Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Features on Myocardial Bridges at the Anterior Interventricular Artery

Abstract Are described morphological features of myocardial bridges at the anterior interventricular artery obtained from the analysis of 274 cases with 312 myocardial bridges detected by angioCT performed over a period of 3.5 years on a total of 2857 subjects. CT examinations were performed on 1496 females, aged 56-79 years, and 1361 male subjects aged 34-74 years. At the level of the anterior interventricular artery we encountered 231 cases with myocardial bridges (84.31% of the total number of cases), being 267 myocardial bridges (85.58% of the total bridges analyzed). In the case of single myocardial bridges of the anterior interventricular artery, in 65 cases (33.33% of the 195 cases) they were located in the upper third of the artery, 32 cases were female (31.68% of female myocardial bridges) and 33 in male sex (35.11% of male myocardial bridges). In 129 cases (66.67%) were located in the middle third of the artery, 69 cases were female (63.30% female myocardial bridges) and 60 cases in male (64.89% of male myocardial bridges). In one case with three myocardial bridges, the inferior myocardial bridge was located in the lower third of the anterior interventricular artery. The length of the myocardial bridge was between 11.9 and 73.1 mm, for the female gender being 11.9-28.7 mm, and male 9.4-73.1 mm. The thickness of the myocardial bridge was found between 0.9-5.7 mm, for the female gender being 0.9-5.2 mm, and for the male the thickness was 1.7-5.7 mm. The caliber of the tunneling artery was found between 1.2-2.5 mm in female gender, for the male gender 1.3-4 mm.
Sensitivity of stomatal and canopy conductance to elevated CO2 concentration - interacting variables and perspectives of scale.

• The hydrological response of forests to rising CO2 is a critical biotic feedback in the study of global climate change. Few studies, however, have investigated this highly dynamic response at relevant temporal and spatial scales. • A combination of leaf and whole-tree measurements and stand-level extrapolations were used to assess how stomatal conductance, canopy transpiration and conductance, and evapotranspiration might be affected by future, higher CO2 concentrations. • Midday measurements of stomatal conductance for leaves sampled in a 12-yr-old sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) stand exposed to free-air CO2 enrichment were up to 44% lower at elevated than at ambient CO2 concentrations, whereas canopy conductance, averaged over the growing season, was only 14% lower in stands exposed to CO2 enrichment. The magnitude of this response was dependent on vapor pressure deficit and soil water potential. Annual estimates of evapotranspiration showed relatively small reductions due to atmospheric CO2 enrichment. • These data illustrate that the hydrological response of a closed-canopy plantation to elevated CO2 depends on the temporal and spatial scale of observation. They emphasize the importance of interacting variables and confirm that integration of measurements over space and time reduce what, at the leaf level, might otherwise appear to be a large and significant response.
Effects of mobile phone radiation and exercise on testicular function in male Wistar rats

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone radiation and exercise on testicular function in male Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 150–198 g were used for this experiment. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 5). The first group was the control group, the second group was exposed to mobile phone radiation for 6 h daily, the third group was subjected to swimming >three times a week and >30 min each session or >90 min a week, and the fourth group containing five rats was exposed to mobile phone radiation for 6 h daily and was subjected to swimming for >three times a week and >30 min each session or >90 min a week. This experiment lasted for 30 days. A Nokia 1280 cell phone was used to emit electromagnetic waves, and the cages of Groups 2 and 4 were surrounded by aluminum foils to focus and limit the waves to the interior of the cages, with the phone being placed 0.5 cm under the cage. A radiofrequency radiometer was kept close to the cages to detect the cell phone radiation. Results: Short-term exposure of male Wistar rats to mobile phone radiation (6 h/day × 30 days at 1.6 W/kg specific absorption rate) led to a statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in the serum testosterone levels and testicular weight, whereas exercise (> three times a week and >30 min each session or > 90 min a week) in male Wistar rats led to statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05) increase in the testosterone levels and testicular weight. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that short-term exposure of mobile phone radiation leads to a statistically nonsignificant decrease in serum testosterone levels and testicular weight, whereas regular exercise leads to a statistically nonsignificant increase in the testosterone levels and testicular weight.
Micro‐scale habitat associations of woody plants in a neotropical cloud forest

