Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific variation during the life cycle of a modern Stephanodiscus species (Bacillariophyceae) inferred from the fossil record of Lake Suigetsu, Japan

Abstract Stephanodiscus populations were studied from a sediment core from Lake Suigetsu, central Japan. The cells were assignable to two modern freshwater species, S. suzukii and S. pseudosuzukii, described recently from Lake Biwa, which closely resemble S. carconensis and its varieties from Neogene lacustrine sediments in North America. Wide, continuous morphological variation, such as in the degree of central undulation, raised costae, number of central fultoportulae, and ultrastructure of the rimoportula internal opening, was observed in the populations, which consisted of convex, concave, and hemispherical valves. The diameters of convex and concave valves ranged from 5 to 45 μm, with a predominance of small ones measuring 7–12 μm; hemispherical valves, representing initial cells, were 25–50 μm in diameter and their morphological features were homogeneous. The size distributions indicate that the hemispherical valves are the initial valves of all the convex and concave vegetative valves, which show continuous variation in size and morphology. All valves therefore belong to the same species and so we reduce S. pseudosuzukii to being a synonym of S. suzukii. We describe for the first time life-cycle–related changes in the morphology of the rimoportula internal openings: the stalked, fan-shaped rimoportula in initial or large valves changes progressively to smaller and finally sessile forms, indicating the need for caution during taxonomic interpretation of this character in other diatoms.
Prevalence of and Detection of Resistance to Ampicillin and other ß-lactam antibiotics in Haemophilus influenzae in Denmark

The susceptibility of Haemophilus in uenzae to penicillin V and G, ampicillin and cefuroxime was investigated by MIC, disc and tablet diffusion methods, using chocolate agar as test medium, to determine the prevalence of ampicillin-resistant isolates and the optimal method for their detection. Eighty-six isolates were clinical isolates collected prospectively from July to September 1998 and 22 isolates were clinical isolates with decreased susceptibility to ampicillin previously referred to the reference laboratory. Eighty-seven isolates were ampicillin-susceptible and 16 were ampicillin-resistant. Thirteen produced b-lactamases. Among the consecutive isolates 12.8% were resistant. With each of the Rosco Neo-sensitabs containing penicillin G, 2.5 mg ampicillin and 33 mg ampicillin, 3 very major errors occurred (resistant isolates misinterpreted as susceptible) and 5–13 major errors (susceptible isolates misinterpreted as resistant). The AB biodisk containing ampicillin (10 mg) was superior to the penicillin V and G discs, i.e. only 1 very major error occurred and major and minor errors were infrequent. The cefuroxime disc identi ed 4/ 8 b-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant isolates. Thus, for susceptibility testing with chocolate agar as test medium, the use of an inoculum of 10 colony-forming units, 10 mg ampicillin discs and interpretative zone diameters of ]28 mm indicating susceptibility and 525 mm indicating resistance was found to produce reliable identi cation of ampicillin-resistant isolates of H. in uenzae.
The phenomena of anuran metamorphosis. III. The development of the thyroid gland

This paper presents a study of the growth and histological development of the thyroid in three species of frogs, the small Pseudacris triseriata, the large Rana catesbeiana and the intermediate Rana palustris. It was found that the history of the gland in relation to metamorphosis is essentially the same in all. Previous to metamorphosis the gland is small, and the cells very poor in cytoplasm. At the beginning of metamorphosis (i.e., rapid hind leg growth) the thyroid shows a marked acceleration of growth and activity, which continues and reaches a peak at the time of the emergence of the front legs. Late in metamorphosis a regression occurs.
Letter to the Editor

