Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β1 Integrins Participate in the Hypertrophic Response of Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Abstract—Multiple signaling pathways have been implicated in the hypertrophic response of ventricular myocytes, yet the importance of cell-matrix interactions has not been extensively examined. Integrins are cell-surface molecules that link the extracellular matrix to the cellular cytoskeleton. They can function as cell signaling molecules and transducers of mechanical information in noncardiac cells. Given these properties and their abundance in cardiac cells, we evaluated the hypothesis that β1 integrin function is involved in the α1-adrenergic mediated hypertrophic response of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The hypertrophic response of this model required interaction with extracellular matrix proteins. Specificity of these results was confirmed by demonstrating that ventricular myocytes plated onto an anti–β1 integrin antibody supported the hypertrophic gene response. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of β1 integrin augmented the myocyte hypertrophic response when assessed by protein synthesis and.
Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women toward Elective Cesarean Section in Saudi Arabia

Background: The rate of deliveries by cesarean section (CS) is increasing worldwide. An elective cesarean section (ECS) is a cesarean section carried with or without a medical reason, in some cases choice by pregnant women. The number of women demanding for delivery by elective cesarean section is increasing in Saudi Arabia. Although CS is the commonest major surgery performed in Obstetrics throughout the world; there are still concerns about the knowledge and attitude of Saudi Pregnant women towards it. Methods: The design of this study was a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of 206 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic during the third trimester, selected by convenience sampling method from Maternity and Children Hospital in Jeddah City in Saudi Arabia. Structured interview questionnaire was used in this study. Different statistical procedures were used for data analysis including percentages, mean, and mean percentages. Content validity and reliability were done. Results: The majorities (78.2%) of the pregnant women have adequate level of knowledge about ECS, 14.6% of them have moderate knowledge, and only 7.3% have inadequate knowledge. Also, 137 (66.5%) of pregnant women have negative attitude toward ECS, while 58 (28.2%) have positive attitude. Conclusion and recommendations: The study concluded that there was a good level of knowledge among pregnant women about ECS in most of the instrument questions in general; except in some areas such as the bad consequences of CS. On the other hand, the majority of the pregnant women had negative attitude toward ECS. Health care provider such as doctors, nurses and midwives should provide adequate knowledge to the pregnant women about consequence of cesarean section on the mother and child. Various interventions are recommended to decline unnecessary cesarean section. These interventions need to contain changes in attitude and correcting misperceptions among pregnant women to cesarean section and normal delivery during the prenatal period.
LIGHT QUALITY AND STEM GROWTH IN IMPATIENS PARVIFLORA DC.

Summary Internode and hypocotyl elongation were measured in Impatiens parviflora DC. in light environments in which extra far-red light was mixed with white light from fluorescent tubes during the photoperiod and at the end of the photoperiod. Night breaks of varying spectral composition were also given. The logarithmic rate constant of internode elongation was found to be linearly related to the estimated proportion of phytochrome existing as the far-red absorbing form. Supplementary far-red light at the end of the day caused no significant increase in the elongation rate whereas night break treatments significantly increased the rate of internode elongation. Hypocotyl elongation was not related to the estimated phytochrome photo-equilibrium and appeared to be under the control of both blue and red light. The results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the control of stem elongation by phytochrome is an adaptation for detecting and avoiding shade.
Comparison between suture and fibrin adhesive derived from snake venom for fixation of connective tissue graft in correction of marginal tissue recession

