Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Fine Structure of Ito's Fat‐Storing Cells in the Liver of the Mouse Fetus after Maternal Treatment with Vitamin A

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to ascertain possible cytological effects of vitamin A administration to pregnant mice on the fat‐storing cells (Ito cell) in the fetus liver. Though many external anomalies were occurred in the fetus when vitamin A was given once on day 8 of gestation, it is conceivable that the appearance of these teratogenicity may not be concerned in Ito cell because liver had not yet developed at this stage. When vitamin A was given once a day for four days consecutively from day 14 to day 17 of gestation little external anomalies were appeared. By electron microscopy, cytological changes were found in Ito cell, especially the number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm conspicuously increased. This proved that vitamin A administered to the mothers was carried into the fetuses through the placenta and Ito cells of the fetus liver had an ability to absorb vitamin A at the late stage of pregnancy.
Characterization of Ace-Liposome Receptor-mediated Endocytic Pathways in Leishmania Infected J774 Cells: Effect of Lysosomotropic Agents and Inhibitors of Oxidative Phosphorylation*

Previously, we have demonstrated that incorporation of apoprotein-B into liposome and acetylated LDL containing liposome carriers significantly enhance their uptake by Leishmania infected J774 macrophages via LDL and acetylated LDL receptors. To further enhance the potential of our drug delivery system, in the present investigation we have embarked upon characterization of the acetylated LDL containing liposome receptor-mediated endocytic pathways. The J774 model system was used to study the effect of a series of inhibitors and modulators of endocytosis including lysosomotropic agents and inhibitors of energy metabolism. Uptake of liposomes and acetylated LDL Liposomes were amplified significantly in the presence of lysosomotropic agents and considerably inhibited when cells were treated with azide, a metabolic inhibitor.
Respirometry — as applied to terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates

A review is presented of the apparatus and techniques used to determine the oxygen consumption rate (MO₂) of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. The classic manometric method (especially constant pressure respirometry) has been extensively used in the past to measure MO₂. At present this method is still being used with success for small invertebrates weighing less than 1 mg in live weight. The more modern electrochemical techniques have the advantage that measurements can be made over longer time intervals because these instruments are better suited to automation. MO₂ measurements were first performed on aquatic animals with polarographic oxygen sensors. After the invention of the zirkonium oxygen sensor it is now possible to make accurate measurements of MO₂ on bigger terrestrial invertebrates.
The effect of flooding and flood timing on leaf litter breakdown rates and nutrient dynamics in a river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forest

Comparisons of litter standing-stocks in low-lying and higher areas of the floodplain and the effects of controlled flooding events on leaf litter decomposition and leaf litter nutrients were examined during autumn and winter in a southeastern Australian river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) floodplain forest. The mean mass of total litter and some litter components was significantly greater in autumn than in winter but there were few differences in litter mass between low-lying flood runners and higher sites (1.5 m) on the floodplain, regardless of season. Leaf decomposition was more rapid in flooded areas than in non-flooded areas and was significantly faster in autumn than in winter. In flooded leaves, concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen dropped rapidly during the first 3 days of each experiment, increased to near original after 7-10 weeks and then decreased again. After 112 days of decomposition the C:N:P ratios of leaf litter increased, but this effect was most marked for flooded leaves. Simple models of leaf litter dynamics indicated that leaf litter standing-stocks in low-lying flood runners would be reduced by flooding, particularly during autumn. In contrast, models predicted a net gain in standing-stocks of leaf litter to be higher on the floodplain, particularly in autumn. Alteration to the seasonal timing of floods by river regulation has probably decreased litter standing-stocks and nutrients available in low-lying areas of the floodplain to support the production of macrophytes and biofilms during winter and spring floods.
Efeito do envelhecimento in situ na transformação de fase e nas propriedades mecânicas de cerâmicas Y-TZP

This study evaluated the influence of intra-oral aging (in situ) on the tetragonal-tomonoclinic phase transformation (t→m) of two Y-TZP dental ceramics - LavaTM Frame (Frame) and LavaTM Plus (Plus) - and to determine the impact of this finding on their mechanical properties (flexural strength, Young’s modulus, fracture toughness and microhardness). Standardized ceramic specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) before and after a 60 days intraoral period. After the baseline analysis, the specimens were attached to two personalized intra-oral resin appliances (Frame / Plus) that were worn by twenty volunteer subjects during 60 days and analyzed again. Additionally, specimens produced for mechanical properties evaluation were divided into two groups and analyzed before and after the 60 days intra-oral aging. XRD identified t→m phase transformation for both ceramics aged specimens (Plus = 4.7% / Frame = 7.7%). SEM analysis showed a tendency to ZrO2 dislodgement after the 60 days intra-oral period for both ceramics. Plus ceramic presented a decrease on microhardness after aging. Both ceramics suffered a decrease on flexural strength, Young’s modulus and fracture toughness after the 60 days intra-oral aging. These results suggest that YTZP structure is really affected by the oral environment, which may induce t→m phase transformation and compromise their mechanical properties.
Trim5α protein restricts both HIV-1 and murine leukemia virus

