Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TGF‐β control of cell proliferation

This article focuses on recent findings that the type V TGF‐β receptor (TβR‐V), which co‐expresses with other TGF‐β receptors (TβR‐I, TβR‐II, and TβR‐III) in all normal cell types studied, is involved in growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3 and TGF‐β and that TGF‐β activity is regulated by two distinct endocytic pathways (clathrin‐ and caveolar/lipid‐raft‐mediated). TGF‐β is a potent growth inhibitor for most cell types, including epithelial and endothelial cells. The signaling by which TGF‐β controls cell proliferation is not well understood. Many lines of evidence indicate that other signaling pathways, in addition to the prominent TβR‐I/TβR‐II/Smad2/3/4 signaling cascade, are required for mediating TGF‐β‐induced growth inhibition. Recent studies revealed that TβR‐V, which is identical to LRP‐1, mediates IGF‐independent growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3 and mediates TGF‐β‐induced growth inhibition in concert with TβR‐I and TβR‐II. In addition, IRS proteins and a Ser/Thr‐specific protein phosphatase(s) are involved in the TβR‐V‐mediated growth inhibitory signaling cascade. The TβR‐V signaling cascade appears to cross‐talk with the TβR‐I/TβR‐II, insulin receptor (IR), IGF‐I receptor (IGF‐IR), integrin and c‐Met signaling cascades. Attenuation or loss of the TβR‐V signaling cascade may enable carcinoma cells to escape from TGF‐β growth control and may contribute to the aggressiveness and invasiveness of these cells via promoting epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT). Finally, the ratio of TGF‐β binding to TβR‐II and TβR‐I is a signal controlling TGF‐β partitioning between two distinct endocytosis pathways and resultant TGF‐β responsiveness. These recent studies have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying TGF‐β‐induced cellular growth inhibition, cross‐talk between the TβR‐V and other signaling cascades, the signal that controls TGF‐β responsiveness and the role of TβR‐V in tumorigenesis. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crayfish induce a defensive shell shape in a freshwater snail

This study was undertaken to determine whether intraspecific variation in shell morphology of the freshwater snail Elimia (=Goniobasis) livescens is caused by predator-induced morphological changes. Juvenile snails from 3 populations were grown in the presence of effluent from predatory crayfish feeding on conspecific snails or in effluent from conspecific snails only. Snails from one population, Clear Creek, exhibited a predator-induced morphology; they grew a narrow body whorl when exposed to the effluent from crayfish. Experimental feeding trials with crayfish and snails from Clear Creek were conducted to determine whether a narrow body whorl reduced predation in the presence of the crayfish Orconectes propinquus. In the feeding trials, snails with a narrow body whorl were eaten less frequently than snails with wider shells. However, there was no difference in overall size (length) between snails that were eaten and those that were not. Thus, juvenile snails from Clear Creek exposed to the presence of crayfish were induced to develop relatively narrow shells, which reduce the risk of successful attack by these crayfish. Hence the induced shell morphology is probably a defense against predation by crayfish.
Release of ferulic acid dehydrodimers from plant cell walls by feruloyl esterases

Dehydrodimers of hydroxycinnamic acids, such as ferulic and p-coumaric acids, are important structural components which serve to cross-link polymers in plant cell walls. Dehydrodiferulate oligosaccharide diesters were solubilised from wheat bran or sugar beet pulp by treatment with Driselase and release of dehydrodiferulic free acids from this substrate by purified feruloyl esterases was analysed by HPLC. We detected 5-5diFA, 8-O-4diFA and 8-5BendiFA in saponified extracts from wheat bran and sugar beet pulp. Driselase-treatment solubilised 21 and 97% of the saponifiable dehydrodimers from wheat bran and sugar beet pulp, respectively, but only as dehydrodiferulate esters, not as dehydrodiferulic acids. At low concentrations, feruloyl esterase A (FAEA) from Aspergillus niger and an esterase (XylD) from Pseudomonas fluorescens released 93% and 36% of the saponifiable 5-5diFA from solubilised wheat bran, respectively, but only 12 and 15% from solubilised sugar beet pulp. At higher concentrations, only FAEA also released 8-O-4diFA (65%) from solubilised wheat bran, but not sugar beet pulp. We could not detect release of any dehydrodiferulic acids from solubilised wheat bran or sugar beet pulp using either a cinnamoyl ester hydrolase from Piromyces equi (CEH) or from A niger (CinnAE). Our results demonstrate that FAEA and Xy1D hydrolyse dehydrodiferulate diesters to release the free acids, which means they have the potential to break the putative cross-links present in graminaceous monocot and dicot cell walls, while two other feruloyl esterases (CinnAE and CEH) did not release dehydrodiferulic acids from plant cell walls.
Alzheimer’s Peptide Aβ1–42 Binds to Two β-Sheets of α1-Antichymotrypsin and Transforms It from Inhibitor to Substrate*

