Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GABAA-current rundown of temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with repetitive activation of GABAA “phasic” receptors

A study was made of the “rundown” of GABAA receptors, microtransplanted to Xenopus oocytes from surgically resected brain tissues of patients afflicted with drug-resistant human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). Cell membranes, isolated from mTLE neocortex specimens, were injected into frog oocytes that rapidly incorporated functional GABAA receptors. Upon repetitive activation with GABA (1 mM), “epileptic” GABAA receptors exhibited a GABAA-current (IGABA) rundown that was significantly enhanced by Zn2+ (≤250 μM), and practically abolished by the high-affinity GABAA receptor inverse agonist SR95531 (gabazine; 2.5–25 μM). Conversely, IGABA generated by “control” GABAA receptors microtransplanted from nonepileptic temporal lobe, lesional TLE, or authoptic disease-free tissues remained stable during repetitive stimulation, even in oocytes treated with Zn2+. We conclude that rundown of mTLE epileptic receptors depends on the presence of “phasic GABAA receptors” that have low sensitivity to antagonism by Zn2+. Additionally, we found that GABAA receptors, microtransplanted from the cerebral cortex of adult rats exhibiting recurrent seizures, caused by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, showed greater rundown than control tissue, an event also occurring in patch-clamped rat pyramidal neurons. Rundown of epileptic rat receptors resembled that of human mTLE receptors, being enhanced by Zn2+ (40 μM) and sensitive to the antiepileptic agent levetiracetam, the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and the phosphatase blocker okadaic acid. Our findings point to the rundown of GABAA receptors as a hallmark of TLE and suggest that modulating tonic and phasic mTLE GABAA receptor activity may represent a useful therapeutic approach to the disease.
A field test of the stress-gradient hypothesis along an aridity gradient

Aims: The stress-gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts how plant interactions change along environmental stress gradients. We tested the SGH in an aridity gradient, where support for the hypothesis and the specific shape of its response curve is controversial. Location: Almer´ia, C´ aceres and Coimbra, three sites in the Iberian Peninsula that encompass the most arid and wet habitats in the distribution range of a nurse shrub species - Retama sphaerocarpa L. (Boiss) - in Europe. Methods: We analysed the effect of Retama on its understorey plant commu- nity and measured the biomass and species richness beneath Retama and in gaps. We estimated the frequency (changes in species richness), importance and intensity of the Retama effects, and derived the severity-interaction relationship pattern, analysing how these interaction indices changed along this aridity gradient. Results and conclusions: The intensity and frequency of facilitation by Retama increased monotonically with increasing environmental severity, and the importance tended to have a similar pattern, overall supporting the SGH. Our data did not support predictions from recent revisions of the SGH, which may not apply to whole plant communities like those studied here or when interactions are highly asymmetrical. Facilitation by Retama influenced com- munity composition and species richness to the point that a significant fraction of species found at the most arid end of the gradient were only able to survive beneath the nurse shrub, whereas some of these species were able to thrive in gaps at more mesic sites, highlighting the ecological relevance of facilitation by nurse species in mediterranean environments, especially in the driest sites.
Epizoic bryozoans, horseshoe crabs, and other mobile benthic substrates

Two species of horseshoe crabs, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Latreille) and Tachypleus gigas (Muller), were collected from the seas adjacent to Singapore to study the fouling rates of epizoic bryozoans. None of the 19 C. rotundicauda specimens were encrusted by bryozoans. Of the 56 individuals of T. gigas collected, 77% were infested by the bryozoans Electra angulata (Levinsen) and Membranipora savartii (Audouin). This difference in fouling rate between the two host species was attributed to several factors including size and age differences of the hosts, morphological differences of the hosts' carapaces, and habitat differences between the hosts. Most importantly, C. rotundicauda tends to occupy shallower, more estuarine, brackish water where bryozoans are less abundant. The costs and benefits of epibiosis on mobile benthic substrates such as crustacean carapaces are discussed.
Ghrelin: A GH-Releasing, Appetite-Regulating Gastric Hormone

Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates growth hormone (GH) release, and regulates appetite and feeding habits. It is synthesized and expressed to varying degrees in several organs and neoplasms. Its presence has been reported in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, endocrine organs, cardiovascular system, kidney and central nervous system. Ghrelin producing cells can be demonstrated in the stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, brain, and pituitary. The present review summarizes findings regarding the function and regulation of ghrelin in different organs and in various diseases.
Nephroprotective Effect of Malva sylvestris Extract against CCl4 Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential effect of Malva sylvestris(M. sylvestris) extract on nephrotoxicity caused by CCl4 in rats. Forty rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1: negative control group (normal). Group2: positive group, treated with CCl4 (1ml/kg body weight (b.w)), twice a week for 8 weeks. Groups 3 and 4 were treated with the same dose of CCl4 coadministered with M. sylvestris at dose 150 or 300 mg/kg b.w, respectively. Results appeared that rats treated with CCl4 showed a significant increment in WBCs, kidney function (urea and creatinine), total lipid, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels, but a significant decline in the mean values of weight gain, RBCs, PCV, Hb, uric acid, and catalase (CAT) as comparing with the control group. The treatment with M. sylvestris(150 and 300 mg/kg b.w) improved the hematological and biochemical parameters. These protective effects were dose dependent. The histological results confirmed these parameters that enhanced by CCl4 Thus, the extract of M. sylvestris represents an encouraging chance for the curative renal injury.
Follow the Leader: Using the Stock Market to Uncover Information Flows Between Firms

We identify all return leaderAƒÂ¢A‚Â€A‚Â“follower pairs among individual stocks using Granger causality regressions. Thus-identified leaders reliably predict their followersAƒÂ¢A‚Â€A‚Â™ returns out of sample, and the return predictability works at the level of individual stocks rather than industries. Our results indicate that, independent of its size, any firm may emerge as a return leader by being at the center of an important news development that has ramifications for other firms. Indeed, stocks undergoing news-generating developments see an increase in the number of stocks whose returns they lead.
Growth of pike Esox lucius L. in Lake Rubikiai (Lithuania)

Summary The aim of the study was to determine the growth rate and growth parameters of pike Esox lucius L. in the mesotrophic Lake Rubikiai and to evaluate species growth in light of environmental conditions in Lithuanian lakes of different limnologic types. A total of 204 pike specimens were caught in two subsequent years, April 2005 and April 2006, in Lake Rubikiai. Six age classes (2–7 years of age) for males and 10 age classes (3–12 years of age) for females were identified by scale readings; 2- to 4-year-old males and 4- to 7-year-old females prevailed. Total length of pike ranged from 26.5 to 107 cm and weight from 106 to 7600 g. There were no statistically significant differences (Student’s t-test, P > 0.1) between mean lengths and weights of males and females of the same age. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for the entire population were: L∞ = 131.7 cm, k = 0.1530 year−1, to = −0.0398 year. Calculated overall growth performance index ϕ′ was 3.42. The length-weight relationship was described by the equation . The growth rate of pike in Lake Rubikiai was higher than in most other investigated Lithuanian lakes. Pike from Lake Rubikiai are characterized by average growth, compared to other populations from various geographical locations. No significant differences were established between the growth of pike in mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes. Pike growth rate did not correlate with lake surface area, maximum or mean depth, and negatively correlated with bogginess in mesotrophic lakes and limpidity and bogginess in eutrophic lakes (P < 0.05).
α-Catenin Inhibits β-Catenin Signaling by Preventing Formation of a β-Catenin·T-cell Factor·DNA Complex*

α-Catenin and β-catenin link cadherins to the cytoskeleton at adherens junctions. β-Catenin also associates with members of the T-cell factor (Tcf) family of transcription factors, and mutations in β-catenin lead to activation of Tcf-dependent transcription and increased cell growth. Although the loss of α-catenin expression can also promote cell growth, the role of endogenous α-catenin in β-catenin signaling is unclear. Here we show that loss of α-catenin expression in a colon cancer cell line correlates with increased Tcf-dependent transcription. The presence of α-catenin in colon cancer cell nuclei suggests that it inhibits transcription directly, and, in agreement with this, ectopic expression of α-catenin in the nucleus represses Tcf-dependent transcription. Furthermore, recombinant α-catenin disrupts the interaction between the β-catenin·Tcf complex and DNA. We conclude that α-catenin inhibits β-catenin signaling in the nucleus by interfering with the formation of a β-catenin·Tcf·DNA complex.
Macroalgas de ambientes lticos da regio centro-oeste do Paran, regio sul do Brasil

