Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transformations that affect fate, form and bioavailability of inorganic nanoparticles in aquatic sediments

Environmental context Engineered nanomaterials are increasingly being used and their release to the aquatic environment poses potential risk. We review the research on transformations of engineered nanomaterial in the aquatic sediment environments, and consider the implications of their release. The key factors defining the fate of engineered nanomaterials in aqueous and sediment systems are identified. Abstract Inorganic nanoparticles are at risk of release into the aquatic environment owing to their function, use and methods of disposal. Aquatic sediments are predicted to be a large potential sink for such engineered nanomaterial (ENM) emissions. On entering water bodies, ENMs undergo a range of transformations dependent on the physicochemical nature of the immediate environment, as they pass from the surface waters to sediments and into sediment-dwelling organisms. This review assesses the current state of research on transformations of metal-based ENMs in the aquatic environment, and considers the implications of these transformations for the fate and persistence of ENMs and their bioavailability to organisms within the benthos. We identify the following factors of key importance in the fate pathways of ENMs in aqueous systems: (1) extracellular polymeric substances, prevalent in many aquatic systems, create the potential for temporal fluxes of ENMs to the benthos, currently unaccounted for in predictive models. (2) Weak secondary deposition onto sediment grains may dominate sediment–ENM interactions for larger aggregates >500nm, potentially granting dynamic long-term mobility of ENMs within sediments. (3) Sulfurisation, aggregation and reduction in the presence of humic acid is likely to limit the presence of dissolved ions from soluble ENMs within sediments. (4) Key benthic species are identified based on their ecosystem functionality and potential for ENM exposure. On the basis of these findings, we recommend future research areas which will support prospective risk assessment by enhancing our knowledge of the transformations ENMs undergo and the likely effects these will have.
ANTI TUBERKULOSIS DARI LAUT: POTENSI JAMUR SEBAGAI ANTI MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS DARI ALGA COKLAT DAN KARANG LUNAK

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi ekstrak jamur yang diisolasi dari alga coklat (Padina sp.) dan karang lunak (Sinularia sp.) sebagai anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Kasus resistensi M. tuberculosis yang kian meningkat setiap tahun menjadi alasan perlunya pencarian antibiotik baru berbahan dasar dari alam. Jamur diisolasi, fermentasi selama 16 hari dan diekstraksi menggunakan dua jenis pelarut, n-heksana dan etil asetat. Ekstrak jamur dibuat dalam tiga konsentrasi, yaitu 1,25%; 2,5%; dan 5%, kemudian diujikan pada M.tuberculosis. Ekstrak jamur terbaik berasal dari Sinularia sp. Empat isolat (Penicillium sp., Curvularia sp., Aspergillus sp., dan Cladosporium sp.) menunjukkan konsentrasi hambat terendah, yaitu sebesar 1,25% dan ditandai dengan tidak adanya pertumbuhan bakteri selama empat minggu inkubasi. Persentase resistensi keempat isolat menunjukkan angka kurang dari 1% yang artinya bakteri sensitif terhadap ekstrak jamur. Hasil tersebut menunjukkan bahwa jamur dari Sinularia sp. lebih baik dibandingkan denngan jamur dari Padina sp. dalam menghambat M.tuberculosis. Kata kunci : Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Jamur, Padina sp. , Sinularia sp. , Laut
TGF-β Utilizes SMAD3 to Inhibit CD16-Mediated IFN-γ Production and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Human NK Cells1

