Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CATECHINS AND METHYLXANTHINES IN TWENTY-THREE BLACK TEA INFUSIONS BY HPLC : CORRELATIONS WITH ASTRINGENCY

Simultaneous detection of flavanols [catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechingallat (ECG), epigallocatechingallate (EGCG)], gallic acid (GA), theogalline, methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline) were performed on 23 black tea infusions. A hypersil-ODS column (4.6 mm I.D. x 250 mm) with methanol: distilled water: formic acid (19.5:80.2:0.3, v:v:v) as a mobile phase was used for optimizing the RP-HPLC separation (R 2 =0.9997). Total flavanols varied from 1.423 to 12.051 mg 100 mg -1 whereas EGCG was the major catechin in all of the infusions (0.356-5.972 mg 100 mg -1 ) (p<0.01). Caffeine levels were high (4.002-8.657 mg 100 mg -1 ) followed by theobromine and theophylline (p<0.01). Black tea contained 0.134-1.392 mg/100 mg of GA, and 0.156-1.241 mg 100 mg -1 of its ester theogalline. An 8-member trained sensory panel judged black tea infusions for astringency. The correlations between the total catechins and astringency (y=1.675+6.631 In X) (R 2 =0.9551) were extremely high at the 95 percent confidence level (X=total catechin, y=astringency) and total interactions on astringency were obtained.
Inhibitory Effects of New Mercapto Xanthine Derivatives in Human mcf7 and k562 Cancer Cell Lines

A series of new 2-methyl-2-[(1,3-Diethyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)thio]-N- substituted arylacetamides were synthesized. The antitumor activity of these purine based compounds were evaluated on breast cancer (MCF7) and leukemic cancer (K562) cell lines via cell viability assay utilizing the tetrazolium dye 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). These results were substantiated using computer docking experiments (LigandFit docking engine and PMF scoring function) which predict that the antitumor activity of these new compounds may be attributable to their abilities to effectively bind and block oncogenic tyrosine kinases, particularly bcr/abl.
Adaptive and non-adaptive evolution of trait means and genetic trait correlations for herbivory resistance and performance in an invasive plant

The EICA-hypothesis predicts that invading plants adapt to their novel environment by evolving increased performance and reduced resistance in response to the release from natural enemies, and assumes a resource allocation tradeoff among both trait groups as mechanistic basis of this evolutionary change. Using the plant Silene latifolia as a study system, we tested these predictions by investigating whether 1) invasive populations evolved lower resistance and higher performance, 2) this evolutionary change is indeed adaptive, and 3) there is a negative genetic correlation between performance and resistance (i.e. a tradeoff) in native and introduced individuals. Moreover, we sampled eight native and eight invasive populations and determined their population co-ancestry based on neutral SSR-markers. We performed controlled crossings to produce five sib-groups per population and exposed them to increased and reduced levels of enemy attack in a full-factorial experiment to estimate performance and resistance. With these data, we performed trait-by-trait comparisons between ranges with ‘animal models’ that account for population co-ancestry to quantify the amount of variance in traits explained by non-adaptive versus adaptive evolution. Moreover, we tested for genetic correlations among performance and resistance traits within sib-groups. We found significant reductions in resistance and increases in performance in invasive versus native populations, which could largely be attributed to adaptive evolution. While we detected a non-significant trend towards negative genetic performance × resistance correlations in native populations, invasive populations exhibited both significant and non-significant positive correlations. In summary, these results do not support a shift of performance and resistance trait values along a tradeoff line in response to enemy release, as predicted by EICA. They rather suggest that the independent evolution of both traits is not constrained by a tradeoff, and that various selective agents (including resource availability) interact in shaping both traits and in weakening negative genetic correlations in the invaded habitat.
The Action Potential in Chara coraliina II.* Two Activation-Inactivation Transients in Voltage Clamps of the Plasmalemma

