Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis-like changes in bull sperm and their effects on fertility

ii! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS! iv! TABLE OF CONTENTS! v! LIST OF TABLES! viii! LIST OF FIGURES! ix! LIST OF ABREVIATIONS! x! CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION! 1! CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW! 4! I. Artificial Insemination! 4! 2.1 History! 4! 2.2! AI! in! Cattle! 5! II. Fertilization Processes! 6! 2.3 Sperm Transport! 6! 2.4 Capacitation! 7! 2.5 Acrosome Reaction! 8! 2.6! Fertilization! 9! III. Semen Assays! 9! 2.7 Motility! 10! 2.8 Morphology! 13! 2.8. 1 Staining of Membranes! 13! 2.8. 2 Staining of the Acrosome! 15! 2.8. 3 DNA Integrity! 16! 2.8. 4 Staining of Mitochondria! 18! IV. Apoptosis! 19! 2.9! Fertilization! and! Embryo! Development! 24! CHAPTER 3: HYPOTHESES AND OBJECTIVES! 25!
Cardiovascular Biomarkers and Calculated Cardiovascular Risk in Orally Treated Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Is There a Link?

Abstract The aim of the study was to test the correlation of serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), endothelin 1 (ET-1), N-terminal brain natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP), and placental growth factor (PIGF-1) with estimated cardiovascular (CV) risk. The study group was composed of 102 women and 67 men with type 2 diabetes, having their glycemic and metabolic parameters assessed. All were on oral antidiabetic drugs. Serum levels of NT-proBNP and PIGF-1 were measured by electro-hemi-luminescence on an Elecsys 2010 analyzer. Enzymatic immunoassays were used for ADMA and ET-1. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS), the UKPDS 2.0 and the ADVANCE risk engines were used to calculate cardiovascular risks while statistical analysis was performed on SPSS. Levels of PIGF-1 showed no correlation with the calculated CV risks. The same was true for ADMA, except for a weak correlation with the UKPDS-based 10-year risk for stroke (Pearsons’s R=0.167, p=0.039). Plasma levels of ET-1 were correlated with the UKPDS-based 10-year risk for stroke (R=0.184, p=0.032) and fatal stroke (R=0.215, p=0.012) only. NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with all CV risk calculations: ADVANCE-based 4-yr risk (Spearman’s Rho=0.521, p<0.001); UKPDS-based 10-year risk for: CHD (Rho=0.209, p=0.01), fatal CHD (Rho=0.282, p<0.001), stroke (Rho=0.482, p<0.001), fatal stroke (Rho=0.505, p<0.001); and 10-year FRS risk (Rho=0.246, p=0.002). In conclusion, ADMA and PIGF-1 did not seem useful in stratifying CV risk while ET-1 is linked to the risk of stroke, and NT-proBNP to all CV risk estimations.
Strategies for Improving Antimicrobial Properties of Stainless Steel

In this review, strategies for improving the antimicrobial properties of stainless steel (SS) are presented. The main focus given is to present current strategies for surface modification of SS, which alter surface characteristics in terms of surface chemistry, topography and wettability/surface charge, without influencing the bulk attributes of the material. As SS exhibits excellent mechanical properties and satisfactory biocompatibility, it is one of the most frequently used materials in medical applications. It is widely used as a material for fabricating orthopedic prosthesis, cardiovascular stents/valves and recently also for three dimensional (3D) printing of custom made implants. Despite its good mechanical properties, SS lacks desired biofunctionality, which makes it prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Due to increased resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, it is imperative to achieve antibacterial properties of implants. Thus, many different approaches were proposed and are discussed herein. Emphasis is given on novel approaches based on treatment with highly reactive plasma, which may alter SS topography, chemistry and wettability under appropriate treatment conditions. This review aims to present and critically discuss different approaches and propose novel possibilities for surface modification of SS by using highly reactive gaseous plasma in order to obtain a desired biological response.
Proteomic Profiling of Emiliania huxleyi Using a Three-Dimensional Separation Method Combined with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Emiliania huxleyi is one of the most abundant marine planktons, and it has a crucial feature in the carbon cycle. However, proteomic analyses of Emiliania huxleyi have not been done extensively. In this study, a three-dimensional liquid chromatography (3D-LC) system consisting of strong cation exchange, high- and low-pH reversed-phase liquid chromatography was established for in-depth proteomic profiling of Emiliania huxleyi. From tryptic proteome digest, 70 fractions were generated and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In total, more than 84,000 unique peptides and 10,000 proteins groups were identified with a false discovery rate of ≤0.01. The physicochemical properties of the identified peptides were evaluated. Using ClueGO, approximately 700 gene ontology terms and 15 pathways were defined from the identified protein groups with p-value ≤0.05, covering a wide range of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Many biological processes associated with CO2 fixation, photosynthesis, biosynthesis, and metabolic process were identified. Various molecular functions relating to protein binding and enzyme activities were also found. The 3D-LC strategy is a powerful approach for comparative proteomic studies on Emiliania huxleyi to reveal changes in its protein level and related mechanism.
Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and related disorders: Molecular genetics, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic avenues

