Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AVALIAÇÃO ANTIBACTERIANA DOS EXTRATOS HEXÂNICO E METANÓLICO DE PRÓPOLIS VERMELHA ENCONTRADA NO MUNICÍPIO BARRA DE SANTO ANTÔNIO/AL

A propolis vermelha e uma resina de composicao variada e complexa relacionada com a flora de cada regiao e ao periodo de coleta da seiva. O extrato bruto da resina foi obtido por maceracao em etanol absoluto, com posterior separacao do solvente atraves do metodo de rotaevaporacao. Fracionou-se a solucao bruta em duas partes, metanolica e hexânica, preparando, posteriormente, solucoes em concentracoes padronizadas para 1%, 2%, 5% e 10%. Os ensaios biologicos foram realizados “in vitro” frente aos micro- -organismos gram-positivos (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae e Enterococcus faecalis) e gram- negativos (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis e Pseudomonas aeruginosa). As analises foram realizadas de acordo com a metodologia dos testes de sensibilidade no meio agar Muller Hinton atraves do gotejamento de 10uL de solucao em regioes distintas da placa e a atividade antibacteriana da propolis foi aferida observando-se a formacao ou nao de halos. O etanol absoluto foi utilizado como controle. O extrato hexânico apresentou maior poder antibacteriano frente as bacterias gram-positivas, em contrapartida, a mesma apresentou inibicao apenas para o P. mirabilis nas concentracoes de 5% e 10%. O extrato metanolico apresentou ausencia de inibicao frente o micro-organismo gram-positivo E. faecalis em todas as concentracoes, contudo, para os gram-negativos foi visto que apenas o P. mirabilis e K. pneumoniae foram inibidos nas concentracoes de 5% e 10%. As demais bacterias nao foram inibidas diante dos dois extratos independentemente da concentracao utilizada. Diante do observado nos testes antimicrobianos, pode-se concluir que os extratos de propolis vermelha demonstraram maior atividade antibacteriana contra os micro-organismos gram-positivos do que aos gram-negativos.
Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence and characteristics of a xylanase gene (xynA) from Ruminococcus albus 7

A 2.6-kb DNA fragment encoding a xylanase gene (xynA) was cloned from the rumen hemicellulolytic bacterium Ruminococcus albus 7. The deduced primary structure of the protein (XynA) was divided into a signal peptide region and 3 domains. Domain A was identified as a family 11 (G) catalytic domain, but one amino acid residue was replaced by another in an active site signature 1 of family 11. Domain B is a stabilizing domain for the catalytic domains of families 10 and 11. Deletion of domain B reduced stability of the xylanase at high temperature and at high and low pH. Domain B may be useful for protein engineering of xylanase. Domain C has sequence similarity to deacetylases and NodB proteins.
Sea-cage culture of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii in New Zealand

The potential for using suspended sea cages for the aquaculture of juvenile spiny lobsters was assessed for Jasus edwardsii in New Zealand. Lobsters were grown for a year in sea cages at three sites starting from pueruli and regularly fed on opened mussels. Larger juvenile lobsters of two size classes were also held in sea cages with small live mussels for food. Pueruli grew at rates that were close to or greater than those previously recorded from tank experiments. At the most northern site, lobsters grew most quickly to an average of 42.1 mm CL ± 0.4 s.e. and 36.9 g wet weight ± 1.0 s.e. in a year. The mortality of lobsters differed with site, but at one site was lower (14%) than was recorded in a previous tank-culture experiment (25%). The differences in growth and mortality among sites appear to be related to differences in ambient water temperatures. Larger juvenile lobsters were found to be unable to feed on the small live mussels. These results indicate that suspended sea-cage culture has considerable potential for the aquaculture of spiny lobster juveniles but will require the careful selection of sites and the development of effective feeding arrangements.
ORIGINAL AR T ICLE Effect of functional pinealectomy on hippocampal lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits 2A and 2B in young and old rats

