Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell cycle and apoptosis pathway modulation by Tualang honey in ER-dependent and -independent breast cancer cell lines

We previously demonstrated that Tualang honey (TH) induced apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines, via activation of caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Here we investigated the effect of TH on cell cycle progression and its regulatory molecules as well as apoptosis-related signaling molecules in estrogen receptor-dependent MCF-7 and -independent breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Flow cytometry analysis shows that 24 h treatment with 1% TH caused G2/M phase arrest in MCF-7 but S phase arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. Significant changes in the expression of apoptosis-related genes were observed in MCF-7 cells but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. We further demonstrated by Western blotting that TH increased the expression of p53, p21, and FADD proteins in MCF-7 cells and TRADD, FADD, and p21 proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells. This study shows that TH differentially affects the cell cycle progression of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells via p53-dependent and -independent p21 signaling, respectively, and apoptosis via the death receptor pathway is indicated. Taken together, the ability of TH to modulate cell signaling pathways suggest the potential value of a readily consumed honey as a chemopreventive agent for breast cancer.
In-Silico Characterization of 14-alpha Sterol Demethylase of Aspergillus fumigatus

The eukaryotes sterol pathways are extremely conserved and these biosynthetic pathway are very long which includes the synthesis of dolichols, coenzyme Q, heme A, and isoprenylated proteins.14-Demethylase is an essential enzyme of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which is potential the target of azole antifungals. Predicted results shows that 14-alpha sterol demethylase have molecular weight of 58930.8 Daltons and the theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 7.64. The negative Grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) index of ‐0.125. The Aliphatic index of Aspergillus fumigates 14-alpha sterol demethylase is 89.48. Alpha helix (Hh) accounts 210 amino acids of about 40.08%. The extended strand (Ee) had 91 amino acids accounting 17.37, Beta turn (Tt) made up of 51 amino acids making up 9.73% and random coil (Cc) made up of 172 amino acids accounting 32.82%. The subcellular localization of 14-alpha sterol demethylase Cyp51B was predicted to be a Plasma membrane protein.
β‐Adrenoceptor stimulation potentiates insulin‐stimulated PKB phosphorylation in rat cardiomyocytes via cAMP and PKA

Background and purpose: Genetic approaches have documented protein kinase B (PKB) as a pivotal regulator of heart function. Insulin strongly activates PKB, whereas adrenaline is not considered a major physiological regulator of PKB in heart. In skeletal muscles, however, adrenaline potentiates insulin‐stimulated PKB activation without having effect in the absence of insulin. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interaction between insulin and β‐adrenergic stimulation in regulation of PKB phosphorylation.
Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high risk patients

