Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
17α-Ethinylestradiol Reduces the Competitive Reproductive Fitness of the Male Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)1

Abstract Whether endocrine disruption in an individual male is actually translated into reduced reproductive success in a natural competitive environment is extremely difficult to predict. Here, we have used paternity analysis to provide new information on the ability of an endocrine disruptor to deleteriously affect male guppy reproductive fitness by including the effect of intermale competition. Groups of male guppies were exposed to 10.5, 44.4, or 112 ng/L of the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) from birth to adulthood. Subsequently, an exposed male competed against an unexposed male for the opportunity to fertilize a receptive female. The successful males siring the majority of the offspring in each brood were then identified using microsatellites in genetic paternity analysis. Only the highest dose of EE2 produced harmful effects with a significantly female-biased sex ratio, significant reductions in male sperm count, testis weight, body coloration and courtship behavior, and a significant increase in body size. These feminizing effects were translated into a highly significant reduction in fertility, where only 1 of the 17 exposed males sired offspring in competition with unexposed males. The evidence suggests that EE2-treated males have reduced reproductive fitness compared with untreated males, possibly the result of EE2 effects on multiple fitness traits. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing evidence of endocrine disruption at the population level that has included the ecologically highly relevant effect of sexual competition on male reproductive fitness.
Neonatal exposure to potent and environmental oestrogens and abnormalities of the male reproductive system in the rat: evidence for importance of the androgen–oestrogen balance and assessment of the relevance to man

The effects on reproductive tract development in male rats, of neonatal exposure to potent (reference) oestrogens, diethylstilboestrol (DES) and ethinyl oestradiol (EE), with those of two environmental oestrogens, octylphenol and bisphenol A were systematically compared. Other treatments, such as administration of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHa) or the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen or the anti-androgen flutamide, were used to aid interpretation of the pathways involved. All treatments were administered in the neonatal period before onset of puberty. The cellular sites of expression of androgen receptors (AR) and of oestrogen receptor-a (ERa) and ERb were also established throughout development of the reproductive system. The main findings were as follows: (i) all cell types that express AR also express one or both ERs at all stages of development; (ii) Sertoli cell expression of ERb occurs considerably earlier in development than does expression of AR; (iii) most germ cells, including fetal gonocytes, express ERb but not AR; (iv) treatment with high, but not low, doses of potent oestrogens such as DES and EE, induces widespread structural and cellular abnormalities of the testis and reproductive tract before puberty; (v) the latter changes are associated with loss of immunoexpression of AR in all affected tissues and a reduction in Leydig cell volume per testis; (vi) none of the effects in (iv) and (v) can be duplicated by treating with high-dose octylphenol or bisphenol A; (vi) none of the reproductive tract changes in (iv) and (v) can be induced by simply suppressing androgen production (GnRHa treatment) or action (flutamide treatment); and (vii) the adverse changes induced by high-dose DES (iv and v) can be largely prevented by co-administration of testosterone. Thus, it is suggested that many of the adverse changes to the testis and reproductive tract induced by exposure to oestrogens result from a combination of high oestrogen and low androgen action. High oestrogen action or low androgen action on their own are unable to induce the same changes.
Composition and structure of a species rich Amazonian rain forest obtained by two different sample methods

