Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TGF‐β signaling: A tale of two responses

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) regulates a wide variety of cellular processes including cell growth, apoptosis, differentiation, migration, and extracellular matrix production among others. The canonical signaling pathway induced by the TGF‐β receptor complex involves the phosphorylation of Smad proteins which upon activation accumulate in the nucleus and regulate transcription. Interestingly, the cellular response to TGF‐β can be extremely variable depending on the cell type and stimulation context. TGF‐β causes epithelial cells to undergo growth arrest and apoptosis, responses which are critical to suppressing carcinogenesis, whereas it can also induce epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and mediate fibroblast activation, responses implicated in promoting carcinogenesis and fibrotic diseases. However, TGF‐β induces all these responses via the same receptor complex and Smad proteins. To address this apparent paradox, during the last few years a number of additional signaling pathways have been identified which potentially regulate the different cellular responses to TGF‐β. The identification of these signaling pathways has shed light onto the mechanisms whereby Smad and non‐Smad pathways collaborate to induce a particular cellular phenotype. In this article, we review TGF‐β signaling in epithelial cells and fibroblasts with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of TGF‐β versatility. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 593–608, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of Littorina littorea L. (Gastropoda) grazing on littoral green algae in the inner Oslofjord, Norway

Abstract Quantitative studies of Littorina littorea and mainly Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Grev. and Blidingia minima (Naq. ex. Klutz) Kylin in the polluted parts of the fjord have shown that the abundant green algal vegetation found in 1973, in 1976 and 1978 was reduced or absent from most of the localities with dense snail populations. Analysis of the density of Littorina and the occurrence of Enteromorpha (including Blidingia) indicated a negative correlation between the algea and the herbivorous snails (correlation coefficient: - 0.82). Transplantation and exclusion experiments with Littorina in the field showed that snail grazing during summer had a clear and recognizable negative effect on the occurrence and reestablishment of the algae. The snails often formed fronts which grazed the algae and generally left behind a greatly reduced algal vegetation consisting mainly of larger Fucus individuals and encrusting algae. The results indicated that snail grazing in the investigated area must have been an.
Serotonin Migration in the Neuronal Microenvironment

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT+), in addition to acting as a classical neurotransmitter, may be released into the neuronal microenvironment to serve as a neuromodulator. ' The time course of serotonin action, as well as the radius of influence of a given release site, is dependent on 5-HT+ diffusion properties in the extracellular space. Using ion-selective microelectrodes (ISMs) and voltammetric microsensors (VMs), we have examined the migration of 5-HT+ through the brain following its introduction by iontophoresis or pressure ejection. All measurements were carried out in the isolated turtle cerebellum (Pseudemys scripta elegans or Chrysemys picta). This preparation is highly resistant to anoxia so that the intact cerebellum can be used. Methods were based on those of Nicholson and Phillips* and of Rice et aL3 ISMs or VMs were attached 75-350 pm from the micropipette source. The serotonin concentration time profiles (illustrated in FIG. 1) were analyzed using an on-line microcomputer to determine the brain diffusion parameters volume fraction (a) and tortuosity (h). Tetramethyammonium (TMA+) was used as a control cation in similar paradigms and all brain measurements were compared to diffusion in agar. Coming Ion Exchanger 477317 was used for both 5-HV and TMA+ ISMs. TMA+ diffused normally in the turtle cerebellum and revealed a and A values (0.21 5 0.01 and 1.65 f 0.02, mean 2 SEM, No. = 49) that were similar to those reported earlier for the rat cerebelum? Serotonin, at high baseline concentrations (> 350 pkf) also gave similar values (a = 0.17 f 0.02 and A = 1.65 * 0.05, No. = 17). In contrast to TMA+, however, 5-HT+ concentration-time profiles showed consistent deviations from theory, especially during the falling phase. Inclusion of a concentration-dependent uptake term in the diffusion equation improved the curve fit. At lower 5-HT+ concentrations (< 350 pw, a apparently increased, while at the lowest concentrations used ( < 5 pM with VMs) both a and A were larger. These latter changes may also reflect some form of uptake, although concentration-dependent uptake did not alter the a and h values obtained. Because of the sparse serotonergic innervation of the cerebellum (330 f 103 ng/g tissue wet weight'), the effective uptake system is probably nonneuronal.
Three-dimensional structure of brush border myosin-I at ∼20 å resolution by electron microscopy and image analysis

