Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biotechnological potential of Candida spp. for the bioconversion of D-xylose to xylitol

In the present study, 28 yeast isolates were obtained from sugarcane filter cake material collected across several ethanol industrial areas located in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. First, isolates were taxonomically affiliated by sequencing and analysis of the D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene as Candida tropicalis (24 isolates) and Candida rugosa (four isolates). Second, five phylogenetically distant isolates were selected and quantitatively tested for their capacity to bioconvert D-xylose to xylitol (C. tropicalis MVP 03, C. tropicalis MVP 16, C. tropicalis MVP 40, C. rugosa MVP 17 and C. rugosa MVP 21). The fermentation processes yielded xylitol production ranging from 5.76 to 32.97 g L-1, from an initial D-xylose concentration of 50 g L-1, with the volumetric production (Qp) ranging from 0.06 to 0.35 g L-1 h-1. The measurement of these parameters allowed the determination of the conversion efficiency of D-xylose to xylitol (h), which showed values ranging from 6 to 61%. Remarkable, the yeast isolate C. tropicalis MVP 16 presented the highest efficiency among tested lines, yielding up to 32.97 g L-1 of xylitol (Qp = 0.35 g L-1 h-1, h = 61%) after 96 h of fermentation. These results describe the biotechnological potential of yeast populations naturally occurring in filter cake substrates. Further studies at the genomic level are required, in order to enhance our understanding on yeast metabolisms involved in the xylitol bio-conversion/production, a currently high-added-value product. Key words: Fermentation efficiency, 26S rRNA gene, yeast isolates, sugarcane residues.
Reproduction of spores/gametes of floating green tide algae Ulva prolifera

Green-tide blooms have occurred during each of four years since 2007 in the Yellow Sea of China.Each of the blooms was characterized by a rapid expansion in the area covered by green macroalgae,which caused a series of environmental problems associated with eutrophication.We investigated the biology of Ulva prolifera,the dominant floating macroalgae in these blooms.Our observations suggest that the gametophytes are the primary survival form.Each single blade of the algae thallus is able to produce 2.84×10P6P–6.62×10P6 Pspores/1.14×10P7P– 2.65×10P7 Pgametes per cmP2P.Furthermore,of the zoids that are released,about 91.6%–96.4% are able to successfully germinate,forming new plants.Thus,one third per unit weight of the algal thallus is able to produce 0.84×10P8P–8.21×10P8 Pnew individuals during the peak-hour of a bloom.Our results demonstrate that Ulva prolifera is able to reproduce very rapidly,which is likely a major factor in the spread of green tide blooms in the coastal areas of China.
In silico analysis of Beta-Lactoglobulin gene in some selected mammalian species

This study investigated in silico, the genetic diversity of Beta- Lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and their evolutionary and differentiation within and among selected mammalian species; and also examined the attendant effects of polymorphism on the functionality of the gene. A total of 21 β-Lg gene sequences with corresponding amino acids belonging to 6 species [cattle (4), buffalo (4), sheep (3), goat (3), pig (3) and horse (4)] were retrieved from GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). All sequences were trimmed to equal length (500bp) corresponding to the same region. Sequences’ alignment, translation and comparison were done with ClustalW using IUB substitution matrix, gap open penalty of 15 and gap extension penalty of 6.66. The alignment revealed high polymorphism of sequences among extant species. The Dxy inferred using pdistance revealed that sheep and goat had the lowest distance of 0.05 with a maximum distance of 0.65 between goat and horse. The hypothesis of strict neutrality (dN = dS) was rejected for all extant species as allelic sequence evolution was driven by both purifying and positive selection. Only those of pig and buffalo were driven by positive selection. In-silico functional analysis of non-synonymous mutations using PANTHER revealed that, all the 12 amino acid substitutions (10 in cattle and 2 in sheep) did not impair protein function. The Neighbour-Joining phylogeny revealed trans-species evolution, but a species-wise phylogeny was obtained for UPGMA with consensus sequences. Thus, all probed SNPs from this study have no deleterious effect and can be tolerated by breeders when selecting stocks for milk improvement.
Pre-ovipositional and ovipositional behaviour of Lasioseius ometes (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis kargi Costa (Acari: Dermanyssiae: Ascidae, Laelapidae) with notes on egg protection strategies in Mesostigmata

