Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of pulmonary rehabilitation as a management strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a critical interpretive synthesis

Abstract Purpose To establish literature regarding healthcare professionals’ perceptions of pulmonary rehabilitation as a management strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method A critical interpretive synthesis was conducted; CINAHL, PsychINFO and MEDLINE were searched between 1988 and August 2019, using MeSH headings and key terms. Reference lists of accepted papers were also searched. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies, written in English, including healthcare professionals’ perceptions of pulmonary rehabilitation were included. The search yielded 133 papers which were assessed for eligibility; 20 met the inclusion criteria. Results Two themes were identified, the first explored “Barriers to Pulmonary Rehabilitation” from a healthcare professional’s perspective. This incorporated a lack of knowledge, a lack of resources, practical barriers, patient barriers, and healthcare professional’s being unsure it is their role to refer. The second entitled “General Perceptions of Pulmonary Rehabilitation”, highlighted ways in which the programme could be improved, the perceived positives and negatives, facilitators to referral, and perceptions of patients referred. Conclusions This is the first systematic review to encompass the perceptions of healthcare professionals with ability to refer and those who deliver pulmonary rehabilitation. Referral was low, highlighting potential influencing factors such as a lack of programme knowledge, pulmonary rehabilitation beliefs, and communication skills. Given inclusion of studies from multiple geographical locations, the findings provide implications for any healthcare system that develops and delivers pulmonary rehabilitation. With respect of a lack of referrals to the programme, further research should highlight healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the referral process, and the views of those in Secondary Care. Implications for rehabilitation Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: •Pulmonary rehabilitation is a proven cost-effective management strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which reduces associated hospital admissions and increases quality of life. •Due to a lack of knowledge and negative perceptions surrounding pulmonary rehabilitation, further training and education is required for healthcare professionals surrounding non-pharmacological management strategies. •Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes should consider ways to increase awareness of the service amongst those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. •Those delivering pulmonary rehabilitation should consider ways to support healthcare professionals referring to the programme.
Expression levels of FSHR, IGF1R, CYP11al and HSD3β in cumulus cells can predict in vitro developmental competence of bovine oocytes

Summary The efficiency of in vitro embryo production technologies would be improved by the development of suitable non-invasive biomarkers that allow the selection of good quality cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). The present study used whole, single oocyte culture to investigate whether the expression levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), insulin-like factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and three steroidogenesis-related enzymes (CYP11al, CYP19al and HSD3β) in cumulus cells reflected the developmental competence of COCs. Cumulus cells were collected from single COCs before maturation culture and relative mRNA levels were assessed using real-time PCR. The analysis indicated that mRNAs for FSHR, IGF1R, CYP11al and HSD3β were present at higher levels in cumulus cells from COCs that failed to form blastocysts compared with cumulus cells from COCs that formed blastocysts. Moreover, FSHR and IGF1R mRNA levels were positively correlated with those of genes for steroidogenesis-related enzymes. In conclusion, poor developmental competence of COCs was related to higher expression of FSHR, IGF1R, CYP11al and HSD3β in cumulus cells, which may indicate the advanced differentiation of cumulus cells into granulosa cells.
Self-Sterility and Cryptic Self-Fertility in Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae)

Campsis radicans is almost completely self-sterile following pollinations of pure self-pollen, but when self- and cross-pollen are present in similar amounts, ca. one in six viable seeds is sired by self-pollen. The amount of selfing depends in part on the identity of the cross-pollen donor in the pollen mixture. Selfed seeds are smaller on average than outcrossed seeds. Seed sizes in fruits from mixed (self + cross) pollinations are more variable than those from cross-pollinations, with a larger number of small, often inviable seeds. Most of these small seeds are presumed to be products of selfing. Selfed seeds do not occur in particular positions along the length of the fruit. After 6-7 wk seedling growth, outcrossed seedlings were taller and heavier than selfed seedlings. Selection for the avoidance of selfing is likely to have been important in the evolution of protandry in Campsis and perhaps in the large "overproduction" of flowers, which permits selective fruit abortion. We discuss the possible roles of late-acting self-incompatibility and inbreeding depression in preventing fruit production following pure self-pollinations. We propose the term "pistillate sorting" to refer to events taking place in or on a pistil that cause the parentage of viable seeds to be other than a random sample from the pollen deposited on the stigma.
The polycomb group protein PCGF6 mediates germline gene silencing by recruiting histone-modifying proteins to target gene promoters

