Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of land use land cover changes on ecosystem service value – A case study of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in South China

The rapid increase in anthropogenic activities, socioeconomic development, and land use land cover (LULC) changes since the opening of economic reforms (1978), have changed the ecosystem service value (ESV) in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao (GKHM) region located in South China. This leads to the requirement of a significant tailored analysis of ecosystem services regarding incisive and relevant planning to ensure sustainability at regional level. This study focuses on the use of Landsat satellite imagery to quantify the precise impact of LULC changes on the ecosystem services in GHKM over the past three decades (1986–2017). The most renowned established unit value transfer method has been employed to calculate the ESV. The results show that the total ecosystem service value in GHKM has decreased from 680.23 billion CNY in 1986 to 668.45 billion CNY in 2017, mainly due to the decrease in farmland and fishponds. This overall decrease concealed the more dynamic and complex nature of the individual ESV. The most significant decrease took place in the values of water supply (-22.20 billion CNY, -14.72%), waste treatment (-20.77 billion CNY, −14.63%), and food production (-7.96 billion CNY, −33.18%). On the other hand, the value of fertile soil formation and retention (6.28 billion CNY, +7.26%) and recreation and culture (5.09 billion CNY, +12.91%) increased. Furthermore, total ESV and ESV per capita decreased significantly with the continuous increase in total gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita. A substantial negative correlation exists between farmland ESV and GDP indicating human encroachment into a natural and semi natural ecosystems. The results suggest that in the rapidly urbanizing region, the protection of farmland and to control the intrusion of urban areas has marked an important societal demand and a challenge to the local government. This required a pressing need for smart LULC planning and to improve policies and regulation to guarantee ecosystem service sustainability for acceptable life quality in the study area and other fast expanding urban areas in China.
Dendritic cell vaccination and optimal antigen presentation

Several clinical trials on DC vaccination against solid tumours are performed. In this thesis, we discuss several trials in melanoma patients. Melanoma is a type of cancer derived from melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment production. In early stages, it is well treatable by surgical removal of the tumour, but the emergence of metastases means a poor prognosis. We chose for this type of cancer because many DC vaccination trials with different strategies are performed with melanoma patients. We discuss the type of DCs, maturation status, antigen loading of DCs, route of administration and the clinical responses to the vaccinations if available.
Low Sperm Counts: Biophysical Profiles of Oligospermic Males in Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction: Male infertility is a public health burden and a psychological dilemma in the life of the affected man. Subjects and Methods: A total of 911 men were studied retrospectively, from 2010 to 2015. Among these, 49.7% had normal sperm count, 39.3% were oligospermic and 12.0% were azoosper-mic. Azoospermic men were withdrawn from this study solely to investigate the seminal fluid parameters and the biophysical characteristics of oligospermic men in contrast to those with normal sperm count. Age was stratified into <30, 30 - 39.9, 40 - 49.9, 50 - 59.9 and ≥60 years; body mass index was categorized into underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5 - 24.9), overweight (25.0 - 29.9) and obese (≥30) and standard semen analysis was performed. Results: The means (±sd) of age and of BMI of the 802 subjects of the study were 42.7 (±7.0) years and 26.9 (3.9) kg/m2 respectively. There was no significant difference in the age or BMI of normal and oligospermic men. A total of 453 (56.5%) had normal sperm count while 349 (43.5%) were oligospermic. Compared to normal weight men, those overweight and those obese were, respectively, 1.11 (χ2 = 0.44, P-value = 0.51, OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.54) and 1.56 times (χ2 = 4.50, P-value = 0.03, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.36) more likely to be oligo-spermic. The mean of normal oval head sperms was significantly higher (t = -7.31, P-value = 0.00001) in normal men (47.8 ± 8.9) than in oligospermic men (43.0 ± 10.7). Oligospermic men were over 4 times as likely to produce progressive sperm motility of <32% (χ2 = 70.90, P-value = 0.000001, OR = 4.24, 95% CI = 2.99, 6.02) than men with normal sperm count. Multivariate regression analysis shows negative but significant correlations between age and semen volume (coef. = - 0.04, Std Err. = 0.01, t = - 4.01, P-value = 0.0001, 95% CI: - 0.06, - 0.02) and between BMI and sperm count (coef. = - 0.18, Std Err. = 0.06, t = - 3.26, P-value = 0.001, 95% CI: - 0.29, - 0.07). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that overweight and obesity are associated with oligospermia and oligospermia is significantly linked with low progressive motility, and various sperm cell defects.
Implication de l’Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-I), secrété par le microenvironnement tumoral, dans la survie et la chimiorésistance des cellules cancéreuses

