Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Akt in myofibroblast differentiation leading to pulmonary vascular remodeling and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Persistent myofibroblast differentiation is hallmark of fibrotic diseases including pulmonary fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are characterized by neo-expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and producing excess extracellular matrix (ECM) fibronectin deposition. Identifying effective anti-fibrotic therapeutic intervention remains a constant challenge. Recently studies have shown promising effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as dasatinib and sorafinib on inhibiting transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling, a well-established trigger of fibrosis. Here, we investigated the role of Src in mediating myofibroblast differentiation and explore the therapeutic potential of dasatinib, a multi-targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitor currently in cancer therapy. Maximum TGFβ– induced myofibroblast differentiation occurred at 72hr as evident by marked increase in αSMA expression that was associated with increased fibronectin. Interestingly, targeted Src inhibition using PP2 mimicked dasatinib effect and attenuated myofibroblast differentiation as evident by blunted αSMA, however, modest inhibition of fibronectin was observed in NIH 3T3 and FHLFs. Mechanistically, our data suggests that dasatinib modulates αSMA synthesis through Src via the transcription factor SRF, independent of GSK pathway. Collectively, our results show that myofibroblast differentiation is mediated through Src pathway. Dasatinib could potentially be a therapeutic option in patients with IPF. Address for correspondence: Payaningal R. Somanath, PhD Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM1200, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912. Tele: 706-721-4250; Fax: 706721-3994. Email: sshenoy@gru.edu.
Islamic Microfinance Credit for Women Entrepreneurship Development and its Obstacles in Pakistan

Women entrepreneurs suffer from various obstacles, such as gender gap or discrimination, few years of business experience and limited access to financing. The first part of this study explains the theoretical base of the Islamic microfinance, going through religious and ethical principles and financial contracts related to these principles. By using these theoretical aspects, the present study tried to evidence the main reasons for the “feminization of microfinance” in Pakistan. This study tries to answers, why, Islamic microfinance is an answer to improvement in women entrepreneurship. The second part of this study highlights social and environmental factors acting as a hindrance to female-entrepreneurship development. The primary data set is collected through field surveys from major administrative units of Pakistan to make sample more representative of Pakistan, where major Islamic micro-financing institutions are in operation.
New records of Scolelepis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the sandy beaches of Madagascar, with the description of a new species

Three species of the genus Scolelepis (Polychaeta, Spionidae) are reported from intertidal beaches in Madagascar. A new species, Scolelepis (Scolelepis) vazaha n.sp. , is described from Cap Est (type locality) and Fort Dauphin. This species is unique among spionids in possessing at least one large, curved hook in each notopodium of setiger 4. Males may additionally have similar hooks on setiger 5 or on setigers 5 and 6. On median setigers males also possess peculiar notopodial swellings, some of which contain a geniculate, penicillate seta of a type previously unknown for the family. S. (S.) williami (de Silva, 1961), formerly known only from the original description of two specimens from Sri Lanka, was found on five beaches along the southeast coast of Madagascar. This poorly known species is redescribed and compared to the closely related S. (S.) laciniata Eibye-Jacobsen, 1997, described from the west coast of Thailand. S. (S.) lefebvrei (Gravier, 1905), previously reported from the west coast of Madagascar, was also found on six sandy beaches along the northeast and southeast coasts. Earlier descriptions are supplemented by information on variation in numerical characters. Scanning electron photographs and details on palp morphology are provided for all three species.
A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Two Stage Assay for Measurement of in vitro myo-Inositol 3-phosphate Synthase (INO1) Activity

[Abstract] This method describes an in vitro assay for measuring INO1 enzyme activity (the conversion of glucose 6-phosphate to myo-inositol 3-phosphate) in cell-free extracts. The method was first described for Plasmodium falciparum cells in MacRae et al. (2014) and consists of two parts: Part 1 describes the assay itself while part 2 describes analysis of the myo-inositol 3-phosphate product using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Lead exposition by gunshot ingestion in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa).

