Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IKK-1 and IKK-2: Cytokine-Activated IκB Kinases Essential for NF-κB Activation

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is controlled by sequential phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation of its inhibitory subunit IκB. A large multiprotein complex, the IκB kinase (IKK) signalsome, was purified from HeLa cells and found to contain a cytokine-inducible IκB kinase activity that phosphorylates IκB-α and IκB-β. Two components of the IKK signalsome, IKK-1 and IKK-2, were identified as closely related protein serine kinases containing leucine zipper and helix-loop-helix protein interaction motifs. Mutant versions of IKK-2 had pronounced effects on RelA nuclear translocation and NF-κB–dependent reporter activity, consistent with a critical role for the IKK kinases in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Preparation and Bacterial Adsorption Behaviors of Zeolite- Modified Anode in Microbial Fuel Cells

1 Key Laboratory of Precious Metal Chemistry and Technology of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, PR China 2 Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai’an 223003, PR China 3 State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 5 Xin Mofan Rd., Nanjing 210009, PR China E-mail: jljiang@hyit.edu. cn, lixzhang@njtech.edu. cn
Histological changes in the gill epithelium of endemic Lake Van Fish (Chalcalburnus tarichi) during migration from alkaline water to freshwater

The gill histology of the endemic Lake Van Fish (Chalcalburnus tarichi, Pallas 1811) was compared in two different water systems during the reproductive migration from alkaline water to freshwater. The histological examination of gill samples showed that freshwater samples had a thinner primary lamella. While the cells that secrete mucous into the gills showed no volumetric change, a significant increase in their number was observed. In fish acclimated to freshwater, a small number of mucous cells was identified in the secondary lamella. Epithelial lifting was observed in both types of aquatic environments. Gill anomalies were mostly observed in the freshwater samples. Hyperplasia, lamellar fusion, vasodilation, and necrosis were observed in the gills of most fish that migrated to freshwater. The observed changes to the primary lamella, mucus cell distribution, and increase in mucous cell number in the gills may be functional in fish osmoregulation. Lesions may be related to the effects of different pollutants in a certain period, physicochemical differences, or stress caused by the two different aquatic environments. In addition, the present study is the first to demonstrate that the gills of the Lake Van fish are infected by Myxobolus parasites.
Pharmacological Study of Mentha longifolia Phenolic Extracts

The effect of M. longifolia crude ethanol extract (F1), as well as fractions rich in luteolin glycosides (F2), apigenin glycosides (F3) and phenolic acids (F4) on intestine motility, spontaneous motility, pentobarbital induced sleep and bile secretion have been investigated. The crude ethanol extract was effective only on intestinal motility, apigenin and luteolin glycosides active on spontaneous motility. Phenolic acids were found to possess significant spasmodic, choleretic and CNS stimulative effects.
Production of biogenic silica by spring diatoms

The radioactive isotope 32Si was used to measure Si uptake during a spring bloom dominated by the diatom Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii. The diatoms converted virtually all dissolved silicic acid in the surface layer into biogenic silica. The rate of Si uptake was unsaturated in all the experiments conducted during the bloom. The half‐saturation constant for Si uptake declined from 6–12 mmol m‐3 early in the bloom to 2 mmol m‐3 when dissolved silicic acid concentration was low. The highest specific Si‐uptake rates measured (ca. 0.3 d‐1) were comparable to average net growth rates calculated from cell abundance measurements.
Protein Kinase R Regulates Double-Stranded RNA Induction of TNF-α But Not IL-1β mRNA in Human Epithelial Cells1

Epithelial cells represent the initial site of respiratory viral entry and the first line of defense against such infections. This early antiviral response is characterized by an increase in the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. dsRNA, which is a common factor present during the life cycle of both DNA and RNA viruses, is known to induce TNF-α and IL-1β in a variety of cells. In this work we provide data showing that dsRNA treatment induces TNF-α and IL-1β in human lung epithelial cells via two different mechanisms. Our data show that dsRNA activation of dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) is associated with induction of TNF-α but not IL-1β expression. An inhibitor of PKR activation blocked the dsRNA-induced elevations in TNF-α but not IL-1β mRNA in epithelial cells. Data obtained from infection of epithelial cells with a vaccinia virus lacking the PKR inhibitory polypeptide, E3L, revealed that PKR activation was essential for TNF-α but not for IL-1β expression. In this report, we provide experimental support for the differential regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression by dsRNA and viral infections in human airway epithelial cells.
Herbivore release drives parallel patterns of evolutionary divergence in invasive plant phenotypes

