fermentation of shao-jiou-luo. This is the first report describing the distribution and varieties of LAB that exist in the shao-jiou-luo fermentation process and raw zoned cerith.
Removal of a Foreign Body from the Distal Colon Using a Combined Laparoscopic and Endoanal Approach: Report of a Case

PURPOSE We describe the case of a of 53-year-old homosexual male, from whom a cigar container (22 cm in length and 3.5 cm in diameter), which was introduced into the rectum and migrated upwards to the distal colon, was successfully extracted by combining laparoscopic and anal approaches. METHODS The foreign body was mobilized laparoscopically, pushed down the rectum, and then extracted transanally with the aid of a dilator anoscope. CONCLUSIONS Combining the laparoscopic and anal approaches in selected cases of colorectal foreign bodies is useful. Rispoli G, Esposito C, Monachese D, Armellino M. Removal of a foreign body from the distal colon using a combined laparoscopic and endoanal approach: report of a Case. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:1632–1634.
Implications of Efavirenz Pharmacogenetics when Switching from Efavirenz- to Dolutegravir-containing Antiretroviral Regimens.

Many patients switch from efavirenz- to dolutegravir-based regimens. In a Phase 1 dolutegravir-efavirenz interaction study, mean dolutegravir Cmin decreased by 60% and 85% among CYP2B6 normal and slow/intermediate metabolizers, respectively. Mean efavirenz half-life was 2.7-times greater in slow versus normal metabolizers. Slow metabolizers will experience more prolonged subtherapeutic dolutegravir concentrations.
Pathophysiology and Diagnosis of Drug-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome that is under-recognized and difficult to diagnose. Many drugs can cause immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, but the most commonly implicated are abciximab, carbamazepine, ceftriaxone, eptifibatide, heparin, ibuprofen, mirtazapine, oxaliplatin, penicillin, quinine, quinidine, rifampicin, suramin, tirofiban, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. Several different mechanisms have been identified in typical DITP, which is most commonly characterized by severe thrombocytopenia due to clearance and/or destruction of platelets sensitized by a drug-dependent antibody. Patients with typical DITP usually bleed when symptomatic, and biological confirmation of the diagnosis is often difficult because detection of drug-dependent antibodies (DDabs) in the patient’s serum or plasma is frequently not possible. This is in contrast to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which is a particular DITP caused in most cases by heparin-dependent antibodies specific for platelet factor 4, which can strongly activate platelets in vitro and in vivo, explaining why affected patients usually have thrombotic complications but do not bleed. In addition, laboratory tests are readily available to diagnose HIT, unlike the methods used to detect DDabs associated with other DITP that are mostly reserved for laboratories specialized in platelet immunology.
Differences in muscle mechanics underlie divergent optimality criteria between feeding and locomotor systems

Tetrapod musculoskeletal diversity is usually studied separately in feeding and locomotor systems. However, direct comparisons between these systems promise important insight into how natural selection deploys the same basic musculoskeletal toolkit—connective tissues, bones, nerves, and skeletal muscle—to meet the differing performance criteria of feeding and locomotion. Recent studies using this approach have proposed that the feeding system is optimized for precise application of high forces and the locomotor system is optimized for wide and rapid joint excursions for minimal energetic expenditure. If this hypothesis is correct, then it stands to reason that other anatomical and biomechanical variables within the feeding and locomotor systems should reflect these diverging functions. To test this hypothesis, we compared muscle moment arm lengths, mechanical advantages, and force vector orientations of two jaw elevator muscles (m. temporalis and m. superficial masseter), an elbow flexor (m. brachialis) and extensor (m. triceps‐ lateral head), and a knee flexor (m. biceps femoris‐short head) and extensor (m. vastus lateralis) across 18 species of primates. Our results show that muscles of the feeding system are more orthogonally oriented relative to the resistance arm (mandible) and operate at relatively large moment arms and mechanical advantages. Moreover, these variables show relatively little change across the range of jaw excursion. In contrast, the representative muscles of the locomotor system have much smaller mechanical advantages and, depending on joint position, smaller muscle moment arm lengths and almost parallel orientations relative to the resistance arm. These patterns are consistent regardless of phylogeny, body mass, locomotor mode, and feeding specialization. We argue that these findings reflect fundamental functional dichotomies between tetrapod locomotor and feeding systems. By organizing muscles in a manner such that moment arms and mechanical advantage are relatively small, the locomotor system can produce broad joint excursions and high angular velocities with only small muscular contraction. As such, the anatomical organization of muscles within the limbs allows striding animals to move relatively rapidly and with minimal energetic expenditure. In contrast, the anatomical configuration of muscles in the feeding system, at least m. superficial masseter and m. temporalis, favors their force‐producing capacity at the expense of excursion and velocity.
Answer to Photo Quiz: Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis Due to Ehrlichia chaffeensis Infection