ABSTRACT Egg deposition by the soil mites Lasioseius ometes (Oudemans, 1903) and Hypoaspis kargi Costa, 1968 was observed using continuous video-monitoring. The process in both species was found to consist of four distinct phases. In Phase 1, both species engage in pre-ovipositional activity prior to the egg being extruded from the genital opening. In L. ometes, the female often selects a substrate depression for egg laying and examines the depression carefully with the gnathosoma and legs I before oviposition. In H. kargi, egg deposition sites are chosen without regard for substrate depressions. Phase 1 lasted approximately 3 minutes for both species. Phase 2 involved egg extrusion and holding of the egg beneath the gnathosoma. Phase 2 lasted approximately 20 times longer in L. ometes (5 minutes) than in H. kargi. Alteration of the egg surface in the form of thorn-like outgrowths was recorded in L. ometes. Egg deposition occurs in Phase 3, and in L. ometes the egg is generally placed at the deposition site using the chelicerae. Hypoaspis kargi also uses the chelicerae for egg manipulation, but also adjusts orientation of the egg with legs I. The sticky nature of egg surface in H. kargi may provide a means for the female to effectively cover the exposed egg with a protective layer of soil particles. Egg deposition in both species occurred in less than 90 seconds. Phase 4 involves egg covering, but behaviour of the female during this last phase differs markedly between the two species. In L. ometes, the female tends to remain close to the egg, whereas in H. kargi the female moves away from the egg to search for substrate particles appropriate for its covering. The average time for Phase 4 in H. kargi was approximately four times longer (80+ minutes) than in L. ometes.
Hydrographic parameters as indicators of the suitability of phytoplankton populations as food for herbivorous copepods

Data collected off the south-west coast of South Africa suggest that easily measured hydrographic or biological parameters may be used as indicators of the suitability of the food environment for those mesozooplankton which preferentially utilize phytoplankton >10 μm in size. It is proposed that, in the southern Benguela during the upwelling season, there is a temperature window from 12 to 15°C when conditions are generally good for diatom population development and chlorophyll concentrations exceed 3 mg·m−3. At lower ( 15°C) temperatures, chlorophyll concentrations are <mg·m−3. There is generally a shift in size structure of the phytoplankton population at about 15°C, high biomass, diatom-dominated populations being replaced by low biomass, flagellate-dominated populations. At temperatures between 12 and 15°C when chlorophyll concentrations exceed 3 mg·m−3, the nutritional requirements for egg production by a common herbivorous mesozooplankter will be satisfied. Conversely, at lower (<1.
Mission design for a halo orbiter of the Earth.

The International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE) scientific satellite to be stationed in 1978 in the vicinity of the sun-earth interior libration point to continuously monitor the space between the sun and the earth, including the distant geomagnetic tail is described. Orbit selection considerations for the ISEE-C are discussed along with stationkeeping requirements and fuel-optimal trajectories. Due to the alignment of the interior libration point with the sun as viewed from the earth, it will be necessary to place the satellite into a 'halo orbit' around the libration point, in order to eliminate solar interference with down-link telemetry. Parametric data for transfer trajectories between an earth parking orbit (altitude about 185 km) and a libration-point orbit are presented. It is shown that the insertion magnitude required for placing a satellite into an acceptable halo orbit is rather modest.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE FOR A STEROID-CONTAINING SECRETORY