The present study aimed at evaluating the postoperative characteristics of exposed root surfaces treated with connective tissue graft by using two fixation techniques. Forty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups of 21 individuals each. In the first group (test group), graft was fixed to exposed root surfaces by using fibrin adhesive derived from snake venom; in the second group (control group), conventional suture procedures were employed. The patients’ age ranged from 19 and 49 years old and they presented a gingival defect known as marginal tissue recession (Miller’s class I and class II). Clinical parameters such as surgical time, hemostasis time, presence of erythema, breath and taste alterations, root coverage degree, recession height, vestibular probing depth, clinical insertion level, plaque index, gingival index, amount of attached gingiva, keratinized tissue and aesthetics were assessed on the preoperative and trans-operative periods, and 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 90 days postoperative. Comparative analysis between the initial and final moments of each group showed statistically significant results for all variables evaluated, mainly at the end of the study. Comparison of groups showed statistically significant results for surgical time, amount of attached gingiva, and vestibular probing depth; test group presented better results. No significant differences were observed for the other variables including aesthetics. Fibrin adhesive derived from snake venom showed favorable characteristics when applied in periodontal surgery for root coverage in marginal tissue recessions (Miller’s class I and class II), and was an efficient substitute for conventional suture.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Torsion in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Hypertension has important effects on left ventricle and its early detection helps to avoid the cardiac complications. LV Twist in systole helps in storing potential energy during diastole; LV untwist releases this energy. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is angle-independent so it allows a more detailed evaluation of myocardial deformation. Objective: This work aimed to assess the left ventricular torsion by speckle tracking in hypertensive patients. Patients and Methods: The study was applied on 40 hypertensive patients and 20 age and sex matched control groups; all had speckle tracking echocardiography of the LV, and the basal and apical rotation were measured to assess the LV torsion. The 18 segments of LV strain were assessed and the net LV global longitudinal strain was calculated and demonstrated as bull's eye figure. Results: Hypertensive patients had higher mean values of both apical rotation and left ventricular twist than control group by a highly significant value (9.76 ± 4.98 vs 4.03 ± 2.15, P value 0.001) and (15.25 ± 4.10 vs 9.90 ± 1.47, P value 0.001) respectively. Hypertensive patients had a higher basal rotation than controls but did not reach a significant value (-6.01 ± 3.25 vs -5.52 ± 2.63, P value 0.558). On the contrary, the global LV longitudinal strain was lower in hypertensive patients than control but did not reach a significant value (-18.48 ± 3.94 VS -19.48 ± 3.57, P value 0.341). Conclusion:Hypertension affects myocardial structure and its systolic and diastolic functions; the left ventricular twist is an essential component of the systolic function that increases in hypertension as an early compensation for the systolic impairment. The detection of these changes achieved accurately by 2-D speckle tracking, can help in monitoring the treatment modalities of the patients for a better direction of treatment and thus, prevent further deterioration.
When simplicity is not parsimonious: a priori and a posteriori methods in historical biogeography

Despite using the same null hypothesis, a priori and a posteriori approaches in historical biogeography differ fundamentally. Methods such as Component Analysis (CA) and Reconciled Tree Analysis (RTA) may eliminate or modify input data in order to maximize fit to the null hypothesis, by invoking assumptions 1 and 2. Methods such as Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) modify the null hypothesis, if necessary, to maintain the integrity of the input data, as required by assumption 0. Two exemplars illustrate critical empirical differences between CA/RTA and BPA: (1) CA rather than BPA may select the incorrect general area cladogram for a set of data (2) BPA, not RTA, provides the most parsimonious interpretation of all available data and (3) secondary BPA, proposed in 1990, applied to data sets for which dispersal producing areas with reticulate histories is most parsimonious, provides biologically realistic interpretations of area cladograms. These observations lead to the conclusion that BPA and CA/RTA are designed to implement different research programmes based on different conceptual frameworks. BPA is designed to assess the biogeographic context of speciation events, whereas CA/RTA are designed to find the best fitting pattern of relationships among areas based on the taxa that inhabit them. Unique distributional elements and reticulate (hybrid) histories of areas are essential for explaining complex histories of speciation. The conceptual framework for BPA, thus, assumes biogeographical complexity, relying on parsimony as an explanatory tool to summarize complex results, whereas CA/RTA assumes biogeographical simplicity, assuming conceptual parsimony a priori.
Comparative study of patients' satisfaction between national health insurance scheme-insured and un-insured patients attending a Northern Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Periodic patients' satisfaction surveys provide feedback to hospital management and staff regarding the quality of services rendered. Objectives: This study assessed and compared clients' satisfaction between National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) insured and un-insured patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design, using a mixed method of data collection was used to assess the levels of satisfaction of 149 NHIS-insured and 150 un-insured patients selected by systematic sampling. Using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and focused group discussions (FGD), patient satisfaction was assessed and analysed using SPSS statistical software, with p-value set at 0.05. Results: The two study arms were not statistically different in all the socio-demographic characteristics assessed (P > 0.05). Eight aspects of care were significantly different between the two study groups at bi-variate level. However, on multivariable logistic regression, only two factors remained independent predictors of difference between the two groups: 'overall time spent in the hospital' (aOR; 95% CI: 0.41; 0.23, 0.69) and 'satisfaction with last visit out of pocket expenditure' (aOR; 95% CI: 0.40; 0.21, 0.83). 'Duration of NHIS registration', 'time taken to hospital' and 'last visit out of pocket expenditure' were found to be determinants of satisfaction. The FGDs revealed improvements in services upon getting insured, with the main areas of dissatisfaction being; waiting time, appointment intervals, missing laboratory results and costs. Conclusion: Patients generally expressed high levels of satisfaction with the different aspects of care provided in the hospital, with the insured patients having higher levels of satisfaction in nearly all domains. Improved NHIS coverage could markedly improve patients' access and satisfaction with services.
Production of trans-resveratrol in callus tissue of Öküzgözü (Vitis vinifera L.) in response to ultraviolet-C irradiation.