We were pleased to see Gillian Tober and Duncan Raistrick’s letter commenting on our paper Untreated Heavy Drinkers: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Dependence and Readiness to Change (Vol. 11, No. 5, October 2003, pp. 317–337), since it provides us with an opportunity to continue to debate the nature of dependence. In their comments, Tober and Raistrick presented an argument that our quantitative and qualitative results gave ‘valuable and additional support to the nature of the dependence construct as described by Raistrick et al. (1994) and measured by their scale, the LDQ’. They emphasized the distinction between dependence and both consumption and harm, stressing that dependence consists primarily in the degree of control experienced by drinkers in the face of biological, social or cognitive cues to drink. As one of us has argued elsewhere, the concept of dependence has historically been central to concerns about substance use (Hartney, 2000). An interesting parallel between the untreated heavy drinkers who participated in our study and the professionals who attempt to understand and treat substance use problems described by Raistrick et al. (1994), is that both are divided between those who believe dependence to be of crucial importance, and those who consider it to be unimportant or non-existent. Participants varied between those who queried every question on the LDQ, asking whether it indicated they had ‘a problem’, whilst others, in contrast, requested they skip all of the LDQ items as ‘not applicable’ (all participants were nevertheless required to provide a response for all items). While it is clear that dependence exists as a construct the question remains whether the concept of dependence is useful, in terms of accuracy and relevance. With regards to whether the construct of dependence is accurate as an indicator of a problem (a considerable concern to our sample of untreated heavy drinkers), Tober and Raistrick themselves stated that dependence is distinguished from the actual exertion of control over drinking behaviour. Neither does the construct of dependence accurately provide an indication of dangerous consumption levels and patterns of drinking (such as periodic heavy drinking or binge drinking). So what, in fact, is dependence if not simply feeling of loss of control? The danger in the construct of dependence continuing to take centre stage as the crucial factor in explaining excessive substance use is that it absolves the need for change in millions of drinkers and drug users who
Beta-Haemolytic Streptococci Isolated from Acute Sore-Throat Patients: Cause or Coincidence? A Case-Control Study in General Practice

As beta-haemolytic streptococci can be cultured in people with and in those without a sore throat, a case-control study was set up in 43 family practices in The Netherlands. The association was tested between the number of colony counts, specific T/M types and exotoxin genes and an acute sore throat. Duplicate throat swabs were taken from 663 sore-throat patients, selected by clinical criteria, and from 694 healthy controls. They were cultured for beta-haemolytic streptococci by combining several updated laboratory methods. Approximately 40% of the controls and 80% of the patients had beta-haemolytic streptococci-positive cultures. When focusing on cultures with high colony counts, not only group A (46%), but also non-group A streptococci (20%), predominated significantly in adult patients compared with controls. No T/M or exotoxin gene type was significantly more prevalent in patients than in controls. Thus, semiquantitative analysis, but not T/M and exotoxin gene typing, showed an association between beta-haemolytic streptococci and active disease. Groups A, C and G streptococci were found to be potentially pathogenic in adult sore-throat patients, and should be included in the discussion on the use of rapid antigen detection tests and penicillin treatment in primary care.
Phytoplankton dynamics in relation to environmental changes in a phytoplankton-dominated Mediterranean lagoon (Cabras Lagoon, Italy)

In Mediterranean lagoons, macrophytes often surpass phytoplankton as the most important primary producers. Less frequently, phytoplankton dominates throughout the year, thus knowledge of its dynamics is relatively limited and scattered. In this study, we assessed over two years the dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages, including potential harmful algal species (HAS), in relation to environmental changes in the phytoplankton-dominated Cabras Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy). The lagoon was characterised by uniform spatial conditions, wide temporal variations in salinity (40 PSU) and high nutrient availability. Phosphorus was highest in summer, possibly recycled within the system, while dissolved inorganic nitrogen increased in winter and spring due to watershed discharge. Chlorophyll a, positively correlated with nutrients and rainfall, showed a typical bimodal pattern with summer-winter blooms. Modifications in phytoplankton composition strongly correlated with extreme weather events, such as intense rainfall. This generated an abrupt salinity decrease that, combined with high nutrient availability, favoured the dominance of Cyanophyceae of reduced cell size, such as Cyanobium and Rhabdoderma species. We suggest that the prolonged and intense dominance of Cyanophyceae, added to other HAS, has a negative impact on the primary economic activities of the lagoon, such as fishery, and generally on the whole lagoon functioning.
Referrals, diagnoses, and neuropsychological findings in an outpatient sample of German children and adolescents with brain dysfunction

