Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The antibacterial, antiviral activities and phytochemical screening of some Sudanese medicinal plants

Methanolic extracts were obtained from 30 parts of 23 different plants belonging to 19 families. Most of the plants are used traditionally to treat different illnesses in Sudan. The extracts were screened for their biological activities against bacterial pathogens including Escherichia coli, Staphyllococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae and two animal viruses representing two viral families, Newcastle Disease and Fowlpox Viruses. In addition, the extracts were evaluated for the presence of the major secondary metabolites classes. The highest activity recorded was obtained for Zizyphus spina-christi against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae. Seven of the tested extracts, showed virucidal activity of NDV while eight plant extracts exhibited high activity against replication of PV. Our results support, at least in part, the uses of most plants in ethnopharmacological claims.
Biallelic mutations in ABCB1 display recurrent reversible encephalopathy

The clinical phenotype linked with mutations in ABCB1, encoding P‐glycoprotein, has never been reported. Here, we describe twin sisters with biallelic mutations in ABCB1 who showed recurrent reversible encephalopathy accompanied by acute febrile or afebrile illness. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed on one of the twin and her healthy parents, and revealed compound heterozygous loss‐of‐function variants in ABCB1. The patient brains displayed substantial loss of xenobiotic clearance ability, as demonstrated by [11C]verapamil positron emission tomography (PET) study, linking this phenotype with ABCB1 function. The endogenous cytokine clearance from the brain was also decreased in LPS‐treated ABCB1 knockout mice compared to controls. The results provide insights into the physiological requirement of ABCB1 in maintaining homeostasis of various compounds for normal brain function.
Spillover effects of unconventional monetary policy on capital markets in the shadow of the Eurozone: A sample of non-Eurozone countries

Abstract The transmission mechanism has been dominated by direct monetary measures since the crisis of 2008. While the indirect impacts of the unconventional monetary instruments have not been fully explored yet. Monetary policy and funding conditions determine pricing sentiments for bond, stock and currency markets, represented by the volatilities of their main indicators: stock market indices, exchange rates, and yield premia. Our theoretical model takes spillover effects into account when it determines the variables which are responsible for volatility: the activities of international financial institutions (like the ESM or the IMF) are represented by dummy variables, while the limited autonomy in the shadow of the ECB is captured through gravity-like approaches. Six EU member states outside the Eurozone and Switzerland were analysed between 2007 and 2019 with random effect panel regression models to identify the differences in the impact of spillover effects on capital market volatilities. The results obtained are considered to be useful in mapping the potential effects of continuing monetary easing in the near future.
Heart rate as an indicator of activity, metabolic rate, food intake and digestion in pike, Esox lucius

For pike in the laboratory, the relationship between heart rate (fH) and oxygen consumption (VO2, mg h−1 standardized to a 500-g fish weight) can be described by a significant linear regression valid for heart rates below 55 beats min−1. Heart rate increases during activity and feeding, accurately reflecting fluctuations in metabolic rate; so it can be used as a measure of metabolic rate in the field, using heart beat telemetry techniques. Post-prandial heart rates are elevated, and closely correlated with the calorific value of the food taken in the preceding meal. Meal size can be estimated from the heart rate record with an error of less than 10%.
Convergence in Vegetation Structure along Analogous Climatic Gradients in California and Chile

A series of plant communities along analogous climatic gradients in southern California and central Chile has been analyzed to determine the extent of convergence in a variety of ecologically significant characters. Results show that, despite distinct genetic his- tories, the structure of the vegetations of these areas has converged under similar climatic constraints. Such characters as species richness, growth form, leaf duration, leaf size, and spines are quantitatively more similar between floristically distinct yet climatically analogous sites on the two continents than between floristically similar but climatically distinct sites a short distance apart on the same continent. Such findings, which hold true for both the native woody vegetation and the partially exotic herbaceous understory, provide quantitative support for the general hypothesis that plant form and community structure are highly determined, regardless of genetic constraints, by environmental parameters.
The developmental and professional activities of female international soccer players from five high-performing nations

ABSTRACT We study the developmental and professional activities engaged in by 86 female adult soccer players from the senior national teams of Australia, Canada, England, Sweden, and the United States of America. Players completed the Participation History Questionnaire (PHQ) to elicit the amount and type of activities engaged in across their developmental and professional years, including milestones, soccer-specific activity and engagement in other sport activity. Greater specialisation than diversification characterised their childhood developmental activities, including all players starting in soccer in childhood and accumulating more hours in soccer activity than other sports during this period. However, interindividual variation further characterised these childhood activities, with a proportion of players diversifying into other sports and/or soccer play to a greater or lesser degree during childhood when compared to the other players. The amount of coach-led soccer practice increased for all players across their development culminating in an average of 15–16 h/wk across a 40-week season in early adulthood. In contrast, the amount of engagement in other sports and soccer peer-led play varied between players but generally decreased across adolescence to negligible amounts in late adolescence. Findings are commensurate with the deliberate practice framework and early engagement.
Use of an Unguided, Web-Based Distress Self-Management Program After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Sub-Analysis of CaringGuidance Pilot Study