In this study, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation time, incubation time and callus age were investigated for transresveratrol induction in callus cultures of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Okuzgozu. Callus tissues were exposed to 254 nm UV light at 10 cm distance from the source for 10 and 15 minutes by opening covers of the petri dishes in a sterile cabinet. High Pressure Liquid Chromatography was used for determining trans-resveratrol production and concentrations were recorded at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after beginning of incubation. The highest trans-resveratrol concentration (62.23 g/g callus fresh weight) was determined at 48 hours of 12 -day-old callus cultures irradiated for 15 min. 15 min UV irradiation period was found to be effective for induction of trans-resveratrol production and thus callus cultures could be convenient for trans-resveratrol production.
Efeito de auxinas e condições de cultivo no enraizamento in vitro de porta-enxertos de macieira 'M-9'

The utilization of trees with desirable characteristics, genetics and sanitary, is an important factor for the success in plant propagation. The micropropagation, in comparison with the traditional vegetative propagation methods, helps to increase the production and to get trees with higher sanitary quality. In this technique rooting is a crucial stage to the development of the plants propagated in vitro. In such context, it was aimed to test cultivation conditions and types and concentrations of auxin for the rooting in vitro of the cv. M-9 apple tree root-stook. Shoots (1cm) were used, and they were cultivated in half MS. medium, with the addition of gelrite for their solidification. The auxins used were IAA, NAA and IBA, in 0.5; 1.0; 5.0; 10.0; 20.0; 50.0 and 100.0 mM concentrations. Two different incubation conditions were tested. In the first one, the explants were kept into the light (30 days), and in the second one, the explants were kept for 5 days in the dark with further transfer to light (25 days). In both conditions, the explants were exposed to plant growth regulators during all the time, or just for ten days, with further transfer to a medium without plant growth regulator. The variables analysed were as follows: rooting percentage; number, length and kind of root, while in the shoot test, apart from these, the survival percentage in the stage of aclimatization was evaluated. IAA induced higher rooting percentage, plants with better root system and leaves in the highest concentrations, but when it was used IBA and NAA these characteristics were observed in the lowest concentrations. When the explants were cultivated for just ten days in medium added writh auxins, they presented, in general, better results.
Experimental studies in insect parasitism XIV. The haemocytic reaction of a caterpillar to larvae of its habitual parasite

Although caterpillars of Ephestia kuehniella promptly encapsulate alien parasites and other foreign bodies in their haemocoele, they do not normally encapsulate larvae of their habitual parasite Nemeritis canescens, which develop unhindered and eventually destroy their host. The larva of Nemeritis does not achieve this immunity by repelling the blood cells, or by physically dislodging them. It is immune because it is able to live in the haemocoele of Ephestia without evoking a haemocytic reaction; presumably, that is, because it is not recognized as a foreign body. That ability is due to a property of its surface. So long as its surface remains unaltered, the larva, alive or dead, evokes no haemocytic reaction. When its surface is altered whether by perforation, abrasion, or chemical treatment, the living larva evokes a haemocytic reaction in Ephestia and becomes encapsulated. The protective property of its surface is acquired by the larva very late in its embryonic development, between 62 and 66 hours of age at 25 °C. This is about the same time as, or a little later than, the cuticle of the embryonic larva becomes impermeable to water. Four fat solvents were found to deprive the living larva of its immunity, but they may have affected the protective surface by disrupting the underlying wax layer of the epicuticle. Treatments and substances that did not affect the protective surface give some crude indications of its properties, but its ultimate characterization must be in terms of insect immunology. Observations incidental to the main theme of the paper show that the cuticle of the larva is impermeable to water; that ionic exchange takes place through the anus and wall of the rectum, where some food substances may also be absorbed from the blood of the host; and that the order of formation of the cuticulin and wax layers of the embryonic larva is the same as that in ecdysis from instar to instar in other insects. They also provide information on the longevity of bitten supernumerary larvae.
Allozyme differentiation of sixteen species of ommastrephid squid (Mollusca, Cephalopoda)

Allozyme differentiation was investigated at 23 putative enzyme coding loci in 16 ommastrephid squids to identify species and to assess genetic relationships. The species examined were Illex illecebrosus, I. coindetii, I. argentinus, Todaropsis eblanae, Todarodes sagittatus, T. angolensis, T. filippovae, T. pacificus pacificus, Nototodarus sloanii, N. gouldi, Martialia hyadesi, Ommastrephes bartramii, Sthenoteuthis pteropus, S. oualaniensis, Eucleoteuthis luminosa, and Dosidicus gigas. A dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance between the species closely approximates to the latest systematics based on morphological characters, but the positions of M. hyadesi and T. eblanae were considerably distant from all other species. The results demonstrate the benefits of further biochemical analysis to an understanding of the systematics of the ommastrephid squids.
Testing Global Positioning System Performance for Wildlife Monitoring Using Mobile Collars and Known Reference Points

