Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal effects of propolis/polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibres obtained via electrospinning

Summary Electrospinning of propolis/polylactic acid (PLA) fibres was investigated for propolis concentrations from 0–10% (w/v). Solutions could not be spun when the amount of propolis was over 8% (w/v). Mechanical characterization indicated that propolis reduced the tensile strength. The fibre mats exhibited poorer mechanical performance when the propolis concentration was increased. At propolis concentrations of 2–6% (w/v), the fibres were smooth, bead-free and homogeneous. When the concentration of propolis was more than 6% (w/v), the fibres changed from ductile to brittle. The fibres containing 2% (w/v) propolis showed bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. At a propolis concentration of 4% (w/v) they also inhibited Bacillus cereus.
Effects of embryonic salinity exposure on larval development in two populations of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Brachyura)

Summary Life cycles of crabs include embryos, larvae, juveniles and adults that may inhabit different habitats and, consequently, cope with differing environmental cues. Embryos and adults of many estuarine crabs must tolerate diluted water, whereas their oceanic planktonic larvae live under constant salinity. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of low salinity experienced during the embryonic phase on the survival and growth of larvae reared at low and high salinities. The observed effects of salinity on development (larval survival, developmental duration and first crab size) were compared between two populations (Mar Chiquita Lagoon, 37°45'S, and San Antonio Bay, 40°72'S) of Chasmagnathus granulatus, a semi-terrestrial estuarine crab of the southwestern Atlantic. We observed interpopulational differences in low salinity tolerance of embryos and larvae which may have been related to environmental differences between habitats. The strong effect of wind on the tides and the irregular influx of freshwater cause salinity at Mar Chiquita to be variable, both in time and space, in an unpredictable way. Embryos and larvae from this lagoon tolerated low salinities but their responses varied among individuals. Embryonic acclimation to low salinity here seems likely. Crabs in San Antonio Bay, on the contrary, experienced high and constant salinities and regular tides, and their embryos did not tolerate low salinities. Low salinity tolerance would not have an adaptive advantage in this area.
Effects of Dehulled, Crushed and Untreated Whole-Grain Paddy Rice on Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different types of paddy rice (dehulled, crushed and untreated whole-grain forms) on growth performance in broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, a control diet containing 41.6% corn (control), and three experimental diets containing 40.7% dehulled, 43% crushed or 43% whole-grain paddy rice, were formulated to be iso-caloric (3,100 kcal/kg ME) and iso-nitrogenous (20% crude protein), but to contain different levels of fat (6%, 5.6%, 10.7%, 10.7%, respectively). Groups of 0-day-old chickens were the fed experimental diets ad libitum for 28 d. The average final body weight of groups fed the crushed and untreated wholegrain paddy rice was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the control group, but that of dehulled rice-fed group was slightly higher than the control group. This finding implies that the growth retardation seen with crushed or untreated whole rice could be caused by the feed intake-reduction due to the fat addition to the experimental diets. In Experiment 2, the control diet containing corn and the experimental diets containing dehulled and untreated wholegrain paddy rice were formulated to contain similar levels of fat (5.6-6%) and to be iso-nitrogenous (20%), but not to be iso-caloric. As a result, the average body weight gain of the whole-grain rice-fed chickens showed a considerable increase compared with the control diet-fed chickens even though the energy content of the former diet was only about 90% that of the control diet. It is concluded that whole-grain paddy rice could serve as a valuable constituent of broiler chicken feed, but that excess fat in the diet to maintain the ME content (3,100 kcal/g) could have a negative effect on growth performance.
Introduction

Since this is an historic meeting which will address one of the most important clinical issues in the field of sleep medicine, it is appropriate to examine how we arrived at this moment. Accordingly, I will present a brief review of the history of sleep medicine. I have addressed this topic on several previous occasions.1-3 In my view the history of sleep medicine can be divided into five clearly demarcated phases. These are listed in table 1. View this table: Table 1 History of sleep medicine I have designated the first phase, to some extent with tongue in cheek, as “prehistoric”. This reflects the relative lack of scientific experimentation involving sleep over the first half of the 20th century and before. The subject of dreams and dream interpretation probably received the most attention. A great deal of the early sleep literature reported observations on sleep habits and sleep characteristics in the service of comparing and contrasting the data reciprocally to data describing the waking state. During this “prehistoric” period nearly every biomedical scientist assumed that sleep occurred when sensory stimulation continuously bombarding the brain during the day was rendered insufficient to maintain a waking level of brain activity by the occurrence of the darkness and silence of night. It seems reasonable that this perspective, often called the “passive process theory”, would have made the study of sleep seem relatively uninteresting. The notion that sleep was the brain “turned off” led to the erroneous conclusion that sleep could be regarded as an entirely homogenous state, and that a single observation could be generalised to the entire sleep period. Finally, there was no tradition of staying up at night to carry out scientific research except, of course, for astronomy. There are some “prehistoric” scientific landmarks that are worth noting but which occurred far too early …
A quantitative genetic analysis of leaf beetle larval performance on two natural hosts: including a mixed diet

