Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypocholesterolaemic effect of whole-grain highland hull-less barley in rats fed a high-fat diet

Abstract Whole-grain highland hull-less barley (WHLB) contains high amounts of bioactive compounds that potentially exhibit cholesterol-lowering effects. This study investigated the hypocholesterolaemic effect of WHLB. A total of seventy-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups and were fed with the normal control diet, high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD containing low or high dose (10 or 48·95 %) of WHLB. High dose of WHLB significantly decreased the organ indexes of liver and abdominal fat and lipid levels of plasma and liver in HFD rats. The lipid regulation effect of WHLB, which was reconfirmed through hepatocyte morphologic observation, was accompanied by a large excretion of bile acids in the small intestinal contents and the faeces. Real-time PCR analyses, which were further reconfirmed through Western blot analyses, revealed that a high dose of WHLB significantly enhanced the hepatic expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase α, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, LDL receptor, liver X receptor, and PPARα and decreased the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. It also enhanced the ileal expression of farnesoid X receptor and resulted in the decrease of expression of apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. WHLB exhibited hypocholesterolaemic effects mainly by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol accumulation in peripheral tissue, and bile acid reabsorption and by stimulating bile acid synthesis.
Trajectory and determinants of change in lean soft tissue over the postpartum period

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterise changes in lean soft tissue (LST) and examine the contributions of energy intake, physical activity and breast-feeding practices to LST changes at 3 and 9 months postpartum. We examined current weight, LST (via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), dietary intake (3-d food diary), physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and breast-feeding practices (3-d breast-feeding diary) in forty-nine women aged 32·9 (sd 3·8) years. Changes in LST varied from −2·51 to +2·50 kg with twenty-nine women gaining LST (1·1 (sd 0·7) kg, P<0·001) and twenty women losing LST (−0·9 (sd 0·8) kg, P<0·001). Energy intake (133 (SD 42) v. 109 (SD 33) kJ/kg, P=0·019) and % kJ from fat at 3 months postpartum was higher in women who gained LST at 9 months postpartum (gained LST=34 (sd 5) % kJ; lost LST=29 (sd 4) % kJ, P=0·002). Women who gained LST reported breast-feeding their infants more frequently (gained LST=8 (sd 3) feeds/d; lost LST=5 (sd 1) feeds/d, P=0·014) and for more time per d (gained LST=115 (sd 78) min/d; lost LST=59 (sd 34) min/d, P=0·016) at 9 months postpartum. Energy intake and % kJ from fat at 3 months were significant predictors of LST gain (β=0·08 (se 0·04) and 0·24 (se 0·09), respectively). This suggests that gain in LST may be associated with more frequent and longer episodes of breast-feeding at 9 months postpartum as well as dietary intake early in the postpartum period.
Dominance, activity density and prey preferences of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in conventionally treated Hungarian agro-ecosystems

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism underlying patterns of the rove beetle populations in apple and pear orchards (1998–2002) and winter wheat (2006–2007) in Hungary following treatment with broad-spectrum insecticide. The capacity of predatory staphylinid species to feed on cereal pests was measured, with six species tested in petri dishes, in the laboratory at room temperature. Almost 23% of the Hungarian and 13% of the European staphylinid fauna are represented in the investigated agro-ecosystems. In orchards, 5236 individuals, belonging to 253 species, were collected. The most widely occurring were Omalium caesum Gravenhorst, Drusilla canaliculata (F.), Dinaraea angustula (Gyllenhal), Palporus nitidulus (F.), Xantholinus. longiventris (Olivier), X. linearis (Olivier) and Aleochara bipustulata (L.). In winter wheat, 798 individuals and 20 species were collected, the most frequent were Staphylinus caesareus Cederh, Tachyporus hypnorum (F.), Philonthus cognatus (Stephens), Aloconota gregaria (Erichson), Tachyporus chrysomelinus (L.) and T. obtusus (L.). Species composition differed by crop (apple, pear and wheat), soil composition and surrounding habitat. Species diversity was also influenced by these parameters. In wheat, one acute change in species composition was observed with the decline of Tachyporus spp. , which occurred equally across all farms. The consumption rate of prey by the dominant species occurring in wheat ecosystems was relatively high; however, we did not offer any fungal food to compare with insects' prey.
Comparative Effect of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Vascular Responses of Rat Thoracic Aorta to Potassium Ion Channel Openers

