Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degradation in the rumen of treated and untreated soya bean meal proteins

In order to estimate the quantity of solubilized nitrogen in the rumen that can contribute to intestinal feed non-ammonia nitrogen, degradation in the rumen was studied both for a control soya bean meal (cSBM) and a treated one (tSBM) to assess simultaneously the kinetics of: 1) protein dis- appearance from rumen bags and 2) rumen fluid contents in various nitrogen fractions in the rumen fluid: total nitrogen (Nt), ammonia nitrogen (NH non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN), peptides-N and amino acids-N, and true protein (protein-N). Measurements were taken on four sheep fed suc- cessively with four diets consisting of hay plus one of the two meals, in the proportion of 40 % and 20 % control meal (cSBM 40 % and cSBM 20 %), 40 % treated meal (tSBM) and a control diet based on hay alone supplemented with starch and urea (HSU). The effective degradability estimated with the nylon bag method was 0.727 and 0.502 for cSBM and tSBM, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the cSBM conglycinins were degraded at a higher rate in the rumen than glycinins. The same proteins were degraded at a slower rate in the tSBM. Most of the nitrogen degraded in the rumen fluid was in NHform, and only 30 % as NAN. For cSBM, NAN comprised protein-N (concentration was low 1 and 2 h after feeding), pep- tides-N and amino acids-N, while for the treated meal the NAN comprised solely peptides-N and amino acids-N. These results showed that for soya bean meal - a feed in which the dietary proteins are strongly degraded at moderate rates - very little of the solubilized proteins from the bags can escape degradation in the rumen. Whatever the meal studied (treated or untreated), the estimation of feed NAN in rumen fluid able to escape degradation in the rumen compared to the degraded proteins (calculated from the degradation in nylon bags) was negligible (about 1 %). (© Elsevier / Inra).
Phylogeography and Phylogenetic Evolution in Tibetan Sheep Based on MT-CYB Sequences

Simple Summary The molecular and population genetic evidence of the phylogenetic status of the Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) is not well understood, and little is known about this species’ genetic diversity. The aim of the present research was to explore phylogeography and phylogenetic evolution of Tibetan sheep populations, on the basis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene MT-CYB (1140 base pairs). The results of this study will add information to the Tibetan sheep populations and help enlighten upcoming programs related to conservation of Tibetan sheep living in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Abstract To date, molecular genetics and population studies in Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) have been limited, and little is known about the phylogenetic evolution and phylogeography of Tibetan sheep populations. The aim of the present research was to explore phylogeography and phylogenetic evolution of Tibetan sheep populations, on the basis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene MT-CYB (1140 base pairs). Our dataset consisted of 641 MT-CYB sequences from the same amount of animals belonging to 15 populations of Tibetan sheep living in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.748 ± 0.010 and 0.003 ± 0.001, respectively. The analysis of phylogeography revealed the presence of two formerly described haplogroups in 15 populations of Tibetan sheep, however only one haplogroup was present in Awang sheep. Moreover, 641 Tibetan sheep were distributed into a minimum of two clusters by clustering analysis. The 15 Tibetan sheep populations and 19 reference populations of 878 individuals were separated into six main groups based on their substitutions per site, from which we constructed a phylogenetic tree. Minor differences in branching order of various taxa between trees acquired from either gene were observed. This study provides insights on the origins and phylogenetic evolution of populations residing in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, which will aid information of future conservation programs aimed at conserving this valuable genetic resource.
NetExtractor: Extracting a Cerebellar Tissue Gene Regulatory Network Using Differentially Expressed High Mutual Information Binary RNA Profiles