Published quantitative genetic studies of larval performance on different host plants have always compared performance on one host species or genotype vs. performance on another species or genotype. The fact that some insects may feed on more than one plant species during their development has been neglected. We executed a quantitative genetic analysis of performance with larvae of the leaf beetle Oreinaelongata, raised on each of two sympatric host plants or on a mixture of them. Growth rate was higher for larvae feeding on Adenostylesalliariae, intermediate on the mixed diet and lowest on Cirsium spinosissimum. Development time was shortest on A. alliariae, intermediate on mixed diet and longest on C. spinosissimum. Survival was higher on the mixed diet than on both pure hosts. Genetic variation was present for all three performance traits but a genotype by host interaction was found only for growth rate. However, the reaction norms for growth rate are unlikely to evolve towards an optimal shape because of a lack of heritability of growth rate in each single environment. We found no negative genetic correlations for performance traits among hosts. Therefore, our results do not support a hypothesis predicting the existence of between‐host trade‐offs in performance when both hosts are sympatric with an insect population. We conclude that the evolution of host specialized genotypes is unlikely in the study population.
Correlations between the physicochemical and functional properties of rice.

Three typical U.S. rice varieties were studied for differences after storage for 1 year at temperatures between 4 and 40 o C. In this manner, rice samples with a relatively wide range of physicochemical and functional properties were obtained. From the experimental results it became apparent that water intake by cooked grains, stickiness after cooking, and rice flour dough leavening were all correlated to the quality determining factors: the average molecular weight of denatured oryzenin (rice storage protein) and the binding of denatured oryzenin to starch
Integrin α2β1 modulates EGF stimulation of Rho GTPase‐dependent morphological changes in adherent human rhabdomyosarcoma RD cells

The ability of cells to undergo shape changes is essential for diverse cellular functions including cell growth, differentiation, and movement. The present study examines how an integration of the function of α2β1 integrin with that of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR) modulates EGF‐stimulated morphological changes in human rhabdomyosarcoma RD transfectant cells. Upon EGF stimulation, RD transfectant cells that lacked α2β1 integrin expression (RDpF) underwent contraction; in contrast, expression of α2β1 on RD cells (RDX2C2) resulted in transient cell spreading. Integrin α2 cytoplasmic domain played a critical role in the observed α2β1‐mediated conversion from a cell rounding to a cell spreading phenotype. Thus, the expression of an α2 cytoplasmic domain deletion variant (X2C0) or a chimeric α2β1 containing the cytoplasmic domain of α4 (X2C4) or α5 (X2C5), instead of α2, failed to mediate spreading upon EGF stimulation. Using dominant negative (DN) mutants of RhoGTPases, results revealed that RhoA activation was required for both EGF‐stimulated responses of cell rounding and spreading, Cdc42 functioned in the re‐spreading of cells after undergoing EGF‐stimulated contraction, and Rac1 was required in α2β1‐mediated RD cell spreading. Therefore, α2β1 integrin function can switch the Rho GTPase‐dependent cell shape changes in RD cells from an EGF‐stimulated cell contraction to a spreading morphology. Together, results show that integrin α2 cytoplasmic domain plays an indispensable role in the ability of integrin α2β1 to modulate EGF stimulation of Rho‐GTPase‐dependent morphological changes in RD cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal planting times for freshly lifted bare-rooted conifers on the North York Moors

Two-year-old Picea sitchensis (Queen Charlotte Islands and Oregon provenances), Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix kaempferi, Larix eurolepis, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra var. maritima were lifted at intervals during two winters and planted within 24 h on a nearby second rotation site. Physiological condition at planting, measured by root growth potential and fine root electrolyte leakage, and outplanting performance were significantly influenced by lifting date. There were consistent differences in the species' response to lifting date. Planting out in September resulted in poor survival. Survival of P. sitchensis lifted in October until April was >90 per cent. Pinus sylvestris and P. nigra had survivals of >90 per cent when lifted in November and January respectively until March. There was no clear pattern in P. menziesii performance. Both L. kaempferi and L. eurolepis had two periods of good survival—October and March—with significantly poorer survival and growth associated with mid-winter planting. The double peak in larch performance was closely related to root growth potential; low mid-winter establishment was associated with root growth potentials of <5 even though the nursery root systems were in excellent condition as assessed by electrolyte leakage.
The life histories of many of the stoneflies (Plecoptera) of south-eastern mainland Australia

