Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiobesity Effects of Gentiana lutea Extract on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and a High-Fat Diet-Induced Mouse Model

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases resulting in metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the antiobesity effect of Gentiana lutea L. (GL) extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model. For the induction of preadipocytes into adipocytes, 3T3-L1 cells were induced by treatment with 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, 1 mM dexamethasone, and 1 μg/mL insulin. Adipogenesis was assessed based on the messenger ribonucleic acid expression of adipogenic-inducing genes (adiponectin (Adipoq), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (Cebpa), and glucose transporter type 4 (Slc2a4)) and lipid accumulation in the differentiated adipocytes was visualized by Oil Red O staining. In vivo, obese mice were induced with HFD and coadministered with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day of GL extract for 12 weeks. GL extract treatment inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the expression of adipogenic-related genes in 3T3-L1 cells. In the obese mouse model, GL extract prevented HFD-induced weight gain, fatty hepatocyte deposition, and adipocyte size by decreasing the secretion of leptin and insulin. In conclusion, GL extract shows antiobesity effects in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this extract can be beneficial in the prevention of obesity.
Seasonal and inter-annual variation of bacteria in a seagrass bed of the Mediterranean Sea : relationship with labile organic compounds and other environmental factors

Seasonal and inter-annual variations in density and biomass of benthic bacteria were examined in the surface sediments of a Mediterranean seagrass bed [Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile] in the Gulf of Marconi (northwestern Mediterranean Sea) from January 1990 to January 1992. Bacterial parameters were compared to changes in elemental (organic C and total N) and biochemical (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates) composition of sediment organic matter, as well as to photosynthetic pigments. Bacterial density and biomass were high and exhibited marked seasonal variations with highest values in late spring. Bacterial biomass was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with chlorophyll a content. By contrast no correlations were found with the bulk of organic carbon or nitrogen. In the year-to-year comparison the seasonal patterns of bacterial density were similar. However, bacterial parameters showed significant inter-annual variations. Such changes may be related to different organic matter composition and availability or to competition with microphytobenthos for inorganic nutrient uptake. These data evidence that, whereas temperature might be the most important factors controlling bacterial seasonality, the quality of organic matter (sedimentary protein content coupled to C/N values) may be an important factor for explaining the inter-annual variations.
Studies on Stylonethes sterkii sp. nov. I. Morphology and Systematic Position

While studying some of the ciliates found in the region of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth, England, from January to May, 1929, the author collected from Chelson Meadow a hypotrich which undergoes binary fission only during encystment. This interesting behaviour, which appears to be rare among the Hypotrichida, led to a study of the morphology of the free-swimming form; preliminary to further investigations, including a study of both protective and reproductive cysts.
Antarctic clouds

Sensitivity studies with global climate models show that, by their influence on the radiation balance, Antarctic clouds play a major role in the climate system, both directly at high southern latitudes and indirectly globally, as the local circulation changes lead to global teleconnections. Unfortunately, observations of cloud distribution in the Antarctic are limited and often of low quality because of the practical difficulty in observing clouds in the harsh Antarctic environment. The best surface observations suggest that the fractional cloud cover at the South Pole is around 50-60% in all seasons, whereas the cloud cover rises to around 80-90% close to the coast of the continent. Microphysical observations of cloud parameters are also very sparse in the Antarctic. However, the few measurements that do exist show predominantly ice-crystal clouds across the interior, with mixed-phase clouds close to the coasts. Crystal sizes vary from 5 to 30 mm (effective radius) in the interior to somewhat larger ice crystals and water drops near the coast. A wide range of crystal shapes is observed at all sites. This review considers the available cloud observations and highlights the importance of Antarctic clouds and the need for better observations in the future.
Marine pelagic rotifers and tintinnids – important trophic links in the spring plankton community of the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden

During the winter and spring of 1981, the dynamics of a marine pelagic rotifer, Synchaeta vorax Rousselet and tintinnids of the genus Tinlinnopsis, were studied in the Gullmar Fjord on the Swedish west coast. Although present in February and March, it was not until early April when the surface water temperature exceeded 6°C that the rotifer population started to grow rapidly. Thereafter, the population increased exponentially for 6 weeks. Estimates of consumption of phytoplankton by rotifers and tintinnids in their most dynamic phase approximated to that of the phytoplankton production. Lack of data on the amount of detritus available and the number of young rotifers passing the 90 /im net are however obvious limitations in such calculations. Nevertheless, the results indicate that the tintinnids and the rotifers are highly important components in the area's spring plankton community. Through high turnover rates, they are able to utilize effectively the spring phytoplankton bloom and thus serve as a link between the primary and the larger secondary producers.
Nutritive value of protein from sea urchin, and its effects on intestinal leucine aminopeptidase and intestinal and hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase

Seafoods are a rich source of easily digestible protein that also provides polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for human nutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritive value of diets high in protein from two species of sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus and Echinus esculentus) as compared to a high-quality reference protein such as casein, as well as the effects of these diets on leucine aminopeptidase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, intestinal and hepatic enzymes. The test was carried out on three groups of male rats fed these diets for 23 days. The result of the nutritive parameters indicated that sea urchin, Echinus esculentus, were significantly lower than the casein protein except for food intake, and the nutritive parameters of sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, were similar to the values obtained for casein protein except for digestibility and net protein utilization. Intestinal leucine aminopeptidase activity was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the group fed Paracentrotus lividus as compared to the group fed casein. Intestinal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase showed a significantly higher activity in the group fed E. esculentus than in the two other groups and the hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in the groups fed the two species of sea urchin were lower. Nutritive values suggested that these marine species are a good protein source and similar to casein. The activity of the enzymes under study must have been affected by the amino acid composition of the protein.
Integration or pragmatic coalition? An evaluation of nursing teams in primary care

Changing structures and organisations in primary care raise questions about the role and fit of traditional nursing disciplines. This paper discusses recent findings from an evaluation of integrated nursing teams. The study design used a mixed method approach measuring workload activity of health visitors, practice nurses and district nurses, through time diaries; and teamwork using the Primary Care Teamwork Questionnaire, in conjunction with semi-structured interviews exploring the views of key stakeholders and the nurses themselves. The main themes arising from the interviews are discussed, taking account of the findings from the assessment of workload and teamwork questionnaire. The key themes addressed are implementation of change, shifting role boundaries, communication and teamwork. The findings indicate that this type of organisational change is concerned predominately with structure, professional and organisational issues rather than patient care. In the teams studied the opportunity of integration led to a pragmatic coalition that encouraged its members to plan, execute and manage change by themselves, according to a vague definition rather than a patient focused agenda. In order to ensure a quality nursing service and avoid old historical rivalries this needs to be addressed as nursing teams are reconfigured in primary care groups.
Colonization of the polar willow Salix polaris on the early stage of succession after glacier retreat in the High Arctic, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

The polar willow (Salix polaris), predominant in the late successional stage in deglaciated areas of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, is rarely found in the early stage, when purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) dominates. To elucidate the pattern and the mechanism of successional change from the Saxifraga stage to the Salix stage, we examined the distribution pattern, size structure and habitat conditions of a colonizing Salix population in the seral stage where Salix was invading Saxifraga-dominated sites. The present distribution pattern and aerial photographs taken in the past suggest that Salix colonization at this site commenced within the last 70 years. We found 115 Salix individuals (22 male, 13 female and 80 unknown) in a 30 m × 30 m quadrat on the seral stage. Although the largest individual had a size of 2000 cm2 (length × maximum width), the majority (84%) of individuals were smaller than 100 cm2. The seedling size distribution, as inferred from the leaf scar number, indicated that annual recruitment was slight. Of the individuals observed about 75% had colonized bare ground; only four individuals grew within Saxifraga colonies. No significant difference was found in soil characteristics (water content, and carbon and nitrogen concentrations) between the seral stage and the earlier stage prior to colonization by Salix. These results suggest that difficulties in seed production, germination and/or seedling establishment of Salix, rather than soil formation by preceding species (Saxifraga), limits the early-stage colonization by Salix.
New species double the diversity of anaerobic ciliates in a Spanish lake

Fourteen species of ciliates, seven of which are new, were found living in a sample of anoxic water collected from a small lake in Spain. The species belong to all six orders in which anaerobic ciliates have been described and they include the first anaerobic representatives of the order Prostomatida. This surprising diversity is probably sustained because it embraces all ciliate feeding types, and because protozoa are the only important consumers of the diversity of microbes in anoxic habitats. Six of the anaerobic ciliate species have aerobic congeners; this strengthens the contention that anaerobic ciliates evolved independently from aerobes belonging to several taxonomic groups.
GENETIC VARIATION AND DIFFERENTIATION IN THE GENUS MABRYA (SCROPHULARIACEAE‐ANTIRRHINEAE): SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY INFERENCES

