Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of phlorotannin induction in the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum in response to increased copper concentrations

Heavy metal resistance in plants and algae may involve an internal detoxification mechanism, where toxic metal ions are chelated to substances that are stored in special compartments within the cells. Phlorotannins (brown algal polyphenolics) are strong chelators to heavy metals in solution and are found in special compartments (physodes) within the cells, and have therefore been suggested to function as an internal detoxification mechanism in brown seaweeds. Phlorotannins are also believed to function as a chemical defence against herbivory and UV radiation, and the production of phlorotannins has been shown to be induced by increased intensities of these factors. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of phlorotannins as an inducible and internal detoxification mechanism in the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. , in response to increased copper (Cu) concentrations in the surrounding water. The phlorotannin content, tissue Cu content and growth of Cu-exposed seaweeds from areas with different levels of contamination were compared in an observational field study and 2 manipulative induction experiments. The phlorotannin content and growth of the seaweeds were not affected by high Cu concentrations, although A. nodosum plants exposed to high Cu levels accumulated high concentrations of Cu in their tissues. The accumulated Cu was not specifically associated with phlorotannins, since only a small part of the total tissue Cu content of the seaweeds was found in the extracted phlorotannin fractions. The results of the present study show that phlorotannin production in A. nodosum is not induced by high Cu concentrations and that, although plants accumulate high levels of Cu in the tissues, binding of Cu to phlorotannins is probably not an important internal detoxification mechanism in A. nodosum. Since plants were not negatively affected by elevated Cu levels in terms of growth, substances other than phlorotannins are probably more important in the metal resistance mechanism of A. nodosum.
Micronutrient Deficiencies as Predisposing Factors for Hypertension in Lacto-Vegetarian Indian Adults

Objective: With the increasing knowledge about the antioxidant potential of many micronutrients such as zinc and vitamin C, their roles in oxidative stress related health disorders have been postulated. This study therefore investigated low micronutrient status as a predisposing factor for hypertension in a traditionally lacto-vegetarian population like Indians. Methods: Micronutrient profile was assessed in 109 hypertensives with age-gender-socio-economic status matched 115 healthy normotensives (30–58 years of age). Food intakes were estimated through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient intakes were then evaluated by previous estimates of cooked foods from our laboratory. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), age, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, occupation, physical activity, smoking habits were recorded. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, serum level of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, ceruloplasmin, plasma level of ascorbic acid, folic acid, retinol, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC) and erythrocyte membrane zinc. Results: There were no significant differences between protein, fat intakes of normal and hypertensive individuals, though intakes of men were higher than those of women (p < 0.05). Intakes of omega-6 fatty acids were higher (p = 0.08) and omega-3 fatty acids were lower in hypertensive men than normotensive men (p = 0.04). Gender differences were also significant for micronutrient intakes except vitamin C and β-carotene. Intakes of potassium, copper, folic acid and vitamin C were significantly lower in hypertensive individuals than in normotenisves. No significant association was found between occupation or activity level and hypertension (p > 0.2) in these subjects. Conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that intakes of vitamin C, folic acid and zinc were associated with 18% (OR = 1.18, 95% CI:1.08, 1.26), 51% (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 0.94, 2.1) higher odds for hypertension, and 3% lower odds for hypertension (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.92, 1.01), respectively. Mean plasma vitamin C and folic acid were significantly higher (p < 0.01), and serum ceruloplasmin and erythrocyte membrane zinc were marginally higher (p = 0.07) in normal than hypertensive subjects. In multivariate linear regression analyses, plasma vitamin C, serum ceruloplasmin and erythrocyte membrane zinc were negatively associated with SBP (p = 0.00001) and plasma vitamin C was negatively associated with DBP (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Low dietary intakes of vitamin C, folic acid and zinc emerged as the possible risk factors for hypertension. Further, lower levels of plasma vitamin C, erythrocyte membrane zinc and ceruloplasmin were found to be the putative intermediary biomarkers in pathogenesis of hypertension.
Recalling a Witnessed Event Increases Eyewitness Suggestibility

