Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Usefulness of Different Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible after inhaled bronchodilator use associated with an abnormal inflammatory condition. The biggest risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. The exposure to noxious chemicals contained within tobacco smoke is known to cause airway epithelial injury through oxidative stress, which in turn has the ability to elicit an inflammatory response. In fact, the disruption of the delicate balance between oxidant and antioxidant defenses leads to an oxidative burden that has long been held responsible to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of COPD. There are currently several biomarkers of oxidative stress in COPD that have been evaluated in a variety of biological samples. The aim of this review is to identify the best studied molecules by summarizing the key literature findings, thus shedding some light on the subject. Methods We searched for relevant case-control studies examining oxidative stress biomarkers in stable COPD, taking into account the analytical method of detection as an influence factor. Results Many oxidative stress biomarkers have been evaluated in several biological matrices, mostly in the blood. Some of them consistently differ between the cases and controls even when allowing different analytical methods of detection. Conclusions The present review provides an overview of the oxidative stress biomarkers that have been evaluated in patients with COPD, bringing focus on those molecules whose reliability has been confirmed by the use of different analytical methods.
Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sorafenib-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Sorafenib is a small, orally-active multikinase inhibitor that is most frequently used for the management of renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and radioactive iodine-resistant thyroid carcinoma. However, recent reports have associated sorafenib with hepatotoxicity that can limit its clinical application, although the mechanism of hepatotoxicity is still to be elucidated. Thus, our study was designed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying sorafenib-induced hepatotoxicity in an in vivo model. Twenty male adult Wistar rats were randomly placed into two groups; the first group received an oral dose of normal saline (vehicle), and the second received sorafenib (30 mg/kg) once daily for twenty-one consecutive days. After twenty-one days, liver tissues and blood samples were used for gene expression, protein expression, and biochemical analysis. Sorafenib treatment resulted in markedly increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, which indicate the presence of liver damage. Additionally, sorafenib administration induced the inflammatory and oxidative stress marker NF-κB-p65, while antioxidant enzymes were attenuated. Moreover, sorafenib caused upregulation of both gene and protein for the apoptotic markers cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, and Bid, and downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. In conclusion, our findings suggest that sorafenib administration is associated with hepatotoxicity, which might be due to the activation of oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways.
Evidence for selective angling of introduced trout and their hybrids in a stocked brown trout population

Comparisons of the genetic composition of brown trout Salmo trutta captured by anglers and by electrofishing based on three diagnostic microsatellite loci provided strong evidence that angling is selective in a stocked brown trout population. At two sites, anglers caught significantly younger trout and proportionally more introduced hatchery trout and hybrids than were observed in electrofishing surveys. Selective angling, in combination with a small legal catch size, may have considerably eliminated introduced trout and hybrids before spawning at the study sites, and thus may have reduced the introgression of alien genes into the local gene pool. Angling can be an important factor influencing the genetic structure of fish populations and should be taken into account in studies of introgressive hybridization in stocked fish populations and their management. In this study, demographic consequences of stocking were not assessed. Thus, even though the genetic consequences of stocking may be minimal or largely reversible through angling, resource competition between native and introduced trout, until they reach legal catch size, is expected to have a negative effect on the productivity of the indigenous trout population.
Fertilization, Hatching, Survival, and Growth of Third-Generation Colored Pearl Oyster (Pinctada martensii) Stocks

In April of 2009, third-generation black (BS3), red (RS3), yellow (YS3), and white (WS3) colored stocks of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii were compared in terms of fertilization, hatching, survival, and growth. Among stocks, there were no significant differences in fertilization rate (P > 0.05; values ranging from 94.8%–98.9%). Hatching rates of WS3 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 61.3 ± 6.1% than other stocks (74.3 ± 5.4%, 75.9 ± 5.2%, 73.9 ± 4.9%, for BS3, RS3, and YS3, respectively). Larval survival rates of the BS3 stock (65.8 ± 9.4%), RS3 (61.5 ± 8.7%), and YS3 (58.2 ± 9.2 %) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the WS3 stock (44.8 ± 11.2%). On day 8, there were no significant differences in mean shell length among the four colored stocks (P > 0.05). At days 15, 23, 90, 150, 210, and 325, however, significant differences in mean shell length among the four colored stocks were observed (P < 0.05). The BS3 stock had consistently larger mean shell length than the other colored stocks.
Changes in the Carbon Content of Terrestrial Biota and Soils between 1860 and 1980: A Net Release of CO"2 to the Atmosphere

