Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocytosis in Entamoeba histolytica. Evidence for a unique non- acidified compartment

Our studies on endocytosis in Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites suggest that there are two vacuolar compartments in this organism. The first compartment consists of large vacuoles (greater than 2 microns diameter). As measured by the fluid phase markers, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), this compartment is a rapid equilibrium with the external milieu and is constantly exchanging (1-2 h) its contents with the external medium. The contents of these vacuoles are not acidified. This together with the absence of degradation of fluid phase markers clearly differentiates these vacuoles from lysosomes of eucaryotes. By labeling externally disposed peptides on the surface membrane of trophozoites with 125I, we could show that the surface membrane was rapidly internalized over a 2-h period and then reached a plateau. All major 125I surface proteins, with the exception of a set of peptides in the 40,000 molecular weight range, were interiorized and approximately 60% of the total radiolabel were found to be in the internal membrane fraction at any given time. The kinetics of this process were similar to those for the uptake of fluid phase markers and are best explained by cycling of the surface membrane into the vacuolar compartment(s) and then back to the cell surface. The second vacuolar compartment consisted of small vesicles (less than 2 microns diameter) with acidified contents as indicated by acridine orange uptake. The endocytic nature of these vesicles was shown by their slow (days) labeling with FITC-dextran, and spectral analysis of internalized FITC- dextran confirmed that this second compartment is acidified (pH 5.2).
Intraspecific Hybrids Versus Purebred: A Study of Hatchery-Reared Populations of Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus

Simple Summary Sturgeon are an ancient fish family widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, and many are listed as critically endangered, facing risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat destruction and overfishing to supply caviar. As well as breeding for commercial aquaculture, conservation programs use stock derived from other areas along with local native restocking projects. The fitness of introduced non-native sturgeon and their progeny from crossing with native stock is unknown. To assess the consequences of such interbreeding populations that have adapted to local conditions, we first analyzed the genetic makeup of hatchery-reared Danube and Volga populations of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus to ensure that the two were distinguishable. We then investigated the fitness-related traits and genetic diversity of the purebred fish and their hybrid crosses. The hybrids grew faster and exhibited a higher genetic diversity than purebred fish, suggesting their superior fitness for commercial aquaculture. We did not observe adverse effects of the population cross, and an investigation of future generations may provide insight into the consequences of using non-native stock in conservation programs. Abstract Hatchery-reared sterlet originating from the Danube and Volga river basins that showed population-discriminatory alleles on at least one microsatellite locus were used to produce purebred (within-population) and hybrid crosses to evaluate intraspecific hybridization with respect to the genetic polymorphism and physiological fitness of fish for commercial aquaculture and, conservation programs. Reciprocal crossing assessed the effect of parent position. The fish were reared in indoor and outdoor tanks and monitored over 504 days for growth traits. The highest final mean body weight (144.9 ± 59.5 g) was recorded in the Danube (♀) × Volga (♂) hybrid and the highest survival in the Volga (♀) × Danube (♂) hybrid. The Volga purebred exhibited the lowest mean body weight (124.8 ± 57.6 g). A set of six microsatellites was used to evaluate the heterozygosity. The mean number of alleles was highest in the Danube (♀) × Volga (♂) hybrid and lowest in the Volga purebred, suggesting an influence of the parent position in the hybridization matrix. The higher level of genetic polymorphism, as in the Danube (♀) × Volga (♂) hybrid, may confer greater fitness in a novel environment. Our analysis revealed that the intraspecific hybrids performed better than the purebred fish in the controlled and suboptimal rearing conditions.
Ferritin and C-reactive protein are predictive biomarkers of mortality and macrophage activation syndrome in adult onset Still’s disease. Analysis of the multicentre Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale (GIRRCS) cohort

Objective To assess the predictive role of ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) on occurrence of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and mortality in patients with adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD), a rare and severe disease, included in the multicentre Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale (GIRRCS) cohort. Methods The predictive role, at the time of diagnosis, of serum levels of ferritin and CRP on occurrence of MAS and mortality, was evaluated by logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were built to identify patients at high risk of MAS and mortality, respectively. Results In assessed 147 patients with AOSD, levels of ferritin were predictive of MAS (OR: 1.971; P: 0.002; CI 95%: 1.280–3.035). The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off for ferritin was 1225 ng/ml in predicting MAS (sensitivity 88%; specificity 57%). Levels of CRP were predictive of mortality in these patients (OR: 2.155; P: 0.007; CI 95%: 1.228–3.783). The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off for CRP was 68.7 mg/L in predicting mortality (sensitivity 80%; specificity of 65%). Conclusions We reported the predictive role of ferritin and CRP on MAS and mortality, respectively, in a large cohort of patients with AOSD, identifying subsets at higher risk of poor prognosis. Considering that the analysis of CRP and ferritin is widely available, these results could be readily transferable into clinical practice, thus improving the management of patients with AOSD.
Neuroendocrine differentiation in usual‐type prostatic adenocarcinoma: Molecular characterization and clinical significance