melatonin; lipid peroxidation; antioxidant enzymes; NMDA receptors; rat Abstract OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of pinealectomy on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status and NMDA receptor subunits 2A and 2B concentrations in hippocampus. DESIGN: Forty-eight male Wistar-albino rats were used. SETTINGS: Animals were divided into three groups: 24 h dark throughout the study (highest melatonin release), 24 h light exposure (light-induced functional pinealectomy) and 12 h light/12 h dark exposure (control group). Thereafter, each group was divided into two groups as young and old ani- mals. RESULTS: There was an increase in NR2A and NR2B concentration in DY group compared to all other treatments. CuZn and Mn SOD activities were found to be increased in CO compared to CY group. Continual light expo- sure for 4 weeks did not change neural CuZn and Mn SOD activities. In old rats, light exposure reduced the activities of both CuZn and Mn SOD rela- tive to those in the young animals. In addition, CuZn and Mn SOD activi- ties were higher in dark exposed rats than in those in the continual light exposed or LD 12:12 rats. GSH-Px activity was found elevated in the DY rats compared to the CY groups. MDA levels were signifi cantly higher in the CO than in the CY group. CONCLUSIONS: NR2A and NR2B receptor concentrations in hippocampus of the rats maintained in dark showed signifi cant increases compared to the control and functional pinealectomy groups but there was no signifi cant increase in lipid peroxidation.
Soil temperature and depth of legume germination during early and late dry season fires in a tropical eucalypt savanna of north-eastern Australia

Temperatures that significantly increase seed germination of some tropical legumes (i.e. 80-100°C) were documented in the topsoil during the passage of early (May) and late (October) dry season fires in a tropical eucalypt savanna of north-eastern Australia. Elevated temperatures penetrated at least 30 mm into the soil during the higher-intensity, late dry season fires, but were only detected at 10 mm during the early dry season fires. The depth from which germination of two native legume forbs Galactia tenuiflora and Indigofera hirsuta occurred was positively related to the temperature elevation in the topsoil and was greater after late compared with early dry season fires. A broader range in germination depth, resulting in higher seedling densities, was recorded for I hirsuta after late dry season fires. These results suggest that seedling emergence of native leguminous forbs is likely to occur at a greater density after late rather than early dry season fires in tropical eucalypt savannas of north-eastern Australia. Therefore, the season of burning, as a result of its relationship to fire intensity, can influence species composition through its effect on seed germination.
Effective utilization of Salvinia molesta D. Mitch. for the production of cellulase enzyme by using Aspergillus species and reuse of fungal biomass for dye degradation

The present study reveals Salvinia molesta D. Mitch.in various concentration is used as carbon source for the production of cellulase enzyme using Aspergillus species by submerged fermentation. The basal medium supplemented with Salvinia molesta blend in the proportion of 1:0.5 as carbon source showed maximum cellulase production after 6 days of incubation at room temperature with agitation speed of 150 rpm in rotary shaker, were liberated 3.2mg/ml glucose. Methylene blue dye was completely decolourized within 6 days of incubation at room temperature with agitation speed of 150 rpm. This demonstrates the reuse of fungal biomass for dye degradation after enzyme production.
The effect of implementing electronic toll collection (ETC) in reducing highway particulate matter pollution.

Highway vehicle emissions can result in adverse health problems to nearby residents and workers, especially during traffic congestion. In response, the policy to implement electronic toll collection (ETC) has helped alleviate traffic congestion, as compared to manual toll collection (MTC), and led to reduced air pollution and improved human health. However, the effect of ETC in reducing particulate matter polluting the air is not well understood, especially in the ultrafine particle (UFP) range (particle diameter < 100 nm). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate how ETC affects the traffic pattern and air quality, especially UFP and PM2.5. We selected a site in Tainan, Taiwan and measured UFP and PM2.5 concentrations before and after the construction of the ETC system. The computed traffic volumes during peak travel periods (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) respectively accounted for approximately 23% - 25% and 14% - 18% before and after the implementation of ETC, indicating that peak traffic volumes were more homogeneous after ETC. Moreover, the results indicate that the full implementation of ETC can help reduce UFP number concentrations and PM2.5 mass concentrations in the highway downwind area by 3980 #/cm3 and 30.73 μg/m3, respectively. After the full implementation of the ETC, significant reductions in both the UFP number concentration and PM2.5 mass concentration were seen. Furthermore, excessive lifetime cancer risks (ELCR) from exposure to PM2.5 and UFP together, were reduced 49.58% after the implementation of the ETC. Accordingly, ETC not only helps alleviate traffic congestion but also reduces traffic emissions and lifetime cancer risk for people living or working near highways.
Histological and Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination of the Digestive Tract in Whitespotted Conger, Conger Myriaster (Anguilliformes)