Background Unguided, web-based psychoeducational interventions are gaining interest as a way to reach patients while reducing pressure on clinical resources. However, there has been little research on how patients with cancer use these interventions. Objective The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how women newly diagnosed with breast cancer used the unguided web-based, psychoeducational distress self-management program CaringGuidance After Breast Cancer Diagnosis while enrolled in a pilot feasibility study. Methods Women with stage 0 to II breast cancer diagnosed within the prior three months were recruited from clinics primarily in the Northeastern United States for participation in a 12-week pilot study of CaringGuidance plus usual care versus usual care alone. Usage prompts included sets of emails sent weekly for 12 weeks; standardized congratulatory emails after every two hours of program use, and informative emails for each cognitive-behavioral exercise. Individual user activity on the site was automatically tracked by an analytics system and recorded directly in the CaringGuidance database. Results Complete usage data were available for 54 subjects. Ninety-eight percent of the intervention group logged into CaringGuidance independently at least once. Thirty-eight (70%) logged in during all three months, 15 (28%) were intermittent users, and one (2%) was a non-user. Users (n=53) averaged 15.6 (SD 9.85) logins. Mean logins were greatest in month 1 (7.26, SD 4.02) and declined in months 2 (4.32, SD 3.66) and month 3 (4.02, SD 3.82). Eleven (21%) used CaringGuidance with both the frequency and activity level intended at study outset, 9 (17%) exceeded intended frequency and activity (high-high users), and 10 (19%) were below expected usage on both login frequency and activity (low-low users). Low-low users and high-high users differed significantly (P<.001) in the total number of views and unique views of all program components. Change in depressive symptoms and the number of sessions (r=.351) and logins (r=.348) between study months 1 and 2 were significantly correlated (P=.018, .019). Higher baseline distress was associated with more unique views of program resources (r=.281, P=.043). Change in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3, and the number of users’ unique exercise views were negatively correlated (r=–.319, P=.035) so that more unique exercise views, equated with greater decline in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3. Conclusions These findings favor the hypothesis that the key ingredient is not the amount of program use, but each user’s self-selected activity within the program. More research is needed on the ideal ways to maintain use, and capture and define engagement and enactment of behaviors by people with cancer accessing unguided, self-management web-based programs.
Detection of Bifidobacterium Strains that Induce Large Quantities of IgA

An in vitro screening test using the murine Peyer's patch cell culture method was developed for detection of bifidobacteria which induce large quantities of IgA. Bifidobacteria grown for 48 h were added at a dose corresponding to an absorbance value of 0.275 at 660 nm to BALB/c mouse Peyer's patch cells, and 7 days later the quantities of IgA antibody in the culture supernatants were measured by an ELISA method. With this screening test, three strains of bifidobacteria capable of inducing large quantities of IgA were selected from 120 strains isolated from human faeces and identified as Bifidobacterium breve (two strains) and B. longum (one strain). When one of the three strains ( B. breve YIT 4064) was administered orally along with cholera toxin (CT) into mice, the amount of anti-CT IgA antibody in faeces and anti-CT IgA antibody production and proliferation in Peyer's patch cells tended to be greater and were significantly greater, respectively, than after administration of only CT or CT and B. breve Ka-6, which did not induce IgA. Keywords: Bifidobacterium ; Andjuvant activity; Peyer's patch; IgA; Cholera toxin.
Functional Analysis of AP-2 α and μ2 Subunits

The AP-2 adaptor complex plays a key role in cargo recognition and clathrin-coated vesicle formation at the plasma membrane. To investigate the functions of individual binding sites and domains of the AP-2 complex in vivo, we have stably transfected HeLa cells with wild-type and mutant small interfering RNA-resistant alpha and mu2 subunits and then used siRNA knockdowns to deplete the endogenous proteins. Mutating the PtdIns(4,5)P2 binding site of alpha, the phosphorylation site of mu2, or the YXXPhi binding site of mu2 impairs AP-2 function, as assayed by transferrin uptake. In contrast, removing the C-terminal appendage domain of alpha, or mutating the PtdIns(4,5)P2 binding site of mu2, has no apparent effect. However, adding a C-terminal GFP tag to alpha renders it completely nonfunctional. These findings demonstrate that there is some functional redundancy in the binding sites of the various AP-2 subunits, because no single mutation totally abolishes function. They also help to explain why GFP-tagged AP-2 never appears to leave the plasma membrane in some live cell imaging studies. Finally, they establish a new model system that can be used both for additional structure-function analyses, and as a way of testing tagged constructs for function in vivo.
Role of extracellular matrix molecules in shell formation and structure