Replication of HIV-1 and N-tropic murine leukemia virus (N-MLV) is restricted in a number of different primate cells. In some cell lines, cross-saturation experiments suggest that the two viruses are interacting with the same restriction factor. Recently, Trim5α protein from rhesus monkey was found to restrict HIV-1. We have confirmed this result and have shown that Trim5α from two African green monkey cell lines, Vero and CV-1, also restricts HIV-1. In addition, we show that human, rhesus, and African green monkey Trim5α can restrict N-MLV. By using a panel of MLV capsid mutants, subtle differences in the anti-MLV activity were identified among the different primate Trim5α cDNAs. Trim1 isolated from humans and green monkeys was also found to restrict N-MLV. We hypothesize that the Trim family of proteins plays a widespread role in innate immunity to viral infection.
Feeding encounters between a group of howler monkeys and white-nosed coatis in a small forest fragment in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Interactions between sympatric species are of particular interest for understanding the mechanisms that allow animal coexistence in the ecological community. The mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata Gray) and the white-nosed coati (Nasua narica Linnaeus) are similar-sized mammals with a sympatric distribution in the Neotropics (Nowak 1999). Since these two species are partly frugivorous (howler, Crockett & Eisenberg 1987; coati, Gompper 1997), and fruit is often limited (Laurance et al. 2003), howlers and coatis might be observed foraging from the same fruiting tree, but there is no information regarding this possibility. We studied the feeding encounters between these two species in a small forest fragment, and discuss the conditions under which these episodes occur.
Effect of Sucrose, Lactose, Glucose, Maltose on Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus during Freeze-Drying

In the present study, the experiments were investigated with effecting of sucrose, lactose, glucose, maltose on survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus during freeze-drying. In order to reach sufficient numbers viable cells, so different concentrations of protective agents were designed in the experiment, which as 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%, respectively. Measuring the survival ratio of Lactobacillus acidophilus and number of viable cells after completed drying. There were significant differences in survival during freeze-drying. Results showed that the protective agent was a critical factor affecting the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus. In the experiments, the highest survival rate was soluble starch as the protective agent, and when the protective agent as galactose the number of viable cells was largest.
Heat Shock Protein 70 Is a Potential Virulence Factor in Murine Toxoplasma Infection Via Immunomodulation of Host NF-κB and Nitric Oxide1

We propose that the 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) protects virulent Toxoplasma gondii from the effects of the host by immunomodulation. This hypothesis was tested using quercetin and antisense oligonucleotides targeting the start codon of the virulent T. gondii HSP70 gene. Oligonucleotides were transiently transfected into two virulent (RH, ENT) and two avirulent (ME49, C) strains of T. gondii, significantly reducing HSP70 expression in treated parasites. Virulent parasites with reduced HSP70 expression displayed reduced proliferation in vivo, as measured by the number of tachyzoites present in spleens of infected mice. They also exhibited an enhanced rate of conversion from tachyzoites to bradyzoites in vitro. Our results implicate HSP70 as a means by which virulent strains of T. gondii evade host proinflammatory responses: when RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to parasites with reduced HSP70 expression, differential expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cell NO production were observed between infections with normal and HSP70-deficient T. gondii. iNOS message levels were significantly increased when host cells were infected with HSP70 reduced virulent tachyzoites and HSP70-related inhibition of iNOS transcription resulted in altered host NO production by virulent T. gondii infection. Virulent parasites expressing reduced levels of HSP70 initiated significantly more NF-κB activation in host splenocytes than infections with untreated parasites. Neither proliferative ability nor conversion from tachyzoites to bradyzoites was affected by lack of HSP70 in avirulent strains of T. gondii. Furthermore, avirulent T. gondii strains induced high levels of host iNOS expression and NO production, regardless of HSP70 expression in these parasites, and inhibition of HSP70 had no significant effects on translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. Therefore, the 70-kDa parasite stress protein may be part of an important survival strategy by which virulent strains down-regulate host parasiticidal mechanisms.
Environmental factors influencing liana community diversity, structure and habitat associations in a tropical hill forest, Malaysia