The morphology of the digestive tract of Whitespotted conger, Conger myriaster (Elopomorpha: Anguilliformes) was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The digestive tracts consist of esophagus, stomach, and intestine; no pyloric caeca were observed. The stomach was divided into cardiac, body, terminal and pyloric region. The esophagus was composed of two layers of striated muscularis; inner longitudinal layer and outer circular layer. The former was extended to the body region of the stomach. In contrast, the latter was terminated to the esophagus, and became coincident to the boundary of the outer longitudinal layer consisting of smooth muscle in the cardiac region of the stomach. The terminal region of the stomach was characterized by the thick longitudinal muscularis and subserosa, and the gastric glands were absent. Ciliated cells were distributed in the intestinal wall. The digestive tract secreted both acidic and neutral mucus throughout all regions. We found that the terminal region of the stomach is characteristic of Anguilliformes. On the other hand, the striated muscle within the body region of the stomach was unique among the Anguilliformes. These differences in stomach suggested the possible existence of morphological differences that originate from phylogenetic position among the orders in Elopomorpha.
FLUORESCENCE‐BASED MAXIMAL QUANTUM YIELD FOR PSII AS A DIAGNOSTIC OF NUTRIENT STRESS

In biological oceanography, it has been widely accepted that the maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis is influenced by nutrient stress. A closely related parameter, the maximum quantum yield for stable charge separation of PSII, (φPSII)m, can be estimated by measuring the increase in fluorescence yield from dark‐adapted minimal fluorescence (Fo) to maximal fluorescence (Fm) associated with the closing of photosynthetic reaction centers with saturating light or with a photosynthetic inhibitor such as 3′‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1′,1′‐dimethyl urea (DCMU). The ratio Fv/Fm (= (Fm− Fo)/Fm) is thus used as a diagnostic of nutrient stress. Published results indicate that Fv/Fm is depressed for nutrient‐stressed phytoplankton, both during nutrient starvation (unbalanced growth) and acclimated nutrient limitation (steady‐state or balanced growth). In contrast to published results, fluorescence measurements from our laboratory indicate that Fv/Fm is high and insensitive to nutrient limitation for cultures in steady state under a wide range of relative growth rates and irradiance levels. This discrepancy between results could be attributed to differences in measurement systems or to differences in growth conditions. To resolve the uncertainty about Fv/Fm as a diagnostic of nutrient stress, we grew the neritic diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt) Hasle et Heimdal under nutrient‐replete and nutrient‐stressed conditions, using replicate semicontinuous, batch, and continuous cultures. Fv/Fm was determined using a conventional fluorometer and DCMU and with a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Reduction of excitation irradiance in the conventional fluorometer eliminated overestimation of Fo in the DCMU methodology for cultures grown at lower light levels, and for a large range of growth conditions there was a strong correlation between the measurements of Fv/Fm with DCMU and PAM (r2 = 0.77, n = 460). Consistent with the literature, nutrient‐replete cultures showed consistently high Fv/Fm (∼0.65), independent of growth irradiance. Under nutrient‐starved (batch culture and perturbed steady state) conditions, Fv/Fm was significantly correlated to time without the limiting nutrient and to nutrient‐limited growth rate before starvation. In contrast to published results, our continuous culture experiments showed that Fv/Fm was not a good measure of nutrient limitation under balanced growth conditions and remained constant (∼0.65) and independent of nutrient‐limited growth rate under different irradiance levels. Because variable fluorescence can only be used as a diagnostic for nutrient‐starved unbalanced growth conditions, a robust measure of nutrient stressed oceanic waters is still required.
Unravelling the mechanism of differential biological responses induced by food-borne xeno- and phyto-estrogenic compounds