: Absorption of low concentrations of lead may result in a wide range of sublethal effects in birds. Although waterfowl appear the most severely affected group for this heavy metal, leadpoisoning-mortality has been observed in a wide variety of bird species, ie raptors and upland game birds. In this present work, hepatic lead levels in different red-legged partridges are presented to indicate threshold values which could help in future toxicological studies when considering the lack of information about lead poisoning of such birds in the wild.
Moistening and heating improve germination of two legume species.

These differences may be due to small errors of measurement on the adjacent rangeland resulting from upward water fluxes. Nonweighing lysimeters similar to the one proposed by Van Bavel and Stirk (1967) would eliminate both the problem of upward water movement and percolation through the profile. In conjunction with the neutron method, these lysimeters would be a useful tool for determining ET over short time intervals.
High rates of extra‐pair paternity in a socially monogamous beetle with biparental care

1. Nest construction and paternity assurance are predicted to favour biparental care in insects. The horned passalus (Odontotaenius disjunctus) is a socially monogamous beetle with biparental care that breeds in decaying logs. The genetic mating system of the horned passalus was investigated to determine if paternity assurance is likely to drive the evolution or maintenance of paternal care in this system. Parental time budgets were also examined to better understand the types and frequencies of behaviours performed by parents.
Subsurface seawater temperature variation and the recovery of corals from the 1993 coral bleaching event in waters off St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

In October 1993, a minor coral bleaching event, restricted primarily to colonies of Montastraea annularis, occurred on reefs of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). A comparison of subsurface water temperatures between 1993 and 1992 (when bleaching did not occurred) revealed that the mean annual water temperature was higher in 1993, but the number of hours when the temperature exceeded 29.1°C was less. To determine the rate and extent of recovery of bleached Montastraea, colonies on Saba Island off St. Thomas, USVI, were tagged and photographed at regular intervals. Recovery of pigmentation had commenced by December 1993, two months after bleaching was first observed. Partial mortality of some colonies was first visible at the next sampling period two months later. Six months after bleaching commenced only 50% of colonies had fully recovered and 11 months after the bleaching event all colonies had normal pigmentation and no entire colonies had died. This study suggests that long term, in situ, high resolution seawater temperature data sets are important in assessing environmental changes that may alter coral reef communities.
Kyphosis Associated with Microsporidial Myositis in San Marcos Salamanders, Eurycea nana

ABSTRACT Captive refugia for four species of plethodontid salamanders were established. Following this successful maintenance, two of the species presented with kyphosis. In one of these species (San Marcos salamander, Eurycea nana), microsporidial organisms within the epaxial musculature were identified in post-mortem histopathology and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction rDNA sequence as most closely similar to Encephalitozoon helium. However, ultrastructural analysis and further rDNA sequencing suggested a new species of Pleistophora. In these affected individuals, the microsporidial infection produced kyphosis resulting from inflammation and fibrosis of the epaxial musculature to the parasite.
Bacterial-Epithelial Cell Cross-Talk: Molecular Mechanisms in Pathogenesis

Bacterial pathogenesis is a complex process. It involves both a pathogen and a host cell that engage in a signaling crosstalk interaction. The book by McCormick provides a fascinating summary of the current knowledge of molecular interactions that take place between bacteria and epithelial cells of mucosal surfaces, including those of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. The book is divided into four parts and contains a total of 14 chapters that have been written by 26 leading researchers in the field.
Drug-resistant bacteria in frozen and fresh marine shrimp

This study aimed to evaluate the bacteriological quality of frozen and fresh shrimp samples by Salmonella detection and the quantification of staphylococci and coliforms. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of staphylococci isolates was also determined. A total of 30 shrimp samples commercialized in Sobral-CE - 15 fresh and 15 frozen, each one weighing 500 g - was analyzed. There was no contamination by Salmonella and/or coliform, but the Staphylococcus quantification showed that 12 samples (80.0%) of the frozen and 10 (66.7%) of the fresh shrimp presented a bacterial load above 3.0 log10 CFU g-1 - a limit recommended by the current legislation in Brazil. 17 drug-resistant staphylococci strains were isolated, and the following antimicrobial resistance profiles were detected: monoresistance (n=4), cross-resistance to beta-lactam (n=4), and multidrug resistance to: Oxacillin+ampicillin+tetracycline (n=1), oxacillin+tetracycline+ penicillin+chloramphenicol+vancomycin (n=1). The findings indicate that frozen and fresh shrimps may act as vehicles for the spread of staphylococci resistant to drugs of clinical interest. Key words: Enterobacteria, Staphylococcus drug-resistant, shrimp.
The effects of natamycin on the shelf life of yogurt