People's later memory of an event can be altered by exposure to misinformation about that event. The typical misinformation paradigm, however, does not include a recall test prior to the introduction of misinformation, contrary to what real-life eyewitnesses encounter when they report to a 911 operator or crime-scene officer. Because retrieval is a powerful memory enhancer (the testing effect), recalling a witnessed event prior to receiving misinformation about it should reduce eyewitness suggestibility. We show, however, that immediate cued recall actually exacerbates the later misinformation effect for both younger and older adults. The reversed testing effect we observed was based on two mechanisms: First, immediate cued recall enhanced learning of the misinformation; second, the initially recalled details became particularly susceptible to interference from later misinformation, a finding suggesting that even human episodic memory may undergo a reconsolidation process. These results show that real-life eyewitness memory may be even more susceptible to misinformation than is currently envisioned.
CYP 46 A 1 inhibition , brain cholesterol accumulation and neurodegeneration pave the way for Alzheimer ’ s disease

Abnormalities in neuronal cholesterol homeostasis have been suspected or observed in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. However, it has not been demonstrated whether an increased abundance of cholesterol in neurons in vivo contributes to neurodegeneration. To address this issue, we used RNA interference methodology to inhibit the expression of cholesterol 24-hydroxylase, encoded by the Cyp46a1 gene, in the hippocampus of normal mice. Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase controls cholesterol efflux from the brain and thereby plays a major role in regulating brain cholesterol homeostasis. We used an adeno-associated virus vector encoding short hairpin RNA directed against the mouse Cyp46a1 mRNA to decrease the expression of the Cyp46a1 gene in hippocampal neurons of normal mice. This increased the cholesterol concentration in neurons, followed by cognitive deficits and hippocampal atrophy due to apoptotic neuronal death. Prior to neuronal death, the recruitment of the amyloid protein precursor to lipid rafts was enhanced leading to the production of b-C-terminal fragment and amyloid-b peptides. Abnormal phosphorylation of tau and endoplasmic reticulum stress were also observed. In the APP23 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, the abundance of amyloid-b peptides increased following inhibition of Cyp46a1 expression, and neuronal death was more widespread than in normal mice. Altogether, these results suggest that increased amounts of neuronal cholesterol within the brain may contribute to inducing and/or aggravating Alzheimer’s disease.
Molecular biology of Tomato spotted wilt virus : An update

Advances in understanding of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) molecular biology are reviewed. TSWV, a type species of the genus Tospovirus, is an enveloped virus that causes high economical losses in many crops worldwide. It is transmitted by several species of thrips and multiplies in insect cells. The most important vector is Frankliniella occidentalis which transmits TSWV in a persistent propagative manner. Several factors are known from both virus and vector side which plays important role in virus acquisition by thrips and its subsequent transfer. TSWV is a segmented negatively strand RNA virus. RNA of TSWV is partitioned among three negative or ambisense single stranded RNA (ssRNA) labeled as L, M and S in order of decreasing size, (approximately 8897, 4821 and 2916 nucleotides long, respectively). These RNA segments encode various proteins like N and Ns by S RNA; NSm and G1/G2 by M RNA and RdRp by L RNA. Intergenic region present in M and S RNA of TSWV helps in proper transcription of different genes encoded by M and S RNA. The different proteins encoded by TSWV genome help the virus in protection, cellular movements, vector transmission, replication and recently in RNA silencing suppressor activity. The present review focuses on basic structure, genome organization, molecular basis of transmission and recent advances in TSWV detection.
A Novel mutation L619F in the cardiac Na+ channel SCN5A associated with long‐QT syndrome (LQT3): a role for the I‐II linker in inactivation gating