Questions: Species–habitat associations may contribute to the maintenance of species richness in tropical forests, but previous research has been conducted almost exclusively in lowland forests and has emphasized the importance of topography and edaphic conditions. Is the distribution of woody plant species in a Peruvian cloud forest determined by microhabitat conditions? What is the role of environmental characteristics and forest structure in habitat partitioning in a tropical cloud forest? Location: Cloud Forest, north Peruvian Andes. Methods: We examined species–habitat associations in three 1-ha plots using the torus-translation method. We used three different criteria to define habitats for habitat partitioning analyses, based on microtopography, forest structure and both sets of factors. The number of species associated either positively or negatively with each habitat was assessed. Results: Habitats defined on the basis of environmental conditions and forest structure discriminated a greater number of positive and negative associations at the scale of our analyses in a tropical cloud forest. Conclusions: Both topographic conditions and forest structure contribute to small-scale microhabitat partitioning of woody plant species in a Peruvian tropical cloud forest. Nevertheless, canopy species were most correlated with the distribution of environmental variables, while understorey species displayed associations with forest structure.
Comparison of Two Methods of Zooplankton Grazing Measurements

A comparison of two methods of zooplankton feeding experiments was performed in the Gulf of Finland. One was the advanced twin-bathometer method (in situ technique), the other — the “bottle method”. The main difference between the two methods is that it is not necessary to manipulate zooplankton to start an experiment in a twin bathometer, while manipulation is inevitable if the second method is used. In cases when the onset of the grazing experiment requires the manipulation of animals, the adaptation period lasts 2–4 hours and the optimal duration of experiment is 6–10 hours. If animals are not manipulated at the beginning of experiment, the adaptation period does not exist, the exposition time should not exceed 10 hours and the optimal duration of experiment is 2–4 hours. In long-term experiments (up to 24 hours) the fertilization effect of the excretion of concentrated zooplankton may cause underestimation of grazing rate.
Lateral movement and use of floodplain habitat by fishes in the Kankakee River, Illinois

-Fishes were trapped moving between the river channel and two distinct floodplain habitats: an ephemeral ditch and a permanent pool. Twenty-five fish species were sampled by one-way traps and seine; dominant species were grass pickerel (Esox americanus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) and orangespotted sunfish (L. humilis). Numbers of fish trapped per day were positively correlated with river discharge yielding a significant exponential relationship. Recaptures of marked fish were rare indicating seasonal use of the floodplain. Juveniles made up 54.7% of the fish collected, revealing the value of floodplains as nursery areas. No significant migration trends of size or taxon occurred by date or discharge. Samples of fish leaving the ephemeral ditch and samples of those entering the permanent pool showed the highest similarity index value. These data suggest that flood-exploitative fishes, those species adapted to flooding, continue to seek favorable backwater habitat when forced off the floodplain.
A questionnaire based study on the knowledge, attitude and the practices of pharmacovigilance among the postgraduate students at a tertiary care hospital in south India

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common cause of morbidity in the practice of medicine. Pharmacovigilance is the science of detection, assessment and understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any drug related problems. Post graduates are perhaps the first to notice ADRs in outpatient/inpatient setup as they spend most of the time bedside. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of postgraduates about Pharmacovigilance.Methods: A prevalidated and pretested questionnaire with 20 questions related to KAP of pharmacovigilance is administered to postgraduate students after obtaining their consent. All the completed and returned questionnaires were analysed for results using appropriate statistics.Results: 180 pretested questionnaires were distributed among postgraduates out of which, 122 were returned from postgraduates of all major medical and surgical allied departments. 90.2 % defined pharmacovigilance correctly, 83.6% thought reporting ADRs is a professional obligation, while only 65.6% knew regarding the existence of national pharmacovigilance program. 58.4% have experienced ADRs, of which only 24.6% reported ADR to pharmacovigilance centre. Major reasons for under reporting are lack of time to report and difficulty to decide whether ADR has occurred or not.Conclusions: In this study, the knowledge and attitude related to Pharmacovigilance is good amongst postgraduates, but practical implementation in reporting of ADRs is poor. Sensitization programs on pharmacovigilance practice in tertiary care hospitals and regular review meetings to ensure ADR reporting to pharmacovigilance centre will strengthen the health care setup.
Morphology and infraciliature of some freshwater ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from Western and South Australia.

