Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PWO1 interacts with PcG proteins and histones to regulate Arabidopsis flowering and development

Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins mediate epigenetic gene regulation by setting H3K27me3 via Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). In plants, it is largely unclear how PcG proteins are recruited to their target genes. Here, we identified the PWWP-DOMAIN INTERACTOR OF POLYCOMBS1 (PWO1) protein which interacts with all three Arabidopsis PRC2 histone methyltransferases and is required for keeping full H3 occupancy at several Arabidopsis genes. PWO1 localizes and recruits CLF to nuclear speckles in tobacco nuclei, suggesting a role in spatial organization of PcG regulation. PWO1 belongs to a gene family with three members acting redundantly: pwo1 pwo2 pwo3 triple mutants are seedling lethal and show shoot and root meristem arrest, while pwo1 single mutants are early flowering. Interestingly, PWO1’s PWWP domain confers binding to histones, which is reduced by a point mutation in a highly conserved residue of this domain and blocked by phosphorylation of H3S28. PWO1 carrying this mutation is not able to fully complement the pwo1 pwo2 pwo3 triple mutant, indicating the requirement of this domain for PWO1 in vivo activity. Thus, the PWO family may present a novel class of histone readers which are involved in recruiting PcG proteins to subnuclear domains and in promoting Arabidopsis development.
Genetics of adaptation in experimental populations of yeast

Evolution proceeds through genetic changes to individuals, which are either propagated or disappear over generations. Adaptation is one of the main mechanisms driving these changes in genetic composition. Speciation can also result from different, and incompatible, genetic changes occurring in different populations. This thesis furthers our knowledge of the genetics of adaptation and speciation using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. My work on the genetic basis of adaptation to high concentrations of copper, when contrasted with a similar experiment using the fungicide nystatin, showed that the environment has a strong influence on both the number of genes that are the targets of selection and the types of potentially beneficial mutations. These results have implications for the repeatability of genetic evolution. In a second study, I found that genetic interactions between individually isolated single-step beneficial mutations from the same selective environment often exhibited the type of epistasis that underlies speciation even though these mutations occurred within a single biosynthetic pathway. These results support the mutation-order model of speciation by adaptation, where the chance order of mutations in separated populations leads to divergence and the build-up of reproductive isolation due to genetic incompatibility. Negative genetic interactions became positive when the level of stress was increased, indicating that genetically-based reproductive isolation can also be environment-dependent. Finally, I found that diploid yeast were generally not able to adapt to a level of fungicide to which haploid yeast can adapt. Diploids have been found to adapt to a lower concentration of the same drug, indicating that the exact environment (type and concentration) and ploidy can have an impact on the likelihood of genetic rescue. Together, these results have implications for our understanding of the genetic basis of adaptation in different types of environments and different levels of the same environmental stressor.
SYMPOSIUM: PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH-CLINICAL REALITY AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES Apoptosis in Cardiovascular Remodeling— Effect of Medication

Summary. In the last decade, apoptosis has emerged as a key determinant of target organ damage in cardiovascular diseases. The suggestion that increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis participates in the etiology of heart failure probably contributed to the negative view of the prevalence of apoptosis in the field of cardiovascular diseases. However, we and others have shown that up-regulation of apoptosis in certain cardiovascular cells may contribute to the beneficial action of antihypertensive drugs on target-organ structure. As an explanation for this apparent discrepancy, the same stimulus, e.g. angiotensin II, can induce apoptosis or stimulate cell growth in different cell types (e.g., cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, respectively). Using the angiotensin pathway as a paradigm, this review proposes an integrative view of cell growth and cell death regulation in cardiovascular cells in order to illustrate how cell-specific responses to the same stimulus may in part explain the patterns of cell population dynamics during the development and treatment of target organ damage in hypertension.
Mechanisms of peripheral nervous control of rat iris arterioles

