Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic correlations between female fertility and postweaning growth and feed efficiency traits in multibreed beef cattle

Abstract: With selection in beef cattle now incorporating feed efficiency, knowing the relationship with other traits is needed. Genetic relationships were estimated with an animal model in ASReml with a three-generation pedigree inclusive of 2882 animals. Multibreed data from two Ontario beef research farms with fertility traits were available on 1366 females and postweaning traits, including feed efficiency on 1297 individuals. Estimates of heritability for fertility traits were low to moderate ranging from 0.03 ± 0.01 for pregnancy rate to 0.21 ± 0.02 for gestation length, and postweaning traits were moderate to high with feed conversion ratio at 0.22 ± 0.06 to mid-metabolic weight at 0.89 ± 0.01. Both dry matter intake and mid-metabolic weight were genetically correlated with most fertility traits from -0.52 to 0.34. The genetic correlation between average daily gain and days to calving was moderately negative (-0.33 ± 0.16) as was residual feed intake with days to calving (-0.34 ± 0.17). Bigger cows with more feed intake and faster growth were more fertile, and residual feed intake had an unfavorable genetic correlation with days to calving, indicating that programs to select for feed efficiency should include fertility simultaneously in a selection index. Résumé: Avec l'indice de sélection des bovins de boucherie qui comprend maintenant leur efficience alimentaire, connaître sa relation avec d'autres caractéristiques devient nécessaire. Les relations génétiques ont été estimées au moyen d'un modèle animal dans ASReml avec un pedigree de trois générations qui comprenait 2882 animaux. Des données provenant de multiples races venant de deux fermes de recherche sur les bovins en Ontario dont les caractéristiques de fertilité étaient disponibles pour 1366 femelles et les caractéristiques d'après sevrage, y compris l'efficience alimentaire, étaient disponibles sur 1297 individus. Les estimés de l'héritabilité des caractéristiques de fertilité étaient de faible à modérés allant de 0,03 ± 0,01 pour le taux de gestation à 0,21 ± 0,02 pour la longueur de gestation. Les estimés des caractéristiques post-sevrage étaient de modérés à hauts avec l'indice de consommation à 0,22 ± 0,06 jusqu'au poids mi-métabolique à 0,89 ± 0,01. L'ingestion de matières sèches ainsi que le poids mi-métabolique ont une corrélation génétique avec la plupart des caractéristiques de fertilité, allant de -0,52 à 0,34. La corrélation génétique entre le gain moyen quotidien et les jours au vêlage était modérément négative (-0,33 ± 0,16) de même qu'entre la consommation résiduelle et les jours au vêlage (-0,34 ± 0,17). Les vaches plus grosses avec une plus grande consommation et une croissance plus rapide étaient plus fertiles et la consommation résiduelle avait une corrélation génétique défavorable avec les jours au vêlage, ce qui indique que les programmes qui choisissent les vaches selon l'efficience alimentaire devraient inclure simultanément la fertilité dans l'indice de sélection. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Preface The CoreGRID institute on Grid Systems, Tools, and Environments (STE) has held a

While MPI became a standard on programming model for developing cluster applications, so far none of the many programming models proposed for Grids have reached such status. For this reason, using MPI in Grids is being considered a good cost-effective solution. Different from other related works that mainly intend to ease the execution of MPI processes in Grids, we understand that for obtaining good performance, it is mandatory to adapt algorithms and applications to reflect the Grid topology. For this reason, we introduce some extensions to the MPI standard that include new communicators for the communication among different clusters and some primitives addressing topology discovery. The support to these features is offered by an underlying component model based on the GCM and the ProActive/GCM implementation. Through a hierarchy of components and their collective interfaces, the main MPI original primitives could be used to easily develop and run MPI applications in Grid environments.
Telmisartan Inhibits TNFα-Induced Leukocyte Adhesion by Blocking ICAM-1 Expression in Astroglial Cells but Not in Endothelial Cells

Telmisartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker and acts as a selective modulator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Several studies have demonstrated that telmisartan ameliorates depression and memory dysfunction and reduces brain inflammation. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of telmisartan on brain could be due to modulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Here, we examined the effect of telmisartan on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) which plays an important role in leukocyte transcytosis through the BBB. Telmisartan blocked TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion in U87MG human glioma cells but showed no effect on human brain microvascular endothelial cells. In U87MG cells, a PPAR antagonist, GW9662 did not block the effect of telmisartan on ICAM1 expression but rather potentiated. Moreover, GW9662 caused no change in TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression, suggesting no implication of PPARγ in the telmisartan effect. Further studies showed that telmisartan blocked TNF-α-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In contrast, inhibitors of JNK, ERK1/2 and NF-κB but not p38, blocked ICAM-1 expression induced by TNF-α. Thus, our findings suggest that the beneficial effect of telmisartan is likely due to the reduction of astrocytic ICAM1 expression and leukocytes adhesion to astrocytes, and that this response was mediated by the inhibition of JNK/ERK1/2/NF-κB activation and in the PPAR-independent manner. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the mechanism by which telmisartan exerts the beneficial brain function.
Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients with Post-Concussion Syndrome: Evaluation with Region-Based Quantification of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging Parameters Using Automatic Whole-Brain Segmentation

Objective This study aimed to investigate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and automatic whole brain segmentation. Materials and Methods Forty-two consecutive mTBI patients with PCS who had undergone post-traumatic MR imaging, including DCE MR imaging, between October 2016 and April 2018, and 29 controls with DCE MR imaging were included in this retrospective study. After performing three-dimensional T1-based brain segmentation with FreeSurfer software (Laboratory for Computational Neuroimaging), the mean Ktrans and vp from DCE MR imaging (derived using the Patlak model and extended Tofts and Kermode model) were analyzed in the bilateral cerebral/cerebellar cortex, bilateral cerebral/cerebellar white matter (WM), and brainstem. Ktrans values of the mTBI patients and controls were calculated using both models to identify the model that better reflected the increased permeability owing to mTBI (tendency toward higher Ktrans values in mTBI patients than in controls). The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation test were performed to compare the mean Ktrans and vp between the two groups and correlate Ktrans and vp with neuropsychological tests for mTBI patients. Results Increased permeability owing to mTBI was observed in the Patlak model but not in the extended Tofts and Kermode model. In the Patlak model, the mean Ktrans in the bilateral cerebral cortex was significantly higher in mTBI patients than in controls (p = 0.042). The mean vp values in the bilateral cerebellar WM and brainstem were significantly lower in mTBI patients than in controls (p = 0.009 and p = 0.011, respectively). The mean Ktrans of the bilateral cerebral cortex was significantly higher in patients with atypical performance in the auditory continuous performance test (commission errors) than in average or good performers (p = 0.041). Conclusion BBB disruption, as reflected by the increased Ktrans and decreased vp values from the Patlak model, was observed throughout the bilateral cerebral cortex, bilateral cerebellar WM, and brainstem in mTBI patients with PCS.
Wetland Functions and Values: The State of Our Understanding

The purpose was to determine if definable trends appear when comparisons arc made between the nutrient absorption capacities of various typcs of fresh water wetlands. The review showed that there are few data available for comparison. with the exception of Nand P in above ground vegetation. Data from mass balance studies are almost nonexistent. which makes it impossible to determine the conditions necessary for specific types of wetlands to annually lose. gain. or be in balance with regard to nutrient fluxes. The only discern able trend was that wetlands with predominantly organic substrates accumulated less Nand P in the above ground vegetation, yet the peat substrates seem to be capable of long-term storage of Nand P. Recommendations for future research on nutrient dynamics in fresh water wetlands arc discussed. (KEY TERMS: nutrient dynamics; fresh water; wetlands; nitrogen; phosphorus.)
Seagrass selection by omnivorous and herbivorous consumers: determining factors

