Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Based Trends of Gastric Adenocarcinoma in the United States

Background Recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) among young adults in Asia and Latin America. However, it is unknown if a similar trend is happening in the United States. Methods A retrospective review of the National Cancer Database was conducted to identify patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma between the years of 2004 and 2013. Results A total of 93 734 patients were included. The two age groups below 40 did not see a change in GC incidence; however, age groups above 40 had increasing incidence. Patients aged 18 to 25 had the largest proportion of stage 4 disease and a poor survival (median 11.5 months), compared to older patients. Conclusion Despite the increasing trend of GC among individuals, the incidence of GC among young adults is not increasing. However, this subpopulation presents at more advanced stages (clinical stage 4) and thus has worse survival.
Consequences of evolving with bacterial symbionts : Insights from the squid-vibrio associations

▪ Abstract The squid-vibrio light-organ symbioses, which have been under investigation for just over 10 years, offer the opportunity to decipher aspects of the dynamics of stable associations between animals and bacteria. The two best-studied partners, the Hawaiian sepiolid squid Euprymna scolopes and the marine luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri, engage in the most common type of animal-bacterial association, i.e., between extracellular, gram-negative bacteria and animal epithelia. Similar to most such symbioses, the squid-vibrio relationship begins anew each generation when thehost animal acquires the symbiont from the surrounding environment. To establish a specific association, mechanisms have evolved to ensure recognition between the host and symbiont and the exclusion of other potential partnerships. Once the association has been established, the bacteria induce significant morphological changes in the host that result in a transition of the light organ from a form associated with initiation of the .
Integrating ecosystem services in river basin management plans

Summary According to the European Union Water Framework Directive, river basin management plans must include a programme of measures, with a series of management actions aiming to achieve good ecosystem status of all water bodies within the basin. The design and later prioritization of these management actions is, in theory, done through cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), which compares management action costs with expected improvements in ecosystem status. However, such an approach does not consider the effects of management actions on human well-being resulting from changes in the provision of ecosystem services. We propose to complement the current CEA approach with a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) integrating the effects of management actions on the provision of ecosystem services, therefore moving from a single-objective to a multiobjective approach. We propose a flexible methodological framework based on a combination of CEA and CBA that can be easily adapted to different case studies. To test the applicability of our approach, we applied it to an impaired basin, the Llobregat River basin (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis considers management actions selected from the programme of measures under implementation: establishment of environmental river flows, improvement of river connectivity, treatment of urban wastewater and reduction in saline pollution; and the effects on a series of ecosystem services: water provisioning, waste treatment and habitat for species. Results revealed that management actions designed to improve ecosystem status do not necessarily improve human well-being through changes in the provision of ecosystem services. The implementation of the CEA and CBA allowed the identification of management actions providing the best trade-offs between improvements of ecosystem status and human well-being. For example, the establishment of environmental river flows in the upper Llobregat River was the management action that maximized the balance between gains in ecosystem status and human well-being. Synthesis and applications. Overall, the combination of cost-effectiveness analysis and cost–benefit analysis supports a more informed and transparent decision-making in the implementation of river basin management plans, better assisting stakeholders to prioritize those management actions providing the optimal win–win results.
Tinosporacordifolia: A Potential Plant with

Immunomodulation is a procedure, which can alter the immune system of an organism by inte rfering its 9 function. Modulation of immune system may result in suppression or stimulation of immunological 10 reactivity. Recently the effect of immunomodulators in the treatment of various diseases is significant. 11 Tinosporacordifolia is a widely used shrub in ayurvedic system of medicine. It is reported to benefit the 12 immune system in a variety of ways. The medicinal pro perties incorporated with this plant are anti 13 diabetic, hypolip idemic, anti-neoplastic, anti -oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cognitive, 14 adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effect. Many compounds belonging to 15 different classes such as alkaloids, diterpenoids, phenol, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides have 16 been isolated from this plant. But it is not well known that which of these compounds are responsible for 17
Rapid and sensitive detection of potyvirus infecting tropical tuber crops using genus specific primers and probes

A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay using potyvirus specific primers designed from the core of the coat protein was carried out, and a cDNA fragment of 327 bp was obtained from most of the potyviruses infecting the tropical tuber crops. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products were sequenced and found to be derived from the expected virus. Specific cDNA probe was generated from the amplicon, and the probe was then successfully used for the diagnosis of the potyviruses infecting the major tuber crops through biotinylated nucleic acid spot hybridisation. The specific probe developed could detect the potyviruses infecting tuber crops namely SPFMV, DsMV and DAV from sweet potato, aroids and yams respectively.
Effect of grape variety on the evolution of sugars, hydroxymethylfurfural, polyphenols and antioxidant activity during grape must cooking

