Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Green tea catechins change the aggregation behavior of proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease

A common feature of numerous neurodegenerative disorders is the abnormal accumulation of aggregated protein in distinct regions of the brain, such as alpha-Synuclein (Syn) aggregates in the substantia nigra and hypothalamus in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntingtin (Htt) aggregates in the striatum and cerebral cortex in Huntington’s disease (HD). In this study, a library of approximately 5000 natural compounds was screened for inhibitors of Htt aggregation in vitro using an automated filter retardation assay. One of the hits was (-)Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound present in green and black tea. The antioxidant properties of this substance have been linked to neuroprotection in model systems for PD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) before, making it a promising candidate for the development of a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of protein aggregation by EGCG, however, has not been demonstrated so far. This study shows that EGCG inhibits the aggregation not only of Htt, but also of Syn by stabilizing an oligomeric conformation of the respective proteins in a dose-dependent manner. These oligomers do not seed the aggregation of Htt and Syn. Also, EGCG modifies the exposure of different epitopes recognized by conformation-specific antibodies during the aggregation process. The compound might therefore lead aggregation-prone proteins on an alternative folding pathway in the misfolding cascade. The results furthermore suggest that direct interaction occurs between EGCG and proteins in an unfolded, ’open’ conformation. EGCG also reduces toxicity caused by misfolded Htt or Syn in cell culture model systems, suggesting that the oligomeric protein species formed in the presence of EGCG are not toxic to living cells. EGCG might therefore represent a chemical chaperone that can modulate misfolding and toxicity of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases and could provide the basis for the development of a novel pharmacotherapy for these fatal disorders.
Los Grupos Interactivos, una estrategia para aprender más y convivir mejor

Los Grupos Interactivos posibilitan la interacción comunicativa alrededor de la resolución de una tarea, a la cual cada estudiante aporta desde sus propias capacidades. Este factor es determinante en el reconocimiento de las diferencias y la creación de normas para mejorar las relaciones humanas. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre cómo la planeación, desarrollo y evaluación de una estrategia dialógica e inclusiva puede influir en las prácticas pedagógicas en convivencia escolar de los docentes. Para lograr este propósito se presenta qué es y cómo se constituye un Grupo Interactivo y luego se analizan las implicaciones de los Grupos Interactivos en el aprendizaje y la convivencia escolar en dos instituciones educativas con problemáticas de convivencia similares.
Crescimento e nutrição foliar de mudas de Eucalyptus sp. irrigadas com diferentes qualidades de água

The use of effluents for irrigation as nutrient sources may reduce, or even eliminate, the need for commercial fertilizers. Research is being undertaken to assess the potential use of water with different qualities as sources of plant nutrients. In this context, we carried out an experiment to study the growth of seedlings of Eucalytus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake and E. ‘urograndis’ after 80 days of use of tap water, water from pisciculture and treated domestic sewage effluent. Growth parameters and mineral composition were analyzed for all species and treatments. The growth characteristics evaluated were shoot height, stem diameter, leaf area, root dry mass, total dry weight, shoot dry weight, the ratio between shoot and root, absolute growth rate, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, ratio between shoot height and diameter and percentage of roots of each species. According to the results, the best growth rates were obtained with the use of treated sewage effluent; E. ‘urograndis’ showed the greatest growth for most parameters evaluated. Regarding leaf analysis, the three types of water led to similar levels of macro and micronutrients in the highest of seedlings, with the exception of nitrogen and boron, whose levels were highest in seedlings fertigated with sewage effluent.
Trachea in cetacea: the inside story (17.8)