Consumers of seagrasses are increasingly recognized for their ability to shape land- scape features and regulate energy flux in coastal ecosystems. To date, however, the nutritional char- acteristics and morphological features by which herbivores and omnivores make feeding decisions are poorly understood. To elucidate how consumers of marine vascular plants discriminate among different food resources, we conducted food-preference assays with seagrass leaves and seagrass- incorporated agar diets of the 3 most common seagrass species of the Gulf of Mexico (Thalassia tes- tudinum, Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme). These 3 species were offered simultaneously to the most abundant local consumers: the omnivorous pinfish Lagodon rhomboides and filefish Stephanolepis hispidus, the herbivorous emerald parrotfish Nicholstina usta, and the herbivorous sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Consumption rates (g fresh weight (FW)) of leaves or seagrass-incorpo- rated agar diets were estimated over 24 h periods. Measured plant properties included C:N, N:P, total carbohydrates, protein and lipid concentrations, caloric content, percentage of organic matter, water and ash. Results showed that S. filiforme was preferred by all fish species (81, 60.2 and 59% of total leaf consumption of pinfish, filefish and parrotfish, respectively), whereas sea urchins consumed the highest amounts of H. wrightii (71.2% of total). However, when leaf structure was removed, by incor- porating ground leaf tissue into agar matrices, pinfish and filefish did not show any significant dietary preference. In contrast, parrotfish and sea urchins maintained their preferences for S. filiforme and H. wrightii, respectively. Parrotfish preference for S. filiforme coincided with highest lipid and carbo- hydrate contents, whereas the preference of sea urchins for H. wrightii could be explained by higher levels of the percentage of organic matter and caloric content. Our results suggest that structural plant features (e.g. leaf manipulability and/or visual recognition of resources) are the most important factors driving discrimination between seagrass species by omnivorous fish, whereas strict herbi- vores make feeding decisions that are highly influenced by nutritional characteristics, presumably as recognized by both olfaction and gustation.
Histological Validation of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance T1 Mapping for Assessing the Evolution of Myocardial Injury in Myocardial Infarction: An Experimental Study

Objective To determine whether T1 mapping could monitor the dynamic changes of injury in myocardial infarction (MI) and be histologically validated. Materials and Methods In 22 pigs, MI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery and they underwent serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance examinations with modified Look-Locker inversion T1 mapping and extracellular volume (ECV) computation in acute (within 24 hours, n = 22), subacute (7 days, n = 13), and chronic (3 months, n = 7) phases of MI. Masson's trichrome staining was performed for histological ECV calculation. Myocardial native T1 and ECV were obtained by region of interest measurement in infarcted, peri-infarct, and remote myocardium. Results Native T1 and ECV in peri-infarct myocardium differed from remote myocardium in acute (1181 ± 62 ms vs. 1113 ± 64 ms, p = 0.002; 24 ± 4% vs. 19 ± 4%, p = 0.031) and subacute phases (1264 ± 41 ms vs. 1171 ± 56 ms, p < 0.001; 27 ± 4% vs. 22 ± 2%, p = 0.009) but not in chronic phase (1157 ± 57 ms vs. 1120 ± 54 ms, p = 0.934; 23 ± 2% vs. 20 ± 1%, p = 0.109). From acute to chronic MI, infarcted native T1 peaked in subacute phase (1275 ± 63 ms vs. 1637 ± 123 ms vs. 1471 ± 98 ms, p < 0.001), while ECV progressively increased with time (35 ± 7% vs. 46 ± 6% vs. 52 ± 4%, p < 0.001). Native T1 correlated well with histological findings (R2 = 0.65 to 0.89, all p < 0.001) so did ECV (R2 = 0.73 to 0.94, all p < 0.001). Conclusion T1 mapping allows the quantitative assessment of injury in MI and the noninvasive monitoring of tissue injury evolution, which correlates well with histological findings.
Methotrexate and risk of interstitial lung disease and respiratory failure in rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide population-based study.

OBJECTIVES MTX is the most commonly recommended DMARD for first-line treatment of RA, however, it has been hypothesized to cause lung disease as an adverse effect. We investigated the risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and acute and chronic respiratory failure in persons with RA treated with MTX and other medications. METHODS From the Danish National Patient Register (NPR) and the DANBIO register for rheumatic diseases, we retrieved data on 30 512 persons with RA registered in 1997-2015. Information on ILD and respiratory failure was obtained from the NPR. Information on age and sex for all Danish citizens was obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System. MTX and other medication purchases were retrieved from the Danish Prescription Registry. Associations between MTX and lung disease outcomes were analysed in Cox regression models with adjustment for age, calendar time, sex and other medications. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of lung disease were calculated to compare the RA population with the general population. RESULTS There was no increased risk of lung disease with MTX treatment [one or more purchases compared with no purchases; HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.78, 1.27) for ILD and 0.54 (95% CI 0.43, 0.67) for respiratory failure] at the 5 year follow-up. The SIR was three to four times higher for ILD in MTX-treated persons with RA, but similar to the whole RA population compared with the background population. CONCLUSION Persons with RA had an increased risk of ILD compared with the general population, but there was no further increased risk associated with MTX treatment.
Deep Cross-Output Knowledge Transfer Using Stacked-Structure Least-Squares Support Vector Machines

This article presents a new deep cross-output knowledge transfer approach based on least-squares support vector machines, called DCOT-LS-SVMs. Its aim is to improve the generalizability of least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVMs) while avoiding the complicated parameter tuning process that occurs in many kernel machines. The proposed approach has two significant characteristics: 1) DCOT-LS-SVMs is inspired by a stacked hierarchical architecture that combines several layer-by-layer LS-SVMs modules. The module that forms the higher layer has additional input features that consider the predictions from all previous modules and 2) cross-output knowledge transfer is used to leverage knowledge from the predictions of the previous module to improve the learning process in the current module. With this approach, the model’s parameters, such as a tradeoff parameter $C$ and a kernel width $\delta $ , can be randomly assigned to each module in order to greatly simplify the learning process. Moreover, DCOT-LS-SVMs is able to autonomously and quickly decide the extent of the cross-output knowledge transfer between adjacent modules through a fast leave-one-out cross-validation strategy. In addition, we present an imbalanced version of DCOT-LS-SVMs, called IDCOT-LS-SVMs, given that imbalanced datasets are common in real-world scenarios. The effectiveness of the proposed approaches is demonstrated through a comparison with five comparative methods on UCI datasets and with a case study on the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Yellow fever transmission in non-human primates, Bahia, Northeastern Brazil

Yellow fever virus (YFV) causes a clinical syndrome of acute hemorrhagic hepatitis. YFV transmission involves non-human primates (NHP), mosquitoes and humans. By late 2016, Brazil experienced the largest YFV outbreak of the last 100 years, with 2050 human confirmed cases, with 681 cases ending in death and 764 confirmed epizootic cases in NHP. Among affected areas, Bahia state in Northeastern was the only region with no autochthonous human cases. By using next generation sequence approach, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of YFV in NHP in Bahia and discuss what factors might have prevented human cases. We investigated 47 YFV positive tissue samples from NHP cases to generate 8 novel YFV genomes. ML phylogenetic tree reconstructions and automated subtyping tools placed the newly generated genomes within the South American genotype I (SA I). Our analysis revealed that the YFV genomes from Bahia formed two distinct well-supported phylogenetic clusters that emerged most likely of an introduction from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states. Vegetation coverage analysis performed shows predominantly low to medium vegetation coverage in Bahia state. Together, our findings support the hypothesis of two independent YFV SA-I introductions. We also highlighted the effectiveness of the actions taken by epidemiological surveillance team of the state to prevented human cases.
A multitude of signaling pathways associated with Alzheimer's disease and their roles in AD pathogenesis and therapy

