Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
De l'ovocyte à l'avortement précoce : anomalies chromosomiques et échec de développement embryonnaire

La Lettre du Gynécologue n° 311 avril 2006 n reproduction humaine, les anomalies chromosomiques représentent la cause la plus importante de pertes fœtales, elles sont responsables de la moitié des avortements spontanés survenus au-delà de la huitième semaine de grossesse. En effet, 5% des mort-nés ont un caryotype anormal et 0,5 % des nouveau-nés sont porteurs d’aberrations chromosomiques (1). Une anomalie chromosomique peut être la conséquence d’une méiose anormale. Les associations de type multivalent en métaphase I, les disjonctions non équilibrées de chromosomes en anaphase, la présence de chromosomes retardataires ou situés en dehors de la plaque métaphasique sont les principales anomalies méiotiques qui sont à l’origine de gamètes anormaux et d’embryons aneuploïdes. Pour comprendre la physiopathologie, il est utile d’étudier le génome des gamètes, des embryons précoces et des produits d’avortement. Grâce à l’application des techniques de cytogénétique et de biologie moléculaire, il est aujourd’hui possible d’analyser le statut chromosomique et génique des gamètes et de l’embryon préet postimplantatoire afin de comprendre la contribution des désordres génétiques à la genèse de conceptus anormal et à l’échec de développement embryonnaire (2, 3).
Software Relialibility Markovian Model Based on Phase-Type Distribution

— The paper focuses on creating of a software reliability model based on phase type distribution. Usually, the length of intervals between the moments of fault detection and correction have unknown distributions. In this paper, a new approach how to approximate any distribution of positive random variable by mixture and convolution of exponential phases, known as the general type of phase-type distribution, is proposed. The optimization algorithm of Local Unimodal Sampling (LUS) is applied to estimate parameters of phase-type distribution. After such procedure, the dynamics of a software reliability model can be described by a continuous time absorbing Markov chain. The probabilities of the resulting absorbing Markov chain are used to compute performance measures of the software reliability model
On Mutual Relations amongst Evolutionary Algorithm Dynamics and Its Hidden Complex Network Structures: An Overview and Recent Advances

In this chapter, we do synthesis of three partially different areas of research: complex networks, evolutionary computation and deterministic chaos. Ideas, results and methodologies reported and mentioned here are based on our previous results and experiments. We report here our latest results as well as propositions on further research that is in process in our group (http://navy.cs.vsb.cz/). In order to understand what is the main idea, lets first discuss an overview of the two main areas: complex networks and evolutionary algorithms.
In vitro Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells using 3-D Matrix Derived from Cardiac Fibroblast

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), nonhematopoietic progenitor cells are capable of differentiating into multiple lineage of the mesenchyme such as bone, cartilage, tendon, fat, heart, muscle, and brain, in vitro and in vivo. Although autologous MSC have some advantageous factors, MSC have very poor replicative capacity. Previous studies indicated that growth factors but also cell seeding density made an effect on expansion of MSCs. In this study, we examined the growth rate and adhesion of MSC in tissue culture coated with a basement membrane-like extracellular matrix. When self-renewal of MSC were compared between 2-D and 3-D, the growth rate of MSCs on 3-D matrix was highest among plastic, Fibronectinand 3-D matrix plate but also attachment of MSCs on 3-D matrix was 6-fold greater than that on plastic. MSCs plated into 3-D matrix showed colocalization of α5 integrin and αV integrin. This study may reflect that the extracellular matrix had greater effect on the expansion of MSCs because this distinctive in 3-D matrix adhesion differ in localization and function from classically described in vitro adhesion.
Effects of Sulphur Ascorbic Acid and Glutathione Circulatory System in Flag Leaf of Winter Wheat

Sulphur(S) is an essential nutrient required for all living organism.Previous studies focused straightly on effects of S on yield and quality of wheat.This experiment aims to compare the effects of different S levels on ascorbic acid and glutathione circulatory system in flag leaf post-anthesis of multi-spike cultivar YM49-198 and large-spike cultivar LKAZ8.The results showed that two cultivars performance was consistent,but differ obviously in ascorbic acid(AsA)content and glutathione stransferases(GSTs) activity at 28 d post-anthesis.Compared with control,sulphur application significantly increased glutathione(GSH) and AsA content and obviously improved the activity of glutathione reductase(GR),GSTs and ascorbat eperoxidase(APX) in flag leaf of winter wheat.Variations of GSH content,GSTs and APX activity exhibited all a single peak curve and declined slowly after 7～10 d post-anthesis.AsA content was increased with growth course and went to peak at 28 d after anthesis.Variation of GR activity was declined with the increase in the days after anthesis.The results indicated sulphur play an important role in strengthening of ascorbic acid and glutathione circulatory system.
Behavioural responses of great tits to experimental manipulation of nest temperature during incubation