The effects of several levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm) of natamycin and its application form on yogurt starter bacteria, yeasts and moulds growth were investigated. Yogurt samples were stored at 4 ± 1 °C for up to 30 days. in yogurt samples, the population of yogurt bacteria decreased approximately 3 log cycles in 30 days at 4 ± 1 °C. The highest counts were observed on d 7, with the lowest number of bacteria observed on d30. The moulds recorded at d 15 and d 30 were found to be 1.80 ± 0.10 log CFU g -1 and 4.27 ± 0.32 log CFU g -1 in control samples, respectively. The numbers of yeasts on d 7, 15 and 30 were 2.51 ± Q, 17, 4.59 ± 0.55, and 5.92 ± 0.46 log CFU g -1 , respectively. On the other hand, after 30 d of storage, no growth of moulds and yeasts was detected in yogurts in the presence of natamycin.
Seasonal variation of goat milk composition and somatic cell count in southeastern Brazil

In order to study year-round variation of goat milk composition in southeastern Brazil, 2.020 bulk tank goat milk samples from 16 goat farms were collected and analyzed between August 2000 and December 2003. Percentages of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and somatic cell count (SCC) varied widely according to season of the year and stage of lactation.
Variation in tocopherol content in Italian virgin olive oils

An easy and rapid fluorescence-HPLC method for the quantitative determination of tocopherols in virgin olive oils was used to investigate 94 Sicilian and 89 Calabrian virgin olive oils, extracted from olives of different varieties. α-, (Sand γ-tocopherols were found in all samples. α-tocopherol was the main component of this fraction, ranging from 35.9 to 314.1 ppm. Values of (Sand γ-tocopherol ranged from 0.7 to 16.8 ppm, and from 0.5 to 21.8 ppm, respectively. The highest values of total tocopherols were found in samples produced from Nocellara del Belice olives, a Sicilian variety, and in samples produced fromRossanese olives, a Calabrian variety, Sicilian oils gave an average content of total tocopherols highter than oils of Calabrian varieties. 94 huiles d'olives siciliennes et 89 huiles calabraises ont ete analysees: les differentes formes du tocopherol (α, β, γ) ont ete dosees. l'α-tocopherol est present a la dose de 35,9 a 314,1 ppm, le β-tocopherol varie de 0,7 a 16,8 et le γ-tocopherol de 0,5 a 21,8 ppm.Les huiles siciliennes ont une teneur moyenne en tocopherol superieure aux huiles calabraises.
Vaccines Against Retrovirus: Models and Chalenges in Development of a Vaccine Against HIV

The researchs to find a vaccine against HIV began more than twenty-five years ago. To date, no satisfactory result was found. Promising vaccines failed, causing consternation in the scientific community. Maybe some answers and models for this vaccine can be found not only in simians usually used, but in veterinary research. This review aims to address the failures and successes achieved in other mammals and connect the data with recent research on the vaccine against HIV.
PENGARUH KONSENTRASI SUKROSA DAN LAMA FERMENTASI TERHADAP VIABILITAS L. Casei SELAMA PENYIMPANAN BEKU VELVA PISANG AMBON The Effect of Sucrose Concentration and Fermentation Time to Viability of Lactobacillus casei during Frozen Storage for Velva from Ambon Banana

The aim of this research is to determine the influence of sucrose addition and fermentation time to viability of Lactobacillus casei during frozen stroge. This research used Random Block Design with 2 factors, sucrose concentration (20%, 30%, 40%) and fermentation time (4 hours dan 8 hours) with 3 replication. The data were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Least Significant Difference Test Method 5%. The parameter observed were Total Lactate Acid Bacteria, acidity (pH), total acid, and total sugar. The result of research showed that the interaction between sucrose concentration and fermentation time give significant influence (α=0.05) to total acid, total sugar and acid in fermented Ambon banana puree. During frozen storage, sucrose concentration give significant influence to total acid and total sugar. The combination of sucrose concentration 40% and fermentation time 8 hours.
Pulse Proteins: From Processing to Structure-Function Relationships