Voltage-clamp experiments over a wide range of clamp potentials were made with cells of C. corallina using a fast voltage-clamp apparatus. Clamps of the plasmalemma potential in the range - 170 mV to - 70 mV revealed a large transient inward current which followed the usual chloride current transient hitherto described in the literature. This additional component decreased in amplitude and occurred earlier in the clamp as the clamp potentials were made more positive up to ~ -70 mV. For clamp potentials > - 50 mV, a large, prompt, outward current appeared. The additional current transients could not be observed in vacuolar potential clamp experiments, except at clamps ? - 10 mV. The effects of changes in the external Cl- and Ca²+ concentrations with plasmalemma clamps at various potentials suggest that the additional transient here reported consists of a flow of Ca²+ ions and also reaffirms the identification of the other transient with a flow of Cl- ions. Reversal of the additional current transient when the clamp potential is sufficiently large (i.e. at large depolarization), places the equilibrium potential of the ionic component responsible for this transient at - 50 mV (± 20 mV). Estimates, based on this equilibrium potential, of the cytoplasmic Ca²+ concentration yield unrealistic values. Possible answers to this dilemma are discussed.
Charakterisierung von Polyphenolextrakten aus Apfelsaft

Polyphenol extracts were manufactured from authentic apple juices using adsorber resins. The extracts consisted of 31-51% polyphenols (RP-HPLC/UV). The main components were cinnamate esters, followed by dihydrochalcones and flavanols. Flavonols were only present in minor amounts. The polyphenol composition was typical for the corresponding cider apple juices. As a result of the enzyme-enhanced cell wall break down, an extract from an apple pomace extraction juice was characterized by high amounts of dihydrochalcones and flavonols. Further components of the extracts were oligo- or polysaccharides (9.9-30.5%), which were mainly consisting of neutral sugars indicating their cell wall origin. Regarding all components, the recoveries were between 56 and 67%. The procyanidin moiety could not be quantitated.
β-Glucan, but not Lactobacillus plantarum P-8, inhibits lipid accumulation through selected lipid metabolic enzymes in obese rats

We compared the effects of barley β-glucan and Lactobacillus plantarum P-8 on changes in body weight, white adipose tissue, and the activities of specific lipid metabolic enzymes in diet-induced obese rats. Obese rats were administered barley β-glucan (B), L. plantarum P-8 (P), or both for 8 weeks. The results showed that the dietary intervention reduced the body weight and white adipose tissue accumulation, and altered gut microbiota in the distal faeces of the B group. Furthermore, acetate and propionate levels considerably increased in the caecal digest and rectal feces of the B group. In addition, β-glucan, but not L. plantarum P-8, increased the activities of hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and carnitine palmitoyl transferase and reduced epididymal fat lipoprotein lipase activity, thus resulting in decreased white adipose tissue accumulation in the obese rats. However, β-glucan and L. plantarum P-8 showed no synergistic effects. Practical applications β-Glucan ameliorates hyperlipidaemia, increases hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and carnitine palmitoyl transferase activities, and reduces epididymal fat lipoprotein lipase activity, thus resulting in reduced white adipose tissue accumulation in obese rats. β-Glucan reduces of reducing lipid levels and regulating specific lipid metabolic enzymes.
Inventory of invasive alien plants in Bethuadahari wildlife sanctuary in Nadia district, West Bengal, India(RETRACTED)

A survey was performed in 'Bethadahari wildlife sanctuary', Nadia district, West Bengal during the span of 2010-2015 to invent the invasive alien plant species in 121 hectare forest area and adjoining five villages. Study revealed occurrence of 103 alien angiosperm plant species under 32 families, with four monocot families (Araceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Pontederiaceae). Fabaceae leads with 20 taxa and followed by Asteraceae with 17 plant species. Amaranthaceae, Solanaceae, and Euphorbiaceae were some other important families which possessed eight, seven, and five taxa, respectively. Year-wise quadrat studies revealed increasing number of alien species in the study area. Parthenium hysterophorus, Ageratum conyzoides, A. haustonianum, Eupatorium odoratum, Chromolaena odorata of Asteraceae; Cassia sophera and Leucaena leucocephala of Leguminosae; Amaranthus spinosus and Alternanthera sessilis of Amaranthaceae; Lantana camara of Verbenaceae and Trema orientralis of family Urticaceae were the major invasive species. Remarkably, several alien species have been used in diverse economic purposes by villagers, showing use of nearly 49% plants in local health-care systems.
Phenotypic Characterisation of Rhizobia Nodulating Different Morphotypes of Vachellia karroo