The serpin α1-antichymotrypsin is a major component of brain amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. In vitroα1-antichymotrypsin interacts with the Alzheimer’s amyloid peptide Aβ1–42 and stimulates both formation and disruption of neurotoxic Aβ1–42 fibrils in a concentration-dependent manner. We have constructed a new hybrid model of the complex between Aβ1–42 and α1-antichymotrypsin in which both amino and carboxyl sequences of Aβ1–42 insert into two different β-sheets of α1-antichymotrypsin. We have tested this model and shown experimentally that full-length and amino-terminal segments of Aβ1–42 bind to α1-antichymotrypsin as predicted. We also show that Aβ1–42 forms both intra- and intermolecular SDS-stable complexes with α1-antichymotrypsin and that the binding of Aβ1–42 to α1-antichymotrypsin abolishes the inhibitory activity of the latter and its ability to form stable complex with chymotrypsin. The existence of both inter- as well as intramolecular complexes of Aβ1–42 explains the nonlinear concentration-dependent effects of α1-antichymotrypsin on Aβ1–42 fibril formation, which we have reinvestigated here over a broad range of Aβ1–42:α1-antichymotrypsin ratios. These data suggest a molecular basis for the distinction between amorphous and fibrillar Aβ1–42 in vivo. The reciprocal effects of Aβ1–42 and α1-antichymotrypsin could play a role in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease.
Correspondence analytical evaluation of factors that influence soil macro-arthropod distribution in abandoned grassland

Summary We analysed field data on the occurrence of woodlice and millipedes in abandoned grassland in southwestern Germany using multivariate ordination statistics to extract information on single environmental factors influencing the distribution of particular species in the field. Different methods (DECORANA, CANOCO) revealed slightly different patterns of ordination, but led to similar conclusions. These conclusions coincide with previously observed ecophysiological requirements of isopods, and confirm the significance of the soil pH for their distribution. Howewer soil pH did not appear to be significant for diplopods. The distribution of diplopod species mainly corresponds with mean annual air temperature. Besides assigning particular species to single study sites that are characterised with respect to environmental factors, we statistically associate a group of three isopod species having similar ecological requirements.
An exploratory study on selected household food purchasing practices of women in Punjab

The present study was conducted to know and compare selected household food safety purchasing practices of rural and urban women. A sample of 240 women (120 rural + 120 urban) who were performing major household activities was selected from three socio-cultural regions of Punjab. Data were collected with the help of specially prepared interview schedule. Eleven household purchasing practices were identified with the help of relevant literature, experts from different departments of PAU, Ludhiana and members of advisory committee. The study findings revealed that all respondents were checking the conditions of tin and containers. Majority of rural and urban respondents didn’t check the AGMARK on cereals, pulses and spices. Twenty three per cent of urban respondents did not have habits of checking marks on cereals. Urban respondents were practicing healthier household practices as compare to rural area and significant difference was also observed. So consumer awareness programme for general public should be strengthened. Awareness should be created to rural women regarding different household safe purchasing practices through different strategies of education.
Measuring and Correcting for Size Selection in Electrofishing Mark–Recapture Experiments

Abstract In electrofishing, the form of size selectivity is unknown, so parametric models of selection have not been developed. Capture probability can be estimated as a continuous function of fish size for two-sample mark–recapture experiments such as those often made to describe stream fish populations. One approach is based on nonparametric regression by smoothing splines, in which general linear models are fitted to data by penalized maximum-likelihood methods. Capture probabilities modeled this way allow the data to reveal the form of size selectivity and can be used to estimate population size. A confidence band around the estimated capture probability function and confidence intervals for the population estimate are obtained by bootstrapping. A second approach is based on parametric regression models and requires some knowledge of the form of the selection function. A confidence interval for the population estimate is based on the variance estimated by the delta method. These approaches are illustr.
Expression Pattern of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Genes in Cell Lines Derived from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpes virus that infects over 90% of the adult human population of the world. Although association of EBV with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma is well established, reports on the association of EBV with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are inconclusive. To find out expression pattern of EBV genes in OSCC, we isolated wild type EBV infected OSCC cell lines by co-culture and limiting dilution techniques, and investigated the latent gene expression pattern of EBV in these cell lines. EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1 protein was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in all of the infected cell lines. EBV encoded small RNA (EBER)-1, Cp/Wp-initiated EBNA-1, EBNA-2, latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 and BamHI-A rightward open reading frame (BARF0) gene expression were detected in isolated OSCC cells by RT-PCR and Southern blot hybridization. However, LMP-2A and -2B expression were not detected. The latent gene expression pattern was similar to those in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin's disease (i.e., type II latency of EBV). This is the first report concerning successful infection of wild type EBV to OSCC cells. These results could bring about a better understanding of the influence of EBV on OSCC cells.
Inhibition of Germination in Atriplex triangularis Seeds by Application of Phenols and Reversal of Inhibition by Growth Regulators

