Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amplified Concern for Social Risk in Adolescence: Development and Validation of a New Measure

In adolescence, there is a heightened propensity to take health risks such as smoking, drinking or driving too fast. Another facet of risk taking, social risk, has largely been neglected. A social risk can be defined as any decision or action that could lead to an individual being excluded by their peers, such as appearing different to one’s friends. In the current study, we developed and validated a measure of concern for health and social risk for use in individuals of 11 years and over (N = 1399). Concerns for both health and social risk declined with age, challenging the commonly held stereotype that adolescents are less worried about engaging in risk behaviours, compared with adults. The rate of decline was steeper for social versus health risk behaviours, suggesting that adolescence is a period of heightened concern for social risk. We validated our measure against measures of rejection sensitivity, depression and risk-taking behaviour. Greater concern for social risk was associated with increased sensitivity to rejection and greater depressed mood, and this association was stronger for adolescents compared with adults. We conclude that social risks should be incorporated into future models of risk-taking behaviour, especially when they are pitted against health risks.
Biosensors—Recent Advances and Future Challenges in Electrode Materials

Electrochemical biosensors benefit from the simplicity, sensitivity, and rapid response of electroanalytical devices coupled with the selectivity of biorecognition molecules. The implementation of electrochemical biosensors in a clinical analysis can provide a sensitive and rapid response for the analysis of biomarkers, with the most successful being glucose sensors for diabetes patients. This review summarizes recent work on the use of structured materials such as nanoporous metals, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and ordered mesoporous carbon for biosensing applications. We also describe the use of additive manufacturing (AM) and review recent progress and challenges for the use of AM in biosensing applications.
Attachment characteristic of indigenous acidophilic bacteria to pyrite surface in mine waste

Indigenous acidophilic bacteria living in a hot acidic spring near Hatchobaru thermal electricity plant in Japan were incubated and used for the bioleaching experiment. The indigenous acidophilic bacteria grew properly in the leaching (sulfur-rich) solution and, over the course of incubation, the pH decreased and Eh increased. In relation to the bacterial growth-curve, the lag phase was hardly shown while the exponential phase was significantly fast. Following Gram staining of the bacteria, they were categorized into Gram-negative and Gram-positive. When the bacteria were inoculated to pyrite, rod-shaped bacteria and round-shaped microbes were well attached to the surface of the pyrite. The size of the rod-shaped bacteria ranged from 1.05–1.10 μm to 4.01–5.38 μm. Round-shaped microbes were more than 3.0 μm in diameter. Paired cells of rod-shaped bacteria were linearly attached to the surface of the pyrite. The round-shaped microbes showed strong organic attachment. Twenty days after the indigenous acidophilic bacteria were inoculated to a pyrite-leaching medium, the bacterial sample had a greater concentration of Fe and Zn than within the control sample.
Nitrate Supply and the Biophysics of Leaf Growth in Salix viminalis

The influence of nitrogen on leaf area development and the biophysics of leaf growth was studied using clonal plants of the shrub willow, Salix viminalis grown with either optimal (High N) or sub-optimal (Low N) supplies of nitrate. Leaf growth rate and final leaf size were reduced in the sub-optimal treatment and the data suggest that in young rapidly growing leaves, this was primarily due to changes in cell wall properties, since cell wall extensibility (% plasticity) was reduced in the Low N plants. The biophysical regulation of leaf cell expansion also differed with nitrogen treatment as leaves aged. In the High N leaves, leaf cell turgor pressure (P) increased with age whilst in the Low N leaves P declined with age, again suggesting that for young leaves, cell wall plasticity limited expansion in the Low N plants. Measurements of cell wall properties showed that cell wall elasticity (%E) was not influenced by nitrogen treatment and remained constant regardless of leaf age.
Application of PCR-mediated DNA typing in the molecular epidemiology of medically important microorganisms