Despite great interest in cetacean sound production, little is known about the trachea’s role. Tracheas were examined in 16 odontocete (toothed whale) and 7 mysticete (baleen whale) genera. Results indicate that all whales share incomplete ventral cartilage at the cranial end, but differ in lumen surfaces. Three patterns are observed: parallel tracheal folds (TF) in mysticetes, trabeculated surface (TS) in dolphins and porpoises, and smooth walled in sperm whales. TF and TS appear to direct airflow towards vocal folds, and thus may affect sound production. Sperm whales lack any texture, and their smooth wall correlates with a limited vocal repertoire. TF and TS may also enable stretch/recoil, thus accommodating pressure‐induced volume changes during diving/ascent. The incomplete ventral cartilage may also facilitate such volume contraction, as this portion of the tracheal wall is pliable. The mysticete trachea can accommodate even greater volume changes by collapsing the lumen along the midline. This deformation is not a complete collapse, as it preserves flow along the lateral spaces where TF are found. The trachea appears to have two major roles in most whale species: channeling airflow for sound production, and accommodating pressure‐induced volume changes during diving/ascent. The lack of TS in the deep diving sperm whales is puzzling, and warrants study of how they accommodate volume changes during diving.
Coping with the Dark Side of Information Technology – Theoretical Foundation and Empirical Evidence

Most previous literature treats the work-home conflict (WHC) as aggregated or unidimensional without considering its dimensions. As a result, organizations and governments often treat IT usage as the source and symbol of WHC and have implemented laws and policies to restrict access to IT at home to reduce WHC. However, WHC literature based on such an aggregated view of WHC does not provide a sufficiently differentiated picture of WHC and therefore does not allow effective interventions to be derived. This study develops and empirically validates a research model which distinguishes IT-based from work-based WHC dimensions (time, strain, behavior) and theorize their effect on work exhaustion. We also identify and consider contextual characteristics of the work and private role which might influence the effect of the WHC dimensions. To validate our model, we surveyed 542 employees. Our study reveals that IT-based WHC is an antecedent of the work-based dimension of WHC and only indirectly influences work exhaustion. Moreover, we demonstrate that the effects of the WHC dimensions are influenced by contextual characteristics of the work and private role. We discuss implications and opportunities for future research into WHC to counteract the WHC dimensions and reduce work exhaustion.
The structure of alphoid satellite DNA on normal and abnormal human Y chromosomes

﻿ The long-range structure of the Y chromosome alphoid satellite DNA has been determined in the cell lines 3E7 and OXEN. Variation in alphoid DNA block size and restriction enzyme sites were observed. The alphoid block size and restriction enzyme site variations were determined for a collection of 42 normal Y chromosomes. The alphoid DNA polymorphisms observed denned 24 Y chromosome alleles. Unexpectedly, the Y alphoid DNA alleles analysed revealed two distinct groups of Y chromosomes indicating that most of the Caucasian and Asian men analysed were descended from one of two males. The structure of the alphoid DNA was determined for 25 cell lines expected to contain abnormal Y chromosomes. Six of the cell lines lacked Y chromosomes. Four lacked both alphoid DNA and Y a centromere. 13 out of the remaining 15 Y chromosomes had centromeres and Y alphoid DNA block sizes and restriction enzyme site variation similar to that of normal Y chromosome alphoid DNA. Two of the abnormal cell lines had alphoid DNA blocks significantly different from the normal Y alphoid DNA structure. These results confirm that alphoid DNA is located very close to, or at the centromere and make it a prime candidate for a functional mammalian centromere sequence.
Using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to improve input use efficiency.