Bigenic expression relationships are conventionally defined based on metrics such as Pearson or Spearman correlation that cannot typically detect latent, non-linear dependencies or require the relationship to be monotonic. Further, the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic noise as well as embedded relationships between sample sub-populations reduces the probability of extracting biologically relevant edges during the construction of gene co-expression networks (GCNs). In this report, we address these problems via our NetExtractor algorithm. NetExtractor examines all pairwise gene expression profiles first with Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to identify sample sub-populations followed by mutual information (MI) analysis that is capable of detecting non-linear differential bigenic expression relationships. We applied NetExtractor to brain tissue RNA profiles from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project to obtain a brain tissue specific gene expression relationship network centered on cerebellar and cerebellar hemisphere enriched edges. We leveraged the PsychENCODE pre-frontal cortex (PFC) gene regulatory network (GRN) to construct a cerebellar cortex (cerebellar) GRN associated with transcriptionally active regions in cerebellar tissue. Thus, we demonstrate the utility of our NetExtractor approach to detect biologically relevant and novel non-linear binary gene relationships.
Prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and selected cardiovascular diseases in hypertensive and normotensive participants in the adult Polish population

Abstract Hypertension is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components i.e., diabetes, obesity, elevated triglycerides (TG), low HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, as well as selected manifestations of CVD i.e., atrial fibrillation (AF), peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in persons with and without hypertension in the Polish population. The analysis included participants of Polish multicentre WOBASZ II Study i.e., 6163 persons aged 19 and above. The Mantel Haenszel anlysis and multidimensional logistic regression model were used to assess the relations between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components as well as selected manifestations of CVD with hypertension. Compared to normotensives, metabolic syndrome was over 5 times more prevalent in participants with hypertension (OR = 5.35, 95% CI:4.71–6.09). Components of the metabolic syndrome and selected manifestations of CVD were more prevalent in participants with hypertension compared to normotensives. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were as follows: obesity counted as BMI > 30 kg/m2 OR = 2.58 (2.26–2.96), raised triglycerides OR = 2.34 (2.07–2.64), reduced HDL-C OR = 1.81 (1.59–2.06), metabolic syndrome OR = 5.35 (4.71–6.09), diabetes OR = 2.54 (1.98–3.26), AF OR = 1.47 (1.09–2.00), PAD OR = 1.51 (1.14–1.99), CAD OR = 1.94 (1.52–2.49), MI OR = 1.89 (1.32–2.70), hospitalization due to HF OR = 2.02 (1.43–2.87), hospitalization due to exacerbation of CAD OR = 2.13 (1.58–2.86), hospitalization due to revascularization OR = 2.38 (1.49–3.80), hospitalization due to stroke OR = 1.72 (1.1–2.68). Compared to normotensive participants, persons with hypertension had higher prevalence of diabetes, obesity, MS, PAD, CAD, stroke, MI and AF, and more frequent need for hospitalization due to HF, exacerbation of CAD and for coronary revascularization.
Face-to-Face Compared With Online Collected Accounts of Health and Illness Experiences: A Scoping Review

Advocates of online alternatives to face-to-face interviewing suggest online approaches save money and time, whereas others have raised concerns about the quality and content of the resulting data. These issues affect researchers designing and costing their studies and application reviewers and research funders. We conducted a scoping review of English language articles describing the range of online alternative approaches. Furthermore, we systematically identified studies directly comparing online alternatives with face-to-face approaches. Synthesis of these 11 articles (565 participants) suggests that online alternatives should not be viewed as a straightforward replacement for face-to-face, a particularly important finding given the rapid communication changes occurring in the COVID-19 pandemic. When applied with consideration of the evolving evidence on their strengths and weaknesses, online methods may increase the likelihood of obtaining the desired sample, but responses are shorter, less contextual information is obtained, and relational satisfaction and consensus development are lower.
Necdin regulates BMAL1 stability and circadian clock through SGT1-HSP90 chaperone machinery