Background: Although lianas are important in forest ecosystems, information on the environmental factors influencing their diversity, structure and habitat associations is scanty. Aims: This study had the aim of determining variation in liana diversity, structure and habitat associations across different topographic habitats, and the environmental factors influencing them, in the Penang Hill Forest Reserve, Malaysia. Methods: Liana diversity, structure and habitat associations were examined in 30 plots, 40 m × 40 m, randomly demarcated within three topographic habitats (flatland, slope and valley). The physico-chemical properties of the soils in the plots were determined and the altitude and slope of the plots recorded. Results: Liana species richness, diversity and structure varied significantly among the topographic habitats. Liana species richness, diversity and abundance variations were related to soil moisture, phosphorus content, pH and altitude, whereas liana diameter and basal area were associated with soil magnesium and slope. A total of eight species had a positive association with the habitat and a further six showed a negative association. Four species had a positive association with the flatland habitat, but only three and two species, respectively, with slope and valley habitats. The slope habitat gave the highest number of species that showed a negative association. Conclusions: Liana diversity and structure varied between habitats. Some liana species showed different associations with specific habitats. Environmental variables were identified that influence liana diversity, structure and habitat associations. The study provides important information about the factors influencing liana success, and these will be of value in liana conservation and management in tropical forests.
Influence of nitrogen application rate and timing on grain protein composition and gluten strength in Swedish wheat cultivars

The influence of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate (0 vs. 70 vs. 140 kg N ha–1) and timing (early = at sowing vs. late = at sowing and before heading) on the amount of protein groups, amount and size distribution of mono- and polymeric proteins, and gluten strength was investigated in one set of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). Due to their genetic background, the cultivars had different protein concentrations and gluten strengths. Despite this, all of them reacted similarly on rate and timing of nitrogen application. The rate of nitrogen fertilizer increased the variation in protein concentration, gluten strength, and also the variation in most of the investigated protein components. Higher nitrogen fertilizer rate increased protein concentration, decreased gluten strength, and increased the total amount of glutenins and gliadins as well as the amounts of most mono- and polymeric proteins. Timing of fertilizer did not influence protein concentration. The gluten strength and the relations of proteins were changed by the timing of fertilizer. Early nitrogen feritilizer applications led to higher gluten strength and a higher percentage of total unextractable polymeric protein in the total polymeric protein and large unextractable polymeric protein in the total large polymeric protein, compared to late nitrogen fertilizer applications.
Molecular genetic assessment of bipolarity in the anchovy genus Engraulis

To test three hypotheses accounting for bipolar distributions in Engraulis, seven of eight taxa (except E. eurystole) were surveyed with allozymes (34 loci) and 521 bp of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene. Both allozymes and mtDNA sequences revealed deep separations between New World and Old World anchovies with a mean allozyme genetic distance D ¼ 1� 26 and net mtDNA sequence divergence d ¼ 15%. These values reflected separations of 5 to 10 million years. Contrary to previous phylogenetic hypotheses, which place north-east Pacific E. mordax and south-east Pacific E. ringens as sister taxa, the south-west Atlantic E. anchoita and E. ringens are most closely related to each other. The north-east Pacific E. mordax is the closest lineage to the Old World Engraulis, a group of taxa showing low divergences typical of population-level separations (mean D ¼ 0� 06; mean d ¼ 0� 87%). Bipolarities of sister taxa in the east Atlantic and west Pacific reflect recent dispersals. Bipolarities in the east Pacific and west Atlantic represent paraphyletic taxa in lineages isolated since the Miocene. None of the bipolarities can be attributed to tectonic separations or competitive displacements from the tropics, but the latter situation should be re-evaluated with comparisons to tropical anchovies of the New World.
Comparison of variance components for test-day electrical conductivity of milk and test-day somatic cell score for first lactation cows in an experimental herd

In recent decades, electrical conductivity (EC) has been introduced as an indicator of mastitis, and genetic selection based on this trait may be possible. In this study, genetic parameters for test-day EC and test-day somatic cell score (SCS) were compared. Data were collected from a Danish experimental herd, including daily records of EC and SCS from 265 first lactation cows. Different genetic models were tested, and a random regression animal model with a 4th order Legendre polynomial for the permanent environmental effect for both traits, a 1st order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect of EC and a 2nd order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect of SCS, gave the best fit. The patterns of the curves were similar for both permanent environmental and additive genetic variance for the two traits. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.12, and from 0.01 to 0.09, for EC and SCS, respectively. The estimate of genetic correlation between the traits was high, and ranged from 0.86 to 0.98. Based on these results, EC could be a potential indicator trait in a breeding programme where selection for increased mastitis resistance is included.
Fungi and Bacteria Associated with Leaves During Processing in a Woodland Stream