Abstract Brush Border Myosin-I (BBMI) is a single-headed, unconventional myosin found in the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells where it forms lateral bridges between the core bundle of actin filaments and the plasma membrane of the microvillus. A three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of BBMI was made from images of negatively stained, two-dimensional (2D) crystals grown on lipid monolayers formed from mixtures of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine. The resolution of the 3D map extends to ∼20 A and allows identification of all of the major structural domains of BBMI. The BBMI molecule is composed of three domains: a globular motor domain, a light-chain-binding domain and a lipid-binding domain. In our map, the putative motor domain is connected to an extended density, which we believe to be the light-chain-binding domain. This long, narrow region has three distinct bends, which may delineate the bound calmodulin light chains. Following the last calmodulin there is density which extends for a short distance across the lipid surface and is presumably the carboxy-terminal lipid-binding domain.
The effect of dietary cooked potato flake on performance of broilers and on litter quality

1. Broiler chicks, reared on litter, were given diets containing either 40% maize, 40% cooked potato flake, or 20% of each, in crumb form ad libitum from 1 to 21 d and 21 to 63 d in five dietary treatments. 2. Birds receiving the diet with 40% cooked potato flake grew more slowly than birds receiving the other diets during both periods but their food consumption was the same. 3. Including cooked potato flake in diets decreased the dry matter of the litter: with 40% in the diet the litter dry matter was decreased to 26% in 49 d at a stocking rate of 11 birds/m2. 4. If the litter was kept dry, 20% of cooked potato flake was found to be an acceptable inclusion rate for broiler diets.
Vegetation Change in Response to Extreme Events: The Effect of a Short Interval between Fires in California Chaparral and Coastal Scrub

This study describes changes in the abundance of shrub species after two fires in 1979 and 1980 on Otay Mountain in San Diego County, California. The 1979 fire burned a large area of dense chaparral and coastal sage scrub. The 1980 fire burned a portion of the 1979 fire area that had been seeded with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) as an erosion protection measure. Changes in the vegetation caused by the 1979 fire alone were similar to those commonly seen in chaparral wildfire, but the reburning of the vegetation in 1980 caused drastic changes in some areas. Ceanothus oliganthus was almost completely eliminated from the area of the 1980 burn. Adenostoma fascicu- latum, the most abundant shrub at the study site, was reduced in density by up to 97%. Even Xylococcuis bicolor, which normally resprouts with complete success after fire, suffered substantial mortality with reburning. It is concluded that the changes brought about by the 1980 fire will certainly persist for many decades. While sudden shifts in vegetation composition probably occurred without human intervention, we believe that human activity, especially after the introduction of aggressive annual grasses 200 yr ago, has caused an increase in the instances of abrupt change.
DIVERSIDAD DE ÁRBOLES Y ARBUSTOS EN FRAGMENTOS DE BOSQUE SECO TROPICAL EN RÍO HATO, PANAMÁ

The floristic composition of trees and shrubs in tropical dry forest fragments in Rio Hato, Panama was studied. We established 61 plots of 100 m 2 distributed randomly, totaling 0.61 hectares. In each sampling unit we measured all individuals above 5.0 cm DAP. We found a total of 52 tree species represented in 25 families, of which Fabaceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae account for 35% of the species. The species Sloanea terniflora was found in more than 60.6% of the quadrants. This species also proved to be the one with the highest relative dominance (23%) followed by Anacardium excelsum , with only 15 individuals of large diameters, showing a relative dominance of 10%. Mean diversity indices revealed intermediate values (Shannon index 3.13). While the number of tree species is relatively low when compared to other tropical dry forests in the region, the fragments in Rio Hato preserve floristic elements of ecological importance for the conservation of tropical dry forests. Garcinia madruno , the most abundant species is a key species in fruit production for wildlife and other species have been overexploited as timber resources, e.g. , Manilkara sapota and Copaifera aromatica . Establishing conservation strategies to safeguard these fragments as a source of tropical dry forest species and as wildlife refuges should be a priority for Panama.
Ecology and Biogeography of Pinus