Collections of stonefly nymphs and adults were made at monthly intervals in 11 streams in Victoria throughout a year, and these were supplemented by collections from other streams. By following seasonal changes in the size distribution of the nymphs, and the occurrence of adults and cast skins, and by determining the length of development of the eggs under simulated stream conditions, the life cycles of 27 species were worked out in detail, and some information was obtained on a further seven species. The 34 species include representatives of all the four families that occur in Australia, and for several species the cycle was worked out in two or more streams. It is concluded that the life cycles in Australian species are generally much less rigid than those found in the northern hemisphere, and that they provide evidence of great adaptability to an uncertain climate. Each species therefore tends to occupy a broader ecological niche than do northern hemisphere ones and this possibly accounts fcr the relatively small number of species that are found in south-eastern Australia.
Effects of mechanical stimulation in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on aligned nanofibrous scaffolds

Mechanical stimulation is one of the factors that regulating bone regeneration and healing. In this study, the biological responses of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to mechanical stimuli on aligned nanofibers and cast films were investigated. The uniaxial cyclic strain (1% strain and 1 Hz) was applied continuously to the cell substrates and osteoblastic activities were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The MSCs morphology on the aligned nanofibers was more elongated and spindle-like than MSCs on the cast films. Strain stimulation significantly attenuated the proliferation at week one but was significantly enhanced at week 4 for both types of substrates. Only the MSCs on strained nanofibers had greater alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels at week one, while the ALP hindered the MSCs on both substrates at week 4. Strain application played a greater influence on osteocalcin expression for the cast films than the nanofibers at week 4. Clearly, the cellular response to strain induction was highly dependent on the surface—cell adhesion, which itself was greatly influenced by the surface texture of the substrate.
Responses to stimuli from Oligonychus biharensis Hirst (Acari: Tetranychidae) on loquat leaves by Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract Arrestment responses to stimuli from Oligonychus biharensis Hirst on loquat leaves by the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) were examined in the laboratory. Neoseiulus cucumeris females responded to stimuli from all stages or intact webs of O. biharensis, but not to eggs,destroyed webs, feces or feeding damage of O. biharensis. Neoseiulus cucumeris was often observed inside intact webs of O. biharensis. This response clearly increased the searching efficiency of N. cucumeris therefore benefiting the biocontrol of O. biharensis.
A lesser predilection for bugs : Hemiptera (Insecta) diversity in tropical rain forests

Data are presented on the Hemiptera fauna of a moderately large and topographically diverse area of tropical rain forest in Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia. Insects were sampled using several methods at several sites over a 1-year period. The numbers of described and undescribed species captured is used to predict the number of extant species of both Hemiptera and total insects in the world. The global estimates of 1.84–2.57 million species of insect are much lower than the 10–80 million predicted by Erwin and Stork from a study of tropical Coleoptera. The reasons for believing that the lower estimates are more reliable are discussed.
Nematodes found in the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), a rare visitor to the Baltic Sea

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), enters the Baltic Sea only occasionally. Little is known about the parasites that inhabit this fish in the northern part of its natural range (north-eastern Atlantic). This study is based on 32 anchovies sampled in autumn 2006 from a substantial bycatch accompanying sprat in the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea). The fish were examined using standard parasitological procedures, and yielded 10 L3 larvae of the nematode Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802). The prevalence and the intensity (mean and range) were 21.9%, 1.4, and 1–4, respectively.
Effects of different nutritional plans on broiler performance

An experiment was carried out at the Department of Animal Science of the Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil, to evaluate the effects of different nutritional plans on the performance of male and female Ross broilers. A completely randomized experimental design with a 6x2 factorial arrangement (six nutritional plans x two sexes) with six replicates of 20 birds per experimental unit was applied. The nutritional plans adopted for males and females included 3, 5, or 28 feeds, and the other 3 plans included 28 feeds containing 92.5, 100, and 107.5% of digestible lysine requirements established according to a mathematical model developed exclusively for Ross broilers. The results showed that the tested 28-feed feeding programs are equivalent, and allow similar performance as compared to 3- and 5-feed feeding programs. Based on the lysine levels included in the different nutritional plans, it was possible to fit the equations: Y = -0.0079x + 1.2435 (R 2 = 0.981) for males and Y = -0.0084x + 1.1925 (R 2 = 0.978) for females, where "Y" is digestible lysine level (%) and "x" is average age in days. These equations are specific for multiple-phase feeding programs. The performance of male and female broilers fed the lysine levels established by the mathematical models was similar as to that of birds fed the other nutritional plans. This demonstrates that it is possible to determine broiler lysine
Long‐term responses of Melilotus segetalis to salinity. I. Growth and partitioning

