Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sources of variability of plasma HDL-cholesterol levels

Epidemiological data from the Framingham and other prospective studies suggests an inverse correlation between the plasma concentration of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The relationship between HDL-C and its vascular-protective effects is particularly due to the heterogeneity of these particles and their important role in reverse cholesterol transport. It is well-known that many different factors are involved in metabolic regulation of HDL and can affect their plasma concentration. Apolipoprotein A-I, the principal apolipoprotein of HDL, is synthesized and secreted in the intestine and liver, where several enzymatic processes contribute to the biogenesis and the catabolism of HDLs. In this review we report and analyze the main clinical, genetic and environmental determinants of plasma HDL-C concentration; moreover we underline how different laboratory methods of HDL-C dosage can influence the correct assessment of these plasma values. We present a comparison of HDL-C.
Silencing of the Laminin γ-1 Gene Blocks Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

ABSTRACT It is thought that Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan that causes Chagas' disease, modulates the extracellular matrix network to facilitate infection of human cells. However, direct evidence to document this phenomenon is lacking. Here we show that the T. cruzi gp83 ligand, a cell surface trans-sialidase-like molecule that the parasite uses to attach to host cells, increases the level of laminin γ-1 transcript and its expression in mammalian cells, leading to an increase in cellular infection. Stable RNA interference (RNAi) with host cell laminin γ-1 knocks down the levels of laminin γ-1 transcript and protein expression in mammalian cells, causing a dramatic reduction in cellular infection by T. cruzi. Thus, host laminin γ-1, which is regulated by the parasite, plays a crucial role in the early process of infection. This is the first report showing that knocking down the expression of a human gene by RNAi inhibits the infection of an intracellular parasite.
Isolation-by-distance within naturally established populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

In plants, the magnitude of seed and pollen dispersal plays a pivotal role in shaping genetic structure of populations. Restricted dispersal of genes can stimulate the increase of inbreeding as well as spatial clustering of relatives. These phenomena are explained by the theory of isolation-by-distance. Because of its biology, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seems to be susceptible to isolation-by-distance. However, to date fine-scale effects, including biparental inbreeding and a spatial genetic structure are not fully recognized for this species. In this study, two populations of European beech were investigated, both representing a dense beech forest, typical for Central Europe. Using nine microsatellite markers and a recently developed method, we found a significant level of biparental inbreeding in both populations. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that both populations exhibit clustering of related individuals up to 40 m. The observed spatial genetic structure fit well to the log-linear.
Peripheral Absolute Lymphocyte Count: An Economical and Clinical Available Immune-Related Prognostic Marker for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Background To find economical and clinically available immune-related prognostic markers that could predict the overall survival (OS) of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in the new drug era. Material/Methods Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and absolute monocyte count (AMC) were measured in routine blood samples from 102 patients with NDMM, and the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) was derived. All the patients were receiving bortezomib-based chemotherapy as induction treatment. Log-rank testing was used for comparing the differences between groups. Univariate and multivariate tests were used to identify prognostic markers. Results The median ALC and LMR values at diagnosis were 1.43×109/L and 3.7, respectively, and served as the cutoff point. As prognostic factors, ALC, LMR, and a new staging system combining ALC and the ISS staging system (L-ISS) were expected to have a significant impact on predicting OS. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that ALC ≥1.43×109/L (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.223; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.071–0.705; P=0.011), LMR ≥3.7 (HR: 0.363; 95% CI: 0.139–0.947; P=0.038), and L-ISS late stage (HR: 1.619; 95% CI: 1.065–2.743; P=0.027) were independent predictors for OS. Conclusions ALC and LMR can serve as surrogate markers for patients’ antitumor immunity at the initial diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A new immune-related staging system, L-ISS, which combines ALC and the ISS staging system, can predict clinical outcomes in patients who are receiving bortezomib-based chemotherapy.
Effect of a herbal essential oil mixture on growth and internal organ weight of broilers from young and old breeder flocks