Vachellia karroo is an important pasture legume which fixes nitrogen through its symbiotic relationship with rhizobia. Thirty two indigenous rhizobia were isolated from four different morphotypes of V. karroo obtained from four agro-ecologically diverse areas of South Africa. Phenotypic characterization of isolates revealed that they have the same colony morphology. Numeric analysis of the isolates ’phenotypic characteristics produced six clusters at 83% level of relative similarity. High variation of the isolates growth in different temperatures, salt concentration, pH, antibiotic resistance and heavy metal resistance was also noted. Carbon source utilization was generally the same for all isolates. Isolates that tolerated a wide range of test conditions are recommended as potentially highly competitive V. karroo inoculants for use in various climatic and soil conditions.
Equine oocyte quality depending on original follicle population.

Summary In vitro embryo production is not successful in the horse and only a few foals have been born by using this technology. While the rate of chromosomal maturation of in vitro cultured horse oocytes is high, fertilization rates in vitro are still not efficient. This could be due to an im paired cytoplasmic maturation in vitro. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cytoplasmic and chromatin quality of oocytes depending on different follicle populations in mares. Therefore, 14 Mecklenburger Warmblood mares underwent repeated transvaginal ultrasound guided follicle aspiration. Aspiration sessions were performed 44 times during the heat of the mare to obtain oocytes from preovulatory and subordinate follicles and 79 times oocytes were recovered from progressive follicle populations before a dominant follicle had developed. Steroid analysis of the follicle fluid confirmed clinical deviation of the follicle populations. Every single oocyte was analysed for cumulus morphology, chromatin configuration, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity as well as the mitochondrial activity and aggregation. Our results showed no impact of the follicle population upon the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the oocytes, measured by brilliant cresyl blue staining. We observed that progressive follicle populations contained significant more oocytes with a fibrillar diplotene configuration and a higher mitochondrial activity, while subordinate follicle populations had more oocytes with a condensed diplotene and a lower mitochondrial activity. In conclusion, the follicle population, originating the oocyte, significantly influences parameters of its quality. Therefore, the origin of the oocyte should be more noticed in programmes of in vitro embryo production in the future.
Isolation of Primary Breast Cancer Cells from HER2 Transgenic Mice

[Abstract] HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor, which is overexpressed in about 30% of breast cancer patients. Its overexpression leads to mammary tumorigenesis and increased invasion and metastasis (Slamon et al., 1987). HER2 transgenic mouse (FVB/N-MMTVneu mouse) is a well-established model of mammary tumor in human (Fantozzi and Christofori, 2006). Although in vivo models are excellent for assessing the influence of various factors, especially microenvironment, on development of breast cancer, a convenient and less costly way to study the underlying molecular events is utilizing cells derived from the model under evaluation. In order to explore the molecular mechanism by which HOXB7 inhibits initiation, but promotes metastasis of breast tumors, we generated mouse breast cancer cell line from HER2 transgenic mouse (Liu et al., 2015). This protocol may be useful for the generation of breast cancer cell line from mice with other genetic backgrounds.
Empirical models to correlate the basic physical and chemical indices of modified rice bran and mustard oil