Inventory data for trees ≥ 10 cm DBH from a hectare plot are compared to data obtained by the Point-Centered Quarter Method along a line transect from the same locality in Anangu, Amazonian Ecuador. The one-hectare quadrat plot of 100 × 100 m had 734 individuals, 153 species, 46 families, a total basal area of 22.2 m2, and an estimated above ground tree volume of 240.5 m3. The line transect had a calculated density of 728 individuals per hectare, which included 239 species, 51 families, a total basal area of 34.1 m2, and an estimated above ground tree volume of 409.6 m3. Of the 20 species with the highest IVI, only four were shared by the two samples. The most important species were Quararibea ochrocalyx on the hectare plot and Iriartea deltoidea on the line transect, constituting 26.6 and 13.3% of the individuals, respectively. The five families with the highest FIV on the hectare plot (Bombacaceae, Arecaceae, Moraceae, Caesalpinaceae, and Lauraceae) and on the line transect (Arecaceae, Moraceae, Meliaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpinaceae) constitute 40.4% and 35.4% of the Family Importance Values of the samples, respectively. The Point-Centered Quarter Method used along a line transect reflects maximum diversity and provides average values of density and tree size in the area. The quadrat plot reflects the local structure and composition of the forest within the plot.
Efficacy and safety of short-term 1–3 months versus standard 12 months dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the basis of preventing stent thrombosis and ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but prolonging the duration of DAPT will increase the risk of bleeding. The optimal duration of DAPT after PCI remains controversial at present. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of short-term DAPT in patients undergoing PCI. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of science from inception to September 2019 were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials were included to compare short term (3 months or less) with a standard 12-months DAPT in patients undergoing PCI. Random effect model and fixed effect model wereused to calculate the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each endpoint. This meta-analysis included 38479 patients undergoing PCI from 8 randomized clinical trials. No difference was observed in the risk of all-cause death (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80–1.06, P = 0.25), cardiovascular death (RR 0.88, 0.69–1.12, P = 0.29), myocardial infarction (RR 1.05, 0.94–1.19, P = 0.38), definite or probable stent thrombosis (RR 1.05, 0.80–1.36, P = 0.73), and stroke (RR 1.02, 0.80–1.30, P = 0.89) between short term and standard DAPT. The short-term DAPT could reduce the risk of major bleeding (RR 0.67, 0.48–0.94, P = 0.02) and any bleeding (RR 0.63, 0.48-0.82, P = 0.0005) compared with 12 months of DAPT. In conclusion, the short-term DAPT can reduce the risk of bleeding compared with standard DAPT, without increasing the risk of death or ischemia (Registered by PROSPERO, CRD42020153881).
Mysids and environmental monitoring: a case for their use in estuaries

Mysids (Crustacea : Mysidacea) are ubiquitous members of the permanent, endemic hyperbenthic fauna of estuarine and other coastal ecosystems. They often occur in high numbers and their ecological importance, particularly their role in food chains as a link between the benthic and pelagic systems, is becoming increasingly apparent. In general, mysids are omnivores, feeding on detritus, zooplankton and phytoplankton, and they contribute up to 40% of the standing stock of omnivores in some systems. In estuaries, specific mysid faunas often occur in discrete zones, usually as a result of different salinity tolerances, although responses to turbidity and water flow also determine mysid distributions. Many mysids are particularly sensitive to chemical contaminants as illustrated by their relatively low 96-h LC50 values. Due to this sensitivity, the United States Environmental Protection Agency promotes the use of Americamysis ( Mysidopsis) bahia for laboratory toxicity testing; however, there is growing interest in the use of local, endemic species rather than the standard American mysid. At Plymouth, novel and sensitive techniques are being developed for assessing sublethal responses to toxicants by use of the northern European estuarine mysid Neomysis integer. This paper summarizes the ecological role of mysids in estuaries and describes their potential for use for estuarine environmental monitoring.
Photosynthetic daily light integral during the seedling stage influences subsequent growth and flowering of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola

Additional index words. bedding plants, marigold, pansy Abstract. The photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) dramatically increases during the spring when the majority of bedding plants are commercially produced. However, the effects of DLI on seedling growth and development have not been well characterized for most bedding plant species. Our objectives were to quantify the effects of DLI on growth and development of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola during the seedling stage and determine whether there were any residual effects of DLI on subsequent growth and development after transplant. Seedlings were grown in growth chambers for 18 to 26 days at 21 °C with a DLI ranging from 4.1 to 14.2 mol·m -2 ·d -1 . Average seedling shoot dry weight per internode (a measure of quality) increased linearly 64%, 47%, 64%, and 68% within this DLI range in Celosia, Impatiens, Tagetes, and Viola, respectively. Seedlings were then transplanted to 10-cm containers and grown in a common environment (average daily temperature of 22 °C and DLI of 8.5 mol·m -2 ·d -1 ) to determine subsequent effects on plant growth and development. Flowering of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola occurred 10, 12, 11, 4, and 12 days earlier, respectively, when seedlings were previously grown under the highest DLI compared with the lowest. Except for Viola, earlier fl ower- ing corresponded with the development of fewer nodes below the fi rst fl ower. Flower bud number and plant shoot dry weight at fi rst fl owering (plant quality parameters) decreased as the seedling DLI increased in all species except for fl ower number of Tagetes. Therefore, seedlings grown under a greater DLI fl owered earlier, but plant quality at fi rst fl owering was generally reduced compared with that of seedlings grown under a lower DLI.
Blended Care-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Real-World Settings: Pragmatic Retrospective Study