Congenital long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT3) is caused by mutations in the gene SCN5A encoding the α‐subunit of the cardiac Na+ channel (Nav1.5). Functional studies of SCN5A mutations in the linker between domains III and IV, and more recently the C‐terminus, have been shown to alter inactivation gating. Here we report a novel LQT3 mutation, L619F (LF), located in the domain I‐II linker. In an infant with prolonged QTc intervals, mutational analysis identified a heterozygous missense mutation (L619F) in the domain I‐II linker of the cardiac Na+ channel. Wild‐type (WT) and mutant channels were studied by whole‐cell patch‐clamp analysis in transiently expressed HEK cells. LF channels increase maintained Na+ current (0.79 pA/pF for LF ; 0.26 pA/pF for WT) during prolonged depolarization. We found a +5.8mV shift in steady state inactivation in LF channels compared to WT (WT, V1/2=−64.0 mV; LF, V1/2=−58.2 mV). The positive shift of inactivation, without a corresponding shift in activation, increases the overlap window current in LF relative to WT (1.09 vs. 0.58 pA/pF), as measured using a positive voltage ramp protocol (−100 to +50 mV in 2s). The increase in window current, combined with an increase in non‐inactivating Na+ current, may act to prolong the AP plateau and is consistent with the disease phenotype observed in patients. Moreover, the defective inactivation imposed by the L619F mutation implies a role for the I‐II linker in the Na+ channel inactivation process. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Sliding Window-Based Algorithm for Detecting Leaders from Social Network Action Streams

Influential users or leaders in a social network play important roles in viral marketing by spreading news quickly to a large number of people. Hence, various organizations aim to discover these leaders as campaign targets for advertisement so as to maximize customer reachability. Existing approaches detect leaders from a static social network. However, as social networks are evolving, detecting leaders from dynamic streams of social network data is in demand. In this paper, we propose a sliding window-based leader detection (SWLD) algorithm for discovering leaders from streams of user actions in social networks. Experimental results show that SWLD is accurate, requires short runtime and a small amount of memory space.
Protective effect of epimedium combined with oligomeric proanthocyanidins on exercise-induced renal ischemia-reperfusion injury of rats.

OBJECTIVE This paper studied the protective effect and mechanism of epimedium combined with oligomeric proanthocyanidins on exercise-induced renal ischemia-reperfusion injury of rats. METHODS In the experiment, the rats were given exhaustive swimming training and then their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and other biochemical indexes were measured after they were given gastric perfusion with 6.01 g/kg doze of epimedium and 50 mg/kg doze of oligomeric proanthocyanidins for 56 days. RESULTS The result indicated that 8 weeks of over training led to ischemia-reperfusion injury of rats. Moreover, their kidney tissues were significantly changed pathologically and renal functions drastically damaged. BUN and serum creatinine increased and EOM group (P < 0.05), OPCOM group (P < 0.05) and EOPCOM group (P < 0.01) were lower than OM group. EOPCOM group was lower than OPCOM group. SOD activity decreased, EOM group (P < 0.05), OPCOM group (P < 0.05), EOPCOM group (P < 0.01) higher than OM group, and EOPCOM group (P < 0.05) higher than OPCOM group. The content of MDA increased, EOM group (P < 0.05), OPCOM group (P < 0.05), EOPCOM group (P < 0.01) lower than OM group, and EOPCOM group (P < 0.05) lower than OPCOM group. CONCLUSION Both epimedium and oligomeric proanthocyanidins can boost SOD activity, clean oxygen radicals, clean and alleviate peroxidation of lipids, which exert protection on exercise-induced renal ischemia-reperfusion. The two combined yield a much better result.
Probabilistic Models over Ordered Partitions with Applications in Document Ranking and Collaborative Filtering