Avian eggshells are natural composite bioceramics containing organic and inorganic phases. The occurrence and role of particular collagens and proteoglycans in the eggshell and their pattern of secretion by the oviduct is discussed. While type X collagen, the main constituent of the shell membranes, functions to inhibit their mineralisation, mammillan, a mammillary keratan sulphate proteoglycan, is involved in nucleation of the first calcite crystals of the shell and ovoglycan, a unique dermatan sulphate proteoglycan, is involved in the growth of the crystalline palisade. Eggshell biomineralisation is effected by specialised oviduct cell populations in a defined topographically and temporally regulated process.
Body composition and dietary patterns in professional and amateur bodybuilders

Abstract Significant factors affecting body composition and consequently professional and amateur bodybuilders’ performance are both training loads and diet. The aim was to assess dissimilarities in anthropometrical traits and body composition between males practicing bodybuilding professionally and as amateurs, considering their diet and training. The study comprised 55 athletes, i.e. 29 professionals attending national championships and 26 amateur bodybuilders. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements involving body height, waist, arm and thigh circumferences and skinfolds covering trunk and extremities. The original nutritional behavior questionnaire and a 24-hour survey were used. An electronic scale was used to measure body weight and body composition was analyzed with the BIA method. In statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk (W-test), t-student and Mann-Whitney U test were applied. An adipose tissue, assessed on the basis of skinfolds was significantly lower in professionals (p<0.05), whereas lower mean values of body fat free mass (FFM) were found in amateur bodybuilders (p<0.01). Diet survey presented differentiation both in the amount of consumed protein in the diet (1.98 g/kg), in its percentage participation in the diet (21.2%) in favor of the professionals (p<0.05). Significant differentiation was between the groups in the amount of consumed fats (p<0.05). In case of resistance trainings time, energy expenditure and number of trainings were higher for professionals (p<0.05). Bodybuilders feature better developed muscle mass of extremities and a smaller share of percentage of fat mass in body composition in comparison to amateurs. Professional bodybuilders consume proper amount of carbohydrates and fats and significantly higher level of protein, fiber and energy in diet compared to amateur group. In contrary, higher intake of fats is typical for amateur bodybuilders.
EFFETS DES FACTEURS ALIMENTAIRES SUR LA SYNTHÈSE RUMINALE DE VITAMINES B CHEZ LA VACHE LAITIÈRE

B-vitamins are synthesized by rumen microflora but knowledge on factors affecting this synthesis is very scarce. Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of dietary factors such as family forage or forage-to-concentrate ratio on B-vitamin ruminal syntheses. In study 1, eight Holstein cows were fed with diets containing either alfalfa or orchardgrass silages as sole forage. In study 2, fourteen Holstein cows were fed low-forage (44.8% forage) or high-forage (64.1% forage) diets. Apparent ruminal synthesis of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6 were greater with orchardgrass silage than with alfalfa silage. Using a low-forage diet increased ruminal syntheses of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin, reduced vitamin B6 degradation, but decreased ruminal synthesis of vitamin B12. These studies are a step towards identification of diets that may require B-vitamin supplementation to optimize milk production of dairy cows.
Acute Confusion Following Liver Transplantation: HE or Not HE, That Is the Question

A 45-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated orthotopic LT from a deceased donor for decompensated liver cirrhosis from hepatitis C [Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) 16]. Although virologic clearance was achieved 18 months prior, the patient had three hospitalisations for West-Haven grade III HE that were precipitated by infection, despite long-term lactulose and rifaximin. The patient was listed for LT for the indication of recurrent HE and was prioritised due to the incidental finding of a 14mm right renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The RCC was unresectable due to portal hypertension and technically unsuitable for cryoablation, therefore partial nephrectomy was planned post-LT. Pre-LT abdominal computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of a large (25mm diameter) SPSS, however embolization on the waitlist was not warranted as the patient had no further hospitalisations for HE.
Effect of Cooking Time, Steeping and Lime Concentration on Starch Gelatinization of Corn During Nixtamalization