Changes in land use over the past two centuries have caused a significant release of CO2 to the atmosphere from the terrestrial biota and soils. An analysis of this release is based on amounts of organic carbon within an ecosystem following changes such as harvest of forests; it is also based on rates of changes, such as conversion of forest to agriculture, deduced from agricultural and forestry statistics. A model is used to calculate the net amount of carbon stored or released each year by the biota and soils of 69 regional ecosystems. Some of the changes, such as afforestation, the growth of harvested forests, and buildup of soil organic matter, result in a storage of carbon; others, such as harvest of forests and increase in pasture and agricultural areas, result in a loss of carbon to the atmosphere. According to this analysis, there has been a net release of carbon from terrestrial ecosystems worldwide since at least 1860. Until 1960, the annual release was greater than release of carbon from fossil fuels. The total net release of carbon from terrestrial ecosystems since 1860 is estimated to have been 180 x 1015 g (a range of estimates is 135-228 x 1015 g). The estimated net release of carbon in 1980 was 1.8-4.7 x 1015 g; for the 22 yr since 1958 the release of C was 38-76 x 1015 g. The ranges reflect the differences among various estimates of forest biomass, soil carbon, and agricultural clear- ing. Improvements in the data on the clearing of tropical forests alone would reduce the range of estimates for 1980 by almost 60%. Estimates of the other major terms in the global carbon budget, the atmospheric increase in C02, the fossil fuel release of C02, and the oceanic uptake of C02, are all subject to uncertainties. The combined errors in these estimates are large enough that the global carbon budget appears balanced if the low estimate for the biotic release of carbon given above is used (1.8 x 1015 g released in 1980) with the higher estimates of oceanic uptake. If higher estimates for biotic release are used, then the carbon budget does not balance, and the estimates of oceanic uptake or of other factors require revision.
GnRHa active immunity regulates expression of LHR protein and development of uteri in ewes

To investigate the LHR protein expressions in the ovine uteri and LH secretion, and to determine whether the alarelin active immunity affects the uterine development in ewes. Twenty-eight ewes (five to six months) were assigned to four experimental groups. Animals in EG-1, EG-2 and EG-3 were subcutaneously injected with 200, 300 and 400 µg alarelin antigens (day 0 and 14), respectively. Animals in the CG were injected with 2.0 mL solvent (day 0 and 14). Uterine horns were dissected aseptically on day 70. The serum LH concentrations were measured using ELISA. Tissue slices were observed and photographed under optical and electron microscopes. The images were measured using Images software. The results showed that the expressions of LHR protein in EGs increased. The level of LHR protein in EG-3 was higher than that in CG (P < 0.05). Serum LH concentrations in EGs were lower than that in CG from day 21 to day 45 (P < 0.05). Uterine weights in EG-1, EG-2 and EG-3 reduced by 4.66%, 10.20% and 16.63% (P<0.05), respectively. Uterine wall thickness (UWT) in EG-1, EG-2 and EG-3 reduced by 1.41%, 5.84% and 8.75% (P < 0.05), respectively. The endometrial epithelium thickness (EET) in EG-1, EG-2 and EG-3 decreased too (P < 0.05). The uterine wall shrank obviously and the glandular cavity reduced. The microvilli shortened. The mitochondria and mitochondrial crista decreased. Summarily, alarelin immunity could promote LHR protein expression in the uteri, and decreased serum LH concentrations, including decreased EET, UWT and uterine weights, could affect the uterine microstructure and ultrastructure, resulting in the inhibition of uterine development dose-dependently.
The pollination mechanism of western white pine

The phenology of post-dormancy pollen cone, pollen, seed cone, and ovule development was determined for western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don) growing at a coastal and an interior seed orchard in British Columbia. Pollen cones were preformed and overwintered at the sporogenous cell stage before resuming development in early April. Meiosis occurred in May, and pollen was mature by late May or early June. Potential seed-cone buds resumed development in mid-April, and all bracts and ovuliferous scales were initiated before seed-cone buds burst. Comparable stages of development occurred about 2 weeks earlier at the coastal orchard. Numerical phenological stages were assigned to both pollen-cone and seed-cone development. Pollen-cone and seed-cone phenology were very dependent on temperature, whereas pollen release was dependent on both temperature and drying. Degree-days are a useful way to predict seed cone receptivity and to a lesser extent pollen shed at one site in successive years but not .
Evaluation of survivin and NF‐κB in psoriasis, an immunohistochemical study

Background: Suppression of apoptosis is generally one of the accepted pathogenetic mechanisms for psoriasis and any epidermal hyperproliferative states. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family mediating its apoptosis suppressive function by the inhibition of caspase pathway. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) is a transcription factor that regulates hundreds of genes including many critically involved in apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore the role could be played by survivin and NF‐κB in psoriasis and the link between them.
Growth and transpiration efficiency of near-isogenic lines for height in a spring wheat

