Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microvessel Density and Endothelial Basement Membrane Composition in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

In this retrospective study we morphometrically evaluated the density of small blood vessels (microvessel density; MVD) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in order to find out if the vascular density provides relevant information on the biology and prognosis of this tumor type. In addition, we investigated the composition of the endothelial basement membrane (BM) to analyze qualitatively the role of the major BM components during tumor-associated angiogenesis. For the immunohistochemical staining of the blood vessels we used the endothelial cell marker CD31 and the BM was analyzed by immunostaining for the major components collagen-IV, laminin-1 and perlecan. Beneath the normal mucosa a mean of 18 vessels/0.41 mm2 was found. Invasive carcinomas showed a significant increase in blood vessel density to 36.3 vessels /0.41 mm2 regardless of the degree of tumor cell differentiation. Interestingly, the highest vascular density was found beneath dysplastic, but non-invasive epithelia (45.5 vessels/0.41 mm2), particularly when associated with a strong lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration. Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant correlation between MVD and the lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. However, we did not find any significant correlation between MVD and other clinical/biological parameters. Qualitative analysis of the endothelial BM revealed an "earliest" occurrence of laminin-1 in the obviously newly formed vessels, while collagen IV and perlecan occur at more pronounced stages of vessel formation. There was, however, no prognostically relevant information available from endothelial BM analysis. In summary, at present we do not consider the MVD in SCC of the larynx to be a prognostic factor for the individual outcome of the patient.
The impact of breeding to reduce residual feed intake on enteric methane emissions from the Australian beef industry

The expected reduction in methane emissions from the Australian beef herd resulting from using bulls identified as being more feed efficient as a result of having a lower residual feed intake (RFI) was modelled, both in a single herd in southern Australia and in the national herd. A gene flow model was developed to simulate the spread of improved RFI genes through a breeding herd over 25 years, from 2002 to 2026. Based on the estimated gene flow, the voluntary feed intakes were revised annually for all beef classes using livestock populations taken from the Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI). Changes in emissions (kg methane/animal.year) associated with the reduction in feed intake were then calculated using NGGI procedures. Annual enteric methane emissions from both the individual and national herd were calculated by multiplying the livestock numbers in each beef class by the revised estimates of emissions per animal. For an individual adopting herd, the annual methane abatement in year 25 of selection was 15.9% lower than in year 1. For the national herd, differential lags and limits to adoption were assumed for northern and southern Australia. The cumulative reduction in national emissions was 568 100 t of methane over 25 years, with annual emissions in year 25 being 3.1% lower than in year 1. It is concluded that selection for reduced RFI will lead to substantial and lasting methane abatement, largely as a consequence of its implementation as a breeding objective for the grazing beef herd.
Paraspinal Muscle Response to Electrical Vestibular Stimulation

Galvanic (electrical) vestibular stimulation (GVS) has been used to study the role of the vestibular system in postural control by inducing postural sway in standing subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine the timing and pattern of activation in the paraspinal muscles in response to GVS and to compare these responses with those in the muscles of the lower leg. Binaural-bipolar GVS was applied to the skin overlying the mastoid processes of 10 subjects while they stood on a force plate with their eyes closed. The stimulus consisted of a 0.6 mA 5-pulse sequence. Each pulse lasted for 2 s, followed by 4 s of rest. The centre of pressure (COP) vs. time for each trial was calculated from the reaction forces and moments. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from the paraspinal and gastrocnemius muscles were recorded bilaterally. The EMG signals were rectified and integrated (iEMG). The iEMG from the muscles on the cathodal side of the body were then subtracted from the iEMG of the anodal side muscles, to yield a differential EMG (dEMG). Both the paraspinal and gastrocnemius muscles became activated in response to the stimulus. The pattern of activation was consistent with the changes observed in the centre of pressure. The primary response in both muscles acted to move the body toward the anode. This primary response began at 74 20 ms in the paraspinal muscles and at 118 18 ms in the gastrocnemius. A second component of the response began at 232 27 ms in the paraspinal muscles and 262 54 ms in the gastrocnemius muscles. This second phase of the response was opposite in direction to the primary response and was responsible for decelerating the body and maintaining the deviated position of the centre of mass over the base of support. Following the termination of the stimulus, the opposite pattern of muscle activation in both the paraspinal and the gastrocnemius muscles was observed. The results of this study suggest that the paraspinal muscles may play a significant role in the frontal plane response to vestibular stimulation during stance in humans.
The results of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, with consideration of age-related changes, in vestibular neuritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and Meniere's disease