PCR of whole blood performed at St. Louis Children’s Hospital was positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA, confirming the diagnosis of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) that was suspected based on the clinical presentation and the finding of inclusion bodies (morulae) in the cytoplasm of CSF monocytes. Morulae were not found within monocytes in the peripheral blood smear, although the paucity of monocytes observed on the peripheral blood film might explain this finding. The patient was administered a total course of 7 days of treatment with oral doxycycline, the antibiotic of choice for both children and adults with ehrlichiosis. She defervesced within 24 h of the initiation of antibiotic therapy and was discharged to home shortly thereafter. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne illness due to infection with the rickettsia E. chaffeensis transmitted by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) (1). Clinical features may include fever, headache, myalgias, rash, emesis, and diarrhea, with laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia, hyponatremia, and elevated transaminase levels (1, 3). Approximately 20% of patients with HME exhibit clinical evidence of CNS involvement (e.g., headache, photophobia, nuchal rigidity) (1). Over half of patients who undergo lumbar puncture exhibit abnormal CSF findings with, typically, a mildly elevated WBC count with a lymphocytic predominance, in addition to low to normal CSF glucose and normal to mildly elevated protein values (1, 2). Diagnosis of acute HME relies on a compatible clinical history coupled with supporting laboratory evidence of infection, including serology, PCR testing of whole blood, or the microscopic identification of morulae in smears of peripheral blood, buffy coat preparations, bone marrow, and CSF specimens (1, 2). The finding of morulae within monocytes can provide a rapid presumptive diagnosis of HME, but successful implementation of this technique, with its very low ( 10%) sensitivity at the time of presentation (1), is dependent on the skill of the examiner.
Molecular Characterization and Genetic Relationships among Cluster Bean Genotypes Based On RAPD Analysis

Cluster bean commonly known as Guar is an annual legume plant which has a broad spectrum of industrial value because of an important hydrocolloid present in its endosperm. To determine the level of genetic diversity in relation to geographical origins and morphological characteristics, a total no. of 15 cultivars have been collected from different states of India and were analyzed using RAPD. The 15 decamer primers amplified total 206 fragments, among them 168 loci (81.36 %) were polymorphic. On an average of 10 bands per primer were observed with maximum of 7 bands and minimum of 18. RAPD data were used to generate the similarity coefficients using ‘SIMqual’ subprogram of software NTSYS-PC. The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.47 to 0.97, indicating high genetic variability among the selected guar genotypes. This information can be used for identification of varieties and further crop improvement programme.
Faunal assemblages and multi-scale habitat patterns in headwater tributaries of the South Fork Trinity River – an unregulated river embedded within a multiple-use landscape

Headwaters can represent 80% of stream kilometers in a watershed, and they also have unique physical and biological properties that have only recently been recognized for their importance in sustaining healthy functioning stream networks and their ecological services. We sampled 60 headwater tributaries in the South Fork Trinity River, a 2,430 km2, mostly forested, multiple-use watershed in northwestern California. Our objectives were: (1) to differentiate unique headwater types using 69 abiotic and vegetation variables measured at three spatial scales, and then to reduce these to informative subsets; (2) determine if distinct biota occupied the different tributary types; (3) determine the environmental attributes associated with the presence and abundance of these biotic assemblages; and (4) using niche modeling, determine key attribute thresholds to illustrate how these biota could be employed as metrics of system integrity and ecological services. Several taxa were sufficiently abundant and widespread to use as bio-indicators: the presence and abundance of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), herpetofauna (reptile and amphibian) species richness, and signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) represented different trophic positions, value as commercial resources (steelhead), sensitivity to environmental stress (amphibians), and indicators of biodiversity (herpetofauna species richness). Herpetofauna species richness did not differ, but abundances of steelhead trout, signal crayfish, and amphibian richness all differed significantly among tributary types. Niche models indicated that distribution and abundance patterns in both riparian and aquatic environments were associated with physical and structural attributes at multiple spatial scales, both within and around reaches. The bio-indicators responded to unique sets of attributes, reflecting the high environmental heterogeneity in headwater tributaries across this large watershed. These niche attributes represented a wide range of headwater environments, indicating responses to a number of natural and anthropogenic conditions, and demonstrated the value of using a suite of bio-indicators to elucidate watershed conditions, and to examine numerous disturbances that may influence ecological integrity.
Applying a structured network database for rapid inference of whole genome phylogenetics Research Seminar Paper