Grape must cooking is a traditional practice used for the production of foodstuff worldwide such as traditional balsamic vinegar. The aim of this work was to reveal the effect of grape variety on the evolution of the main chemical components in grape must during cooking. To this end, two grape must varieties (red Lambrusco and white Trebbiano grapes) were cooked and analysed. The monosaccharide concentration decreased because cooking resulting in the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. At the end of cooking, the antioxidant activity and polyphenol concentration were higher and the 5hydroxymethylfurfural was lower in Lambrusco than in Trebbiano must. Additional changes involved degradation of
Interactions between introduced and native predatory ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae): factors influencing the success of species introductions

Abstract. 1. Why some exotic species invade successfully while others do not is poorly understood. This study focuses on the inability of the exotic predatory ladybird Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) to establish and spread in Japan. In particular, this study considers the interactions between A. bipunctata and three native Japanese ladybird species, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Coccinella septempunctata Linn. , and Propylea japonica Mulsant.
Are ecological and evolutionary rules being dismissed prematurely?

Recently, it has been suggested that the group of patterns known as the ecological and evolutionary rules are invalid and only of interest historically. Here, I briefly review evidence for the four most prominent patterns: Bergmann’s rule, Cope’s rule, Rapoport’s rule, and the latitudinal gradient in species richness. Although more comprehensive reviews exist for these patterns, the purpose of this paper is to highlight recent work illustrating the validity of each pattern, to question the conclusion that these patterns are only of historical interest, and to briefly explore possible connections between each of these patterns. I also recommend that meta‐analytical techniques, a group of statistical methods rarely used in ecology and evolution, need to be incorporated in future tests of general trends.
Regulation of superoxide dismutase by prostaglandin F2α in the bovine corpus luteum

The interaction between prostaglandin F2α (PGF) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is crucial for regulating the life span of the corpus luteum (CL). The local accumulation of ROS is mainly controlled by copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Thus, PGF may induce luteolysis by decreasing the expression of SOD and its bioactivity. Here, we examined whether SOD1 is involved in the luteolytic action of PGF in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). SOD activity gradually increased from the early to late luteal stage and then decreased to the lowest level at the regressed luteal stage. SOD1 protein expression and SOD activity increased at 2 h but decreased at 24 h after administration of a luteolytic dose of PGF. In addition, PGF and H2O2 increased SOD1 protein expression and SOD activity at 2 h but suppressed it at 24 h in cultured luteal cells. Furthermore, H2O2 increased PGF production by luteal cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. PGF, in turn, induced ROS production. These results indicate that PGF via interaction with ROS regulates bovine luteal SOD1 in a biphasic manner with an initial increase at 2 h followed by a decrease at 24 h. The down regulation of SOD1 during structural luteolysis may enhance ROS production and luteal cell death to ensure the regression of the bovine CL.
Snag abundance 20, 30, and 40 years following fire and harvesting in boreal forests

The retention of standing dead trees (snags) has become an important conservation concern, especially when forest management efforts attempt to emulate natural disturbance. We investigate the abundance of snags within Ontario’s boreal forest following 10‐20, 21‐30, and 31‐40 years of both fire and forest harvest disturbance over a 24 000-km 2 area. Fire frequency varied considerably, with 90% of the fires in the study area occurring in the 1970s. We did not detect differences in basal area of snags (m 2 /km 2 ) between burned and harvested stands. However, differences occurred in dead-stem density (number/km 2 ); the burned stands produced more snags in the 21- to 30-year post-disturbance class and the harvested stands produced more snags in the 31- to 40-year post-disturbance class. Similarly, the distribution of diameter classes of snags differed between the burned and harvested stands. In size classes greater than 32 cm (diameter at breast height), we found more snags in the harvested forests 21‐40 years following disturbance. We did not find differences in the basal area of snags between disturbance types, whether they were hardwood or softwood. However, hardwood snags occurred in greater abundance in the larger diameter classes. Our findings are limited by the changing timber harvest treatments (selective harvest, clearcut, and ecological cut), the small number of disturbance events, and the variety of stand compositions. More research is required on the ecological factors influencing snag abundance to improve development of local forest management plans and to design landscapes that conserve forest structure and biodiversity.
SLOW LEAF DEVELOPMENT OF EVERGREEN BROAD-LEAVED TREE SPECIES IN JAPANESE WARM TEMPERATE FORESTS