Le microenvironnement, compose de differents elements cellulaires et de la matrice extracellulaire, joue un role primordial dans le developpement tumoral et la dissemination metastatique. Ainsi, l’etude de ces interactions cellulaires est importante pour que des therapies ciblees luttent contre la chimioresistance des cellules tumorales. Ce travail de these a pour but d’etudier le role du facteur de croissance IGF-I dans la chimioresistance des cellules du cancer de l’ovaire et des leucemies myeloides presente au sein du microenvironnement.Dans un premier temps, nous avons mis en evidence que la chimioresistance des cellules du cancer de l’ovaire, acquise grâce aux cellules hotes (hospicells), est liee a la secretion de IGF-I par ces cellules. Nous avons egalement montre que IGF-I est implique dans la regulation de certains genes ABC (MDR-1, MRP1, MRP2, et BCRP) via les voies de STAT3, Jak2, PI3K et ERK.Dans les leucemies myeloides, nous avons montre que IGF-I a un effet sur la proliferation des cellules tumorales. Il induit l’expression de la proteine P-gp ainsi que la chimioresistance des cellules sensibles a la chimiotherapie. Nous avons egalement determine le role de IGF-I dans la resistance des cellules leucemiques en presence des hospicells. Ces dernieres ont une activite hyperangiogenique in vivo, lie a l’HIF-1 et au VEGF, et inhibent les reponses immunes des lymphocytes T par production de NO.Nous avons determine le role crucial de MMP-9 dans la migration des cellules resistantes du cancer du sein exprimant la proteine P-gp et dans la formation d’un reseau tubulaire, suggerant un lien existant entre l’expression de P-gp et de MMP-9.
One Librarian’s Participation in the 19th International Conference on Grey Literature (GL19)

ABSTRACT Librarians, researchers and practitioners should always consult grey literature as a resource for systematic reviews because it yields information that is not found in proprietary databases and indexes. The 19th International Conference on Grey Literature, GreyNet International, (GL19) was dedicated to research, publication, open access, education, and public awareness of grey literature. This article looks at one librarian’s participation in the GL19 and the collaborative efforts of others in papers, posters and a panel discussion produced for the conference.
Tongue reconstruction using VRAM flap after staged neck dissection and total glossectomy for squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a frequent cancer of the oral cavity, more aggressive in young patients and mostly affecting males with a history of smoking and alcohol consumption. After oncological excision, reconstruction is possible using an array of flaps, such as the radial forearm flap, anterolateral thigh flap, rectus abdominis flap, each with various indications, advantages and disadvantages. Functional reconstruction is difficult, as the multiple and highly specialized muscles of the tongue cannot be replaced by any of the above-mentioned options. A 23 year-old male presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior ⅔ of the tongue and left submandibular enlarged lymph nodes (T 3 N 2b M 0 , stage IVA). A preoperative nutritional and metabolic optimization was established using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, tracheostomy, then we performed a total glossectomy with modified radical bilateral neck dissection and VRAM flap reconstruction. Postoperatively the patient developed an orocervical salivary fistula and partial skin necrosis of the upper left cutaneous laterocervical flap. The postoperative pathology confirmed extended SCC of the tongue. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. There were no major complications, and the one-year follow-up concluded on normal feeding, satisfactory speech recovery, and no recurrence.
Impact of pre-exercise feedings with a low or high glycemic index on the ergogenic effects of carbohydrate mouth-rinsing during cycling