Autumn—shed leaves of white oak (Quercus alba) and pignut hickory (Carya glabra) were fastened together and incubated in a third order hardwater stream in south—western Michigan. At biweekly intervals, leaves were removed and the microbial populations assessed. Direct counts of bacteria increased logarithmically with time, but viable counts were generally lower. Flexibacter, Achromobacter, Flavobacteria, Pseudomonas, and Cytophaga were isolated from leaves. No apparent bacterial succession was detected. The mycoflora was assessed in five ways, including direct examination and incubations ranging from environment simulating to particle platings on nutrient medium. Although this last technique suggested that common soil and litter fungi dominated, direct examination and environment—simulating incubations showed that aquatic hyphomycetes, particularly Alatospora acuminata, Flagellospora curvula, and Tetracladium marchalianum were the dominant members of the mycoflora. The successional pattern of these fungi on both leaf species is discussed. It is concluded that the aquatic hyphomycetes are actively growing and completing their life cycle in this environment and that the terrestrial fungi are normally present mainly in a dormant state, growing and sporulating only in greatly enriched conditions. The highest ATP levels observed corresponded to the periods of highest fungal frequencies .
Inibição da síntese da ACC (ácido 1-carboxílico-1-aminociclopropano) oxidase em maçãs frigoconservadas em atmosfera controlada

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the inhibition of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase in apple fruits by controled atmosphere. Jonagold apples were stored in normal atmosphere (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. The fruits were harvested at the preclimateric stage and stored for 120 days at 0oC and 95±5% RH with O2 set to 1,5% and CO2 set to 2,5% (CA) or without gas control (NA). At 90 and 120 days after harvesting, samples were collected to study the ethylene production by gas chromatography, ACC oxidase activity by gas chromatography and immunoblotting protein characterization by western blot, using specific polyclonal antibodies against ACC oxidase from apple fruit. Nevertheless, ACC oxidase was detected and the ethylene production was increased for those fruits stored by 120 hours under room temperature. Apples stored in NA did not control the ethylene production and ACC oxidase synthesis. However, apples stored in CA had the ethylene biosynthesis controlled and showed an ACC oxidase synthesis inhibited. In climacteric apples, the ACC oxidase activity increased by ACC, Fe+2 and ascorbat addition in the enzymatic extract. Protein analysis by isoelectricfocusing showed three proteins with pIs 5.95, 5.87 and 5.78. Those with smallers pIs were detected in the presence of substrate and cofactors.
Density‐dependent effects on tree survival in an old‐growth Douglas fir forest

1 We mapped the locations of live and dead trees in a large forest plot dominated by pioneer Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with an understorey of the invading late‐successional species western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, to test for intra‐ and interspecific density‐dependent effects on tree survival.
The influences of climatic variation and vegetation on stream biota: lessons from the Big Dry in southeastern Australia

Aquatic biodiversity faces increasing threats from climate change, escalating exploitation of water and land use intensification. Loss of vegetation in catchments (= watersheds) has been identified as a substantial problem for many river basins, and there is an urgent need to better understand how climate change may interact with changes in catchment vegetation to influence the ecological condition of freshwater ecosystems. We used 20 years of biological monitoring data from Victoria, southeastern Australia, to explore the influences of catchment vegetation and climate on stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. Southeastern Australia experienced a severe drought from 1997 to 2009, with reductions of stream flows >50% in some areas. The prolonged drying substantially altered macroinvertebrate assemblages, with reduced prevalence of many flow‐dependent taxa and increased prevalence of taxa that are tolerant of low‐flow conditions and poor water quality. Stream condition, as assessed by several commonly used macroinvertebrate indices, was consistently better in reaches with extensive native tree cover in upstream catchments. Prolonged drought apparently caused similar absolute declines in macroinvertebrate condition indices regardless of vegetation cover, but streams with intact catchment and riparian vegetation started in better condition and remained so throughout the drought. The largest positive effects of catchment tree cover on both water quality and macroinvertebrate assemblages occurred above a threshold of ca. 60% areal tree cover in upstream catchments and in higher rainfall areas. Riparian tree cover also had positive effects on macroinvertebrate assemblages, especially in warmer catchments. Our results suggest that the benefits of extensive tree cover via improved water quality and in‐channel habitat persist during drought and show the potential for vegetation management to reduce negative impacts of climatic extremes for aquatic ecosystems.
Gap dynamics of forest trees: A review with particular attention to boreal forests

Small-scale gap disturbance in forests is reviewed. Caused by the death of individual or multiple trees with subsequent fall from the canopy, gaps have been extensively studied in temperate deciduous and tropical forests for the past 20 years. This review considers much of this research with a view to assessing the importance of gap disturbance in boreal forests. Because of the ubiquity of large-scale, stand-initiating disturbances such as landscape-level fires, epidemic insect outbreaks, and periodic extensive windthrow events, gap processes in boreal forests have received little attention. Research in the Scandinavian and Russian boreal forest, as well as in high-altitude boreal "outliers" found in Japan and the United States, is showing that gap disturbance determines forest structure and processes to a greater extent than previously assumed. Boreal forests dominated by the shade-tolerant fir (Abies)  spruce (Picea) complex are particularly well-adapted to the development of long-term, old-growth cont.