Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative status of maternal blood in pregnancies burdened by inherited thrombophilias

Oxidative status of maternal blood represents an important parameter of pregnancy that is involved in both, regulation of physiological processes and (if significantly altered) development of different pregnancy complications. Inherited thrombophilias represent genetic disorders that increase the risk of thromboembolism in pregnancy. Little is known about the impact of thrombophilia on the oxidative status of maternal blood. In this study, we analyzed oxidative status of blood of 56 women with pregnancies burdened by inherited thrombophilias. The status was established at three different trimesters using biochemical assays and electrochemical measurements, and it was compared to 10 age- and trimester-matching controls. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase in the 1st and the 2nd trimester of thrombophilic pregnancy were lower than controls. Also, there was less oxidation in the plasma, according to higher concentration of reduced thiols and lower oxidation-reduction potential. Therefore, it appears that thrombophilic mothers do not experience oxidative stress in the circulation in the first two trimesters. However, the rise in GPx, GR and SOD activities in the 3rd trimester of thrombophilic pregnancy implies that the risk of oxidative stress is increased during the late pregnancy. These results are important for developing antioxidative treatment that could tackle thrombophilia-related pregnancy complications.
Genetic structure and mating system of Italian Xanthium strumarium complex

Abstract The genetic variation at 12 isozyme loci was investigated in the three species (Xanthium italicum, X. strumarium, and X. orientale) forming a X. strumarium complex in Italy. Very little variation was found within species at the loci studied in contrast to the considerable interspecies genetic differentiation at several loci. The gene differentiation between species was ranged from 61 to 91%. The observed genetic structure of the X. strumarium complex was consistent with that found for predominantly autogamous species. The values of maximum outcrossing rates estimated in original sampling sites and in a field test ranged from 8 to 17%, confirming previous observations that Xanthium species are predominantly self-pollinated. Gene duplications were evident in the three Xanthium species because of their likely polyploid origin. The percentage of duplicate loci exhibiting “fixed heterozygosity” was 25, 25, and 16% in X. italicum, X. strumarium, and X. orientale, respectively. Data presented supported that both mating system and ploidy level were fundamental features in adaptation process of investigated Xanthium species. Some evidence suggested that polyploidization occurred before speciation of X. italicum, X. strumarium, and X. orientale. As a consequence, a common ancestral progenitor could be postulated for the three species. During geographical adaptation, the three species fixed alternative alleles in some loci, and the process was favored by the predominantly autogamous mating system. On the contrary, fixed heterozygosity in duplicated loci allowed maintenance of a sufficient level of gene diversity in the three Xanthium species to ensure wide adaptability in different microhabitats (i.e., abandoned land, roadsides, and field crops) and to avoid the negative effect of inbreeding depression. Nomenclature: Xanthium strumarium L. complex XANST.
DROUGHT STRESS TOLERANCE AND THE ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME SYSTEM IN CTENANTHE SETOSA

We studied the relationship of the antioxidant enzyme system to drought stress tolerance during leaf rolling in the leaf, petiole and root of Ctenanthe setosa (Rosc.) Eichler. Chlorophyll and carotenoid content and the chlorophyll stability index decreased in the early period of drought stress but increased in later periods, approaching the control level as leaf rolling increased. Relative water content decreased, while the root:shoot ratio increased during drought stress. Lipid peroxidation also increased and then declined in the same drought period, contrary to photosynthetic pigment content. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity did not significantly change in leaves. In the petiole and root, however, it decreased in the early drought period but increased later. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity did not significantly change in the leaf and petiole versus the control, but increased in root. Peroxidase (POD) activity increased in the leaf and petiole but decreased in the root. A peroxidase isoenzyme activity band present in the control leaves did not appear in leaves exposed to 32 days of drought, but in the later periods that activity increased. Tolerance of drought stress apparently is closely associated with the antioxidant enzyme system as well as leaf rolling in C. setosa.
NF-κB Protection against Apoptosis Induced by HEMA

The cytotoxicity of dental monomers has been widely investigated, but the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. We studied the molecular mechanisms involved in cell death induced by HEMA. In human primary fibroblasts, HEMA induced a dose-dependent apoptosis that was confirmed by the activation of caspases-8, -9, and -3. We found an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NF-κB activation after HEMA exposure. Blocking of ROS production by anti-oxidants had no direct influence on apoptosis caused by HEMA, but inhibition of NF-κB increased the fraction of apoptotic cells. Accordingly, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) from p65−/− mice were more susceptible to HEMA-induced apoptosis than were wild-type controls. Our results indicate that exposure to HEMA triggers apoptosis and that this mechanism is not directly dependent upon redox signaling. Nevertheless, ROS induction by HEMA activates NF-κB, which exerts a protective role in counteracting apoptosis.
Gender differences in quality of life in coronary artery disease patients with comorbidities undergoing coronary revascularization