Ranking is an important task for handling a large amount of content. Ideally, training data for supervised ranking would include a complete rank of documents (or other objects such as images or videos) for a particular query. However, this is only possible for small sets of documents. In practice, one often resorts to document rating, in that a subset of documents is assigned with a small number indicating the degree of relevance. This poses a general problem of modelling and learning rank data with ties. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic generative model, that models the process as permutations over partitions. This results in super-exponential combinatorial state space with unknown numbers of partitions and unknown ordering among them. We approach the problem from the discrete choice theory, where subsets are chosen in a stagewise manner, reducing the state space per each stage significantly. Further, we show that with suitable parameterisation, we can still learn the models in linear time. We evaluate the proposed models on two application areas: (i) document ranking with the data from the recently held Yahoo! challenge, and (ii) collaborative filtering with movie data. The results demonstrate that the models are competitive against well-known rivals.
Do toxic cyanobacteria blooms pose a threat to the Baltic ecosystem

Cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, are oxygenic, photosynthetic prokaryotes. They occur naturally in many fresh, marine and brackish waters worldwide and play an important role in global carbon and nitrogen cycles. In their long history, cyanobacteria have developed structures and mechanisms that enable them to survive and proliferate under different environmental conditions. In the Baltic Sea, the mass development of cyanobacteria is compounded by a high level of eutrophication. The dominant species in the Baltic, the filamentous Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Nodularia spumigena, can fix dissolved atmospheric N2, as a result of which they can outcompete other phytoplankton organisms. Heterocystous, filamentous cyanobacteria also make a significant contribution * This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Poland (project number 2651/P01/2008/34). The complete text of the paper is available at http://www.iopan. gda.pl/oceanologia/ 294 H. Mazur-Marzec, M. Pliński to the internal nutrient loading in the Baltic. The blooms of N. spumigena are of particular concern, as this cyanobacterium produces nodularin (NOD), a hepatotoxic peptide. The concentration of the toxin in the sea is regulated mainly by dilution with uncontaminated water, photolysis, sorption to sediments and microbial degradation. The transfer of the toxin in the Baltic trophic chain through zooplankton, mussels, fish and birds has been reported, but biodilution rather than bioconcentration has been observed. Cyanobacterial blooms are thought to pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. Their harmful effects are related to the occurrence of a high biomass, oxygen depletion, a reduction in biodiversity, and the production of toxic metabolites.
Nonthermal Activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-1 Channels in Abdominal Viscera Tonically Inhibits Autonomic Cold-Defense Effectors

An involvement of the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channel in the regulation of body temperature (Tb) has not been established decisively. To provide decisive evidence for such an involvement and determine its mechanisms were the aims of the present study. We synthesized a new TRPV1 antagonist, AMG0347 [(E)-N-(7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-3-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)acrylamide], and characterized it in vitro. We then found that this drug is the most potent TRPV1 antagonist known to increase Tb of rats and mice and showed (by using knock-out mice) that the entire hyperthermic effect of AMG0347 is TRPV1 dependent. AMG0347-induced hyperthermia was brought about by one or both of the two major autonomic cold-defense effector mechanisms (tail-skin vasoconstriction and/or thermogenesis), but it did not involve warmth-seeking behavior. The magnitude of the hyperthermic response depended on neither Tb nor tail-skin temperature at the time of AMG0347 administration, thus indicating that AMG0347-induced hyperthermia results from blockade of tonic TRPV1 activation by nonthermal factors. AMG0347 was no more effective in causing hyperthermia when administered into the brain (intracerebroventricularly) or spinal cord (intrathecally) than when given systemically (intravenously), which indicates a peripheral site of action. We then established that localized intra-abdominal desensitization of TRPV1 channels with intraperitoneal resiniferatoxin blocks the Tb response to systemic AMG0347; the extent of desensitization was determined by using a comprehensive battery of functional tests. We conclude that tonic activation of TRPV1 channels in the abdominal viscera by yet unidentified nonthermal factors inhibits skin vasoconstriction and thermogenesis, thus having a suppressive effect on Tb.
Glacial density and GIA in Alaska estimated from ICESat, GPS and GRACE measurements