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a herbal essential oil mixture on the performance of broilers produced by a young (30 wk) or an old breeder (80 wk) flock. One thousand and eight unsexed day-old broiler chicks (Ross-308) originating from the two breeder flocks were randomly allocated to three treatment groups of 336 birds each. Dietary treatments were: a control and two diets containing 24 mg/kg or 48 mg/kg of an essential oil mixture. There were no significant effects of dietary treatment on body weight of the broilers at 21 and 42 days. The effect of the age of the parents did not have a significant effect on body weight of the broilers at 21 and 42 days of age. Up to 21 days the feed intake of broilers from young breeders was reduced significantly as a result of the inclusion of the essential oil mixture in their diets, and a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio was recorded in these birds. Difference in regression coefficients for feed intake and feed conversion ratio between broilers from young and old breeder flocks was significant. Carcass yield and some internal organ weights such as the liver, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard and small intestine were not affected by the addition of the essential oil mixture to the diet. Inclusion of essential oil mixture to the diet decreased mortality significantly at 21 days. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36(2) 2006: 135-141
WHAT IS ASTRAGALUS LEUCARGYREUS BORNM. AND WHERE IS ITS SYSTEMATIC POSITION

Astragalus leucargyreus Bornm. was the first time recollected from the type locality, Hamadan province after the 110 years. Morphological characters, habitat and geographical distribution are presented. Further studies showed that A. leucargyreus should be excluded from the sect. Hymenostegis Bunge and transferred to the sect. Adiaspastus Bunge, then treated as a synonymous with A. erythrolepis Boiss. This study shows that A. leucargyreus Bornm. with its morphological feature as a valid species now is transferred from the sect. Adiaspastus to its previous the sect. Hymenostegis and excluded from synonymous status.
NUTRITION, PHYSIOLOGY, AND STABLE ISOTOPES: NEW INFORMATION FROM FASTING AND MOLTING PENGUINS

Stable isotopes are increasingly used in animal ecology, but little attention has been paid to the underlying physiological processes accounting for changes in 15N/14N and 13C/12C ratios, for example, the influence of protein balance on δ15N values. We investigated a “professional” faster, the King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), to test the effect of long-term food deprivation on the isotopic signature of tissues that can be nondestructively sampled, i.e., blood and feathers. Fasting for 25 days induced a tissue 15N enrichment, thus leading to a moderate increase in the apparent trophic levels of penguins. As expected, 15N enrichment was higher in tissues with high protein turnover rates (e.g., plasma, 0.70‰) than in those with low turnover rates (e.g., blood cells, 0.24‰). Fasting decreased the δ13C value of plasma, which was due to an increase in its lipid content, as indicated by a concomitant rise in plasma C/N ratio. Finally, food deprivation induced a 15N enrichment in keratin (1.68‰), as indica.
Phenotypical and Functional Characterization of the CD8+ T Cell Repertoire of HLA-A2.1 Transgenic, H-2K
 b
 °D
 b
 ° Double Knockout Mice

Homozygous HLA-A2.1 transgenic H-2Kb°Db° double knockout (KO) mice were created. Their potential to develop HLA-A2.1-restricted cytolytic responses was compared with that of their classical transgenic counterparts, which still express H-2Kb, Db molecules. On cell surfaces, both strains express similar amounts of chimeric (α1α2 domains of human, α3 cytoplasmic domains of mouse) HLA-A2.1 molecules in noncovalent association with mouse β2-microglobulin. Compared with mice that are totally deprived of histocompatibility class Ia molecules (H-2Kb°Db° double KO), the expression of HLA-A2.1 in transgenic/double KO mice resulted in sizeable increase in the periphery of CD8+ T cells with a normally diversified TCR repertoire. A biased education in favor of HLA-A2.1, ascribable to the absence of H-2 class Ia molecules, was evidenced in these transgenic/double KO mice by their improved capacity to mount HLA-restricted cytolytic responses, regardless of whether they were virally infected or injected with synthetic epitopic peptide. HLA class I transgenic, H-2 class Ia KO mice should represent useful animal models for the preclinical evaluation of vaccine formulations aiming at the induction of HLA class I-restricted CTL responses.
Raman spectroscopy of lymphocytes for the identification of prostate cancer patients with late radiation toxicity following radiotherapy