Purpose: Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion during exercise enhances performance in short endurance events (~ 1 hr) due to neural influences, as demonstrated by the efficacy of CHO mouth-rinsing during cycling. However, the magnitude of these neural effects may be blunted following pre-exercise CHO feedings. This study examined whether the glycemic index (GI) of a pre-exercise meal affected time-trial (TT) performance in cyclists using a CHO mouth-rinse during exercise. Methods: Eight cyclists (age: 24 ± 6 yr; VO2max: 61 ± 8 ml×kg×min) completed 4 exercise trials, consisting of 15 min of constant-load cycling followed by a simulated 30-km TT. Treatments were: a) L-CHO: low GI CHO beverage pre-exercise (1.5 g×kg CHO, 120 min prior), CHO mouth rinsing during exercise (6.4% maltodextrin solution), b) H-CHO: high GI CHO beverage (1.5 g×kg CHO) pre-exercise, CHO mouth rinsing during-exercise, c) PL-CHO: placebo beverage pre-exercise, CHO mouth rinsing during exercise, and d) PL-PL: placebo beverage pre-exercise, placebo mouth rinsing during exercise. Blood glucose was measured before beverage consumption and at 30 and 120 min following ingestion. Physiological measurements (VO2, VE, RER, HR, RPE, glucose, lactate, and gastrointestinal distress) were assessed during constant-load cycling and the TT. Magnitude-based qualitative inferences were used to assess differences in responses between trials. Results: Blood glucose differed among treatments 30 min post-feeding (H-CHO > L-CHO > PL-CHO = PL-PL), and was lower in H-CHO versus PL-CHO and PL-PL during subsequent exercise. Compared to PL-CHO, TT performance was faster in both L-CHO (-0.5 ± 0.8 min; “likely” beneficial) and H-CHO (-0.7 ± 0.7 min; “likely” beneficial), with no systematic differences between L-CHO and H-CHO. However, none
Dispersal, inbreeding and fitness in natural populations

To evaluate how inbreeding affects the viability of small populations, it is crucial to determine what constitutes a population (i.e., the number of breeders in local patches and the degree of dispersal), and also to estimate the reproductive consequences of philopatry and emigration. In this thesis, I concentrate on dispersal, inbreeding and fitness in natural populations. I consider dispersal rates, individual and population parameters predicting dispersal, and reproductive costs and benefits of dispersal. Furthermore, I evaluate how reproductive effects of inbreeding can be quantified by means of genetic markers. I base my arguments on empirical data gathered from newly founded nonequilibrium populations of great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in Sweden. My results show that it is important to consider scale when evaluating possible predictors of dispersal. This was evident both from a capture-recapture analysis, which revealed that dispersal varied between years on the larger scale and between hatching sites on the smaller scale, and from a molecular analysis, which revealed a sex bias in dispersal on the larger scale that was lacking on the smaller scale. The capture-recapture study also revealed that dispersal was partly heritable in great reed warblers. Occasionally, closely related individuals mated. When this happened, the reproductive success decreased as a result of poor egg-hatching success. Also, there were fitness differences between philopatric and immigrating birds. In males, philopatric individuals had higher life-time mating success than immigrants. In females, on the other hand, short-distance dispersing immigrants recruited a higher proportion of their offspring than both philopatric individuals and long-distance immigrants. This suggests that there exists an optimal dispersal distance in female great reed warblers. Finally, I found that surviving great reed warblers had significantly higher microsatellite heterozygosity than their non-surviving siblings. This result led to a major conclusion in my thesis: that heterozygosity-fitness correlations might occur in nonequilibrium populations for reasons that are neither related to selection at the markers per se, nor to variation in the inbreeding coefficient. Instead, and because of high levels of linkage disequilibria in the population, the association between heterozygosity and survival might have arisen from selection at fitness loci that were linked to the genetic markers.
FORUM Concise Review: Gene Expression Applied to Toxicology