textabstractThis thesis describes the development, application and validation of the newer DNA analysis techniques within the field of microbiological epidemiology. Emphasis is placed on the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a test-tube technique enabling the amplification of (parts of) DNA molecules to enormous amounts. By comparing the genomes of microbes, insight in the mode of dissemination of given microorganisms can be obtained. Besides, this type of laboratory procedures also allows evolutionary studies, highlighting genomic variability perse. In the first chapter the teclmology will be introduced and the function of molecular typing within a microbiological laboratory will be explained. Subsequently, present day literature describing the application of PCR in microbial epidemiology will be summarised (chapter II). Chapters III and IV provide examples of the novel PCR approaches for molecular tracking of the protozoan parasites Naeg/eria spp. and Giardia duodenalis. The fact that the application of these techniques is not restricted to free-living amoebae and intestinal parasites is demonstrated in chapters V to VIII. Monitoring spread and persistence of fungal pathogens is performed, indicating the clinical relevance of genetic screening of a diversity of fungal agents, pathogens that went through a steep rise in clinical incidence during the past ten years. The last four chapters (IX to XII) describe the technical possibilities for and the clinical implications of molecular epidemiological studies on (methicillin-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, chapter XIII integrates data presented in the previous chapters and gives a summary of current knowhow and sketches future developments.
UMH.48 (NCBI JN807465) the Fungus causing Rhinosporidiosis is sensitive to anti fungal

UMH.48, JN807465, a fungus causing Rhinosporidiosis was isolated in pure culture from biopsies from patients with nasal Rhinosporidiosis. It was identified as a lower aquatic fungus by 18S rRNA gene sequencing which compared 100% similar to the sequences from fungal extract of the tissue, thus establishing the etiologic role of UMH.48 in Rhinosporidiosis. UMH.48 18S rRNA sequence showed significant similarity with Synchytridium minutum and very low varying percentages of similarity with Mycobacterium sps. , Corynebactrium sps. , and Actinomycetales. The organism was tested for susceptibility and sensitivity to antibiotics and antifungal drugs such as Norfloxacin, Dapsone, Rifampicin and Amphotericin B. UMH.48 was highly sensitive to Amphotericin B and Rifampicin. It was resistant to Dapsone at the concentrations tested.
Reliability of odour–genes covariance despite diet changes: a test in mound‐building mice

Odour–genes covariance (i.e. that individual odour similarities covary with genetic similarity) allows animals to assess their genetic relatedness to one another by comparing the similarities between their individual odours. The reliability of the odour–gene covariance phenomenon under environmental changes has not yet been explored. Using an innovative habituation-generalization procedure, we tested whether the modifications of body odours induced by a change in diet interfered with the perceived similarity of individual odours of more genetically similar individuals. The effects of a change in diet, by adding aniseed flavour to the drinking water, was assessed in male mound-building mice, a species in which odour–genes covariance has already been demonstrated. The results obtained indicate that mice perceive more similarities in the odours of sibling males than in those of nonrelatives, despite the effects of diet on body odours. We suggest that the reliability of signals arising from odour–genes covariance is likely a result of the independence between traits indicating genetic relatedness and indicator signals of biological states (e.g. diet) in body odours. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 106, 682–688.
Novel candesartan derivatives as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitors

IDO is considered a promising therapeutic target for immunological cancer treatment. We found that the antihypertensive agent candesartan cilexetil inhibits IDO. The structural modifications provided a >10-fold more potent inhibitor. Structure–activity relationship and docking studies suggested that candesartan analogues uniquely bind to the entrance of the active site in IDO, and not to the haem region. Analogue synthesis, kinetic analysis and cellular activity are also described herein.
Floating Rowcovers Improve Germination and Reduce Carrot Weevil Infestations in Carrot