It is important to understand the mechanisms which control arteriolar diameter, as these small diameter vessels provide the greatest resistance to peripheral blood flow. The aim of this thesis was to characterize the peripheral nerve-mediated control of the diameter of arterioles found within the stromal layer of the rat iris, using an in vitro preparation. The overall results of this thesis indicate that neurogenic responses of iris arterioles are not voltage-dependent, but rather result from the activation of intracellular messenger systems to influence smooth muscle tone. Sympathetic perivascular nerves release noradrenaline to produce vasoconstriction and, in most arterial vessels, a voltage-dependent non-adrenergic mechanism is responsible for all or part of the response. This thesis, however, demonstrates that in iris arterioles there is a purely a-adrenoceptor mediated response to nerve stimulation (10 Hz, 1 s) thus indicating that not all arterial vessels show a non-aadrenergic component to the response produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation. The contractile response in iris arterioles is initiated by the release of intracellular calcium, with a contribution to contraction at supramaximal stimulation being due to the influx of calcium through voltage-dependent calcium channels. This is consistent with neurogenic a-adrenoceptor mediated contractile responses previously recorded in other tissues. Repetitive nerve stimulation of iris arterioles activates sensory-motor nerves which release CORP to act post-junctionally to inhibit sympathetic nerve-mediated vasoconstriction. This occurs independently of membrane hyperpolarization but rather via an intracellular mediated mechanism involving cyclic AMP-dependent activation of nitric oxide which is proposed to lead to a reduction in levels of intracellular calcium. Thus the mechanism for this inhibition biochemically opposes the mechanism for constriction. This interaction may serve to increase blood flow to areas where sensory nociceptor afferents have been activated. It was further demonstrated that, unlike the iris arterioles, the dilator muscle does not receive sensory-motor innervation. It is proposed that sensory-motor nerves may only innervate a tissue where there may be some
Exploring the anticancer properties of essential oils from family Lamiaceae

ABSTRACT Lamiaceae is among the largest families of flowering plants with about 250 genera and over 7,000 species distributed around the world. It is considered as the important source of essential oils, for example, menthol, geraniol, eucalyptol, camphor and thymol. Therefore, it is imperative to study these economically important compounds under in vitro conditions for their sustainable and enhanced production. In addition to proven biological activities, essential oils from this family have recently been evaluated for anticancer activities and considered as a source of anticancer drugs. Mechanisms involved in the essential oils-mediated antiproliferative activity include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair mechanisms. Essential oils also act in the reduction of tumors, inhibiting metastasis and as anti-multidrug resistance molecules. The aim of this review is to assess the anticancer properties of essential oils obtained from different members of family Lamiaceae. The available reports on active components of essential oils and their effect on cancer type and cell line have been discussed. Biotechnological studies to improve the production of essential oils have also been highlighted. Various methods have been adopted to obtain essential oils under in vitro conditions from different plant species of family Lamiaceae, and their production is affected by culture conditions, cultivation mode, utilization of nutrient media and plant growth regulators. The literature survey suggests that essential oils obtained from family Lamiaceae have perspective for the development of new alternatives for disease treatment and prevention.
Adverse climatic periods precede and amplify defoliator‐induced tree mortality in eastern boreal North America