Background The past few decades saw considerable advances in research and dissemination of evidence-based psychotherapies, yet available treatment resources are not able to meet the high need for care for individuals suffering from depression or anxiety. Blended care psychotherapy, which combines the strengths of therapist-led and internet interventions, can narrow this gap and be clinically effective and efficient, but has rarely been evaluated outside of controlled research settings. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a blended care intervention (video-based cognitive behavior therapy and internet intervention) under real-world conditions. Methods This is a pragmatic retrospective cohort analysis of 385 participants with clinical range depression and/or anxiety symptoms at baseline, measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), who enrolled in blended care psychotherapy treatment. Participants resided in the United States and had access to the blended care intervention as a mental health benefit offered through their employers. Levels of depression and anxiety were tracked throughout treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the change in symptoms over time. The effects of age, gender, and providers on participants’ symptom change trajectories were also evaluated. Paired sample t-tests were also conducted, and rates of positive clinical change and clinically significant improvement were calculated. Results The average depression and anxiety symptoms at 6 weeks after the start of treatment were 5.94 and 6.57, respectively. There were significant linear effects of time on both symptoms of depression and anxiety (β=–.49, P<.001 and β=–.64, P<.001). The quadratic effect was also significant for both symptoms of depression and anxiety (β=.04, P<.001 for both), suggesting a decelerated decrease in symptoms over time. Approximately 73% (n=283) of all 385 participants demonstrated reliable improvement, and 83% (n=319) recovered on either the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 measures. Large effect sizes were observed on both symptoms of depression (Cohen d=1.08) and of anxiety (d=1.33). Conclusions Video blended care cognitive behavioral therapy interventions can be effective and efficient in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety in real-world conditions. Future research should investigate the differential and interactive contribution of the therapist-led and digital components of care to patient outcomes to optimize care.
Thrombotic microangiopathy, DIC-syndrome and COVID-19: link with pregnancy prothrombotic state

Abstract For last months, humanity has faced a formidable unknown enemy, which is presented as a new coronavirus infection. Despite the fact that the causative agents of new diseases appear at a certain frequency and that the virus SARS-CoV-2 has certain common properties with its predecessors, at the moment we are dealing with a new unknown pathogenesis of the development of severe complications in patients with risk factors. A final understanding of pathological process mechanisms is the goal of the scientific community. Summarizing research data from different countries, it became obvious that in severe cases of viral infection, we are dealing with a combination of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Thrombotic microangiopathy is represented by a group of different conditions in which thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and multiple organ failure occur. The article reflects the main types of TMA, pathogenesis and principles of therapy. The main participants in the process are described in detail, including the von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS-13. Based on the knowledge available, as well as new data obtained from patients with COVID-19, we proposed possible models for the implementation of conditions such as sepsis, TMA, and DIC in patients with severe new coronavirus infection. Through a deeper understanding of pathogenesis, it will be possible to develop more effective diagnosis and therapy.
Should the Critically Endangered Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara be culled in Florida?

Abstract The Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara has been protected in the USA since 1990. In Florida commercial and recreational fishers consider the species a top predator of fish and lobster and advocate culling the grouper population as a solution to recover declining stocks. I examined the scientific evidence for and against culling the Goliath grouper, using commercial landing data from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (1950–2010), fisheries-independent diver-based surveys from the REEF Environmental Education Foundation (1993–2007), and published dietary and morphological studies. An analysis of the commercial extinction of the Goliath grouper in Florida indicates that its recovering population is not the cause of declining fish and lobster stocks. The recovering Goliath grouper population could provide ecological and socio-economic benefits: as top-down control on other lobster predators, in ecotourism, and as potential biocontrol of the invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans on Atlantic reefs.
Persuasive Strategies to Facilitate the use of mHealth Applications for Stress Management