White dent corn was nixtamalized under different conditions to evaluate thermal properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), swelling power and solubility. Cooking time was the factor that had the major influence on the behavior of the evaluated parameters as indicated by the analysis of variance. Onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization increased with increasing cooking time while gelatinization enthalpies decreased, indicating that more starch granules were gelatinized. A decrease in the swelling power was also observed at increasing cooking times, but solubility was significantly inhibited only if steeping was allowed. Considering these results, it was assumed that amylose-lipid complexes are being formed during cooking and reorganized during steeping. X-ray studies confirmed the presence of amylose-lipid complexes. Steeping also caused an increment in the peak temperature that seemed to support the hypothesis of recrystallization or annealing occurring during this nixtamalization step. Temperature ranges indicated that in general, lime acted as a factor for structural disorganization.
An ulnar parametacarpal perforator flap for volar digital soft tissue reconstruction

We present outcomes of using a perforator-based ulnar parametacarpal flap in 25 patients for digital pulp defects. These included 17 free transfers to the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers and eight reverse pedicled transfers to the little fingers. This flap includes a dorsal sensory branch of the ulnar nerve, which was sutured to the digital nerve in all transfers. Each flap had one to three reliable perforators (mean 0.44 mm diameter) to the ulnar parametacarpal region and contained at least one perforator within 2 cm proximal to the palmar digital crease. All the 25 flaps survived completely. Twenty-two patients were followed for 15 months (range 12 to 24), and three were lost to follow-up. The mean static and moving two-point discrimination of the flap was 7 mm and 5 mm, respectively. At the donor site, sensory reinnervation was acceptable. We conclude that ulnar parametacarpal perforator flaps offer sensate, thick and glabrous skin for finger pulp repair, all in a single operative field. Level of evidence: IV
Effect of raven Corvus corax scavenging on the kill rates of wolf Canis lupus packs

Abstract During late winter 1991 and 1992, we investigated the influence of raven Corvus corax scavenging on the predation rate by different-sized wolf Canis lupus packs on moose Alces alces in the Yukon Territory, Canada. To assess the magnitude of scavenging, we presented 10 ungulate carcasses, pre-warmed to simulate the flesh temperature of freshly-killed prey, to scavengers and measured their daily consumption. Ravens were by far the main scavengers and on average, we counted 18.5 ± 12.7 (SD) ravens and documented removal of 14.1 ± 1.3 (SE) kg biomass each day (N = 53 observation days). However, assuming a daily scavenging rate of 14 kg by ravens fails to explain the almost equally short handling times for moose carcasses of small, medium and large packs. Only when raven consumption rate varies with pack size can we match the observed pattern. Assuming complete consumption, daily raven scavenging has to be 43 kg for ravens feeding on the kills of small wolf packs, 21 kg for ravens feeding on the kills of medium packs and close to zero for ravens feeding on the kills of large packs. Thus raven-wolf competition is highest for small packs, where ravens manage to remove up to 75% of the edible biomass and very low for large packs where ravens hardly manage to remove any edible biomass. Large packs seem to leave less opportunity for ravens to feed on carcasses, possibly because some wolves are always present at the kill and either actively chase away ravens or inhibit access to the carcass.
DOES ECOSYSTEM SIZE DETERMINE AQUATIC BACTERIAL RICHNESS

With the advent of DNA-based molecular technologies, microbial ecologists now have the tools to test whether general ecological patterns apply to microorganisms. In this study, we selected 11 high-mountain lakes from Sierra Nevada (Spain) to test the predictions of island-biogeography theory in relation to ecosystem size and isolation, and to assess the influence of other factors (i.e., ecosystem productivity, resource richness, and biotic interactions) on bacterial community structure. Bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), generated by denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain-reaction-amplified 16S rRNA genes, were used as a surrogate of predominant “biodiversity units. ” OTU composition among lakes was heterogeneous, and the number of site-specific OTUs was near 50%. Lake remoteness did not affect the number of bacterial OTUs although the spatial distribution of the lakes significantly influenced bacterial composition. Lakes that were closer together had more similar bacterial .
Reducing uncertainty in the assessment and management of fish resources following an environmental impact

The limitations of using information from commercial fisheries for assessing and managing resources and ecosystems are well known. Although fishery-independent data may overcome many such limitations, few studies have examined how incorporating data from different sources affects assessments and subsequent management decisions. Here, the value of integrating data from two types of sampling survey to assess the recovery of faunal populations following a severe fish-kill event in the Richmond River (New South Wales, Australia) in 2008 is evaluated. There is occasional large-scale mortality of fish and invertebrates in certain estuaries of eastern Australia following major flood events. In extreme cases, the management response involves closing an entire estuary to all fishing, to facilitate the recolonization and recovery of fish and other fauna. Decisions to resume normal fishing activities have environmental, economic, and social implications. Using lessons learned from a similar fish-kill event in 2001, it is shown how, in 2008, fisheryindependent sampling, combined with improved sampling by commercial fishers, reduced uncertainty in decision-making and led to greatly improved socio-economic outcomes for stakeholders. The work highlights the need to examine the value of different sources of information to improve management decisions.