Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frost hardening and resistance in three Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) provenances

The paper investigates frost hardening and resistance in two-year-old seedlings of three Aleppo pine provenances (Litorale tarantino, Eubea, Kassandra). Starting in early autumn, field-raised seedlings were sampled fortnightly and subjected to temperatures of +4, 6, 12, and 17 C. Electrolyte release was measured before and after boiling of the samples, separated according to organ type. Conductivity values were converted into damage index It. The findings were then correlated to mean climate data (maximum, minimum, and mean temperature, theoretical sunshine duration) recorded over the 212 days prior to sampling. Acquired frost resistance increased gradually from the first sampling till January, as the day length and air temperature decreased. Subsequent hardening-dehardening fluctuations indicated that frost resistance in Aleppo pine is strongly dependent on microclimate conditions. Provenance Kassandra displayed the greatest frost resistance. The differences between the 3 provenances were not marked. Ale.
Existing dopaminergic therapies for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder associated with a gradual loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in diminishing production of dopamine and loss of motor function. Although the aetiology of PD is not understood completely, the recent understanding of the cause of this disease from genetic mutations and the development of a chemical model have provided much deeper insight into the pathogenesis of the disease process. Over the years many different therapeutic agents have been developed to alleviate symptomatic problems in PD. Among these agent, dopaminergic therapy still plays a dominant role as a mainstay treatment agents. In this article, along with levo-dopa (L-dopa), a brief review on different dopamine receptor agonists has been presented. In addition, indirect dopaminergic agents, such as selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors and catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, have also been included in the description.
Use of null models to explain crustacean zooplankton assemblages in waterbodies of Alerce Andino National Park (41°S, Chile)

The zooplankton assemblages in deep, mostly oligotrophic northern Patagonian lakes are characterized by low species numbers and a marked dominance of calanoid copepods. In the present study, data collected in field work on six water bodies located in Alerce Andino National Park (41°S) were analysed using the Jaccard Index of community similarity and a co-occurrence of null models, and such with the aim of determining potential regulating factors for the observed crustacean assemblages, using a presence-absence matrix. A significant correlation between species number and surface area was found. The null model used species co-occurrence, and the basis of this model is that the species associations observed are random. The results revealed the absence of regulating factors and indicate that the sites are relatively homogeneous, with low species numbers and similar plankton assemblages at all studied sites. This finding is in accordance with similar descriptions for zooplankton assemblages in other Chilean Patagonian lakes.
Human monoclonal antibodies to IFN-α for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

IFN-α, which consists of multiple subtypes, exerts antiviral, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities. Besides its role as an important mediator of protective immunity, IFN-α is also involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this disorder, IFN-α appears to promote the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) capable of activating T cells, and to stimulate B cell differentiation and autoantibody secretion with formation of immune complexes that trigger enhanced IFN-α production, thereby driving the autoimmune process through a vicious circle-like mechanism. Other autoimmune diseases where IFN-α has been implicated include Type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, Sjogren’s disease and psoriasis. Therefore, targeting IFN-α may provide a therapeutic approach for SLE and the latter diseases. Accordingly, Medarex has generated human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically neutralise several IFN-α subtypes but not IFN-β or IFN-ω. One of these mAbs was shown to inhibit the biological activity of IFN-α on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the inducing effect of SLE plasma on DC maturation in vitro.
Histone modification enzymes: novel targets for cancer drugs

In eukaryotes, genomic DNA is packaged with histone proteins into the cell nucleus as chromatin, condensing the DNA > 10,000-fold. Chromatin is highly dynamic and exerts profound control on gene expression. Localised chromatin decondensation facilitates access of nuclear machinery. Chromatin displays epigenetic inheritance, in that changes in its structure can pass to the next generation independently of the DNA sequence itself. It is now clear that the post-translational modification of histones, for example, acetylation, methylation and phosphorylation, plays a crucial role in the regulation of nuclear function through the ‘histone code’. There has been significant progress in identifying and understanding the enzymes that control these complex processes, in particular histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. The exciting discovery that compounds inhibiting histone deacetylase activity also have antitumour properties has focused attention on their use as anticancer drugs. As a consequence, there is ongoing evaluation of several histone deacetylase inhibitor compounds in Phase I and II clinical trials with promising early results. It is likely that many of the enzymes involved in the control of histone modification will provide therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of cancer, including histone methyltransferases and Aurora kinases.
Temporal dynamics of areas of endemism under climate change: a case study of Mexican Bursera (Burseraceae)