As major alterations are occurring in climate and pest ranges, it is imperative to evaluate their combined contribution to tree mortality in order to propose mitigation measures and limit losses in forest productivity. The objective of this study was to explore the association between declines in tree growth resulting from climatic and biotic (spruce budworm) disturbances, and their interactions on tree mortality of two dominant tree species, Abies balsamea and Picea mariana, of the eastern North‐American boreal forest. We disentangle the influences of abiotic and biotic components on growth through a combination of model‐data comparison techniques. First, we characterized the variability in tree growth and mortality in the study area using a network of tree‐ring width measurements collected from living and dead trees. Subsequently, a bioclimatic simulation model was used to estimate the past annual, nonlinear, responses of stand‐level net primary production (NPP) to climate variability (period 1902–2012). From these two data sources, we defined the biotic stress events as the variance in the tree‐ring data unexplained by the bioclimatic forest growth simulation. Throughout the 20th century, two periods of adverse climatic conditions preceded spruce budworm outbreaks episodes and induced tree mortality. Climatic stress events were associated with cold springs, warmer than average summers. We found that past stress history in interaction with tree characteristics and species predisposed trees to mortality. In addition, co‐occurring events (climatic and biotic) increased the severity of mortality episodes. Synthesis. Our study challenges the belief that spruce budworm outbreak is the primary driver of broad‐scale tree mortality in eastern boreal forest. Rather, tree mortality is the result of cumulative events that combine unfavourable conditions for growth, resulting in loss of tree vigour and subsequently, mortality. Co‐occurrence of stresses in the future may lead to more severe episodes of mortality, as extreme climatic events become more frequent.
Absorption, Translocation, and Metabolism of AC 252 214 in Soybean (Glycine max), Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), and Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

The herbicide AC 252 214 {2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl] 3-quinoline-carboxylic acid} was absorbed by the roots and foliage of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Williams’], common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L. ♯ XANST), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ♯ ABUTH), and then translocated in the xylem and phloem to meristematic regions. AC 252 214 was metabolized rapidly by soybean and velvetleaf but appeared to be metabolized slowly by cocklebur. The order of tolerance of these three species to AC 252 214 was soybeans > velvetleaf > cocklebur. This order of tolerance was directly correlated in young plants with the half-life of AC 252 214 within the tissue. Velvetleaf exhibited increased tolerance to AC 252 214 with age, which was attributed partially to greatly reduced absorption of the herbicide by older leaves and more rapid metabolism of the herbicide.
POLYPHENOLS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FOUR FRUITS NATIVE TO THE COAST OF CEARA UNDER DIFFERENT MATURATION STAGES

A presente pesquisa objetivou quantificar os compostos polifenolicos e a atividade antioxidante de quatro frutas nativas do litoral cearense, em diferentes estadios de maturacao, visando a sua utilizacao para uma alimentacao mais saudavel. Os frutos da murta (Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. ) foram colhidos no Parque Estadual Botânico do Ceara, em Caucaia-CE, e os do guajiru ( L.), do Chrisobalanus icacomanipuca (Mouriri cearensis Huber) e do murici-pitanga (Byrsonima gardneriana A. Juss.), no Jardim Botânico de Sao Goncalo, em Sao Goncalo do Amarante–CE. Os frutos foram coletados e transportados ao Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia Vegetal, sendo caracterizados, depois processados e congelados para as avaliacoes quimicas, no Laboratorio de Fisiologia e Tecnologia Pos-Colheita, da Embrapa Agroindustria Tropical: compostos polifenolicos e atividade antioxidante total. Utilizou-se o programa ESTAT nas analises estatisticas. O teor de polifenolicos teve o maior e o menor valor para o fruto de guajiru, com 480,73 e 10,90 mg/100 g, respectivamente, e a atividade antioxidante total, o maior valor foi no fruto do manipuca, com 42,99 µM de Trolox/g de polpa, e o menor valor, no fruto do guajiru, com 1,45 µM de Trolox/g de polpa. Observou-se correlacao significativa e negativa entre os polifenolicos e a atividade antioxidante total obtidos nos frutos do guajiru, que apresentou alto coeficiente de correlacao, R= -0,95 (P < 0,05).
Feeding of Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) to Grass Carp in Polyculture: A Sustainable Fish Culture Practice for Small Farmers

