Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of PTEN protein in multidrug resistance of prostate cancer cells

In a past decade became evident that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase controlled signal transduction cascade (PI3K/Akt/PTEN/mTOR) is implicated in resistance of tumor cells to anticancer drugs. Another well studied mechanism of multidrug resistance is associated with the activity of drug transporters of ABC superfamily (first of all P-glycoprotein (Pgp), MRP1, BCRP). Several mechanisms of cell defense can be turned on in one cell. The interconnections between different mechanisms involved in drug resistance are poorly studied. In the present study we used PC3 and DU145 human prostate cell lines to show that PTEN functional status determines level of cell resistance to some drugs, it correlates with expression level of MRP1 and BCRP proteins. We showed that Pgp is not involved in development of drug resistance in these cells. Transfection of PTEN into PTEN-deficient PC3 as well as rapamycin treatment caused the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and resulted in cell sensitization to the action of doxorubicin and vinblastine. We showed that PTEN transfection leads to the change in expression of MRP1 and BCRP. Our results show that in prostate cancer cells at least two mechanisms of drug resistance are interconnected. PTEN and mTOR signaling were shown: to be involved into regulation of MRP1 and BCRP.
Response of vicia faba to salinity and vitamins

The effect of salinity (180 mM NaCl) and vitamins (100 ppm pyridoxine-B 6 or nicotinamide- PP) on the contents of carbohydrates, proteins, proline, total amino acids and the ionic osmotic concentration (electrical conductivity)was examined in salinized bean lines 900-3, 67 and 13 seedlings. Salinity treatments enhanced the production of carbohydrate contents and protein fractions, accumulation of proline and free amino acids in the seedlings of lines 900-3 and 67 while the opposite trends were observed in line 13. The ion concentration was significantly increased in response to salinity stress in the seedlings of all the three bean lines. Seed soaking in either vitamin B 6 or vitamin PP alleviated the accumulation of carbohydrates of all the three bean lines, except the insoluble and total carbohydrates in salinized seedling of bean line 13. Vitamin treatments also increased the protein contents, in all tested bean lines. Soaking of seeds in one of the two vitamins exhibited variable responses in the production of the free amino acids and proline in the seedlings of the three bean lines.
Phytophthora Sojae - Soybean Interaction in a Changing Climate

Vipaporn Phuntumart, Advisor Carbon dioxide is a non-perceptible atmospheric greenhouse gas and a key component for photosynthetic life as the distinct substrate for carbon fixation. Elucidation of host-pathogen interactions within a changing climate may provide tools for breeding programs needed to maintain yields to meet the needs of future global food demands. Our experiments aim to explore the effect of increased CO2 on the Phytophthora sojae – Glycine max interaction. We hypothesize that an increase in atmospheric CO2 will alter the expression of specific gene transcripts that are associated with the pathogenicity of P. sojae and resistance mechanisms of Glycine max. The objective of the project is to fill a major gap in the knowledge base of the P. sojae – G. max plant-pathogen interaction under increased CO2, as this interaction occurs in the rhizosphere were carbon dioxide concentrations exceed levels which above ground plant tissues encounter. The data from relative fold changes of specific mRNAs will enable us to monitor the simultaneous response of the specific genes from both pathogen and host tissues under elevated CO2 (0.1%) compared to an ambient (0.039%) atmosphere. Both susceptible (Williams) and resistant (W82) lines of soybean will be monitored in healthy tissues, and at 24 and 48 hours post inoculation.
Source-sink population dynamics and the problem of siting marine reserves