Herbivory can drive rapid evolution of plant chemical traits mediating defensive and competitive ability. At a geographic scale, plant populations that escape selection from their ancestral herbivores may evolve decreased defence and increased competitiveness. While contrasts between native and invasive populations of plants lend support to this hypothesis, such experiments cannot establish causal links between herbivory and evolved invasive phenotypes. Here, we conducted geographic contrasts, and coupled these with long‐term selection experiments that directly test for evolutionary responses to herbivore exclusion. In common gardens, we contrasted Solidago altissima genotypes that were historically exposed or protected from herbivory across two experimental time‐scales: (i) a natural experiment where plant populations evolved either with native herbivory (in Minnesota and New York) or evolved relatively free from herbivory for ˜100 years in Japan, and (ii) a 12‐year manipulative experiment where plants were either exposed to ambient herbivory or treated with insecticide. In both experiments, plant populations responded to herbivore release by evolving increased production of root allelochemicals and interspecific competitive ability against Poa pratensis. While plant resistance to a beetle herbivore did not diverge between plant origins, we still observed parallel evolutionary shifts in leaf secondary metabolite and protease inhibitor production, which may confer resistance to diverse herbivore species. Synthesis. Observed evolutionary convergence for multiple plant traits, between the natural and manipulative experiments, emphasizes the role of insect herbivores as key drivers of plant adaptation and geographic differentiation.
Food Web Paradigms: The Biochemical View on Trophic Interactions

Different metabolic pathways and requirements can lead to imbalances in the biochemical composition, e.g., between prokaryotes and eukaryotes and between heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. In addition, heterotrophs cannot synthesize many of the required biochemical constituents themselves but rely in their provision on the feeding environment. If imbalances of essential biochemicals between heterotrophic consumers and their prey are large, those biochemicals can become limiting. The importance of essential ω3-poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for heterotrophic organisms (zooplankton, fish) is well recognized. Especially the conversion of C18-PUFAs to C20 or C22 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) are critical for heterotrophic protists and metazooplankton, and storage may be an adaptation to help overcome limitation. The ecological relevance of cholesterol, essential for arthropods, is still an open question as vertebrates and fungi may be important sources in aquatic systems. Less is known about essential amino acids being limiting. However protein limitation seems to be rare in plankton unless detritus contributes largely to the food. One ecological importance of autotrophs lies in the synthesis of essential biomolecules, promoting growth of heterotrophs. However, vitamin B12 may preferentially originate from prokaryotes (bacteria, cyanobacteria), even limiting growth of certain eukaryotic algae. Measuring the relevant biochemicals, its environmental forcing and cycling (conservation versus alteration in the food web), going beyond food species affiliation and carbon as a unit, but taking the overall food concentration into account will enhance the characterization of C-cycling and energy flux, irrespectively of the “classical food chain” or “microbial loop”, with implication to human nutrition.
A study of broken stones in Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

Stone breakage affects both peaches and plums and leads to significant financial losses for the agricultural industry as affected fruit have to be marketed as Class 2, thus obtaining lower prices on international markets. As no information exists on the development of broken stones in Japanese plums the aim of this study was to determine whether climatic differences between growing areas would affect the incidence of broken stones and whether certain parameters, measured throughout the growing season, could give an indication of the incidence of stone breakage to be expected at harvest. This would enable producers to determine their marketing strategies early in the season. Stone breakage was observed as soon as stone hardening was initiated. At the start of stone hardening the parts of the stone that are still ‘soft’ are not strong enough to resist pulling forces of the growing mesocarp on it and the stone is subsequently pulled apart. Regression analysis indicated that lengthwise growth of the fruit, fresh weight of the endoand mesocarp, minimum orchard temperature and orchard night temperature, and relative humidity early in the growing season (especially between 42 and 52 days after full bloom) could possibly be used to predict the incidence of broken stones at harvest. However, data from more seasons should be included in order to make the model more robust.
Are Feeding Preferences of White-Tailed Deer Related to Plant Constituents?

ABSTRACT Controlled feeding experiments can provide valuable insights into food selection of herbivores. We conducted cafeteria trials on captive yearling white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during 2 years to determine feeding preferences in relation to plant chemical constituents, i.e., nitrogen and fibers. We simultaneously offered 8 species of cultivated and wild plants in monthly foraging trials conducted from June to October. We predicted that species preferences would be positively related to protein content from June to August and to digestible energy in September and October. As predicted, crude protein (CP) was positively related to feeding preferences, particularly as summer progressed. Feeding preferences were also negatively related to fiber content, especially in early summer. Our results indicate high protein needs over the complete growing season for yearling deer but a decrease in overall plant selectivity as summer progresses. Our results also suggest that deer browsing on cultivated plants might be due to higher CP content of cultivated plants than wild plants. To prevent deer impact on crops, managers should favor regeneration of plants rich in CP content in forests.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, ANTICOAGULANT ACTIVITY AND FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF LEAVES OF ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA(LEAF)