Small cell neuroendocrine (NE) carcinomas of the prostate classically lose androgen receptor (AR) expression, may harbor loss of the RB1, TP53, and PTEN tumor suppressor genes, and are associated with a poor prognosis. However usual‐type adenocarcinomas may also contain areas of NE differentiation, and in this context the molecular features and biological significance are less certain.
Diversity of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, prevalent in rhizosphere of different crops grown in the university farm

Thirty-four (34) roots and rhizospheric soil samples of seven kharif and eight rabi season crops were collected from different areas of the university farm. The percent Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal infection in different crops ranged from 0 to 100%. Maximum AM fungal colonization (100%) was found in cowpea, chickpea and pea and minimum in urdbean, soybean, barley and even in chickpea (20 to 30%). Barley, tomato and few samples of mustard and wheat also did not show any AM fungal infection. The number of spores per 50 g of soil ranged from 0 to 925 in kharif season crops and 25 to 1150 in rabiseason crops. Maximum number of AM fungi spores was found in the rhizospheric soil of sorghum with 925 spores 50 gm-1 of soil and minimum in case of cotton with 25 spores 50 gm-1 of soil, while no spores were found in case of pigeonpea and urdbean field soils. In case of rabi crops maximum numbers of AM fungal spores were found in the rhizospheric soil of mustard and wheat with 1150 spores 50 gm-1 of soil. On the basis of pattern of infection and spore morphology the AM genera identified was Glomus in kharif season crops and Glomus, Scutellospora, Acaulospora in rabi season crops. In few samples the external hyphae and clusters were identified as Glomus versiforme. The predominant genus identified was Glomus in university farm soils. Key words: Diversity, AM fungi, Glomus, Scutellospora, Acaulospora, Kharif crops, Rabicrops.
Belief in a Just World When Encountering the 5/12 Wenchuan Earthquake

The objective of the current study was to explore the influence of the belief in a just world (BJW) on the psychological well-being among earthquake victims following the Great Wenchuan Earthquake. A sample of Chinese undergraduates (N = 494) completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Just World Scale, the Feelings of Uncertainty Scale, the Future Scale, the Hope Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Results provided strong support for the important role of personal BJW in maintaining postquake mental health. BJW had a greater effect on particularly vulnerable victim groups, such as woman participants and participants who had suffered the loss of their families or friends in the earthquake. Besides, feelings of uncertainty and future orientation partially mediated the relationship between BJW and psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, and hope). Theoretical and practical implications were discussed, and future research directions were provided.
Length-weight relationships of ten fish species from the Bulgarian Black Sea waters

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) of 16,842 specimens of fish caught in the Bulgarian Black Sea waters, covering 9 families, 10 genera, and 10 species, were studied. Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias L.), thornback ray (Raja clavata L.), sprat (Sprattus sprattus L.), pontic shad (Alosa immaculata Eichwald), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.), whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus Pallas), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Aleev), bonito (Sarda sarda Bloch), round goby (Neogobius melanostomus Pallas), and turbot (Psetta maxima L.) were collected from May 2006 to December 2008. The fishes were caught by different fishing techniques, such as gill net, trawl net, and trap nets. The slope or allometric coefficient (b) of the functional regression between length and weight values varied from between 2.302 and 3.839 with the mean b = 3.152. The LWRs for S. acanthias and R. clavata have been reported for the first time for the Bulgarian Black Sea waters.
Verification of a Simplified Channel Modeling Technique for Ultra Wideband In-Body Communication with Simulations

For wireless capsule endoscopes, high data rate communication is needed between a transmitter in the gastrointestinal tract and a receiver on the body surface. One widely considered technique to achieve this is ultra wideband transmission. To the best of our knowledge no comprehensible channel models exist for the scenario of in-body communication. To change that, we recently proposed a simplified layer modeling technique. The goal of this paper is to verify that the resulting channel characteristics derived with our proposed method are on average similar to those obtained from numerical wave simulations. Our results show that on average the transmission loss for both approaches is nearly the same. Moreover, the correlation between the transfer functions is very strong. Finally, the power delay profiles generated are almost identical. Hence, it is possible to create a channel model with the same characteristics using a much simpler and less computationally expensive approach.
Associations between serum metabolites and subclinical atherosclerosis in a Chinese population: the Taizhou Imaging Study