Nine populations of the five species of Mabrya have been examined for allozyme variation at 22 loci using enzyme electrophoresis. The species are homoploid (n = 12), herbaceous perennials and occur in small populations in canyons and barrancas in North American desert scrub and thorn scrub habitats. Although of ancient polyploid origin, the number of isozymes considered typical for diploids is encountered except for a probable duplication at a TPI locus. The average interspecific pairwise comparisons of genetic identities (range 0.434-0.731) are very dissimilar to intraspecific values (range 0.886-0.968). The uniformly low interspecific genetic divergence estimates (average I value of 0.593), large number of unique alleles (average of five per species), pronounced morphological differences, reduced interspecific cross-compatibilities, and (usually) allopatric distributions support recently proposed specific and infrageneric delimitations and hypotheses of a geographical speciation mode, a long period of reproductive isolation, and relictual endemism. Estimates of populational genetic variation are concordant with previous reproductive observations and suggest an outcrossing breeding system for M. geniculata and a mixed mating system for the other species. Because of approximately similar divergence values, phylogenetic relationships in the genus remain unresolved. MABRYA ELIsENs is a genus of showy-flowered,
Screening the Toxicity of Ni, Cd, Cu, Ivermectin, and Imidacloprid in a Short-Term Automated Behavioral Toxicity Test with Tubifex tubifex (Müller 1774) (Oligochaeta)

ABSTRACT A new automated online toxicity test for screening of short-term effects of chemicals is presented using the freshwater oligochaete Tubifex tubifex in the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor™ (MFB). Survival and locomotory behavior of the worms were observed during 24 h of exposure to metals (Cd, Cu, Ni), pesticides (Imidacloprid), and pharmaceuticals (Ivermectin). The LC50 values revealed increasing toxicity in the following order: Ni (> 100 mg/l) < Cu (15.2 mg/l) < Cd (4.9 mg/l) < Ivermectin (1.8 mg/l) < Imidacloprid (0.3 mg/l). The EC50 for locomotion showed a similar order of increasing toxicity: Ni (86 mg/l) < Cu (3.8 mg/l) < Ivermectin (2.0 mg/l) < Cd (1.1 mg/l) < Imidacloprid (0.09 mg/l). Toxicity was dependent on both concentration and exposure time. This could be demonstrated in 3d response models and proven in the statistical analysis showing a significant interaction term (C × T) for the experiments with Cu and Ni. T. tubifex proved to be very tolerant, but even then behavioral responses were more sensitive than mortality for Cu, Cd, and Imidacloprid.
The effect of ozone on the emission of carbonyls from leaves of adult Fagus sylvatica

Under the site conditions of a temperate forest, the exchange of short-chained oxygenated carbonyls (aldehydes, ketones) was assessed from leaves of adult European beech trees. The crowns of the trees were either exposed to an elevated O 3 regime as released by a free-air fumigation system (2 x O 3 ) or to the unchanged O 3 regime at the site (1 x O 3 , 'control'). Daily fluctuations of oxygenated carbonyls were quantified in relation to environmental and physiological factors. In particular, the effect of O 3 on carbonyl exchange was studied. Measurements of leaf gas exchange were performed with a dynamic cuvette system, and carbonyl fluxes were determined using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-coated silica gel cartridges. Leaves mainly emitted acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and acetone. Acetaldehyde dominated the emissions, amounting up to 100 nmol m -2 min -1 , followed by formaldehyde (approximately 80 nmol m -2 min -1 ) and acetone (approximately 60 nmol m -2 min -1 ). Carbonyl emissions were highest during midday and significantly lowered at night, irrespective of the O 3 exposure regime. Trees exposed to 2 x O 3 emitted acetaldehyde and acetone at enhanced rates. The findings are of particular significance for future climate change scenarios that assume increased O 3 levels.
Predictors of Asthma-related Pediatric Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations

Objective. Asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for children in the United States. As part of a larger study, the purpose of this analysis was to determine which variables were most effective at predicting subsequent pediatric asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Methods. A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted. Subjects consisted of a convenience sample of 298 children admitted to a New England Children's Hospital in 2006 with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Data from two hospital databases were collected for 12 months before and 12 months after the 2006 admission. Basic descriptive statistics were followed by chi-square tests to determine which variables were associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which variables were significant predictors of asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Results. Sixty-percent of all subjects were male. Ninety subjects experienced a total of 145 emergency department visits and 54 experienced a total of 70 hospitalizations. A previous emergency department visit was a significant predictor of both subsequent emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalizations. Age was also an independent risk factor for subsequent hospitalizations. In this sample, the risk of a hospitalization increased with each year increase in age. Conclusion. These findings support the importance of early identification of children with asthma so that appropriate asthma management can be instituted before an emergency department visit occurs. Furthermore, results suggest involving school-age and preadolescent children in the care of their asthma so that they can be equipped and encouraged to self-manage their own asthma.
Community-based quality improvement education for the health professions: balancing benefits for communities and students