TGF-β can be a potent suppressor of lymphocyte effector cell functions and can mediate these effects via distinct molecular pathways. The role of TGF-β in regulating CD16-mediated NK cell IFN-γ production and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is unclear, as are the signaling pathways that may be utilized. Treatment of primary human NK cells with TGF-β inhibited IFN-γ production induced by CD16 activation with or without IL-12 or IL-2, and it did so without affecting the phosphorylation/activation of MAP kinases ERK and p38, as well as STAT4. TGF-β treatment induced SMAD3 phosphorylation, and ectopic overexpression of SMAD3 resulted in a significant decrease in IFN-γ gene expression following CD16 activation with or without IL-12 or IL-2. Likewise, NK cells obtained from smad3−/− mice produced more IFN-γ in response to CD16 activation plus IL-12 when compared with NK cells obtained from wild-type mice. Coactivation of human NK cells via CD16 and IL-12 induced expression of T-BET, the positive regulator of IFN-γ, and T-BET was suppressed by TGF-β and by SMAD3 overexpression. An extended treatment of primary NK cells with TGF-β was required to inhibit ADCC, and it did so by inhibiting granzyme A and granzyme B expression. This effect was accentuated in cells overexpressing SMAD3. Collectively, our results indicate that TGF-β inhibits CD16-mediated human NK cell IFN-γ production and ADCC, and these effects are mediated via SMAD3.
Expression Frequency of the Human Immunoglobulin γ Light Chain Genes and the Roles of Their Recombination Signal and Spacer Sequences

The recombination signal sequences (RSS) is the essential element for the immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. The RSS consists of 3 elements: heptamer (7mer), 12-bp or 23-bp spacer, and nonamer (9mer) . The heptamer and nonamer are well conserved [6] . The rearrangement occurs between an RSS with 12 bp spacer sequences and an RSS with 23 bp spacer sequences (the `12/23 rule') [1]. RSSs of indispensable V gene segments should be well conserved to maintain high efficiency of the V(D)J joining. In this work, the RSSs of the human immunoglobulin A light chain genes were investigated how the recombination and expression frequencies of the genes are influenced by the RSSs. We first conducted an extensive database search to estimate expression frequencies of the variable region gene for the A light chain (VA) combination with the joining (J) and constant (C) region. The genes for the A light chain genes located on chromosome 22g11 have been sequenced recently by two different groups [4, 7] . In this one-megabase long locus, Kawasaki et al. [4] reported that there are 36 functional VA gene segments and 33 pseudogene segments, followed by 7 JACA gene segments, four of which are functional. On the other hand, Williams et al. reported that there are 37 VA gene segments, 30 of which are functional. The differences between these two reports are probably due to allelic variations.
Fertilisation and the potential for dispersal of gametes and larvae in the Solitary Ascidian Ascidia Mentula Müller

Abstract Ascidia mentula is a typical “primitive” solitary ascidian with external fertilisation producing a pelagic embryo which hatches into a simple relatively undifferentiated tadpole larva. The ecology of fertilisation and subsequent embryological and larval development are described. Sperm viability was lost after approximately 48 h, whereas ova were capable of being fertilised for up to 144 h. Normal swimming larvae were, however, only obtained from ova which had been fertilised within 96 h of removal from the oviduct. Although percent fertility varied widely between crosses, no significant difference in fertility was found between self- and out-crossed ova. Both crosses developed normally. By combining these data with field measurements of ambient flow velocities, potential dispersal distances were estimated to be on the orderof30 m (vertically) and 1.5km (horizontally). The implications ofthis result are discussed with regard to the population genetics and larval biology of the species.
Effects of different step-wise temperature increment regimes during egg incubation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) on egg viability and newly hatched larval quality