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with many cardiovascular dysfunction and impairment of potassium channel function. Aim: We compared the vascular reactivity in aorta from streptozotocin -induced and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) diabetic rat sto potassium channel openers. Methodology: Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65 mg/kg body weight. After four weeks of DM, vascular reactivity of the aortic rings from STZ -induced Sprague Dawley and age-matched GK and control rats to phenylephrine, acetylcholine, levcromakalim and naringeninwas studied using standard organ bath procedure. Results:The phenylephrine-induced contraction was significantly (P<0.05) increased in
Intimal estrogen receptor (ER)β, but not ERα expression, is correlated with coronary calcification and atherosclerosis in pre- and postmenopausal women

Background: Controversy exists over the association of estrogen and cardiovascular disease. Estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β are expressed in the endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of many arteries, but the relative importance of ERα or ERβ in mediating the vascular response to estrogens is not well defined, particularly in humans. We have shown previously that postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy (HT) had lower mean coronary artery calcium, plaque area, and calcium-to-plaque ratio compared with untreated women. In this study, we examined coronary artery ERα and ERβ expression in pre- and postmenopausal women as a function of plaque area, calcium area, calcium-to-plaque ratio, and estrogen status. Methods: Coronary arteries were obtained at autopsy from a total of 55 women: nine premenopausal women, 13 postmenopausal women on HT and 33 untreated postmenopausal women (non-HT). Coronary calcification was quantified by contact microradiography, and atherosclerotic plaque are.
Epithelioid sarcoma: a tumour of myofibro‐blasts, or not?

Sir: In the July 1983 issue of this journal, Blewitt et al. reported a case of epithelioid sarcoma studied by means of enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in addition to light and electron microscopy. The authors affirm that this sarcoma ‘is composed of a single cell type, the myofibroblast’. Since Enzinger’s (1970) first description, the controversial histogenesis has not been clearly defined, but some authors have supported an histiocytic or fibro-histiocytic derivation of the neoplasm. The statement in the paper is based on negative results obtained when tumour cells were investigated for histiocytic markers and conversely on the positive results exhibited for actin. The latter test unfortunately cannot be considered very specific, since, quoting the authors, ‘it was impossible to absorb out staining by prior incubation of antiserum with actin’. Data derived from single case reports are not usually conclusive in the definition of the histogenesis of a neoplasm, even less if in conflict with the results obtained by other workers. We had the opportunity to study six cases of epithelioid sarcoma by means of enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, one case from our own Institute and five from the files of the Department of Soft Tissue Pathology of the AFIP, Washington. In our case the epithelioid sarcoma cells displayed strong enzymatic activity for acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase; immunoperoxidase staining was also observed when the cells were tested with anti-a-I-antichymotrypsin serum and with the monoclonal antibody anti-Leu M2. In five AFlP cases studied with anti-muramidase and anti carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), three cases were positive for muramidase and four for CEA (a cross-reacting antigen with monocytes). Our data favour an histiocytic derivation or differentiation of this sarcoma, a view which conflicts with the myofibroblast origin suggested by Blewitt et al. (1983).
Hybridization between Dactylopius tomentosus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) biotypes and its effects on host specificity

Abstract Dactylopius tomentosus is composed of biotypes adapted to different Cylindropuntia species. One biotype is an important biological control agent of C. imbricata in South Africa while another has the potential for the control of C. fulgida var. fulgida. These two weed species occur in sympatry in some areas of South Africa, so the introduction of the second biotype could result in hybridization, which, in turn, could impact on the biological control programs through altered host specificity and fitness of the hybrids. To anticipate what might happen, reciprocal crosses were made between the two biotypes, and the biological performance of the resultant hybrids was compared with that of each parental lineage on C. imbricata and C. f. var. fulgida. The biotypes interbred freely and reciprocally in the laboratory. Comparisons of crawler and adult female traits showed differences in performance that were dependent on the origin of the maternal and paternal genomes. However, when all traits were combined into a ‘fitness index’, both hybrids clearly outperformed the parental lineages. The increase in fitness shown by the hybrids over their maternal lineage was greater on the alternative host of the maternal parent than on the natural host of the maternal parent. Therefore, in areas where the two cacti occur in sympatry, hybridization between the biotypes is not expected to be detrimental to the biological control of either weed.
Determination of biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and insights into the taxonomic relationships of their hosts, Cylindropuntia spp.

