Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of root colonization profiles by a microcosm community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi using 25S rDNA‐targeted nested PCR

The aim of the present work was to study colonization patterns in roots by different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi developing from a mixed community in soil. As different fungi cannot be distinguished with certainty in planta on the basis of fungal structures, taxon‐discriminating molecular probes were developed. The 5′ end of the large ribosomal subunit containing the variable domains D1 and D2 was amplified by PCR from Glomus mosseae (BEG12), G. intraradices (LPA8), Gigaspora rosea (BEG9) and Scutellospora castanea (BEG1) using newly designed eukaryote‐specific primers. Sequences of the amplification products showed high interspecies variability and PCR taxon‐discriminating primers were designed to distinguish between each of these four fungi. A nested PCR, using universal eukaryotic primers for the first amplification and taxon‐discriminating primers for the second, was performed on individual trypan blue‐stained mycorrhizal root fragments of onion and leek, and root colonization by four fungi inoculated together in a microcosm experiment was estimated. More than one fungus was detected in the majority of root fragments and all four fungi frequently co‐existed within the same root fragment. Root colonization by G. mosseae and G. intraradices was similar from individual and mixed inoculum, whilst the frequency of S. castanea and Gig. rosea increased in the presence of the two Glomus species, suggesting that synergistic interactions may exist between some arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
How Are U.S. Family Firms Controlled

In large U.S. corporations, founding families are the only blockholders whose control rights on average exceed their cash-flow rights. We analyze how they achieve this wedge, and at what cost. Indirect ownership through trusts, foundations, limited partnerships, and other corporations is prevalent but rarely creates a wedge (a pyramid). The primary sources of the wedge are dual-class stock, disproportionate board representation, and voting agreements. Each control-enhancing mechanism has a different impact on value. Our findings suggest that the potential agency conflict between large shareholders and public shareholders in the United States is as relevant as elsewhere in the world. The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org. , Oxford University Press.
Population genetics of the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

We examined the population genetic structure of the diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), within and among estuaries. Based on mark‐recapture studies, these estuarine turtles have high site fidelity that is likely to make them vulnerable to local extinctions. We tested if observed site fidelity of adults would be reflected in intraestuarine population genetic structure of six highly polymorphic microsatellite loci (five tetranucleotide and one dinucleotide). No evidence was found for population structuring within the Charleston estuary nor among three different estuaries in South Carolina. We then examined four other terrapin populations from North Carolina to New York, as well as from the Florida Keys and from Texas. With increasing geographical distance, genetic differentiation increased from South Carolina through New York, but overall values were low. The dinucleotide locus contributed significantly more to the genetic differentiation of some population comparisons than any of the other loci. Interestingly, terrapins from South Carolina to New York were much more genetically similar to those from Texas (ρ = 0.154) than to those from Florida (ρ = 0.357). We attribute this pattern to extensive translocations of terrapins during the early 20th century to replenish diminished populations and to provide turtle farms with stocks. Terrapins collected in Texas were especially sought for shipment to the northeastern US because of their larger size. Our study indicates no population structure within or among adjacent estuaries. Thus, the mark‐recapture information from adult and subadult feeding locations is a poor predictor of population genetic structure. Additionally, it appears that past human activities may have drastically altered the genetics of current populations. Finally, our data suggest that translocation of eggs or head starting of terrapins within estuaries or among adjacent estuaries is acceptable from a genetic standpoint.
Sex-Dependent Expression of Caveolin 1 in Response to Sex Steroid Hormones Is Closely Associated with Development of Obesity in Rats

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a conserved group of structural membrane proteins that form special cholesterol and sphingolipid-rich compartments, especially in adipocytes. Recently, it has been reported that CAV1 is an important target protein in sex hormone-dependent regulation of various metabolic pathways, particularly in cancer and diabetes. To clarify distinct roles of CAV1 in sex-dependent obesity development, we investigated the effects of high fat diet (HFD) and sex steroid hormones on CAV1 expression in adipose tissues of male and female rats. Results of animal experiments revealed that estrogen (17-β-estradiol, E2) and androgen (dihydrotestosterone, DHT) had opposite effects on body weight gain as well as on the regulation of CAV1, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in adipose tissues. Furthermore, sex hormone receptors and aromatase were differentially expressed in a sex-dependent manner in response to E2 and DHT treatments. In vivo data were confirmed using 3T3-L1 and HIB1B cell lines, where Cav1 knock down stimulated lipogenesis but suppressed sex hormone receptor signaling proteins. Most importantly, co-immunoprecipitation enabled the identification of previously unrecognized CAV1-interacting mitochondrial or lipid oxidative pathway proteins in adipose tissues. Taken together, current data showed that CAV1 may play important preventive role in the development of obesity, with more prominent effects in females, and proved to be an important target protein for the hormonal regulation of adipose tissue metabolism by manipulating sex hormone receptors and mitochondrial oxidative pathways. Therefore, we can report, for the first time, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of sex steroid hormones in the sex-dimorphic regulation of CAV1.
Fibroblast growth factor‐induced gene expression and cartilage pattern formation in chick limb bud recombinants

