Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NF-κB Activity Is Induced by Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Binding to Neurons and Astrocytes*

The neural cell adhesion molecule, N-CAM, is expressed on the surface of astrocytes and neurons, and N-CAM homophilic binding has been shown to alter gene expression in both of these cell types. To determine mechanisms by which N-CAM regulates gene expression, we have analyzed DNA binding of and transcriptional activation by NF-κB after N-CAM binding to the cell surface. Addition of purified N-CAM, the recombinant third immunoglobulin domain of N-CAM, or N-CAM antibodies either to neonatal rat forebrain astrocytes or to cerebellar granule neurons increased NF-κB/DNA binding activity in nuclear extracts as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Analysis using supershifting antibodies indicated that, in both cell types, p50 and p65 but not p52, c-Rel, or Rel B were contained in the NF-κB-binding complex. NF-κB-mediated transcription was increased after N-CAM binding to astrocytes and neurons as demonstrated by the activation of two different luciferase reporter constructs containing NF-κB-binding sites. N-CAM binding also resulted in degradation of IκB-α protein followed by an increase in the levels of IκB-α mRNA and protein. These results indicate that N-CAM homophilic binding at the cell membrane leads to increased NF-κB binding to DNA and transcriptional activation in both neurons and astrocytes. Activation of NF-κB, however, did not influence the previously reported ability of N-CAM to inhibit astrocyte proliferation. These observations together support the hypothesis that N-CAM binding activates multiple pathways leading to changes in gene expression in both astrocytes and neurons.
Assessment of relationships between total and reactive concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in Hungarian and Slovakian soils

To account for the difference between the total metal pool and the biologically available pool, a wide range of mild extracts have been proposed to estimate plant uptake. Despite numerous sequential extraction schemes, specific information on the availability of those pools in view of its relation with dissolved concentrations, readily available for plant uptake or leaching to groundwater is lacking. This stresses the need for a single extraction that is able to evaluate the reactive (potential available) metal content in different soils, that can be related to the dissolved metal concentration. In this study a single, dilute acid extraction by 0.43 mol.1(-1) HNO3 was applied on 72 soil samples that are representative for Hungary (33 plots) and Slovakia (39 plots). Sampling was limited to the plough layer where most effects on solute uptake (and ecology) are to be expected, i.e. within 0-20 cm. The soil samples were also extracted with EDTA to compare the results obtained with the mild HNO3 extraction. Furthermore, the "so-called total" metal content was measured by using an aqua regia extraction. The samples included a large range in soil properties and degree of contamination, the latter by including 12 plots from a long-term field experiment with heavy metals in Hungary. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility to derive reactive metal contents from "so-called total" metal contents, the latter being readily available for a large number of plots in many countries. Results showed a considerable agreement between reactive metal concentrations measured with a mild (0.43 mol.h(-1)) HNO3 extraction and with an EDTA extraction. Furthermore, a considerable part of the metals are present in a rather unavailable form in soils. On average, Zn has the lowest reactive to total metal ratio (0.17), followed by Pb (0.30), Cu (0.38) and Cd (0.56). For each metal considered there is a large range in ratios of reactive to total metal content. On average, a reasonable prediction can be made of reactive metal contents from total metal contents and the organic matter and clay content using regression relations. However, large errors can be made for individual samples specifically in the low concentration range. The derived relations are further completely empirical and can only to be used for the types of soil for which they were derived.
Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on fitness of an alpine species Cerastium glomeratum Thuill

Aims Information about how species respond to extreme environments, such as high UV-B radiation, is very useful in estimating natural ecosystem structure and functions in alpine areas. Our aim is to examine the effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on the fitness of an alpine meadow annual species on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods Plants of Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. were exposed to ambient (control) or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (enhanced), simulating a 9% ozone depletion over Gannan, China (10253#E, 3455#N, 2900 m in altitude), up to leaf senescence and fruit maturation. Plant height, flower phenology, biomass allocation and reproductive parameters of the species were measured. Important findings Plant height in C. glomeratum was reduced by enhanced UV-B radiation at early growth stages and compensated with ongoing development. Fruit biomass, aboveground biomass, total biomass and reproductive effort (fruit dry mass/aboveground biomass) were not affected by enhanced UV-B radiation, but a significant increase in root/shoot ratio was found. Enhanced UV-B radiation delayed onset of flowering by 1 day and shortened duration of flowering by 5 days in C. glomeratum. But because of the long period of flowering time (83–88 days), this did not make any significant effect on flower number, seed number, pollination success (number of seeds per fruit) or reproductive success (fruit to flower ratio) in C. glomeratum. Enhanced UV-B radiation had no effect on seed germination and seed mass either. And the high production and low germination rate of the seed might be the strategy of C. glomeratum to survive the extreme environments on alpine meadow. All these results showed that C. glomeratum was tolerant to enhanced UV-B radiation.
Variations of Thermally and Optically Stimulated Luminescence Sensitivity of Loess and Pedocomplex Samples from Southern Tajikistan, Central Asia