Taxonomic studies focusing on the inventory of lotic macroalgae in different regions are important contributions to the basic knowledge for these algal communities. In this context, the main objective of this investigation was to accomplish a floristic survey of the stream macroalgal communities in the mid-west region of Parana State, Southern Brazil, a poorly investigated subtropical area. Twenty-two stream segments were sampled by means of cross-transect technique. Twenty-four macroalgal taxa were found, including 18 subgeneric taxa and 6 vegetative groups. Chlorophyta was the most species rich division (13 taxa = 54% of the total), followed by Cyanophyta (five taxa = 21%) and Rhodophyta and Heterokontophyta (3 taxa = 12.5%). Phormidium retzii (C. Agardh) Gomont (Cyanophyta) was the most widespread species, and mats the predominant morphological type. Although all the macroalgal taxa had been previously described from Brazilian streams, 5 species are new records from Parana State. Even with no additional species reported, the survey in the mid-west region of Parana State are relevant, since it expanded the geographical and environmental distribution of the stream macroalgal communities in Brazil.
The Psocoptera of tropical South East Asia

This book is a synopsis of the insect order Psocoptera in tropical southeast Asia up 2005. Keys to families and genera facilitate recognition of all reported taxa from the region, and notes are given on distribution and diversity of all taxa. Numerous illustrations and complete references render this an indispensable tool for entomologists and students in the region, and as a synthesis for biogeographical and evolutionary studies. A checklist of all reported species (by Charles Lienhard, Museum of Natural History, Geneva) is appended.
EVALUASI KINERJA SAHAM BERTANGGUNGJAWAB SOSIAL (STUDI PADA SAHAM-SAHAM YANG MASUK PERHITUNGAN INDEKS SRI-KEHATI)

Severals studies on the performance of stocks, especially those that examine the constituent of social responsibility in the Indonesia Stock Exchange, in general still focus on the performance assessment of the SRI-Kehati Index, have not specifically reviewed the performance of the constituent stocks of the SRI-Kehati Index. Therefore, this study specifically examines constituent stocks of the SRI-Kehati Index. The study period used is 2009 to 2017. The sample in this study are 13 stocks that consistently enter into the calculation of SRI-Kehati Index during the study period. The stock performance assessment will be performed using Sharpe Index, Jensen Alpha, Treynor Ratio, Sortino Ratio, Information Ratio. Overall, the consistent stocks listed in the SRI-Kehati Index may not necessarily indicate good stock performance. From 13 stocks, some have negative results which can be classified as non-performing stock. Berbagai penelitian terkait kinerja saham-saham bertanggungjawab sosial di Bursa Efek Indonesia secara umum masih berfokus pada penilaian kinerja Indeks SRI-Kehati, namun belum secara khusus mengkaji kinerja saham-saham pembentuk Indeks SRI-Kehati. Oleh sebab itu penelitian ini secara khusus mengkaji saham-saham pembentuk Indeks SRI-Kehati. Periode penelitian yang digunakan adalah periode tahun 2009 hingga tahun 2017. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 13 saham yang secara konsisten masuk ke dalam perhitungan Indeks SRI-Kehati selama periode penelitian. Penilaian kinerja saham akan dilakukan dengan menggunakan Indeks Sharpe, Jensen Alpha, Rasio Treynor, Rasio Sortino, Information Ratio. Secara keseluruhan, saham-saham yang konsisten terdaftar dalam Indeks SRI-Kehati belum semua menunjukkan kinerja saham yang baik. Dari 13 saham yang diteliti masih ada beberapa saham dengan hasil negatif yang berarti masih mempunyai kinerja saham yang buruk.
Stock assessment of sciaenid resources of India