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are essential for maintenance of lineage fidelity by coordinating developmental gene expression programs. Polycomb group ring finger 6 (PCGF6) has been previously reported to repress expression of lineage-specific genes, especially germ cell–related genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) via the noncanonical polycomb repressive complex PRC1.6. However, the molecular mechanism of this repression remains largely unknown. Here, using RNA-Seq, real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and ChIP analyses, we demonstrate that PCGF6 plays an essential role in embryonic development, indicated by the partially penetrant embryonic lethality in homozygous PCGF6 (Pcgf6−/−)-deficient mice. We also found that surviving Pcgf6-deficient mice exhibit reduced fertility. Using the Pcgf6-deficient mice, we observed that ablation of Pcgf6 in somatic tissues robustly derepresses germ cell–related genes. We further provide evidence that these genes are direct targets of PCGF6 in ESCs and that endogenous PCGF6 co-localizes with the histone-modifying proteins G9A histone methyltransferase (G9A)/G9a-like protein (GLP) and histone deacetylase 1/2 (HDAC1/2) on the promoters of the germ cell–related genes. Moreover, the binding of these proteins to their target genes correlated with methylation of Lys-9 of histone 3 and with the status of histone acetylation at these genes. Moreover, the recruitment of G9A/GLP and HDAC1/2 to target promoters depended on the binding of PCGF6. Our findings indicate that PCGF6 has a critical role in safeguarding lineage decisions and in preventing aberrant expression of germ cell–related genes.
Modulation of innate immune signaling by a Coxiella burnetii eukaryotic-like effector protein

Significance Coxiella burnetii is a stealth pathogen that evades innate immune recognition by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. This process is mediated by the bacterial Dot/Icm secretion system; however, the bacterial effector/s, as well as the molecular mechanism involved in this process have remained unknown to date. Here, by investigating C. burnetii proteins with eukaryotic-like features (EUGENs), we discovered a new effector protein, NopA (nucleolar protein A), which localizes at nucleoli of infected cells and perturbs nucleocytoplasmic transport by manipulating the intracellular gradients of the GTPase Ran. In doing so, NopA reduces the nuclear levels of transcription factors involved in the innate immune sensing of pathogens and single-handedly down-modulates the expression of a panel of cytokines. The Q fever agent Coxiella burnetii uses a defect in organelle trafficking/intracellular multiplication (Dot/Icm) type 4b secretion system (T4SS) to silence the host innate immune response during infection. By investigating C. burnetii effector proteins containing eukaryotic-like domains, here we identify NopA (nucleolar protein A), which displays four regulator of chromosome condensation (RCC) repeats, homologous to those found in the eukaryotic Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) RCC1. Accordingly, NopA is found associated with the chromatin nuclear fraction of cells and uses the RCC-like domain to interact with Ran. Interestingly, NopA triggers an accumulation of Ran-GTP, which accumulates at nucleoli of transfected or infected cells, thus perturbing the nuclear import of transcription factors of the innate immune signaling pathway. Accordingly, qRT-PCR analysis on a panel of cytokines shows that cells exposed to the C. burnetii nopA::Tn or a Dot/Icm-defective dotA::Tn mutant strain present a functional innate immune response, as opposed to cells exposed to wild-type C. burnetii or the corresponding nopA complemented strain. Thus, NopA is an important regulator of the innate immune response allowing Coxiella to behave as a stealth pathogen.
Positive Correlation between Circulating Fetuin A and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Military Males.

INTRODUCTION Fetuin-A serves a dual function; its high levels are associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and on the other hand, it serves as a potent inhibitor of vascular ectopic calcification. Because of the opposing findings, the aim of the current study was to investigate serum fetuin-A levels in military personnel males with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS In the case-control study, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined in 83 military personnel males (43 CAD patients and 40 control subjects). At last, the serum fetuin-A levels were measured using the fetuin-A human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS A significant differences were detected among the two groups for triglyceride and cholesterol levels (P=0.003 and P=0.002, respectively). The mean fetuin A levels were determined 230.57 ± 63.76 and 286.35 ± 64.07 µg/ml for the control group and the CAD patients, respectively (P<0.001). Fetuin A were significantly correlated to the severity of CAD (r 0.393, P<0.001) and associated with the risk of CAD in subjects (OR [CI] = 1. 144 [1.060-1. 235]; p = 0.001). A cut-off value of 237.4 µg/ml had good sensitivity (76.7%) and specificity (65.0%) for differentiating between two groups [area under curve (AUC) = 0.732 (CI=0.621-0.842); p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that fetuin A levels were positively correlated to the severity of CAD. The findings suggest that there are a possible link between pathogenic mechanisms of atherosclerosis and fetuin A; however, more investigations are needed in this regard.
Early inbreeding depression and pollen competition in Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull

We investigated whether partial self-sterility in Calluna vulgaris results from abortion of selfed offspring owing to inbreeding depression or a late-acting self-incompatibility mechanism, and whether self-pollen interferes with normal functioning of cross-pollen. Self-pollination resulted in 75% less seed set than cross-pollination. Self-pollen tubes reached ovaries and penetrated ovules as often as those of cross-pollen. Following self-pollination, examination of the size of undeveloped seeds showed that at least 70% resulted from ovule fertilization and arrest of development occurred at various stages. All self-pollinated plants produced seeds and self-fertility varied among plants. These results indicate that the reduced seed set observed in self-pollination is more likely the result of inbreeding depression rather than a late-acting self-incompatibility system. The fecundity component of inbreeding depression was high (0.762). Seed set was reduced by an average of 40% when self-pollen was mixed with cross-pollen, compared to pure cross-pollination. Using genetic markers, we found about 20% of seeds resulted from self-pollination in mixed pollinated fruits. C. vulgaris is likely to experience self-pollination in nature and our data suggest this will reduce the number of ovules that might otherwise mature after cross-pollination. (C) 1999 Annals of Botany Company.
Lymph vessel defects in patients with ovarian dysgenesis

Lymphangiography of the lower extremities was performed in 21 patients with ovarian dysgenesis. Seventeen subjects turned out to have hypoplastic superficial lymph vessels of the lower limbs. Aplasia of the lymphatics of the legs occurred in four instances. Hypoplastic lymph pathways were also observed in the pelvis and in the retroperitoneal space. Although the impairment of the lymphatic channels occurred in all cases of ovarian dysgenesis, it appears that it is more severe in patients with streak gonads. There was no correlation between the lymphatic defect and the karyotype. Patients with and without lymphedema had similar lymphatic defects. Our findings suggest that hypoplasia of the superficial lymph vessels of the lower limbs is a common abnormality in patients with ovarian dysgenesis irrespective of their chromosomal complements. The hypothesis that lymphedema in ovarian dysgenesis is mainly attributable to hypoplasia of the lymphatic channels is supported by this study. However, it appears that other factor(s) may also play a role in the pathogenesis of the lymphedema, since, despite lymphatic hypoplasia, lymphedema does not develop in all instances.
Risk of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Connective Tissue Disease and The Impact of Immunosuppressive Therapy.

The risk of skin cancer in connective tissue disease and the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk has not been well studied. The objective of this study is to investigate the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with connective tissue disease and to assess the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk. This is a retrospective case control cohort study of 8281 patients with connective tissue disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s disease and scleroderma) and 8281 age, race, and gender matched controls followed for a 5-year period between 2002-2012, who obtained their care from a large integrated multispecialty group practice in Northern California. The odds ratio for developing squamous cell skin cancer among patients with connective tissue disease was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.14-1.90) (P=0.003) while the odds ratio for developing all non-melanoma skin cancer was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.08-1.49) (P=0.005). Patients on immunosuppressive medication for at least one year had an OR of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.16-2.45) of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (P=0.006) when controlled for age, race, gender, type of connective tissue disease, smoking status, and health care utilization. Our study shows an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer among patients with connective tissue disease. We also note that patients on immunosuppressive therapy for at least one year had an increased incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020. 4781.
Application of Target Detection Algorithm based on Deep Learning in Farmland Pest Recognition

Combining with deep learning technology, this paper proposes a method of farmland pest recognition based on target detection algorithm, which realizes the automatic recognition of farmland pest and improves the recognition accuracy. First of all, a labeled farm pest database is established; then uses Faster R-CNN algorithm, the model uses the improved Inception network for testing; finally, the proposed target detection model is trained and tested on the farm pest database, with the average precision up to 90.54%.
Renewable energy: the potential opportunities and obligations of plantation forestry

Global demand for woody biomass in substituting fossil fuels does, and will increasingly, place significant pressure on timber plantations and question conventional management practices. Plantations are rationally laid out, located in areas of high productivity, typically have good infrastructure, and are serviced by technologically efficient harvesting systems. Thus they have an inherent capacity to contribute more to bioenergy feedstocks than other, more natural, forms of forest or forest management. Sustainability goals are defined not only in terms of their in situ effect, but also in how they conform and contribute broadly to sustainable development at the local, regional and global levels. Renewable energy is generally recognised as a positive step on the pathway to sustainable development, but biomass-based renewable energy is becoming a controversial issue. In agriculture, the lure of first-generation biofuels is already distorting world food markets, energy crops such as sugar cane and oil palm continue to encroach on natural ecosystems, while in plantation forestry, everything from stumps and roots to branches and needles has taken on a new value. Not only does this threaten the ecological viability of the site, but it poses a challenge to forest management in suggesting a future and more direct competition for raw materials and the livelihoods of other users and satellite industries. Some level of trade-off between the long-term goals of plantation forestry, ecologically sound harvesting practices, and the benefits of renewable energy need to be arrived at. The challenge lies in ensuring an equitable incurrence of liabilities and distribution of benefits for all, while guaranteeing a feasible supply to a long-term investment in an energy conversion plant. Many argue that the free market should play itself out, oblivious to the fact that renewable energy plants are often subsidised. In this paper, we provide a general overview of some of the issues facing plantation forestry and the bioenergy harvest. The paper is presented primarily to stimulate discussion around issues of relevance to the emerging bioenergy sector.
Effects of pre-mating environmental stress, ACTH, cortisone acetate or metyrapone on oestrus and ovulation in sheep