Prokaryotic evolutionary delineation has been the subject of intense investigation, which has primarily been based on the highly conserved ssu-rRNA. The increased availability of genome sequence data has now made whole genome phylogenetics a possibility. Through the use of a structured network database of k-mers called SynaBASE™, phylogenetic analysis of whole prokaryotic genomes can be inferred in a fraction of the time taken by conventional approaches. SynaBASE is a novel structured network index database for indexing genomic sequences based on the location of unique variable length k-mers. The use of such a system could be of tremendous benefit for rapid elucidation of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic evolutionary phylogenetics, as well as data from the advent of the “Personal Genome Project” for personalised medicine research.
THE ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF ASTAXANTHIN ON QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE PARAMETERS OF BULL SPERM

Astaxanthin is a pigment of the carotenoid family, which is known as an antioxidant besides an anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory factor. The aim of the present research was to assess the astaxanthin effect on some bull sperm quantitative and qualitative parameters. The semen samples were collected from three bulls with the use of the artificial vagina and were diluted with extender after the initial evaluation. The diluted semen was primarily divided into four equal aliquots (1mL) and astaxanthin was added to each aliquot so that the final concentration of astaxanthin in diluted sperm was 0.5, 1 and 2 micromolar respectively, and then the volume of each aliquots was reached to 4 mL with extender. Also one aliquot without astaxanthin were considered as control. The volume of control was reached to 4 mL only with extender. Eight samples from each group were introduced in 0.5mL straws and subsequently were frozen. After two weeks the frozen straws were thawed for a period of 30 seconds at 37 ˚C and then were subjected to the case study. The parameters viz. concentration, progressive motility percent and immotile sperms percent were assed using CASA computer software and MDA concentration was measured with the TBARS measurement method. The data were analyzed via the ANOVA procedure SAS software. The results showed that in the diluted semen with astaxanthin concentration of 0.5 and 1, the progressive motility percent was increased significantly (P<0.001) and led to a reduction of immotile sperms percent (P<0.05). Moreover, these astaxanthin concentrations significantly reduced MDA level. Nevertheless, 2 micromolar astaxanthin concentration not only had no effect on the improvement of sperm parameters, but also led to damage of the sperm cell. In general, the results showed that with the use of the suitable concentrations (0.5 and 1 micromolar), this antioxidant prevents the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and even sperm membrane lipid peroxidation during the freezingthawing process.
Distribution of vascular plant species richness and endemic richness along the Himalayan elevation gradient in Nepal

Aim Species richness and endemic richness vary along elevation gradients, but not necessarily in the same way. This study tests if the maxima in gamma diversity for flowering plants and the endemic subset of these plants are coherent or not. Location The study was conducted in Nepal, between 1000 and 5000 m a.s. l. Methods We used published data on distribution and elevational ranges of the Nepalese flora to interpolate presence between maximum and minimum elevations. Correlation, regression and graphical analyses were used to evaluate the diversity pattern between 1000 and 5000 m a.s. l. Results The interval of maximum species endemic to Nepal or the Himalayas (3800‐4200 m) is above the interval of maximum richness (1500‐2500 m). The exact location of maximum species density is uncertain and its accuracy depends on ecologically sound estimates of area in the elevation zones. There is no positive statistically significant correlation between log-area and richness (total or endemic). Total richness is positively correlated with log-area-adjusted, i.e. estimated area adjusted for the degree of topographic heterogeneity. The proportion of endemic species increases steadily from low to high elevations. The peak in endemism (c. 4000 m) corresponds to the start of a rapid decrease in species richness above 4000 m. This may relate to the last glacial maximum (equilibrium line at c. 4000 m) that penetrated down to 2500‐3000 m. This dynamic hard boundary may have caused an increase in the extinction rate above 4000 m, and enhanced the probability of isolation and facilitated speciation of neoendemics, especially among genera with a high proportion of polyploids. Main conclusions The results reject the idea of corresponding maxima in endemic species and species richness in the lowlands tentatively deduced from Stevens’ elevational Rapoport effect. They confirm predictions based on hard boundary theory, but hard-boundaries should be viewed as dynamic rather than static when broad-scale biogeographical patterns with a historical component are being interpreted.
Effect of Methyl Methacrylate and Methacrylic Acid on ROS Production and Cellular Antioxidants.