For the vast majority of the 6000 known rare disease the pathogenic mechanisms are poorly defined and there is little treatment, leading to poor quality of life and high healthcare costs. Genetic skeletal diseases (skeletal dysplasias) are archetypal examples of rare diseases that are chronically debilitating, often life‐threatening and for which no treatments are currently available. There are more than 450 unique phenotypes that, although individually rare, have an overall prevalence of at least 1 per 4000 children. Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by disproportionate short stature, joint pain, and early‐onset osteoarthritis. MED is caused by mutations in the genes encoding important cartilage extracellular matrix proteins, enzymes, and transporter proteins. Recently, through the use of various cell and mouse models, disease mechanisms underlying this diverse phenotypic spectrum are starting to be elucidated. For example, ER stress induced as a consequence of retained misfolded mutant proteins has emerged as a unifying disease mechanisms for several forms of MED in particular and skeletal dysplasia in general. Moreover, targeting ER stress through drug repurposing has become an attractive therapeutic avenue.
Linc00324 promotes the progression of papillary thyroid cancer via regulating Notch signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To explore the expression of linc00324 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and its effect on the biological function of PTC cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 60 pairs of PTC and para-carcinoma normal tissues surgically excised were collected. The expression of linc00324 in PTC tissues and cells was detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the expression of linc00324 in PTC cells was silenced using the small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Then, the effects of linc00324 on the PTC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle and the downstream Notch signaling pathway were determined via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS The expression of linc00324 was upregulated in 48 out of 60 cases of PTC tissues, and it was increased in PTC cells compared with that in human thyroid follicular epithelial cells Nthy-ori 3-1. The results of MTT assay and colony formation assay showed that the proliferation of PTC cells declined after interference in linc00324 expression. The findings of flow cytometry revealed that the cell cycle was arrested in G1/G0 phase with a higher apoptosis rate in si-linc00324 group compared with that in the si-NC group. According to the data of Western blotting, the molecular markers for the downstream Notch signaling pathway were altered after interference in linc00324 expression. CONCLUSIONS The expression of linc00324 is significantly increased in PTC tissues and cells. Silencing linc00324 may inhibit the proliferation of PTC cells, arrest the cell cycle in G1/G0 phase, and promote the apoptosis by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway.
The role of geographical indication in supporting food safety: a not taken for granted nexus

The paper focuses on the role of geographical indication in supporting strategies of food safety. Starting from the distinction between generic and specific quality, the article analyses the main factors influencing food safety in cases of geographical indication products, by stressing the importance of traceability systems and biodiversity in securing generic and specific quality. In the second part, the paper investigates the coordination problems behind a designation of origin and conditions to foster an effective collective action, a prerequisite to grant food safety through geographical indications.
Multiple chronic conditions and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among older Americans: findings from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS)