Abstract Circadian clocks are endogenous oscillators that control ∼24-hour physiology and behaviors in virtually all organisms. The circadian oscillator comprises interconnected transcriptional and translational feedback loops, but also requires finely coordinated protein homeostasis including protein degradation and maturation. However, the mechanisms underlying the mammalian clock protein maturation is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that necdin, one of the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)-causative genes, is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the pacemaker of circadian clocks in mammals. Mice deficient in necdin show abnormal behaviors during an 8-hour advance jet-lag paradigm and disrupted clock gene expression in the liver. By using yeast two hybrid screening, we identified BMAL1, the core component of the circadian clock, and co-chaperone SGT1 as two necdin-interactive proteins. BMAL1 and SGT1 associated with the N-terminal and C-terminal fragments of necdin, respectively. Mechanistically, necdin enables SGT1-HSP90 chaperone machinery to stabilize BMAL1. Depletion of necdin or SGT1/HSP90 leads to degradation of BMAL1 through the ubiquitin–proteasome system, resulting in alterations in both clock gene expression and circadian rhythms. Taken together, our data identify the PWS-associated protein necdin as a novel regulator of the circadian clock, and further emphasize the critical roles of chaperone machinery in circadian clock regulation.
Safe surgeries: elaboration and validation of a checklist for outpatient surgical procedures.

PURPOSE To prepare and validate the content of a checklist in order to assure the safety for outpatient surgical procedures. METHOD Methodological research, performed between May and December 2018, as per three stages: 1) preparation of the checklist; 2) validation of content by five judges; and 3) preliminary testing of the instrument. The concord, among the judges, was measured by the Content Validity Index and the values over 0.9 were considered as being satisfactory. RESULTS Initially the instrument was prepared having 58 items, considering the heading and six topics. In the first round, two topics and 27 items had an index below 0.9. After reformulations, in the second round, only two items had values below 0.9 and, in the third, all items reached an index of 1.0. Along the preliminary testing, modifications were realized. The final version it has 43 items, distributed as per five topics. CONCLUSION The "Checklist for Safe Surgery regarding Ambulatory Surgical Procedures" was prepared and its contents were validated.
Structure, Morphology, and Photoelectric Performances of Te-Sb2Se3 Thin Film Prepared via Magnetron Sputtering

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has been widely investigated as a promising absorber material for photovoltaic devices. However, low open-circuit voltage (Voc) limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of Sb2Se3-based cells, largely due to the low-charge carrier density. Herein, high-quality n-type (Tellurium) Te-doped Sb2Se3 thin films were successfully prepared using a homemade target via magnetron sputtering. The Te atoms were expected to be inserted in the spacing of (Sb4Se6)n ribbons based on increased lattice parameters in this study. Moreover, the thin film was found to possess a narrow and direct band gap of approximately 1.27 eV, appropriate for harvesting the solar energy. It was found that the photoelectric performance is related to not only the quality of films but also the preferred growth orientation. The Te-Sb2Se3 film annealed at 325 °C showed a maximum photocurrent density of 1.91 mA/cm2 with a light intensity of 10.5 mW/cm2 at a bias of 1.4 V. The fast response and recovery speed confirms the great potential of these films as excellent photodetectors.
Production of cyanobacterial toxins from two Nostoc species (Nostocales) and evaluation of their cytotoxicity in vitro

Cyanobacteria are among the oldest autotrophic organisms with cosmopolitan distribution and known as producers of secondary metabolites with toxic properties named “cyanotoxins”. Studies with respect to toxin production of genus Nostoc are yet limited. In the present study we have investigated two Nostoc species (Nostoc linckia and Nostoc punctiforme) for production of intracellular and/or extracellular compounds with cytotoxic potential. Extracts and algal growth media were assessed by different in vitro tests using freshly established mouse primary cultures from different tissues and one fish cell line. Our data showed that the mouse cells are more sensitive to toxic compounds than the fish cells. Both Nostoc species produced intracellular and extracellular bioactive compounds with different effects on mouse and fish cells. The presence of cyanotoxins as anatoxin-a and microcystins/nodularin was confirmed by HPLC and ELISA analyses. Therefore, Nostoc species are not only sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic action, but they can be a potential hazard to aquatic systems as well as to animal and human health.
Elevated Temperature Affects Phenotypic Plasticity in the Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana, Phaeophyceae)