In comparison to male patients with coronary artery disease, female patients suffer from more comorbidities, experience symptoms of coronary artery disease differently and report poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after coronary revascularization. However, there is limited data on the impact of comorbidity burden on the recovery in HRQoL in female and male patients. We investigated the impact of comorbidity burden on the change in HRQoL following coronary revascularization in female patients versus male patients. 230 patients (60 female) with coronary artery disease were assessed before, and two weeks, three months and six months after coronary revascularization. Disease-specific HRQoL was measured with the Short-Form Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Physical and mental health was measured with the Short-Form Health Survey. Comorbidity burden was assessed by the total number of identified comorbidity conditions and by the Charlson comorbidity score. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the effects of time, gender and comorbidity burden on HRQoL. Whereas HRQoL improved after coronary revascularization in all patients, female patients reported poorer physical health and disease-specific HRQoL and their physical health improved more slowly than male patients. A higher comorbidity burden was related with poorer physical health and disease-specific HRQoL in male patients, but not in female patients. A higher comorbidity burden was associated with slower improvement in HRQoL for both female and male patients. Female patients reported poorer HRQoL and their physical health improved more slowly after coronary revascularization, irrespective of comorbidity burden. Higher comorbidity burden was associated with poorer physical health and disease-specific HRQoL in male patients only. Our results indicate that female and male patients recover differently after coronary revascularization. These findings highlight the importance of comorbidity- and gender-specific approaches for evaluating coronary artery disease and coronary revascularization procedures.
Effect of xanthan gum biopolymer on the water retention characteristics of unsaturated sand

Microbial biopolymers have significantly contributed and applied in modern food, medicine, and petroleum industries. Recently, rheological properties of biopolymers, including high water holding capacity, high viscosity (shear stiffness) became main components to introduce biopolymers in various soil stabilization and geotechnical engineering purposes. Numbers of previous studies show the unique soil moisture retention characteristic of biopolymer-treated soils, which prevents immediate water infiltration and promotes surface vegetation growth. However, the detail interaction between soil and hydrophilic biopolymer hydrogels with respect to soil-water characteristics of the treated soils are unknown due to the lack of scientific attempts. In this study, soil-water characteristics of xanthan gum biopolymer-treated sands are evaluated through laboratory program. Xanthan gum biopolymer-treated sands with different xanthan gum concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, to the mass of soil) were saturated for 24 hours. Thereafter, drying process was performed by applying pneumatic pressure via typical Fredlund SWC (Soil-Water Characteristic) device. Experimental results show the strong water holding characteristic of xanthan gum hydrogels, which results in 1) increase of initial water content after saturation; 2) high air-entry value; and 3) high residual (remaining) water content even under high pneumatic pressure. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS
Horizontal transfer of a natterin-like toxin encoding gene within the holobiont of the reef building coral Acropora digitifera (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia) and across multiple animal linages

Abstract Phylogenetic evidence is provided for horizontal transfer of a natterin-like toxin encoding gene from fungi into the genome of the coral Acropora digitifera. Sequencing analysis of the coral tissues supported that a fungal taxon predicted to be the most likely gene donor was represented in the coral microbiome. Further bioinformatics data suggested widespread recruitment of the natterin-like gene into venomous terrestrial invertebrates, and repositioning of this gene to non-toxic functions in non-venomous teleost fish.
Some factors influencing the distribution of otters (Lutra lutra)

The number of sites at which evidence of otters was found and the total number of signs were recorded on fifty 5-km stretches of rivers in Wales and the West Midlands of England. Data were collected on fifteen parameters of habitat considered to be of importance to otters and subjected to a multivariate analysis. Evidence of otters was found at thirty-four stretches. The distribution of sites and signs was correlated with the presence of potential holts (of which 107 were found) and with mature sycamore and ash trees. The measured variables accounted for 52 5% of the overall variation in otter sites and 60 2% of the variation in otter signs. The conservation of otters is discussed in light of the results of the analysis.
Fynbos Fires May Contribute to the Maintenance of High Genetic Diversity in Orange-Breasted Sunbirds (Anthobaphes violacea)

The maintenance of genetic diversity in populations is one of the key concerns in wildlife management. Levels of genetic diversity are partly determined by the evolutionary history of a population and partly by environmental factors which affect population size, gene flow and mating systems. In this study, we used microsatellite DNA markers to assess the level of genetic diversity in a population of orange-breasted sunbirds (Anthobaphes violacea), an endemic nectarivore in the fynbos biome at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, South Africa. We found high levels of genetic diversity in this population, with an average of 19 alleles per locus, and both expected and observed heterozygosities of 0.84. The level of genetic diversity found in this species is comparable to that of Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer), a fellow fynbos endemic, but higher than that reported for other species of nectarivorous birds not affected by frequent habitat fires. We suggest that the destruction of flowering plants by fires, forcing birds to disperse, may have contributed to the maintenance of high levels of genetic diversity through encouraging outbreeding in orange-breasted sunbirds and Cape sugarbirds. We also discuss the implications of our findings for management of these species.
Fruit Flies of Economic Significance: Their Identification and Bionomics