Although the necessity of outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation of neurologically impaired children and adolescents is widely accepted, outpatient services, however, are scarcely supplied. Furthermore, there are only a few analyses of the requirement of such services for children and adolescents. This investigation presents the results of an empirical analysis of referral sources, referral diagnoses, demographic characteristics, and neuropsychological findings for an outpatient neuropsychological utilization sample of children and adolescents with brain dysfunction. Finally, suggestions for the further development of adequate rehabilitation programmes are discussed.
Molecular markers allow sibling species identification in red wood ants (Formica rufa group)

Red wood ants (Formica rufa group) constitute a group of species that are considered to be among the most promising bioindicators in forest ecosystems. However, because of their morphological similarity and intraspecific variability, morphological species identification can be difficult. Considerable expertise is necessary to discriminate between the sibling species F. lugubris and F. paralugubris, two species that often live in sympatry in the same Alpine forests. New taxonomic tools providing rapid and reliable species identification are needed. We present a simple and reliable molecular technique based on mtDNA (COI gene) and a restriction enzyme for discriminating between F. lugubris and F. paralugubris. We confirm the validity of this method with a Bayesian analysis based on microsatellites. This new molecular tool represents a clear breakthrough for discriminating between F. lugubris and F. paralugubris and is likely to be helpful in large‐scale biomonitoring.
Antennal responses of tsetse to analogues of the attractant 1‐octen‐3‐ol

Abstract. Antennal movement responses of male Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood to twelve analogues of the tsetse olfactory attractant 1‐octen‐3‐ol were investigated to determine their structure‐activity relationships. The results indicate that the chemoreceptors which perceive this set of kairomones may not be highly specific. Activity is dependent on the length of the alkyl chain; also homologues with odd alkyl chains such as 3‐buten‐2‐ol, 1‐hexen‐3‐ol and 1‐octen‐3‐ol evoked higher antennal responses than homologues with even alkyl chains such as l‐nonen‐3‐ol, 1‐hepten‐3‐ol and 1‐penten‐3‐ol. Comparison of the activities of eight carbon structural variants of 1‐octen‐3‐ol showed that the structural requirements for activity of the functional end of the molecule may not be rigid; thus, 1‐octyn‐3‐ol elicited relatively high responses. However, low responses to 1‐octene and 3‐octanol showed that both the π electron system as well as the oxygen function are important for activity. Laboratory bioassay findings indicate that compounds such as 1‐octyn‐3‐ol, 3‐buten‐2‐ol, allyl alcohol and 1‐octen‐3‐one which evoke antennal responses 2–3 times greater than the control have attractive properties and preliminary field investigations show that 3‐buten‐2‐ol and allyl alcohol significantly increase trap catches.
Effect of Vasopressin on Marginal Cells of Neonatal Rat Cochlea In Vitro

Strial marginal cells are known to secrete K + into endolymph via apical I sK KvLQT1 (I Ks ) channels. Regulation of K + secretion by several hormones is important for inner ear homeostasis but the role of vasopressin in the cochlea is still controversial. We examined the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on marginal cells in the middle turn of the neonatal rat cochlea using nystatin-perforated whole-cell recordings at 24°C. Whole-cell capacitance was 27.3 - 1.1 pF ( n = 31). AVP (10 -8 M) gradually increased the I Ks channel current in 30 min from the basal (1.1 - 0.3 pA; n = 6) to the peak level (714.7 - 197.5 pA; n = 6). The deactivation curve of the I Ks channel current was best fitted to a biexponential function. 1-Deamino-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP; 10 -8 M; n = 5) and 8-bromo-cAMP (10 -4 M; n = 5) also mimicked the effect of AVP with similar time courses. However, 10-9 M AVP ( n = 7) and DDAVP ( n = 5) showed no response. The majority of the increase in the I Ks channel current caused by 10 -8 M AVP, 10 -8 M DDAVP or 10 -4 M cAMP was blocked within 2 min by the application of chromanol 293B (10 -5 M), a selective blocker of the I Ks channel. Our results demonstrate that AVP increases the I Ks channel current in marginal cells of the neonatal rat at a concentration of 10 -8 M, and the fact that 8-bromo-cAMP (10 -4 M) and DDAVP (10 -8 M) also showed similar effects at 24°C may suggest the involvement of V 2 receptors and the subsequent activation of the cAMP signal pathway.
Efeito da cobertura do solo com cama-de-frango semidecomposta sobre dois clones de mandioquinha-salsa