An experiment was conducted in outdoor cement ponds for three months to evaluate the growth and production of grass carp (Cte11oplwryngodon idella) and other polycultured species fed with napier grass (Pennisetu.m pul'pttreum). Chopped fresh napier grass was fed every day at ad libitw11 to grass carp stocked in three combinations in triplicates: (1) monoculture of grass carp; (2) polyculture of grass carp, silver carp (llypophthalmichth_ys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis); and (3) polyculture of grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Mean net fish yield (NFY) of grass carp obtained was: 1.22, 1.25±0.05 and 1.04±0.01 g·m·2·day-1 with total NFY of 1.22, 1.62±0.04 and 1.44±0.01 g•m·2·day-1 in treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Mean food con­version ratio (FCR) of fresh napier grass to grass carp production was 17.3, 17.9±0.6 and 21.9±0.4, whereas, to total fish production, this was 17.3, 13.5±0.3 and 15.0±0.3 in treat­ment. '-! 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Results clearly indicated that waste of grass carp cultivation fed on grass can irnpport the production of other fish species and that, as shown by NFY and FCR, grass carp and common carp compete on grasses. Water quality was less a prob­lem in polyculture than that in monoculture despite the higher stocking density in polyculture. Mass mortality of grass carps occurred in two replications of monoculture treatment due to the low level of dissolved oxygen in the ninth week of the experiment.
Anticaries activity of ethanolic extract from ant-nest plant (Myrmecodia Pendens Merr. and L.M Perry) against hyaluronic acid resistant Streptococcus mutans

Background: Streptococcus mutans is known as primary microorganism in the formation of dental plaque and tooth decay. Aims and Objectives: To determine the antibacterial activity of ant-nest plant ethanol extract to inhibit S. mutans clinical isolates growth in vitro. Materials and Methods: The ethanol extracts obtained from the ant-nest plant were studied for antibacterial activity against cariogenic S. mutans obtained from patients with clinically identified carious lesions, using the agar diffusion method. Chlorhexidine gluconate was using as a comparative drug. The simplisia of ant-nest plant was extracted using a maceration method. The phytochemical screening was taken using standard methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test was performed by a macrodilution method and following by subculturing the overnight result onto the surface of agar media. Results: Phytochemical screening of ant-nest plant ethanol extract revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The extract showed intensive activity and totally inhibited the growth of S. mutans clinical isolates at 1.25% w/v. In comparison, the chlorhexidine gluconate, essential oil of plants and povidone-iodine in a ranged tested concentration also had given inhibition effect to all hyaluronic acid resistant S. mutans isolates. Conclusion: It can be reasoned that the ethanolic extract of ant-nest plant gave potent and direct antibacterial effect on S. mutans.
Clinical Significance of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung cancer

Objective: Due to poor prognosis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), new markers and more effective treatment methods are needed in the monitoring of the disease. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with advanced NSCLC on prognosis and survival. Materials and method: Sixty seven patients (62 men and 5 women) and 20 healthy volunteers (16 men and 4 women) were included in our study. The demographic and laboratory data and serum VEGF levels of two groups were compared. Results: A statistically significantly high level of VEGF (p=0.0001) was detected in patients compared to the control group. The high level of serum VEGF has a statistically significant relationship with the short disease-free survival time (p=0.05). While the median progression free survival (PFS) time in patients with high VEGF levels was 157 days, the median PFS time in those with normal VEGF levels reached up to 340 days. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). When overall survival (OS) times was evaluated, it was 472 days in patients with low VEGF levels and 180 days in those with high levels and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). Conclusion: In our study, the serum VEGF levels were determined to be statistically significant increased in the NSCLC patient group compared to the control group. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was discovered between the serum VEGF level and all survival times in the NSCLC patient group.
Upper Thermal Limits Of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia, Unionoida) In Ramped Temperature Exposures