To explore the oxidative stress induced by methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate on 3T3 cell lines. In the present study, in-vitro studies were done to determine the effect of the test compounds on cell lines by performing dye exclusion assay, intracellular glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase assay. Results revealed that by treatment with both the test compounds the viability of cells decreased by dye exclusion assay whereas the levels of glutathione, SOD and CAT increased. It could be inferred that further study has to be done, to either control the release of these monomers or substance that can replace these monomers in
High Reproductive Effort and Low Recruitment Rates of European Beech: Is There a Limit for the Superior Competitor?

ABSTRACT European beech is a superior competitor among the trees of Central Europe, often growing in pure stands. We proposed a hypothesis, that once beech has reached dominance in forest community, it's recruitment could become limited due to the gradual accumulation of pathogens attacking seeds and seedlings. We employed data on seed production and germination along with a field experiment to estimate the germination success of beech in two old-growth forests. Beech produced more seeds than the co-occurring coniferous trees, but less than 1% of beechnuts germinated in the next season. In the field experiment, the percentage of decayed beechnuts was 57% in the Carpathians and 61% in the Alps. Most of the dead germinants and decayed beechnuts were infested by fungi. The average number of fungal colonies per one sample in the Carpathians was significantly higher after mast year than one year before, while the differences between the Alps and Carpathians after mast years were statistically not significant. Fungi have been isolated from practically all dead beechnuts and dead germinants. The number of beechnuts per seed trap, the number of germinants around it and the relative number of fungal colonies obtained from plastic boxes placed in the same sample plot were not significantly correlated. The mortality of germinants continued throughout the spring; the number of life germinants in the middle of May amounted to 0.87% of the initial number of beechnuts in the Carpathians and only 0.28% in the Alps. High rates of beechnut and germinant mortality could probably offset the huge reproductive effort of European beech in old-growth stands and limit the possibility to attain absolute dominance by that species. However, our hypothesis that the build-up of fungal pathogens on the forest floor old-growth stands is able to stop the regeneration of beech still needs to be tested using larger data sets.
Control of Heart Rate by the Autonomic Nervous System: Studies in Man on the Interrelation Between Baroreceptor Mechanisms and Exercise

The control of heart rate by the autonomic nervous system was investigated in conscious human subjects by observing the effects of β-adrenergic blockade with propranolol, of parasympathetic blockade with atropine, and of combined sympathetic and parasympathetic blockade. The increase in heart rate with mild exercise in supine men was mediated predominantly by a decrease in parasympathetic activity; at higher levels of work, however, sympathetic stimulation also contributed to cardiac acceleration. When the response to 80° head-up tilt was compared with the response to exercise in the same subject supine, it appeared that the attainment of an equivalent heart rate was associated with a significantly greater degree of sympathetic activity during tilting than during exercise. Although heart rate was always higher at any given pressure during exercise than it had been at rest, the changes in heart rate that followed alterations in arterial pressure were found to be of similar magnitudes at rest and during exercise; it was therefore concluded that the sensitivity of the baroreceptor system was not altered during exercise. Investigation of the efferent pathways concerned in mediating the baroreceptor-induced changes in heart rate suggested that the relative roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems were nearly equal in the resting state. During exercise, on the other hand, changes in sympathetic activity appeared to be the predominant mechanism by which speeding and slowing of the heart was achieved. It thus appears that baroreceptor-induced alterations in heart rate may be mediated by increased or decreased activity of either efferent system; the ultimate balance, however, is critically dependent on the preexisting level of background autonomic activity.
Morphological adaptation to coastal marshes in spite of limited genetic structure in the Neotropical passerine Spartonoica maluroides (Aves: Furnariidae)

Fil: Cardoni, Daniel Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina