Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competitive ability of some cover crop species against Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion

Abstract Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion are the most troublesome weeds in oil palm plantations in Malaysia and establishment of cover crops under oil palms is an integral part of sustainable weed management in plantations. Replacement-series experiments were conducted to evaluate the mode and strength of competitiveness of four legume cover crop species, Calopogonium caeruleum, Centrosema pubescens, Mucuna bracteata and Pueraria javanica, and one soft grass species, Axonopus compressus, against Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion. Relative yield, relative yield total and relative crowding coefficient were calculated with reference to shoot biomass. Asystasia gangetica was a consistently weaker competitor than Pennisetum polystachion. The legume cover crop species had higher relative yield when grown in mixtures, whereas the yield of Asystasia gangetica was lower in mixtures with legumes than in monoculture. The higher competitiveness of legumes was due to greater canopy height and leaf area index. Centrosema pubescens was a slightly weaker competitor than the other legumes. Although leaf area per plant of Centrosema pubescens did not differ from that of other three legumes, canopy height and blocking photosynthetically active radiation to the soil surface were lower. When grown with a cover crop for 12 weeks, dry weight per plant, leaf area and shoot number of Pennisetum polystachion increased as its proportion decreased in mixtures. Relative yield data indicated that Pennisetum polystachion is a strong competitor. Axonopus compressus was less susceptible to Pennisetum polystachion interference than the legumes. All cover crop species studied proved highly competitive against Asystasia gangetica, but none could compete against Pennisetum polystachion. The study confirms the feasibility of using a cover crop for management of Asystasia gangetica.
Efficacy and safety of adsorptive granulomonocytapheresis in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis: A retrospective analysis of 50 cases with focus on factors impacting clinical efficacy

Myeloid‐derived leucocytes, a major source of inflammatory cytokines, play an important role in the exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (UC). Selective depletion of myeloid leucocytes by adsorptive granulomonocytapheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn should alleviate inflammation and promote remission. However, there are discrepancies among the reported efficacy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GMA in UC patients with a focus on factors affecting clinical efficacy.
Toxicological and biochemical analyses demonstrate no toxic effect of Bt maize on the Folsomia candida

The potential effects of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) maize on non-target organisms must be conducted before the Bt maize is commercially planted. Folsomia candida is one of the non-target organisms of Bt maize, also as an important indicator of soil quality and environmental pollution. In this study, a 90-day F. candida feeding test were conducted to evaluate the potential effects of two Bt maize lines IE09S034 and BT799 and their non-Bt conventional isolines Zong 31 and Zheng 58. The results show that Bt maize lines had no significant effects on the survival rate, reproduction, adult body length, larval body length, and the activities of acetyl cholinesterase, catalase and superoxide dismutase on the F. candida. Namely, Bt maize had no toxic effects on the F. candida.
Seasonal changes in photosynthetic activity and photochemical efficiency of the Mediterranean shrub Phillyrea angustifolia L

Abstract This research aimed to investigate the physiological strategies that allow Phillyrea angustifolia, a sclerophyllous shrub widespread in the Mediterranean maquis, to cope successfully with the most stressful conditions of the Mediterranean climate i.e. summer drought and winter cold. Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements as well as pigment content determinations were performed periodically throughout one whole year (spring 2004–spring 2005) on plants growing outdoor in the Botanical Garden of the Naples University. In June and July 2004 and in February 2005 the light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P N) and stomatal conductance (gH2O) were lower compared to May and October 2004. Carboxylation rate (v c) was negatively affected by summer drought and low temperature. The quantum yield (ΦPSII) and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F v/F m) significantly declined in February. All monitored parameters increased after each stressful period. The highest carotenoid content was detected in July whereas total pigment content was lower both in July and in February as compared to May and October, respectively. The photosynthetic apparatus of P. angustifolia is able to cope with summer drought and winter cold by different strategies: in summer, efficient stomatal control reduces water loss whereas in winter, PSII efficiency is down-regulated to avoid irreversible damage.
Lead phytoextraction: species variation in lead uptake and translocation

summary Lead transport has been characterized in corn (Zea mays L. cv. Fiesta) and ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), and the Pb phytoextraction efficiency of these species has been compared with that of Tritiaim aestivum, Thlaspi rotundifolium, Thlaspi caerulescens and Brassica juncea, using both nutrient solutions and Pb-contaminated soils. Our results demonstrated that plant species differ significantly in Pb uptake and translocation. In short term (60 min) experiments, Pb uptake by ragweed roots was threefold higher than that by corn roots. After 2 wk of Pb (100/yM) exposure in hydroponics, root-Pb concentration was 24000 mg kg−1 for ragweed and 4900 mg kg−1 for corn. In contrast to root-Pb concentration, shoot-Pb concentration was significantly higher in corn (560 mg kg−1) than in ragweed (30 mg kg-1). At an external Pb concentration of 20/IM, corn concentrated Pb in shoots by 90-fold, and ragweed concentrated Pb in shoots by 20-fold over the solution Pb concentration. Of the 11 species/cultivars tested using both nutrient solutions and Pb-contaminated soils, corn accumulated the highest shoot-Pb concentration. Using this corn cultivar, we investigated the role of synthetic chelates in Pb phytoextraction. Addition of HEDTA (2.0 g kg−1 soil) to a Pb-contaminated soil (total soil Pb 2500 mg kg−1) resulted in a surge of Pb accumulation in corn. The shoot Pb-concentration was increased from 40 mg kg−1 for the control (-HEDTA) to 10600 mg kg−1 for the HEDTA-treated soil. To our knowledge, this is the highest shoot Pb concentration reported in the literature for plants grown on Pb-contaminated soils. Our results suggest that in combination with sou amendment, some agronomic crops, such as corn, might be used for the clean-up of Pb-contaminated soil.
Sonic hedgehog specifies flight feather positional information in avian wings

ABSTRACT Classical tissue recombination experiments performed in the chick embryo provide evidence that signals operating during early limb development specify the position and identity of feathers. Here, we show that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling in the embryonic chick wing bud specifies positional information required for the formation of adult flight feathers in a defined spatial and temporal sequence that reflects their different identities. We also reveal that Shh signalling is interpreted into specific patterns of Sim1 and Zic transcription factor expression, providing evidence of a putative gene regulatory network operating in flight feather patterning. Our data suggest that flight feather specification involved the co-option of the pre-existing digit patterning mechanism and therefore uncovers an embryonic process that played a fundamental step in the evolution of avian flight. Highlighted Article: Embryonic Shh signalling integrates flight feather with digit specification in the chicken wing, providing insights into the evolution of avian flight.
Association of local anesthesia versus conscious sedation with functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy

Purpose Compare functional outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy with either local anesthesia or conscious sedation. Secondarily, identify differences in hemodynamic parameters and complication rates between groups. Materials and methods Single institution, retrospective review of all acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy between January 2014 and July 2018 (n = 185). Patients receiving general anesthesia (n = 27) were excluded. One-hundred and eleven of 158 (70.3%) composed the local anesthesia group, and 47 (29.7%) composed the conscious sedation group. Median age was 71 years (interquartile range 59–79). Seventy-eight (49.4%) were male. The median National Institute of Health stroke scale score was 17.5 (interquartile range 11–21). Hemodynamic, medication, complication, and functional outcome data were collected from the anesthesia protocol and medical records. Good functional outcome was defined as a three-month modified Rankin Scale < 2. A multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the association of anesthesia type on three-month modified Rankin Scale score. Results Three-month modified Rankin Scale score <2 was similar between groups (p = 0.5). Patients receiving conscious sedation were on average younger than patients receiving local anesthesia (p = 0.01). Conscious sedation patients were more likely to receive intravenous thrombolytic prior to embolectomy (p = 0.025). The complication rate and hemodynamic parameters were similar between groups. Conclusion Functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing embolectomy appears to be similar for patients receiving local anesthesia and conscious sedation. This similarity may be beneficial to a future study comparing general anesthesia to local anesthesia and conscious sedation. The use of local anesthesia or conscious sedation does not significantly impact hemodynamic status.
Estimulación del crecimiento en plántulas de Pinus radiata utilizando hongos ectomicorrícicos y saprobios como biofertilizantes

Se ha descrito que hongos micorricico-arbusculares y saprobios de vida libre, pueden actuar como promotores del crecimiento de algunas plantas. Sin embargo, el uso combinado de hongos ectomicorricicos y saprobios como estimuladores del crecimiento de especies forestales ha sido poco estudiado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la eficacia de diferentes inoculos biologicos preparados con los hongos ectomicorricicos Suillus luteus y Rhizopogon luteolus, y los saprobios Coriolopsis rigida y Trichoderma harzianum, en forma aislada y combinada, como potenciales biofertilizantes para el crecimiento de plantulas de Pinus radiata en invernadero. Plantas de P. radiata se trasplantaron a recipientes individuales que contenian corteza de pino compostada como sustrato y se inocularon con esporas de los hongos ectomicorricicos y micelio solido de los hongos saprobios. Al finalizar los ensayos (10 meses), se midieron los porcentajes de micorrizacion y algunos parametros morfologicos de las plantas para determinar indices de calidad. Los inoculantes biologicos formulados con los hongos saprobios o con la mezcla de hongos saprobios y ectomicorricicos estimularon el crecimiento de las plantas respecto a los controles (plantas sin inoculacion fungica). Ademas, la presencia de granos de trigo en los inoculos favorecio el efecto estimulante producido por los hongos sobre el crecimiento de P. radiata. El inoculante formulado con la mezcla C. rigida y R. luteolus produjo las plantas de P. radiata con mayores indices de calidad bajo condiciones de invernadero, siendo una alternativa viable para su utilizacion como potencial biofertilizante en la produccion de especies vegetales forestales
In Vitro Toxicokinetics and Phase I Biotransformation of the Mycotoxin Penitrem A in Dogs

The tremorgenic mycotoxin penitrem A is produced by Penicillium species as a secondary metabolite on moldy food and feed. Dogs are sometimes exposed to penitrem A by consumption of spoiled food waste or fallen fruit. The lipophilic toxin crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neuroreceptors and neurotransmitter release mechanisms in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Typical symptoms of penitrem A intoxication are periodical or continuous tremors, which can be passing, persistent or lethal, depending on the absorbed dose. There is presently no information on the biotransformation and toxicokinetics of penitrem A in dogs. The aim of the present study was therefore to identify potential metabolites of the toxin by performing in vitro biotransformation assays in dog liver microsomes. Analyses by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry led to the provisional identification of eleven penitrem A phase I metabolites, which were tentatively characterized as various oxidation products. Furthermore, elimination parameters determined in in vitro assays run under linear kinetics were used for in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation of the toxicokinetic data, predicting a maximal bioavailability of more than 50%. The metabolite profile detected in the in vitro assays was similar to that observed in the plasma of an intoxicated dog, confirming the predictive capability of the in vitro approach.
Zoo Visitor Preferences: Reply to Balmford

Balmford (this issue) has reanalyzed the data originally presented by Ward et al. (1998) on the relationship between animal body size and exhibit popularity in Zurich Zoo. At the outset, I point out that Ward et al. threw no doubt on the conservation questions addressed by Balmford and his co-workers’ previous work, which could be incorrectly inferred from Balmford’s introduction. We concluded that, even when exhibit cost was factored in, larger animals were more popular than smaller ones. I agree with Balmford that our correction for cost undercorrected the values for larger animals and that his new conclusion is correct: there was not a positive relationship between animal body mass and cost-corrected popularity. Indeed Balmford shows that the relationship was negative for our overall popularity score. I therefore used Balmford’s correction method on our data from adults and children separately, with log 10 transformation both of animal body mass and cost-corrected popularity. These analyses strengthen Balmford’s arguments: the relationship was negative and significant for children ( y 5 2 3.088 2 0.169 x ( 6 0.081, SE), F 1,20 5 4.39, p 5 0.049) and negative and highly significant for adults ( y 5 2 3.016 2 0.291 x ( 6 0.071, SE), F 1,23 5 4.39, p , 0.001). His analyses also emphasize the original conclusion that it is important for popularity to be measured separately for adults and children because the relationships are markedly different in strength. Balmford’s new data on exhibit costs at Chester Zoo are welcome. It is clearly necessary for future work that exhibit costs be directly and accurately measured. The increasing display areas used in modern exhibits of large animals are likely to further increase the relative costs of larger animals. Unless this cost is also taken into account, the problem identified by Balmford could be exacerbated. Balmford ends by pointing out that we need more data on how zoos attract visitors. One possibility would be to measure visitor rates after poster campaigns based on animals of different body sizes. At least in Zurich, posters typically display charismatic megafauna, and I believe this is also true for other zoos. It may therefore be difficult to persuade a zoo to risk a campaign based on its smaller exhibits, but a well-designed study along these lines could generate the required data.
Isolation, Identification and Investigation of Fermentative Bacteria from Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Fermented Fish Meat and By-Products Broths

During fish production processes, great amounts of by-products are generated, representing ≈30–70% of the initial weight. Thus, this research study is investigating 30 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from the sea bass gastrointestinal tract, for anti-fungal activity. It has been previously suggested that LAB showing high proteolitic activity are the most suitable candidates for such an investigation. The isolation was made using a MRS (Man Rogosa Sharpe) broth cultivation medium at 37 ºC under anaerobiosis conditions, while the evaluation of the enzymatic activity was made using the API® ZYM kit. Taking into account the selected bacteria, a growing research was made fermenting two kinds of broths: (i) by-products (WB), and (ii) meat (MB). Both were fermented at three different times (24, 48 and 72 h). Then, the antifungal activities of both fermented by-products and meat broths were determined qualitatively and quantitatively in solid and liquid medium against two different strains of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus and Fusarium. After the experiments, a total of 30 colonies were isolated, observing a proteolytic activity in 7 of the isolated strains, which belong to Lactobacillus genus, and the two more active strains were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as L. plantarum. Several strains evidenced antifungal activity showing an inhibition halo and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values between 1–32 g/L and 8–32 g/L, respectively. In conclusion, the isolated bacteria of sea bass had the ability to promote the antifungal activity after the fermentation process, thus being a useful tool to give an added value to fish industry by-products.
Association between unemployment and the co-occurrence and clustering of common risky health behaviors: Findings from the Constances cohort