Interest in alternative protein sources to those derived from animal, soy and wheat is on the rise, as consumers are searching for lower cost, healthier alternatives without compromising product quality and safety. Pulses are rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and are low in fat. Although pea proteins experience greater integration into the plant protein ingredient market than others, lentil, chickpea, bean and faba beans are not far behind. This review discusses approaches used for extracting pulse proteins used to produce protein products (concentrates/isolates), mechanism driving structure-function relationships as well as potential applications.
Transfer of IκBα gene increase the sensitivity of paclitaxel mediated with caspase 3 activation in human lung cancer cell

In oncogenic therapies, apoptosis seems to be the important mechanism of deciding chemotherapy effect. NF-kappaB transcription factors are implicated in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. NF-kappaB is activated by chemotherapy and by irradiation, and this pathway has been shown to protect cells potently from their stimuli-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-kappaB leads to enhanced apoptosis in response to various stimuli. However, because the role of NF-kappaB as a modifier of the intrinsic chemosensitivity of cancer cells is less clear, we have studied the impact of IkappaBalpha (an inhibitor of NF-kappaB) on the chemosensitivity of human lung cancer cells. We used adenoviral vectors expressing human IkappaBalpha (AdIkappaBalpha) and investigated the effects of IkappaBalpha gene transfer in combination with 6 anticancer agents on a human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. Solutions containing anticancer agents at various concentrations were added followed by the addition of recombinant adenovirus solutions, and each IC50 was calculated based on the dose-response curves. The gene transfer of AdIkappaBalpha decreased IC50 from 12.0 to 2.2 nM on paclitaxel and increased IC50 from 0.27 to 16.0 microM on SM5887 compared with the transfer of control gene, AdLacZ. The IC50 did not change clearly on the other anticancer drugs. To investigate this molecular mechanism, we measured caspase 3 activity by the transfer of IkappaBalpha gene. On result, paclitaxel increased caspase 3 activity and SM5887 decreased the activity. These results indicate that the cell killing effect of anticancer drug is influenced by the inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and may, at least in part, depend on the regulation of caspase 3 activation. Adenovirus mediated IkappaBalpha gene transfer improve the anti-cancer effect of paclitaxel to lung cancer cells through the regulation of caspase 3 activation.
GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SOME SELECTED AGRICULTURAL CROPS UNDER VARIOUS ABIOTIC STRESSES

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the germination response of Vigna mungo , Vignaradiata , Zea mays and Brassica nigra to different stress conditions. Methods: The germination responses of four agricultural crops , Brassica nigra, Vigna mungo, Vigna radiata and Zea mays , were studied under control conditions in the laboratory. The treatments included three light levels (red, green and white) and dark period for 24 to 48 hrs, three salinity concentrations (100, 300 and 500 mmol/L NaCl), temperature regimes of supra-optimal (35/28 oC), optimal (28/18 oC) and sub-optimal (15/08 oC) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Ni) treatments. Results: Best seed germination of all these species was obtained in distilled water (control). Increase in concentration of salinity progressively inhibits the germination in all the selected plants. Light variedly affected seed germination. Seeds were subjected to white light shows highest germination followed by red light. Darkness has no significant effect on seed germination in all the three plants. The seeds subjected to dark treatment showed better germination as well as lower antioxidant activity than those subjected to various light conditions. Similarly the seeds subjected to supra and sub optimal temperatures shows inhibition were adversely affected with inhibited germination rates. Conclusion: The present investigation reveals that , among the four plants B.nigra showed maximum tolerance against various stress conditions with maximum seed germination.
CARACTERÍSTICAS BIOLÓGICAS DE ADULTOS DE PODISUS NIGRISPINUS E SUPPUTIUS CINCTICEPS (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) ALIMENTADOS COM THYRINTEINA ARNOBIA (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULTS OF PODISUS NIGRISPINUS AND SUPPUTIUS CINCTICEPS (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) FED ON THYRINTEI