Biotechnology is expected to bring about a second Green Revolution in which more food is produced with fewer inputs and in a sustainable manner. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi possess important attributes to be major players in tomorrow’s agriculture. They have evolved as sun-powered resource managers in successful ecosystems. Advances in mycorrhizal research are revealing AM fungi as a heterogeneous group of soil fungi with requirements of their own, a picture contrasting with our initial understanding of these organisms. Their to agricultural production can be enhanced through plant breeding, soil fertility management, inoculation and use of signal molecules. INTRODUCTION There are 6.52 billion people on Earth, a population that is growing at a rate of 6 million per month (US Census Bureau, 2006). Population growth increases food demand and pressure on agricultural lands. Farmers in many countries do not have the resources to practice high input agriculture and in countries where it is practiced, effluents are threatening environmental quality. After decades of fertilization, in rich countries, soil P levels have increased sometimes to reach threatening levels (Fixen, 2006). We need to produce more food with fewer inputs. The efficiency of nutrient utilization by crop plants can be enhanced using arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Some 45 years have gone by since the beginning of experimental research on AM fungi, but applications derived from this research are still largely limited to the inoculation of plants, an approach that can be highly profitable for transplanted crops, but that has limitations in directly seeded fields. Here, I present three key features to consider in the development of AM applications: the nature of AM fungi, their dependence on the soil environment, and the functional diversity existing among this group. I will also present some recent results on the assessment of the mycorrhizal AM potential of soils. MATERIALS AND METHODS The nature of the extraradical AM fungal mycelium was photographed. Fig. 1 was obtained after recovering, drying, and staining with chlorazol black E (Brundrett, 1984), an agar-coated slide that had been buried for three months under a pot-grown and Glomus intraradices inoculated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plant. Fig. 2 presents G. intraradices grown on a carrot root culture in a 2-compartment Petri plate. Compartments allowed mycelium growth outside of the influence of non-volatile root exudates. Detailed methodology is given in St-Arnaud, 1996. 1 Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, AAFC, Box 1030 Airport Rd. Swift Current SK, Canada, S9H 3X2 Proceedings 33 PGRSA Annual Meeting
Understanding flowers and flowering : an integrated approach

INTRODUCTION 1. The Evolution of Flowers 2. Historical Interpretations of Flower Induction and Flower Development THE MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF FLOWERING: INDUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 3. Flower induction in Arabidopsis thaliana 4. The autonomous pathways for floral inhibition and induction 5. The photoperiodic pathway of floral induction 6. The vernalization pathway of floral induction and the role of gibberellin 7. Integrating the Arabidopsis thaliana flower induction pathways and assessing the extent to which the model is ubiquitous 8. Changes at the shoot apical meristem in response to floral induction 9. Development of the floral organs 10. The ABC model in evolution 11. Development of gametes 12. Preventing self-fertilisation POLLINATION SUCCESS: MOLECULAR AND ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS 13. Why are flowers different? Pollination syndromes - the theory 14. Changing floral shape and structure 15. Colouring the flower 16. Enhancing flower colour 17. Are flowers under selective pressure to increase pollinator attention? 18. Do pollinators discriminate between different floral forms? 19. Pollination syndromes - the evidence Epilogue Bibliography
Surface Conditions of Highly Maintained Baseball Fields in the Northeastern United States: Part 2, Synthetic versus Natural Turfgrass

Pace is a measure of the relative velocity at which a ball travels after impacting a playing surface. Information about the pace of balls impacting highly maintained natural and synthetic turf baseball field surfaces is minimal. A survey was conducted in 2005 to document the pace and surface hardness of baseball field playing surfaces in the northeastern United States. Nine natural turfgrass baseball fields and five synthetic turf fields were evaluated. Surface pace and surface hardness values of these highly maintained fields differed little between synthetic and natural turfgrass. Surface pace measurements on synthetic turf surfaces were slightly less variable from field to field than those measured on natural turfgrass surfaces. Much greater differences in surface pace and hardness were detected between the non-turfed basepaths, reported in Part 1 of the project, compared to either natural or synthetic turf. Within the parameters of this study, the natural turfgrass surfaces and the infilled synthetic turf surfaces evaluated differed little in surface pace or surface hardness.
Cell Intrinsic TGF-β1 Regulation of B Cells1

TGF-β family cytokines play multiple roles in immune responses. TGF-β1-null mice suffer from multi-organ infiltration that leads to their premature death. T cells play a central role in the TGF-β1 phenotype, as deficiency of TGF-β1 only in T cells reproduces the lethal phenotype. Although it is known that TGF-β1 controls B cells isotype switch and homeostasis, the source responsible for this control has not been characterized. Because of the major role that T cells play in regulating B cell responses, we addressed the T cell dependency of the TGF-β1 control of B cells. The analysis of T cell-deficient, TGF-β1 knockout mice and the production of chimeras in which B but not T cells lacked TGF-β1 allowed us to show that B cells are controlled in part by cell autonomous production of TGF-β1.
INFLUENCE OF WEATHER PARAMETERS ON THE POPULATION BUILD-UP OF DIAMONDBACK MOTH, Plutella xylostella (L.) INFESTING CABBAGE