目的： 确定抗血小板治疗在发生血管闭塞事件高危患者中的疗效。 设计： 协作汇总分析。 入选标准： 肌肉疼痛度，创伤发生率，运动表现。 结果： 本研究入选的临床试验是那些研究高危患者（患有急性血管病，或既往有血管病病史，或存在其他一些诱发因素）抗血小板治疗与对照组相比的疗效，或一种抗血小板治疗与另一种抗血小板治疗疗效相比较的随机临床试验，且试验结果都是在1997年9月以前得出的。 试验必须采用随机研究的方法，以避免事先得知下一步将采取的治疗措施，且无其他混杂因素影响即观察组之间仅在抗血小板治疗方案上有所不同。 对研究的回顾： 本研究共回顾分析了287项临床试验，其中包括135 000例采用抗血小板治疗的患者与对照组之间的比较，以及77 000例采用不同抗血小板治疗方案的患者之间的比较。 主要结局指标： "严重血管事件"：非致死性心肌梗死、非致死性卒中或血管性死亡。 结果： 总之，在这些高危患者中，接受抗血小板治疗的患者所有严重血管事件的联合终点约减少1/4；其中非致死性心肌梗死减少1/3，非致死性中风减少1/4，而血管性死亡减少1/6 （对其他原因的死亡无明显不良影响）。 减少严重血管事件风险的绝对值：在既往有心肌梗死病史的患者中，每1000例接受抗血小板治疗2年的患者减少36例（SE5）；在急性心肌梗死患者中，每1000例接受抗血小板治疗1个月的患者可减少38例（5）；在既往有卒中及短暂性脑缺血发作病史患者中，每1000例接受抗血小板治疗2年的患者减少36例（6）；在急性卒中患者中，每1000例接受抗血小板治疗3周的患者可减少9例（3）；而在其他高危患者中，每1000例抗血小板治疗2年的患者可减少发生严重血管事件22例（稳定型心绞痛，P=0.0005；外周动脉疾病，P=0.004；心房颤动，P=0.01；以上结果具有显著性）。 在上述每一类高危患者中，抗凝治疗的绝对益处远远超出了发生严重颅外出血的绝对风险。 阿司匹林是研究最为广泛的抗血小板药物，每日75~150mg的疗效至少可与每日更大剂量的疗效相当。 每日剂量小于75mg时则疗效不甚确定。 与阿司匹林相比，氯吡格雷可使严重血管事件的风险减少10%（4%）。 应用与氯吡格雷类似的药物噻氯匹定，后者可使严重血管事件的风险减少12%（7%）。 阿司匹林加用双嘧达莫与单用阿司匹林相比较，并未使血管事件风险发生进一步显著的减少。 在急性冠脉闭塞的高危患者中，阿司匹林短期加用静脉注射糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体拮抗剂可进一步减少血管事件的发生，每1000例患者中减少20（4）例（P< 0.0001），但可引起23例患者发生严重的颅外出血（不过很少是致死性的）。 结论： 阿司匹林（或其他口服抗血小板药物）对大多数类型的血管闭塞事件风险增高的患者均具有保护作用，包括那些患有急性心肌梗死或急性中风、不稳定型或稳定型心绞痛、既往有心肌梗死、卒中或脑缺血、外周动脉疾病或心房颤动病史的患者。 小剂量阿司匹林（每天75mg~150mg）长期抗血小板治疗是有效的，但在急性情况下，则需要可能至少150mg的阿司匹林首剂负荷剂量。 在某些临床情况下，阿司匹林加用另外一种抗血小板药物可能产生更多的益处，但对于这种策略的益处还需要更多的研究来证实。
Intron-driven gene expression in the absence of a core promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana

In diverse eukaryotes, certain introns increase mRNA accumulation through the poorly understood mechanism of intron-mediated enhancement (IME). A distinguishing feature of IME is that these introns have no effect from upstream or more than 1 Kb downstream of the transcription start site (TSS). To more precisely define the intron position requirements for IME in Arabidopsis, we tested the effect of the UBQ10 intron on gene expression from 6 different positions surrounding the TSS of a TRP1:GUS fusion. The intron strongly increased expression from all transcribed positions, but had no effect when 204 nt or more upstream of the 5’-most TSS. When the intron was located in the 5’ UTR, the TSS unexpectedly changed, resulting in longer transcripts. Remarkably, deleting 303 nt of the core promoter, including all known TSS’s and all but 18 nt of the 5’ UTR, had virtually no effect on the level of gene expression as long as a stimulating intron was included in the gene. When the core promoter was deleted, transcription initiated in normally untranscribed sequences the same distance upstream of the intron as when the promoter was intact. Together, these results suggest that certain introns play unexpectedly large roles in directing transcription initiation and represent a previously unrecognized type of downstream regulatory elements for genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II. This study also demonstrates considerable flexibility in the sequences surrounding the TSS, indicating that the TSS is not determined by promoter sequences alone. These findings are relevant in practical applications where introns are used to increase gene expression and contribute to our general understanding of gene structure and regulation in eukaryotes.
Variations of Essential Oil Compositions of Achillea millefolium L. subsp. millefolium Taxa Growing in Bingol (Turkey)

Abstract In this study, the aerial parts of A. millefolium subsp. millefolium taxa collected from six different localities of Bingol were hydro-distilled and the chemical composition of essential oils were analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. Oil components present in all samples were -pinene (4-17%), sabinene (3-20%), 1,8-cineole (23-29%) and β-cimen (1-4%). The oil yield for the two taxa collected from Ilicalar and Genc was determined as 0.2% (v/w) with main components 1,8-cineole (31.18%), -bisabolene epoxide (8.51%), 1,3,6-octatriene (7.44%) and -terpieneol (7.19%) and 1,8-cineole (25.31%), sabinene (20.25%), -pinene (5.39%) and -pinene (4.21%) respectively. The samples collected from Ekinyolu and Sancak yielded 0.3% oil with 1,8-cineole (33.28%), -pinene (8.83%), -pinene (5.83%) and sabinene (5.56%) and 1,8-cineole (23.86%), -thujone (23.46%), sabinene (8.92%) and -pinene (4.73%) respectively. The oil of sample collected from Karliova contained 1,8-cineole (28.88%), trans-chrizantenone (13.31%), -pinene (7.16%), -pinene (6.43%) and borneol (5.44%) and the oil yield was 0.4% (v/w). The only sample collected from Yedisu yielded 0.5% (v/w) oil, with 1,8-cineole (24.33%), cyclohexenol (15.36%), -pinene (11.24%) and sabinene (10.18%). Key words: Achille millefolium subsp. millefolium, essential oil, GC/MS, 1,8-cineol
RESEARCH ON INCUBATION BACTERIAL MICROFLORA