Abstract To better understand the factors controlling the quartz luminescence sensitivity in loess deposits, samples from two loess sections in southern Tajikistan are investigated. Both pattern and amplitude in the variations of quartz luminescence sensitivity of these two sections are similar, showing higher values in pedocomplex units and lower values in the loess units. Similar trends of variation are found between the quartz luminescence sensitivity and climate proxies, including frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, median grain size and IRSL/[post-IR] OSL ratio. Laboratory experiments involving thermal activation and repeated bleaching/irradiation cycles reveal much larger sensitivity enhancement for samples with initial lower sensitivity from loess units than those from pedocomplex units with higher sensitivity. The observed systematic contrast in quartz luminescence sensitivity between the loess and pedocomplex units are interpreted as resulting from the differentiation of the weathering products from the source area and subsequent sensitization during the sedimentary transfer prior to deposition.
Comparative study of antimicrobial activities of some mangrove plants from Sundarban Estuarine Regions of India

The study investigated antimicrobial activities in different tissues of four mangrove plants:Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh (Avicenniaceae), Avicennia alba Blume (Avicenniaceae),Clerodendrum inerme Gaertn (Verbenaceae) and Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco (Myrsinaceae) found in the Sundarban delta regions of West Bengal State, India. Organic solvent extracts obtained from different tissues of these plants were investigated by disc diffusion tests against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sakazakii and Acinetobacter baumannii) and fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Termitomyces clypeatus). Results suggested that extracts from various parts of these plants had growth-inhibitory effects on fungus and Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined for some of these extracts. The antimicrobial activities were found to be heat stable when the crude extracts were subjected to controlled heat stress. The pH tolerance of the antimicrobial activities was found to be wide ranging with marginal changes in activities at extreme pH. The results suggested that these plants could be exploited in the management of various infectious diseases and their tissue extracts might have roles as pharmaceuticals and preservatives. Key words: Antimicrobial activity, mangrove, Sundarban Estuary, disc diffusion test, heat stability, pH sensitivity.
Life history of breeding partners alters age‐related changes of reproductive traits in a natural population of blue tits

Reproductive senescence, an intra-individual decline in reproductive function with age, is widespread, but proximate factors determining its rate remain largely unknown. Most studies of reproductive senescence focus on females, leaving senescence in male function and its implications for female function largely understudied. We constructed linear mixed models to explore the interactive effects of paternal and maternal age and a life-history trait (i.e. age at first reproduction) on four fitness components (i.e. laying date, clutch size, number of fledglings and number of recruits) measured in a wild, breeding population of blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus ogliastrae where individual breeding success has been followed for over 30 years (our dataset spanned 29 years). Previous studies have shown that, across female lifespan, laying date decreases and subsequently increases; earlier laying dates result in higher fitness because hatchlings have greater access to a seasonal food source. Our analyses reveal that females that initiate reproduction early in life show a greater delay in laying date with old age. In addition to delayed laying dates, older females lay smaller clutches. However, the magnitude of female age effects was influenced by the age at first reproduction of their breeding partners. Senescence of laying date and clutch size was reduced when females mated with males that reproduced early in life compared to males that delayed reproduction. We confirmed that both laying date and clutch size were significantly correlated with reproductive fitness suggesting that these dynamics early in the breeding cycle can have long-term consequences. These complex phenotypic interactions shed light on the proximate mechanisms underlying reproductive senescence in nature and highlight the potential importance of cross-sex age by life-history interactions.
Biliary tree stem/progenitor cells and perspectives in physiopathology and regenerative medicine