Although it is generally agreed that the mitochondria and agranular endoplasmic reticulum play a central role in steroid hormone synthesis in the adrenal cortex (12), the histophysiological details of the sequence of events linking steroid synthesis and release are poorly understood (2, 12). In contrast to other hormones, which are sequestered in membrane-bounded organdies and are released by exocytosis (5, 14, 17), steroid hormone shows little or no storage, but in response to ACTH it appears to be synthesized and immediately released (7, 9). It has been argued that newly synthesized steroids leave the cell by simple diffusion (13), but this postulate cannot be rigorously evaluated owing to lack of adequate evidence. On the other hand, since a concomitant release of specific intragranular protein and hormone has been accepted as biochemical evidence for exocytosis in the adrenal medulla and neurohypophysis, for example (14, 17), the recent work from our laboratory showing that ACTH causes a temporally correlated release of protein and corticosteroid from the perfused cat adrenal gland (11, 15) provides evidence that the mechanism of steroid hormone secretion shares certain basic features with the secretory mechanism of other hormones. But before the question can be resolved as to whether steroids are extruded by a process akin to exocytosis, evidence must be provided for the existence of secretory inclusions in cortical cells. Although there is as yet no definitive evidence for steroid-containing granules in the adrenal cortex, a recent study of ovine luteal cells during the estrous cycle revealed a correlation between the morphologic demonstration of densely staining granules-which subceUular fractionation studies showed were rich in progesteroneand the phasic pattern of progesterone secretion (3). In the present studies, ultrastructural and biochemical changes induced by ACTH in the perfused cat adrenal gland were investigated in order to seek additional evidence linking steroid release to the presence of intracellular secretory organelles.
The excited states of ethylene

On the basis of a review of existing experimental evidence, theoretical calculations, and other theoretical considerations a table of the observed excited states of ethylene is constructed, with assignments of essentially all lower‐energy excited states to definite electron configurations, provided the observed V←N spectrum corresponds to a single transition. The probable alternative that it corresponds to an overlapping of two transitions mixed by twisting leads to difficulties in the assignments.
Predictions of future grazing season length for European dairy, beef and sheep farms based on regression with bioclimatic variables

SUMMARY Grazing season length (GSL) on grassland farms with ruminant production systems can influence farm economics, livestock disease transmission, environmental impact, milk and meat quality, and consumer choice. Bioclimatic variables are biologically meaningful climate variables that may enable predictions of the impact of future climate change on GSL on European farms. The present study investigated the spatial relationship between current GSL (months) measured by EUROSTAT on dairy, beef and sheep farms in 706, 774 and 878 regions, respectively, and bioclimatic variables. A stepwise multiple regression model revealed a highly significant association between observed GSL and bioclimatic variables across Europe. Mean GSL was positively associated with the mean temperature of the coldest quarter and isothermality, and negatively associated with precipitation in the wettest month. Extrapolating these relationships to future climate change scenarios, most European countries were predicted to have a net increase in GSL with the increase being largest (up to 2·5 months) in the north-east of Europe. However, there were also predictions of increased variability between regions and decreases in GSL of up to 1·5 months in some areas such as the west of France, the south-west of Norway and the west coast of Britain. The study quantified and mapped the potential impact of climate change on GSL for dairy, beef and sheep farms across Europe.
Taxonomy of the Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarkii Richardson) of the South Platte Drainage, Colorado

Taxonomy and selected life history of 50 cutthroat trout (Salmo clarkii Richardson) from four high altitude tributary streams of the South Platte drainage, Colorado were studied. Study areas were selected to determine the existence of fish that represent the native greenback cutthroat trout (S. c. stomias Cope). The life history study indicated that the cutthroat trout in the South Platte drainage are either isolated from other trout or in association with brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill). Morphological measurements were of little value in separating cutthroat trout into subspecies. Counts of scales above lateral line, scales in lateral line, scales two rows above lateral line, hyoid teeth, and spotting distribu
2-Hydroxyglutarate as a biomarker in glioma patients