To clarify the roles of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) in limb cartilage pattern formation, the effects of various FGF on recombinant limbs that were composed of dissociated and reaggregated mesoderm and ectodermal jackets were examined. Fibroblast growth factor‐soaked beads were inserted just under the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) of recombinant limbs and the recombinant limbs were grafted and allowed to develop. Control recombinant limbs without FGF beads formed one or two cartilage elements. Recombinants with FGF‐4 beads formed up to five cartilage elements, which were aligned along the anteroposterior (AP) axis. Each cartilage element showed digit‐like segmentation. In contrast, recombinants with FGF‐2 beads showed formation of multiple thick and unsegmented cartilage rods, which elongated inside and outside the AP plane from the distal end of the recombinants. Recombinants with FGF‐8 beads formed a truncated cartilage pattern and recombinants with FGF‐10 beads formed a cartilage pattern similar to that of the control recombinants. The expression of the Fgf‐8, Msx‐1 and Hoxa‐13 genes in the developing recombinant limbs were examined. FGF‐4 induced extension of the length of the Fgf‐8‐positive epidermis, or AER, along the AP axis 5 days after grafting, at which time the digits are specified. FGF‐2 induced expansion of the Msx‐1‐positive area, first in the proximal direction and then along the dorsoventral axis. The functions of these FGF in recombinant and normal limb patterning are discussed in this paper.
Differences in psychological perception of lung cancer between patients, medical staff and medical students.

OBJECTIVES In clinical practice, medical staff is often unaware that what they think about patient's disease differs much from the perceptions and feelings of the patient. The aim of the study was to analyse the differences in psychological perception of lung cancer between patients treated with combined regimen for lung cancer (n = 30), medical staff (n = 94) and medical students (n = 303). METHODS A total of 427 persons were enrolled in this questionnaire study using Imagination and Perception of Illness Scale (IPIS) by Sak. The IPIS scale items described: loss of motivation to carry out specific activities (eight items), mental sphere destruction (six items), physical sphere destruction (eight items), pessimism (four items), being a burden to others (three items) and loss of control over the illness (three items). A seven-point scale from '0', meaning the choice of maximum positive feature, to '6', meaning the choice of maximum negative feature, was used. The higher result obtained within a given factor signified the more negative perception of the illness. RESULTS In all IPIS items, the results among patients were significantly lower than among medical staff or students (P = 0.018 and P = 0.001, respectively). Medical staff and students perceive lung cancer as causing more profound destruction in patient's mental and physical spheres than patients do. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated for lung cancer with combined regimen perceive their disease more optimistically than what is imagined by medical staff and students, and may underestimate the threat. It may be explained by psychological adaptation of patients to their disease during prolonged treatment. We believe that informing lung cancer patients in detail about their illness should be recommended to enhance self-awareness and doctor-patient cooperation.
Unrestrained p38 MAPK Activation in Dusp1/4 Double-Null Mice Induces Cardiomyopathy

Rationale: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated in the heart by disease-inducing and stress-inducing stimuli, where they participate in hypertrophy, remodeling, contractility, and heart failure. A family of dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) directly inactivates each of the MAPK terminal effectors, potentially serving a cardioprotective role. Objective: To determine the role of DUSP1 and DUSP4 in regulating p38 MAPK function in the heart and the effect on disease. Methods and Results: Here, we generated mice and mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking both Dusp1 and Dusp4 genes. Although single nulls showed no molecular effects, combined disruption of Dusp1/4 promoted unrestrained p38 MAPK activity in both mouse embryonic fibroblasts and the heart, with no change in the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases or extracellular signal-regulated kinases at baseline or with stress stimulation. Single disruption of either Dusp1 or Dusp4 did not result in cardiac pathology, although Dusp1/4 double-null mice exhibited cardiomyopathy and increased mortality with aging. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB731445 ameliorated cardiomyopathy in Dusp1/4 double-null mice, indicating that DUSP1/4 function primarily through p38 MAPK in affecting disease. At the cellular level, unrestrained p38 MAPK activity diminished cardiac contractility and Ca2+ handling, which was acutely reversed with a p38 inhibitory compound. Poor function in Dusp1/4 double-null mice also was partially rescued by phospholamban deletion. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that Dusp1 and Dusp4 are cardioprotective genes that play a critical role in the heart by dampening p38 MAPK signaling that would otherwise reduce contractility and induce cardiomyopathy.
A Comparison of Trace-Sampling Techniques for Multi-Megabyte Caches