Cabbage (Brassica olereacea var. capitata) is a commercially grown cruciferous vegetable all over the world. Among the insect pests infesting cabbage, the diamondback moth is the most important pest (Talekar and Lee, 1985). Worldwide increasing awareness about environmental hazards by highly toxic chemical insecticides resulted in new approach of alternative methods of pest management. According to Raju (1996) resistance ofP xylostella has becoming a limiting factor in the commercial cultivation of cabbage. As weather influence the population, the present investigations were undertaken to study the association of climatic parameters with the population build-up of diamondback moth, in order to understand the pest ecology better.
Genes, oncogenes, and hormones : advances in cellular and molecular biology of breast cancer

I. The Progression of Node-Negative to -Positive Breast Cancer. - 1. Prognostic Factors in Axillary Node-Negative Breast Cancer. - 2. Role of Type IV Collagenases in Human Breast Cancer. - II. Suppressor Genes and Negative Growth Factors. - 3. Suppressor Genes in Breast Cancer: An Overview. - 4. The Role of the Retinoblastoma Gene in Breast Cancer Development. - 5. Mammary Derived Growth Inhibitor (MDGI). - 6. Roles for Transforming Growth Factors-? in the Genesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Breast Cancer. - III. Oncogenes and Stimulatory Growth Factors. - 7. Mechanisms Involving an Expanding erbB/EGF Receptor Family of Tyrosine Kinases in Human Neoplasia. - 8. c-erbB2 Amplification and Overexpression in Human Tumors. - 9. Clinical Significance of c-erbB2B2 Protein Overexpression. - Anti-p185HER2 Monoclonal Antibodies: Biological Properties and Potential for Immunotherapy193. - 11. A Chimeric EGFR/neu Receptor in Studies of neu Function. - 12. Involvement of Protein Kinase C in the Growth Regulation of Human Breast Cancer Cells. - 13. Tyrosine Kinase Receptor - Nuclear Protooncogene Interactions in Breast Cancer. - IV. Steroid Hormone Receptors. - 14. Characterization and Regulation of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Breast Cancer. - 15. Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Structure and Action in Breast Cancer Cells. - 16. Progesterone Receptors in Breast Cancer. - V. Differentiation and Function of Epithelium and Stroma in the Breast. - 17. Intermediate Filament Protein Expression in Normal and Malignant Human Mammary Epithelial Cells. - 18. Casein Gene Expression: From Transfection to Transgenics. - 19. The Whey Acidic Protein. - 20. Stromal-Epithelial Interactions in Breast Cancer.
Anti-TCR Antibody Treatment Activates a Novel Population of Nonintestinal CD8αα+TCRαβ+ Regulatory T Cells and Prevents Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis1

CD8αα+CD4−TCRαβ+ T cells are a special lineage of T cells found predominantly within the intestine as intraepithelial lymphocytes and have been shown to be involved in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Although these cells are independent of classical MHC class I (class Ia) molecules, their origin and function in peripheral lymphoid tissues are unknown. We have recently identified a novel subset of nonintestinal CD8αα+CD4−TCRαβ+ regulatory T cells (CD8αα Tregs) that recognize a TCR peptide from the conserved CDR2 region of the TCR Vβ8. 2-chain in the context of a class Ib molecule, Qa-1a, and control- activated Vβ8. 2+ T cells mediating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Using flow cytometry, spectratyping, and real-time PCR analysis of T cell clones and short-term lines, we have determined the TCR repertoire of the CD8αα regulatory T cells (Tregs) and found that they predominantly use the TCR Vβ6 gene segment. In vivo injection of anti-TCR Vβ6 mAb results in activation of the CD8αα Tregs, inhibition of the Th1-like pathogenic response to the immunizing Ag, and protection from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These data suggest that activation of the CD8αα Tregs present in peripheral lymphoid organs other than the gut can be exploited for the control of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Effect of foliar application of zinc and copper on leaf nutrient content, growth and flowering in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) cv. Pink Friendship