In several bird species only one member of the pair incubates the eggs. This individual should trade-off the time between caring for the eggs and leaving the nest to forage or perform other self-maintenance activities. Thus, daytime incubation is intermittent, and the number of " sessions " and " recesses " , and their length, impact egg temperatures and therefore embryo development. We evaluated female investment decisions, and their reproductive consequences, by experimentally heating or cooling great tit Parus major nests during the incubation period in a Mediterranean population. Heated females were less often encountered within the nest incubating, and their recesses tended to be longer. Even though mean nest temperatures were higher in heated than in control nests, heating did not affect breeding success, size or condition of the nestlings, or parental condition or behaviour when feeding the nestlings. On the other hand, temperatures in cooled nests were lower than those in control nests during the daytime (but not during the night). However , females seemed able to compensate for the treatment, since breeding success was similar in cooled and control nests, and neither nestlings nor parents showed negative effects of the cooling treatment.
THE RELATIONS OF THE ANTERIOR VISCERAL ARCHES TO THE CHONDROCRANIUM

The articular relations with the chondrocranium of the upper and lower jaw-cartilages and the hyomandibular, as typified in Ceratodis, in Squalus, and in Notidanus, are in themselves of course generally understood, but comparison of the current definitions and usages of the corresponding terms "autostylic," "hyostylic," " amphistylic" reveals considerable discrepancy, which is highly confusing to the general student; hence the present endeavor to standardize these terms and to give, as far as needed, their synonymy. From the analysis necessary for the accomplishment of this purpose it has become evident that all the current definitions of " hyostylic," " autostylic" and " amphistylic " are in one way or other unsatisfactory, and that if these conceptions are to retain anything more than historic interest they will have to be extended to include the relations to the chrondrocranium not only of the hyomandibular but also of the hyoidean arch as a whole and of its distal or ventral half, the " hyoid " or ceratohyal. By this extension we are enabled : first, to apply separate and clearly diagnostic terms to the suspensorial conditions of the very phylogenetically separated groups Dipnoi (autostylic) and Holocephali ( " holostylic" ), hitherto lumped together under the single term "autostylic"; second, to differentiate under the generic concept " hyostylic " four specifically well-marked modes, (a) the " hyostylic proper" of typical sharks, (b) the " amphyostylic " of Notidanus, (c) the " euhyostylic " of most rays, (d) the " methyolic" of the teleostomes; third to group all the modern types of suspensorial conditions under the term "caenostylic" in contrast with the ancestral type here called " palaeostylic," which is only a few steps below Gadow's' suggested form, the " simple autostylic. "
LIZARD ANTIPREDATORY BEHAVIORS PREVENTING EXTRACTION FROM CREVICES

We observed lizards in artificial crevices to examine behaviors that make them harder for predators to dislodge from crevices or burrows. We used four focal species and made additional observations of 13 cordyliform species. There were pronounced differences in defensive behaviors within crevices among species. Within crevices, representatives of several lizard taxa pressed some portions of their dorsal surfaces against crevice roofs, pushing upward with their legs, and used the tail to block access to their bodies. Two species of cordylids also tilted their heads down, bringing the lower jaw into contact with the floor and pressing the neck and posterodorsal head against the roof. Additionally, Uromastyx aegyptius and Sauromalus ater wedged themselves into crevices by inflating their bodies. We discuss interspecific differences in within-crevice defenses in relation to the unique defensive repertoires of each taxon.
Structural, Functional and Evolutionary Analyses of the Rice Blast fungal Genome