Annual sweetclover plants [Melilotus segetalis (Brot) Ser. ] were grown for a complete life cycle with and without saline (NaCl treatment of CE=15 dS m−1). Growth and partitioning analyses were performed. Sequential harvests (every 15 d) during the life cycle, and separation of plant material into roots, stems, petioles, leaves and reproductive structures were carried out Salt treatment reduced growth during the early and middle stages of the life of the plant, but did not significantly affect RGR in the reproductive phase. The root–shoot allometric coefficient of salinized plants in the generative phase decreased more than in control plants. We suggest that salinity-induced growth reduction in M. segetalis was primarily a result of a lower unit leaf rate (ULR) despite an increased leaf area ratio (LAR). Earlier flowering, higher biomass allocation to shoot and greater reproductive investment, but similar relative growth rate (RGR), were some of the main characteristics of salt-stressed plants compared to controls during the reproductive phase, these apparently being associated with increased sink strength caused by developing flowers and fruits.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Protects against Histamine-Induced Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction in Vivo

Endothelial barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of many severe pathologies, including sepsis or atherosclerosis. The cardiovascular hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has increasingly been suggested to counteract endothelial leakage. Surprisingly, the precise in vivo relevance of these observations has never been evaluated. Thus, we aimed to clarify this issue and, moreover, to identify the permeability-controlling subcellular systems that are targeted by ANP. Histamine was used as important pro-inflammatory, permeability-increasing stimulus. Measurements of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran extravasation from venules of the mouse cremaster muscle and rat hematocrit values were performed to judge changes of endothelial permeability in vivo. It is noteworthy that ANP strongly reduced the histamine-evoked endothelial barrier dysfunction in vivo. In vitro, ANP blocked the breakdown of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) induced by histamine. Moreover, as judged by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, ANP inhibited changes of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, β-catenin, and p120ctn morphology; VE-cadherin and myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation; and F-actin stress fiber formation. These changes seem to be predominantly mediated by the natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A, but not by NPR-C. In summary, we revealed ANP as a potent endothelial barrier protecting agent in vivo and identified adherens junctions and the contractile apparatus as subcellular systems targeted by ANP. Thus, our study highlights ANP as an interesting pharmacological compound opening new therapeutic options for preventing endothelial leakage.
Profundidade de semeadura e crescimento inicial de espécies forrageiras utilizadas para cobertura do solo

O uso do consorcio entre plantas de cobertura e culturas anuais, no Cerrado, tem sido pratica cada vez mais difundida, pela possibilidade de implantacao das forrageiras durante o desenvolvimento das culturas anuais, atraves da diferenca de profundidade e sistema de semeadura. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho avaliar a emergencia e algumas caracteristicas agronomicas de quatro especies de plantas de cobertura, em diferentes profundidades, visando ao seu emprego na consorciacao e sobressemeadura em culturas anuais. O experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetacao, no delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 4 x 7, composto pelas plantas de cobertura Brachiaria brizantha, B. decumbens, B. ruziziensis e Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, e por seis profundidades de semeadura e um sistema de cobertura de sementes (0 sem cobertura, 0 com cobertura, 1, 4, 8, 10 e 15 cm). As sementes foram semeadas em vasos e as plantas cultivadas por 40 dias. Avaliou-se o indice e o tempo de emergencia, a altura de plantas, a fitomassa verde e seca da parte aerea, a area foliar, a fitomassa seca radicular e a densidade de comprimento radicular. O maior desenvolvimento das plantas estudadas foi detectado nas semeaduras ate 1 cm de profundidade. O P. maximum nao apresentou aptidao para uso em consorcio com culturas anuais.Nao se recomenda a semeadura das plantas de cobertura a partir de 10 cm.
Septation and filament splitting in Methanospirillum hungatei

Methanospirillum hungatei GP1 consists of chains of rod-shaped cells separated from one another by "cell spacers" comprised of two spacer plugs sandwiching a loose, amorphous material. The chain is encased within a highly ordered sheath to form a cylindrical, multicelled filament about 5 to 10 cells long under our growth conditions. Cells within the filament divide by septation in a manner similar to gram-positive eubacteria; the plasma membrane and wall grow inward to partition the cell in two. Yet, unlike gram-positive eubacteria, the wall is flexible, since cells round up when extruded from the sheath; the shape-maintaining structures are the sheath and spacer plugs. After septation and daughter cell separation, the cell spacer grows between the new cells. Initially, the growth of a spacer plug is detected by electron microscopy as the addition of electron-dense layers, exhibiting an 18.0-nm periodicity, at the surface of one new cell pole. Usually three layers develop at this pole before plug assembly.