Metabolomics provides a promising tool for understanding the pathophysiology and identifying biomarkers of atherosclerosis. We aimed to estimate the associations between circulating metabolites and subclinical atherosclerosis in a Chinese cohort. The baseline serum levels of 38 metabolites of 489 individuals were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance. Associations between metabolites and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined using a linear regression. A multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of metabolites and subclinical atherosclerosis defined as high baPWV (>median) and increased IMT (>median). After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing corrections (false discovery rate; FDR), two branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; leucine and isoleucine), one ketone (acetoacetate), and two lipids were positively associated with baPWV. Lactate was inversely associated with IMT. Elevated acetoacetate levels (odds ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.97; FDR <0.001) and four other lipid features were associated with an increased risk of high baPWV. Alterations in circulating lipids and BCAAs were associated with the risk of arterial stiffness in the middle-aged Chinese population. Our findings provide clues to understanding the potential mechanisms of subclinical atherosclerosis; however, further validation in a broader population context and the exploration of potential clinical applications are warranted.
Ontogenetic variability in external morphology of native (Canadian) and non‐native (Slovak) populations of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus 1758)

External morphology of native Canadian (River Otonabee, Looncall Lake) and non-native Slovak (River Danube) pumpkinseed was examined using both triple regression analysis (distance-based measurements) and geometrical analysis (coordinate-based measurements) within an ontogenetical aspect. In general, the results from the geometrical analysis comply with those from the triple regression analysis. The smallest pumpkinseed (predominantly juveniles) differed significantly from the largest pumpkinseed (predominantly adults) in all the three populations. The major difference was that adults had a deeper body and larger belly area than juveniles, which is probably associated with more space for gonads in mature fish. Developmental patterns and external morphology in pumpkinseed from the River Otonabee seemed to be closer to pumpkinseed from the Danube than to those from Lake Looncall. This suggests that, in the pumpkinseed examined, ontogenetic changes in external shape depend on environmental conditions (epigenetical information) rather than on geographical and/or genetical isolation. Further examination of early development, fecundity, number of spawning acts per season, parental care, egg size, age at maturation, etc., will follow to test this hypothesis.
Photosynthetic Electron Transport During Senescence of the Primary Leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: I. NON-CYCLIC ELECTRON TRANSPORT

Coupled, non-cyclic electron transport was measured for chloroplasts isolated from the primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris. Preparations from young, fully expanded leaves gave good rates of electron transport, but the rates obtained decreased by approximately 80% during leaf senescence. Higher rates of electron transport were recorded for chloroplasts isolated from primary leaves which had regreened following removal of the remainder of the shoot. With preparations from leaves of all ages, photophosphorylation was coupled to electron transport with a mean P/2e ratio of approximately 1-3. No evidence was obtained for inactivation of chloroplasts from older leaves during isolation or assay, and it is suggested that the decrease in rate of electron transport over the period of senescence, and its increase during regreening, were consequences of changes in the composition and physical properties of the thylakoid membrane which occur in vivo. The decrease in rate of non-cyclic electron transport may be important in limiting the rate of photosynthesis in the senescing leaves.
OECD economic surveys Korea

OVERVIEW This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
A Second Species of Rhodachlya (Rhodachlyales, Rhodophyta) from Hawaii, with a Description of R. hawaiiana sp. nov.

Abstract Rhodachlya hawaiiana Kurihara, J.A. West, Conklin et A.R. Sherwood sp. nov. is described based on cultured material from the island of Hawaii as the second member of the genus Rhodachlya. The pit plug ultrastructure of this alga is characterized by the presence of inner and outer cap layers but lacking a cap membrane between the layers, which is a diagnostic feature of the order Rhodachlyales and the genus Rhodachlya. Morphologically, R. hawaiiana is distinctive from R. madagascarensis in vegetative cell dimensions, frequency of colorless hair cell formation, and spore germination pattern. Rhodachlya hawaiiana and R. madagascarensis are also distinguishable by their nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequence divergence (p-distance = 0.0064), which is comparable to other species-level divergences among members of the Nemaliophycidae. Résumé Rhodachlya hawaiiana Kurihara, J.A. West, Conklin et Sherwood sp. nov., décrite à partir de materiel cultivé provenant de l'île d'Hawaii, est la seconde espèce appartenant au genre Rhodachlya. L'ultrastructure des synapses de cette algue montre la présence d'une couche interne et d'une couche externe recouvrant le bouchon synaptique, sans membrane de revêtement entre les couches, ce qui est une des caractéristiques de l'ordre des Rhodachlyales. Morphologiquement R. hawaiiana diffère de R. madagascarensis par la taille de ses cellules végétatives, par la fréquence des cellules formant des poils hyalins et par le mode de germination des spores. Ils diffèrent aussi par la séquence de leur SSU rRNA avec une divergence (p-distance=0.0064) comparable à d'autres divergences entre espèces parmi les Nemaliophycidae.
The digestion by cattle of barley and silage diets containing increasing quantities of soya-bean meal