Our aim was to analyse the temporal dynamics of areas of endemism of Bursera species (Burseraceae), a dominant element of the Mexican tropical dry forest, between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the present day. We aimed to identify stable core sectors that have held permanent populations of endemic species.
Semiautomated Registration Using New Markers for Assessing the Accuracy of a Navigation System

Objectives: New markers are described that can be used for an improved registration procedure and for the exact comparison of navigation systems. The advantages of the markers are demonstrated, together with an automated segmentation algorithm for locating me centroid of the markers in image space. Compared to manual registration, this method shows an improved registration accuracy. Materials and Methods: The new markers are detected completely automatically within all scan images. This allows a semiautomatic registration, as a preregistration is performed via the algorithm. Furthermore, the exact coordinates within one scan slice are now determined with the calculation procedure. The calculated data from the preregistration were matched up with a manual preregistration and some reference data, so as to confirm the quality of this new algorithm. The accuracies of several manual and semiautomatic registrations were also compared. Results: The average deviation between the coordinates of the algorithm and the reference data (coordinate measuring machine) was 0.3 mm. The standard deviation amounted to 0.131 mm. Comparing several manual registrations with the reference data showed that the middle fiducial registration error (FRE) was between 0.7 and 2 mm. In comparison, the FRE remained constant at around 0.7 mm for the semiautomatic registration procedure. Conclusions: The measured results show a significant improvement in the preregistration data using the new markers together with the algorithm. This improvement leads to a reproducible and more accurate registration. The combination of the new marker type with the automated segmentation algorithm minimizes the human error factor, and provides the opportunity to directly compare image-guided and robotic systems.
Three-Dimensional Planning of Alveolar Ridge Distraction by Means of Distraction Implants

Objective: In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) CT-based planning methods have increasingly been implemented in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Alveolar ridge distraction is accomplished by unidirectional distraction devices which in turn must be positioned optimally in all three dimensions. It is the aim of this study to demonstrate 3D planning of alveolar ridge distraction by means of distraction implants. Patients and Methods: 1997, nine patients were treated with distraction implants for a deficient alveolar ridge. A CT-scan-based 3D milled model of the facial skull was prepared for each patient to enable preoperative diagnosis and operative planning. Results: Exact preoperative diagnosis of the alveolar ridge defect and atrophy was enabled by the 3D polyurethane model. Correct positioning of the distraction implants and predictability of the course of distraction was facilitated by preoperative planning according to the 3D model. Conclusion: Three-dimensional planning according to a milled model is an indispensable aid to positioning of distraction implants and therefore to directed augmentation of the alveolar ridge. Correct distractor positioning is vital for optimal subsequent prosthetic treatment.
Genetic Determination of Isozyme Variation in the Bladder Campions, Silene Uniflora and S. Vulgaris

The genetic control of variation at the Pgi-2, Pgm-I, Pgm-2, and Tpi-I loci was investigated for the gynodioecious bladder campions, Silene uniflora and S. vulgaris. The main objective of the study was to determine whether alleles 1 and 2 at Pgi-2, which have closely similar electrophoretic mobilities, were genuine Mendelian alleles. The results from a series of crossing experiments were consistent with a Mendelian interpretation of variation at the Pgi-2 locus and the two Pgm loci -observed segregation patterns did not deviate from Mendelian expectations. At Tpi- I, however, significant deviations from expected Mendelian ratios were observed in half of the crosses. One of the deviations occurred in a heterozygote by homozygote cross, while three (plus one borderline) deviations occurred in heterozygote by heterozygote crosses. Significant heterogeneity was also detected in the latter crosses, because the segregation ratios were skewed towards different homozygote classes. The results suggest that some form of postzygotic selection may be operating at Tpi-I. While further experimentation is required before we can explain these deviations, we present evidence which suggests that the biases and their directions are associated with the female, and not the male lines used in the crosses.
Executive function and verbal working memory in adolescents with closed head injury (CHI)