The success of radiotherapy in tumour control depends on the total dose given. However, the tolerance of the normal tissues surrounding the tumour limits this dose. It is not known why some patients develop radiation toxicity and, currently, it is not possible to predict before treatment which patients will experience adverse effects. Thus, there is an unmet clinical need for a new test to identify patients at risk of radiation toxicity. Here, we report a new approach based on Raman spectroscopy. Blood samples were collected from 42 patients who had undergone radiotherapy for prostate cancer and had shown either severe or no/minimal late radiation toxicity in follow up. Radiation response was assessed following in vitro irradiation using Raman spectroscopy in addition to the G2 chromosomal radiosensitivity assay and the H2AX DNA damage assay. A Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis model was developed to classify patients using known radiation toxicity scores. A sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 92% and overall accuracy of 93% was This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. A cc ep te d A rti cl e achieved. In the future, this technology may have potential to lead to individualised patient radiotherapy by identifying which patients are at risk of radiation toxicity.
Supplementation with Estradiol-17β Before the Last Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Injection of the Ovsynch Protocol in Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether an increase in circulating estrogen concentrations would increase percentage pregnant per artificial insemination (PP/AI) in a timed AI protocol in high-producing lactating dairy cows. We analyzed only cows having a synchronized ovulation to the last GnRH of the Ovsynch protocol (867/1,084). The control group (n = 420) received Ovsynch (GnRH – 7 d – PGF 2α – 56h – GnRH – 16h – timed AI). The treatment group (n = 447) had the same timed AI protocol with the addition of 1mg of estradiol-17β (E2) at 8h before the second GnRH injection. Ovarian ultrasound and blood samples were taken just before E2 treatment of both groups. In a subset of cows (n = 563), pressure-activated estrus detection devices were used to assess expression of estrus at 48 to 72h after PGF 2α treatment. Ovulation was confirmed by ultrasound 7 d after timed AI. Treatment with E2 increased expression of estrus but overall PP/AI did not differ between E2 and control cows. There was an interaction between treatment and expression of estrus such that PP/AI was greater in E2-treated cows that showed estrus than in E2-treated or control cows that did not show estrus and tended to be greater than control cows that showed estrus. There was evidence for a treatment by ovulatory follicle size interaction on PP/AI. Supplementation with E2 improved PP/AI in cows ovulating medium (15 to 19mm) but not smaller or larger follicles. The E2 treatment also tended to improve PP/AI in primiparous cows with low (≤2.5) body condition score, and in cows at first postpartum service compared with Ovsynch alone. In conclusion, any improvements in PP/AI because of E2 treatment during a timed AI protocol appear to depend on expression of estrus, parity, body condition score, and size of ovulatory follicle.
Blood pressure and heart rate related to sex in untreated subjects: the India ABPM study

Women are underrepresented in groups of patients seeking hypertension care in India. The present paper reports trends in office and ambulatory blood pressure measurement (OBPM, ABPM) and 24‐h heart rate (HR) with sex in 14,977 subjects untreated for hypertension (aged 47.3 ± 13.9 years, males 69.4%) visiting primary care physicians. Results showed that, for systolic blood pressure (SBP), females had lower daytime ABPM (131 ± 16 vs. 133 ± 14 mm Hg, P < .001) but higher nighttime ABPM (122 ± 18 vs. 121 ± 16 mm Hg, P < .001) than males. Females had higher HR than men at daytime (80 ± 11 vs 79 ± 11.5 bpm) and nighttime (71 ± 11 vs 69 ± 11), respectively (all P < .001). Dipping percentages for SBP (7.4 ± 7.3 vs 9.3 ± 7.4%), DBP (10.1 ± 8.6 vs. 12.3 ± 8.9%), and HR (10.7 ± 7.9 vs. 12.8 ± 9.2%) were lower (P < .001) for females than for males, respectively. Females more often had isolated nighttime hypertension as compared to males (14.9%, n = 684% vs 10.6%, n = 1105; P < .001). BP patterns and HR showed clear differences in sex, particularly at nighttime. As females were more often affected by non‐dipping and elevated nighttime SBP and HR than males, they should receive ABPM, at least, as frequently as men to document higher risk necessitating treatment.
The Influence of Food Habits on the Energetics of Eutherian Mammals