ABSTRACT This study examined the relationship between multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and risk of cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) and dementia among older Americans. A sample of 637 individuals aged 70 or older was drawn from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study, a supplementary dataset of the larger national Health and Retirement Study. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between MCC and cognition categorized as (a) no cognitive impairment, (b) CIND, or (c) dementia. Having MCC, particularly three or more chronic conditions, was significantly related to being diagnosed with CIND in our study, but not dementia. Our findings suggest that the presence of MCC may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in later life. However, further investigation using a longitudinal design is needed to better understand the mechanism of how MCC may be related to CIND and dementia among older adults in the United States.
Seasonal dynamics of crustacean zooplankton, heterotrophic nanoflagellates and bacteria in a shallow, eutrophic lake

SUMMARY 1. The seasonal development of crustacean zooplankton, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and bacteria was examined in Grosser Binnensee, a shallow, eutrophic lake in northern Germany. The grazing impact of Daphnia on bacteria and nanoflagellates was estimated from field data on population abundances and from clearance rates obtained in laboratory experiments. 2. The seasonal succession of zooplankton showed distinct peaks of Daphnia magna, cyclopopid copepods, Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia galeata and D. hynlina. The population dynamics of Dapfinia had the strongest impact on all sestonic components. Daphnia maxima coincided with clearwater phases, and were negatively correlated with particulate organic carbon (POC), HNF and phytoplankton. Bacterial abundance was only slightly affected although daphnids were at times more important as bacterial consumers than HNF, as estimated from measured bacterial clearance rates. Other crustaceans (copepods, Bosmina) were probably of minor importance as grazers of bacteria and nanoplankton. 3. HNF abundance varied from 550 ml−1 to more than 30000 ml−1. HNF appeared to be suppressed by daphnids and reached highest densities when copepods dominated the metazooplankton. The variation in HNF abundance was not reflected in the concentration of heterotrophic bacteria, which fluctuated rather irregularly between 5 and 20 ± 106 ml−1. Long filamentous bacteria which were probably resistant to protozoan grazing, however, appeared parallel to the development of HNF. These bacterial cells, although small in number, could comprise more than 30% of the total bacterial biomass.
Magnetocrystalline and Surface Anisotropy in CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles

The effect of the annealing temperature Tann on the magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous silica matrix (CoFe2O4/SiO2), synthesized by a sol-gel auto-combustion method, was investigated by magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements. For samples with 15% w/w nanoparticle concentration, the particle size increases from ~2.5 to ~7 nm, increasing Tann from 700 to 900 °C. The effective magnetic anisotropy constant (Keff) increases with decreasing Tann, due to the increase in the surface contribution. For a 5% w/w sample annealed at 900 °C, Keff is much larger (1.7 × 106 J/m3) than that of the 15% w/w sample (7.5 × 105 J/m3) annealed at 700 °C and showing comparable particle size. This indicates that the effect of the annealing temperature on the anisotropy is not only the control of the particle size but also on the core structure (i.e., cation distribution between the two spinel sublattices and degree of spin canting), strongly affecting the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The results provide evidence that the magnetic anisotropy comes from a complex balance between core and surface contributions that can be controlled by thermal treatments.
Capturing moment-to-moment changes in multivariate human experience

In this article, we aim to shed light on a technique to study intra-individual variability that spans the time frame of seconds and minutes, i.e., micro-level development. This form of variability is omnipresent in behavioural development and processes of human experience, yet is often ignored in empirical studies, given a lack of proper analysis tools. The current article illustrates that a clustering technique called Kohonen’s Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), which is widely used in fields outside of psychology, is an accessible technique that can be used to capture intra-individual variability of multivariate data. We illustrate this technique with a case study involving self-experience in the context of a parent–adolescent interaction. We show that, with techniques such as SOM, it is possible to reveal how multiple components of an intra-individual process (the adolescent’s self-affect and autonomy) are non-linearly connected across time, and how these relationships transition in accordance with a changing contextual factor (parental connectedness) during a single interaction. We aim to inspire researchers to adopt this technique and explore the intra-individual variability of more developmental processes, across a variety of domains, as deciphering such micro-level processes is crucial for understanding the nature of psychological and behavioural development.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, CYTOTOXIC AND THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF KALANCHOEPINNATA LEAF