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been proposed as one way to reduce the problems of overfishing and to respond to uncertainty in fisheries management. Many fisheries, including tropical and temperate reef fisheries, are inherently multispecies, multigear fisheries and are difficult to manage by traditional methods. Clearly, these fisheries should benefit from the establishment of no-take marine reserves, but the track record to date for fisheries benefits of MPAs is mixed or poorly documented. Because siting of reserves depends upon both scientific and sociological input, the lack of critical scientific information on source-sink population structure of reef fishes can potentially lead to MPA placement that can damage rather than enhance fisheries. In this paper, we develop a simple, spatially explicit model to address a series of hypotheses regarding MPA effects on fisheries. Our hypotheses include: (1) a system in which reserves are placed in source habitats is superior to one in which they are placed at random or in sink habitats; (2) the importance of source-sink population structure is increased if fishing effort is displaced rather than reduced; (3) as the proportion of the environment consisting of poor-quality (sink) habitat increases, proper siting of MPAs becomes increasingly important; and (4) if the environment contains directional currents, the spatial location of reserves will be critical to population enhancement. Our results suggest that, if reef fishes have source-sink population dynamics, siting reserves on the basis of sociological criteria alone may be risky. We need to understand source-sink population dynamics to site MPAs properly.
Effect of Juice Clarification on the Composition and Quality of Eastern US Table Wines

Juice from the varieties Niagara, Delaware, and Catawba were clarified by: (1) settling 12 hours and racking and (2) pectolytic enzyme treatment and racking. For each variety, an unsettled and unracked juice was used as the control. All juices were fermented at 16.7°C with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Montrachet strain #522. Wines made from the unclarified juices tended to be higher in higher alcohol content. The methanol content was slightly higher in wines from the pectolytic enzyme-treated juices. Wines from the clarified juices were generally preferred by taste panelists to those from unclarified juices.
Heterochrony: beyond words

“It's not all heterochrony. ” Raff (1996) “Heterochrony … explains everything. ” McNamara (1997) Few evolutionary topics have generated more confusion and controversy than heterochrony. Commonly defined as “evolution via change in rate or timing of development,” heterchrony has historically become associated with genocidal ideologies, simple-minded theories of evolution, and a bloated, baroque jargon describing patterns produced by largely unknown mechanisms. With a track record like that, perhaps the most surprising aspect of heterochrony is its continued, even rapid, growth as an area of productive scientific inquiry. For example, the number of papers devoted to heterochronic topics continues to increase in many evolutionary journals and books (reviews in Reilly et al. 1997; Klingenberg 1998), including those devoted to human development (Bogin 1997) and evolution (Vrba 1998; McKinney 1998; Parker and McKinney 1999).
Selection on heterozygosity drives adaptation in intra- and interspecific hybrids

Hybridization is often considered maladaptive, but sometimes hybrids can invade new ecological niches and adapt to novel or stressful environments better than their parents. However, the genomic changes that occur following hybridization and facilitate genome resolution and/or adaptation are not well understood. Here, we address these questions using experimental evolution of de novo interspecific hybrid yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces uvarum and their parentals. We evolved these strains in nutrient limited conditions for hundreds of generations and sequenced the resulting cultures to identify genomic changes. Analysis of 16 hybrid clones and 16 parental clones identified numerous point mutations, copy number changes, and loss of heterozygosity events, including a number of nuclear-mitochondrial mutations and species biased amplification of nutrient transporters. We focused on a particularly interesting example, in which we saw repeated loss of heterozygosity at the high affinity phosphate transporter gene PHO84 in both intra- and interspecific hybrids. Using allele replacement methods, we tested the fitness of different alleles in hybrid and S. cerevisiae strain backgrounds and found that the loss of heterozygosity is indeed the result of selection on one allele over the other in both S. cerevisiae and the hybrids. This illuminates an example where hybrid genome resolution is driven by positive selection on existing heterozygosity, and generally demonstrates that outcrossing need not be frequent to have long lasting impacts on adaptation.
The effect of experience and timing on reproductive performance in Buffleheads

Etude de la reproduction chez Bucephala albeola et plus particulierement de l'effet conjugue de l'experience et du moment de reproduction des femelles sur leurs performances reproductrices. Les performances etudiees sont la taille de la couvee, le succes d'eclosion et le succes d'emergence des jeunes ainsi que le taux de recrutement des jeunes
Distribution and Autecology of Mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) in a Mediterranean River in the Western Balkans