The relationship between executive function (EF) and working memory (WM) was studied in eight adolescents with closed head injury (CHI) and eight controls, matched for age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES). A cognitive-linguistic test (Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury, SCATBI) was used to group CHI participants by severity. EF was tested with a measure of daily functioning (Pro-Ex) and WM was tested with a recognition memory task (RMT). When all subject test data were grouped, a positive linear correlation was found for the Pro-Ex and the RMT. A strongto-moderate positive correlation was found for components of the EF measure and the RMT. Severity of injury influenced test performance for both the EF and WM measures, with a significance between group effects found on the RMT task. Results indicate a relationship between executive function and working memory, severity of injury and test performance and the need to assess EF of CHI adolescents with a measure of daily functioning.
Personality and neurocognitive correlates of impulsive aggression in long-term survivors of severe traumatic brain injury

This study addresses a common outcome of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), disinhibited aggressive behaviour. This behaviour has been classified in aggression literature as 'impulsive aggression' (IA). The purpose was to: (1) characterize those TBI patients who are likely to be an aggression risk, and (2) determine if TBI patients with IA demonstrate personality style and neurocognitive performance similar to that seen in other IA groups. Participants were 45 survivors of severe TBI (26 of whom had persisting problems with IA), who were clients of a residential brain injury treatment facility. IA participants had a higher incidence of pre-morbid aggressive behaviour, were younger, had a shorter tenure in the programme, and were more impulsive, irritable, and antisocial than the non-aggressive control participants. Unlike past research, no neurocognitive differences were found. The results are discussed in terms of the conceptualization, identification, and treatment of persisting IA in severe TBI.
Morphological and biochemical changes in peanut nodules during photosynthate stress

Nitrogen fixation in legume root nodules is believed to be supported by the supply of photosynthate of the current photoperiod. However, in peanut nodules, prolonged periods of darkness or detopping do not disrupt nitrogen fixation for at least 48 h. During this period, nodule oleosomes (lipid bodies) have been shown to decrease in number within the infected cells, and it has been suggested that lipids from oleosomes are mobilized to maintain the energy and carbon requirements of the nitrogen-fixing nodules. We present morphological evidence, at the ultrastructural level, for the utilization of oleosomes during photosynthate stress. The biochemical status of the nodule has also been assessed and correlated with ultrastructure. For comparison cowpea nodules were used that totally lacked oleosomes. In peanut nodules leghemoglobin and total protein remained unchanged along with integrated ultrastructure on nodule cells for 48 h, whereas in cowpea a decline in proteins with ultrastructural damage became appar.
Interactive Effects of Predators and Early Larval Dynamics of the Treefrog Hyla Chrysocelis

Ecologists need to determine the frequency and nature of higher order interactions and to predict when such interactions will be important to understand community dynamics. I experimentally tested for higher order interactions in a freshwater food web by independently manipulating the presence and absence of two predators (the salamander Notophthalmus viridescens and the crayfish Cambarus bartonii) and their tadpole prey (Hyla chrysoscelis) in a series of artificial ponds. By destructively sampling selected ponds early in the larval period (days 5 and 6), I hoped to predict whether the predators would have an interactive effect on tadpole survival and growth on day 30. Early destructive samples adequately predicted subsequent influences of interactions on the survival, but not on the size of Hyla. Early samples predicted that the predators would interact to determine tadpole survival and size. The two predators did not act additively to determine tadpole abundance: more survived in the presence of both predators than was predicted. This higher order interaction was most likely caused by physical interference between the predators and predator avoidance by the tadpoles. Early samples correctly predicted higher order interactions would be seen on tadpole growth, but completely failed to predict their direction because the biological interactions changed over time. Early in their larval period, tadpoles behaviorally avoided predators, which caused slower growth, but later, tadpoles in predator treatments grew faster due to diminished intraspecific competition. These results suggest that higher order interactions may be important in nature. Short—term experiments may prove useful in predicting when higher order interactions will occur, but detailed models may be required to predict their outcome accurately.
Prior exposure of cecal microflora to grape pomaces does not inhibit in vitro fermentation of pectin

Grape pomace is mainly composed of dietary fiber (DF) and polyphenols (PP), components of the undigestible residue and substrates for colonic fermentation. Male Wistar rats were fed fiber-free diets supplemented with 5% cellulose or 10% red grape peels (RGP), white grape peels (WGP), or white grape seeds (WGS) as source of DF for 6 weeks, and rat cecal contents from fasted rats were used as inoculum to in vitro ferment apple pectin. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, pH, and pressure were measured as indications of fermentative capacity at different times. SCFA production at 24 h, expressed as micromoles per milligram of dry substrate, was significantly higher in RGP (9.7) and WGS (9.6) groups than in the control group (8.8). Fermentative capacity of cecal contents from WGP-fed rats did not differ from that of the control group (8.5 μmol/mg of dry substrate). The presence of the three test materials in the diets did not modify the fermentation rate. SCFA production was significantly correlated with.
An Unusual Night-Flowering Oxalis from South Africa (Oxalidaceae)