O genero Eucalyptus (mirtacea exotica proveniente da Australia) e o mais utilizado para reflorestamento no Brasil. Porem, somente a partir de 1966 e que este setor tomou impulso no pais. Assim, alem de exotica, a eucaliptocultura e recente. Periodicamente sao observados surtos de lepidopteros desfolhadores (Thyrinteina arnobia, por exemplo). No Brasil, os predadores Podisus nigrispinus e Supputius cincticeps vem sendo utilizados contra lepidopteros desfolhadores, porem nao se tem dados sobre o estabelecimento desses predadores em campo. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os aspectos biologicos de adultos de P. nigrispinus e S. cincticeps sobre lagartas de T. arnobia provenientes de plantas de Eucalyptus urophylla. Comparando-se os aspectos biologicos das duas especies de predadores, observa-se que o desempenho de P. nigrispinus sobre as lagartas de T. arnobia foi melhor do que o desempenho de S. cincticeps. Este resultado demonstra que P. nigrispinus esta conseguindo quebrar possiveis sistemas de defesa dessa especie de herbivoro, tais como os compostos secundarios que o herbivoro provavelmente estaria sequestrando das plantas de eucalipto e, se os inimigos naturais (S. cincticeps, por exemplo) nao estiverem adaptados a esses compostos, a sua performance no controle da praga e no seu proprio desenvolvimento podem ser afetados negativamente. Palavras chave: Controle biologico, P. nigrispinus, S. cincticeps, eucalipto, aspectos biologicos.
An overview of the marine Isopoda (Crustacea) of Singapore

The marine isopod fauna of Singapore is reviewed on the basis of specimens collected during the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey of Singapore between 2010 and 2014. Museum collections and accepted literature records were also included. A total of 117 species in 64 genera and 19 families was documented. Of these 117 species, there were 37 new records for Singapore (including specimens representing 15 genera recorded for the first time from Singapore which were not identified to species) and a further 15 species possibly new to science. The 22 species that were identified and determined as new records for Singapore comprised eight families: one species of Aegidae, three species of Cirolanidae, three species of Cymothoidae, 11 species of Sphaeromatidae, one species of Stenetriidae, one species of Arthuridae, one species of Bopyridae and one species of Janiridae.
Shatter-resistant canola germplasm from interspecific hybridization - a progress report

Pod shattering is a significant production problem as it is reported to result in yield losses of up to 25% in commercial cultivars of Brassica napus . As windrowing is not always cost-effective and is not completely effective in preventing yield losses, breeding canola to identify germplasm with superior shatter resistance is important. This study aimed to assess germplasm derived from interspecific crosses using pod rupture energy (RE) as a measure of shatter resistance. A set of sixty two lines derived either from B. napus x B. rapa var. yellow sarson , B. juncea x B. napus or Raphanobrassica x B. napus were evaluated. Results indicated good variation for shatter resistance in material derived from B. napus x B. rapa crosses, representing a three-fold increase in RE in comparison with check varieties. These lines possessed B. napus -like appearance and were stable for shatter resistance in limited progeny testing. Further work is in progress to fully characterise this material which could be a useful source for shatter resistance in B. napus .
Bamboo Shoots: Composition, Nutritional Value, Therapeutic Role and Product Development for Value Addition

Bamboo shoot is an important constituent of traditional cuisine of some parts of India, particularly in North-Eastern region and is highly valued for its nutritional and health benefits due to the presence of several bio-active compounds. Raw, canned, boiled, marinated, fermented, frozen, liquid and medicinal are the several forms in which bamboo shoots are processed. However, the consumption pattern of bamboo shoots is traditional, non-standardized, seasonal and region-specific with little value addition. Due to seasonal availability of bamboo shoot, processing for handling cynogenic toxicity in raw shoot while keeping nutrients intact and enhancement of shelf life of the value added products assume great significance for business potential. There exists an urgent need to adopt the processing of bamboo shoot-based food products in an organized manner. The present article gives an overview of bamboo shoot-based food products, their quality attributes and the opportunities for value addition along with future prospects.