Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CORTICOSTERONE-MEDIATED REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS: SEX ALLOCATION, THE COST OF REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL FITNESS

Managing reproductive investment within the scope of an individual's energetic condition is required to maximize fitness. To be successful, individuals must make the correct decisions about when to reproduce, when to abandon an attempt, how many resources to invest in current and future attempts and where those resources should be allocated. These reproductive decisions therefore involve complex life-history trade-offs between an individual's condition and current reproduction, future reproduction, and survival. However, how the decisions are physiologically mediated to balance these trade-offs and maximize fitness is not well understood. This thesis examines how the stress hormone corticosterone mediates reproductive decisions and asks how offspring and maternal fitness are affected by individual variation in corticosterone using an avian model, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Because corticosterone maintains daily homeostatic energetic balance, it is correlated with individual energetic condition and is therefore a potential hormonal link between maternal and offspring quality. In starlings, intra-specific variation in plasma corticosterone is related to maternal condition and high baseline levels are associated with nest abandonment. Elevated maternal corticosterone is also transferred to eggs via the yolk, and intraand inter-clutch variation in yolk corticosterone are high and significantly negatively related to maternal quality, indicating that yolk corticosterone may cue offspring to variation in maternal quality. Indeed, experimentally elevated yolk corticosterone selectively decreases male offspring quality and increases preand post-natal male mortality. For the mother, the result is an allocation towards evolutionarily less-expensive daughters and a sex-specific lowering of current reproductive investment. This energy-savings increases investment in future fecundity and increases maternal survival. Finally, the quality of the maternal environment can cause both pre-natal programming and post-natal plasticity in the adrenocortical axis of their offspring. This thesis has revealed that individual variation in maternal quality as mediated by corticosterone has significant and potentially sex-specific proximate effects on offspring. Exposing offspring to the effects of maternal corticosterone plays adaptive roles at multiple reproductive stages and ultimately increases maternal fitness. Together, the work here provides an evolutionary framework for how maternal stress hormones can mediate multiple reproductive decisions and lifehistory trade-offs in vertebrates.
Tumor Immune Microenvironment Clusters in Localized Prostate Adenocarcinoma: Prognostic Impact of Macrophage Enriched/Plasma Cell Non-Enriched Subtypes

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by significant heterogeneity in its molecular, genomic, and immunologic characteristics. Methods: Whole transcriptome RNAseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas of prostate adenocarcinomas (n = 492) was utilized. The immune microenvironment was characterized using the CIBERSORTX tool to identify immune cell type composition. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was performed based on immune cell type content. Analyses of progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastases, and overall survival (OS) were performed using Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox regression multivariable analyses. Results: Four immune clusters were identified, largely defined by plasma cell, CD4+ Memory Resting T Cells (CD4 MR), and M0 and M2 macrophage content (CD4 MRHighPlasma CellHighM0LowM2Mid, CD4 MRLowPlasma CellHighM0LowM2Low, CD4 MRHighPlasma CellLowM0HighM2Low, and CD4 MRHighPlasma CellLowM0LowM2High). The two macrophage-enriched/plasma cell non-enriched clusters (3 and 4) demonstrated worse PFS (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.46–3.45, p = 0.0002) than the clusters 1 and 2. No metastatic events occurred in the plasma cell enriched, non-macrophage-enriched clusters. Comparing clusters 3 vs. 4, in patients treated by surgery alone, cluster 3 had zero progression events (p < 0.0001). However, cluster 3 patients had worse outcomes after post-operative radiotherapy (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Distinct tumor immune clusters with a macrophage-enriched, plasma cell non-enriched phenotype and reduced plasma cell enrichment independently characterize an aggressive phenotype in localized prostate cancer that may differentially respond to treatment.
The Potential Unique Impacts of Hope and Resilience on Mental Health and Well-Being in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Natural disasters can lead to mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher levels of loss and/or disruption and prior trauma exposure constitute risk factors for mental illness, whereas protective factors, including hope and resilience, support positive functioning. The present cross-sectional study used structural equation modeling to examine the relative influence of resilience and hope on mental health and well-being 1-3 months after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in August 2017, among a sample of 829 adults in the Greater Houston, Texas area. Resilience was more strongly associated with reduced PTSD symptoms, β = -. 31, 95% CI [-. 42, -. 21], than was hope, β = -. 17, 95% CI [-;. 30, -. 04], whereas hope was more strongly associated with components of well-being, βs = . 47-. 63. Hope was positively associated with posttraumatic growth, β = . 30, 95% CI [. 19, . 41], whereas resilience was negatively associated with posttraumatic growth, β = -. 24, 95% CI [-. 35, -. 12]. These associations remained consistent after considering risk factors, although more variance in trauma-related outcomes was risk factors were included in the model. The present results suggest that considering the influence of both risk and resilience factors provides an enhanced picture of postdisaster mental health.
Biology and control of Rhizoctonia solani on rapeseed : A Review

Le Rhizoctonia solani AG2-1 est le principal agent pathogene causant la fonte des semis chez les plantules et les plantes matures (dessechement premature des pieds) sur le colza et le canola (Brassica napus et B. râpa) dans l'Ouest canadien et aux Etats-Unis; les isolats du groupe AG4 affectent surtout les plantes adultes en causant le rhizoetone commun. L'infection des plantules par AG2-1 est favorisee par les temperatures fraiches au moment du semis, alors que les temperatures chaudes survenant tard au cours de la saison de croissance favorisent davantage l'infection des plantes matures par les isolats de AG4. Des donnees d'enquete montrent que le developpement de la maladie est favorise par une humidite du sol elevee, de bas niveaux d'azote, de phosphore et de potassium, ainsi que par des teneurs elevees en cuivre dans les sols a texture fine. Une resistance moderee chez la moutarde (Sinapis alba) et quelques autres especes semblables semble etre d'origine genetique et elle devrait etre utilisee dans des programmes d'amelioration genetique. La carboxine et l'iprodione en melange avec des insecticides gamma-HCH sont homologues au Canada comme traitements de semence afin de reprimer la fonte des semis et la pourriture racinaire des plantules, mais ce traitement ne reprime pas le dessechement premature des pieds.
Slaughter weights, carcass weights and dressing percentages of five breeds of sheep slaughtered in Saudi Arabia

Summary. Data for slaughter and carcass weights of 1350 Najdi, Awassi, Barbary, Turkish, and Merino cross ram lambs were collected at Bureidah abbatoir, Central Saudi Arabia. Within age groups, Awassi and Turkish lambs had the heaviest mean slaughter and carcass weights, followed by Merinos, Najdi and then Barbary. Pooled breed averages for slaughter and carcass weights increased with age. The dressing-out percentage ranged from 54.8 to 56.g0/o, but differences between most of the breed-age groups were not significant. The percentages of lambs slaughtered at different ages varied according to breed. Mean slaughter weights varied from month to month, both within and between breeds. Carcass weight was not affected by month of slaughter. Regressions of carcass weight on liveweight indicated significant differences between breeds and were used to develop equations for predicting carcass weight and dressing-out percentage.
An in situ hybridization study of the Syndecan family in the developing condylar cartilage of fetal mouse mandible

Mandibular condylar cartilage is a representative secondary cartilage, differing from primary cartilage in various ways. Syndecan is a cell‐surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan and speculated to be involved in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of the syndecan family in the developing mouse mandibular condylar cartilage. At embryonic day (E)13.0 and E14.0, syndecan‐1 and ‐2 mRNAs were expressed in the mesenchymal cell condensation of the condylar anlage. When condylar cartilage was formed at E15.0, syndecan‐1 mRNA was expressed in the embryonic zone, wherein the mesenchymal cell condensation is located. Syndecan‐2 mRNA was mainly expressed in the perichondrium. At E16.0, syndecan‐1 was expressed from fibrous to flattened cell zones and syndecans‐2 was expressed in the lower hypertrophic cell zone. Syndecan‐3 mRNA was expressed in the condylar anlage at E13.0 and E13.5 but was not expressed in the condylar cartilage at E15.0. It was later expressed in the lower hypertrophic cell zone at E16.0. Syndecan‐4 mRNA was expressed in the condylar anlage at E14.0 and the condylar cartilage at E15.0 and E16.0. These findings indicated that syndecans‐1 and ‐2 could be involved in the formation from mesenchymal cell condensation to condylar cartilage. The different expression patterns of the syndecan family in the condylar and limb bud cartilage suggest the functional heterogeneity of chondrocytes in the primary and secondary cartilage.
A retrospective 10-year review of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the hand and adherence to British Association of Dermatologists guidelines

371 Ltter Dear Editor, We read with interest the manuscript entitled “Surgical options for malignant skin tumors of the hand” by Yun et al. [1]. The guidelines for surgical excision of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) [2] recommends that a minimum of 4 mm tumor border margin for SCCs less than 2 cm in diameter and low risk in nature. For tumors that are moderately, poorly or undifferentiated in nature, or larger than 2 cm in diameter, a 6 mm or greater tumor margin is recommended. The BAD guidelines are not specific to any anatomical area, and it is important to consider that wide and deep excisions on the hand could lead to significant functional impairment for patients. Cutaneous SCCs are relatively common on the hand and the initial management of such conditions has evolved from radical surgical excision to taking smaller margins [3]. A retrospective audit of 150 cases of cutaneous SCC of the hand was performed to assess adherence to BAD guidelines, and the resulting excision margins. A retrospective review of 150 patients who underwent surgical excision of SCCs to the hand, distal to the wrist crease, over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2019 was selected from our database. The electronic notes were reviewed to identify patient demographics, peripheral and deep margins on histology and the tumor subtype. Our data was collated and analyzed with Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). LETTER
Concurrent Exercise Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cancer-related Fatigue

Abstract This study compared the effects of two supervised concurrent training interventions in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue at baseline. Twenty-three female breast cancer survivors (50±8 years) were randomized to a high- (n=13) or a moderate-intensity (n=10) training program. Both interventions lasted 16 weeks and included the same resistance exercises, but the aerobic component was supervised and more intense in the former (i.e., rating of perceived exertion of 7–8 vs. 6 on a 1–10 scale for the high and moderate-intensity intervention, respectively). The primary endpoint was fatigue perception. Endpoints were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks. The p-value for statistical significance was set at 0.004 after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The high-intensity training program increased lower-limb muscle strength significantly (p=0.002) and tended to improve fatigue perception (p=0.006), waist circumference (p=0.013), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p=0.028) and some quality of life items (p=0.011). Although the moderate-intensity training program did not provide such benefits in general (i.e., higher p-values for pre vs post-intervention comparisons), no significant differences were found between interventions (all p>0.004). Further research is needed to elucidate if the benefits provided by high-intensity concurrent training are superior to those elicited by moderate-intensity training in breast cancer survivors.
Tree species distributions in relation to stream distance in a mid-montane wet forest, Puerto Rico

Abstract. Riparian zones are dynamic areas adjacent to flowing freshwater that connect aquatic and terrestrial environments. We measured individual tree distances relative to two permanent streams in the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot, Puerto Rico, to determine if tree species exhibit distinct affinities for riparian zones in a mid-montane tropical forest. In addition, we also calculated stem density, species richness, and diversity indices in 20 x 20 m randomly selected quadrats at different distances from the streams. We found that no single species in the study site was predominantly associated with riparian zones; however, almost all species were represented by a few stems in close proximity to streams. Multivariate (Fuzzy Set Ordination) ordination of plot species composition in relation to distance to streams indicated that there is greater variation in species composition closer to streams, and less variation in species composition farther from streams. This study suggests that in mid-montane wet forest, riparian zones include all tree species found throughout the forest landscape.
The effect of increased maternal dietary intake during pregnancy on offspring birth weight and neonatal survival

Altering maternal nutrition affects fetal development and may have long-lasting effects on the offspring, potentially predisposing them to later disease such as diabetes and obesity. Studies have shown that these effects may take place without alterations in birth weight, although smaller-birth-weight offspring appear to be at increased risk. There is limited literature on the effects of increasing the fat and protein content of the gestational diet on birth weight and postnatal survival. Pregnant sows were fed one of six isoenergetic diets (Table) that differed only in composition and quantity fed during the first and final trimester of gestation. Sows fed on a low–high feeding scheme were fed 2.7 kg/d between day 0 and day 70 of gestation and 3.5 kg/d between day 70 and day 110 of gestation. Sows fed on a high–low feeding scheme were fed 3.5 kg/d between day 0 and day 40 of gestation and 2.7 kg/d between day 40 and day 110 of gestation. All sows received a standard diet from day 110 and throughout lactation. All sows delivered naturally and all piglets were weighed. At 7 3 d one small and one median piglet per sow were selected and weighed. All preliminary data was analysed using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Intra-Abdominal Infections by Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Surgical Unit: Counting Mortality, Stay, and Costs.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE)-related infections are a problem in public health at present, including intra-abdominal infections (IAI) and surgical populations. The aim of this study was to determine mortality and related risk factors, length of stay (LOS,) and costs for CPE-IAI in surgical patients. Patients and Methods: Review of CPE-related IAI acquired during admission in a general surgery department from January 2013 to December 2018. A mortality analysis was performed specifically in patients with CPE-IAI, and a global analysis of IAI including patients with CPE-IAI (cases) and matched patients with IAI by non-resistant bacteria (controls). Results: Forty patients with CPE-IAI were included, OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was present in 85%. Global mortality rate at 30 days for CPE-IAI was 17.5%; mortality-related factors were: solid tumor (p = 0.009), metastatic disease (p = 0.005), immunodeficiency (p = 0.039), blood transfusion (p = 0.009), and septic shock (p = 0.011). Predictors related to mortality for IAI in the global analysis included age (p = 0.046), Charlson index (p = 0.036), CPE isolation (p = 0.003), and septic shock (p < 0.001). Median global LOS was 43 days (IQR 27-64) in patients with CPE-IAI, and 27 days (IQR 18-35) in controls (p < 0.001). Median global cost of admission was $31,671 (IQR 14,006-55,745) for patients with CPE-IAI and $20,306 (IQR 11,974-27,947) for controls (p = 0.064). The most relevant locations of underlying disease for CPE-IAI were: colorectal (32.5%) with 57-day LOS (IQR 34-65) and cost of $42,877 (IQR 18,780-92,607), and pancreas (25%) with 60-day LOS (IQR 32-99) and cost of $56,371 (IQR 32,590-113,979). Conclusion: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae-related IAI is associated with substantial mortality, LOS, and costs. Factors related to CPE-IAI mortality are solid tumor, metastatic disease, immunodeficiency, blood transfusion, and septic shock. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolation in IAI implies higher risk of mortality.
Development of specific primers for genus Fusarium and F. solani using rDNA sub-unit and transcription elongation factor (TEF-1α) gene

Detection of Fusarium solani causal agent of wilt and rots in many plant species are difficult if based only on morphological characteristics. Beside this, morphological discrimination requires special skill and the expertise of taxonomists or specialists. To simplify the detection and discrimination of F. solani from other Fusarium species, end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed. Consensus sequences obtained from multiple alignments of target genes, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), rDNA and transcription elongation factor (TEF-1α), were used to design the primers for rapid detection of genus Fusarium (amplified product 420 and 466) an d F. solani (amplified product 658, 595 and 485). BLASTn was used for in silico specificity. No cross reactivity was observed when primers were checked against the near-neighbor plant pathogens. The described primer sets allowed accurate identification and discrimination of genus Fusarium and F. solani . All tests have multiple applications including screening of infected plants, breeding programs and disease diagnosis. Key words: Inter transcribed spacer (ITS), rDNA, transcription elongation factor, beta tubulin, Fusarium solani .
Prevalence of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Variants in Malaria-Endemic Areas of South Central Timor, Eastern Indonesia.