Medicinal plant based drugs have an added advantage of being simple, effective and offering a broad spectrum of activity with greater emphasis on preventive action. They contain active constituents that are efficient in the treatment of many human diseases. The present study was an attempt to assess few antibacterial, antioxidant, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activity of Andrographis paniculata. The phytochemical screening of A. Paniculata (leaf) revealed the presence of flavanoids, glycosides, saponins, phenols, tannins and steroids. The plant part (leaf) exhibited antibacterial and antioxidant activities that varied from solvent to solvent. The study also revealed that ethanolic extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, whereas the methanolic extract exhibited antioxidant activities compared to other organic solvents and aqueous extracts. The aqueous extract exhibited significant anticoagulant activity compared to ethanol and methanol extract.In fibrinolytic activity, the ethanol and methanol extract exhibited significance result whereas in aqueous extract there was no fibrinolytic activity.
Directed flight and optimal airspeeds: homeward‐bound gulls react flexibly to wind yet fly slower than predicted

Birds in flight are proposed to adjust their body orientation (heading) and airspeed to wind conditions adaptively according to time and energy constraints. Airspeeds in goal-directed flight are predicted to approach or exceed maximum-range airspeeds, which minimize transport costs (energy expenditure per unit distance) and should increase in headwinds and crosswinds. Diagnosis of airspeed adjustment is however obscured by uncertainty regarding birds' goal-directions, transport costs, interrelations with orientation strategy and the attainability of predicted behaviour. To address these issues, we tested whether gulls minimized transport costs through adjustment of airspeed and heading to wind conditions during extended inbound flight over water (180-360 km) to their breeding colony, and introduce a methodology to assess transport (energy) efficiency given wind conditions. Airspeeds, heading, flight mode and energy expenditure were estimated using GPS tracking, accelerometer and wind data. Predicted flight was determined by simulating each trip according to maximum-range airspeeds and various orientation strategies. Gulls employed primarily flapping flight (93%), and negotiated crosswinds flexibly to exploit both high altitude tailwinds and coastal soaring opportunities. We demonstrate that predicted airspeeds in heavy crosswinds depend strongly on orientation strategy and presumed preferred direction. Measured airspeeds increased with headwind and crosswind similarly to maximum-range airspeeds based on full compensation for wind drift, yet remained ∼ 30% lower than predicted by all strategies, resulting in slower and 30-35% costlier flight. Interestingly, more energy could be saved through adjustment of airspeed (median 40%) than via orientation strategy (median 4%). Therefore, despite remarkably flexible reaction to wind at sea, these gulls evidently minimized neither time nor energy expenditure. However, airspeeds were possibly over-predicted by current aerodynamic models. This study emphasizes the importance of accounting for orientation strategy when assessing airspeed adjustments to wind and indicates that either the cost or adaptive ‘currency’ of extended flight among gulls may require revision.
Evaluation of Pruning Techniques and Bactericides to Manage Bacterial Canker of Sweet Cherry

Bacterial canker of stone fruit occurs worldwide and is caused by Pseudomonas syringae for which three distinct pathovars are known that are associated with host range (Kennel ly et a l 2007, Hattingh and Roos 1995). We have focused on pathovar Syringae, which has been the most commonly isolated P. syringae pathovar from sweet cherry orchards (Renick et al. 2008, Foulkes and Lloyd 1980). The bac ter ium colonizes leaf surfaces of many plant species , including weeds. They can invade cherry buds, twigs, and branches systemically without causing symptoms, can incite mild symptoms including dead buds, twig cankers, leaf spots, flower and fruit lesions, or can cause severe symptoms of collapse and death of the above-ground parts of the tree, including the suckers (Figure 1). Disease severity and symptom expression is favored by factors including poor nutrition, plant parasitic nematodes, sandy soils, and by climatic factors such as late spring frosts and cool, wet growing conditions. The pathogen invades the tree through leaf stomates from which it moves into buds and twigs. It may also enter through pruning wounds and through frost-damaged tissues (Renick et al. 2008, Sule and Seemuller 1987). Leaf surface populations increase during cool, wet weather and are highest during fall, late winter and early spring (Latorre et al 1985). Copper sprays are aimed at reducing these epiphytic populations and are timed to correspond with 20% (Figure 2) and 80% leaf drop and up to three late dormant applications (Wimalajeewa et al 1991, Olson and Jones 1983). Best management relies on maintaining optimal growing conditions for the trees. “our studies have shown that copper or phosphite sprays applied on pruning wounds of sweet cherry provide minimal to no protection against bacterial canker infection. we have found that leaving an 8” pruning stub when removing a limb may protect against pseudomonasincited cankers by ‘distancing’ the main trunk from invasion. Field experiments on pruning date have provided evidence that the best time to prune sweet cherry in terms of limiting bacterial canker infection may be shortly after harvest in late July. However, this timing results in fewer renewal shoots from the pruning stubs. ” Figure 1. Bacterial canker of sweet cherry below a pruning cut and progression down the branch (Sunken area on branch). Replacement side shoot has also developed bacterial canker.
Ficus septica burm. F. Leaves Ethanolic Extract Induces Apoptosis in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)nthracene-induced Rat Liver Cancer Quatitavely