The sensitivity of kelps to elevated temperatures has been linked to recent declines in some kelp populations, with cascading impacts on marine communities. However, it remains unclear how thermal stress affects the ability of kelps to respond to other environmental factors, which could influence their vulnerability to climate change. We investigated the effect of thermal stress on the ability of the bull kelp Nereocystis luetkeana to acclimate to its surrounding hydrodynamic environment through tension‐regulated plasticity in blade morphology. We first determined optimal and stressful temperatures for N. luetkeana by measuring growth over nine temperatures from 5°C to 22°C. We then exposed N. luetkeana blades to a factorial combination of temperature (13°C and 20°C) and tension (0.5 N and 2.0 N) simulating different flow conditions, and measured changes in blade length and width after 7 days. The temperature at which N. luetkeana exhibited maximum growth was estimated to be ~11.9°C, though growth was high over a relatively wide temperature range. When thermally stressed, N. luetkeana maintained morphological responses to simulated high flow, but were inhibited from acclimating to low flow, indicated by an inability of blades to widen. Our results suggest that N. luetkeana in sheltered habitats may be particularly vulnerable to climate warming, where an inability to adjust blade morphology to local hydrodynamic conditions could drive declines at sublethal levels of warming. As ecologically important foundation species, declines in sheltered kelp populations could result in major biodiversity loss and disrupt ecosystem function.
A novel angiotensin II peptide vaccine without an adjuvant in mice

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objectives: We recently developed a novel peptide, AJP001, that possesses both a mouse T-cell epitope and adjuvant action. Direct conjugation to the antigen is useful for peptide vaccines without the addition of adjuvants. In this study, the efficacy of an angiotensin (Ang) II and AJP001-conjugated peptide vaccine (AJ-Ang II) was evaluated in mice. Methods: The anti-Ang II antibody titer was measured in Balb/C mice following three injections of AJ-Ang II at 2-week intervals. SBP was measured during vaccination of Balb/C mice treated with Ang II infusion (1 μg/kg per min). Results: AJ-Ang II treatment resulted in an increase in the anti-Ang II antibody titer in a dose-dependent manner without the addition of adjuvants. In the analysis of the humoral immune response, AJ-Ang II mainly elicited IgG1 antibodies and IL-4 and IL-10 production, as measured by an enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot assay, which suggests the induction of a Th2 response. Importantly, cotreatment with purified antibodies attenuated Ang II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. The SBP in immunized mice was significantly lower than that in nonimmunized mice (135.9 ± 8.5 vs. 154.9 ± 16.8 mmHg, P = 0.02). Furthermore, Ang II-induced perivascular fibrosis in the heart was significantly attenuated in immunized mice, which also exhibited decreased mRNA expression of collagen I/III and transforming growth factor-β. Conclusion: AJ-Ang II may be a simple and useful therapeutic peptide vaccine without the addition of any adjuvants.
An analysis of the diurnal course of growth, carbon dioxide exchange and carbohydrate reserve content of cucumber

A detailed study was made of the diurnal course of carbon dioxide exchange, transpiration and carbohydrate reserve levels in different organs of young cucumberplants, cultivated in climate rooms under 'spring' or 'winter' conditions. Under spring conditions the stomata closed after about 8 hours light, causing a decrease in the rate of CO 2 uptake. This closure could not be ascribed to water shortage. Under winter conditions CO 2 production rapidly decreased after about 12 hours darkness, as a result of carbohydrate depletion. Additional respiration substrates were provided by protein breakdown. Reducing the air temperature during that period from 25 °C to 12 °C caused an increase in rate of plant growth, probably by reducing the amount of protein breakdown. The moment at which starch reserves were depleted was, under the conditions studied, independent of the amounts formed and seems to be 'preprogrammed'. Majority of the carbohydrate reserves formed during the day were used as respiration substrates. A comparison of the measured amounts of CO 2 production with theoretically derived values, showed a discrepancy which may be explained by underestimation of the amount of protein turnover.Furthermore a new method is described for calibration of differential water vapour analysers and also for mixing pure CO 2 with CO 2 -free air to obtain air mixtures with various constant CO 2 -concentrations.
Mothers’ Interpretations of the Behavior of Their Infants with Visual and Other Impairments during Interactions