Thirteen new or little-known freshwater ciliates from Perth, W.A. , and Adelaide, S.A. , are described: Urotricha furcata Schewiakoff, 1892; Coleps amphacanthus Ehrenberg, 1833; Fuscheria nodosa Foissner, 1983; Lacrymaria australis, sp. nov.; Acineria uncinata Tucolesco, 1962; Litonotus lamella (Mnller, 1773); Loxophyllum australe, sp. nov.; Naxella australis, sp. nov.; Microthorax australis, sp. nov.; Blepharisma americanum (Suzuki, 1954); Stenosemella lacustris, sp. nov.; Oxytricha australis, sp. nov.; and Urosomoida perthensis, sp. nov. Descriptions are based on live observations, protargol and silver nitrate stained specimens and biometry. All species represent new records for the fauna of Australia. A new species, Naxella faurei, sp. nov., is established for Nassula lateritia Faure-Fremiet, 1967 and a new diagnosis is given for Litonotus lamella (Mnller, 1773).
STUDIES ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN

Intracellular levels of ATP, GTP, and hexose phosphates have been determined in HeLa cells at intervals after exposure to saturating doses of diphtheria toxin. Toxin causes no significant change in the level of any of these phosphorylated intermediates either in the presence or absence of glucose over a period of at least 5 to 6 hours. It is concluded that the inhibition of protein synthesis which occurs in HeLa cells at about 2 hours after the addition of saturating doses of toxin, does not result from an effect of toxin on energy metabolism.
Serum lipid profile and hepatic evaluation in mice fed diet containing pequi nut or pulp (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.)

Caryocar brasiliense (popular name pequi) is widely consumed by the population of Brazilian Savannah. This fruit has a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids that can influence positively the lipid profile. In addition, pequi also has an important concentration of saturated fatty acids which, in turn, is associated with atherosclerosis risk. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a pequi-supplemented diet on blood lipid and glucose levels and hepatic histology. Female Albino swiss mice were divided into three groups and fed a standard chow diet (control group), chow diet supplemented with 33% pequi nut (nut group), and chow diet supplemented with 33% pequi pulp (pulp group). After 6 weeks, following an overnight fast, blood and liver were collected for posterior analyses. Serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in mice fed pequi-rich diets compared to the control group. Nevertheless, there was no modification in blood triglycerides, atherogenic fraction, and glucose levels. In addition, there was development of liver microvesicular steatosis related to pequi intake. In conclusion, the diets supplemented with pequi nut or pulp reduced the atherogenic risk by increasing the anti-atherogenic lipoproteins without changing the pro-atherogenic fraction in mice.
Molecular Phylogeny of the Genus Ptilostemon (Compositae: Cardueae) and Its Relationships with Cynara and Lamyropsis

Abstract Ptilostemon is a fine example of the representatives of the eastern groups of the Cardueae that have diversified in the western Mediterranean. Relationships to Cynara, which exhibits a similar distribution, and Lamyropsis, which is morphologically closer according to previous studies, are investigated using Bayesian analysis of DNA sequences of the plastid intergenic spacer ycf3-trnS and two nuclear regions, the ETS and ITS spacers. The sectional classification and biogeography of Ptilostemon are also revised in the light of the molecular phylogeny Our results suggest that Cynara is the most plausible sister genus to Ptilostemon. Some paralogous copies of the ETS region found among species of the three genera by cloning are interpreted as incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms. The current sectional classification of Ptilostemon shows excessive fragmentation, which does not agree with our phylogeny, and therefore a more synthetic classification is proposed. The present distribution of Ptilostemon indicates that there were two colonization events in the western Mediterranean region, paralleling a similar pattern of successive waves already suggested for Cynara.
Immunological and biochemical studies of collagen type transition during in vitro chondrogenesis of chick limb mesodermal cells