A lightweight agrotextile floating rowcover (10 gm -2 ) designed for insect control was evaluated for its potential to reduce carrot weevil (Listronotus oregonensis (Le conte)) damage and to improve germination and carrot (Daucus carota L.) yield. The floating rowcover had no effect on total emergence and spread on emergence time but decreased emergence time by 0.5 day. Although floating rowcovers generally increased fresh weight of carrot leaves and roots during early development, no effect was detected late in the season and at harvest time. Carrot weevil damage of uncovered plants was 0.4 tunnels per root in 2006 and 2.0 tunnels per root in 2005. In both years, covering carrots with a floating rowcover for a period of 35 days after sowing reduced carrot weevil damage by 65% to 75%. In most years with low or medium carrot weevil infestation, the use of a rowcover could eliminate the use of insecticide to control this pest. The carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonen- sis (Le conte), is the most significant pest of carrot (Daucus carota L.) crops in Quebec, where more than 40% of the crop may be
Fenofibrate may reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy

The RAS pathway begins when renin breaks down angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I (Ang I). The cleaving of Ang I to angiotensin II (Ang II) is facilitated by Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) (Figure 3). The activation of Type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) by Ang II, increases sympathetic tone, vasoconstriction, elevation in blood pressure, inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiac hypertrophy. The counter-regulatory mechanisms of the RAS occur by activating the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – angiotensin 1-7 (Ang1-7) – Mas proto oncogene receptor (MasR pathway). This pathway (ACE2/Ang1-7/MasR) is activated by (ACE2) which hydrolyzes Ang II and generates (Ang1-7). The binding of the Ang I-7 to the MasR causes vasodilation, decrease in blood pressure, helps maintain homeostasis and has an anti-inflammatory effect. 4. The ACE2 is a membrane bound aminopeptidase with a homologous structure to ACE but with distinct enzyme active sites. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) facilitate this counter-regulatory pathway of the RAS. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) prevents the conversion of Ang I to Ang II. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) prevents Ang II from binding to Ang II receptors on the muscles surrounding blood vessels.
Predicting the ecological impact of cane toads (Bufo marinus) on threatened camaenid land snails in north-western Australia

The spread of cane toads (Bufo marinus) through north-western Australia may threaten populations of endemic camaenid land snails because these snails exhibit restricted geographic distributions, low vagility and ‘slow’ life-histories. We conducted laboratory trials to determine whether toads would consume camaenids if they encountered them, and conducted field surveys to evaluate the likelihood of such encounters (on the basis of habitat overlap). In laboratory trials with 13 camaenid species, cane toads were more likely to consume camaenids than were two species of native frogs that we tested (Cyclorana australis, Litoria caerulea). However, field surveys suggested that many camaenids are active on vertical surfaces in limestone outcrops, and cane toads rarely venture into these habitats. Although the preferred habitats and activity patterns of camaenids thus reduce their vulnerability to cane toads, we recommend regular surveys of toad and snail numbers to monitor toad impacts. Given the restricted distributions of threatened saxicoline camaenid species in the Kimberley, localised management of grazing stock and fire is feasible to maintain vine-thicket vegetation cover and snail populations, as well as reducing open habitats favoured by toads.
Wnt Signaling and Cilia Intertwined