The density of glacial volume change in Alaska is a key factor in estimating the glacier mass loss from altimetry observations. However, the density of Alaskan glaciers has large uncertainty due to the lack of in situ measurements. In this paper, using the measurements of Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat), Global Positioning System (GPS), and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) from 2003 to 2009, an optimal density of glacial volume change with 750 kg/m3 is estimated for the first time to fit the measurements. The glacier mass loss is −57.5 ± 6.5 Gt by converting the volumetric change from ICESat with the estimated density 750 kg/m3. Based on the empirical relation, the depth‐density profiles are constructed, which show glacial density variation information with depths in Alaska. By separating the glacier mass loss from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) effects in GPS uplift rates and GRACE total water storage trends, the GIA uplift rates are estimated in Alaska. The best fitting model consists of a 60 km elastic lithosphere and 110 km thick asthenosphere with a viscosity of 2.0 × 1019 Pa s over a two‐layer mantle.
SED: supervised experimental design and its application to text classification

In recent years, active learning methods based on experimental design achieve state-of-the-art performance in text classification applications. Although these methods can exploit the distribution of unlabeled data and support batch selection, they cannot make use of labeled data which often carry useful information for active learning. In this paper, we propose a novel active learning method for text classification, called supervised experimental design (SED), which seamlessly incorporates label information into experimental design. Experimental results show that SED outperforms its counterparts which either discard the label information even when it is available or fail to exploit the distribution of unlabeled data.
Stochastic Independence Between Two Implicit Memory Tasks

Two experiments tested the statistical relation between performances on two implicit, priming tests of memory: word-fragment completion and perceptual identification. If performance on implicit priming tests is mediated by a single memory system, then stochastic dependence between them should be found. Contrary to this prediction, stochastic independence was obtained between performances on the two tests in all but one condition. For that condition (Experiment 1) the results suggest that subjects may have knowingly used information derived from the first test to complete the second. When perceived similarity was eliminated by altering contextual cues (Experiment 2), stochastic independence was found in this condition as well. The results are not consistent with current multiple memory system interpretations that assign all implicit, priming tests to one system and explicit tests to another. An alternative interpretation is that the degree of dependence between performances on memory tests is determined by the similarity of the component processes that the tests engage and of the information they use. Evidence for a dissociation between performances on explicit and implicit tests of memory has been based on demonstrations of functional and statistical independence between the two types of tests. In this article we show that statistical independence can also occur between two implicit tests of memory. Explicit memory tests, such as recognition and recall, are
Modeling of Age-Dependent Epileptogenesis by Differential Homeostatic Synaptic Scaling

Homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) has been implicated in the development of hyperexcitability and epileptic seizures following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our in vivo experimental studies in cats revealed that the severity of TBI-mediated epileptogenesis depends on the age of the animal. To characterize mechanisms of these differences, we studied the properties of the TBI-induced epileptogenesis in a biophysically realistic cortical network model with dynamic ion concentrations. After deafferentation, which was induced by dissection of the afferent inputs, there was a reduction of the network activity and upregulation of excitatory connections leading to spontaneous spike-and-wave type seizures. When axonal sprouting was implemented, the seizure threshold increased in the model of young but not the older animals, which had slower or unidirectional homeostatic processes. Our study suggests that age-related changes in the HSP mechanisms are sufficient to explain the difference in the likelihood of seizure onset in young versus older animals. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of intractable epilepsy. Likelihood of developing epilepsy and seizures following severe brain trauma has been shown to increase with age. Specific mechanisms of TBI-related epileptogenesis and how these mechanisms are affected by age remain to be understood. We test a hypothesis that the failure of homeostatic synaptic regulation, a slow negative feedback mechanism that maintains neural activity within a physiological range through activity-dependent modulation of synaptic strength, in older animals may augment TBI-induced epileptogenesis. Our results provide new insight into understanding this debilitating disorder and may lead to novel avenues for the development of effective treatments of TBI-induced epilepsy.