DENG, JIXIN. Structural, Functional and Evolutionary Analyses of the Rice Blast Fungal Genome. (Under the direction of Ralph A. Dean.) Disease caused by rice blast results in a dramatic loss of rice production worldwide every year. The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, has long been the subject of intense investigation and has been adopted as a model system to elucidate molecular host-pathogen interactions. In recent years, a major initiative to decode the genome of this fungus was launched, which has greatly shaped current biological studies. This dissertation contains three projects developed to help with genome sequencing as well as analyses to explore genome function and evolution. The first project involved functional characterization of ACI1. This gene was identified in a yeast two-hybrid experiment to interact with MAC1, a key regulator of the infection process. However, deletion of ACI1 had no obvious effect on pathogenesis. The second project validated and refined the previously constructed physical map of chromosome 7 in preparation for a map based sequencing project. One hundred and forty out of the 155 non-repetitive DNA-containing ESTs were confirmed to be chromosome 7 anchored. Furthermore, 5 previously unanchored FPC contigs were anchored to chromosome 7. Following the release of the whole genome sequence and other related fungi, an evolutionary analysis of the cytochrome P450 superfamily was undertaken as a third project. Cytochrome P450s form a large protein superfamily, representing ~ 1% of predicted ORFs and are present in many organisms from bacteria to human. The functions of P450 enzymes are very varied. In fungi, they are involved in detoxifying plant defense compounds as well as being required for biosynthesis of pathogenesis related toxins. Two plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium graminearum and M. oryzea with two saprophytic fungi Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa were chosen to compare their P450omes. Due to considerable sequence divergence that hampered application of standard phylogenetic approaches, a novel approach was developed to reconstruct their evolution. The results suggested that the ancestral genome of the four fungi contained similar number of P450s as found in current filamentous ascomycetes. As a general trend, during evolution, new lineage specific P450 have appeared with a corresponding loss of genes from ancestral clans. M. oryzae exhibited a larger expansion with less contraction compared to the other three fungi. In particular genes were expanded or maintained in two P450 clans that may be involved in the alkane and fatty acid assimilation. Structural, Functional and Evolutionary Analyses of the Rice Blast Fungal Genome
EVALUATION OF HYGIENIC AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF PEULH CHEESE TREATED BY SORGHUM VULGARIS (L) AND PIMENTA RACEMOSA (MILLER) EXTRACTS

The present study has been carried out for evaluating hygienic and nutritional quality of treated Peulh cheese using Sorghum vulgaris and Pimenta racemosa extracts. After the treatment of cheeses with the two extracts, a significant reduction of the microbial flora occurs during the conservation. It seems however worthy that combining temperature and extracts is necessary. The decrease of pH values of fresh cheeses compared to those of treated ones has been observed and connected to the amount of lactic acid present (0.17% for fresh cheese and 0.21% for treated ones). It results a lowering of the pH values of fresh cheeses and those treated with extracts are respectively 6.47 and 6.08. Titrable acidity values as a percentage of lactic acid, which is related to the pH values. The amount of
Intra-Pathway Inhibition of Upstream (PI3K) and Downstream (mTOR) Kinases Synergistically Induces Apoptosis in AML.

Constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates the growth and survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We hypothesized that targeting this pathway with both PI3K and mTOR inhibitors may greatly enhance the effectiveness of these two inhibitors in the treatment of AML. PI3KI1 is a novel PI3K inhibitor that induced apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary AML cells at an IC 50 of 5μM. It directly inhibited AKT at Ser473, however had limited effects on pGSK3b and on the mTOR downstream target p70S6K at Thr389. Colony-forming assays demonstrated that PI3KI1 decreased the viability of primary AML samples but spared normal bone marrow progenitor cells. mTOR inhibitor CCI779 inhibited phosphorylation of downstream mTOR targets p70S6K and 4EBP, however showed only minor cytotoxicity to AML cell lines and primary samples, suggesting that inhibition of mTOR signaling is not sufficient to cause growth inhibition in the majority of AML. Combined use of PI3KI1 and CCI779 synergistically induced apoptosis in U937 cells, with a combination index of 0.061±0.02. Western blot analysis demonstrated enhanced suppression of pP70S6K, pAKT and p4EBP1(Thr70) when PI3KI1 and CCI779 were used in combination. In primary AML samples, combined inhibition of PI3K and mTOR pathways enhanced apoptosis induction in 8/12 samples, with true synergistic responses in 3 samples. Importantly, the combination, but not PI3KI1 or CCI779 alone, was able to overcome the growth advantage conferred to AML cell lines or primary AML samples by adherence to bone marrow stromal cells. Taken together, our results indicate that PI3K and mTOR are relevant molecular targets in AML and that intra-pathway inhibition of both, upstream and downstream proteins may be required for maximal inhibition of leukemia cell growth.
Fungi associated with nests of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Nasutitermitinae) in a semiarid region of Brazil

There is a large diversity of fungi associated with termites. However, there are few studies on this subject, especially for South America. This work analyzed the community of fungi associated with nests of Nasutitermes corniger in urban environments of four cites (Pocinhos, Campina Grande, Areia, Bananeiras) with different climates (brejo de altitude and caatinga) in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Successive dilutions, to 10-4 g/ml, were made with material from external and internal parts of 20 N. corniger nests. A solution was prepared with 1g of each nest, and 100 μl of each dilution (in five replicates) was placed in a Petri dish with potato dextrose agar medium (BDA). Twenty-three morphotypes distributed in eight genera were recorded, and the greatest richness, diversity and abundance of colonies were from the brejo de altitude nests. Penicillium sp.1, Cladosporium sp. , Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were the most abundant in both regions studied.
General models for trophic fluxes in animals based on their body size

Abstract:Although powerful allometric analyses exist to describe ingestion and respiration for terrestrial vertebrates, a surprising range of organisms and phenomena have not yet been so analyzed. ANCOVA allows one to fit the heterogeneous literature data for rates of ingestion, growth, defecation and excretion as functions of body size. In this way, general allometric relations with common slopes but different intercepts can be generated for previously unstudied taxa, thereby providing internally consistent relations to calculate all components of the balanced growth equation. Where comparisons are possible, these relations are similar to existing relations. Qualitatively, insects are more active than other ectotherms and birds are more active than other endotherms; endotherms perform at higher rates than ectotherms. For all rates, body sizes and taxonomic groupings, the uncertainty of individual prediction is large, because the rates at any particular size vary. Among different fluxes, median growth rat.
Analysis of total flavonoids content in grape genotypes

Grape is an important fruit crop with tremendous nutritious and antioxidant properties. Its consumption helps to protect our human body system from external injuries by scavenging free radicals. We have evaluated the total flavonoids content of 11 grape hybrids along with their parents. The total flavonoids were estimated and expressed as quercetin equivalent (QE). We found that, the highest total flavonoids was in ‘Hy.16/2A R3P12’ followed by ‘Hy.16/2A R1P8’. In conclusion, our studies identified some of the nutraceutical rich genotypes, which can be carried forward for further utilization at a commercial scale.
Agronomic, Nutraceutical, and Organoleptic Performances of Wild Herbs of Ethnobotanical Tradition

ABSTRACT There is a lack of information on how to grow wild herbs as nutraceutical foods. Ten wild herbs were collected in natural and/or anthropized environments and assessed for their agronomic performance as fresh-cut (or ready-to-eat) leafy vegetables and their nutraceutical and organoleptic attributes. Seed dormancy prevented acceptable germination in many species. However, a physiological seed treatment (soaking with sodium hypochlorite followed by incubation for 3 months at 4°C in sand moistened with potassium nitrate solution) allowed satisfactory germination, usually above 80%. Cultivation in alveolar containers produced highly diversified fresh-cut productivity (250–550 g·m−2), lower than that of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.; >900 g·m−2) grown as a reference fresh-cut green vegetable. Antioxidant power was often much greater in wild herbs (20.0 to 62.0 mmol Fe2+·kg−1 fresh weight [FW]) than in lettuce (21.0 mmol Fe2+·kg−1 FW). Evaluation of the sensory profile indicated that softness and sweet taste of lettuce were generally preferred to the more robust flavors of wild herbs. Hardness and bitter taste produced a poor appreciation of most wild herbs. However, exceptions were evidenced due to characteristics of spiciness [Alliaria petiolata (M.Bieb) Cavara & Grande] and/or crunchiness (Silene vulgaris [Moench] Garcke). Frequent distrust for most herbs was expressed as an example of food neophobia that generally occurs for unknown bitter flavors. Most of the wild herbs were not suitable as fresh-cut leafy vegetables, but some species could be ingredients for mixed products with better flavor and health properties.
Suppression of superconductivity at the nanoscale in chemical solution derived YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films with defective Y2Ba4Cu8O16 intergrowths

The analysis of the microstructure and superconducting behavior of chemical solution deposited epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ films, with thickness going down to 5 nm has been carried out with the purpose to disclose the behavior of the most common intergrowth in these films, the Y2Ba4Cu8O16. The analysis of ultrathin films is a unique opportunity to investigate the superconducting behavior of these nanoscale defects because of the high concentration created as a consequence of the elastic energy associated to the misfit strain. Magnetic susceptibility and X-ray diffraction measurements evidence a strong decrease of the superconducting volume correlated with an increase of the intergrowth volume fraction. We demonstrate that these intergrowths are non-superconducting nanoscale regions where Cooper pair formation is disrupted, in agreement with their key role as artificial pinning centers for vortices in YBa2Cu3O7−δ films and coated conductors.
Changes in the quality characteristics of cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) under various processing conditions

Crickets have been used as crude drug for treating fever and hypertension in East Asia. This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics such as the microbial and nutrient contents of crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) prepared with various processing conditions for use as food. These conditions included the lyophilization process (LP), hot-air process (HP, for 7 hr), roasting process (RP, for 40 min), and frying process (FP, for 30 sec). The total bacterial population of the crickets was 5~7 log CFU/g, but Coliform and E. coli were not detected. The major fatty acids in all the samples were palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2). The level of polyunsaturated fatty acids was highest (63.55 g/100 g) in the LP-processed crickets. As for the amino acid content, the glutamic acid level was highest in all the samples, and the RP and FP decreased by 12.01% and 53.88%, respectively, compared to that of the LP. The mineral contents were highest in the LP-processed crickets. Hg was detected at about 1.0 ppb in all the samples, but its level was lower than the residue tolerance level in the Korean Food Code. Such conditions should be considered to better understand the quality characteristics of crickets in food processing.