Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidized Omega-3 Fatty Acids Inhibit NF-&kgr;B Activation Via a PPAR&agr;-Dependent Pathway

Objective—The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oxidized versus native omega-3 fatty acids on the endothelial expression of chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8, and, if effective in inhibiting chemokine expression, to determine the mechanism for the inhibition of chemokine expression. Methods and Results—Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we show that oxidized EPA and DHA but not unoxidized EPA or DHA inhibit cytokine-induced endothelial expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and, to a lesser extent, IL-8. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, oxidized EPA but not unoxidized EPA potently inhibited cytokine-induced activation of endothelial nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B). Using Western blot analyses, we show that the inhibition of NF-&kgr;B activation was not caused by prevention of phosphorylation of I&kgr;B&agr; because oxidized EPA did not inhibit cytokine-induced phosphorylation and ubiquination of I&kgr;B&agr;. Furthermore, oxidized EPA inhibited NF-&kgr;B activation in endothelial cells derived from wild-type mice but had no inhibitory effects on NF-&kgr;B activation in endothelial cells derived from peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &agr; (PPAR&agr;)-deficient mice, indicating that oxidized EPA requires PPAR&agr; for its inhibitory effects on NF-&kgr;B. Conclusions—These studies show that the antiinflammatory effects of fish oil may result from the inhibitory effects of oxidized omega-3 fatty acids on NF-&kgr;B activation via a PPAR&agr;-dependent pathway.
Single and multispecies reference points for Baltic fish stocks

Gislason, H. 1999. Single and multispecies reference points for Baltic ﬁsh stocks. –ICES Journal of Marine Science, 56: 571–583.Single and multispecies models are used to examine the eﬀect of species interaction onbiological reference points for cod, herring, and sprat in the Baltic. The resultsdemonstrate that reference points are diﬀerent in single and multispecies contexts.Reference points for ﬁshing mortality based on single-species yield and SSB calcula-tions are diﬃcult to use when natural mortality depends on the absolute abundance ofthe predators and their alternative prey. Reference points based on maximizing totalyield from the system may lead to impractical results when species interact. Multispe-cies predictions suggest that the cod stock in the Baltic should be reduced to a very lowlevel of biomass in order to beneﬁt from the higher productivity of herring and sprat,its major prey. Such a result stresses the need for incorporating socio-economicconsiderations in the deﬁnition of target reference points. Management advice basedon biomass reference points will also diﬀer. In the single species situation thecombinations of cod and pelagic ﬁshing eﬀort for which the equilibrium spawning-stock biomass of the three species is above the biomass reference points forms arectangular area. When biological interaction is taken into account the limits of thisarea becomes curved. Reference limits for forage ﬁsh cannot be deﬁned withoutconsidering changes in the biomass of their natural predators. Likewise, referencelimits for predators cannot be deﬁned without considering changes in the biomass oftheir prey.
Studies on A-PRF and A-PRF/Coral powder for Reconstruction of Induced Bone Defects in Dogs

Activated platelets-rich plasma (A-PRP) was used extensively in various experimental and clinical models. However, the use of anticoagulant in A-PRP preparation may interfere with healing process. Second generation of A-PRP were developed without adding anticoagulants or activators which where know as platelet rich fibrin (PRF). The PRF was improved during preparation and were known as advanced-PRF (A-PRF). In vitro studies, A-PRF showed releasing of significantly higher growth factors over time than PRF however, limited studies document its efficiency in vivo. Stony coral was used as a bone substitute for its osteo-conductivity. It can be used either alone or a part of a composite with reported success and low complication rates. The aim of the present study to evaluate the efficacy of A-PRF alone or with combination. Twelve adult mongrel dogs (15-25 kg body weight) of both sexes were used in this experiment. A 3 drill hole defects of 10 mm diameter were made in the tibial tuberosity 1 cm apart. The upper hole was filled with A-PRF alone, the middle hole was left empty as control and the lower hole was filled with mixture of A-PRF & coral powder. Sequential radiographs were obtained every week for the first month and every two weeks until completion of the study at 12 weeks. Radiographic opacity score of the defect compared to adjacent bone range from -3 to +3 and radiopacity score of host-implant interface which ranged from 0 to +3. Dogs were euthanized at the end of respective observation period at 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week post-operative for histological evaluation using Emery scoring system. By the end of the study, using A-PRF and with or without combination of coral powder was significantly improved and accelerate bone healing. Addition of coral powder scientifically improves the quality of remodeled bone histologically however, there was no significant radiographic differences.
Effect of zinc fortification on growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under irrigated condition of Punjab