The multiple actions of estradiol and other estrogenic compounds in mammalian physiology are brought about, on a molecular level, as a result of complex signalling pathways, and mediated by at least two receptors namely estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ. The aim of the work presented in this thesis was to obtain insight in the role of ERα, ERβ and the ratio of ERα/ERβ present within a cell, in the cellular response to estrogen-like compounds. To this end, this thesis addressed the transcriptional activity at both the gene and protein level and effects on cell proliferation under the influence of specifically-acting estrogen-like molecules when varying the ratio of ERα/ERβ present in the cells under study. The ultimate aim was to link the data on cell proliferation as the biological end-point to the transcriptomics and proteomics data.
A correlative studies between osteoporosis and blood cell composition

Abstract Osteoporosis is defined as a metabolic skeletal disease characterized by a decrease of the bone mass per unit volume, caused by a variety of reasons. Increasing evidence indicate that the host inflammatory response was correlated with the occurrence and development of osteoporosis, and it has been recognized that T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes play a critical role in pathogenesis of inflammatory bone disease. Between January 2018 and December 2018, retrospective analysis of 487 patients (exclusion of patients with recent infections and hematologic disorders whose leukocyte counts or classifications are markedly abnormal) who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) examinations in Huzhou Central Hospital. The patients were divided into normal bone density group, osteopenia group, and osteoporosis group according to the T score of BMD in the left femoral neck, respectively. Statistics of the lymphocyte ratio and the monocyte ratio in the blood routine examination results during the same period were performed so as to make a comparison of the differences among the groups. The correlation of the lymphocyte ratio and monocyte ratio with the T score of BMD in the left femoral neck was also analyzed. The difference between neutrocyte ratio lymphocyte ratio and the monocyte ratio was statistically significant in both males and females among the normal bone density group, osteopenia group and osteoporosis group (P < .01 or P < .05). Inflammation plays an important role in the progression of osteoporosis. By monitoring these three indicators in blood routine examination, early intervention for osteoporosis may become possible.
Time-varying networks of ERPs in P300-speller paradigms based on spatially and semantically congruent audiovisual bimodality

In the P300-speller paradigm using spatially and semantically congruent audiovisual (AV) stimuli, AV stimuli elicited significantly higher event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes than those for a single visual (V) stimulus. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether ERPs in AV and V spelling paradigms are generated with identical brain network architecture. In this study, we constructed time-varying networks for ERPs in AV and V spelling paradigms based on adaptive directed transfer function to investigate the dynamic processes underpinning the processing of stimuli in the two spelling paradigms. Our analysis revealed that early AV integration, AV spatial and semantic information, and late AV integration enhanced activation in attention-related areas between 40–160 ms, areas associated with attention to target stimuli between 200–280 ms, and areas associated with decision-making between 320–520 ms, respectively. Left temporal areas were associated with AV spatial-semantic information-processing and late AV integration, the activation of which impacted the activation of brain areas associated with attention (P3a) and decision-making (P3b). In addition, the ability and efficiency of information transmission from brain networks in the AV spelling paradigm were significantly stronger than those in the V spelling paradigm between 40 and 160 ms, 200 and 280 ms, and 320 and 520 ms. This work provides a theoretical basis for deepening our understanding of the neural mechanisms underscoring ERPs production in the AV P300-speller paradigm as well as a theoretical reference for further optimization of the induced paradigm based on AV stimuli and improves the performance of BCI system.
Logistic regression with image covariates via the combination of L1 and Sobolev regularizations

The use of image covariates to build a classification model has lots of impact in various fields, such as computer science, medicine, and so on. The aim of this paper is to develop an estimation method for logistic regression model with image covariates. We propose a novel regularized estimation approach, where the regularization is a combination of L1 regularization and Sobolev norm regularization. The L1 penalty can perform variable selection, while the Sobolev norm penalty can capture the shape edges information of image data. We develop an efficient algorithm for the optimization problem. We also establish a nonasymptotic error bound on parameter estimation. Simulated studies and a real data application demonstrate that our proposed method performs very well.
Mortality from Selected Cancers among Brazilian Mechanics