Abstract A new Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) species from the Hantamsberg (South Africa) is described and typified as Oxalis noctiflora using morphological, palynological, and molecular characters. Superficially it closely resembles Oxalis aridicola, Oxalis callosa, Oxalis odorata, and Oxalis primuloides, and it shares a unique supra-areolate pollen type with most of these species. No single vegetative morphological character defines this species, but a unique combination of bulb and leaflet characters distinguishes it from all other known species. The flowers of Oxalis noctiflora are unique for the genus in displaying typical moth-pollination characters. The white flowers open at night, have a long, unusually narrow, corolla tube, and produce a strong sweet scent. All previously described Oxalis species have flowers that open during the day. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer data placed this species sister to O. aridicola within a clade of morphologically and palynologically similar taxa.
Stress in Women

Abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous syndrome that is characterized from oligo‐ or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Clinical expression is determined by genetic as well as environmental factors. Women with PCOS are a specific group of women which have several aspects of metabolic syndrome (MBS). Concomitantly MBS could be part of metabolic abnormalities present in PCOS. Stress has been linked to aggravate the metabolic abnormalities present in MBS. An interaction seems to exist between stress, environmental, as well as genetic factors, starting from the prenatal age and continuing to the adult life. This results in specific endocrinological and metabolic disorders which are shared by women with PCOS and women with MBS.
Is there enough evidence with evolocumab and alirocumab (antibodies to proprotein convertase substilisin-kexin type, PCSK9) on cardiovascular outcomes to use them widely?

Introduction: Statins alone often do not reduce LDL cholesterol levels sufficiently to given maximum cardiovascular benefit. Thus, additional drugs are required to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol. Monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 have recently been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol, but it is not known whether they improve cardiovascular outcomes. Areas covered: We evaluated two clinical trials reporting cardiovascular outcomes with antibodies to PCSK9, the OSLER extension with evolocumab, and the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial with alirocumab. Expert opinion: In OSLER and ODYSSEY LONG TERM, there were very few cardiovascular outcomes, but the trials do suggest that evolocumab and alirocumab may reduce these outcomes. However, there are also some safety concerns with both of these antibodies. Large clinical outcome trials are underway with both evolocumab and alirocumab, which will probably clarify both the safety concerns and any cardiovascular benefits with these antibodies. In our opinion, these antibodies may be suitable for use in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia, who are uncontrolled with their present medications, provided intensive safety and cardiovascular monitoring is being undertaken. However, evolocumab and alirocumab should be used with caution in other subjects, until outcome studies in higher numbers of subjects have shown acceptable safety and cardiovascular profiles.
Relationships between lipophilicity and the distribution of non-ionised chemicals in barley shoots following uptake by the roots

Determinations were made of the distribution of two series of non-ionised chemicals, O-methylcarbamoyloximes and substituted phenylureas, in barley shoots, following uptake by the roots from solution. The concentrations in basal and central shoot sections became constant after 24 to 48 h for all but the most lipophilic chemical studied, and were then greatest for the more lipophilic chemicals. Amounts in the leaves generally increased up to 72 or 96 h, when degradation balanced translocation. The accumulation of chemical in the lower section of shoots can be ascribed to a partitioning process similar to that in roots, the chemical being partitioned between the shoot and the xylem transpiration stream; this uptake could be estimated from the octan-1-01/water distribution coefficients, and was predicted to be greatest for compounds for which log Kow=4. 5.
Structure and Function of Membrane-Lytic Peptides

This article reviews the membrane interactions of a variety of peptides including alamethicin, melittin, cecropins, magainins, and defensins. The biological activities of the peptides are discussed and correlated to results from biophysical and structural studies. A picture emerges that allows one to understand the mechanisms of lysis and the regulation of the peptides' activities. Specific peptide–lipid interactions are particularly important in the case of antibiotic peptides, which affect the functionality of bacterial membranes, fungal membranes, or both but leave the bilayers of higher organisms, including those of the host cells, intact. Several models are presented and discussed in view of the ensemble of experimental data. These include the barrel stave, the wormhole, the carpet, and the detergent-like model.