In this study, seven mothers of infants with visual and other impairments identified behaviors that they considered meaningful and interpreted these behaviors. The mothers identified 14 of 22 subcategories of behaviors that a previous study of mothers with sighted infants had identified. Not only was the range of behaviors they interpreted limited, but over 65 percent of their interpretations fell into only two of the 16 subcategories previously identified (attention preference and intentional behavior: desire). The implications for early intervention and future research are discussed.
Ecology of Seed Dispersal

Identification of the selective forces on plant dispersal engenders theoretical argument, empirical study, and speculation. We separate evidence, testable hypotheses, and conjecture surrounding two major questions in dispersal ecology. The first asks what ecological, and ultimately evolutionary, advantages exist in seed dispersal. Astonishingly little is known about the advantages to a parent plant that are actually conferred by investment in dispersal structures. Does dispersal enable seeds and ultimately seedlings to escape mortality near the parent? Is continual recolonization of unstable habitats the primary advantage? Must seeds find rare microhabitats suitable for reestablishment? Such issues are addressed through joint consideration of dispersal and establishment-those stages both mediated by parental provisioning and subject to the highest mortality in the life of a plant. The second broad question asks what general and explicit environmental forces influence the timing and mode of dispersal. Do climates or seasons favor one dispersal mode over another? Do differences in number, size, morphology, or nutritional quality of fruits influence frugivore choice, and consequently differential dispersal of species or individuals within species? Studies of dispersal process and mode should be intimately connected. A general objective of this paper is to explore the degree to which they are integrated and, in so doing, to catalyze their union. We emphasize topics most in need of critical attention: the evolutionary ecology of dispersal process and mode. Excellent recent reviews consider such related topics as dispersal mechanism (131, 184), seed dormancy (1, 30), phytogeography (11, 115, 146), masting and predator satiation (105, 156), and succession (68, 69, 189).
In Vitro Discovery of Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Extract with Moderate Chelating Ability, and Survey of other in Vitro Bioactivities

Ferrous chelating ability of aqueous mesocarp extract of watermelon(Citrullus lanatus ) was discovered at the lowest concentration(1%). The aqueous extract of the plant part(mesocarp, the edible portion) displayed moderate chelating ability(55.45,% at 15min) in vitro for ferrous ion(Fe 2+ ). The extract failed to bind Fe 2+ at other concentrations(2- 5%). The extract also failed to chelate ferric ion(Fe 3+ ) in vitro at 1% concentration.This discovery was fortunate in that the aqueous extract of the plant at that concentration (1%) could be strategically targeted for the reduction of iron( ii ) ion in all situations of iron-overload disorders because of its moderate chelating potential.The in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation by aqueous extract of watermelon plant parts was in the order:epicarp > endocarp > mesocarp.The aqueous extract of the three parts of the plant showed weak inhibition of lipid peroxidation in vitro(2.58±0.19 to 27.50±1.03 % ) within the concentration range investigated(2 -10%). The aqueous extract of C.lanatus failed to scavenge nitric oxide radical in vitro, but 70 % methanolic extract demonstrated potent in vitro nitric oxide radical scavenging potential at all concentrations investigated(2- 10%). The in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous mesocarp was in the region of 60% activity for all the concentrations(2- 10%), and their differences were not significant (P >0.05). The in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the endocarp(70% methanol),mesocarp(water extract) and epicarp(70% methanol) of the plant were remarkable ,mostly in the vicinity of 80% activity for most of the concentrations.The in vitro nitric oxide scvaenging potentials of the 70% methanolic extract were 71.3% at 2% concentration and 70.4% at 4% concentration for endocarp and epicarp extracts ,respectively. The 70% methanolic extract of the plant could be exploited for the treatment of inflammatory diseases because of its potent in vitro nitric oxide scavenging capability.