A field experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of 2016-17 at Research Farm of Dolphin (PG) College of Science and Agriculture, Chunni Kalan, Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab. The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications and eight treatments. The results revealed that maximum plant height 23.20, 55.74, 91.07 and 96.07 cm and dry matter accumulation 57.88, 575.81, 1138.65 and 1396.40 g m -2 at 30,60,90 DAS and at harvest respectively, were recorded treatment T 8 (T 4 + 0.2% foliar spray with zinc sulphate at heading stage) which was significantly higher over all the treatments and at par with T 6 , T 9 and T 4 treatments. The number of spikes per plant (6.60), number of grains per spike (41.00), grain yield (5.30 t ha -1 ) and straw yield (6.43 t ha -1 ) were recorded significantly highest under the treatment T 8 (T 4 + 0.2% foliar spray with zinc sulphate at heading stage) as comparison to other treatments and was statistically at par with T 6 , T 9 and T 7 while the treatment T 1 recorded significantly lowest grain and straw yield. The application of T 8 (T 4 + 0.2% foliar spray with zinc sulphate at heading stage) was recorded highest organic carbon (0.67 %) available Nitrogen (414.19 kg ha -1 ), Phosphorus (20.80 kg ha -1 ), Potassium (227.67 kg ha -1 ) and zinc (0.671 ppm) in soil and statistically at par with the treatments T 6 (T 2 + 0.2% foliar spray with zinc sulphate at heading stage) and T 9 (T 5 + 0.2% foliar spray with Zinc Sulphate at heading stage).
HPLC Method for Screening of Steroidal Saponins and Rutin as Biologically Active Compounds in Tribulus Terrestris L.

ABSTRACT An improvement method for extraction of steroidal saponins and rutin of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) was evaluated. It is shown that the ultrasound extraction is faster, easier, solvent-saving, more reliable and effective method than the conventional heat reflux extraction method. Under optimized conditions, the main biologically active compounds protodioscin, prototribestin, dioscin and rutin were extracted from Tribulus terrestris with different origin and analyzed by revesed phase HPLC with UV detector.
Hepatic Cirrhosis: Diagnostic and Prognosis in Internal Medicine

Introduction: Cirrhosis is a public health problem and the causes are dominated by viral hepatitis and alcoholism. Deaths due to cirrhosis represented 2.4% of deaths worldwide in 2017. The aim of this work was to study the diagnostic and prognosis of cirrhosis at the department of internal medicine of the Abass Ndao hospital center. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study, carried out on the basis of patient files followed from May 1, 1999 to February 28, 2018 (19 years) and included all patients for whom the diagnosis of cirrhosis was accepted. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was made on the basis of clinical, biological and ultrasound (portal hypertension, signs of hepatocellular insufficiency, a diffuse heterogeneous aspect, and irregularity of the liver contours). Results: 60 patient files were listed with an average age of 46.9 years, a sex ratio of 2.2 and alcoholism in 11.7% of the cases. The reasons for consultation were dominated by an increase in the size of the abdomen (55%), lose weight (50%). On physical examination, it was a hepatomegaly (43.3%) and jaundices (33.3%). Exploration of liver function showed a cholestasis (48%), a cytolysis (58%) and a hepatocellular insufficiency (46.2%). Anemia was found in (24%). The abdominal ultrasound found in all cases a dysmorphic, heterogeneous liver with irregular contours. Hepatic atrophy was found in 20%. Among the 34 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, they were grade 2 to 3 esophageal varicose vein in 67.6%, an erosive gastropathy in 29.4%. The etiology was viral hepatitis B in 45%, alcoholism in 11.7% and undetermined in 43.3%. A hematemesis complicated the evolution in 16.7%. Carcinomatous degeneration was found in 5% and 16.7% of the patients had died. Conclusion: our experience with cirrhosis was marked by advanced forms at the stage of complications. The viral etiology B remains dominant. Prevention will involve early detection and vaccination.
DNA Methylation Analysis of AKT1 Promoter and HTR2A EXON-I of Malaysian Schizophrenia Multiplex Families with Lower Cognitive Performance