Soil covering effect with semi-decomposed chicken manure on two clones of Peruvian carrot. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Amarela de Carandai and Branca Peruvian carrots clones, cultivated in soil with and without covering with semi- decomposed chicken manure, in order to offer to producers new alternatives of production. Factors were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme in a randomized experimental block design with six replications. Cuttings for planting were shoots of medium size. Harvest was done on 229 days after planting. Branca Peruvian carrot plants showed 20.19 t ha -1 more in yield of commercial roots compared to Amarela de Carandai clone. Differently, Amarela de Carandai Peruvian carrot plants showed the highest mass yields of leaves, shoots, crowns and non- commercial roots compared to Branca clone. The highest gross income (R$ 59,488.00) was that obtained by Branca clone cultivated with soil covering. The highest contents of mineral residues, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibers and total caloric value of organs of both two clones indicate the possibility of use for human consumption and as animal food.
Medial (Intra-cisternal) Acoustic Neuromas

The clinical characteristics of ? medial? or ? intra-cisternal? acoustic neuroma (AN) treated in our institute were reviewed. Among 466 patients with ANs in our series during the last 20 years, 6 patients (1.3%) were considered to fill the criteria of medial AN definition. Compared with those with non-medial ANs, the patients with medial ANs show a tendency to have cerebellar and/or cranial nerve dysfunction (especially trigeminal and/or facial nerves) in addition to hearing loss at the time of initial presentation. On magnetic resonance imaging, medial AN is visualized as a multi-cystic mass lesion in the cerebello-pontine cistern without extension into the internal auditory canal in most cases. Although total removal of tumor was achieved in all cases, the results of preservation of facial nerve function were not satisfactory. Medial AN can be considered as a clinical, but not pathological, subtype in terms of the functional outcomes of the facial nerve and hearing.
Size-Dependent Effects in the Analysis of Reproductive Effort in Plants

Size-dependent variation in reproductive effort (RE) appears to be a common phenomenon in many plant species, but researchers have not fully appreciated the factors causing such variation and the potential significance of these patterns to plant ecology and life history. Data from desert winter annuals and the reexamination of published work indicate that many plant populations can be characterized by a significant linear relationship between absolute reproductive biomass and vegetative biomass. The form of this allometric relationship results in variable RE with size (monotonically increasing or decreasing) in many of these species. Both increasing and decreasing RE-with-size patterns are found in both iteroparous and semelparous species, but theoretical expectations for such patterns in different plants remain undeveloped. Some of the conclusions of previous studies of RE in plants may be in error if size-dependent effects were not taken into account. The graphical-regression approach presented here provides a simple means of testing for size-dependent effects within populations and for assessing the significance of differences in size-dependent patterns among populations.
Intracranial Microenvironment Reveals Independent Opposing Functions of Host αVβ3 Expression on Glioma Growth and Angiogenesis*