The level of energy expenditure in eutherian mammals is correlated with the type of food consumed, especially in medium—sized to large species; some foods (including vertebrates, herbs, and nuts) permit high basal rates, while other foods (including invertebrates, fruit, and the leaves of woody plants) require low basal rates. Various properties of a food, including a low digestibility, a high content of plant secondary compounds, the inability to separate food from non—nutritive particles, and a seasonal reduction in availability, may require a consumer to have a low basal rate of metabolism; all of these factors are exaggerated in importance by the high food intake of large mammals. In small species most foods, except flying insects and seed crops in the desert, permit high basal rates and effective endothermy. Climatic factors modify these relationships to a limited extent, while a specialization in moderately—sized species to arboreal habits leads to reduced activity, smaller muscle mass, and lower basal rate than is found in terrestrial species using the same food resources. Mixed diets generally produce basal rates intermediate to those expected from the component specialist diets. The correlation of basal rate with food habits has the following demonstrable consequences for mammals. (1) The scaling of basal rate usually follows the Kleiber relation, unless food habits require low basal rates, or temperature regulation requires high rates. (2) Mammals that feed on foods associated with high basal rates have a higher reproductive output than mammals of similar size that use foods requiring low basal rates. (3) Predator avoidance is correlated with level of energy expenditure and food habits, terrestrial species with low rates of metabolism relying principally on burrows or passive integumental structures, such as shells, plates, or spines. (4) Most living "conservative" mammals use foods that require low basal rates of metabolism, a condition that protects conservative species from replacement by "advanced" eutherians, which are also required by these foods to have low basal rates.
Cytotoxic constituents of Alectra and Striga species

Summary Decimation of cereal growth and yields by hemiparasitic Striga species cannot be accounted for entirely by the removal of host-plant resources. The production of toxic compounds by the parasite has been suggested. An investigation of three species of the economically important Striga and the related Alectra vogelii has now resulted in the isolation of eight iridoid glucosides (mussaenosidic acid, mussaenoside, gardoside methyl ester, bartsioside, isoaucubin, melittoside, aucubin and eurostoside), two caffeoyl phenylethyl glycosides (calceolarioside A and verbascoside) as well as shikimic acid and trigonelline, all identified by NMR spectroscopy. The iridoids are potent cytotoxins and probably represent an anti-herbivore defence system common to Scrophulariaceae (sensu lato). This has the potential to explain differences in tolerance apparent for contrasting host taxa and cultivars. The nature of the iridoids present also provides additional validation of the recent transferral of parasitic Scrophulariaceae (s.l.) to Orobanchaceae.
Feasibility of removal S−2 from Kraft black liquor recovery cycle with synthetic adsorbents (Cu-PAC and Cu-GAC)

Abstract Sulfide ions (S−2) derived from Na2S in black liquor, after the pulping process, is the source of production H2S during of black liquor recovery cycle in Kraft pulp and paper industries. Tow adsorbents (Cu-PAC, Cu-GAC) by loading Cu+2 on powder activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC) were synthesized to created more adsorption sites and were improved their selectivity for removing S−2 from black liquor with 3 level of sulfidity (18, 20 and 22 %). The adsorbents were characterized by BET, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. Adsorption of S−2 for Cu-PAC and Cu-GAC were fitted well with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model respectively and both of the adsorbents followed pseudo-second-order kinetic. The results of thermodynamic parameters showed the endothermic process. The removal efficiency results showed Cu-PAC has better performance than Cu-GAC. This is due to the higher specific surface area of Cu-PAC, which has led to more adsorption sites for S−2. By considering appropriate temperature conditions and direct effect of the S−2 on the production of H2S during of black liquor recovery cycle, Cu-PAC will be able to prevent H2S production and odorous the black liquor recovery cycle by removing 79.89 % of the S−2.
The fate of immunoglobulin G fed to larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis

Since plants can be transformed genetically to produce functional antibodies, an immunological approach may be developed for controlling their arthropod pests. Specific antibodies would protect plants from arthropods if they could gain access to the pest antigen in sufficient amounts such that the normal function of the antigen is disrupted. In order to study the fate of ingested antibodies in the body of the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), we fed the larvae on serum‐containing diet. When larvae were fed on the serum‐containing diet for various lengths of time between 12 and 96 h, no significant differences were noted in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in their body. Immediately after the larvae stopped feeding, the concentrations of the IgG in their midgut was about one half that of the diet itself, but it decreased significantly after 6 h and again after 18 h (about 3 and 10 fold, respectively). Immediately after the larvae stopped feeding, the concentration of the IgG in their hemolymph was about 1/500 that in the diet. The concentration of IgG in the hemolymph of ECB larvae was influenced directly by the titer of antibodies in their diet. During the first 6 h after the larvae stop feeding the concentration of IgG in their hemolymph did not decrease significantly; however, it did so after 18 h (about 6 fold). The possibility that specific antibodies will gain access to antigens in the ECB body is discussed.
A novel biodegradable film based on κ‐carrageenan activated with olive leaves extract

Abstract This research focused on the development of carrageenan based biodegradable films incorporated with olive leaves extract (OLE). OLE microbial inhibition and its total phenolics (TP) were evaluated. Carrageenan films were produced by casting technique and were characterized by thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), color, mechanical properties, and infrared spectroscopy. In order to apply as lamb meat packaging, the antimicrobial effect of the films was investigated. Results showed that OLE inhibited E. coli growth and presented excellent TP (41.40 mgGAE/g). Thicknesses of the film with OLE (CAR‐OLE) were approximately 28% higher than film without OLE. Addition of OLE reduced the WVP by approximately 54%. CAR‐OLE was less resistant to breakage and more flexible showing darker color. FTIR showed interaction of carrageenan with OLE. Results revealed that CAR‐OLE promoted 167‐fold reduction in initial count of aerobic mesophiles indicating shelf‐life extension of lamb meat and promising use as antimicrobial food packaging.
Resistance in cultivated barleys to Pyrenophora teres f. teres and prospects of its utilisation in marker identification and breeding

Net type net blotch (NTNB) is a prevalent disease in Australia, causing significant losses in barley yield and quality. Its impact can be reduced with the identification and utilisation of effective sources of resistance. Sixty-nine cultivated barley lines were screened as seedlings against 9 isolates of Pyrenophora teres f. teres from Australia, and in the field in Western Australia. Resistance expressed in seedlings was frequently expressed in adult plants in the field, indicating that these sources are potentially useful for resistance breeding. Of these lines, 24 with the best overall resistance were identified, which could be used against virulence diversity present in P. teres f. teres in Australia. As a prelude to the evaluation of established mapping populations in the Australian Barley Molecular Marker Program, 42 parental lines were screened against a range of Australian isolates of P. teres f. teres. Variation in net blotch responses was observed among parents of the mapping populations. Ten principal mapping populations appear to provide opportunities to map resistances and identify molecular markers linked to NTNB resistance genes effective against Australian pathotypes.
Contribución al conocimiento de las Chrysomyinae y Toxotarsinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) de Colombia

Se presenta informacion taxonomica, geografica y ecologica de 21 especies de califoridos de las subfamilias Chrysomyinae y Toxotarsinae encontradas en Colombia. Se proveen claves taxonomicas para la identificacion de sus generos y especies.