We carried out an experiment to determine how rapidly the early incubation temperature of Atlantic cod eggs can be increased without affecting normal embryonic development and hatching. Atlantic cod eggs were incubated at a constant low temperature (4.5 ± 0.5°C; T5 – control) and four temperature increment treatments where the temperatures were increased stepwise from 4.5°C at zygote stage to 9.5 ± 05°C (T1-8 h, T2-32 h, T3-64 h and T4-96 h). Embryonic cell symmetry, embryonic mortality, hatching success and larval skeletal abnormalities, length and yolk sac volume were recorded. Larval samples were also taken at hatch for histological analysis. Except for higher egg mortality and lower hatching success in the T1, the differences among experimental groups were minor. Cell asymmetries and embryo mortalities were not significantly different between the control and T2–T4 treatment groups. Control larvae were significantly longer and had smaller yolk reserves at hatch than T1–T4 larvae and larvae from T2 had the largest yolk reserves. Tissue and organ histology of hatched larvae were similar. Considering embryonic cleavage pattern, hatching success and larval morphology and histology, a gradual increment of temperature in 32 h seems to be the better choice for future developmental programming studies in Atlantic cod.
Effects of graded levels of standard soybean meal on intestinal structure, mucosal enzyme activities, and pancreatic response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Duplicate tanks of c.280 g Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed for 60 days on diets in which fishmeal was substituted with graded levels of extracted soybean meal (SBM) comprising 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or 35% of total protein. The effects on feed intake, growth, feed conversion, apparent digestibility and utilization of macronutrients and energy, pathohistological response of the distal intestine (DI), activities of digestive enzymes in the mid and distal intestinal mucosa, and faecal trypsin and plasma insulin concentrations were studied. A negative, dose-dependent effect of SBM was observed on nearly all performance parameters with a notable exception of feed intake. The lowest SBM inclusion level of 10% resulted in moderate pathohistological changes in the DI. Each subsequent increase in SBM level increased the number of fish displaying severe changes. In contrast to the mid-intestine (MI), all enzyme activities in the distal intestinal mucosa decreased dose-dependently with increasing SBM inclusion. Faecal trypsin increased up to an SBM inclusion level of 20% and then levelled off. Plasma insulin increased from 0% to 15% SBM inclusion and then decreased. The results suggest that caution should be exercised in the use of even low levels of extracted SBM in salmon feeds.
Avaliação do desempenho e rendimento de carcaça de quatro linhagens de frangos de corte criadas em Goiás

An experiment was carried out in the Abatedouro Sao Salvador, Goias, Brazil, in order to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of four different broiler strains. The performance and carcass characteristics of Ross, Cobb, Avian Farms and Arbor Acres chickens were measured until 41, 44 and 48 days of age and the carcass parameters were measured at 41 and 44 days of age. Broilers were allotted in an randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial scheme (strains x sex) with four replicates of 63 birds each. It was observed better productive parameters and heavier body and carcass weight for male broilers than females, although no effect of sex occurred in carcass yield. Ross birds showed heavier body weight and higher cumulative weight gain at 44 days of age, but this was not observed in the other phases tested. There were no differences in commercial parts yield and carcass characteristics between the different strains.
Female gametophyte and embryo development of black spruce along a shore-hinterland climatic gradient of a recently created reservoir, northern Quebec

The development of female gametophytes and embryos in relation to cumulative growing degree-days was followed to see if the postulated cooling influence of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir (LG2, northern Quebec) slowed the reproductive process of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). During the 1996 growing season, three to five developing seed cones were harvested 11 times on nine trees distributed along a shore-hinterland gradient of the northern shore of the reservoir. The daily thermal sum (degree-days > 5°C) in the seed cone zone of the same trees was also monitored to describe the female gametophyte and embryo development of this species as a function of heat sum. The 23 developmental stages identified in this study confirm that the female gametophyte and embryo of P. mariana develop according to the same pattern exhibited by other Picea spp. These stages, although unequal in duration, succeeded each other according to a sigmoid function of the temperature sum. Direct temperature measurements ta.
ASSESSING EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOGENIC NOISE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF MARINE MAMMALS

McGregor, P. K. (2000). Design and analysis of playback experiments. Acta Ethol. 3, 3-8. McGregor, P. K. Catchpole, C. K. , Dabelsteen, T. , Falls, J. B. , Fusani, L. , Gerhardt, C. H. , Gilbert, F. S. , Horn, A. G. , Klump, G. M. , Kroodsma, D. E. , Lambrechts, M. M. , McComb, K. E. , Nelson, D. A. , Pepperberg, I. M. , Ratcliffe, L. M. , Searcy, W. A. , & Weary, D. M. (1992). Design and interpretation of playback: the Thornbridge Hall NATO ARW consensus. In Playback and Studies of Animal Communication (Ed. by P. K. McGregor), pp. 1-9. New York: Plenum Press. Ruxton, G. D. , & Colegrave, N. (2003). Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Strip-seeding for Grassland Restoration: Past Successes and Future Potential