Part I. Introduction: 1. Ecology and biogeography of Pinus - an introduction D. Richardson and P. Rundel Part II. Evolution, Phylogeny and Systematics: 2. Phylogeny and sytematics of Pinus R. Price, A. Liston and S. Strauss 3. Early evolution of pines C. Millar Part III. Historical Biogeography: 4. The late Quaternary history of pines in northern Asia C. Kremenetski, K. Liu and G. MacDonald 5. The late Quaternary history of pines in Europe K. Willis, K. Bennet and J. Birks 6. The late Quaternary history of pines in northern North America G. MacDonald, L. Cwynar and C. Whitlock 7. The history of pines in Mexico and Central America J. Perry, A. Graham, and D. Richardson Part IV. Macroecology and Recent Biogeography: 8. Pines of the Mediterrranean Basin M. Barbero, R. Loisel, P. Quezel, D. Richardson and F. Romane 9. The recent history of pinyon pines in the American southwest R. Lanner and T. van Devender 10. Macroecological limits to the abundance and distribution of Pinus G. Stevens and B. Enquist Part V. Ecological Themes: 11. Fire and pine ecosystems J. Agee 12. Evolution and life histories of Pinus J. Keely and P. Zedler 13. Genetic variation in Pinus F. Ledig 14. Seed dispersal in Pinus R. Lanner 15. Ecophysiology of Pinus P. Rundel and B. Yoder 16. The mycorrhizal state of Pinus D. Read 17. Effects of pines on soil properties and processes M. Scholes and T. Nowicki 18. Insect-pine interactions P. de Groot and J. Turgeon 19. Diseases and the ecology of indigenous and exotic pines T. Harrington and M. Wingfield Part VI. Pines and Humans: 20. Pines in cultivation: a global view D. Le Maitre 21. Pinus radiata: a narrow endemic of North America takes on the world P. Lavery and D. Mead 22. Pines as invaders in the southern hemisphere D. Richardson and S. Higgins Glossary Glossary of English common names for pines Taxonomic index Subject index.
Influence of Ozone Stress on Soybean Response to Carbon Dioxide Enrichment: II. Biomass and Development

Previous research has shown that elevated CO 2 concentrations can increase plant growth, whereas the air pollutant O 3 is phylotoxic. Because elevated concentrations of these gases will co-occur, the objective of our experiment was to determine if estimates of plant growth response to future levels of CO 2 and O 3 require experiments to test the gases in combination. Soybean plants [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Essex) were exposed in open-top chambers to combinations of O 3 and CO 2 from plant emergence through physiological maturity. Ozone treatments were charcoal-filtered air (CF), nonfiltered air (NF), and NF with O 3 added for 12 h d -1 (NF+) (seasonal mean 12 h d -1 O 3 concentrations of 20, 50, or 79 nL L -1 , respectively). Carbon dioxide exposures were for 24 h d -1 giving seasonal mean 12 h d -1 concentrations of 370, 482, 599, or 713 μL L -1 . Over the season, elevated CO 2 usually stimulated growth and O 3 suppressed growth. Elevated CO 2 usually increased partitioning of biomass to branches, decreased partitioning to pods, increased specific leaf weight, and decreased leaf area ratio. Ozone suppressed leaf and root weight ratios, increased pod weight ratios, and decreased specific leaf weight. Toward the end of the season, both O 3 and CO 2 accelerated reproductive development. Elevated CO 2 moderated suppression of growth by O 3 , and the highest CO 2 concentration completely ameliorated O 3 effects on main stem biomass, root biomass, and leaf area Ozone, however, limited some positive growth responses to CO 2 , especially at less than a doubling of CO 2 concentrations. These results indicate that in order to understand the future impacts of atmospheric gases such as elevated CO 2 and O 3 on crop growth, their combined effects should be determined.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SWIMBLADDER OF FISHES