Primaquine is an effective anti-hypnozoite drug for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. However, it can trigger erythrocyte hemolysis in people with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. In a previous report from South Central Timor (SCT), Indonesia, we described the prevalence of Vanua Lava, Chatham, and Viangchan variants; in this study, other G6PD variants (Kaiping, Coimbra, Gaohe, Canton, and Mahidol) were subsequently analyzed. For clarity, all of these results are described together. The 381 DNA samples from the previous study during 2013-2014 were analyzed for G6PD variants by using PCR-RFLP. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in SCT was 6.3% (24/381 cases), including 4.2% (16/381 cases), 0.5% (2/381 cases), and 1.6% (6/381 cases) for Coimbra, Kaiping, and Vanua Lava variants, respectively. No other variants were found in this population. A significant association was found between ethnicity and the distribution of G6PD Kaiping in female subjects. A positive association was shown between G6PD activity and heterozygous females carrying Coimbra genotype, hemizygous males carrying Vanua Lava, Plasmodium falciparum infection in female subjects, and P. vivax infection in male subjects. Further molecular analysis of heterozygous females, particularly in malaria-endemic areas, is needed for mapping distribution of G6PD deficiency status in Indonesia.
Analysis of Broad Banding and Minimization Techniques for Square Patch Antenna

Abstract This paper presents the investigations of various broad banding and minimization techniques for square patch antenna. For bandwidth enhancement, square patch antenna with U shaped slot and L probe feed have been considered. Using these techniques, bandwidth in the range of 30 - 40% has been achieved. In addition to this, techniques to minimize patch antenna’s surface area have also been analyzed. The shorting pin and shorting wall methods have been used for minimization. Simulation has been carried out using IE3D software.
Density‐dependent growth in brown trout: effects of introducing wild and hatchery fish

Summary 1 Although it is not clear to what extent density dependence acts on the survival, emigration or growth of organisms, experiments testing alternative explanations are rare. A field experiment on 1-year-old brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) was undertaken to address the following questions: are the mortality, movement and growth of wild stream-living trout affected by population density? If so, are the density-dependent effects of released hatchery trout different from the effects of wild fish? 2 In each of two small streams, two replicate treatment blocks were used, each with four treatments assigned to stream sections 50–70 m in length: (1) control, no fish was introduced and population density was kept at its original level. (2) Trout biomass was doubled by introducing additional wild fish. (3) Trout biomass was doubled by introducing additional hatchery fish. (4) Hatchery trout were introduced, but biomass was kept at its original level by the removal of some resident wild fish. 3 We found no treatment effects on the recapture rates of resident trout, which suggests that survival was not strongly affected by competition. They were also remarkably stationary, regardless of treatment. However, trout growth rate was reduced to the same extent in both treatments with increased density, suggesting that growth was negatively density-dependent, and that the density-dependent effects of hatchery trout and introduced wild fish were similar. 4 Wild resident fish grew faster than introduced wild trout, which in turn grew faster than hatchery trout. Hatchery fish and introduced wild fish moved more than wild resident fish. 5 The results show that population density affected growth in trout parr. We conclude that competition is not limited to the underyearlings, as has previously been suggested, and that density-dependent growth is the main density-dependent response in yearling trout. Furthermore, this effect was the same for wild and hatchery-reared competitors, suggesting that stocking of hatchery fish may affect natural populations negatively through density dependence.