Abstract To determine the spatial resolution of Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver data, rigorous testing is essential. We tested performance of the Lotek 3300 GPS collar for medium-sized mammals (Lotek Engineering, Inc., Newmarket, ON, Canada). To mimic real wildlife monitoring situations, we performed both static (stationary receiver) and mobile tests, placing the receiver collar on a dog. We compared fix locations of the mobile receiver with the actual trajectory described by a portable Trimble high-precision GPS. We determined performance in relation to habitat type and leaf cover. Location error was habitat-dependent, with the best results in open habitat and much poorer ones in forest, particularly coniferous-dominated forest. For both static and mobile tests, location accuracy was higher when the number of satellites contacted was high and when the residual positional dilution of precision (PDOP) value was low. However, location error was highly variable, even for a given PDOP value and a given number of satellites contacted. Finally, mobile collars performed less well than their static counterparts, presumably because of frequent changes of GPS position and orientation.
Biological screening of ethyl acetate extract of Hedera nepalensis stem

Hedera nepalensis is commonly used in folk medicines for the treatment of cough and other human ailments; therefore it was selected for phytochemical and antimicrobial screening. Its phytochemical screening showed the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites. The ethyl acetate extract of its stem showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids. Terpenoids and flavonoids were present in chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, steroids were present in chloroform and ethyl acetate crude extract. Ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions were found most active. Among the organisms tested, Escherichia coli was the most sensitive to the plant extract as it displayed the greatest inhibitory zone (20:0 mm). Key words: Phytochemical screening, Hedera nepalensis, antibacterial activity.
The Relation Between Age and Flight Activity in the Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus

1. The mean flight-duration, in tethered flight, of the ‘large milkweed bug’, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas), was measured as a function of age in days after the final moult. 2. In both sexes a peak of flight occurs at 8-10 days. In males there is a second flight peak at 30-35 days, whereas there is no second peak in females. 3. Virgin males tested at 20 days, a time when mated males were short-flying, flew longer than bugs at any other age. Thirty-day-old virgin females were not significantly different from mated females of the same age. 4. When long flights occurred in males they were in general preceded by one or more flights of less than 1 min. This was not true for females, and the difference between the sexes was statistically significant. 5. The results in 2, 3 and 4, above indicate two, and possibly three, differences between the sexes. Males and females should thus be studied separately with respect to flight activity. 6. Some individuals never flew. These were as long-lived and as reproductively active as those which did, indicating the possibility of a behavioural polymorphism. 7. The initial peak of mean flight-duration for both sexes occurs when the daily deposition of paired cuticular growth rings ceases. Maximum flight thus seems to occur at the end of the teneral period. 8. The threshold for flight declines with age. There are thus three types of flight: long-duration, high-threshold; short-duration, low-threshold; and (in males only) long-duration, low-threshold. 9. The initial flight peak is pre-reproductive and occurs at a time when reproductive value, a measure of the expected contribution of an individual to future population growth and hence of sensitivity to selection, is high. Long-flying bugs are evidently colonizers, and a migration is an evolved adaptation, not a response to current adversity. 10. It is concluded that the long-duration, high-threshold flights represent migration and the short-duration, low-threshold flights represent non-migratory ‘flits’.
Distances

Guth and Katz proved that any point set P in the plane determines Ω( |P| / log |P| ) distinct distances. We show that when near to this lower bound, a point set P of the form A × A must satisfy | A − A | ≪ | A | 2 − 1 / 8 .
The Effectiveness of Deepwater Release at Improving the Survival of Discarded Yelloweye Rockfish

Abstract The effectiveness of deepwater release at improving the 17-d survival of discarded yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus was determined by comparing an estimate of survival for individuals released at depth with an estimate of submergence probability for individuals released at the water's surface. A mark–recapture study was used to generate a maximum likelihood estimate of the 17-d survival probability of yelloweye rockfish (n = 182) caught by hook and line (depth = 18–72 m) and subsequently released at depth. The average Cormack–Jolly–Seber survival probability for yelloweye rockfish released at depth was remarkably high (0.988; 95% confidence interval = 0.478–0.999) and positively correlated with individual total length. Survival probability was not significantly influenced by the range of capture depths explored in this study or by exposure to barotrauma and other capture stressors. The submergence success of yelloweye rockfish released at the water's surface was 0.221 (95% confidence interv.
Morphological Variability in Amphiroa, Corallina and Jania (Rhodophyta — Corallinaceae) from Greece

The morphological variability of the geniculate coralline algae Amphiroa beauvoisii, A. rigida, Corallina elongata, C. officinalis, Jania adhaerens and J. rubens from the gulfs of Evoikos, Korinthiakos and Saronikos (Greece) was investigated. External microscopic characters as seen with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) are illustrated: in particular, the organization of intergenicular surfaces; differentiation and superficial aspects of conceptacles (when available); and quantitative characters such as epithallial concavity diameter and variation in the thickness of calcification were examined