Abstract Host specialization to form biotypes is common among phytophagous insects, and it has been hypothesised that biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus L. (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) occur. D. tomentosus is an important biological control agent for Cylindropuntia cacti when they occur as weeds. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding the taxonomic status of some species of Cylindropuntia. This study aimed to confirm the existence of D. tomentosus biotypes and to assess whether host specialization can help to resolve this systematic uncertainty. For this study, the host specificity and performance of ten provenances of D. tomentosus collected from C. cholla, C. fulgida var. fulgida, C. imbricata, C. f. var. mamillata, C. rosea and C. tunicata and reared on C. cholla, C. fulgida var. fulgida, C. imbricata and C. rosea were investigated. Five life-history parameters were measured including: crawler development time and survival, female development time, and the weight and number of eggs produced by females. Results revealed significant variation in host specificity with provenances either thriving, surviving or dying on the different hosts, thus demonstrating the existence of biotypes. Also, host specificity was related to host species and not to the geographic locality from which either the host or provenance was sourced. These findings suggest that the characteristics of Cylindropuntia species may differ sufficiently, there by presenting different selection pressures that induce and sustain distinct biotypes of D. tomentosus. The observed host use patterns of the biotypes separated the plant species into two groups that accorded with known phylogenetic relationships among Cylindropuntia species, suggesting that biotypes can be used to elucidate their taxonomic relatedness. Besides advancing our knowledge of the ecology and evolution of D. tomentosus, these novel findings have important implications for the biological control of Cylindropuntia species.
Noncanonical Sites of Adult Neurogenesis in the Mammalian Brain.

Two decades after the discovery that neural stem cells (NSCs) populate some regions of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), deep knowledge has been accumulated on their capacity to generate new neurons in the adult brain. This constitutive adult neurogenesis occurs throughout life primarily within remnants of the embryonic germinal layers known as "neurogenic sites. " Nevertheless, some processes of neurogliogenesis also occur in the CNS parenchyma commonly considered as "nonneurogenic. " This "noncanonical" cell genesis has been the object of many claims, some of which turned out to be not true. Indeed, it is often an "incomplete" process as to its final outcome, heterogeneous by several measures, including regional location, progenitor identity, and fate of the progeny. These aspects also strictly depend on the animal species, suggesting that persistent neurogenic processes have uniquely adapted to the brain anatomy of different mammals. Whereas some examples of noncanonical neurogenesis are strictly parenchymal, others also show stem cell niche-like features and a strong link with the ventricular cavities. This work will review results obtained in a research field that expanded from classic neurogenesis studies involving a variety of areas of the CNS outside of the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ). It will be highlighted how knowledge concerning noncanonical neurogenic areas is still incomplete owing to its regional and species-specific heterogeneity, and to objective difficulties still hampering its full identification and characterization.
C1 inhibitor: just a serine protease inhibitor? New and old considerations on therapeutic applications of C1 inhibitor

C1 inhibitor is a potent anti-inflammatory protein as it is the major inhibitor of proteases of the contact and the complement systems. C1-inhibitor administration is an effective therapy in the treatment of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) who are genetically deficient in C1 inhibitor. Owing to its ability to modulate the contact and complement systems and the convincing safety profile, plasma-derived C1 inhibitor is an attractive therapeutic protein to treat inflammatory diseases other than HAE. In the present review we give an overview of the biology of C1 inhibitor and its use in HAE. Furthermore, we discuss C1 inhibitor as an experimental therapy in diseases such as sepsis and myocardial infarction.
Mosquito density forecast from flooding: population dynamics model for Aedes caspius (Pallas)

Abstract Insect population dynamics depend strongly on environmental factors. For floodwater mosquitoes, meteorological conditions are crucial in the rhythm of mosquito abundances. Indeed, rainfall triggers the egg hatching after flooding breeding sites, and temperature controls the duration of the aquatic immature development up to adult emergence. According to this, we have developed a simple mechanistic and tractable model that describes the population dynamics of floodwater mosquitoes as a function only of the most accessible meteorological variables, rainfall and temperature. The model involves three parameters: development duration tdev of the immature aquatic stages, the adult emergence rate function f(t) (characterized by the emergence time scale τ and shaping the profile of adult population abundance), and the depletion rate, α, of adult disappearance. The developed model was subsequently applied to fit experimental field data of the dynamics of Aedes caspius (Pallas), the main pest mosquito in southern France. First, it was found that the emergence rate function of adult mosquitoes very well reproduce experimental data of the dynamics of immature development for all sampled temperatures. The estimated values of tdev and τ both exhibit Arrhenius behaviour as a function of temperature. Second, using the meteorological records of rainfall and temperature as inputs, the model correctly fit data from a two-site CO2 trapping survey conducted in 2004 and 2005. The estimated depletion rates (summation of the mortality and the emigration rates) were found to be a concave quadratic function of temperature with a maximum of 0.5 per days at about 22°C.
What is new for resveratrol? Is a new set of recommendations necessary?

Numerous scientific papers have suggested health‐promoting effects of resveratrol, including claims in the prevention of diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Therefore, it was proposed that the scientific community needed to express recommendations on the human use of resveratrol. Such recommendations were formulated after the first international resveratrol conference in Denmark, Resveratrol2010. The working group stated that the evidence was “not sufficiently strong to justify recommendation for the chronic administration of resveratrol to human beings, beyond the dose which can be obtained from dietary sources. ” It was a disappointing conclusion relative to the positive claims about the therapeutic potential of resveratrol made by the media. However, since 2010, results from the first clinical trials on resveratrol have been made available. Because of these emerging results, it is necessary to formulate updated versions of the recommendations.
Plantaris Weave With Hewson Suture Passer for Augmentation of Achilles Tendon Repair

Multiple techniques using tendon grafts to augment the repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon have been described in the literature. Most described plantaris augmentations have used wraps of the tendon through or around the reapproximation to enhance the tensile strength of the repair, or a “fanning” of the tendon around the repair site to encourage tissue ingrowth and decrease adhesions. We describe a simple, alternative method of plantaris augmentation using only the Hewson suture retriever. This technique allows weaving of the plantaris directly through the repaired Achilles tendon with minimal trauma to the Achilles or plantaris tendons themselves. The augmentation construct is extended well above and below the reapproximation site for strength and provides large surface area coverage at this level using the proximal end of the plantaris. Of the seven patients that have had this procedure performed, all are independently ambulatory. Six of the seven were willing to allow us to obtain final evaluation. Average time to follow-up was 20 ± 17 months (mean ± SD, range 6–47). These patients had an average American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score of 97.3 ± 4.0 (range 90–100). As an objective measurement, we had them do toe raises to measure their heel excursion. Average heel excursion was 76 ± 14.3% (range 52–92%) of the uninjured side. Our method of plantaris augmentation of primary Achilles tendon repair is easy to perform, does not introduce allogeneic material, allows us to mobilize our patients more quickly than with primary repair alone, and results in excellent functional outcome.
A multi-system approach to reducing insulin errors

Background Insulin prescribing and administration errors are consistently high with respect to hospital in-patients. There is no straightforward solution to the problem as there are multiple causative factors and system failures. We describe the implementation of a multi-system approach which looks at changes across the board to avoid the risk of serious harm in a teaching hospital setting. Methods Organizational level changes included addressing the development of a culture of safety and promoting management buy in. Clinical level changes relate to the labelling and storage of insulin and the provision of accessible information for clinical staff in several different formats. Patient level changes were directed at improving the prescription charts with their own specific insulin section as well as empowering patients to retain the control of their own insulin administration. Results Following the initial phase of the project the number of clinical incidents relating to insulin administration and prescribing increased by 18%. Discussion The surprising initial outcome was felt to reflect an increased awareness of the issues surrounding insulin problems and the fact that they were previously under-reported. The project has had strong support and good feedback from a wide array of healthcare professionals within the hospital trust. The national diabetes in-patient audit will allow an opportunity for further analysis and a longer time frame for the multi-system changes to bed in.
Phylogeographic structure of Teretrius nigrescens (Coleoptera: Histeridae) predator of the invasive post harvest pest Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Abstract The invasive larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is the most important pest of farm-stored maize in Africa. It was introduced into the continent from Mesoamerica in the late 1970s and by 2008 had spread to at least 18 countries. Classical biological control using two populations of the predator Teretrius nigrescens Lewis achieved long-term and cost effective control in warm-humid areas, but not in cool and hot-dry zones. The present study investigated the phylogenetic relationships between geographical populations of the predator. Ten populations of T. nigrescens were studied using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), sequence analysis of mitochondrial Cytochrme oxydase 1 (mtCOI) gene and ribosomal internally transcribed spacers (ITS) 1, 5.8S and ITS2. The mtCOI variation revealed two clades associated with geographical regions in Central America. It also reveals a significant isolation by distance between populations and considerable genetic shifts in laboratory rearing. RAPD-PCR did not reveal any potential SCAR diagnostic markers. The ITS variation mainly involved insertions and deletions of simple sequence repeats even within individuals. This study reveals the existence of two different mitochondrial lineages of the predator, associated with the geographical origin of populations distinguishable by fixed mutations on the mtCOI gene. The populations of T. nigrescens released in Africa belonged to two different clades from Meso America, namely south (released in West Africa) and north (released in eastern Africa). However, more polymorphic markers are required to clarify the observations in demographic time scales.