Rates of light-saturated net photosynthesis (P N max) and dark respiration (Rd) on a leaf area basis, leaf dry mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen content on a leaf area basis (LNa) and instantaneous nitrogen use eciency (NUE fl P N max}LNa) were followed during leaf development in six evergreen broad-leaved tree species typical of warmtemperate forests in Japan. These species were Castanopsis sieboldii, Quercus myrsinaefolia, Quercus glauca, Machilus thunbergii, Cinnamomum japonicum and Neolitsea sericea. When expansion of leaf area was complete, P N max was about one third of its peak value and increased for another 15 to 44 d. Rd at full leaf expansion was about 1‐ 5t o 3‐5times greater than steady-state rates. These facts suggest that leaf development was still underway at the time of full leaf area expansion. Low P N max at full leaf expansion was caused both by low leaf nitrogen content and low NUE. P N max increased with the increase in LMA during leaf development in all six species; data from the literature for other species with dierent life forms also indicated a similar tendency. The steady-state LMA varied markedly among species. Because leaves with larger steady-state LMAs need more resources for their construction, they will also need longer periods for maturation. We hypothesized that the period required for the attainment of peak P N max, the ‘leaf maturation period’, depends on the steady-state LMA. Plotting data from the present study together with those from literature for other plants across several life forms showed a strong positive relationship between leaf maturation period and steady-state LMA, supporting the hypothesis. # 1998 Annals of Botany Company
Snakes from coastal islands of State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

Cicchi, P.J.P.; De Sena, M.A. Peccinini-Seale, D.M. and Duarte, M.R. Snakes from coastal islands of State of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop. May/Aug 2007 vol. 7, no. 2. http://www.biotaneotropica. org.br/v7n2/pt/abstract? inventory+bn03907012007. ISSN 1676-0603. There are relatively few studies on snake fauna from coastal islands of the State of Sao Paulo (SSP), Southeastern Brazil and the number of species housed in Brazilian institutional zoological collections is relatively limited. In Brazil, for the first time, a snake inventory for eighteen islands of coastal SSP is presented. Here we record data from sampling on eleven islands as well information on vouchered species in the main herpetological collections. Thirty-six species from four families: one Boidae, thirty Colubridae, one Elapidae and four Viperidae from eighteen islands are listed as well as the thirteen new island records for snakes. Relative abundance categories were used for species rarity: common, infrequent and rare; 44.4% of the snakes with voucher specimens were considered rare. The most common species in twelve of the eighteen islands was Micrurus corallinus; in eleven of the eighteen islands were Bothrops jararaca and Liophis miliaris; in ten of the eighteen islands were B. jararacussu and Chironius bicarinatus. The most common snake species on coastal islands were Micrurus corallinus which was found in twelve of the eighteen islands, followed by Bothrops jararaca and Liophis miliaris found on eleven of the eighteen islands and B. jararacussu and Chironius bicarinatus which were found in ten of the eighteen islands studied. There are seven new records of snake species for Cardoso Island (25° 05’ S and 047° 59’ W): C. bicarinatus, C. multiventris, Dipsas petersi, Echinanthera bilineata, E. cephalostriata, Helicops carinicaudus and Xenodon neuwiedii; three new records for Comprida Island (24° 54’ S and 47° 48’ W): B. jararacussu, C. bicarinatus and H. carinicaudus; one for Anchieta Island (23° 32’ S and 045° 03’ W): Spilotes pullatus; one for Couves Island (23° 25’ S and 44° 52’ W): L. miliaris; one for Porcos Island (23° 23’ S and 44° 54’ W), B. jararaca. The endemic species B. alcatraz from Alcatrazes Island and B. insularis from Queimada Grande Island are considered endangered species by IUCN. Snake fauna on Monte de Trigo Island are extinct. The fragility of insular snake fauna needs more attention for environmental conservation, since 52.0% of snake species preys on amphibians, highlighting the importance of forest conservation.
Effect of Clinoptilolite and/or Phytase on Broiler Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Intestinal Histomorphology and Tibia Calcium and Phosphorus Levels

The effect of clinoptilolite alone or in combination with phytase on the performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal histomorphology, and tibia ash and Ca, P levels were determined in male broiler chickens. Total of 192 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 4 different treatments with 8 replicates containing 6 birds each. Treatment 1 (T1) was served as control fed a diet without clinoptilolite and/or phytase, Treatment 2 (T2) was supplemented with 2% clinoptilolite. Treatment 3 (T3) and Treatment 4 (T4) were (formulated Ca; 0.87, 0.80 and 0.75%, available P; 0.30, 0.28 and 0.26% for starter, grower, and finisher periods respectively) supplemented 0.01% phytase and 2% clinoptilolite + 0.01% phytase, respectively. The results showed that combined use of clinoptilolite and phytase (T4) in broiler diets decreased (P=0.044) body weight gain at 1-14 d. Dietary treatments had no effect on body weight gain, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the entire experimental period. Supplementation with phytase (T3) significantly (P=0.006) decreased crypt depth in duodenum on d 21. Tibia ash and phosphorus level were decreased due to combined use of clinoptilolite and phytase (T4) in comparison to those fed control (T1) and clinoptilolite (T2) diets on d 21. At 42 days of age, tibia ash, Ca, P levels and Ca/P ratio was not changed by the treatments. It is concluded that there might be a positive effect of 2% clinoptilolite on the performance of male broilers after starting period.
Does Biofilm Formation Aid Colonization and Infection in Campylobacter