An experiment was conducted in the year 2013-14 at Banaras Hindu University to find out the effect of foliar application of zinc and copper on nutrient accumulation and various growth and flowering parameters in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp). Maximum number of leaves (12.58), leaf area index (1.74), fresh weight (46.83 g) and dry weight (6.33 g) of the plant was recorded with the treatment combination Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.2% followed by Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.4% and was significant to the other treatment. While, maximum plant height (107.12 cm) was observed with the treatment combination Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.4% followed by Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.2%. Control plant treated with distilled water recorded minimum among various growth parameters studied. Among flowering parameters, early spike emergence (66.33 days) was noticed with the treatment combination Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.2%. Similarly, days to colour show of the spike (82.03 days), opening of the first (86.67 days), third (88.33 days), fifth (89.00 days) and seventh floret (90.08 days) was recorded earliest with the treatment combination Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.2% followed by Zn 0.2%. Thus, durability of the florets was recorded maximum with the treatment Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.2%. However, maximum duration of flowering was noticed with the treatment Zn 0.2% (17.45 days) followed by Zn 0.2% + Cu 0.4% (17.11 days) and was significant to the other treatments. Maximum zinc accumulation (58.94 ppm) was recorded with the treatment Zn 0.4% followed by Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.4% and Zn 0.2%. Whereas, treatment combination Zn 0.4% + Cu 0.4% (43.61 ppm) recorded maximum copper accumulation which was statistically at par with the treatment combination Zn 0.2% + Cu 0.4% (43.46 ppm). However, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation showed a little variation among the various treatments.
Relationship between Malaria Parasitaemia and Packed Cell volume among Primary School pupils in Ekpoma

Malaria parasitic infection is a disease causing high morbidity and mortality in most tropical parts of the world, where climatic conditions and sanitation practices favour their prevalence. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and its influence on pack cell volume among Primary School Pupils. The study was conducted in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria and involves two hundred primary school children between the ages of 7 and 14 years. Blood was collected by finger prick to determine the presence of malaria parasitaemia using thick and thin film methods while packed cell volume (PCV) was determine by haematocrit method. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection was found to be 20.5% with only two species of Plasmodium detected Plasmodium falciparum (20%) and Plasmodium malariae (1%). The haematocrit of malaria infected pupils (33.3±3.55) was significantly different (p<0.05) from those of non malaria infected subjects (35.9±3.28). Our study revealed that malaria is still a major public health problem and may be a contributory factor to morbidity, mortality, school absenteeism and poor academic performance of pupils in the study area. Keywords : Pack cell volume; Primary School Pupils; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium malariae.
Biodiversity of shallow-water sponges (Porifera) in Singapore and description of a new species of Forcepia (Poecilosclerida: Coelosphaeridae

A surprisingly high number of shallow water sponge species (197) were recorded from extensive sampling of natural intertidal and subtidal habitats in Singapore (Southeast Asia) from May 2003 to June 2010. This is in spite of a highly modified coastline that encompasses one of the world’s largest container ports as well as extensive oil refining and bunkering industries. A total of 99 intertidal species was recorded in this study. Of these, 53 species were recorded exclusively from the intertidal zone and only 45 species were found on both intertidal and subtidal habitats, suggesting that tropical intertidal and subtidal sponge assemblages are different and distinct. Furthermore, only a third of the fouling species of sponges from a previous study was recorded in this study, thus suggesting that sponge assemblages from natural and fouling communities in the tropics are different as well. A new species, Forcepia (Forcepia) vansoesti is described from Singapore. Members of this genus possess unique spicules shaped in the form of a pair of forceps. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having the largest forceps (nearly 300 μm in length) so far recorded in the Indo-Pacific.
Questões sociocientíficas e dimensões conceituais, procedimentais e atitudinais dos conteúdos no ensino de ciências

CONRADO, D.M. , and NUNES-NETO, N. Questões sociocientíficas e dimensões conceituais, procedimentais e atitudinais dos conteúdos no ensino de ciências. In: CONRADO, D.M. , and NUNESNETO, N. Questões sociocientíficas: fundamentos, propostas de ensino e perspectivas para ações sociopolíticas [online]. Salvador: EDUFBA, 2018, pp. 77-118. ISBN 978-85-232-2017-4. https://doi.org/10.7476/9788523220174.0005.