Background: mutation of IDH1 gene is a prognostic factor and a diagnostic hallmark of gliomas. Mutant IDH1 enzyme can convert α-KG into 2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG) and mutated gliomas have elevated amounts of intracellular 2HG. Since 2HG is a small molecule it seems possible that it could reach the systemic circulation and to be excreted by urine. And so, we analyzed 2HG concentration in plasma and urine in glioma patients to identify a surrogate biomarker of IDH1 gene mutation. Materials and Methods: All patients had a prior histological confirmation of glioma, a recent brain MRI (within 2 weeks) showing the neoplastic lesions. The exclusion criteria were any chemotherapy performed within 28 days prior, other neoplastic and metabolic diseases. Plasma and urine samples were taken from all patients and 2HG concentrations determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; exon 4 of IDH1 genes were analyzed by Sanger sequencing; differences in metabolite concentrations between mutant and wild-type IDH1 patients were examined with the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data; Student’s t-test was used to compare parametric data. ROC curve was used to evaluate the cut off value of the 2HG biomarker. Results: 84 patients were enrolled: 38 with IDH1 mutated and 46 IDH1 wild-type. All the mutations were R132H. Among patients with mutant IDH1 we had 21 highgrade gliomas (HGG) and 17 low-grade gliomas (LGG); among patients with IDH wild-type we had 35 HGG and 11 LGG. In all patients we analyzed the mean 2HG concentration in plasma (P_2HG), in urine (U_2HG) and the ratio between P_2HG and U_2HG (R_2HG). We found an important significant difference in R_2HG between glioma patients with and without IDH1 mutation (22.2 versus 15.6, respectively, p<0.0001). The optimal cut-off value of R_2HG to identify glioma patients with and without IDH mutation was 19 (sensitivity 63%, specificity 76%, accuracy 70%); in only PTS with HGG the optimal cut-off value was 20 (sensitivity 76%, specificity 89%, accuracy 84%, positive predictive value 80%, negative predictive value 86%). No associations between the grade or size of tumor and R_2HG were found. In 7 patients with highgrade gliomas we found a correlation between R_2HG value and response to treatment. Conclusions: analyzing R_2HG derived from individual plasma and urine 2HG levels is possible discriminate glioma patients with and without IDH mutation, in particular in high grade gliomas. Moreover, a larger samples need to be analyzed to investigate this method in patients follow-up for recurrence detection and to monitor treatment efficacy.
Repair of the airway epithelium after chlorine-induced injury.

v LIST OF FIGURES . xi CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION . 1 Chlorine Health Effects . 1 Human Exposures and Effects . 1 Animal Models of Chlorine-Induced Lung Injury . 5 Mechanisms of Chlorine Toxicity . 6 Airway Epithelial Repair . 8 Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Receptor Signaling . 10 Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling . 11 Study Objectives . 12 CHAPTER II: CHARACTERIZATION OF EPITHELIAL REPAIR IN MOUSE TRACHEA AFTER CHLORINE INJURY . 14 Introduction . 14 Materials and Methods . 16 Animals . 16
Analysis of the transient EPR signals in the photoexcited triplet state. Application to porphyrin molecules

Anomalous EPR line intensities observed in the photoexcited triplet state of porphyrins at 100°K are discussed. A kinetic model consisting of the singlet ground state and the first excited triplet state is developed. The EPR signal intensities are expressed in terms of the kinetic rate constants and are given as linear combinations of two exponents. With these expressions the transient effects on the line intensities can be explained. Experimental results for two porphyrin molecules H2TPP (tetraphenyl porphyrin free base) and H2(PF)TPP (pentafluorotetraphenyl porphyrin free base) are presented and compared with the theory. From the analysis we evaluated the spin lattice relaxation rate W, the depopulation rate constants kp and the ratio between the population rate constants Ap: For H2TPP, kx =(6±2)×102 sec−1, ky =(3±1)×102 sec−1, kz =(1.5±0.5)×102 sec−1, Ax:Ay:Az≃1:0.6:0.2, and W =3.3×103 sec−1. For H2(PF)TPP, kx =(5±2)×102 sec−1, ky =(1.4±0.4)×102 sec−1, kz =(1.0±0.3)×102 sec−1, Ax:Ay:Az≃1:0.2:0.3, and W.
Total correction for tetralogy of Fallot with anomalous coronary artery.