This work describes an approach to monitor chondrogenesis of stage-24 chick limb mesodermal cells in vitro by analyzing the onset of type II collagen synthesis with carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography, immunofluorescence, and radioimmunoassay. This procedure allowed specific and quantitative determination of chondrocytes in the presence of fibroblasts and myoblasts, both of which synthesize type I collagen. Chondrogenesis was studied in high-density cell preparations on tissue culture plastic dishes and on agar base. It was found that stage-24 limb mesenchymal cells initially synthesized only type I collagen. With the onset of chondrogenesis, a gradual transition to type II collagen synthesis was observed. In cell aggregates formed over agar, type II collagen synthesis started after 1 day in culture and reached levels of 80-90 percent of the total collagen synthesis at 6-8 days. At that time, the cells in the center of the aggregates had acquired the typical chondrocyte phenotype and stained only with type II collagen antibodies, whereas the peripheral cells had developed into a "perichondrium" and stained with type I and type II collagen antibodies. On plastic dishes plated with 5 X 10(6) cells per 35mm dish, cartilage nodules developed after 4-6 days, but the type II collagen synthesis only reached levels of 10-20 percent of the total collagen. The majority of the cells differentiated into fibroblasts and myoblasts and synthesized type I collagen. These studies demonstrate that analysis of cell specific types of collagen provides a useful method for detailing the specific events in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells in vitro.
BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE ARMORED PLANKTONIC DINOFLAGELLATE CERATIUM IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC AND ADJACENT SEAS 1

The distribution of the dinoflagellate genus Ceratium Schrank (Dinophyceae) in the North Atlantic and adjacent seas was studied by a combination of new observations on a large number of plankton samples collected from the northeastern Atlantic and North Sea, data from cruises off the east coast of North America and Caribbean Sea, and reports in the literature of the past 90 years. Seventy species were recorded, and their distribution was examined by several methods. Distribution maps were plotted for all species, and from these the ranges of temperature tolerance were derived. The 240 sets of data, which took the form of lists of species present in 5° latitude / longitude blocks obtained from the new work and the published material, were analyzed by clustering and ordination multivariate techniques using the programs Twinspan and Decorana.
Presenilin-Dependent γ-Secretase-Mediated Control of p53-Associated Cell Death in Alzheimer's Disease

Presenilins (PSs) are part of the γ-secretase complex that produces the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) from its precursor [β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP)]. Mutations in PS that cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) increase Aβ production and trigger p53-dependent cell death. We demonstrate that PS deficiency, catalytically inactive PS mutants, γ-secretase inhibitors, and βAPP or amyloid precursor protein-like protein 2 (APLP2) depletion all reduce the expression and activity of p53 and lower the transactivation of its promoter and mRNA expression. p53 expression also is diminished in the brains of PS- or βAPP-deficient mice. The γ- and ε-secretase-derived amyloid intracellular C-terminal domain (AICD) fragments (AICDC59 and AICDC50, respectively) of βAPP trigger p53-dependent cell death and increase p53 activity and mRNA. Finally, PS1 mutations enhance p53 activity in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and p53 expression in FAD-affected brains. Thus our study shows that AICDs control p53 at a transcriptional level, in vitro and in vivo, and that FAD mutations increase p53 expression and activity in cells and human brains.
Genetic analysis of barley mutants with modifications of powdery mildew resistance gene Ml-a12