The exact molecular mechanisms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology continue to represent a mystery. In the past decades, comprehensive data were generated on the involvement of different signaling pathways in the AD pathogenesis. However, the utilization of signaling pathways as potential targets for the development of drugs against AD is rather limited due to the immense complexity of the brain and intricate molecular links between these pathways. Therefore, finding a correlation and cross‐talk between these signaling pathways and establishing different therapeutic targets within and between those pathways are needed for better understanding of the biological events responsible for the AD‐related neurodegeneration. For example, autophagy is a conservative cellular process that shows link with many other AD‐related pathways and is crucial for maintenance of the correct cellular balance by degrading AD‐associated pathogenic proteins. Considering the central role of autophagy in AD and its interplay with many other pathways, the finest therapeutic strategy to fight against AD is the use of autophagy as a target. As an essential step in this direction, this comprehensive review represents recent findings on the individual AD‐related signaling pathways, describes key features of these pathways and their cross‐talk with autophagy, represents current drug development, and introduces some of the multitarget beneficial approaches and strategies for the therapeutic intervention of AD.
MicroRNA‐203–mediated inhibition of doublecortin underpins cardioprotection conferred by sevoflurane in rats after myocardial ischaemia‐reperfusion injury

Myocardial ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious illness with high morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence indicates the utility of sevoflurane (SEV) in the treatment of myocardial I/R injury. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective action of SEV against myocardial I/R injury. A rat model of myocardial I/R injury was established, and I/R rats were treated with different concentrations of SEV. MicroRNA‐203 (miR‐203) and doublecortin (DCX) expression levels were determined using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Putative target relationship between miR‐203 and DCX was explored using dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. Ischaemia‐reperfusion rats were treated with SEV, miR‐203 antagomir or sh‐DCX, followed by determination of oxidative stress‐ and inflammation‐related factor levels using nitrite and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and that of apoptosis‐related factors using Western blot analysis. The apoptotic rate of myocardial tissues was determined using TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the infract area was evaluated using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The results showed miR‐203 was poorly expressed and DCX was highly expressed in myocardial tissues of I/R rats. Sevoflurane was found to elevate miR‐203, and miR‐203, in turn, could target and reduce DCX expression. Sevoflurane, miR‐203 overexpression or DCX silencing resulted in declined oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and infarct area, ultimately alleviating myocardial I/R injury. Collectively, these findings showed that SEV‐activated miR‐203 exhibited suppressive effects on myocardial I/R injury in rats and highlighted the SEV/miR‐203/DCX axis as a promising therapeutic target for myocardial I/R injury management.
Transport of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the transpiration stream of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in relation to foliar ethylene production and petiole epinasty

We investigated the concentration and delivery of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the transpiration stream of flooded and well-drained 1-month-old tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Ailsa Craig) over time in parallel with foliar ethylene production and petiole epinasty. ACC was measured by gas chromatography using a nitrogen–phosphorus detector. Before analysis, roots of freshly detopped plants were pressurised pneumatically to make xylem sap flow at rates similar to those of whole plant transpiration. Delivery of ACC from roots to shoots of well-drained plants was sufficient to support basal ethylene production in shoots of unstressed plants. Delivery from flooded, oxygen-deficient, roots increased after 6 h and coincided with the onset of epinastic leaf curvature. Further increases in ACC delivery and epinastic curvature occurred later in the photoperiod. After 24 h flooding, ACC delivery in xylem sap was 28 times more than in well-drained plants. This increased export of ACC from flooded roots was more than sufficient to account for the extra ethylene production in the shoots and coincided with ACC accumulation in the leaves. Removing the shoot before flooding did not reduce ACC export from oxygen-deficient roots indicating that the ACC originated in roots and not the shoot. Increased ethylene production in petioles of flooded plants lagged 18 h behind epinasty.