Conclusion. We interpreted VEMP findings in patients with the three major peripheral vertigo diseases, taking age-related changes into consideration. We found different abnormal VEMP rates among the three diseases, as well as differences in the proportion of parameters that were abnormal, according to the type of disease. Objectives. Vestibular neuritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and Meniere's disease, common diseases that cause peripheral vertigo, often affect the saccule or inferior vestibular nerve, which are pathways of vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Also, aging could have a primary effect on diminished VEMP responses. Our study investigated VEMP the findings in patients with the diseases in relation to their age. Patients and methods. A total of 134 patients with vestibular neuritis, 62 with BPPV, and 29 with Meniere's disease were enrolled in this study. The VEMP findings in patients within the three disease groups were interpreted using our own normative ranges according to age. Results. Abnormal VEMP rates in the vestibular neuritis, BPPV, and Meniere's disease groups were 36.6%, 25.8%, and 69%, respectively. The proportion of prolonged p13 latency in BPPV patients with abnormal VEMP responses was relatively high compared with the other two diseases. VEMP asymmetry in the patients with Meniere's disease was relatively high.
Amino acid and mineral compositions and functional properties of some oilseeds

The amino acid and mineral compositions and functional properties of some oilseeds, melon seed (Citrullus vulgaris), pumpkin seed Telfairia occidentalis), and gourd seed (Legenaria vulgaris), have been analyzed. Results show that oilseeds contained high amounts of crude protein (23.7-30.68) and fat (50.6-55.41%). Aspartic and glutamic acids (24.4-29.5%) were the most abundant amino acids present. The amino acid composition showed that oilseeds contained nutritional useful quantities of essential amino acids. HoWever, pumpkin oilseed is highly deficient in some of the essential amino acids. The predominant mineral was potassium (965-1140 mg/100 g of sample)
Analyses for Differentiating Littoral Fish Assemblages with Catch Data from Multiple Sampling Gears

Abstract We evaluated analytical approaches to discriminating littoral fish assemblages with catch data from multiple sampling gears. Eight littoral sites were sampled with seines, fyke nets, and gill nets in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, in summer 1990. No one gear sampled the full composition represented by the total catch. Fyke nets best discerned differences among littoral fish assemblages. Young-of-year (age-0) bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and age-0 black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus caught in the fyke nets were the strongest discriminators among sites. Gill nets did not differentiate among sites. With the seine and fyke net, analysis of absolute abundance data detected differences among sites; analysis of presence–absence and rank abundance data did not. Fish caught in fyke nets were the most frequent significant correlates in site ordinations based on log-abundance data for taxa, defined as a combination of species, age (age 0 or adult) and gear type. Retention of gear designation in site ordination.
Savanna browse production. 2: Prediction

Browsing herbivores are generally highly selective feeders, selecting for new shoots and young plant material. Determinations of browser carrying capacity are then greatly inflated when based on available browse biomass estimates. Our study was initiated with the aim of modelling browse production rates of key savanna tree species in the northern Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, with the assumption that browse production equates to utilised browse biomass. Predictive models for the production of browse, at different game feeding levels, on deciduous, semi-deciduous and evergreen trees were developed using multivariate adaptive regression spline functions. The most significant predictors of the production of browse were measurable plant dimensions, namely available canopy volume, stem diameter and foliage density, and climatic variables, namely maximum and minimum daily temperatures and cumulative daily rainfall for each quarter. Comparing the browse production figures of consecutive years supplies land managers with valuable insight whether the browse component of the system is under stress, is maintaining, or is encroaching, as well as the impact of browsers on the system.
Use of terrestrial habitats by burrow-nesting seabirds in south-eastern Australia