The two most commonly used dwarfing genes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are Rht1 and Rht2. The Rht3 gene is also a potent dwarfing gene. Information in the literature is limited as to the comparative effects of these genes on transpiration efficiency (TE) and water-use efficiency (WUE). Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been proposed as a criterion to select for improved TE. Four near-isogenic lines, rhtrht, Rht1Rht1, Rht2Rht2, and Rht3Rht3, in «Maringa» bread wheat background and four of their near-isogenic F 1 hybrids derived from crossing the original lines were used to determine the effects of dwarfing genes on plant height, root dry matter, shoot dry matter including grains, grain yield, total dry matter (TDM), TE (TDM/water transpired), WUE (grain yield/water used), and Δ in well-watered and droughted pot experiments in the glasshouse [. ]
Proliferation-dependent and cell cycle–regulated transcription of mouse pericentric heterochromatin

Pericentric heterochromatin transcription has been implicated in Schizosaccharomyces pombe heterochromatin assembly and maintenance. However, in mammalian systems, evidence for such transcription is inconsistent. We identify two populations of RNA polymerase II–dependent mouse γ satellite repeat sequence–derived transcripts from pericentric heterochromatin that accumulate at different times during the cell cycle. A small RNA species was synthesized exclusively during mitosis and rapidly eliminated during mitotic exit. A more abundant population of large, heterogeneous transcripts was induced late in G1 phase and their synthesis decreased during mid S phase, which is coincident with pericentric heterochromatin replication. In cells that lack the Suv39h1,2 methyltransferases responsible for H3K9 trimethylation, transcription occurs from more sites but is still cell cycle regulated. Transcription is not detected in quiescent cells and induction during G1 phase is sensitive to serum deprivation or the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovatine. We demonstrate that mammalian pericentric heterochromatin transcription is linked to cellular proliferation. Our data also provide an explanation for inconsistencies in the detection of such transcripts in different systems.
Studies into Abstract Properties of Individuals. II. Analysis for Emergence in Populations, Species, and a Species-Pair

Populations, species, and a species-pair were analyzed for emergence, the inability of lower hierarchical levels to specify the properties of higher levels. It was detected in three of four populations, both species and the species-pair. The almost ubiquitous nature of emergence implies it is a property of organized systems. As such, emergence cannot be used to argue for a special ontological individual-like status for species. The degree of emergence, the difference between lower and higher hierarchical levels, was greatest for the species-pair followed, in sequence, by the individuals (the results from a previous study), the single species, and the populations. This sequence can also be viewed as one of decreasing complexity and, if individual plants are excluded, evolutionary diversification. The degree of emergence in individual plants likely results from variation in a highly constrained system, one more constrained than a population or species because of the physical boundary (collective cell membranes) of a plant. Constraint in groups of individual plants is the result of a unique history. A possible cause and effect relationship linking ontogeny and phylogeny is variation and constraint, the cause, and irreversible change, the effect. Variation and constraint may, in turn, be the effect of an entropic informational increase and self-organization.
Marine feeding of anadromous Salmo trutta during winter

Juvenile and adult anadromous trout Salmo trutta utilize the sea for feeding during the winter in the Skagerrak. This finding conflicts with the traditional view that anadromous trout overwinter in fresh water. Adults, just prior to spawning, were captured at sea in October to December, and spent fish were caught at sea from October to April, showing that the fish may leave the stream and move to sea just after spawning and spend the winter there. During mid-winter (January to February), the feeding probability (chance of finding a fish with food in its stomach) increased markedly with increasing body length, with no similar effect during early and late winter (October to December and March to April). Among individuals with food in their stomach (72.5%), there was no evidence for variation in feeding intensity [stomach fullness = (mass of stomach content) (fish body mass) -1 ] among early, mid-, and late winter.
Die Autoxidation von Sitosterin III Sitosterylstearat

Sitosterylstearat wurde 1 Stunde bei 150°C im Sauerstoff-Strom oxidiert. Nach dunnschicht-chromatographischer Trennung der Oxidationsprodukte erfolgte deren Identifizierung. Im Gegensatz zur Oxidation des freien Sitosterins unter gleichen Bedingungen fehlen hier alle Oxidationsprodukte, bei denen die 3β-Hydroxigruppe zur Ketogruppe oxidiert und die Δ5 Doppelbindung nach Δ4 verlagert ist. Auch die Bildung des 6-Hydroperoxids, das bei der Oxidation des freien Sterins eines der wichtigsten Primarprodukte ist, wurde nicht beobachtet. Dafur treten in groser Menge die 5,6-Epoxide auf, auch mit zusatzlicher Oxidation in 7-Stellung. Autoxidation of Sitosterol III: Sitosterylstearate Sitosterylstearate was oxidized in a stream of oxygen for one hour at 150°C. The oxidation products were separated by thin-layer chromatography and identified. In contrast to oxidation of free sitosterol under identical conditions which yielded oxidation products, in which the 3β-hydroxy group was oxidized to a keto group and the Δ5 double bond was displaced to Δ4, none of these products were formed by the oxidation of β-sitosteryl ester. Moreover, the formation of 6-hydroperoxide, an important primary product of oxidation of the free sterol, was not observed. However, large amounts of the 5,6-epoxide are formed, also with additional oxidation in the 7-position.
What Drives Stochastic Risk Aversion?