αVβ3 integrins are overexpressed in the host-derived vasculature of glioblastoma multiform (GBM) and are believed to contribute to angiogenesis and tumor growth. To directly address the role of host αVβ3 expression in GBM growth and behavior, we intracranially implanted integrin β3-expressing GBM cells into β3 wild type (WT) or β3 knock out (KO) mice and monitored angiogenesis and growth. GBM in β3 WT animals had a vessel density greater than that in β3 KO animals, consistent with a pro-angiogenic, pro-tumorigenic view of host integrin function. GBM in β3 WT animals, however, were no larger than those in β3 KO animals, because GBM in β3WT animals were infiltrated with a higher number of tumor necrosis factor α-secreting, apoptosis-inducing macrophages than the tumors in the corresponding β3 KO animals. The tumor-suppressive effects of host β3 expression could be reversed by macrophage depletion or by transplantation of bone marrow from β3 KO animals into β3 WT animals, both of which significantly increased tumor growth independently of tumor vessel density. Taken together, these results show that host αVβ3 integrin expression has opposing actions in the intracranial setting, enhancing tumor vascularization and growth while independently enhancing macrophage-mediated tumor elimination. Appropriate management of these functions could lead to enhanced efficacy of anti-integrin based therapies for glioma.
Variations of Immunoglobulins in Colostrum and Immune Milk as Affected by Antigen Releasing Devices

This work was conducted to examine the variation of immunoglobulins (Igs) in serum, immune milk, normal milk and colostrum upon implantation of a new Antigen Releasing Device (ARD). The core of each ARD housed an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) that was made of adjuvant Quil A and type XIII lipase from a Pseudomonas sp. Each ARD was coated with polylactic acid, known as polylactide, that controls antigen release. Twenty lactating Chinese Holstein cows were divided into 2 groups (n = 10): test group and control group. All cows in the test group were implanted with a single injection in the right iliac lymph node with 3 types of ARDs, which were designed to release the antigens at d 0, 14 and 28 post-implantation. Blood and milk samples were collected from both groups, and colostrum samples were also collected from other post-partum cows in the same farm. Concentrations of IgG 1 , IgA and IgM in whey and serum were measured by sandwich ELISA. The results showed that the IgG 1 , IgA and IgM concentrations in serum and whey from the test group were higher than from the control group. Among the three Igs measured, the IgG, concentration in serum was significantly higher at d 40 after ARD implantation, and the IgG 1 concentration in whey peaked at d 9, 17 and 30, which corresponded with release of the antigen. Based on Pearson's correlation between Ig concentration and production parameters, IgA concentration in normal milk was positively correlated with lactation period, which reflected IgA changes during the lactation period in immune milk. In colostrum, IgG 1 , IgA and IgM decreased abruptly from d 0 to 3, and then decreased slightly. In conclusion, serum IgG, concentration can be affected by controlled release of the ARD, while whey IgA levels are primarily affected by lactation period. These results may be useful in future studies designed to regulate concentrations of Igs in immune milk.
Differential activation of β1‐, β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptors by catecholamines in white and brown adipocytes

Summary— This review summarizes the experiments performed by various groups to determine how the activation of the different β‐adrenoceptors (β‐ARs) is ordinated when they are present in the same fat cell and involved in the same biological event. When expressed after the transfection of their genes in Chinese hamster ovary cell (CHO cells), β1‐ and β2‐ARs present a higher affinity for catecholamines than β3‐ARs. In vitro, the lipolytic effect induced by low concentrations of catecholamines in dog and rat white fat cells is due to the selective activation of β1‐ and/or β2‐ARs. Higher concentrations only are able to activate β3‐ARs. Similar results have been obtained in rat brown adipocytes. On the other hand, the lipolytic effect of catecholamines in human and primate adipocytes does not involve a β3‐AR component whatever the concentration used. In vivo experiments in the dog have also shown that lipomobilization induced by low doses of isoprenaline only involved β1‐ and β2‐AR activation, this effect being blocked by β1‐/ β2‐antagonist pretreatment. However, in the same blockade conditions, perfusion of a 10‐fold higher dose of isoprenaline revealed a β3‐AR contribution in the lipomobilizing effect. These data showed that brown and white adipocyte β3‐ARs possess a lower affinity for catecholamines than β1‐ and β2‐ARs and are only recruited by high concentrations of the amines. Thus, even if the β3‐AR plays an indisputable role in the white and brown adipose tissue of some species, its physiological status and its expression are still subject to debate in human white fat cells.