Investigations were conducted on samples of the pathological material, represented by 17-18 day embryonated eggs, unviable chickens that died in the first two days after hutching, and incubation wastes (eggshells). For germ isolation, inseminations were carried out on usual mediums (gelose and nutritive bullion) and on selective and enriching growth mediums (Chapmann, Drigalsky, Levin, Wilson-Blaire and Istrate-Meitert). The bacteriological exam allowed the isolation of a mixed flora, represented by Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. In most cases, the germs were associated by two or three. Most of the strains were isolated from the strains of Escherichia coli - 82 (15.12%), Proteus vulgaris - 66 (12.36%), Staphylococcus aureus - 42 (7.93%), Bacillus cereus - 31 (5.72%) and Salmonella spp. - 5 (0.92%).
Geographic Origins of Invasive Alien Species in “Iron Gates” Natural Park (Banat, Romania)

Abstract The paper presents an inventory and distribution of invasive alien species, in “Iron Gates” Natural Park, especially to highlight their origins, the most aggressive alien species, and their impact on conservation status of habitats, and indirectly their economic and sociological impact on the human communities. This study may have an important role in improving the efficiency of conservation measures, offering valuable information to authorities involved in protected areas administration.
Long-distance movements in Jasus spp. and their role in larval recruitment

Large-scale, directed migration of juveniles or adults can be important to the larval recruitment process in rock lobsters. Patterns of long-distance movement of Jasus spp. , particularly J. edwardsii and J. verreauxi in New Zealand and Australia, are reviewed. Long-distance (at least 5 km) alongshore migrations by late juveniles appear to take place against the net coastal flow in parts of both New Zealand and Australia, some of these migrations appearing to be contranatant and crucial to larval recruitment. Long-distance alongshore migrations have not been shown for other species but their possible existence cannot be ruled out. In most or all Jasus spp. , there are also inshore-offshore migrations, associated with molting and reproduction, which can exceed 5 km, and long-distance movements without common direction.
The Role of the Lipid Bilayer in P-glycoprotein Drug Binding, Transport and Catalytic Functions

THE ROLE OF THE LIPID BILAYER IN P-GLYCOPROTEIN DRUG BINDING, TRANSPORT AND CATALYTIC FUNCTIONS Adam T. Clay Advisor: University of Guelph, 2011 Professor F.J. Sharom The ABC protein P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) transports many structurally diverse substrates from the lipid bilayer. Previous studies demonstrated the importance of the membrane environment, but few have quantified these effects. In the present work, purified Pgp reconstituted into defined lipid systems was employed. Drug binding affinities were determined using Trp quenching, and drug-lipid partitioning by equilibrium dialysis. Pgp bound substrates from the bilayer with affinities in the millimolar range; both drug-Pgp and drug-lipid interactions were important. The kinetics of Pgp-mediated drug transport were sensitive to drug structure and lipid environment. The rate of transport is proposed to depend on the affinity of Pgp for substrate and conformational changes. The lipid bilayer affected the stability of Pgp catalytic activity which provided evidence for distinct basal and drug-stimulated ATPase cycles. Overall, the lipid environment had pronounced effects on Pgp-mediated drug binding, transport and catalytic functions.
Effects of polyphenols of Cocos nucifera husk fibreon selected indices of cardiovascular diseases in mice