Pest management methods of collection and preparation terminology the classification of tephritid fruit flies keys to fruit pest tephritidae, 1 - adults, 2 - third instar larvae species accounts - fruit pests, leaf, stem and root pests flower pests beneficial species distribution of fruit pest tephritidae useful plants and their associated tephritids common names of host plants.
Using manipulation of density‐dependent fecundity to recover an endangered species: the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus as an example

1. Endangered species subjected to reintroduction programmes often occur as small and isolated populations with local high density and depressed fecundity. Variation in territory quality may lead to this low fecundity owing to increasing occupation of suboptimal territories as population density grows, known as the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis (HHH). In this context, food supplementation in poor territories may be used to produce extra young which could be allocated to reintroduction programmes. 2. We analyse the density-dependent fecundity pattern and the underlying mechanism in a small population of bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus in Aragon (northeast Spain). We then use population simulations to examine the viability of a hypothetical reintroduction programme using extra young produced by supplementary feeding on poor-quality territories and the effect on the donor population. We also compare the economic cost of such a reintroduction programme in relation to the cost of a traditional captive breeding programme. 3. The wild population showed clear negative, density-dependent fecundity regulation driven by the HHH mechanism. Simulations showed that extractions for translocations had no relevant long-term effects on the donor population viability, but a marked population reduction during the extraction period. However, the implementation of supplementary feeding to produce extra young for translocation lessened significantly this expected initial population reduction. 4. Analyses showed that the annual budget of a captive breeding programme for this species could be seven times more expensive than the translocation of extra young produced by food supplementation. 5. Synthesis and applications. Reintroduction programmes based on translocation of wild-reared individuals, after a supplementary feeding programme oriented to poor-quality territories, provide a source of young at least seven times cheaper than those from captive breeding programmes. The use of this approach would decrease initial effects on donor population avoiding public criticism. Increasing the number of young released during the first years of the reintroduction decreases total financial cost and increases the final population size in the new area.
In vitro inhibitory effects of Hypoxis obtusa and Dicoma anomala on cyp450 enzymes and p-glycoprotein.

Herbal medicines have been shown to cause clinically significant interactions with conventional medicines. Herbal medicines can alter the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, potentially resulting in herb-drug interactions. However, such information is generally not yet available for herbal medicines used only in developing nations. The inhibitory effects of crude extracts of Hypoxis obtusa andDicoma anomala on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4 were evaluated in vitro using human liver microsomes. Herbal extracts at concentrations of 50 and 250 μg/ml were tested for inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers using 4.3 nM [3H]-digoxin as the substrate. Extracts of Hypoxis inhibited CYPs strongly, while extracts of Dicoma were moderate CYP inhibitors. The IC50 values for methanol and water extracts on CYP3A4 were 0.20 and 1.0 mg/ml for Hypoxis and 1.2 and 2.4 mg/ml for Dicoma. In the Pgp inhibition experiments, the (basolateral to apical) / (apical to basolateral) digoxin efflux ratios did not change significantly in the presence of the herbal extracts. Whilst, the extrapolation of the data to in vivo is rather speculative, there is need for assessment of the clinical significance of Hypoxis - drug interactions. Key words: Herb-drug interactions, cytochrome P450, P-glycoprotein, Hypoxis obtusa, Dicoma anomala.
Plant regeneration from sugar beet leaf protoplasts: analysis of shoots by DNA fingerprinting and restriction fragment length polymorphism

Shoots were regenerated from leaf protoplasts of cytoplasmic male sterile and male fertile diploid sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes. Protoplasts cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 µM naphthaleneacetic acid, 2 µM 6-benzylaminopurine, 100 µM n-propyl gallate, and diamine putrescine at concentrations of 50, 100, or 500 µM were able to synthesize a new cell wall and entered successive mitotic divisions leading to the formation of callus colonies. Shoots were obtained via organogenesis by continuous culture of calli on the same basal medium supplemented with either cytokinin alone, or with a combination of cytokinin and auxin. The regenerants of both lines were characterized with regard to ploidy, and the regenerants of the male sterile line were further characterized with regard to possible somaclonal variation and organization of two mitochondrial genes: atpA and atp6. Chromosome counting revealed that tetra-, hexa-, and octa-ploids were present among regenerants. Random amplif.
Flavan-3-ols in trichomes, pistils and phelloderm of some tree species

Tissues from nine tree species were examined histochemically for the presence of flavan-3-ols including the catechins. It was possible to stain these phenolics selectively with p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMACA) and to show that they were located in trichomes, pistils and shoot phelloderm. The staining intensity of the tissues was categorized into four groups. The flavan-3-ols were extracted from three tree species and the diverse components were distinguished using a combination of HPLC and chemical reaction detection (CRD). Twelve flavan-3-ols were isolated from pistils of Tilia grandifolia and 32 from leaves of Acer platanoides. The hairs of the leaves of dormant buds from Aesculus hippocastanum yielded 1 3 components. Epicatechin and ( + )-catechin were present in all three species.
Expressão do vetor retroviral pCLPG medido em receptores de transplante de medula óssea.