Wnt signaling is required for proper formation of motile cilia in zebrafish. Most mammalian cells produce a single nonmotile (primary) cilium, which acts as a sensory organelle and signaling center. In contrast, motile cilia are produced in large numbers by some types of cells that are exposed to fluid flow, such as cells of the airways and reproductive tract. Proteins such as basal body components and intraflagellar transport proteins are required for building cilia, but the upstream mechanisms controlling ciliogenesis are not well understood. Caron et al. report that the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required for ciliogenesis in Kupffer’s vesicle (KV), a fluid-filled sac lined with cells that each bear a single motile cilium, and required for proper establishment of left-right (LR) asymmetry in the developing zebrafish embryo. Wnt signaling was specifically required in KV cells for proper LR asymmetry, and reducing Wnt signaling by expressing an inhibitor of signaling or morpholinos targeting pathway components resulted in fewer, shorter cilia with impaired motility in KV compared with controls. Reducing Wnt signaling specifically in KV cells caused a decrease in the expression of foxj1a, which encodes a transcription factor that is necessary and sufficient for ciliogenesis, and expression of foxj1a rescued the KV cilia defects in embryos with reduced Wnt signaling. Genetic epistasis experiments indicated that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, which had previously been shown to be required for ciliogenesis, acted upstream of Wnt signaling in ciliogenesis. Activation of Wnt signaling causes the stabilization and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which cooperates with the Lef and Tcf transcription factors to activate the expression of target genes. The authors identified possible Lef/Tcf binding sites in the foxj1a promoter and demonstrated that these were required for foxj1a expression in KV cells, suggesting that Wnt signaling directly stimulates expression of this master regulator of ciliogenesis. Wnt signaling was also required for ciliogenesis in the otic vesicles and pronephric ducts, indicating that Wnt signaling may be generally required for ciliogenesis. It has been reported that primary cilia influence Wnt signaling in some cell types and that Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling influences cilia function, and now it appears that canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling may also affect the assembly and function of cilia. A. Caron, X. Xu, X. Lin, Wnt/β-catenin signaling directly regulates Foxj1 expression and ciliogenesis in zebrafish Kupffer’s vesicle. Development 139, 514–524 (2012). [Abstract] [Full Text]
Numerical Taxonomy of Phylloplane Bacteria Isolated from Lolium perenne

Phenetic data on over 600 heterotrophic bacteria from green leaves of Lolium perenne s24 were collected and analysed using numerical taxonomic methods. Marker strains representing 60 taxa were included in the analyses. At similarity levels of 80 % or above, 74 % of the isolates were recovered in six major and 45 minor phena. Four of the major phena were equated with the taxa Listeria grayi/murrayi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Xanthomonas campestris; the two unidentified phena contained pink, Gram-negative rods with polar flagella. Xanthomonads and pink chromogens formed high populations in May, xanthomonads and pseudomonads in July, xanthomonads in September and listeriae and staphylococci in October. It seems that despite the spatial proximity of leaves, litter and soil, each of these habitats contains independent bacterial communities with specific properties.
Long-term effectiveness of sowing high and low diversity seed mixtures to enhance plant community development on ex-arable fields

ABSTRACT Questions: How is succession on ex-arable land affected by sowing high and low diversity mixtures of grassland species as compared to natural succession? How long do effects persist? Location: Experimental plots installed in the Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Methods: The experiment was established on ex-arable land, with five blocks, each containing three 10 m × 10 m experimental plots: natural colonization, a low- (four species) and high-diversity (15 species) seed mixture. Species composition and biomass was followed for eight years. Results: The sown plants considerably affected the whole successional pathway and the effects persisted during the whole eight year period. Whilst the proportion of sown species (characterized by their cover) increased during the study period, the number of sown species started to decrease from the third season onwards. Sowing caused suppression of natural colonizing species, and the sown plots had more biomass. These effects were on average larger in the high diversity mixtures. However, the low diversity replicate sown with the mixture that produced the largest biomass or largest suppression of natural colonizers fell within the range recorded at the five replicates of the high diversity plots. The natural colonization plots usually had the highest total species richness and lowest productivity at the end of the observation period. Conclusions: The effect of sowing demonstrated dispersal limitation as a factor controlling the rate of early secondary succession. Diversity was important primarily for its ‘insurance effect’: the high diversity mixtures were always able to compensate for the failure of some species. Abbreviations; ED = Euclidian distance; HD = High diversity; LD = Low diversity; NC = Natural colonization
Photosynthesis of Natural Communities Dominated by Cladophora Glomerata and Ulothrix Zonata