Seeds of Atriplex triangularis contained phenols: small seeds had gentisic, salicylic, syringic, and chlorogenic acids and catechol; medium seeds, gentisic and salicylic acids and catechol and protocatechol; large seeds, gentisic, caffeic, and 2-hydroxy-5 methoxy benzoic acids and protocatechol. Small seeds had a lower concentration (0.85 mg g-1 dry weight [DW]) of total phenols than medium (1.58 mg g-1 DW) and large (4.41 mg g-1 DW) seeds. However, the presence of endogenous inhibitors-salicylic, syringic, and chlorogenic acids and catechol-in small seeds, but not in large, could account for germination inhibition in these seeds. Inhibition of germination by exogenous applications of all highly active phenols (10-2 M) except salicylic acid was alleviated by the application of gibberellic acid and kinetin.
Limitation of similarity and feeding habits in three syntopic species of newts (Triturus, Amphibia)

Differences in body size between both species and sex were observed to be close to Hutchinsonian ratios in an assemblage of three species of newts (Triturus italicus, T. alpestris and T. carnifex) in southern Italy. According to feeding, differences in body size were not related with a strict food niche segregation. The diet of larger newt included indeed all the prey eaten by smaller newts but showed new prey types. Differences between species were more marked than between sexes of the same species, despite a strong sexual dimorphism in body size. Larger newts foraged in a wider range of microhabitats and exhibited a greater diversity of foraging tactics. Triturus italicus fed essentially on plankton and chironomids in shallow water at the banks of the pond. Triturus alpestris foraged also in deeper water, particularly on isopods in vegetation. Prey fallen on the water surface constituted the main part of T. carnifex diet. According to recent data on newt evolution, speciation consisted in the reduction of body size. Our data show that this process has been related with a specialization of the diet and of habitat use.
ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF ENZYMES FROM A GLOSSINA FUSCIPES FUSCIPES NEWSTEAD POPULATION FROM WESTERN KENYA

Abstract Enzymes were investigated, by electrophoresis, in a population of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead collected from Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria, Western Kenya. The following enzymes were tested: glucose phosphate isomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), hexokinase. isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), malate-dehydrogenase (MDH), phosphoglucomutase, and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH). Single monomorphic bands were stained by the following enzymes apparently under the control of single loci: G6PDH, MDH, and XDH. The enzyme IDH showed two bands with very close mobilities and no variation among individuals in the population. Hence IDH was considered as representing a single locus. Glucose phosphate isomerase manifested three alleles and apparently six genotypes. Phosphoglucomutase manifested a double-banded pattern representing an autosomal locus. Résumé Les enzymes d’une population de Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, provenant de l’Île Rusinga du Lac Victoria, de l’ouest du Kenya, ont été étudiés en utilisant l’électrophorèse. Les enzymes suivantes ont été mise à l’épreuve : l’isomérase du glucose phosphate, le glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase (G6PDH), l’hexokinase, le déshydrogénase d’isocitrate (DHI), le malate-déshydrogénase (MDH), la phosphoglucomutase et le déshydrogénase de xanthine (DHX). Les bandes uniques monomorphiques, qui sont apparemment sous le contrôle d’un seul locus, ont été teintes par les enzymes suivantes : G6PDH, MDH et DHX. L’enzyme DHI a démontré deux bandes avec les mobilités très rapprochées et n’ayant aucune variation parmi les individus de la population. Ainsi, DHI a été considéré pour représenter un seul locus. L’isomérase du glucose phosphate a signalé trois allèles et probablement six génotypes. La phosphoglucomutase a démontré un patron de bandes doubles qui représente un locus autosomique.
Ordinating tropical moth ensembles from an elevational gradient: a comparison of common methods

The analysis of beta diversity (inter-habitat diversity) of very species-rich and incompletely sampled tropical arthropod communities requires the choice of appropriate statistical tools. The performance of the three commonly employed ordination methods, correspondence analysis (CA), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), was compared on a large empirical data set of geometrid moths sampled along an altitudinal gradient in an Andean montane rain forest. Despite the high species richness and incompleteness of the ensembles, all methods depicted the same, readily interpretable patterns. Both CA and NMDS showed an arch-like structure, which hints at an underlying coenocline, whereas this arch was computationally eliminated in DCA. For this particular data set, CA and NMDS both provided convincing results while the detrending algorithm of DCA did not improve the interpretability of the data. Of the large number of similarity indices available to be used in combination with NMDS, the binary Sørensen and the abundance-based Normalized Expected Species Shared (NESS) index were tested. Performance of the indices was measured by comparing stress, a measure of poorness-of-fit in NMDS. NMDS ordinations with lowest values of stress were achieved by the NESS index with the parameter m set to its maximum (mmax). In contrast, ordinations based on NESS values with the parameter m set to 1 (identical with Morisita's index), had consistently higher stress values and performed worse than ordinations using Sørensen's index. Hence, if high values of m can be achieved in similar data sets, the NESS index with mmax is recommended for ordination purposes and Morisita's index should be avoided.
Exceptions from dioecy and sex lability in genus Salix.

: Bisexualism (and its derivatives) is a rare exception in species which already acquired the dioecious breeding system. Although it occurs in some tree species, it is still rather uncommon, except for willows, in which bisexualism occurs in at least 18 species. In most willows such unusual individuals are subdioecious, hermaphroditic or monoecious, or produce intersexes (staminate flowers transform into pistillate flowers or the other way round). The frequency of non-dioecy can vary from a single individual to whole populations, but is in principle rare. Its possible causes are both environmental and genetic. In Salix sex lability is known to be affected by parasites and anthropogenic habitat change. In interspecific willow crosses there are numerous exceptions from dioecy that are mostly caused by polyploidization. Since sex determination in willows is genetic, environmental factors are expected to determine exclusively pheno-typic sex traits. to its plasticity. A list of twenty species showing unusual sexual characters is also presented, to the variety of from in Salix . Mechanisms and factors af-fecting sex change are in the light of the most on this was to for papers
Light reactions in the control of oospore germination of Chara delicatula1

Abstract To investigate the mechanism of control of Chara oospore germination by light, tests were made on the effects of white and coloured lights on the germination of oospores of Chara delicatula. The oospores germinated well under white light, but scarcely at all in the dark. Red light was effective in causing germination, but blue and far-red lights had little effect. Germination was induced effectively by brief irradiation with red light. Moreover, the effectiveness of red light on induction of germination was diminished considerably by subsequent irradiation with blue or far-red light, whereas the inhibitory effect of blue and farred lights on induction of germination was eliminated by subsequent irradiation with red light. These facts suggest that a phytochrome system may participate in the germination of Chara oospores.
Effects of B chromosomes on the activity of nucleolar organizer regions in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans: activation of a latent nucleolar organizer region on a B chromosome fused to an autosome

Four nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are active in standard males of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans. They are located near the centromeric regions of the S9, S10, S11, and X chromosomes. Changes in the pattern of NOR activity have been observed in the presence of a B2 type supernumerary chromosome. Males with one B show a higher mean number of active NORs per cell than do zero B males owing to significant increases in the activity of the NORs on the S11 and the X. Zero B and one B embryos, however, showed similar patterns of activity. In a male carrying a centric fusion between a B and one of the L1 chromosomes, the activation of a latent NOR, present at the telomere of the long arm of the B, parallelled a significant decrease of NOR activity on the S9 and S10 bivalents stemming from a competition between different NORs in the presence of the B. Thus, while in zero B males the activity of the S10 NOR influences that of the NORs on the X and S9 in a negative way, in one B males it does not do so,.
Effect of Dietary Safflower and Canola Oil on Growth Performance, Body, and Fatty Acid Composition of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the diets enriched with safflower and canola oil on growth, feed utilization, body composition, liver, and muscle fatty acid composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Rainbow trout having approximate initial weight of 97.03 ± 0.10 g were fed the experimental diets containing only fish oil (Group 0SFO), safflower oil (50% safflower oil, Group 50SFO and 33% safflower oil, Group 33SFO), and vegetable oil blend (33% safflower and 33% canola oil, Group 66SFCO) for 45 days. Twenty-five fish were randomly assigned for triplicate treatments and offered the test diets two times daily to apparent satiation. At the end of the experiment, survival was 100% in all treatments. No significant differences in the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio were found between fish fed with the different experimental diets. The highest hepatosomatic index (HIS) and viscerasomatic index (VSI) was obtained in 50SFO and 33SFO groups, respectively. The moisture, protein, lipid, and ash content in the body composition of the fish increased in all experimental groups. The lipid content was not significantly different among the groups (p > 0.05); however, there was a significant difference in ash content between the control and the other groups (p < 0.05). The experimental diets containing vegetable oil (50SFO and 33SFO groups) and vegetable oil blend (66SFCO group) had significantly higher concentrations of n-6 fatty acids, predominantly in the form of linoleic acid (LA). The n-3 fatty acids were present in significantly higher concentration in the control treatment (0SFO). The fatty acid composition of fish fillet and liver were reflective of the dietary lipid source. While the fillet and liver of fish fed the 50SFO diet was high in linoleic acid (18:2 n-6), fish fed the 66SFCO diet had high concentrations of oleic acid (OA; 18:1 n-9). The present study suggests that fish oil can be replaced by up to 50% with safflower oil and by up to 66% with safflower + canola oil blend in rainbow trout diets with no significant effect on growth.