Dysfunction of cognitive performance in schizophrenia has been associated with aberrant alteration of DNA methylation of several schizophrenia-risk genes. AKT1 and HTR2A are among the candidate genes for schizophrenia. Their expressions were found reduced in schizophrenia patients. Thus, we aimed to study the methylation status of AKT1 promoter and HTR2A exon-I in Malaysian schizophrenia patients and their affected family members. In this study, each participant was required to perform Trail Making Test (TMT) part A and B to measure their cognitive performance. Genomic DNA extracted from the peripheral blood of 12 Malaysian schizophrenia families and 12 controls families, was subjected to bisulfite conversion. The methylation status of CpG sites of AKT1 promoter at Chr14: 104796054 and HTR2A exon-I at Chr13: 46896918 were identified using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Our results showed that schizophrenia patients performed worse in both TMT-A and B (p<0.0001) than healthy controls. The patients also displayed significantly (p=0.023) high level of methylation in AKT1 promoter compared to controls. Meanwhile, no significant difference (p=0.248) in methylation status was observed in HTR2A exon-I between schizophrenia and control groups. Therefore, methylation of AKT1 promoter in peripheral bloods of patients may involve in cognitive impairment and schizophrenia pathology. In addition, we were able to demonstrate the heritability of DNA methylation status across family members.
Antioxidant components of newly identified carrot germplasms

Nine newly identified carrot germplasms and one local carrot variety were evaluated in terms of antioxidant components and antioxidant activity. The antioxidant components of carrots viz. total carotene, beta carotene, phenols, vitamin C and antioxidant activity varied from 4.35 – 13.74 mg/100g, 0.91 – 4.16 mg/100g, 1.97 – 3.98 mg/ 100g, 4.01 – 4.7 mg/100 g and 24.15 – 32.21% respectively. Carrot germplasms UHSBC51, UHSBC53, UHSBC64 and UHSBC101 are significantly higher in total carotene and beta carotene content (11.40-13.74 mg/100g and 3.02-4.16 mg/100g respectively). All carrot germplasms except UHSBC59 had significantly higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity (2.56-3.98mg/100g and 27.04-32.21% respectively) when compared with local carrot variety. There is no significant difference in vitamin C content of carrot germlasms. The correlation between total carotene (r = 0.74), beta carotene (r = 0.97) and phenols (r = 0.91) were significantly and positively correlated to antioxidant activity. Germplasms UHSBC64, UHSBC101 and UHSBC44-1 were good sources of antioxidant components.
New localities of rare species of the genus Microbotryum

Microbotryum bistortum, M. dianthorum, M. superbum and M. langerheimii , rare species of smut fungi are reported from new localities in Poland, mostly in protected areas. Dianthus superbus subsp. superbus is a new host for M. superbum observed. Taxonomical status of M. carthusianorum and M. superbum is discussed in the paper.
Registration of 'L 79-1002' sugarcane.

‘L 79-1002’ (Reg. No. CV-132, PI 651501) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum offi cinarum L., S. spontaneum L., S. barberi Jeswiet, and S. sinense Roxb. amend. Jeswiet) was released on 26 Apr. 2007 by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in cooperation with the USDA-ARS and the American Sugarcane League, Inc. The cross for L 79-1002, a F 1 hybrid, was made in 1974 using ‘CP 52-68’ as the female parent and Tainan, a S. spontaneum clone, as the male parent. Initial clonal selection was done in single stools. Testing was done from 1976 through 1983 in yield trials conducted in the traditional sugarcane growing area in south Louisiana and in the colder, non-sugarcane growing regions of north Louisiana. Yield testing was resumed in 2002 through 2005 as interest in biofuels research renewed. L 79-1002 was released for an emerging biofuels industry because of its high fi ber content and biomass (cane yield) potential. Average fi ber content for L 79-1002 is approximately 257 g kg –1 . The new cultivar also has excellent vigor and ratooning ability. Experiments conducted at Bossier City, Louisiana (32.1° N lat) indicated a broader range of adaptability than sugarcane cultivars grown for the production of sucrose.
Induction of PPARβ and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis by Raf signaling: failure of PGI2 to activate PPARβ