In 1993, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) formed the Interdisciplinary Professional Education Collaborative (IPEC). From the beginning, two potentially opposing challenges emerged. One reflects the first part of IPEC's aim 'to equip health professionals with the ability to continually improve'. The other reflects the second part of the aim 'to continually improve the health of the individuals and communities they serve. ' Debate occurred around two questions: 'Are we educating students? ' and 'Are we improving health? '. Each question reflects different and separate complex processes and systems. How can two systems-the system to educate health professionals and the system that influences the health of the community-interact so that each realises a mutual benefit? Through our work in the collaborative we identified six key factors that will lead to successful and mutually advantageous student/community projects. These are: (1) understand community health issues; (2) connect the educational institution and the community; (3) define a target community; (4) understand the people you wish to serve; (5) identify appropriate, short-term projects; (6) practice interdisciplinary teamwork. Work from two Local Interdisciplinary Teams (LIT's), Rochester, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, illustrates these factors.
The effects of control on the biomass, carbohydrate content and bud reserves of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn), and an evaluation of a bracken growth model

Summary This paper examines the initial effects of bracken control on frond numbers and biomass, and the biomass, carbohydrate reserves and bud densities of bracken stands cut once per year, twice per year, subject to a single application of asulam or left untreated. The seasonal dynamics of these parameters are displayed; carbohydrate and biomass are both removed from the rhizome system to produce frond tissue, and are replenished at the end of the growing season. Asulam application reduced densities of both active and dormant buds, and both frond biomass and density. It did not significantly reduce rhizome biomass or carbohydrate reserves in the two years after treatment. Cutting, either once or twice per year reduced both rhizome biomass and rhizome carbohydrate reserves, as well as bud densities, though the latter were reduced in proportion to biomass. Cutting twice a year reduced the production of fronds, both in numbers and biomass. The collected data were used to evaluate a model of bracken growth, and subsequently to improve estimates of some of the model parameters. The model simulations of control treatments were compared to field data. The effects of cutting once per year and spraying with asulam were predicted accurately, but the bracken stand was more resilient to cutting twice per year than would be expected from model predictions. The combination of cutting and spraying is discussed as a potential tool in land management and the deficiencies of the model are discussed in relation to the need for future research into the biology of bracken.
Water use by sheltered kiwifruit under advective conditions

Abstract The transpiration of 2 kiwifruit vines grown within sheltered orchards in the Nelson locality was estimated in late summer by measuring their water uptake for 2 days following excision. Total daily transpiration by vines with vertically projected canopy areas of 16–17 m2 varied between 80 and 100 liters of water per day (4.8–6.1 mm/day) and ranged from 1.6 to 2.4 times the equilibrium evaporation rate. Stomatal conductances on excised vines were lower than those of adjacent uncut vines after the first day. Since transpiration estimates using the Penman-Monteith formula agreed well with the measured water uptake by cut vines, this equation was used to predict the transpiration of adjacent intact vines. Advective enhancement of evaporation contributed between 21 and 49% of the daytime water use despite the presence of multiple, closely spaced shelterbelts. Transpiration continued throughout the night as a consequence of incomplete stomatal closure, so that in total, advected energy was responsible .
Establishment of Reproducing Populations of Brook Trout after Stocking of Interstrain Hybrids in Precambrian Shield Lakes

Abstract Planted interstrain-hybrid and wild-strain brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis established self-propagating populations in four Precambrian Shield lakes in which earlier plantings of a domestic strain had failed to reproduce successfully. The purpose of this study was to document successful reproduction by interstrain-hybrid and wild brook trout and to suggest reasons why the domestic strain failed to reproduce. Nearly all brook trout were marked before stocking so that planted fish could be distinguished from lake-reared fish in gill-net catches. The tentative conclusion is that during its long period of domestication (more than 20 generations), the domestic strain had lost much of its ability to locate and use suitable spawning areas. A secondary factor was the poor survival to maturity of the domestic strain relative to the hybrid and wild strains.