Biofilm formation can promote the colonisation of host and non-host environments for some bacteria. In some species cell aggregation and attachment are key pathogenic determinants. However, in Campylobacter, many questions remain about the importance of biofilms for surface attachment in order to establish an infection in animals or humans. In this chapter, we explore the factors that influence biofilm formation in Campylobacter, and discuss this in the context of invasion, colonisation and the onset of disease.
Antioxidative changes in Citrus reticulata L. induced by drought stress and its effect on root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The objective of the study is to understand drought induced oxidative stress scavenging mechanism in Citrus reticulata in order to understand the interplay between different biochemical components and antioxidants within plant tissue and its effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and spore density. For this, citrus plants were subjected to water stress by avoiding watering plants for different time periods. Different biochemical and physiological parameters were measured following water stress. Biochemical components such as total sugar and total soluble protein increased along with decline in relative water content and total chlorophyll content during water stress. Accumulation of foliar non enzymatic antioxidants such as carotenoid and ascorbic acid as well as proline were found to be gradually enhanced under water stress. There were significant changes in the activities of antioxidative enzymes such as peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The stress signals like hydrogen peroxide and malonaldehyde increased under water deficit condition as a response to oxidative damage promoted by lipid peroxidation under elevated free radical formation. Besides, percentage root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and number of spores increased markedly under prolonged drought. The results suggested that plant can withstand drought induced oxidative stress up to certain period, manifested by elevated level of non enzymatic antioxidant content and upregulation of antioxidative enzymes. Increased AMF colonization might also have some role in protecting the plants from drought induced oxidative injury.
Composition, chemical score (CS) and essential amino acid index (EAAI) of the crinkle grass Rhizoclonium sp. as ingredient for aquafeeds.

Biochemical analyses were done on the crinkle grass Rhizoclonium sp. to evaluate its nutritive value for use in aquafeeds. Crinkle grass were collected from two brackish water sources (Leganes and Arevalo both in the Iloilo Province, Philippines). Regardless of collection site, proximate analyses showed that crude protein, fiber and ash were in the ranges measured for other macroalgae; crude fat values, in contrast, were lower. As for the amino acid composition, aspartic and glutamic acids (13 and 15%, respectively) exhibited the highest proportion but were lower than the values of 26 and 32%, respectively, measured in other green seaweeds. The Arevalo seaweed exhibited higher essential amino acid content (EAA, 31.1 g 100 g protein) than in those from Leganes (48.3 g 100 g protein). The ratio of EAA to non-essential AA was higher in the Arevalo seaweed (1.11:1) than that in the Leganes seaweed. The EAA index (EAAI) of the seaweed from either site for the Nile tilapia and for the tiger prawn exhibited similar values. The first and second limiting amino acid in Leganes Rhizoclonium for the Nile tilapia was Tryptophan (Trp) and Lysine (Lys) while the Arevalo seaweed were Methionine (Met) and Trpt for the first and second limiting AA, respectively. For the tiger shrimp, Leganes Rhizoclonium exhibited Phenylalanine (Phe) and Lys, while the Arevalo seaweed were Met and Phe (first and second limiting EAA). All the other amino acids (7 out of 10 in seaweeds from Leganes and 6 out of 10 in those from Arevalo) were either higher than or equal to their EAA requirements. The chemical scores (CS) of the seaweed were similar for the Nile tilapia (62.2 and 62.0, respectively) for the Leganes and Arevalo Rhizoclonium. For Penaeus monodon, the CS of the seaweed was similar with that of the Leganes seaweed (64.3) but was markedly lower (41.9) in the Arevalo seaweed. Conclusions: Proximate composition of Rhizoclonium sp. varied slightly with the sampling site. Chemical scores could be similar or variable, but the kind of limiting amino acids varied. Rhizoclonium sp. regardless of habitat exhibited EAAI around 1.0 pointing to a well-balanced AA content. All the determined parameters pointed to the possibility of incorporating the seaweed and supplementing other protein components in the diets of the Nile tilapia and in the tiger prawn.