A role for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐β (PPARβ) in oncogenesis has been suggested by a number of observations but its precise role remains elusive. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2, prostacyclin), a major arachidonic acid (AA) derived cyclooxygenase (Cox) product, has been proposed as a PPARβ agonist. Here, we show that the 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (4‐OHT) mediated activation of a C‐Raf‐estrogen receptor fusion protein leads to the induction of both the PPARβ and Cox‐2 genes, concomitant with a dramatic increase in PGI2 synthesis. Surprisingly, however, 4‐OHT failed to activate PPARβ transcriptional activity, indicating that PGI2 is insufficient for PPARβ activation. In agreement with this conclusion, the overexpression of ectopic Cox‐2 and PGI2 synthase (PGIS) resulted in massive PGI2 synthesis but did not activate the transcriptional activity of PPARβ. Conversely, inhibition of PGIS blocked PGI2 synthesis but did not affect the AA mediated activation of PPARβ. Our data obtained with four different cell types and different experimental strategies do not support the prevailing opinion that PGI2 plays a significant role in the regulation of PPARβ.
Utilização de marcadores ISSR na avaliação da divergência genética entre acessos de biribazeiro

The biribazeiro is a fruit plant native from Amazonian and Atlantic forests, in Brazil. Their fruits have great popular acceptance for fresh consumption. The objective of this study was to measure the genetic divergence of biriba genotypes (Rollinia mucosa [Jacq.]Baill) using ISSR molecular markers. Sixteen genotypes of biriba were screened with 20 ISSR primers, which produced a total of 118 bands, with 96 polymorphic and 22 monomorphic fragments. The genetic dissimilarity values ​​ranged from 0.0909 to 0.5147, based on the complement of the Jaccard index. The UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Average Method) grouped the accessions into six groups. The genotypes 1 and 5 were most dissimilar and 11 and 12 the most similar. The ISSR markers used in this study demonstrated the efficiency of molecular polymorphisms detection, revealing high genetic variability among the 16 accessions. So, it can be inferred that there is a considerable genetic variation among accessions of the biribazeiro, showing the importance of molecular markers in the analysis of variability of species poorly studied, as Rollinia mucosa [Jacq. ]Baill.
Fibre length and gibberellins A1 and A20 are decreased in Eucalyptus globules by acylcyclohexanedione injected into the stem

Trinexapac-ethyl (TriEt), an acylcyclohexanedione-type inhibitor of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis, was applied to 3-year-old Eucalyptus globulus saplings by localised injection near the base of each stem. The objective was to alter cambial region GA levels and to study the effects on secondary xylem fibre development. Seven weeks later wood samples, with bark and cambial region intact, were removed 10 and 30 cm above the point of injection. Fusiform cambial cell dimensions were compared with those of fibre-tracheids in the most recently formed 100 μm of secondary xylem. Increasing TriEt applications from 5 to 5 000 mg active ingredient, significantly reduced average fibre length, and to a lesser extent average fusiform cambial cell length. Also reduced was the number of cells in the cambial zone and the number of differentiating fibres with primary walls. However, no trends were evident for changes in fibre diameter, the proportion of vessel elements or the ratio of cambial ray cells to fusiform cambial cells. Two gibberellins (GA 1 and GA 20 ), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were quantified in cambial region tissues by gas chromatographymass spectrometry using stable isotope labelled internal standards. Increasing TriEt application reduced both GA 1 and GA 20 levels. Effects on IAA and ABA were not significant, although their levels tended to be lower at the highest TriEt application rate. The elongation of secondary xylem fibres was positively correlated with higher levels of endogenous GA, (r 5 =0.74, P<0.01) and GA 20 (r s =0.72, P<0.01). These results support a causal role for GA, in cambial cell division. They are also consistent with the hypothesis that the elongation of differentiating secondary xylem fibres in woody angiosperms is dependent on GA 1 levels in the cambial region.
Chemical synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of a phosphorylated bisubstrate inhibitor of type 3 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Type 3 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) catalyzes the last step in the biosynthesis of the potent androgen testosterone (T) by selectively reducing the C17 ketone of 4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ4-dione), with NADPH as cofactor. This enzyme is thus an interesting therapeutic target for androgen-sensitive diseases. Using an efficient convergent chemical approach we synthesized a phosphorylated version of the best Δ4-dione/adenosine hybrid inhibitor of type 3 17β-HSD previously reported. An appropriately protected C2′ phosphorylated adenosine was first prepared and linked by esterification to the steroid Δ4-dione bearing an alkyl spacer. After three deprotection steps, the phosphorylated bisubstrate inhibitor was obtained. The inhibitory potency of this compound was evaluated on homogenated HEK-293 cells overexpressing type 3 17β-HSD and compared to the best non-phosphorylated bisubstrate inhibitor. Unexpectedly, the phosphorylated derivative was slightly less potent than the non-phosphorylated bisubstrate inhibitor of type 3 17β-HSD. Two hypotheses are discussed to explain this result: 1) the phosphorylated adenosine moiety does not interact optimally with the cofactor-binding site and 2) the bisubstrate inhibitors, phosphorylated or not, interact only with the substrate-binding site of type 3 17β-HSD.
Phylogenetic analysis of Gyrodactylus spp. (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) using ribosomal DNA sequences