Background Unemployment is associated with a high prevalence of risky health behaviors. Mortality increases with the number of co-occurring risky behaviors but whether these behaviors co-occur with a greater than expected frequency (clustering) among unemployed people is not known. Methods Differences according to unemployment status in co-occurrence and clustering of smoking, alcohol abuse, low leisure-time physical activity and unhealthy diet (marked by low fruit and vegetable intake) were assessed in 65,630 salaried workers, aged 18 to 65, who were participants in Constances, a French population-based cohort. Among them, 4573 (7.0%) were unemployed without (n = 3160, 4.8%) or with (n = 1413, 2.1%) past experience of unemployment. Results Compared to the employed, unemployed participants without or with past experience of unemployment were similarly overexposed to each risky behavior (sex and age adjusted odds-ratios ranging from 1.38 to 2.19) except for low physical activity, resulting in higher rates of co-occurrence of two, three and four behaviors (relative risk ratios, RRR 1.20 to 3.74). Association between behavior co-occurrence and unemployment did not vary across gender, partnership status or income category. Risky behavior clustering, i.e., higher than expected co-occurrence rates based on the prevalence of each behavior, was similar across unemployment status. The same observations can be made in employed participants with past experience of unemployment, although overexposure to risky behaviors (ORs 1.15 to 1.38) and increased rates of co-occurrence (ORs 1.19 to 1.58) were not as pronounced as in the unemployed. Conclusions Co-occurrence of risky behaviors in currently and/or formerly unemployed workers is not worsened by behavior clustering. Engagement in each of these behaviors should be considered an engagement in distinct social practices, with consequences for preventive policies.
Anticipating the Impact of the USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail Scoring Decision on Underrepresented-in-Medicine Students

Three-digit United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 scores have assumed an outsized role in residency selection decisions, creating intense pressure for medical students to obtain a high score on this exam. In February 2020, the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners announced that Step 1 would transition to pass/fail scoring beginning in 2022. The authors discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of the pass/fail scoring change for underrepresented-in-medicine (UiM) trainees. UiM students may benefit from this change because it reduces the effect of an inequitable exam; helps correct for students who attend medical schools with a curriculum heavier on nontested formative elements; and decreases stress, improves quality of life, and undermines imposter syndrome. However, this change may also precipitate unforeseen challenges, such as increased discrimination toward UiM trainees, an increase in high-stakes test failures due to a reduced focus on preparing for standardized exams, or the development of new (e.g., subject exams) or overreliance on existing (e.g., school ranking) metrics that would make UiM residency candidates less competitive. To enhance UiM representation in the future health care workforce, it is imperative that national organizations (e.g., accrediting, licensing, regulatory, professional, honor, student, and faculty), hospitals, residency programs, and patient advocacy groups undertake a shared, rigorous approach in assessing the impact of the pass/fail scoring change on UiM applicants’ selection to specialty and subspecialty residencies.
Automatic regulation of the endotracheal tube cuff pressure with a portable elastomeric device. A randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND Intermittent manual correction of the endotracheal tube cuff pressure (Pcuff) may delay the detection of underinflation (source of contaminated oropharyngeal content microaspiration) or overinflation (exposing to airway damage). Devices for automated continuous correction of Pcuff are appealing but some are inconvenient, expensive or even harmful. This prospective randomised controlled study tested whether the Tracoe Smart Cuff ManagerTM reduced the rate of patients undergoing ≥ 1 episode of underinflation (Pcuff<20 cmH2O), as compared with routine manual Pcuff correction. The rate of patients with ≥ 1 overinflation episode (Pcuff>30 cmH2O) and the incidence of under/overinflation were also compared. METHODS Patients with acute brain injury and likely to receive invasive mechanical ventilation for > 48 h were randomly allocated to receive, during 48 h, automated Pcuff correction (combined with manual correction) or manual correction alone. Pcuff was measured with a dedicated manual manometer, at least every 8 h. RESULTS Sixty patients were included and randomised (32 patients with manual and 28 with automated Pcuff correction) for 506 measurements of Pcuff (269 and 237, respectively). Automated correction of Pcuff was associated with a lower rate of patients with ≥ 1 episode of underinflation (63% and 18%, respectively, p < 0.001), a lower incidence of underinflation episodes (15% vs. 2%; p < 0.001), a lower rate of manual corrections (77% vs. 58%; p < 0.001). For overinflation, there were no significant between-groups differences (2% vs. 2%). The incidence of early respiratory infections was similar in both groups (29% vs. 25%, p = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS The adjunction of continuous Pcuff control with the Tracoe Smart Cuff ManagerTM to routine manual intermittent correction reduced the incidence of Pcuff underinflation episodes without provoking overinflation.