Perennial grassland restoration has become an important worldwide conservation objective due to ongoing reductions in biodiversity, ecosystem services, habitat, and landscape aesthetics. However, the success of grassland restoration strategies remains limited by many factors, including high cost. We present strip-seeding as a novel grassland restoration tool with the potential to be both ecologically and economically viable for a wide range of site conditions and management objectives. Strip-seeding refers to the application of seed in linear swaths to some fraction of total field area, as opposed to seeding uniformly across the entire field. Strip-seeding allows concentration of planting effort on a proportion of total field area to increase the probability of success in establishing desirable species while also decreasing seeding costs. Once established, desirable species should disperse and colonize unseeded areas over time without the need for further direct seeding. We reviewed existing literature on strip-seeding and related methods of spatially-patterned seeding. We discuss the potential advantages and underlying mechanisms of strip-seeding as a restoration method, including increased establishment, spread of seeded species into unseeded areas, and reduced restoration cost. We then propose four future research directions related to 1) designing strip configurations to match site conditions, 2) weed control in unseeded strips, 3) strip-seeding as a tool for grassland diversification, and 4) the scaling of restoration effects on ecosystem services. Strip-seeding has the potential to become an economically viable method for perennial grassland restoration and its adoption will be facilitated by future research that addresses these gaps in knowledge.
Characterizing the Novel GIG Operon in Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is the number one cause of waterborne outbreaks in the US. It contaminates man-made water systems increasing exposure risk for Legionnaire’s Disease. Copper/silver ionization is one common method for managing L. pneumophila in water systems, but bacterial response mechanisms to these metals are not well described in Legionella. We identified an operon, lpg2105-2108, that is homologous to known gold/copper response genes in Cupriavidus metallidurans. Using a GFP reporter gene system, we measured transcriptional activity of the lpg2105-2108 operon in L. pneumophila strain Lp02 in response to 20μM or 50μM of HAuCl4 or CuSO4 in planktonic and biofilm cultures. We then used bioinformatic tools to assess the prevalence of the operon in known as well as uncharacterized Legionella species. A constant basal level expression was evident in all cultures, but a significant increase in expression was observed in response to gold and copper addition during stationary phase. Analysis of the LetA transcriptional regulatory mutant showed no difference in activity compared to the wild type. Reporter gene analysis of the operon in E. coli DH5α, which lacks the operon in its genome, showed basal level expression, but no response to gold or copper. We hypothesize that the Legionella pneumophila gold induced genes (GIG) operon could play a role in bacterial persistence in man-made aquatic systems. Understanding the mechanism of bacterial response to gold and copper could lead to new targets for disinfection and prevention of Legionella in water systems.
Centrosome Abnormality and Human Lung Cancer

The centrosome, which functions as a major microtubule-organizing center (MTOC), is composed of a pair of centrioles and surrounding protein aggregates called pericentriolar material (PCM); at any given time during the cell cycle, each cell contains one or two centrosomes (Fukasawa, 2007). Centrosomes play a crucial role in the formation of bipolar mitotic spindles, which are essential for accurate chromosome segregation (Zyss & Gergely, 2009). Numerical and functional abnormalities of centrosomes result in an increase in aberrant mitotic spindle formation, merotelic kinetochore-microtubule attachment errors, lagging chromosome formation, and chromosome segregation errors, all of which are thought to be possible causes of chromosome instability (Ganem et al., 2009; Nigg & Raff, 2009). Centrosome abnormalities and chromosome instability are characteristics of human lung cancer (Masuda and Takahashi, 2002; Koutsami et al., 2006; Jung et al., 2007; Shinmura et al., 2008), and abnormalities in genes responsible for centrosome regulation have been reported in lung cancer (Fukasawa, 2007; Lee et al., 2010). In this Review, the status of centrosome abnormalities in lung cancer, the mechanisms responsible for inducing centrosome abnormalities, and the relationship between centrosome abnormalities and chromosome instability are summarized.
Modified Congo Red-Acidified Toluidine Blue Stain

AbstractIn order to simultaneously and specifically stain mast cells and eosinophils in a study involving large numbers of paraffin-embedded intestinal samples from horses, a modified Congo red-acidified toluidine blue (CTB) technique was devised. This stain combined convenience of preparation with excellent staining of the two cell types. Mast cells appeared a dark bluish-purple, while eosinophils appeared a bright yellow-orange. Individual granules in both cell types were easily appreciated.
PCR-RFLP in Complement Component C5 and Interleukin 12 Genes in Indian Pigs