Species of the viviparous monogenean genus Gyrodactylus are difficult to identify morphologically and relationships within the genus are unclear. Partial or complete sequences were obtained for the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of 11 Gyrodactylus species (G. kobayashii, G. gurleyi, G. pungitii, G. rogatensis, G. gasterostei, G. derjavini, G. salaris, G. rarus, G. turnbulli, G. bullatarudis, and G. arcuatus) and the related Gyrdicotylus gallieni. Phylogenetic analyses (parsimony, distance, and maximum likelihood) separated species of the Gyrodactylus wageneri species-group (with a long ITS-1) from those of the Gyrodactylus eucaliae and G. arcuatus species-groups (with a short ITS-1). This subdivision into species with a long (610-630 base pairs (bp)) or short (300-500 bp) ITS-1 was also apparent with 5.8S rDNA and ITS-2 data. No support could be found for the hypothesis that G. salaris is a member of a separate species group, as this species clustered within t.
Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations for the intensive cultivation of marine microalga, Nannochloropsis gaditana, in the local conditions of M’diq, Morocco.

1. Laboratory of Microbiology and Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tetouan, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco 2. AQUA M’DIQ, Port of M’diq, Morocco 3. Specialized Center in Zootechnics and Marine Aquaculture Engineering, National Institute of fisheries Research, Morocco 4. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, via Consolare Valeria, Italy
Resistance of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri L.; Hom., Psyllidae) to deltamethrin and synergism with piperonyl butoxide

Abstract: Topical application bioassays, conducted on French populations of Cacopsylla pyri, showed resistance rates to deltamethrin ranging from 31‐fold at the adult stage to 135‐fold at the last larval stage. Synergism studies between deltamethrin and piperonyl butoxide (PBO), applied either topically or by tarsal contact with PBO, showed (i) that the rates of synergism were more than 10‐fold in all the populations and that they could increase to a thousand‐fold in some populations, (ii) that the synergistic effect was present to a similar extent at both the larval and adult stages, (iii) that there was no correlation between the synergistic effect and the resistance rates, and (iv) that no correlation was observed between the dates of collection and the rates of synergism. The results makes it impossible to determine whether resistance to deltamethrin is of genetic origin or results only from the induction of monooxygenases by allelochemical substances present in the food ingested by the species.
The impact of ticks on Bufo marinus from native habitats

SUMMARY We analysed the patterns of tick distribution on 2274 adult toads from Venezuela and Brazil, to explore whether these ectoparasites have any impact on the survival of Bufo marinus. A maximum-likelihood analysis showed that aggregation levels of ticks decreased significantly with the mean intensity of infection. This decline could be attributed to a density-dependent reduction of ticks within toads, density-dependent tick-induced toad mortality and/or density-dependent tick-induced changes in toad susceptibility. However, the relationship between the rate of change in tick loads and tick burdens from recaptured toads indicated that neither the loss of ticks within toads nor the toad susceptibility to further infection were dependent upon tick burdens. Therefore, we can indirectly infer that density-dependent tick-induced toad mortality is responsible for the observed decline in aggregation levels with tick age and burdens. On the other hand, a significant negative relationship between tick burdens and the size-specific weight of toads suggested that ticks may also have a significant impact on the patterns of weight deposition of adult toads. This evidence suggests that these ectoparasites may play an important role in regulating the densities of B. marinus in native habitats.