Fratini P. Assessment of pCLPG retroviral vector expression in vivo utilizing serial transplantation of transduced bone marrow cells. [Thesis] – Sao Paulo: Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo; 2008 The retroviral vector is a widely used gene transfer tool in both laboratory assays and clinical trials. Our laboratory developed a new vector, called pCLPG, with viral expression under the command of p53, a tumor suppressor and inducible activator of transcription, with the aim of establishing a vector with high level expression. The level of expression offered by the pCLPG system was superior to the non-modified vector in cell culture assays. In this project, our objective was to characterize the expression of the pCLPG vector in vivo utilizing an animal model where bone marrow cells (BMC) from C57BL/6 mice are transduced and then transplanted in recipient animals that have been previously irradiated in order to abolish the hematopoietic system. With the aim of observing sustained transgene expression in vivo, we standardized serial BMC transplantation, transduction with retroviral vectors and analyzed the eGFP reporter gene by flow cytometry and real time PCR, and also studied other tissues, such as spleen, thymus and peripheral blood. We also performed hematologic analyses in the transplanted animals in to observe possible adverse events related to the presence of the retrovirus.These assays did not reveal a significant difference between the performances of the parental pCLeGFP vector and pCLPGeGFP. Both the number of eGFP-positive cells and the intensity of reporter gene expression diminished during the serial transplant process. Expression was observed in 3-4%, 2-3% or 2-3% of cells recovered from bone marrow of the primary, secondary or terciary recipients of BMC transduced with the pCLeGFP vector, but not in peripheral blood, thymus or spleen. Similarly, eGFP-positive cells (6-7%, 4-4.5% or 3-3.5%) were observed after serial transplantation only in the bone marrow of animals that received BMC transduced with the pCLPGeGFP vector. However, peripheral blood was recovered from recipients and treated with 5-azacytidine, inducing the expression of eGFP from both vectors in approximately 4% of these cells, implying that viral silencing may have been related with methylation. This study demonstrated that the modifications in the promoter of the pCLPG vector were not sufficient to avoid silencing of viral expression in this model.
Multispecies comparison reveals that invasive and native plants differ in their traits but not in their plasticity

Summary 1. Plastic responses to spatiotemporal environmental variation strongly influence species distribution, with widespread species expected to have high phenotypic plasticity. Theoretically, high phenotypic plasticity has been linked to plant invasiveness because it facilitates colonization and rapid spreading over large and environmentally heterogeneous new areas. 2. To determine the importance of phenotypic plasticity for plant invasiveness, we compare well-known exotic invasive species with widespread native congeners. First, we characterized the phenotype of 20 invasive–native ecologically and phylogenetically related pairs from the Mediterranean region by measuring 20 different traits involved in resource acquisition, plant competition ability and stress tolerance. Second, we estimated their plasticity across nutrient and light gradients. 3. On average, invasive species had greater capacity for carbon gain and enhanced performance over a range of limiting to saturating resource availabilities than natives. However, both groups responded to environmental variations with high albeit similar levels of trait plasticity. Therefore, contrary to the theory, the extent of phenotypic plasticity was not significantly higher for invasive plants. 4. We argue that the combination of studying mean values of a trait with its plasticity can render insightful conclusions on functional comparisons of species such as those exploring the performance of species coexisting in heterogeneous and changing environments.
Sustained oscillations in an evolutionary epidemiological model of influenza A drift

Understanding the seasonal/periodic reoccurrence of influenza will be very helpful in designing successful vaccine programmes and introducing public-health interventions. However, the reasons for seasonal/periodic influenza epidemics are still not clear, even though various explanations have been proposed. In this paper, we study an age-structured type evolutionary epidemiological model of influenza A drift, in which the susceptible class is continually replenished because the pathogen changes genetically and immunologically from one epidemic to the next, causing previously immune hosts to become susceptible. Applying our recently established centre manifold theory for semi-linear equations with non-dense domain, we show that Hopf bifurcation occurs in the model. This demonstrates that the age-structured type evolutionary epidemiological model of influenza A drift has an intrinsic tendency to oscillate owing to the evolutionary and/or immunological changes of the influenza viruses.