Aims: To evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxicity and thrombolytic activity of ethanol extract of Kalanchoepinnata (Family: Crassulaceae) leaves in laboratory using in vitro methods. Methods: antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH radical scavenging assay and reducing power capacity test. The different concentrations of extract for the DPPH radical scavenging assay were 10, 50, 100, 300 and 500 (µg/ ml) and the concentrations for the reducing power capacity were 125, 250, 500, and 1000 (µg/ml). Cytotoxicity activity was done using Brine shrimp lethality bioassay where the extract concentrations were 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 300, and 500 (µg/ml). Finally, in vitro thrombolytic activity study was observed at the concentration of 500 µg, 800 µg and 1000 µg. Results: The K. pinnata extract displayed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity which increased with increasing concentration of the extract and The IC50 value for the extract was determined to be 6.80. The extract of K. pinnata showed cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii and LC50 value was 50 µg/ mL and thrombolytic activity was also investigated in our research that the % of clot lysis were 3.38, 10.38 and 15.73 at the concentration of 500µg, 800µg and 1000µg respectively. Conclusion: The activities observed could be attributed to presence of some of the phytochemicals which have been associated with antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic property.
Free‐feeding pattern of pygmy goats eating a pelleted diet

The meal pattern of ad libitum fed pygmy goats was recorded and analyzed (12 h light/12 h dark). Pygmy goats, adapted to a complete pelleted diet, consumed 12 meals per day. Eight meals, corresponding to about 63 % of total daily food intake, occurred during the bright phase and 4 meals during the dark phase of the lighting cycle. Mean meal size was greater during the dark phase than during the bright phase. Meal size was positively correlated with the duration of the post-meal interval during the dark phase and with the duration of the pre-meal interval during the bright phase. The results demonstrate that food intake in pygmy goats follows a distinct circadian cycle. Further, food intake of pygmy goats is apparently regulated from meal to meal, with different factors prevailing during light and dark. Zusammenfassung Verzehrsmuster von Zwergziegen bei ad-libitum Futterung eines pelletierten Alleinfutters Das Verzehrsmuster von ad libitum gefutterten Zwergziegen wurde kontinuierlich registriert und analysiert. Die an ein pelletiertes Alleinfutter adaptierten Tiere frasen durchschnittlich 12 Mahlzeiten pro Tag (12 h Hell-/12 h Dunkelphase). Davon entfielen 8 Mahlzeiten, entsprechend ca. 63 % der gesamten taglichen Futteraufnahme, auf die Hellphase und 4 Mahlzeiten auf die Dunkelphase. Im Mittel waren die Mahlzeiten in der Dunkelphase groser als in der Hellphase. Wahrend der Dunkelphase war die Mahlzeitengrose mit der Dauer des jeweils folgenden, wahrend der Hellphase mit der Dauer des jeweils vorangehenden Mahlzeitenintervalls positiv korreliert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine deutliche circadiane Rhythmik des Verzehrsverhaltens von Zwergziegen. Ferner wird die Futteraufnahme von Zwergziegen anscheinend von Mahlzeit zu Mahlzeit reguliert, wobei wahrend der Hell- und Dunkelphase unterschiedliche Faktoren von Bedeutung sind.
Chemical-State-Dependent Free Energy Profile from Single-Molecule Trajectories of Biomolecular Motor: Application to Processive Chitinase.