ABSTRACT Modified rice bran oil (RBO) and modified mustard oil (MO) were prepared by adding oleic acid and oxidized oil separately. The physical and chemical indices like dielectric constant, viscosity, peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV), free fatty acids (FFA), iodine value (IV), and saponification value (SV) of pure and modified RO and MO were determined and correlated. Dielectric constant and viscosity were found to decrease in a non-linear fashion with increase in temperature (30°C–75°C). The dependence of dielectric constant and viscosity with temperature was investigated using model empirical equations. The dielectric variation was studied using Akerlof and Oshry’s model equations, which exhibited high dependency of R2 ranges from 0.99 to 0.997. The behaviour of viscosity with temperature was studied with Wright’s equation and the correlation coefficient (R2) was found to be 0.998. Model equations were developed, which relates dielectric constant with IV, SV, and PV with the regression coefficients R2 = 0.955, 0.936, and 0.994, respectively. The developed equations can be used in processing, pipelining, and to predict the parameters at a desired temperature. On comparing the correlations between the physical and chemical properties of the oil samples, RBO and its modified forms exhibited more oxidative stability than modified MO.
Study of Diet Composition, Insulin, Thyroid Hormone Levels and Citrate Carrier Protein Permeability in Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin, characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat that generates multiple metabolic disorders leading to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, among others. A reduction of citrate carrier activity was found in diabetic, hypothyroid, starved rats, and in rats fed on a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched diet. Most of these studies were performed by analyzing the activities of enzymes involved in FA synthesis in the cytosol of hepatocytes, such as ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and FA synthetase. Activity and expression of these enzymes are modulated by FA composition of the diet. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase has also a regulatory role in hepatic FA synthesis because it represents the target of specific modulators, such as the metabolic intermediate citrate. Changes observed in the expression of the lipogenic enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase were associated with a decrease in the activity of citrate carrier (CIC). Also the impairment of citrate transport was dependent on modification of the phospholipid composition of the mitochondrial membrane. Both qualitative and quantitative composition of dietary fat, for example, a prevalence of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with respect to the saturated fats, reduces hepatic lipogenesis, thereby exerting a beneficial effect in the case of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the carbohydrate amount in the diet is another factor capable of modifying hepatic lipogenesis. Little is known about the nutritional and hormonal abnormalities mainly insulin and T3 in regulation of CIC transport activity in obese patients.
Understanding the regulation of sulfur nutrition - from sulfate transporter genes to the field

Sulfur is taken up by the plant and transported in the cell and around the plant mainly as sulfate. These processes are dependent on the sulfate transporters, and therefore the transporters have a central role in the management of plant sulfur nutrition for optimisation of growth. A large number of plant sulfate transporters have been cloned and comparative sequence analysis indicates that although they are all related, they cluster into a number of discrete sub-types. Within any plant species there appears to be approximately 14 members of this gene family; functional and expression data suggest that there is little redundancy and that each transporter has a specialised role. Furthermore the expression of many of the transporters is regulated by the sulfur-nutritional status of the plant; the regulation serves to optimize acquisition and utilization of sulfate. The mechanisms facilitating this regulation have been subject to intense investigation. One generally accepted model based on metabolite feedback regulation of gene expression is presented and critically evaluated. Genomic approaches focussed on identification of sensing and signal transduction pathways are described; transcriptome analysis of both field and controlled environment grown wheat has enabled the identification of many nutrient-regulated genes, including potential candidates for regulatory components.
Analyzing Tumor Metabolism In Vivo

Altered metabolism is a clinically actionable hallmark of cancer. Some reprogrammed activities in cancer cells have predictive value and others are associated with therapeutic liabilities. Recent years have brought increased exploration of metabolism in intact tumors, complementing a large literature on cancer cell lines. We review the expanding tool kit available for studying the metabolic features of tumors in vivo. These techniques include metabolomics, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, and they vary according to their invasiveness and breadth of metabolic assessment. Special attention is given to the emerging role of intraoperative infusions of stable, isotope-labeled nutrients, which have provided the first view of true metabolic flux in human tumors. These studies also demonstrate markedly different metabolic phenotypes from those observed in culture, indicating the potential for this approach to provide a disease-relevant .
Wolf depredation on domestic animals in Wisconsin, 1976-2000