Abstract The size and growth of seabird populations are believed to be regulated, in part, by the availability and quality of suitable breeding habitat. Global climate change is predicted to affect coastal habitats and may, therefore, have important consequences for the terrestrial breeding habitat of seabirds and hence seabird populations. The present study assessed use of breeding habitat in the four most abundant species of seabird breeding in south-eastern Australia using a generalised additive mixed-modelling approach. Habitat characteristics were measured on 13 islands in winter and summer, 2008–11. Burrows of the four species were associated with one or more habitat parameters, potentially explained by predator avoidance, physical requirements and possibly by interspecific competition. Whereas the habitat characteristics used by each species showed broad interspecific overlap, there was strong divergence, and the four species typically occupied different nesting sites within breeding areas. Information on the proportion of available habitat used and the influence of breeding habitat on reproductive success would enhance current understanding of what constitutes optimal breeding habitat as well as the role of interspecific competition in this assemblage of seabirds.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Sweden: its Association with Viral Hepatitis, Especially with Hepatitis C Viral Genotypes

Viral markers of chronic hepatitis were tested for in 95 frozen serum samples from 299 patients from Malmö, Sweden, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), diagnosed between 1977 and 1994. Hepatitis B analysis included anti-HBc, HBsAg and, if anti-HBc positive, HBV DNA. Hepatitis C infection analysis included anti-HCV screening, RIBA, HCV RNA and HCV genotyping. HCV genotyping was also carried out in 9 HCV-viraemic HCC-patients from Gothenburg. HCV genotype distribution in HCC cases was compared with Swedish HCV-infected blood donors. Among the 95 patients from Malmö, 28 (29%) had anti-HBc, but only 5 (5%) were chronic HBV carriers, compared with 16 (17%) with chronic hepatitis C (p=0.021). HCV-related HCC was more common among immigrants (8/16 vs. 8/79; p<0.001). Genotyping of 25 HCV-infected cases showed genotype 1a in 6 (24%), genotype 1b in 13 (52%), genotype 2b in 4 (16%), and genotype 3a in 2 (8.0%) patients. Genotype 1b was more common among HCC patients than among blood donors (p<0.001), but 8 of 13 genotype 1b-infected patients were from countries where genotype 1b is predominant. Among native Swedes there was no difference between the HCV genotypes infecting blood donors and those found in HCC patients.
Temporal Changes of Salinity, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen Content of the Water at Station "P" in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, and Some of Their Determining Factors

Oceanographic data collected at Ocean Weather Station "P" (Lat. 50°N, Long. 145°W) during the 2 years between August 1956 and July 1958 are presented to show the principal features of the variations of salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen content of the water at the station. Probable factors influencing the water properties are discussed and explanations are given to account for these variations. Only those causing changes in the upper zone are discussed in detail.There is good agreement between the observed changes of salinity in the upper zone and changes attributable to the effect of precipitation minus evaporation for the period summer through winter, 1956. However there is generally poor agreement for the rest of the period. The main factor influencing temperature in this zone is heat transfer at the air–sea boundary. Changes of dissolved oxygen content in this zone are governed primarily by changes of solubility of oxygen in water.Horizontal transport of water in the locality influences the p.
May the post-culture liquids of bacteria influence on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] healthiness?