Toxicogenomics and toxicogenetics are the application of genomics and genetics, respectively, to toxicology. The major focus of toxicogenetics is the study of differential gene expression induced as an adaptation or “change-of-plans” response to chemical or environmental stress. This review attempts to summarize the status of toxicogenetics. Some of the essential issues and questions surrounding toxicogenetics that we have attempted to address in this review are as follows: Why study gene expression in the context of toxicology? What are the goals of toxicogenetics? What is the relationship between the number of traditional toxicological endpoints and the number of possible gene-expression patterns? Basic characteristics of “stress genes” or “tox” genes. Interpretation of gene expression data. Inductive vs. deductive arrays. Challenges and next steps. Because of space constraints, it is not possible to cover the subject in both breadth and depth. While striving for some compromise, we are mindful of the risk that neither has been achieved. It is hoped, nevertheless, that the reader will find something of value herein. Why Study Gene Expression in the Context of Toxicology? The fundamental assumption of toxicogenetics is that there are no toxicologically relevant outcomes in vitro or in vivo, with the possible exception of rapid necrosis, that do not require differential gene expression. As used in this review, differential gene expression includes differential transcription and translation, as well as message stabilization. It also encompasses both up- and down-expression of genes. Toxicologically relevant outcomes include all traditional endpoints normally considered of importance in analysis of the adverse effects caused by chemicals, both in vivo and in vitro. It is also likely that as-yet-undiscovered manifestations of chemically induced toxicity require changes in gene expression. While multiplex gene expression data are available for only a few dozen compounds, that data and theoretical considerations also suggest that most toxicologically-relevant outcomes require not only differential gene expression, but also differential expression of multiple genes. The short answer to the above question is that by studying patterns of gene expression, we can learn a great deal about the fundamental mechanisms of chemical toxicity. In addition, measurement of gene expression may allow us to identify threshold concentrations below which there is little health risk.
Fusarium Species: Their Biology and Toxicology

Brief Historical Background of Fusariotoxicoses. Toxic Fusarium Species and Varieties in Nature and in Laboratory Conditions. Principal Toxins Produced by Fusarium Species. Antifungal, Antiprotozoal and Insecticidal Effects of Toxic Fusarium Species. Phytotoxic Effect of Fusarium Species. Effects of Fusariotoxins in Humans. Human Infections Associated with Fusarium Species. Fusariotoxicoses in Laboratory Animals. Fusariotoxicoses in Domestic Animals. Taxonomic Problems of the Genus Fusarium. On the Question of Yellow Rain. Appendix.
Hemodialysis Impairs Endothelial Function via Oxidative Stress

Background—Patients who undergo hemodialysis experience accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction proceeds to and exacerbates atherosclerosis. It remains unknown whether hemodialysis per se causes endothelial dysfunction. Methods and Results—We evaluated endothelial function estimated by flow-mediated vasodilation during reactive hyperemia using high-resolution ultrasound Doppler echocardiography before and after a single session in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Several studies have shown that the imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in hemodialyzed patients results in high oxidative stress, which causes lipid peroxidation and endothelial injury. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of antioxidative modification during hemodialysis on endothelial function using a vitamin E–coated cellulose membrane dialyzer. Nonspecific endothelium-independent vasodilation was measured after administration of a sublingual glyceryl.
Effectiveness of structured teaching programme on self management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

India leads the world with largest number of diabetic patients. India is termed as “Diabetes capital of the world”. This disease not only affects the quality of life of the patient, but also increases the health expenditure to the individual and at large to the society. Diabetes self management education is the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for diabetes self care. A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on self management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in ESI hospital at Ayanavaram, Chennai, 2010-2011. The hypothesis formulated was that there was no significant relationship between the structured teaching programme and level of knowledge on self management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The review of literature included the related studies which provide a strong foundation for the study including the basis for conceptual framework and formation of tool. The research design used in this study was pre experimental one group pre test post test design. It was carried out with 60 samples who fulfilled the inclusive criteria. convenient sampling technique was used to select the samples. An interview schedule was conducted to the patients to assess the pre test level of knowledge. Structured teaching programme was given to the patients for the duration of 20 to 30 minutes. The post test was conducted after one week by using the same tool. The analysis revealed that the pre test mean score was 17.73 with the standard deviation of 6.560 and the post test mean score was 32.20 with the standard deviation of 2.265. The projected ‘t’ value was 13.036 which showed highly significant at p<0.001 level. The analysis revealed that there was an increase in post test level of knowledge, thus it indicates the effectiveness of structured teaching programme. So the null hypothesis was rejected and research hypothesis was accepted for this study.
Cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with COVID‐19