The paper compares the trace-sampling techniques of set sampling and time sampling. Using the multi-billion reference traces of A. Borg et al. (1990), we apply both techniques to multi-megabyte caches, where sampling is most valuable. We evaluate whether either technique meets a 10% sampling goal: a method meets this goal if, at least 90% of the time, it estimates the trace's true misses per instruction with /spl les/10% relative error using /spl les/10% of the trace. Results for these traces and caches show that set sampling meets the 10% sampling goal, while time sampling does not. We also find that cold-start bias in time samples is most effectively reduced by the technique of D.A. Wood et al. (1991). Nevertheless, overcoming cold-start bias requires tens of millions of consecutive references. >
Photometry of Type II Cepheids. I. The Long-Period Stars

We present 1256 new photometric observations of 36 Cepheids with periods longer than 8 days. The majority are likely type II Cepheids, but we have included about a dozen classical Cepheids for comparison purposes, a few stars of uncertain type, and one putative RV Tauri star. We discuss the appearance of the light curves, the Fourier parameters, and the light-curve stability in terms of differentiation between type I and type II Cepheids. Although we encounter the same difficulties as previous investigators in using these parameters for this purpose, we are able to identify some stars of particular interest, including several likely type I Cepheids at large distances from the Galactic plane. Six stars with especially large period changes are identified and discussed.
“Below their notice”: Exploring women's subjective experiences of cancer system exclusion

Background. The experiences that marginalized breast cancer populations have in common are rarely considered. Methods. The authors look across 3 qualitative studies to explore the experiences of older, lower-income, and Aboriginal women diagnosed with cancer and treated by the cancer care system in Ontario, Canada. Results. The research examines critical moments in participants' narratives that parallel one another and are categorized within 2 themes: Not Getting Cancer Care and Not Getting Supportive Care. Conclusions. Although exploratory, the findings merit attention both for what they tell us about women's experiences, and because they suggest disparities in access to treatment and psychosocial support.
Investigation of the air permeability of socks knitted from yarns with peculiar properties

Kaunas University of Technology, Faculty of Design and Technologies, Department of Textile Technology, Studentų str. 56, LT – 51424 Kaunas, Lithuania E-mail: jovita.abramaviciute@stud.ktu. lt Abstract This paper presents a study on the air permeability of socks manufactured using the yarns of new kinds of fibres, such as soybean, bamboo, cotton/seacells and bamboo/flax. The air permeability of plain pure knits and plated knits of textured polyamide (PA) and elastane (Lycra) wrapped with textured polyamide threads was investigated. It was determined that higher air permeability is characteristic for knits produced from natural yarns, a lower permeability for knits with textured PA, and the lowest for knits with Lycra threads. Textured PA or Lycra threads change the structure of plated knits as the construction of such knits are thicker and tighter. The variation in air permeability depending on the area density, linear density, loop length and tightness factor of plain and plated plain knits was discused.
From the Field RESEARCHED APPLICATIONS OF VELOCITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING

BSTRACT Strength training is a critical exercise stimulus for inducing changes in muscular strength, size and power (6). Recently, linear position transducers have gained in popularity as a means to monitor velocity in strength training exercises. The measurement error of such devices has been shown to be low and both relative and absolute reliability have been shown to be acceptable (2, 7, 11). The purpose of this article is to provide the overview and benefits of monitoring movement velocity in strength training exercises, along with providing the basis for novel “velocity-based” strength training prescription. We have covered the following practical applications: Guidelines to develop a velocity/load profile for athletes; Using the velocity load/profile to predict and monitor changes to maximal strength; Using velocity monitoring to control fatigue effects of strength training; Using velocity monitoring as an immediate performance feedback to promote the highest level of effort in specific training exercises and stronger adaptive stimuli. Linear position transducers are reliable and valid tools to help strength and conditioning practitioners monitor and optimize their strength training programs.
Behavioral and Brain Functions