Cocos nucifera (C. nucifera) oil is indigenously used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, coconut husk fibre (which is rich in polyphenols) has not been screened for this property. Based on the ethnomedicinal use of polyphenols in treating cardiovascular diseases, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of polyphenols of C. nucifera husk fibre on selected cardiovascular disease indices in mice. Fifty adult male Swiss albino mice were assigned randomly into five groups (A-E). Mice in groups B, C, D and E were administered 31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg body weight polyphenols of ethyl acetate extract of C. nucifera husk fibre respectively while the control group (A) mice received 5% DMSO for seven days. The mice were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last administration of polyphenols. Heart and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and plasma lipid profile were determined. Results revealed significant reduction ( * p * p > 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL levels in the plasma at all doses of polyphenols administered compared to controls. There was significant reduction ( * p * p > 0.05) at all doses of polyphenols administered compared to controls. These results suggest that the polyphenols of C. nucifera husk fibre possess cardio-protective properties and also indicate their possible use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Whole-genome analysis of sporulation and germination in Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobe and a leading cause of hospitalacquired diarrhoea in humans. Under conditions that are not favourable for growth, C. difficile triggers sporulation, producing metabolically dormant endospores through asymmetric cell division. These are regarded as the principal infective stage in the C. difficile life cycle, but must germinate to allow for vegetative cell growth and toxin production, representing an attractive target for intervention. A detailed understanding of sporulation and germination could thus have direct applications for disease prevention. While sporulation and germination in the model sporeformer Bacillus subtilis is well understood, little is known about these events in C. difficile. Therefore, the primary aim of this project was to provide a genome-wide overview of sporulation and germination in C. difficile and to identify genes that are essential in these processes using a combination of molecular microbiology, microscopy, transcriptomics and next-generation sequencing. The first part of this thesis is devoted to the characterisation of C. difficile sporulation and germination dynamics, and is followed by a transcriptional analysis of temporal gene expression in germinating spores. A functional analysis of the 511 genes identified as differentially regulated during germination is provided and the results validated for a number of selected genes. One gene in particular, encoding a membrane associated cell wall protein Cwp7, is examined in more detail. In the second part of this thesis I describe the construction of the first comprehensive transposon mutant library which is then used to identify genes that are essential for sporulation and/or germination using Transposon-Directed Insertion Site Sequncing (TraDIS). The results of this study are validated by constructing in-frame deletions in four selected genes followed by a thorough analysis of the resulting phenotypes. Two genes: CD0125 encoding a homologue of B. subtilis SpoIIQ and CD3567 encoding a putative cell wall hydrolase are shown to be involved in spore formation while CD0106 encoding a homologues of B. subtilis CwlD is shown to be involved in germination.
The haematozoan parasites of Common Blackbirds Turdus merula: associations with host condition

A population of European Blackbirds Turdus merula was studied to investigate the relationships between blood parasitism and host morphometrics, a putative sexually-selected trait, and reproductive parameters. The prevalence of haematozoa was extremely high and infection was negatively associated with adult morphometrics: adults infected with Leucocytozoon were in relatively poor body condition and had shorter wings than uninfected birds. There was also a negative relationship between blood parasite infection and traits associated with reproduction. The bill colour of males (a putative sexually-selected trait) infected with Plasmodium was duller than that of uninfected males, and in females Haemoproteus infection was significantly positively associated with bill colouration. Haematozoan infection was unrelated to reproductive parameters, and there was no relationship between blood parasite infection and the provision of parental care.
Settlement behavior of American lobster (Homarus americanus): effect of female origin and developmental temperature

The benthic settlement success of American lobster (Homarus americanus) postlarvae is a key factor in population dynamics, with the temperature being a key factor. Given the spatial distribution of the species, its pelagic larvae probably encounter various thermal zones during development. Little information is available on the ability of lobster larvae to acclimate to temperature or if this ability varies among geographic areas. The main objectives of this study were to characterize (i) the settlement behavior of the postlarvae in relation to (a) temperature during larval development and (b) the geographic origin of the maternal parent and (ii) the behavioral response of postlarvae with different thermal histories in the presence/absence of a thermocline. Results did not support the hypothesis of thermal adaptation among local populations, as settlement behavior of postlarvae did not differ among females from different geographic regions. In contrast, larval survival and settlement behavior and postlarval energetic conditions varied with development temperature. Behavioral plasticity in the benthic settlement was observed in relation to temperature structure of the experimental water column. This study suggests that there may be links between development temperature and the natural variability in survival and settlement of American lobsters. Findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach in lobster recruitment studies with the inclusion of behavior in dispersion models.
Expression of the SMP antigen by oligodendrocytes in the developing avian central nervous system