I examine determinants of stochastic relative risk aversion in conditional asset pricing models. I propose new time-series specification tests with nonlinear tatespace models with heteroskedasticity. I then established the following facts. First, the surplus consumption ratio implied by the external habit formation model is the most important determinant of relative risk aversion. Second, the CAY of Lettau and Ludvigson (2001a) without a look-ahead bias and the short term interest rate explain part of relative risk aversion. Third, the estimated risk aversion from 1957:02 to 2010:03 is countercyclical and positive. Finally, the selected models explain part of the momentum and the financial distress premiums.
Egocentric Framing - One Way People May Fail in a Switch Dilemma: Evidence from Excessive Lane Switching

To study switching behavior, an experiment mimicking the state of a driver on the road was conducted. In each trial participants were given a chance to switch lanes. Despite the fact that lane switching had no sound rational basis, participants often switched lanes when the speed of driving in their lane on the previous trial was relatively slow. That tendency was discerned even when switching behavior had been sparsely reinforced, and was especially marked in almost a third of the participants, who manifested it consistently. The findings illustrate a type of behavior occuring in various contexts (e.g., stocks held in a portfolio, conduct pertinent for residual life expectancy, supermarket queues). We argue that this behavior may be due to a fallacy reminiscent of that arising in the well-known “envelopes problem�? , in which each of two players holds a sum of money of which she knows nothing about except that it is either half or twice the amount held by the other player. Players may be paradoxically tempted to exchange assets, since an exchange fallaciously appears to always yield an expected value greater than whatever is regarded as the player’s present assets. We argue that the fallacy is due to egocentrically framing the problem as if the “amount I have�? is definite, albeit unspecified, and show that framing the paradox acentrically instead eliminates the incentive to exchange assets. A possible psychological source for the human disposition to frame problems in a way that inflates expected gain is discussed. Finally, a heuristic meant to avert the source of the fallacy is proposed.
ASSESSMENT OF THE MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDUSTRIALLY PRODUCED ALHEIRA, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO FOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Alheiras is a traditional Portuguese meat product, typically from the north of the country. To investigate on some of the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of industrially produced alheira, samples from four factories and six production batches were analyzed. The microbiological status of the analyzed samples can be considered a matter of concern in terms of food safety. Considering the microbiological counts and the pathogen occurrence rate, it can be inferred that most of the alheira samples were produced under substandard hygienic conditions. Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp. were prevalent in 50, 25 and 12.5% of the samples, respectively. Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Yersinia enterocolitica were present in smaller numbers. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and enteropathogenic Campylobacter were not detected. The source factory was a determining factor in terms of microbiological characteristics and pathogen occurrence levels. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Given the significant economic importance of alheira (a traditional Portuguese sausage) to a number of small domestic and industrial producers, particularly in the north of Portugal, this study can be used to help implement strategies designed to enhance the product's microbiological quality. This would therefore have positive knock-on effects on the region's economy and community as a whole. The next logical step would be to carry out a systematic analysis of contamination patterns along alheira production lines, which should enable the introduction of more specific and effective methods of ensuring product safety in the face of common microbiological hazards. There also appears to be an urgent need for the establishment of a thorough technical and scientific monitoring program across the industry. This would include testing the technological procedures involved in the production process, and would clearly lead to a significant improvement in this product's microbiological profile.
The Missing Link between Financial Constraints and Productivity

This paper provides new evidence on the link between finance and firm-level productivity focusing on the case of Estonia. We contribute to the literature in two important respects: (1) we look explicitly at the role of financial constraints; and (2) we develop a methodology that corrects for the misspecification problems of previous studies. Our results indicate that young and highly indebted firms tend to be more financially constrained. Overall, a large number of firms shows some degree of financial constraints, with firms in the primary sector being the most constrained. More importantly, we find that financial constraints do not lower productivity for most sectors with the exception of R&D, where the dampening effect of financial constraints on productivity is remarkably large. These results are robust to a variety of sensitivity tests.