We have recently demonstrated the presence of cells expressing a constellation of endodermal markers in (peri)-biliary glands of extrahepatic bile ducts. These observations in situ in human tissues have been achieved by the in vitro demonstration that a subpopulation of cells [Pdx1+ (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1+)⁄Sox17+⁄EpCAM+ (epithelial cell adhesion molecule+)] isolated from the biliary epithelium have long-term ( in vitro ) persistence and self-renewal, and are able to give rise to a more restricted progeny towards different mature lineages (hepatocytes, cholangiocytes and β-pancreatic cells). The discovery of these cells, named human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells, opens a new scenario impacting many different aspects of hepato-gastroenterology including embryology of liver, biliary epithelium and pancreas, biliary pathophysiology, hep
Avaliação de genótipos de tomateiro cultivados em ambiente protegido e em campo nas condições edafoclimáticas de Viçosa

The influence of the temperature, air humidity, brightness and their effects on tomato yield growth in protected environment and in the field were evaluated. Two experiments were carried out in different atmospheres from January to May 2002. The cultivar Santa Clara, hybrid Carmen and an accession BGH-320 from the Germplasm Vegetable Bank of Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were used in both experiments. The experiment under protected environment was carried out in a greenhouse type chapel and the other in the field, under natural conditions. In general higher production of fruits was observed on plants cultivated under protected environment than in open field. The Carmen hybrid exceeded the other genotypes in yield in the protected environment. Accession BGH-320 presented lower total yield under protected environment than the other two genotypes. In the field the accession BGH-320 presented higher total yield than Santa Clara cultivar and a similar yield than Carmen. In the field, the commercial yield did not differ among the three genotypes.
Studies on the biology of limpets IV. The breeding of patella depress a pennant on the north Cornish coast

SUMMARY The breeding of Patella depressa was studied at Trevone, North Cornwall, for 4 years. Gonads were examined and assessed by methods described in a previous report on P. vulgata. In contrast to the common Limpet, P. depressa is a summer breeder in Cornwall. Gonad development begins in the spring and is complete by June or July. Spawning coincides with maximum air temperatures in July, August or early September. The autumn and winter period is passed with gonads in recognizable post-spawning and spent stages, and only a small proportion of completely resting neuter gonads is found in the early spring. Mass spawning takes place, and gametes are voided rapidly. No definite spawning stimulus can be shown, but, as with P. vulgata, there may be some relation between onset of spawning and the occurrence of wave action on the shore. The differences in breeding behaviour of P. depressa and P. vulgata reinforce the other differences between them and throw some doubt on the concept of super-species in Patella.
Effects of Different Levels of Water Stress on Leaf Water Potential, Stomatal Resistance, Protein and Chlorophyll Content and Certain Anti‐oxidative Enzymes in Tomato Plants

A greenhouse experiment was performed in order to investigate the effects of different levels of water stress on leaf water potential (Ψw), stomatal resistance (rs), protein content and chlorophyll (Chl) content of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Nikita). Water stress was induced by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG 6 000) to the nutrient solution to reduce the osmotic potential (Ψs). We investigated the behavior of anti-oxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), during the development of water stress. Moderate and severe water stress (i.e. Ψs= -0.51 and -1.22 MPa, respectively) caused a decrease in Ψw for all treated (water-stressed) plants compared with control plants, with the reduction being more pronounced for severely stressed plants. In addition, rs was significantly affected by the induced water stress and a decrease in leaf soluble proteins and Chl content was observed. Whereas CAT activity remained constant, SOD activity was increased in water-stressed plants compared with unstressed plants. These results indicate the possible role of SOD as an anti-oxidant protector system for plants under water stress conditions. Moreover, it suggests the possibility of using this enzyme as an additional screening criterion for detecting water stress in plants. (Managing editor: Ping He)
Effects of marginal umbilical cord insertion on the prognosis of fetus

Objective: To investigate the effect of marginal placental insertion of the umbilical cord on the prognosis of a fetus. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed to compare the differences in fetal weight (FW), placental weight (PW), fetal/placental weight ratio (FPR) and complications between 295 cases with marginal insertion of umbilical cord, and 297 cases with normal umbilical cord insertion. The cases studied, with marginal insertion of umbilical cord, were admitted between 2013-2017 to the Second Western China Hospital of Sichuan University. The cases were divided into “upper”, “lower” and “other”, according to the site of umbilical cord insertion into the placenta. Results: The FW was lower, while the incident of low-birth weight infants was higher in the marginal umbilical cord insertion group than in the normal umbilical cord insertion group. In the subgroup of lower marginal insertions, the PW and FW were lower and the FPR was higher than in the subgroup of upper marginal insertion sites. Conclusion: The fetus with lower marginal umbilical cord insertion should be attended closely, with frequent monitoring of the developmental indices in order to screen abnormal growth of the fetus.
Power distance orientation as an antecedent of individuals’ intentions to engage in radical political action