The littoral zone in western Lake Erie is populated by attached filamentous algal communities dominated in summer by Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kutz. , and in winter by Ulothrix zonata (Weber & Mohr) Kutz. During 1950-51 these communities were studied to determine their photosynthetic activity under nearnatural conditions. Graphs showing the relationship between photosynthesis and light intensity are reproduced and discussed below. These researches were carried out by the senior author at the Stone Institute of Hydrobiology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. S. degree.
Xanthine oxidase inhibition of selected Philippine medicinal plants

Extracts from selected species of Philippine plants traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory properties were examined for their ability to inhibit the action of xanthine oxidase. The degree of inhibition using Adenanthena payonina, Antegonon leptopus,Blumea balsamifera, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cassia alata, Cassia fistula, Gliricidia sepium, Michelia alba, Mimosa pudica, Portulaca olercea, Pogostemon cablin, Solanum tornum, Tinosphora rumphii and Vitex negundo extracts were determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295 nm which is associated with uric acid formation which is linked to gout. B. balsamifera has the highest percent inhibition at 79.67% followed by M. pudica with 62.36% inhibition. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential and IC50 values of the extracts are reported. Key words: Gout, medicinal plants, plant extracts, xanthine oxidase.
Estimating the age of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) based on skin appearance

One of Risso's dolphin's distinctive characteristics is the tendency to “lighten” with age due to the accumulation of unpigmented scars. These accumulated scars may provide an indication of age. Photographic skin recaptures gathered from 61 free-ranging animals over a period of 15 years were analyzed to develop a skin classification model in 6 skin stages. Classification of photographic skin captures following this model was tested by 15 experts and 13 nonexpert rankers, with a general probability of agreement of 79%. The duration of each skin stage was estimated using a statistical model based on the recorded dates in which individual animals were known to have entered and/or exited a given stage. A Bayesian approach was used to combine available photographic skin recapture data using expert knowledge as prior to predict the duration for each skin stage and thus the mean age at each stage. Results suggest that animals may live more than 45 years, which is in agreement with published information based on dental layers. The proposed skin stages can be correlated with reproduction, with the transition to stage 3 linked to the onset of maturity. Adult females are less scarified than males and were not observed in the whiter skin classes. The proposed skin stage model is noninvasive and easy to apply and could be a valuable tool in further studies of population structure and dynamics of Risso's dolphins.
Is gluteus medius injured in patients treated with a trochanter tip entry intramedullary nail? Clinical, electrophysiological and functional outcomes

Objectives This study aims to assess the functional outcomes, static-dynamic postural stability of patients and evaluate electromyographic activity of gluteus medius (GMed) muscle during gait and spatiotemporal parameters of gait in patients after antegrade intramedullary nailing (IMN) of femoral shaft fractures with trochanter tip entry. Patients and methods Sixteen patients (15 males, 1 female; mean age 34.8±15.2 years; range, 18 to 58 years) who were treated with an antegrade trochanteric IMN between January 2009 and July 2013 and eight healthy male controls (mean age 39.3±9.8 years; range, 27 to 57 years) were included in this retrospective study. Muscle strength, static and dynamic postural stability and fall risk were evaluated. In addition, spatiotemporal parameters of gait were assessed using a validated wireless inertial sensing device and a wireless electromyography (EMG) device was used to measure electromyographic activity of GMed muscle in both groups. Results There were significant differences in muscle strength, functional and dynamic balance test scores between operated and intact sides (one-leg hop test score p=0.009, balance test scores p<0.001-0.033). There were significant differences in functional and quality of life physical function test scores between groups (one-leg hop test score p=0.014). However, no significant differences were found in EMG results, dynamics balance, and statics postural stability test scores between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion After isolated femur fracture, patients treated with antegrade trochanteric IMN demonstrated good static and dynamic stability and poor functional outcomes compared to controls. In conclusion, patients with antegrade trochanteric IMN have good balance but poor functional performance; however, further studies are needed to find out the primary reason for these results.