From 1955 through 1972, 27 patients with anomalous coronary artery crossing the right ventricular outflow tract in association with tetralogy of Fallot underwent total correction. Eighty percent of these were males, and 17 were less than ten years of age. All anomalies were first discovered at operation, and definitive repair was performed in all but two patients. The most common anomaly was an anterior descending branch arising from the right coronary artery (23 patients). For repair, a single right ventriculotomy was employed in 70 percent. Other procedures used successfully in selected patients were double ventriculotomy, right ventricular outflow conduit, and saphenous vein bypass graft. A palliative pulmonary valvotomy was used in one patient. Eight of the 27 patients died (30 percent); the mortality rate was 100 percent prior to 1961 and 17 percent thereafter. Most deaths resulted from myocardial infarction induced by injury to the anomalous coronary artery. Our experience suggests that in the management of this condition injury to the anomalous artery should be avoided and relief of pulmonary stenosis should be attempted through a ventriculotomy caudal to the anomalous artery or, if necessary, caudal and cephalad to the artery (and closure of the ventricular septal defect). If the stenosis cannot be relieved or if the ratio of right ventricular-to-left ventricular peak pressure is greater than 0.9 after bypass has been discontinued, the operation should be completed by placing a conduit from the caudal ventriculotomy to the main pulmonary artery.
Insulated linear antenna: Theory and experiment. II

The applications and theories of the insulated dipole and monopole are reviewed. A recent analysis of the insulated antenna in a relatively dense ambient medium is summarized and its predictions are shown to be in good agreement with an extensive new set of measurements of the distributions of current and charge and the driving‐point admittances of air‐insulated antennas in fresh and salt water. Four different thicknesses of insulation and lengths up to one wavelength are used. The attenuation due to radiation into fresh water is comparable with and even exceeds the attenuation due to dissipation in salt water. It increases with decreasing radius of the insulating cylinder. The effect of the junction between the feeding coaxial line and the insulated antenna is discussed.
Increased expression of TMED2 is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer

Background: We obtained 2 types of clones which were termed SC (sphere-shaped clone) and NSC (non-sphere-shaped clone) from 4T1 cells by monoclonal culture. SC and NSC were distinct in morphology, surface marker, metabolism and proliferation rate. With the transcriptome sequencing data analysis, we found TMED2 expressed higher in SCs. TMED2 was a member of the transmembrane emp24 domain and might play roles in cancer cell proliferation. However, its prognostic roles in breast cancer remained unknown. We aimed to investigate the prognostic values of TMED2 in patients with breast cancer. Methods: We used UALCAN (http://ualcan.path.uab.edu) and the Human Protein Atlas (www.proteinatlas.org) to explore the TMED2 expression level and DNA methylation data between breast cancer and normal breast tissue. With Oncomine (www.oncomine.org), we investigated the copy number of TMED2 in breast cancer sample and normal breast tissue. We used the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database (http://kmplot.com/analysis) to analyze prognostic values of TMED2 mRNA expression in all breast cancers and in different intrinsic subtypes. Moreover, protein expression levels of TMED2 were confirmed by Western blot in breast cancer tissues and normal mammary tissue as well as SCs and NSCs. Results: TMED2 significantly upregulated in breast cancer patients compared to normal mammary samples. Meanwhile, the increased expression of TMED2 mRNA was closely associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in all breast cancers, and with reduced OS in patients with ER-positive, Luminal A or Luminal B breast cancer subtypes. Moreover, western blot confirmed that TMED2 increased expressed was correlated with the reduced OS at protein levels. Conclusion: Increased expression of TMED2 was significantly related to unfavorable outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Thus, we supposed TMED2 is oncogenic and a potential target for breast cancer therapy and these preliminary findings require further study to determine whether TMED2-targeting reagents might be developed for clinical application in breast cancer.
Melatonin is a potent modulator of antioxidative defense and cellular proliferation against aluminum toxicity in rats

Aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth, known for its toxicity to humans and laboratory animals. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, has been shown to be an effective antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the possible protective role of melatonin in modulating toxicity and oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure to aluminum in the small intestine of rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as the control and received only physiological saline, Group II served as the control for the melatonin group and received ethanol and physiological saline, Group III received melatonin, Group IV received aluminum sulfate, and Group V received aluminum sulfate and melatonin, injected three times per week for 1 month. Administration of aluminum caused degenerative changes in small intestine tissues, such as histological damage, increase in metallothionein immunoreactivity, and decrease in cellular proliferation index. Moreover, intestinal glutathione levels, and catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, sodium/potassium-ATPase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities decreased, while lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase levels, and alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and xanthine oxidase activities increased in the aluminum group. Administration of melatonin mostly prevented these effects. Consequently, we can say that melatonin protects the intestine from aluminum toxicity through its antioxidant and proliferative effects.