Fifteen mutants with increased powdery mildew susceptibility (infection types between 0–1 and 3–4) were crossed with the Ml-a12 resistant mother line 'Sultan-5' (infection type 0) and the susceptible variety 'Carlsberg II'. Analysis of the material revealed that 13 mutants had mutational modifications of the Ml-a12 gene. Two mutants had a suppressor-mutant gene that modified the phenotypic expression of gene Ml-a12. One suppressor gene was recessive, the other was semidominant. The possible function of gene Ml-a12 is discussed.Key words: barley, Hordeum vulgare, powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis hordei, mutation, resistance, suppressor.
Lens of the hydromedusan Cladonema studied by SDS gel electrophoresis and immunofluorescent technique

The lens of the medusa Cladonema radiatum contains protein components. Three different protein fractions were found in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Each sample used for electrophoresis contained extracts of 60 ocelli of Cladonema. Direct comparisons show correspondence between the electrophoretic mobilities of the three fractions and bands of amphibian and bovine lens proteins and antigen-antibody reaction of bovine lens antibodies to Cladonema lens crystallins.
A quantitative analysis of dormancy loss dynamics in Polygonum aviculare L. seeds: Development of a thermal time model based on changes in seed population thermal parameters

Abstract A model for simulating Polygonum aviculare L. seed dormancy loss in relation to stratification temperature was developed. The model employs the lower limit temperature for germination (Tl) as an index of seed population dormancy status. While population mean for Tl (Tl(50)) and Tl distribution within the population (σTl) are allowed to vary as seeds are released from dormancy, other thermal parameters characterizing the germination thermal responses (base, optimal and maximal temperatures, and thermal time required for germination) and the higher limit temperature for germination (Th) are held constant. In order to relate changes in Tl(50) and σTl to variable time and temperature, a stratification thermal time index (Stt) was developed, which consists of the accumulation of thermal time units under a threshold temperature for dormancy loss to occur. Therefore, Tl(50) and σTl varied in relation to the accumulation of Stt according to time and temperature. To derive model equations, changes in seed population thermal parameters were estimated for buried seeds stored at 1.6, 7 and 12°C for 110 d. Seeds were exhumed at regular intervals, and were incubated at 15°C and at a gradually increasing temperature regime in the range 6–25°C. The germination time-course curves obtained were reproduced using a mathematical model. Thermal parameters that best fit simulated and experimentally obtained germination time-course curves were determined. Model performance was evaluated against data of two unrelated experiments, showing acceptable prediction of timing and percentage of germination of seeds exhumed from field and controlled temperature conditions.
Diversidade de ácaros (Arachnida: Acari) em Coffea arabica L. cv. Mundo Novo, nos municípios de Jeriquara e Garça, Estado de São Paulo

The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity of mites on coffee plants of the Mundo Novo cultivar in two important coffee producing areas (Jeriquara and Garca) in the state of Sao Paulo. Samples of leaves, branches and fruits were fortnightly collected, from April 2001 to June 2003, from the middle third of 10 plants randomly taken from each field. Twelve leaves (each leaf from the third or forth pair from the distal part of each branch), 12 branches (apical 25 cm) and 100 fruits. A total of 13,052 specimens were collected in the two studied places, 7,155 in Jeriquara and 5,897 in Garca. From a total of 108 mite species collected from coffee plants in this study, forty five species were collected in both studied fields, which presented 56% of similarity. The number of species found exclusively in Jeriquara (47) was approximately three times higher than the number of species observed only in Garca (16). For Jeriquara, the diversity of mites on surface of leaves, as well as in domatia, and on branches and fruits was higher than for Garca. In both studied areas, Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) and Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor 1919) were the most abundant and frequent phytophagous mite species. Stigmaeids and phytoseiids were the most abundant and frequent predaceous mites in both localities. The most abundant and frequent predaceous species were Agistemus brasiliensis Matioli, Ueckermann & Oliveira, 2002, Zetzellia malvinae Matioli, Ueckermann & Oliveira, 2002, Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, 1970, and Euseius concordis (Chant 1959) in Jeriquara; and Z. malvinae, E. citrifolius and E. concordis in Garca.