Soybean is one of he most valuable plants cultivated in the world. Soybean seeds and its products contain fibre, lecithin, vitamins, especially from the B group, min- eral elements, isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), phytic acid, proteanase and saponin inhibitors. The object of the studies were the plants of soybean 'Aldana' cv. grown from the seeds dressed directly before the sowing with post-culture liquids Pseudomonas sp. Ps 255 and Bacillus sp. B 73. The studies also considered a combination with chemical seed dressing with Zaprawa Oxafun T and a combination without any dressing. The effec- tiveness of post-culture liquids of antagonistic bacteria was estimated in protecting soy- bean from soil fungi. Post-culture liquids had a positive effect on the number, health status and yielding of the studied plants. Soybean was mainly infected by Fusarium cul- morum, F. oxysporum, Phoma exigua, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Species Phomopsis sojae was additionally isolated from the infected plants. Those fungi were isolated much less frequently from the plants in combinations with post-culture liq- uids of antagonistic bacteria than from reference plants. A reverse relation was observed in the case of the occurrence of saprobiotic fungi from genera Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma.
HIV-1 Subtypes in Denmark

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of non-subtype B HIV-1 in Denmark. The C2-V3-C3 region of the env gene from proviral DNA obtained from patients suspected of being infected with non-subtype B virus was PCR-amplified and directly sequenced. The DNA sequences were aligned with full-length HIV-1 reference strains from each subtype and analysed using the phylogenetic package PHYLIP 3.1. The neighbour-joining method was used with 100 bootstraps. Of the 144 patients included in this study C2-V3-C3 sequences were obtained from 129 patients (90%). The phylogenetic analyses showed that virus from 49 patients (38%) was subtype A, 39 (30%) subtype C, 9 (7%) subtype D, 14 (11%) subtype CRF01_AE, 16 (12%) subtype B, 1 (1%) subtype F and 1 (1%) subtype J. This study demonstrates that almost all subtypes can be detected in Denmark; all non-subtype B infections could be traced to countries with a high prevalence of non-subtype B virus.
Benzo{a}pyrene-induced DNA damage in Mytilus galloprovincialis: measurement of bulky DNA adducts and DNA oxidative damage in terms of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2´-deoxyguanosine formation

Bulky DNA adducts and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) were measured in gill DNA of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-exposed mussels (50 mg kg-1 dw day-1), respectively by the 32P-post-labelling technique and high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection assay. A time-course study was performed for both biomarkers and their potential use for marine biomonitoring discussed for the sentinel species studied. In gills, B[a]P-related DNA adducts were positively correlated with B[a
Seasonal patterns of occurrence of Palaearctic migrants in southern Africa using atlas data

A statistical method, using presence/absence data from monthly fieldcards, to describe the phenology of migration is developed. The method uses the generalized linear model to fit a Fourier series to binomial-type data giving the proportion of fieldcards reporting a species. A method for estimating mid-arrival and mid-departure dates, and residency period is also developed. The methodology is applied to data collected during the ‘Southern African Bird Atlas Project’ for the following species: Willow Warbler Phulloscopus trochilus, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, European Swallow Hirundo rustica, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo and European Bee-eater Merops apiaster.
Molecular Epidemiology Survey of Toxinogenic Clostridium perfringens Strain Types by Multiplex PCR

Toxin genotypes of 95 C. perfringens strains collected within a 45-year period were analysed by a multiplex PCR. A set of primers designed for 4 different genes encoding the a, b, o, and i toxins was used in a single reaction with a sensitivity of gene detection of 200 fg for DNA extracted from pure culture. Most of the strains (97%) conformed to the A biotype, and the remaining to the C or E biotypes. For biotype determination, seroneutralization of lethality in mice was performed by intravenous injection. Toxin phenotype and genotype pro® le were concordant in 94% of strains. Our results documented the presence of rare toxin genotypes of C. perfringens in a Polish geographical region and indicated the suitability of multiplex PCR as a method supplementing classical techniques and providing better insight into the prevalence of toxinogenic C. perfringens strains.
Fos-related Antigens are involved in the Transcriptional Responses of Locus Coeruleus Neurons to Altered Gravitational Fields in Rats

Locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, which have widespread projections to the whole brain, respond to natural stimulation of macular receptors. Using immunocytochemistry we investigated whether rats exposed to altered gravitational fields showed changes in Fos and Fos-related antigen (FRA) protein levels in the LC. Fos protein is induced very rapidly and returns to basal levels within hours after stimulation, while FRAs persist for days or weeks after induction. Adult male albino rats (Fisher 344) were sacrificed at different time points during a space flight (NASA Neurolab Mission, STS-90) and the numbers of Fos- and FRA-positive cells in the LC were counted and compared to those in ground-based control rats. No significant changes in Fos protein expression were detected in the LC under different space flight conditions. In contrast, the number of FRA-positive cells increased on average to 167% of that of the controls at FD2, i.e. when gravity increased from 1 to 3 g during the launch before reaching about 0 g . FRA-labeled neurons then decreased to 46% of control values at FD14, i.e. after adaptation to 0 g , but increased again to 317% of control values at R + 1, when the animals were exposed to an increase in gravitational force from 0 to 1.5-1.8 g before reaching 1 g during landing. The number of labeled cells was 193% of the control values at R + 13, i.e. after readaptation to 1 g . Thus gravitational force appears to be very effective in inducing a long-term increase in FRA protein expression in the LC. Because activity in the noradrenergic LC neurons may increase Fos expression in several target structures, we postulate that the long-lasting induction of FRAs in the LC at FD2, and more prominently at R + 1, may contribute to the long-term molecular changes which probably occur in the brain during adaptation to 0 g and readaptation to 1 g .
Truncated TrkB receptor-induced outgrowth of dendritic filopodia involves the p75 neurotrophin receptor

The Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases and the p75 receptor (p75NTR) mediate the effects of neurotrophins on neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic plasticity. The neurotrophin BDNF and its cognate receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkB.FL, are highly expressed in neurons of the central nervous system. At later stages in postnatal development the truncated TrkB splice variants (TrkB.T1, TrkB.T2) become abundant. However, the signalling and function of these truncated receptors remained largely elusive. We show that overexpression of TrkB.T1 in hippocampal neurons induces the formation of dendritic filopodia, which are known precursors of synaptic spines. The induction of filopodia by TrkB.T1 occurs independently of neurotrophin binding and of kinase activity of endogenous TrkB.FL. Coexpression of a p75NTR lacking an intracellular domain inhibits the TrkB.T1-induced effect in a dominant negative manner. Steric hindrance of extracellular p75NTR interactions with a specific antibody, or absence of p75NTR with an intact extracellular domain also inhibit this TrkB.T1-induced effect. We thus propose a novel signalling pathway initiated by neurotrophin-independent extracellular or intramembrane interaction of TrkB.T1 with the p75NTR receptor, which modulates dendritic growth via p75NTR signalling cascades.
The Effect of Heme Oxygenase Inhibition on Visual Evoked Potentials

This study investigated the effect of heme oxygenase (HO) inhibition on visual evoked potentials (VEPs). HO catalyzes the oxidative degradation of heme. Products of HO reaction are biliverdin, ferrous iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a signal molecule and is an endogenous modulator in the soluble guanylate cyclase/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway. Rats were treated with HO inhibitors tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP IX) or zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) or HO inducer sodium arsenite (Na-arsenite). Soluble guanylate cyclase is inhibited by 1H-[1,2,3]oxydiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and induced by 3-(5′-hydroxymethyl-2′-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1). VEPs were recorded under mild ether anesthesia with the help of stainless steel subdermal electrodes and a photic stimulator. SnPP IX, ODQ or SnPP IX + YC-1 injections significantly prolonged latencies of P3; however, Na-arsenite shortened latency of P3. It has been shown that HO affects VEPs.