The purpose of this study was to determine the upper thermal limits of unionids. Three species of juvenile freshwater mussels were tested in lab experiments mimicking a diel pattern of temperature change (increasing 6 h, peak 2 h, and decreasing 8 h). The peak temperature fatal to half of the exposed population (LT50) was tested with respect to species, population, age, and seasonal acclimation. Mortality was monitored for 2 weeks after exposure. The smallest size classes were tested in a thermal cycler instrument, a novel application for testing mussels. LT50s for juveniles less than 3 weeks old were within 2-3°C higher or lower compared to juveniles 1-2 years older. LT50s for peak temperature in summer-acclimated mussels were 33.2, 39.1, and 38.9°C for Western pearlshell, Fatmucket, and Washboard juveniles less than 3 weeks old compared to LT50s of 36.1 and 40.8°C for Fatmucket and Washboard 1-2 years of age. These results are several degrees higher than previously reported for continuous temperature exposures lasting 1several days. LT50s for summer acclimated mussels immersed in water were 2-3°C higher than for those emersed in damp sand. LT50s for winter acclimated mussels immersed in water were 1°C lower than those emersed in damp sand. Winter acclimated Washboard had LT50s 2-4°C lower than summer acclimated animals. These data can be used to predict the impacts on threatened mussel species of increased temperatures resulting from anthropogenic factors including climate change.
Cell membrane and dietary fatty acids in colorectal cancer.

There is a great deal of epidemiological and experimental evidence which suggests that dietary fat has an aetiological role in colorectal cancer. Although the mechanism of the promotional effect of dietary fat is unknown, the cell membrane is a possible target point at which fat might exert an influence. This thesis addresses the relationship between dietary fat and cell membrane fatty acids in human and experimental colorectal cancer. In a case-control study of erythrocyte fatty acid profiles in human colorectal malignancies, cancer patients were found to demonstrate small differences in erythrocyte fatty acid profiles and unusual associations between dietary, erythrocyte and adipose tissue fatty acids. An analysis of cell membrane fatty acid profiles in the human colon demonstrated that tumour cell membranes contain a different fatty acid profile when compared to non-neoplastic colonic mucosa from either cancer or control patients. An animal model of colorectal carcinogenesis was established i n __ order to study the influence of the type and quantity of dietary fat on the development of experimental colorectal tumours. Both high and low levels of dietary unsaturated fat were found to exert an inhibitory effect on the development of experimental colorectal cancers but had no such effect on the development of colorectal adenomas. The type and quantity of dietary fat were found to influence the fatty acid profiles of erythrocytes, colonic mucosa and colonic tumours. Cell membranes from experimental colorectal tumours were found to contain an excess of the prostaglandin precursor arachidonic acid. These results suggest that dietary and cell membrane fatty acids are intimately related factors in colorectal carcinogenesis. It is conceivable that modification of dietary fat intake, may in the future, have a valuable role to play in the prevention of colorectal cancer.
KAI-1 ad p53 expression in Odontogenic cysts: An Immuno-histochemical Marker Study

Background: KAI-1/CD82 is a tumor suppressor gene with decreased gene expression being associated with increased invasive ability of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and as hypothesised for various odontogenic cysts and tumors. p53 protein functions in G1-S phase of the cell cycle to allow the repair of damaged DNA. In the present study, p53 and KAI-1 expression was investigated by using monoclonal antibodies in the various odontogenic cysts. Aims: To detect KAI-1 and p53 expression in Radicular cysts, Dentigerous cysts, and Odontogenic Keratocysts (OKCs) and to assess the relation between p53 and KAI-1 expression in the said cysts. Materials and Methods: The present study included histopathologically diagnosed cases of Radicular cysts, Dentigerous cysts, and Odontogenic Keratocysts (OKCs) for the expression of KAI-1 and p53 antibodies. Results: Amongst odontogenic cysts, radicular cysts expressed maximum positivity of KAI-1 (20.92%) while p53 positive cells were maximum in odontogenic keratocysts (4.04%). The correlation between KAI-1 and p53 expression in the various odontogenic cysts was not found to be significant. Conclusion: The increased KAI-1 expression in the radicular cysts and its downregulation in OKCs may be indicative of aggressive clinical behavior and the fact that OKCs are hypothesized as neoplastic rather than being developmental in origin.