The chemopreventive effect of Ficus septica Burm. f. leaves ethanolic extract (FLEE) was studied in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]nthracene(DMBA)-induced rat liver cancer. Rats were divided into 5 group, 5 rats (5 wk of age Sprague Dawley rat) in each group. Group 1 was control diet group, administered with 0,5% CMC-Na as vehicle. FLEE was administered 750 mg/kgBW and 1500 mg/kgBW starting 4 wk until 5 wk after DMBA administration at the first until fifth wk to group 2 and group 3. Group 4 was control extract group, administered with 750 mg/kgBW and group 5 was DMBA group. DMBA is a carcinogen to induce liver cancer was also administered in DMBA control group and all animals were necropsied at 6 wk after DMBA administration. Activity of inducing apoptosis was detected using Double Staining method in 750 mg/kgBW FLEE group compared to control group but no in 1500 mg/kgBW FLEE group resulted in 100% dead. Apoptotic cells would have orange flourescence but normal cells would have green flourescence detected by flourescence microscope. To investigate the protein that involved in apoptotic mechanism, we studied p53 expression using Imunohistochemistry (IHC). There was no difference expression of p53 in both tested and control groups. Based on the results, FLEE has a potency as chemoprentive agent because its activity on inducing apoptosis in liver cancer with p53-independent pathway. The mechanism of apoptosis induction of this extract needs to be explored by observing the expression of related proteins. Keywords: apoptosis, Ficus septica , liver cancer, p53 independent pathway
Prevalence of Blindness and Visual Impairment among Institutional Residents

dlncludes 6 facilities for the blind. Long-Term Care Institutions, by Type of had transferred to acute care hospitals, 11% to other long-term care institutions, and 27% to the community (about 5% unknown). These background facts on institutions, along with our knowledge from noninstitutional studies of the strong relationship between severe visual impairment and age-especially over 65 years-suggest that the prevalence of vision loss in institutions is very high, especially in nursing homes. We turn next to those estimates.
Investigation of simulated tectonic deformation in fossils using geometric morphometrics

Abstract Tectonic deformation is an important part of the taphonomic histories of many fossils. Although the effects of deformation, and methods to remove those effects, have been a subject of inquiry for over a century, systematic testing under known parameters has never been used to determine how the effects of deformation and the performance of retrodeformation techniques might vary. Comparative studies of morphology depend on the accurate estimation of variance-covariance structure, so an understanding of the effects of retrodeformation on covariance structure is important in assessing the utility of these methods. Here we address these issues by using geometric morphometric simulations. Nondeformed data sets were generated from specimens of the extant turtle Emys marmorata, which were known by definition to be nondeformed, and which possess a known ontogenetic signal. Deformation was simulated by applying a combination of uniform shear and uniform compression/dilation to the data. Data were retrodeformed by reflection and averaging of bilaterally symmetric landmarks, use of a principal components analysis to identify a deformation component of shape variation, and removal of the affine component of shape variation among specimens. Deformation increased the amount of variance in the data, as well as altering the variance structure. However, low to moderate levels of deformation did not prevent the confident recovery of the known ontogenetic signal in some cases. The tested retrodeformation techniques did not work well. They either removed too little or too much variance from the data, and provided little improvement in variance structure. Retrodeformation often did not improve our ability to extract the ontogenetic signal from the data, and in some cases introduced an artifactual relationship between size and shape. All of the scrutinized methods showed some properties, such as reducing variance or producing visually appealing images of specimens, that could make them appear to be working in cases where the correct biological signal is not known. This emphasizes the need for simulation testing in the development and evaluation of retrodeformation techniques.
Self-Triggering? An Exploration of Individuals Who Seek Reminders of Trauma

Trauma survivors who self-trigger, or seek reminders of their traumatic events, have been noted in the clinical literature but have not yet been the subject of a systematic empirical inquiry. This article presents the results of two exploratory studies of self-triggering. In Study 1 (N = 545), we estimated the behavior’s clinical relevance among trauma survivors. In Study 2 (N = 360), we examined descriptive characteristics of self-triggering as well as potential motivations for the behavior. We found that self-triggering is uniquely associated with more severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Self-triggering takes place via a wide variety of methods and can become compulsive for many individuals. Reasons endorsed for self-triggering comprised several broad motives, but the desire to make meaning of one’s trauma was most predictive of self-triggering frequency. Limitations, clinical implications, and directions for further research are discussed.