Abstract Kumar, KG. and Kumar, S. 2004. PCR-RFLP in complement component C5 and interleukin 12 genes in Indian pigs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 101–105. This study was conducted to find the presence of polymorphic sites, which have been previously reported in commercial breeds of pigs, in Indian pigs since these are relatively more resistant to diseases. The site covering the polymorphic site was amplified with gene specific primers and the amplicons were digested with specific restriction enzymes. IL 12p40 gene polymorphism in intron 4 was found to be highly polymorphic in Indian pigs similar to commercial breeds of pig, whereas C5 gene had only 2 polymorphic sites out of 4 reported earlier. The study indicated that European breeds and Indian pigs were genetically distant.
Changes of tropomyosin isoforms during development of cross‐fertilized sea urchin embryos

Changes of tropomyosin isoforms during development of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, were investigated using two‐dimensional urea‐shift gel electrophoresis. Tropomyosin isoforms included in the embryos were gradually increased after 2 cell stage and retained at a constant level after gastrula stage. To detect the tropomyosin isoforms derived from zygotic genomes, embryos cross‐fertilized between H. pulcherrimus and Pseudocentrotus depressus gametes were prepared. Since tropomyosin isoforms from H. pulcherrimus eggs and from P. depressus eggs could be distinguished from each other on a two‐dimensional electrophoretic gel, the paternal isoforms of tropomyosin in the cross‐fertilized embryos, which were not included endogenously in the egg, could be regarded as products derived from zygotic genomes. The paternal isoforms of tropomyosin were detected first at around the gastrula stage in embryos cross‐fertilized between H. pulcherrimus sperm and P. depressus eggs and also in the reverse combination of the gamete species. Muscle tropomyosins derived from H. pulcherrimus and P. depressus genomes were similarly detected in cross‐fertilized embryos at the pluteic stage when the muscle tropomyosin appeared in sea urchin embryos.
The influence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on intestinal mucosal barrier function in rats with acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Hyperbaric oxygen increases the partial pressure of O2 in arterial blood and tissues and thereby relieves cellular hypoxia. We investigated whether this treatment changes biochemical parameters and intestinal mucosal barrier function in rats exposed to toxic levels of CO. Groups of ten Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with CO, with hyperbaric oxygen, or with CO followed by hyperbaric oxygen. A fourth group maintained under normal atmospheric conditions served as a control. CO poisoning increased red blood cell distribution width and the amount of alanine aminotransferase, urea nitrogen, and tight junction creatine kinase but decreased the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb). These changes were reversed after hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which increased the number of red blood cells, hematocrit level, total protein, and Hb level. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also increased tight junction protein 1 expression and reduced toll-like receptor 4 expression in the rat colon. In conclusion, hyperbaric oxygen resulted in an improved oxic condition in CO-poisoned rats and restored energy metabolism by repairing, to some extent, the organs injured by CO. The therapy may also improve the function of the intestinal mucosal barrier.
Efecto citotóxico en colon humano de Escherichia coli enterohemorrágico aislado de terneros con diarrea sanguinolenta

Fil: Pistone Creydt, Virginia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental. Fundacion de Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental; Argentina
Responses of Pinusbanksiana and Pinusresinosa seedlings to flooding

Flooding of soil for 45 days severely inhibited growth of 115-day-old Pinusbanksiana Lamb, and P. resinosa Ait. seedlings, with significant effects apparent within 15 days after initiation of flooding. Both species adapted poorly to flooding of soil but P. banksiana was more adversely affected than P. resinosa as shown by earlier and more drastic reduction of growth in the former species. In both species flooding decreased the rate of height growth, production of secondary needles, dry weight increment, and relative growth rates of various plant parts. Root growth of both species was reduced more than shoot growth. The reduction in dry weight increment of root systems of both species reflected arrested branching and elongation of roots as well as decay of roots, mainly the very small nonwoody roots. Flooding slightly stimulated ethylene production by submerged stems.