Summary A 4 x 4 latin-square design experiment was carried out to determine the effects of increasing nitrogen (N) intake by feeding diets containing increasing amounts of soyabean meal upon the digestion of organic matter (OM) and N by cattle equipped with rumen and duodenal cannulae. A basal diet (B) containing 600 g ground barley and 400 g grass silage/kg diet and three diets (BS1, BS2 and BS3) in which increasing amounts of the barley were replaced by soya-bean meal were fed. The mean daily intakes of OM and N when each diet was fed were 4·56, 4·55, 4·30 and 4·52 kg OM and 920, 114·7, 138·3 and 164·1 g N for diets B, BSl, BS2 and BS3 respectively. Neither the amounts of OM entering the small intestine nor those voided in the faeces were altered by the diets fed. Thus the mean apparent OM digestibility for all the diets fed was 0·74 + 0·013 and the proportion of digestible OM intake apparently digested in the rumen was 0·77 + 0048. Mean daily concentrations of ammonia N in the rumen were significantly (P < 0·001) increased from 38 mg N/l (diet B) to 129 mg N/l (diet BS3) as N intake increased. The quantities of non-ammonia N and of amino acid N entering the small intestine were not significantly (P >0·05) increased as more soya-bean meal was added to the diet, although diet BSl supported the greatest flows of N to the small intestine. Thus as more soya-bean meal was added to the diet there were increasing net losses of nonammoniaN(P < 0·01) and amino acid N (P < 0·01) prior to the small intestine. Faecal N excretion was not increased (P > 0·05) as soya-bean meal intake increased and thus apparent N digestibility was significantly (P < 0·01) increased by increasing soyabean intake. Both the quantities of microbial N entering the small intestine daily and the apparent efficiency of microbial N synthesis within the rumen were increased when diet BSl was fed in comparison with the basal diet (B) and then declined when diets BS2 and BS3 were fed; these increases were not significant. The quantities of feed N entering the small intestine daily were not significantly (P > 0·05) increased as soya-bean meal intake increased; thus apparent feed N degradability in the rumen was significantly (P < 0·01) increased as soya-bean meal intake increased. In contrast, the rates of disappearance of N from each of the components of the diets fed, when incubated in the rumens of the cattle in porous synthetic fibre-bags, were not increased (P > 0·05) as soya-bean meal intake increased.
Patterns of Wetland Use by Brood-rearing Lesser Scaup in Northern Boreal Forest of Canada

Abstract Little is known about wetland selection by Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) during any phase of the breeding cycle, particularly in the northern boreal forest region, where most of the North American population of scaup breeds. We used survey data (1989-98) for 402 wetlands near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada to assess frequency of scaup brood occurrence. In 1999, features of 80 randomly selected wetlands (21 used and 59 not used by scaup broods) and 27 wetlands used repeatedly by brood-rearing scaup were evaluated (N = 107 total). Discriminant function analysis using all wetland measurements was used to classify scaup use of 77 randomly selected wetlands; classification criteria were subsequently used to predict brood use of the remaining 30 hold-out wetlands. This randomization procedure was repeated 100 times, producing an average classification success of 88% (95% CI = 77% to 97%). Broods occurred more often on larger, deeper wetlands with water lilies and amphipod crustaceans, the latter being an important food for adults and ducklings. Wetlands created during road construction were used less often, possibly because these tended to be smaller, shallow, less likely to have amphipods, and had a different vegetation regime than natural wetlands.
Effect of the interaction between carrageenan, gellan gum and flaxseed gum on quality attributes of starch-free emulsion-type sausage.

A mixture design approach was used to evaluate interactions between carrageenan, gellan gum and flaxseed gum and their effect on total expressible fluid, texture and color of starch-free emulsion type sausage. Increase in the content of carrageenan in the mixture lead to higher total expressible fluid, lower cohesiveness and springiness. Gellan gum had a notable effect in reducing total expressible fluid and improving sausage texture, producing better emulsion stability, increasing viscosity and springiness of the product. Flaxseed gum enhanced emulsion stability and hardness and springiness. All the three gums can improve redness of sausage. Interaction between carrageenan, gellan gum and flaxseed gum improved water-holding capacity, texture and color of the sausage. The optimal values of carrageenan, gellan gum and flaxseed gum in the mixture were 11–27%, 67–82%, 0–12%, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Starch and nonmeat protein are very important extenders in emulsion-type sausage production. To prevent water and fat loss during cooking processes is very critical for the quality attributes of emulsion-type sausage without starch and nonmeat protein. Results of this study can be applied to this kind of sausage to prevent water and fat loss. By applying the optimal condition, we can obtain the sausages with good water- and fat-holding capacity and desirable texture.