Summary Administration of ACTH to Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes during days 13–16 of the pre-mating oestrous cycle resulted in a significant delay in the onset of oestrus (mean cycle length of 17·5 ± 0·39 days as compared with 16·4 ± 0·61 in a control group). Subsequent ovulation rate was significantly higher than in the control group (3·12 and 2·44 ova/ewe respectively). In a second experiment with Scottish Blackface ewes the effects on time of onset of oestrus and on ovulation rate of environmental stress, ACTH, cortisone acetate or metyrapone were studied. Environmental stress and administration of ACTH through the oestrous period significantly reduced ovulation rate (1·54 and 1·39 ova/ewe respectively) compared with the control (1·96). ACTH administered during days 13–16, as in the first experiment, and cortisone acetate administered through oestrus had no effect on ovulation rate (1·88 and 1·86 respectively). Administration of metyrapone reduced ovulation rate to 1·70 but this was not significantly different from the control. Both forms of ACTH treatment resulted in a delay in onset of oestrus but environmental stress had no effect on this character. Levels of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) were estimated on representative animals. These showed that ACTH and environmental stress influenced the pattern of the ovulatory surge of LH in respect of time of onset of the surge relative to onset of oestrus, duration of surge and peak levels.
Importance of the Shatsky Rise Area in the Kuroshio Extension as an offshore nursery ground for Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) and sardine (Sardinops melanostictus)

Recent findings suggest that recruitment of Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) and sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) depends on survival during not only the first feeding larval stage in the Japanese coastal waters and the Kuroshio front but also during the post-larval and juvenile stages in the Kuroshio Extension. Spatial distributions of juvenile anchovy and sardine around the Shatsky Rise area in the Kuroshio Extension region and the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region are described, based on a field survey in the late spring using a newly developed mid-water trawl for sampling juveniles. All stages of anchovy from post-larvae to juveniles were obtained in the northern Shatsky Rise area. The Kuroshio Extension bifurcates west of the Shatsky Rise area and eddies are generated, leading to higher chlorophyll concentrations than in the surrounding regions in April and May. When Japanese anchovy and sardine spawn near the Kuroshio front or the coastal waters south-east of Japan, their larvae are transported by the Kuroshio Extension and are retained in the Shatsky Rise area, which forms an important offshore nursery ground, especially during periods of high stock abundance.
Ambiguous response of Riptortus clavatus (Heteroptera: Alydidae) to different blends of its aggregation pheromone components

We investigated the attraction of Riptortus clavatus to different component compositions of its aggregation pheromone (mixture of three components) in the field by the use of sticky traps. In two-component tests, each of (E)-2-hexenyl(E)-2-hexenoate (EE) and (E)-2-hexenyl(Z)-3-hexenoate (EZ) mixed with myristyl isobutyrate (MI) showed equally synergistic effects in attracting R. clavatus relative to MI alone. There was no correlation between the degree of attractiveness and the dosages of EE or EZ added to MI. No significant difference was observed in the numbers of insects caught between traps baited with the three-component blend (MI+EE+EZ) and traps with two-component blends (MI+EE or MI+EZ). In addition, two-component blends (MI : EE or MI : EZ=2 : 1) were almost as attractive as the natural blend (MI : EE : EZ=1 : 5 : 1), and even in the absence of the main component, EE. R. clavatus responded to a wide range of the pheromone component blends without a particular optimum blending ratio. This might characterize the aggregation pheromone of this bug.
Influence of temperature and pathogen aggressiveness on biological control of fusarium root rot by Laccaria bicolor in Douglas-fir

The biological control of Fusarium root rot of Douglas-fir seedlings by Laccaria bicolor was studied in vitro. Primary roots of Douglas-fir seedlings were exposed to L. bicolor for 1 wk and then inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum. Resistance sufficient to prevent lethal infection was expressed to a nonagressive strain of F. oxysporum at 17 but not at 22 C. Resistance was not expressed against two aggressive strains of F. oxysporum at either temperature. The pathogen entered all inoculated roots but was restricted to cortical intercellular spaces in which effective resistance had been induced (.)
Deep cox1 divergence and hyperdiversity of Trigonopterus weevils in a New Guinea mountain range (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Riedel, A. , Daawia, D. & Balke, M. (2009). Deep cox1 divergence and hyperdiversity of Trigonopterus weevils in a New Guinea mountain range (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 63–74.