Stress-induced conditions constitute some of the major health challenges experienced by individuals. Persuasive technologies have the potential to improve health behaviour as shown in the literature. Despite the availability of mHealth applications for stress management, there is a dearth of studies on the use of persuasive strategies in mHealth applications for stress management among university students. There is a need to investigate persuasive strategies that will facilitate university students to use mHealth applications to initiate health behavioral change. This study aims to develop the persuasive strategies that will facilitate the use of mHealth application for stress management among university students in Namibia using the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) as a case study. This study will apply Design Science Research methodology and a case study approach to evaluate and validate the identified persuasive strategies to support the use mHealth applications relevant for stress management among university students. A systematic review will be conducted to identify persuasive strategies used in mobile apps in general. This will be followed by interviews and focus group discussions which will be conducted with NUST students and mHealth apps development professionals to evaluate and validate the identified persuasive strategies and provide recommendations on relevant persuasive strategies that will facilitate the use of mHealth applications for stress management among university students. This study will develop an artefact in the form of persuasive strategies, guidelines and recommendations to facilitate the incorporation into the development of mHealth applications for stress management among university students. The findings of this study will provide guidelines to developers when focusing on developing mHealth apps for stress management to be used by university students.
What drives the species richness patterns of non‐volant small mammals along a subtropical elevational gradient?

The biodiversity of non-volant small mammals along an extensive subtropical elevational gradient was studied for the first time on Gongga Mountain, the highest mountain in Hengduan Mountain ranges in China, located in one of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots. Non-volant small mammals were replicate sampled in two seasons at eight sampling sites between 1000 and 4200 m elevation on the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain. In all, 726 individual small mammals representing 25 species were documented in 28 800 trap nights. The species richness pattern for non-volant small mammals along the elevational gradients was hump-shaped with highest richness at mid-elevations. However, different richness patterns emerged between endemic and non-endemic species, between larger-ranged and smaller-ranged species and between rodents and insectivores. Temperature, precipitation, plant species richness and geometric constraints (mid- domain effect) were most significant in explaining species richness patterns. Based on the analysis of simple ordinary least squares (OLS) and stepwise multiple regressions, the overall richness pattern, as well as the pattern of insectivores, endemic species and larger-ranged species showed strong correlation with geometric constraint predictions. However, non-endemic species richness was more strongly correlated with temperature, while rodent richness was correlated with plant species richness. Our study shows that no single key factor can explain all richness patterns of non-volant small mammals. We need to be cautious in summarizing a general richness pattern of large species groups (e.g. small mammals or mammals) from species in smaller groups having different ecological distributions and life histories. Elevational richness patterns and their driving factors for small mammals are more likely dependent on what kind of species we study.
The role of self-compassion in the psychological (mal)adjustment of older adults: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Background: The identification of protection factors regarding older adults’ mental health is essential. Self-compassion, the capacity to be kind towards the self during challenging times, may be one such factor. Although still scarce, some research in this field has already been conducted with older adults. Our research question was the following: what is currently known about the role of self-compassion in the psychological (mal)adjustment of older adults? Objectives: To review any study designs, in any setting, where self-compassion and any indicators of psychological (mal)adjustment were assessed in participants aged ≥60 years. Design: A scoping review of English, Portuguese, and Spanish published and unpublished materials, using the EBSCOhost Research and PubMed databases and reference lists. Search terms included self-compassion, self compassion, older adults, elderly, seniors, and geriatrics. After screening and selection of the studies, we charted the relevant data. Results: Eleven published studies (2012–2018) were reviewed. Self-compassion was associated with, and a predictor of, diverse mental health indicators in older adults. Self-compassion was also associated with indicators of physical health, moderated the relationship between physical health indicators and mental health indicators, and mediated the relationship between diverse mental health indicators. Results were obtained with participants of different nationalities and age. All studies had a cross-sectional design, and most studies recruited well-functioning community residents. Conclusions: Self-compassion is beneficial for the psychological adjustment of older adults and may also benefit their biological functioning. Self-compassion seems particularly relevant for those experiencing more negative life events. Studies with more robust methodologies are needed in order to replicate these findings.
Altered Properties of Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Underlying the Development of Scleroderma‐like Vasculopathy in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− Mice

In prevous studies, we established a new animal model, KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice, in which fundamental pathologic features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) are broadly recapitulated. SSc vasculopathy is believed to occur as a result of impaired vascular remodeling, but its detailed mechanism of action remains unknown. To address this, the present study investigated the properties of dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMECs), bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM‐EPCs), and bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs), a precursor of pericytes, in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice.