Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pollen morphology of Agropyron Gaertner in Turkey

Pollen morphology of Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner. s.s. (subsp. incanum (Nab? lek) Melderis and subsp. pectinatum (M. Bieb.) Tzvelev, latter including var. pectinatum and var. imbricatum (Roemer & Schultes) G. Beck) in Turkey has been studied by using light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The above-mentioned taxa are homogenous in both aperture type and exine ornamentation. Pollen grains are monoporate (rarely diporate in the case of var. imbricatum ) having scabrate grouped exine surface. The scabra density and the height of scabrae as well as other morphological parameters such as annulus and operculum diameter are peculiar features for differentiation of taxa. Two different phenograms were created with the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean) clustering technique using quantitative measurements of the pollen grains. Keywords: Agropyron ; Pollen morphology; SEM; Turkey. DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v16i1. 2743 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 16 (1): 21-28, 2009 (June)
IDENTIFICAZIONE DI UNA NUOVA CAUSA GENETICA IN UN CASO FAMILIARE DI ENCEFALOMIOPATIA MITOCONDRIALE E DEFICIT DI CITOCROMO C OSSIDASI.

Using a linkage whole-genome SNP genotyping, we identified a missense mutation within the GFER gene as the cause of an infantile progressive mitochondrial myopathy. The human GFER (growth factor ERV1 homolog), also called ALR (augmenter of liver regeneration), belongs to the ERV1/ALR sulfhydryl oxidase family, which requires flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a cofactor. The physiological role of Erv1 has been elucidated in S. cerevisiae. ERV1 is an essential gene whose product is localized to the mitochondrial IMS. Together with Mia40, it participates in the DRS that drives the import of small IMS proteins to their final localization. Briefly, the DRS consists of two essential components: the sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1 (homolog to human GFER) and the redox-regulated import receptor Mia40. The DRS drives the import of cysteine-rich proteins into the IMS by an oxidative folding mechanism. Erv1p is reoxidized within this system, transferring its electrons onto molecular oxygen via interaction with cytochrome c and Cytochrome c Oxidase (COX), thereby linking the DRS to respiratory chain activity. Proteins belonging to the class of IMS, substrates of the DRS, are only partially identified. These include: a) small Tim proteins, chaperones involved in transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane; b) proteins involved in COX assembly; c) protein involved in protection from superoxide radicals generated by cellular respiration. The consequence of the mutation at the muscle and fibroblast levels are: 1) reduction of multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes activity (predominantly Complex IV), which was restored by overexpression of the wild-type protein; 2) impaired import of human cysteine-rich proteins, known to be imported through the DRS in yeast, into mitochondria; 3) abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructural morphology, with enlargement of the IMS; 4) defective mtDNA maintenance, with accelerated time-dependent accumulation of multiple mtDNA deletions. Moreover, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae erv1R182H mutant strain reproduced the Complex IV activity defect and showed genetic instability of mtDNA and mitochondrial morphological defects. The aforementioned findings shed light on novel mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and mtDNA maintenance, establish the role of ERV1 homologue in the human DRS, and promote the understanding of pathogenesis of a novel form of mitochondrial-related disease.
HLA-DPDQDR is expressed in all lesional skin from patients with autoimmune skin diseases

Introduction: Human genes responsible for human antigen presentation and transplant rejection functions are located on the short arm of Chromosome 6, and are called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Moreover, the primary physiologic function of MHC molecules is to present peptides to T lymphocytes. MHC molecules are integral components of the ligands that most T cells recognize, since the T cell receptor (TCR) has specificity for complexes of foreign antigenic peptides, as well as self-MHC molecules. Aim: Our investigation attempts to investigate the presence of HLA-DPDQDR within lesional skin biopsies from patients affected by autoimmune skin blistering diseases (ABDs). Materials and Methods: We utilized immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate the presence of HLA-DPDQDR in lesional skin biopsies of patients affected by ABDs. We tested 30 patients with endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF), 15 controls from the EPF endemic area, and 15 biopsies from healthy controls from the USA. We also tested archival biopsies from patients with selected ABDs, including 30 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), 20 with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 8 with pemphigus foliaceus (PF), 14 with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and 2 with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). Results: Most ABD biopsies stained positive for HLA-DPDQDR in the lesional blisters and/or inflamed neurovascular neuroplexus areas in the superficial dermis, and also at mesenchymal-endothelial like-cell junctions in the dermis. In BP, EBA and EPF, the HLA-DPDQDR staining was also seen in dermal eccrine sweat gland coils and ducts. Conclusion: We document that HLA-DPDQDR is expressed in several anatomic areas of lesional skin in patients with ABDs. Notably, HLADPDQDR positivity was also consistently present in areas of the classic immune response, including epidermal intercellular junctions in pemphigus, and at basement membrane sites in bullous pemphigoid and other subepidermal blistering diseases.
Responses to selection for lean growth in sheep

This paper reports the selection responses achieved, and related results, following 9 years of index selection for lean growth in Suffolk sheep. The breeding goal of the index used comprised carcass lean weight and carcass fat weight at a constant age, with relative economic values of + 3 and ‐1 per kg. The selection criteria were live weight (LWT), ultrasonic fat depth (UFD) and ultrasonic muscle depth (UMD) adjusted to a constant age of 150 days. By year 9, responses in LWT, UFD and UMD in both sexes, as judged by the divergence between selection and control line performance, amounted to 4·88 kg, ‐1·1 mm and 2·8 mm respectively ; these responses are between 7 and 15% of the overall means of the traits concerned. Although selection was originally on index scores based on phenotypic records, the retrospective analyses reported here used the mixed model applications of residual maximum likelihood to estimate parameters and best linear unbiased prediction to predict breeding values. The statistical model comprised fixed effects plus random effects accounting for direct additive, maternal additive and temporary environmental variation. Estimated genetic trends obtained by regressing estimated breeding values on year of birth were similar to annual responses estimated by comparing selection and control line means. Estimates of direct heritabilities were 0·054, 0·177, 0·286, 0·561 and 0·410 for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), LWT, UFD and UMD respectively. Corresponding estimates of maternal heritabilities were 0·287, 0·205, 0·160, 0·083 and 0·164. Phenotypic correlations between all pairs of traits were positive and usually moderately high. There were low negative direct additive correlations between BWT and WWT, and between BWT and LWT, but higher positive maternal additive correlations between all other pairs of weight traits.
MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES IN TUMOR BIOLOGY - A SPECIAL ATTENTION ON THEIR ROLE IN HNSCC

Contemporary fundamental investigations in the field of oncology are focused on understanding of molecule mechanisms of tumor development, progression and metastasizing. These processes involve controlled and directed proteolysis of the components of basal membrane (BM) and extracellular matrix (ECM) that is catalyzed by variety of proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are a large family of Zn-dependent neutral endopeptidases and their basic activity is the degradation of matrix proteins. In addition they cleave diversity of non-matrix proteins, such as growth factors, signal and receptor molecules, thus modifying indirectly the cellular and tissue behavior. Based on their substrate specificity and structural organization they are subgrouped into collagenases, stromelysins, gelatinases, matrilysins, and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases. The MMP activity is very strictly controlled at the level of gene transcription, latent zymogene activation, and inhibition by endogeneous inhibitors. MMPs are synthesized in non-active latent zymogene form (proMMPs) and are activated after secretion. The proteolytic activity of MMPs is controlled by the members of a family of anti-proteinases known as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and other non-specific inhibitors. The expression and activity is strictly controlled by signal transduction on the level of transcription and maturation and is affected by variety of factors, including genetic. So far, several polymorphisms in the promoter regions of MMP genes have been identified that influence the transcription activity of MMP genes and protein levels of the enzymes. The current review attempts to summarize the information about the role of MMPs and their inhibitors in development, growth, invasion, tumor angiogenesis and metastasizing of neoplastic diseases, particularly in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC).
CO-EVOLUTION OF FIGS AND THEIR INSECT POLLINATORS

For the pollination of their flowers, figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) are dependent upon Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea of the family Agaonidae (fig wasps). For the propagation of their kind, the fig wasps are dependent upon the ovaries of the figs, in which their larvae develop. Thus, the figs and fig wasps are interdependent; generally, their relation is strictly specific-i.e. every species of fig has its own species of pollinator wasp (21, 25, 28). For historical data on the development of our knowledge of fig-wasp relations and for a supplement to an earlier bibliography (17), general reference is made to my short history of fig wasp research (30), in which the literature on figs and fig wasps was reviewed.
Agroforestry policy options for Nigeria: A simulation study

It is the general consensus among planners charged with the responsibility of Nigeria’s development that the future growth of the country is closely linked to its agricultural development through the introduction and use of relevant improved technology, such as agroforestry. Currently, the level of technology usage in the agricultural sector is still very low, due to poor adoption of innovations. The situation suggests the need for an in-dept analysis of adoption of agroforestry-based technologies to determine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers that influence their adoption behaviours and perhaps to design policies which impact positively on agroforestry adoption through favourable policy recommendation and formulations. For the two-stage sampling technique used, structured questionnaire were designed and administered on 200 randomly selected farmers from four purposely selected local government area of Oyo State Nigeria, at the average of 50 farmers per local government. The data collected was analysed using Tobit. Adoption behaviour in the study area was found to be positive and significantly related to farm income, amount of credit available to the farmers and cultivated farm size. A negative and significant relationship was found to exist between the adoption of agroforestry-based technologies and frequency of extension visits and cooperative membership. The effect of different policy options on adoption of agroforestry-based technologies was also estimated. Stronger and closer ties among bodies involved in agroforestry and afforestation programmes with a view to creating more awareness by farmers and expanded agricultural credit scheme to enable farmers to adopt agroforestry-based technologies are recommended.
Repeated Brood Parasitism by Brown-Headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) at Nesting Sites of Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) across Non-consecutive Years

Abstract The temporal and spatial patterns of avian brood parasitism can critically influence host fitness, the coevolution of parasitic strategies and host resistance, and their reciprocal effects on population dynamics. This study examined spatial patterns of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) hosts in 2009–2011 near Ithaca, NY, USA, and compared them with published data from 1999–2002 at the same nest sites, encompassing a period long enough for a turn-over of most of the breeding adult host and parasite populations. Relative to non-parasitized nests, host nests, that were more likely to be parasitized annually in 2009–2011, had also been parasitized more often during years 1999–2002. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that Brown-headed Cowbirds, even across generations, show a consistent preference for particular Eastern Phoebe nest sites, although it remains unclear what the relative roles of the biological traits of the hosts occupying those sites versus the ecological and physical characteristics of the actual nest sites may be in yielding these patterns. Nonetheless, the results imply that knowing the site-specific historys of parasitism of reusable nests and breeding sites can be used to predict variation in the risk and future impact of cowbirds on this host species.
Transient kinetics of yeast growth in batch and continous culture with an inhibitory carbon and energy source

Growth and acetate metabolism by Candida utilis (ATCC 9226) is reported for both acetate‐ and zinc‐limited cultures in defined media. Acetate concentrations were varied from suboptimal to inhibitory levels in both types of media in differential shake flask culture and in batch and continuous cultures in stirred fermentors. Transient responses of steady‐state cultures to small or large additions of concentrated sodium acetate, or to shifts in dilution rate or inlet acetate concentration are compared with one another and with simple mathematical models of growth and acetate metabolism. Exponential growth was observed during unrestricted growth (differential shake flask and batch cultures) with both types of media. Addition of acetate during unrestricted growth always caused lags and for larger pulses, lower specific growth rates were observed after exponential growth resumed. Inhibition by high acetate concentrations was much greater in acetate–limited than in zinc–limited cultures. During restricted growth (steady‐state, continuous cultures), high acetate concentrations again consistently caused growth lags but stimulated, inhibited, or temporarily stopped acetage uptake. Qualitative agreement between the predictions of a simple mathematical model of acetate inhibition fitted to differential shake flask data and the observed transient data was surprisingly good.
A Model of Factors Determining Students’ Ability to Interpret External Representations in Biochemistry

The aim of this research was to develop a model of factors affecting students’ ability to interpret external representations (ERs) in biochemistry. The study was qualitative in design and was guided by the modelling framework of Justi and Gilbert. Application of the process outlined by the framework, and consultation with relevant literature, led to the expression of a Venn model and to the formulation of operational definitions for seven component factors of the model; namely, the conceptual (C), reasoning (R), representation mode (M), reasoning‐mode (R‐M), reasoning‐conceptual (R‐C), conceptual‐mode (C‐M), and conceptual‐reasoning‐mode (C‐R‐M) factors. To validate the model, nine students were interviewed using a specially designed three‐phase single interview technique to investigate their interpretation of three ERs, representing antibody–antigen interaction. The data were analysed by induction, where response patterns emerged naturally rather than being predisposed. The results verified the validity of the expressed model and its component factors. We suggest that the model has a range of potential applications, including as a tool for framing researchers’ thinking about students’ difficulties with, and interpretation of, scientific ERs, and for the design of strategies to improve learning with ERs.
Evaluation of the pathogenicity of microorganisms involved in infective endocarditis by experimental disease Evaluarea patogenit ii microorganismelor implicate în endocardita infecioasexperimental

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a condition that bec ame a public health problem, due to changes in its etiologic spectrum and to the involvement of resistant bacterial strains or of strains with increased vir ulence. The experimental animal model allows the assessment of certain pathologic changes that resembles those ass ociated to this infection in humans. The aim of this experi mental study is the evaluation of the virulence of the main bacterial species isolated from hospital and community and of the mechanical risk factors in IE pathogene sis. Induction of cardiac lesions in rabbits required surgery , consisting in placing a polyurethane catheter thr ough the carotid artery. The working steps are described in de tail. For inoculation we used Staphylococcus aureus strains, Enterococcus spp. strains and viridans group strept ococci. Most animals with lesions induced by cardia c catheterization developed endocardic vegetations. S. aure us strains induced the most intense colonization, f ollowed by Enterococcus faecalis strain and Enterococcus faeci um strain. The average weight of vegetations was hi gher for E. faecalis than for S. aureus or E. faecium. Virid ans group streptococci did not induced IE. Non-cath eterized but inoculated animals did not develop endocarditis lesions. The mechanical irritation of the heart va lve is a trigger factor in the pathogenesis of infective end ocarditis, the most intense colonization of vegetat ion being caused by S. aureus, followed by Enterococcus spp.
CROSSING AND CHROMOSOMAL EVIDENCE FOR TWO ADDITIONAL SIBLING SPECIES WITHIN THE TAXON ANOPHELES DIRUS PEYTON AND HARRISON (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN THAILAND

Crossing and chromosomal evidence is presented for two additional sibling species, dims C and dims D, within the taxon Anopheles dims Peyton and Harrison, in Thailand. The affinities of the four currently recognized species in this complex in Thailand and the limitations of certain techniques used to identify the species are discussed.
Tumor Necrosis Factor- (cid:1) Induces Insulin Resistance in Endothelial Cells via a p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Dependent Pathway

Chronic inflammation contributes to vascular insulin resis- tance and endothelial dysfunction. Systemic infusion of TNF- (cid:1) abrogates insulin’s action to enhance skeletal muscle microvascular perfusion. In skeletal muscle TNF- (cid:1) induces insulin resistance via the p38 MAPK pathway. To examine whether p38 MAPK also regulates TNF- (cid:1) -induced vascular insulin resistance, bovine aortic endothelial cells (bAECs) were incubated (cid:2) TNF- (cid:1) (5 ng/ml) for 6 h in the presence or absence of SB203580 (p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, 10 (cid:3) M ) af- ter serum starvation for 10 h. For the last 30 min, cells were treated (cid:2) 1 n M insulin, and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)phosphorylation,andeNOSactivityweremea-sured.TNF- (cid:1) increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, potently stimulatedIRS-1serinephosphorylation,andbluntedinsulin-stimulatedIRS-1tyrosineandAktphosphorylationandeNOS activity. TNF- (cid:1) also potently stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AMPK. Treatment with SB203580 decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation back to the baseline and restored insulin sensitivity of IRS-1 tyrosine and Akt phosphorylation and eNOS activity in TNF- (cid:1) -treated bAECs without affecting TNF- (cid:1) -induced ERK1/2 and AMPK phosphorylation. We con-clude that in cultured bAECs, TNF- (cid:1) induces insulin resis- tance in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway via a p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism and enhances ERK1/2 and AMPK phosphorylation independent of the p38 MAPK pathway. This differential modulation of TNF- (cid:1) ’s actions by p38 MAPK suggests that p38 MAPK plays a key role in TNF-(cid:1) -mediated vascular insulin resistance and may contribute to the generalized endothelial dysfunction seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus and the cardiometabolic syndrome. ( Endocrinol- ogy 148: 3356–3363, 2007) c-Jun N-terminal kinase; NO, nitric oxide; PI3-kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
A 30-year study of coral abundance, recruitment, and disturbance at several scales in space and time

Observations over a 30-yr period revealed a considerable degree of natural variation in the abundance of corals on Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Cover ranged from 80%, with a similar large range in colony density, at several temporal and spatial scales. Much of this variation was due to the type, intensity, and spatial scale of disturbances that occurred. Coral assemblages usually recovered from acute disturbances, both on Heron Island and on other Indo-Pacific reefs. In contrast, corals did not recover from chronic disturbances of either natural or human origins, or from gradual declines. Recovery was slower after acute disturbances that altered the physical environment than after disturbances that simply killed or damaged corals. The space and time scales of declines and recoveries in abundance were much smaller on the wave-exposed side of the reef than on the side protected from storms. Recruitment rates were reduced by preemption of space by corals or macroalgae, and by storms that altered the substratum. Thus, the dynamics of abundance in this coral community can be largely understood through the variation in types and scales of disturbances that occurred, and the processes that took place where disturbances were rare.
The role of lactic acid bacteria in accelerated cheese ripening

The ripening of cheese is a slow and consequently an expensive process. The economic advantage of rapid development of more intense cheese flavour in shorter periods of time would be substantial. Lactic acid bacteria play a key role during ripening and can therefore be used as accelerating agents. This review describes the different strategies where lactic acid bacteria or their enzymes were used to reduce the ripening time of cheese. The advantages, limitations and technical feasibility as well as the commercial potential of the different approaches are also considered.