The mechanism of biomolecular motors has been elucidated using single-molecule experiments for visualizing motor motion. However, it remains elusive that how changes in the chemical state during the catalytic cycle of motors lead to unidirectional motions. In this study, we use single-molecule trajectories to estimate an underlying diffusion model with chemical-state-dependent free energy profile. To consider nonequilibrium trajectories driven by the chemical energy consumed by biomolecular motors, we develop a novel framework based on a hidden Markov model, wherein switching among multiple energy profiles occurs reflecting the chemical state changes in motors. The method is tested using simulation trajectories and applied to single-molecule trajectories of processive chitinase, a linear motor that is driven by the hydrolysis energy of a single chitin chain. The chemical-state-dependent free energy profile underlying the burnt-bridge Brownian ratchet mechanism of processive chitinase is determined. The novel framework allows us to connect the chemical state changes to the unidirectional motion of biomolecular motors.
INFECÇÕES CAUSADAS PELOS PAPILOMAVÍRUS HUMANOS: ATUALIZAÇÃO SOBRE ASPECTOS VIROLÓGICOS, EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS E DIAGNÓSTICO HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION: UPDATE ON VIROLOGICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Human papillomavirus are small DNA viruses capable of infecting the epithelium of skin and mucosa. More than a hundred types have already been described, and nearly 40 promote sexually transmitted diseases. It is in the genital tract that 13 HPV types exert their oncogenic potential, being responsible by the death of 200,000 women worldwide, annualy. The available diagnosis to STD and cancer control is based upon the colposcopy, cytology and histopathology tools, and can be laboriatorially confirmed by molecular biology techniques: PCR and hybrid capture. Recently, two prophylactic vaccines against HPV types 6, 11, 16 e 18 (Merck) and 16 e 18 (Glaxo) were developed. They are composed by VLP (Virus-like particles) expressed in yeasts. Promissing results have been published. Nevertheless, immunological mechanisms for human defense are not well elucidated.
The Effect of Selected Factors on Adaptive Behavioural Responses to Urban Air Pollution in Malaysia

Syazwani Sahrira*, Ahmad Makmom Abdullahb, Zakiah Ponrahonoc, Amir Hamzah Sharaaid, a,c,dDepartment of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, bDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: a*gs50311@student.upm. edu.my
A Low Cost Two-tier Architecture Model Implementation for High Availability Clusters For Application Load Balancing

: This article designs and implements a low cost two-tier architecture model for high availability cluster combined with load-balancing technology and shared storage technology to achieve full facilities of the three-tier architecture for application load balancing e.g. web servers. The paper described design physically omits Network File System (NFS) Server Nodes and implements NFS server functionalities within the Cluster Nodes, through Red Hat Cluster Suite (RHCS) with High Availability (HA) Proxy load balancing technologies - in order to achieve low-cost investment in expensive hardware and computing solutions. This system can provide continuous service though any system components fail uncertainly such as network system, storage and application.
GC-MS ANALYSIS OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF ITS FLOWER CRUDE EXTRACT ON HUMAN EPIDERMOID LARYNX CARCINOMA (HEP-2).

Calendula officinalis is widely used in traditional medicine due to its great therapeutical value. Phytochemical screening of C. officinalis flowers extract showed the presence of as sugar, tannins, flavonoids, steroid, terpenoids and alkaloids. The extracts of flower, root, leaf and stem were analyzed by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The components were identified by matching mass spectra with mass spectrum libraries (NIST 2.0 f and NIST08.LIB). There were 7, 17, 43 and 22 different compounds analyzed from the extracts of flower, root, leaf and stem respectively. The major components present were: 2-Oxa-6-azatricyclo[3.3. 1.1(3,7)]decane, 4,8-diiodo-6(phenylsulfonyl)-, (1α,3β,4α,5α,7β,8β)- (21.419 %) in flower extract; Octadec-9-enoic acid (33.51%) in stem extract and 6-Octadecenoic acid in each of root extract (36.63%) and in leaf extract (27.47%). The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity activity of crude methanolic extract of Calendula officinalis's flower on human epidermoid larynx carcinoma (Hep-2) cell line using neutral red cytotoxicity assay. The highly cytotoxic activity of the extracts on (Hep-2) was generally observed at extract concentrations of (1.563- 12.5 mg/mL), inhibition of growth reached 70.54- 79.75. The calculated the inhibitory concentration fifty (IC50) values was 26 mg/ml. Cytogenetic effect of the extract was determined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The extract increased the frequency of Chromosome Aberrations (CAs) and Sister Chromatides Exchanges (SCEs). The increase of of SCEs frequency was dose-dependent. Moreover, the extract increased the Replication Index (RI) but decrease Mmitotic Index (MI) and Blast Index (BI). Apparently, the methanolic extract of C. officinalis has anticancer activity on Hep-2 cell lines but it has a