Background: Several studies had demonstrated the involvement of the dorsolateral portion of periaqueductal grey matter (dlPAG) in defensive responses. This region contains a significant number of neurons containing the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and previous studies showed that non-selective NOS inhibition or glutamate NMDA-receptor antagonism in the dlPAG caused anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus maze. Methods: In the present study we verified if the NMDA/NO pathway in the dlPAG would also involve in the behavioral suppression observed in rats submitted to the Vogel conflict test. In addition, the involvement of this pathway was investigated by using a selective nNOS inhibitor, Nωpropyl-L-arginine (N-Propyl, 0.08 nmol/200 nL), a NO scavenger, carboxy-PTIO (c-PTIO, 2 nmol/ 200 nL) and a specific NMDA receptor antagonist, LY235959 (4 nmol/200 nL). Results: Intra-dlPAG microinjection of these drugs increased the number of punished licks without changing the number of unpunished licks or nociceptive threshold, as measure by the tail flick test. Conclusion: The results indicate that activation of NMDA receptors and increased production of NO in the dlPAG are involved in the anxiety behavior displayed by rats in the VCT. Background The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is structure closely related to nociceptive and defensive responses which can be divided into four different columns along its rostrocaudal axis: dorsomedial, dorsolateral (dlPAG), lateral and ventrolateral columns [1-3]. Microinjection of NMDA receptor agonists into the dlPAG evokes flight reactions [4-6] and glutamate receptors are widely expressed in the dlPAG [7]. Moreover, antagonism of NMDA receptors AP7 in the dlPAG causes an anxiolytic-like effect in rats submitted to the elevated plus maze and Vogel conflict test [8-10]. These data indicate that glutamate receptors in the dlPAG play an important role in defensive responses. Published: 23 September 2009 Behavioral and Brain Functions 2009, 5:40 doi:10.1186/1744-9081-5-40 Received: 6 March 2009 Accepted: 23 September 2009 This article is available from: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions. com/content/5/1/40 © 2009 Tonetto et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
An allometric comparison of microsomal membrane lipid composition and sodium pump molecular activity in the brain of mammals and birds

SUMMARY Previous research has shown that the lipid milieu surrounding membrane proteins may be an important factor in determining their activity. To investigate this we have examined sodium pump molecular activity and microsomal membrane lipid composition in the brain of five mammalian and eight avian species ranging in size from 30 g mice to 280 kg cattle and 13 g zebra finches to 35 kg emus, respectively. Sodium pump (Na+,K+-ATPase) activity was higher in the smaller species and showed a significant allometric decline with body mass in both the mammals (μmol Pi h-1 mg wet mass-1 = 6.2×mass-0.06) and birds (μmol Pi h-1 mg wet mass-1 = 5.4×mass-0.07). In small mammals, the elevated enzyme activity was related to allometric changes in both the concentration and the molecular activity (turnover rate) of sodium pumps, while in birds, no significant body-size-related variation was observed for either sodium pump concentration or molecular activity. Microsomal phospholipid fatty acid profile displayed little allometric variation in both the mammals and birds and was not correlated with molecular activity in either group. Brain phospholipids from both endothermic classes were dominated by the long chain n-3 polyunsaturate, docosahexaenoic acid [22:6 (n-3)], which accounted for an average of 28% and 34% of the total fatty acids in the mammals and birds respectively. Bird membranes also contained a relatively large percentage of 22:5 (n-6) as well as high levels of cholesterol. These results are discussed in relation to neurological function and the emerging field of membrane lipid rafts.
Effectiveness of the introduction of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-based rehabilitation tool in multidisciplinary team care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the use of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based instrument to structure multidisciplinary care improves clinical effectiveness and satisfaction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) admitted for multidisciplinary team care. METHODS Consecutive patients with RA admitted to an inpatient or day patient multidisciplinary team care ward were included during a 12-month period before (period I) and after (period II) the introduction of an ICF-based rehabilitation tool (Rehabilitation Activities Profile [RAP]). Patients were assessed at admission, discharge, and 6 weeks thereafter. The primary outcome measure was a patient-oriented measure of functional ability (McMaster Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire [MACTAR]), whereas secondary outcome measures included measures of physical and mental functioning, quality of life, disease activity, and patient satisfaction. Change scores between periods were compared using analysis of covariance. RESULTS A total of 80 and 85 patients were included in periods I and II, respectively. Concerning the improvement of the MACTAR score and all other secondary clinical outcome measures, there was no significant difference between the 2 periods. Patient satisfaction with care was slightly higher in period II than in period I, with the differences regarding the total score of a multidimensional satisfaction questionnaire and the domains focusing on individual problems and empathy reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION The introduction of the RAP did not change clinical effectiveness but had a modest beneficial impact on patient satisfaction with care in patients with RA admitted for multidisciplinary team care.