1. The normal gaseous content of the swimbladder of fresh-water fishes near the surface is approximately that of the atmosphere. The composition varies with the species, pressure, temperature, amounts and kinds of dissolved gases, and with the seasons of the year.2. When fishes are placed in water containing little or no oxygen the oxygen in the swimbladder diminishes; indicating that the swimbladder may act as a reservoir on which the blood may draw for oxygen in times of need. A perch is enabled to go into water of low oxygen content without asphixiation.3. The effect of increased pressure in the surrounding water is to increase both the percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the swimbladder.4. If carbon dioxide is increased in the medium in which perch are living, the volume of the fishes is changed and the fishes automatically rise in the water. This response would be of adaptive value, causing the fish to move out of deeper water containing larger amounts of carbon dioxide into the safer zones ab.
SICOVIN V.1.0: "software" para el análisis de concentración de vinaza

SICOVIN V.1. 0: software for vinasse concentration analysis SICOVIN V.1. 0 software has been specifically developed for the analysis and the steady-state design of vinasse concentration systems of up to five effects, used in sugar cane ethanol production. It has been encoded in Visual Basic applications for Microsoft Office Excel, which allow data entry through friendly windows and permit correcting values easily. Moreover, the results obtained are shown on three organized screens: schematic, graphical and a factsheet, for an easier interpretation.
Biological Markers and Salivary Cortisol

This chapter focuses on salivary cortisol in relation to biological markers. Specifically, associations with conventional cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic abnormalities (body mass index, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, lipid status, glucose, blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability), markers related to inflammation (C-reactive protein, cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and other stress hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) were studied. The focus was on healthy adult populations; studies on patient populations and pregnant women were excluded. Studies on genome variations and pharmacological interventions were also excluded. After meeting all exclusion criteria, 42 papers remained. In total, 273 associations between salivary cortisol and any of the markers mentioned were studied, comprising 241 associations on metabolic abnormalities, 30 on inflammation, and 2 on stress hormones. Of the salivary cortisol measures reported for evaluations of all markers tested were 136 (49%) single time points, 100 (37%) deviations, 36 (13%) AUC, and 1 (1%) dexamethasone test. Of these, 72 (26%) were statistically significant, and 201 (74%) indicated non-significant findings.Several of the markers tested showed low or no association with any of the measurements of salivary cortisol. The number of studies exploring the association between cortisol in saliva and markers for inflammation is low, which limits the possibility of interpretation. The number of studies on adrenaline and noradrenaline is also low. To sum up, the proportion of non-significant findings was considerable. This may be due to a large number of studies with relatively small study populations. This is true for metabolic abnormalities, markers related to inflammation as well as other stress hormones. Further studies on inflammatory markers and approaches designed to study variability in other systems in relation to cortisol variability are required.
INHIBITION DE SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII SACC. (CORTICIACEAE), AGENT CAUSAL DE LA POURRITURE DU COLLET DE LA TIGE DE LA TOMATE (SOLANACEAE), PAR XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA (DUNAL) A. RICH (ANNONACEAE) ET TRICHODERMA SP.

Tomato (Solanum esculentum Mill) is one of the most consumed in the world with a production of 124 million tons of vegetables. However, the growth of this culture runs into constraints to plant health. To find alternatives to synthetic fungicides which represent the means of control used by most gardeners, a study was conducted on the extracts (essential oils and powders of fruits and leaves) of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A . Rich. (Annonaceae) and two synthetic fungicides (Banko-plus and mancozebe) to test their antifungal potency of Sclerotium rolfsii. Fifteen isolates of Trichoderma sp. are also used for quality antibiotic and fertilizer for crops. At the end of the in vitro tests, it was revealed that the essential oil of fruits was higher than the other extracts on mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii inhibition rate. Four isolates with the best attitudes to mycelial growth were used for in vivo testing. After in vivo assays, the essential oil of fruits and the 9th isolate of Trichoderma harzianum showed a good return on the growth parameters of tomato. The powdered fruit of Xylopia aethiopica also showed a good response to the incidence of the disease. The impact of the higher disease was 10.66 for the fruit powder and 5.96 for the essential oil of the fruit. This study offers the possibility of using essential oils and powdered fruit of Xylopia aethiopica in strategies to control Sclerotium rolfsii.
Regulation of ATP-binding Cassette Sterol Transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 by the Liver X Receptors α and β*