Introduction: Mechanics are exposed to known human carcinogens. This study aimed to compare mortality from selected cancers between male mechanics and the general population of the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Methods: Data on deaths, occurred between 2006-2017, among male mechanics and the general population, were obtained from the Mortality Information System. Occupations were classified using the Brazilian Classification of Occupations. Mortality Odds Ratio (MOR) and confidence intervals (95%) for selected cancers among mechanics, stratified by age (30-49, 50-69 years), race, and education compared to the general population, were estimated using logistic regression models. Results: In general, mechanics showed higher mortality from oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, lung and bladder cancers, but lower mortality for all leukemias. Oropharynx and larynx cancer mortality risk was slightly higher among older mechanics, while hypopharynx cancer mortality was more noticeable among the youngest. Lower mortality from all leukemias was observed only among younger mechanics. Mortality by oropharynx and larynx cancers were higher among white mechanics. They were also the only ones to experience higher mortality by hypopharynx cancer, while lung cancer mortality were increased only among non-white ones. Mechanics of all educational levels were more likely to die by the oropharynx cancer. Those with 1-7 and 8 or more years of schooling also showed excess of death by the cancers of larynx and all leukemias. Significantly higher mortality by pancreas cancer was only observed among mechanics with no education, while those with 1-7 years of schooling showed higher risk to die by lung and bladder cancers. Those with 8 or more years of schooling show increased mortality risk for hypopharynx cancer. Increased mortality risk for myeloid leukemia was only observed when stratified by region of residence. Conclusion: Results of our study suggest a positive association between mechanic occupation and some specific cancers.
High temperature operation of ISE devices and circuits

Summary form only given. The high-temperature behavior of devices and circuits fabricated in ISE (isolated silicon epitaxy) SOI wafers and in bulk Si wafers is discussed. The advantages of SOI over bulk circuits under high-temperature operation result from reduced leakage current due to the absence of well junction in CMOS and the reduction of source and drain to body junction areas. One to two orders of magnitude reduction of leakage current for ISE devices compared to equivalent bulk devices is observed at 300 degrees C. At this temperature, junction leakage in bulk devices reaches several tens of microamps. These results indicate the leakage at high temperature is dominated by the diffusion of carriers through junctions (proportional to n/sub i//sup 2/(T)). Another confirmation of this observation is provided by the recovery time of drain-source transient of a depletion-mode MOSFET as a function of temperature when a step bias is applied to the gate. <<ETX>>
Absence of the MFG‐E8 gene prevents hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension in mice

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic vascular disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial resistance and vascular remodeling, and chronic hypoxia plays an important role in PH. Milk fat globule‐EGF factor 8 (MFG‐E8) is a glycoprotein that regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis, but its role in hypoxia‐induced PH is unknown. The current study aimed to determine the function and fundamental mechanisms of MFG‐E8 in hypoxia‐induced PH. Herein, we exposed mice to hypoxia for 5 weeks, and MFG‐E8 was found to be elevated in mouse lung tissues, arteries, and plasma. Compared with wild‐type littermates, mice lacking MFG‐E8 showed a significant increase in the ratio of pulmonary artery acceleration time to ejection time (PAT/PET), while they showed decreases in right ventricular systolic pressure, the Fulton's Index, percent medial wall thickness (%WT), and vascular muscularization in pulmonary arteries. In addition, MFG‐E8 protein levels were also increased in the serum of patients with chronic PH. Similarly, we observed a higher expression of MFG‐E8 in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in the presence of hypoxic stimulation than MFG‐E8 in cells in normoxic conditions. Furthermore, MFG‐E8 silencing resulted in partial inhibition of proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression in human PASMCs, and the possible mechanisms might involve the interaction between MFG‐E8 and the p‐Akt/cyclin D1 pathway. Collectively, our study suggests that the absence of MFG‐E8 can attenuate the development of hypoxia‐induced PH and vascular remodeling. MFG‐E8 can be a potential therapeutic target or a biomarker for PH.