The catches of Jew fishes decreased from 1979 10 1980 and later increased in stages fwm 1981 to 1984, 1985 to 87 and 1988 to 89. Gujarat and Maharashtnl together contributed 52% oftota! sciacoid catches along the west coast. In both the statf"-s. the landings during the first few years showed an increasing trend whereas during the remaining period, the catches and percentage contributioo varied. Along the east coast also the sciaenid landings showed annual fluctuations. Aloog the west coast. O/oli/nus cuyi",i, Johnuops rr.acmrhYflus. ProlOfliiJea diacanlhus, Johnieops vogleri. Johnius glaucus and JO/"Jlieops 3ina dominated whcr"",,,s along the east coaSI Johnius ClJruJlI:J, i'en.nahia macrophlhafmus, Kalh.Jia axiiiaris, Johnuops vogl"rj and JohnillS dliSsumieTi were the dominant species. The seasonal abundance of sciaenids varied in diffc! l'! nt stales at diff::renl times. Sciallllids are carnivorous feeding on teleos! eans and crustaceans. Spawniug season of each spedes . aried from place to place. Other biological aspects like size at first ma! llrity, fecundity, seA ratio, lengm-wei&hJ. relationship, age and growth, etc for the common species were also studied. Estimations were made on the yield and biomass at various ievels of fishin! : effort for important species of sciacnids.
Rotylenchus coheni n.sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida) parasitic on the roots of Hippeastrum sp

Pieces of Hippeastrum roots were sent to the Nematology Department, Rothamsted Experimental Station, in July, 1950, by Dr. Morris Cohen, National Agricultural Advisory Service, Northern Province. They originated from a collection of these hothouse Amaryllids at Hexham, Northumberland. Later some more pieces of root and a potted plant, which was heavily infested, were received. Dr. Cohen had found eelworms associated with lesions on the roots and in the absence of other causes, thought they might be responsible for the damage to the roots and the consequent ill-health of the bulbs during the previous few years.
A new species of Tephritis Latreille (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Turkey

Tephritis ozaslani sp. nov. is described from Artvin Province of Turkey and placed in the T. pulchra species group. The key to the T. pulchra group is provided, which includes 9 species. The main characters that distinguish the new species from the closely resembling Palaearctic species, T. cometa israilis Freidberg, T. acanthiophilopsis Hering, T. erdemlii Kutuk, T. divisa Rondani, T. recurrens Loew, T. merzi Freidberg & Kutuk, and T. hurvitzi Freidberg, are discussed. In addition, Inula oculus christi L. (Asteraceae) is determined as a host plant of the new species.
From protégé to nurse plant: establishment of thorny shrubs in grazed temperate woodlands

Question Thorny shrubs play keystone roles in grazed ecosystems by defending non-protected plants against herbivores, but their establishment in grazed ecosystems is poorly understood. Which factors control establishment of recruits of thorny nurse shrubs in grazed temperate woodlands? Location Ancient grazed temperate woodlands (52 degrees 32'N, 6 degrees 36'E), The Netherlands. Methods We surveyed biotic and abiotic factors for saplings of thorny nurse shrubs in plots with and without saplings. To disentangle these factors, we performed a transplantation experiment over two growing seasons with nurse shrub saplings (Prunus spinosa and Crataegus monogyna) planted in two dominant vegetation types - tall unpalatable swards and short grazed lawns - half of them protected from herbivory via exclosures. Results Plots with shrub saplings had taller surrounding vegetation, higher soil pH and higher soil moisture than plots without saplings. These plots predominantly contained unpalatable sward species, while plots without saplings mainly contained palatable lawn species. After transplantation, sapling survival was higher in exclosures than in the open, and higher in sward exclosures than in lawn exclosures. Sapling growth was higher in swards than in lawns, higher inside than outside exclosures, and higher for Prunus than Crataegus, while browsing on saplings was higher in lawns. Conclusion Unpalatable swards form essential establishment niches for thorny shrubs in grazed temperate woodlands: they protect against herbivores before thorns fully develop in saplings, and sapling growth is better due to improved micro-environmental conditions. Once established and thorny, shrub saplings grow out of the protective range of the swards and in turn facilitate tree seedlings, which are essential for long-term persistence of grazed temperate woodlands. This study shows that nurse plants may start as proteges before becoming facilitators for other plants in a later life stage. This may be common for nurse plants in various ecosystems. We argue that improved understanding of establishment of nurse plants and their constraining factors is crucial for effective conservation and restoration in various ecosystems.
A comparison of HIV-1 and HIV-2 gag gene expression