As wolves (Canis lupus) recolonize mixed forest and agriculture areas in the Lake Superior region of the United States, their depredations on livestock are increasing, along with public complaints and compensation payments. We documented 176 complaints about wolves in Wisconsin between 1976 and 2000 and analyzed the regional and temporal patterns for the 87 verified incidents involving the injury or death of 377 domestic animals. Calves were the most frequent target of wolf depredation, but game-farm deer losses demanded higher compensation payments. Sixty-six property owners were affected by wolf depredations over the 25-year period examined. Compensation costs averaged $96.00 per capita of wolf/year. Two thirds of 71 breeding wolf packs were never suspected of causing depredations, but 4 packs were involved in >4 incidents. These data were collated to aid in preventing wolf depredation and provide a foundation for policy-making surrounding the impending federal delisting of the wolf.
Insecticide resistance in Cimex lectularius (Hemptera: Cimicidae) in Australia.

Insecticide resistance in bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L. and C. hemipterus F.) is a major factor in the pest’s resurgence. Various studies have demonstrated resistance to the pyrethroids, carbamates and the organophosphates. Resistance has been suspected in Australia, with anecdotal reports of poor product performance. Laboratory studies have demonstrated insecticide resistance in a previously suspected-resistant field strain of bed bugs, with substantial differences in LD50 values when compared to a susceptible strain. The resistance factors for each compound were: permethrin = 1.4 million, deltamethrin = 430,000, bendiocarb = 240, pirimiphos-methyl = 2.8, imidacloprid = 2.7. Resistance was confirmed in the field-collected strain with the pyrethroids and carbamates, but not the organophosphates or neonicotinoids. Professional pest management operations require the development of new strategies to combat the pest. Regulatory authorities must consider the implications of resistance to multiple insecticide groups when registering new products utilizing either existing or new modes of action.
Using the branch and bound algorithm to solve forest planning problems with adjacency constraints

This article describes an assessment of the branch and bound algorithm (BBA) for solving forest management planning problems with adjacency constraints. Four questions are addressed: (1) What are the current limits of off-the-shelf optimization software implementing the BBA in terms of types and sizes of problems that can be solved within a reasonable time? (2) To what degree can larger problems be solved if the solution tolerance gap is increased from the default 0.01%? (3) How much can solution times be reduced by increasing the tolerance gap? and (4) If the algorithm is stopped at a larger tolerance gap, how large is the true gap likely to be? To address these questions, 2,676 hypothetical, spatially explicit forest management problems with three planning periods and between 50 and 2,500 management units were created and then solved with CPLEX® Version 6.5 to tolerance gaps of 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, or 2%. For forests with immature or regulated age-class distributions, the predicted average solution time to a tolerance gap of 0.01% was 7.6 and 17.4 min, respectively, for problems with 2,500 management units-the largest problems solved in this study. For overmature and old-growth forest problems, predicted average solution times to a 0.01% tolerance gap reached 4 hr at about 640 and 213 management units, respectively. Increasing the tolerance gap to 1% increased these limits to 1,420 and 235 units, respectively. Increasing the tolerance gap to 1% reduced solution times by at least 90% in 49% of the overmature forest cases and in 53% of the old-growth forest cases. In overmature and old-growth forest problems, the true gap averaged 0.28% and 0.41%, respectively, when the reported gap was 1%.
Evaluation de l’activite antibactérienne d'huiles essentielles marocaines sur aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans : étude in vitro

Professeur Sana RIDA Président Faculté de Médecine Dentaire de Rabat Université Mohammed V Professeur Oumkeltoum Ennibi Directeur de Thèse Faculté de Médecine Dentaire de Rabat Université Mohammed V Professeur El khanchoufi Abdessalam Rapporteur Faculté des sciences de Fès Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Professeur Driss Benazza Rapporteur Faculté de Médecine Dentaire de Rabat Université Mohammed V Professeur Mimoun Zouhdi Rapporteur Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat Université Mohammed V Professeur Abdellah Farah Examinateur Faculté des sciences de Fès Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah FACULTE DE MEDECINE DENTAIRE DE RABAT