Mutations in the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 have recently been shown to cause the autosomal recessive disorder sitosterolemia. Here we demonstrate that the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes are direct targets of the oxysterol receptors liver X receptor (LXR) α and LXRβ. Diets containing high cholesterol markedly increased the expression of ABCG5/G8 mRNA in mouse liver and intestine. This increase was also observed using synthetic ligands of LXR and its heterodimeric partner, the retinoid X receptor. In situ hybridization analyses of tissues from LXR agonist-treated mice revealed that ABCG5/G8 mRNA is located in hepatocytes and enterocytes and is increased upon LXR activation. In addition, expression of the LXR target gene ABCA1, previously implicated in the control of cholesterol absorption, was also dramatically up-regulated in jejunal enterocytes upon exposure to LXR agonists. These changes in ABC transporter gene expression were not observed in mice lacking LXRs. Furthermore, in the rat hepatoma cell line FTO2B, LXR-dependent transcription of the ABCG5/G8 genes was cycloheximide-resistant, indicating that these genes are directly regulated by LXRs. The addition of ABCG5 and ABCG8 to the growing list of LXR target genes further supports the notion that LXRs serve as sterol sensors to coordinately regulate sterol catabolism, storage, efflux, and elimination.
Population dynamics of two species of intestinal helminth in oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus)

The cestode Micrasomacanthus rectacantha and the trematode Psilostomum brevicolle are the two most common intestinal helminths of oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, on the Exe estuary, England. Each was present in 57 of 60 birds, in numbers ranging from 1 to 9833 and from 1 to 182, respectively. Cockles (Cerastoderma edule) were used as paratenic host by M. rectacantha and as second intermediate host by P. brevicolle. Over 90% of the transmission of M. rectacantha from intermediate hosts occurred in winter, between cockles and juvenile birds. Exposure to M. rectacantha was highest in cockles from muddy sites, where up to 80% of older cockles were infected with 1–14 larvae. Exposure to P. brevicolle was similarly high at one sandy site. Juveniles also made up > 90% of the birds present on the estuary in summer, when significantly more worms were gravid. Estimates based on the numbers of uterine eggs per individual P. brevicolle showed that 8 % of the total Exe population of oystercatchers (ca. 200) con.
Carination strikes the eye: extreme shell shapes and sibling species in three Andean genera of the Orthalicidae (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora)

Two new sibling species are described, Bostryx multiconspectus spec. nov and B. primigenius spec. nov., one of which is carinate. From the carinate taxa known in the Orthalicidae, 16 are occurring at localities in the Andes from northern Peru to northwestern Argentina. They belong to three genera, Bostryx, Neopetraeus and Scutalus. It is hypothesized that carination originated independently in these lineages.
Comparative Ecology of Two Sympatric Species of Dace (Rhinichthys) in the Fraser River System, British Columbia

Age, growth and food habits of leopard dace (Rhinichthys falcatus) in the lower Fraser River are described. Although recently emerged leopard dace and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) occur together in regions of slow or no current along the river margin, older longnose dace soon begin to occupy regions of higher water velocity. Yearling and older leopard dace remain predominantly in areas of little current. Laboratory experiments in a stream tank demonstrate a strong current preference in longnose dace fry, yearlings and adults. Leopard dace of comparable size show no preference for water current. The swimbladder volume of yearling and adult longnose dace is much lower than that of leopard dace, possibly an adaptation of the former species to occupation of riffle habitat. Temporary coexistence of the two closely related species in the same niche is discussed briefly.
Increased herbage production from perennial ryegrass following fungicide seed treatment

Abstract Seed of Lolium perenne L. ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ treated with the fungicide captan gave about twice as many surviving plants as untreated seed 12 months after sowing. At the highest sowing rate (17.5 kg seed/ha), DM yields from the plots sown with captan-treated seed were approximately 56% greater than from plots sown with untreated seed. A similar increase (68%) was also obtained at a lower sowing rate of 2.2 kg seed/ha. At the 3 highest sowing rates, increased herbage yields from plots sown with treated seed resulted from increased numbers of plants, whereas at the lowest sowing rate, yield increases resulted from both increased numbers of plants and increased herbage dry matter per plant. Greatest numbers of plants in plots gave lowest herbage yields per plant and vice versa, these effects being attributed to plant competition. Protectant fungicides should be routinely used for seed treatment of perennial ryegrass.