The cultural dimension of power distance refers to individuals’ acceptance of power inequalities in society. Countries characterized by high power distance at the collective level face more domestic extremism. However, research has yet to examine how individual differences in power distance orientation may affect individuals’ intentions to engage in radical and violent political action. In this research, we test the hypothesis that stronger endorsement of power distance values makes people more prone to express their intentions to engage in radical and violent political action. To test the hypothesis’ generalizability across contexts, we sample from 2 countries characterized by different levels of power distance at the collective level, South Korea (higher power distance) and the United States (lower power distance). Studies 1a and 1b were surveys (N = 1,214) demonstrating an association between power distance orientation and radical political action over and beyond other known predictors of political participation, including political efficacy, perceived justice, emotions of anger and contempt, political orientation, and social dominance orientation. In Studies 2a–2c (N = 430; 2c preregistered), priming a higher (vs. lower) power distance orientation heightened individuals’ propensity to express the intentions to engage in radical political action. Theoretical implications of the findings, and future research directions, are discussed.
Estrogenic effects of natural and synthetic compounds including tibolone assessed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing the human estrogen α and β receptors

The human estrogen receptors (hER)α and hERβ, differentially expressed and localized in various tissues and cell types, mediate transcriptional activation of target genes. These encode a variety of physiological reproductive and nonreproductive functions involved in energy metabolism, salt balance, immune system, development, and differentiation. As a step toward developing a screening assay for the use in applications where significant numbers of compounds or complex matrices need to be tested for (anti) estrogenic bioactivity, hERα and hERβ were expressed in a genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, devoid of three endogenous xenobiotic transporters (PDR5, SNQ2, and FOR1). By using receptor‐mediated transcriptional activation of the green fluorescent protein optimized for expression in yeast (yEGFP) as reporter 17 natural, comprising estrogens and phytoestrogens or synthetic compounds among which tibolone with its metabolites, gestagens, and antiestrogens were investigated. The reporter assay deployed a simple and robust protocol for the rapid detection of estrogenic effects within a 96‐well microplate format. Results were expressed as effective concentrations (EC50) and correlated to other yeast based and cell line assays. Tibolone and its metabolites exerted clear estrogenic effects, though considerably less potent than all other natural and synthetic compounds. For the blood serum of two volunteers, considerable higher total estrogenic bioactivity than single estradiol concentrations as determined by immunoassay was found. Visualization of a hERα/GFP fusion protein in yeast revealed a sub cellular cytosolic localization. This study demonstrates the versatility of (anti) estrogenic bioactivity determination using sensitized S. cerevisiae cells to assess estrogenic exposure and effects. —Hasenbrink, G. , Sievernich, A. , Wildt, L. , Ludwig, J., and Lichtenberg‐Fraté, H. Estrogenic effects of natural and synthetic compunds including tibolone assessed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing the human estrogen α and β receptors. FASEB J. 20, E861–E870 (2006)
The Importance of the Glissonean Approach and Laennec Capsule Concept in Open Anatomical Liver Resections: What we Need to Know

The Glissonean pedicle approach in liver surgery provides new knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the liver and advances the technique of liver surgery. Extrafascial dissection of Glissonean pedicle without opening the liver substance, proposed by Takasaki, represents an effective and safe technique of anatomic liver resection. Presented approach allows early and easy ischemic delineation of appropriate anatomic liver territory (hemiliver, section or segment) to be removed with selective inflow vascular control. It is not time consuming and it is very useful in re-resection, as well as oncological reasonable. According to the Sugioka’s proposal, for technical standardization, it is important to recognize the four anatomical land-marks; the Arantius plate, the umbilical plate, the cystic plate and the Glissonean pedicle of the caudate process (G1c), and six Gates defined by the four anatomical landmarks. For the right extrahepatic Glissonean pedicle isolation, the cystic plate cholecystectomy should be the first procedure, whereas for the left, Arantius plate or the umbilical plate should be detached from Laennec’s capsule at first. Pedicles can be isolated by connecting Gates each other. Further peripheral pedicles could be pulled out to the hepatic hilum and transected safely. In conclusion, the extrahepatic Glissonean pedicle approach based on Laennec’s capsule would standardize anatomical liver resection including laparoscopic and robotic liver resection.