Expression of the avian antigen SMP (Schwann cell Myelin Protein, Mr 75-80000), first characterized in the PNS with a monoclonal antibody as an early and strictly specific Schwann cell marker, was further studied in the CNS. Comparing SMP immunoreactive areas in the different parts of the CNS with those expressing the Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), we showed a strict colocalisation of both phenotypes. In vitro, MBP+ oligodendrocytes express the surface antigen SMP as well. SMP cellular expression was followed in situ and in culture using nervous tissues from embryos at different stages. We were thus able to detect an early expression of this marker by oligodendroblasts before the first appearance of MBP immunoreactivity. We have also identified a subpopulation of SMP+/MBP- and SMP+/GC- cells, which persists under our culture conditions as precursors remaining in an immature state.
Ferredoxin-dependent but not NADH-dependent glutamate synthase is regulated by phytochrome and a blue/UV-A light receptor in turions of Spirodela polyrhiza

Light control on the enzyme activity of NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT; EC 1.4.1.14) and ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT ; EC 1.4.7.1) was investigated in turions of Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden during the pre-germination period. Separation by hydrophobic interaction chromatography revealed one single form in each case. The two enzymes showed a different pattern of regulation. NADH-GOGAT was not influenced by light. Instead, the activity decreased to 50% within the pre-germination period. In contrast, after irradiation with continuous light the activity of Fd-GOGAT was strongly increased. Blue light was more effective than red light in inducing the activity of Fd-GOGAT. The inducing effect of red light was mediated by the photoreceptor phytochrome : the effect of a single red light pulse could be reverted by a subsequent far red light pulse. The results revealed that Fd-GOGAT is regulated by both, phytochrome and a specific blue/UV-A light receptor. This represents a novel mode of light action in regulating the activity of Fd-GOGAT in an angiosperm system. Immunoblots showed that the increase in the enzymatic activity is caused by de novo synthesis of enzyme protein. Consequently, this type of light regulation holds true for the protein level, too.
Autophagy In Cancer Cells

Autophagy is a process that involves the lysosomal degradation of cellular components by the cell itself. It degrades these cellular components to use their nutrients for survival by reducing their proliferation. Autophagy can be activated by the cell’s environment. If the outside stressors of the environment are high, autophagy can be used to such a great extent that it activates a programmed cell death (Gagliostro 4). Ceramides, certain types of transmembrane components also called sphingolipids (SPLs), are very important in the cell’s growth, proliferation, differentiation, and even cellular death. These ceramides have been shown to negatively affect cellular outcome in cancer cells and to activate an autophagic response in cells which leads to cellular death (Gagliostro 4). By inducing the autophagic response in a cancer cell it can essentially self-abort and lyse by self- degrading its components. Current research suggests this as a possible new treatment for cancer.
Susceptibility of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to emamectin benzoate and lambda -cyhalothrin in the greater Accra region of Ghana

Plutella xylostella is a serious pest of brassicae and a threat to cabbage production in Ghana. Following complaints of farmers about the failure of insecticides to control the diamondback moth, we investigated the susceptibility of the diamondback moth to emamectin benzoate and lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides which are commonly used in the diamondback moth control in the greater region of Accra, Ghana. We also investigated the carboxylesterases levels in these populations of the Diamondback moth. Five populations of P. xylostella were collected from greenhouses and outdoor crops at Haatso farm, University of Ghana farm, Korle-Bu farm, Dzorwulu farm, Opeibea farm and bred in the laboratory for two generations and the progeny used for laboratory bioassay using topical application and compared with a reference susceptible strain. Protein levels of the individual strains were determined and carboxylesterase activities were measured using a spectrophotometer at 600 nm. P. xylostella collected in Opeibea farm exhibited the highest level of resistance of 62.4-fold and 10.5-fold for lambda-cyhalothrin and Emamectin benzoate respectively while the carboxylesterase activity levels ranged from 7.8 to 79.2 nmol/ 10 min/ μg protein in the various populations with Dzorwulu population exhibiting the highest level of activity. The current findings have serious implications for brassica production in Ghana considering the fact that farmers rely mainly on insecticides for diamondback moth control. A coordinated resistance management program needs to be implemented with the involvement of pesticide industry, local pesticide regulatory authorities, scientists and farmers.