In December 2019, the world started to face a new pandemic situation, the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Although coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) clinical manifestations are mainly respiratory, major cardiac complications are being reported. Cardiac manifestations etiology seems to be multifactorial, comprising direct viral myocardial damage, hypoxia, hypotension, enhanced inflammatory status, ACE2‐receptors downregulation, drug toxicity, endogenous catecholamine adrenergic status, among others. Studies evaluating patients with COVID‐19 presenting cardiac injury markers show that it is associated with poorer outcomes, and arrhythmic events are not uncommon. Besides, drugs currently used to treat the COVID‐19 are known to prolong the QT interval and can have a proarrhythmic propensity. This review focus on COVID‐19 cardiac and arrhythmic manifestations and, in parallel, makes an appraisal of other virus epidemics as SARS‐CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and H1N1 influenza.
Effects of Hypothermia on Excitatory Amino Acids and Metabolism in Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose— The objective of this study was to assess the effect of therapeutic moderate hypothermia on excitatory amino acids and metabolism by applying cerebral microdialysis in patients suffering from space-occupying middle cerebral artery infarction. Methods— This was an open, prospective, observational study of 12 patients undergoing moderate hypothermia (33°C) as rescue therapy for large, life-threatening middle cerebral artery infarction. Microdialysis probes were placed concomitantly with intracranial pressure (ICP) measuring devices in the frontal lobe of the infarcted and/or noninfarcted hemisphere. Using the CMA 600 Microdialysis Autoanalyzer, we analyzed glutamate, glycerol, pyruvate, and lactate. Results— According to follow-up cranial CT scans, 3 different compartments of microdialysis measurements could be defined. First, noninfarcted brain tissue had stable dialysate concentrations but a significant effect of hypothermia on glutamate (2.6 versus 3.6 μmol/L), lactate (1.8 versus.
OBSERVATIONS ON FISHES ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1997-98 EL NINO OFF CALIFORNIA

From mid-1997 through 1998, anomalously warm water occurred off the California coast as part of the more global El Niiio phenomenon of 1997-98. Warmwater periods of comparable magnitude were observed in 1957-59 and 1982-84; this most recent event may in fact be the strongest of the three. Biological evidence supporting the impact of this phenomenon was noted in a northern latitudinal shift in the range of a number of eastern tropical Pacific fishes into the warni-temperate waters of southern California. Families of fishes represented include Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Elopidae, Albulidae, Ophichthidae, Clupeidae, Synodontidae, Fistulariidae, Scorpaenidae, Triglidae, Serranidae, Apogonidae, Carangidae, Lobotidae, Mulbdae, Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Sphyraenidae, Polynemidae, Labridae, Scaridae, Blenniidae, Callionymidae, Gobiidae, Trichiuridae, Bothidae, Tetraodontidae, and Diodontidae. Of particular significance are the following new California records of Panamic species: Fistularia covneta, deepwater cornetfish; Diplectvum maximum, greater sand perch; Apogon paclficus, pink cardinalfish; Caranx vinctus, cocinero; Sphyraena ensis, Mexican barracuda; Decodon melasma, blackspot wrasse; Nicholsina denticulata, loosetooth parrotfish; Plagiotremus azaleus, sabertooth blenny; Synchiropus atrilabiatus, blacklip dragonet; and Engyophrys sanctilaurentii, speckled-tail flounder. Several species taken had not been reported since the Pacific Railroad Survey of the 1850s or the early 1900s (e.g., threebanded butterflyfish and longtail goby). Addtionally, several species heretofore known from single or a few records were taken on multiple occasions and in some numbers. Differences between the 1997-98 and previous El Niiio events and a measure of the intensity of this event are discussed. Changes in the ichthyofauna of California during the most recent El Niiio were perhaps the most dramatic of the twentieth century.