Despite being closely related viruses with similar replication cycles, HIV-2 replicates more slowly than HIV-1 and produces fewer particles, resulting in a lower plasma viral load. Expression of the major structural gene, gag, from HIV-1 and HIV-2 proviruses was compared to investigate whether this could play a role in the difference in particle production observed between HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. Using quantitative RT-PCR, significantly less full-length HIV-2 gag mRNA was found to be transcribed from its provirus than for HIV-1. Sub-cellular fractionation allowed us to determine HIV-1/2 gag mRNA levels in the nucleus and cytoplasm throughout a time course. RNA export of HIV-2 gag mRNA was shown to be slower than for HIV-1 gag mRNA. HIV-2 full-length gag RNA was shown to be translated much less efficiently than HIV-1 in a range of cell lines. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 Gag have been proposed to be translated by internal ribosome entry. Shutting down capdependent translation (by poliovirus-mediated eIF4G cleavage) significantly reduced translation from both HIV-1/2 gag RNAs, with no evidence of compensatory IRES activity. This suggests that cap-dependent translation is the predominant mechanism for translation of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RNA. Additional work explored HIV RNA-protein interactions by UV cross-linking experiments using cellular proteins. Several proteins differentially binding to HIV-1/2 5’ UTR RNAs were identified and, in particular, a 45 kDa protein binding only to the HIV-1 5’ UTR. Attempts were made to characterise the proteins binding with different affinities to HIV-1 and HIV-2 RNAs. Confocal microscopy was used to visualise HIV-1/2 Gag expression within the cell. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 Gag expression was shown to be reduced when siRNA was used to inhibit the cellular clathrin adaptor protein AP-1. In conclusion, HIV-2 Gag gene expression was found to be less efficient than HIV-1 at the level of transcription, RNA export and translation. Future work will continue to investigate the mechanisms behind these differences.
The purification and characterisation of a membrane bound pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase type-II from bovine brain

Three new fluonmetnc assays were developed for the detection of pyroglutamyl ammopeptidase type-II (PAPII) activity. Two of these assays are based on hydrolysis of the TRH substrate analogue pGlu-His- Pro-MCA, while the third, a continuous assay, exploits the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyse the substrate pGlu-MCA. Following solubilisation of PAPII from the membrane fraction o f bovme brain, using trypsin, the enzyme was purified 3,000-fold, with an overall yield of 24%, using a range of conventional chromatographic techniques. By gel filtration chromatography, a relative molecular mass of 214,000 Da was determined for the enzyme The purified PAPII was found to be relatively labile. However, the presence of 1% v/v BSA was shown to greatly improve its stability. Optimal enzyme activity was observed at 45 °C A pH optimum of 6 8-7 6 was observed for the enzyme, with rapid inactivation occurring below pH 40 and above pH 92. Purified PAPII was strongly inhibited by the transition metals Cd2+, Hg2+ and Zn2+, while activation was observed m the presence of Co2+. The enzyme was identified as a metallopeptidase on the basis of its inhibition, in a time dependent manner, by metal-complexing agents and its subsequent reactivation in the presence of metal ions, including Zn2+, Ni2+ and Co2+ Inhibition by cysteine protease inhibitors and activators and by the senne protease inhibitor AEBSF, was also observed. Substrate specificity studies revealed that, with the exception of pGlu-Phe-Pro-NH2, pGlu-MCA and pGlu-BNA, the purified enzyme cleaves N-terminal pyroglutamic acid from only tn- and tetrapeptides with a His residue m the penultimate position. A number of N-terminal pyroglutamyl peptides of varying length were shown to competitively inhibit the enzyme. Of these, LHRH and LHRH 1-5, although not substrates for the enzyme, were found to be potent inhibitors, with Kj values of 8|xM and 11 (iM respectively.
Isolation and Identification of Antibacterial Compound from the leaves of Muehlenbeckia platyclada Meissn

Separation of the leaves extracts of Muehlenbeckia platyclada Meissn based on in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 resulted in the isolation of a flavonol glycoside. The aglycone was identified as quercetin based on UV, IR, NMR and mass spectral studies. Keywords: Muehlenbeckia platyclada Meissn, leaves extract, antibacterial activity, flavonol glycoside, quercetin.