ABSTRACT: Mayflies are one of the most important orders of freshwater inhabiting insects and they are widely used in ecological studies. Mayfly ecology and distribution in the Mediterranean part of the Western Balkans are insufficiently investigated. Our study encompassed 9 sampling sites along the course of the Cetina River, the longest Mediterrranean river in Croatia, and 2 sites in the spring reach of its tributary, Ruda River. Mayflies were sampled monthly between August 2004 and August 2005. A total of 22 mayfly taxa were recorded, including 12 rare species. Due to the variety of available microhabitats and suitable physico-chemical water properties (e.g. water temperature), the highest mayfly richness was recorded in the lower reaches of the river. We discuss distribution and ecology of collected species, particularly the most abundant species (e.g. Baetis rhodani (Pictet, 1843) and Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761)) and the rare species (e.g. Siphlonurus croaticus Ulmer, 1920). One of the rare species collected, Caenis beskidensis Sowa, 1973, has a central and western European distribution and was hitherto not recorded in the Dinaric Western Balkan ecoregion. Morphologically variable specimens from the Rhithrogena group semicolorata were collected, and variability of the most important morphological characters is presented here. In order to resolve the taxonomical status we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (barcode region) of morphologically distinct specimens from the Cetina spring and another locality belonging to the Black Sea drainage (Bijela rijeka, Plitvice Lakes NP). Uncorrected p-distances within and between populations enabled us to associate all specimens to Rhithrogena braaschi Jacob, 1974. Moreover, in contrast to high morphological variability observed in this species, we infer low genetic differentiation of the mtCOI fragment in this species in the Dinaric Western Balkans.
Patterns and drivers of soil microbial communities in Tibetan alpine and global terrestrial ecosystems

Soil microorganisms play key roles in regulating many important ecosystem processes. However, our understanding of the patterns and drivers of soil microbial communities remains limited. This study aims to test the hypothesis that edaphic factors are more important in explaining variations in soil microbial communities than climatic and biotic factors, as soils directly provide substrates and environment for soil microbial communities.
RÉPERCUSSIONS DU PROPYLTHIOURACILE ADMINISTRÉ EN PÉRIODE NÉONATALE SUR L'ACTIVITÉ TESTICULAIRE CHEZ LE RAT WISTAR

Plusieurs travaux demontrent le role essentiel des hormones thyroidiennes dans la croissance et le developpement. Le but de cette etude est d'evaluer l'effet d'une hypothyroidie transitoire, induite par un anti-thyroidien de synthese : le propylthiouracile administre de la naissance a 21 jours post-partum, sur la structure et l'activite secretoire de la gonade mâle chez le rat a differents âges. L'hypothyroidie neonatale provoque une diminution significative du poids corporel, une reduction du poids des testicules et des variations significatives des teneurs glandulaires et plasmatiques en testosterone. La structure des testicules met en evidence une diminution de la lumiere centrale a 20 jours et une absence de cellules germinales mures a 60 jours.
Studie über die bakteriostatische Aktivität von Propolis

This work characterizes microbiological elements, phenols constituents of 12 samples of propolis. Relation flavonoids components and bacteriostatic activity of propolis was studied. From above results, it was considered as minimum 60-80 μg/ml and 600-800 μg/ml assure inhibitor microbiology action of propolis against B. subtilis, St. aureus and E. coli.
SV40 large T-antigen: dual oncogene.

: Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a small, DNA-containing tumour virus. One of its gene products, the large tumour antigen (T-ag), is essential for both viral replication and cell transformation. SV40 T-ag can be considered a dual oncogene protein; it is a composite transforming protein that provides distinct functions at different subcellular locations. In addition to its roles in virus replication, T-ag exerts numerous effects on host cells. Those cellular effects reflect viral stimulation of host cell entry into S phase. Numerous chemical modifications have been ascribed to T-ag. They might be involved in defining subpopulations of T-ag that are, in turn, responsible for mediating various T-ag biochemical functions. The T-ag polypeptide, 90,000-100,000 in molecular weight, appears to contain multiple, discrete functional domains; several biological activities have been assigned to relatively small defined regions of the molecule. The cellular progenitors of the T-ag biochemical activities are not obvious. A cellular protein, p53, thought to be involved in regulation of cell proliferation, becomes complexed with T-ag in transformed cells and is stabilized. The interaction of T-ag with this cellular substrate may play an important part in SV40 transformation. T-ag and T-ag/p53 complexes are localized in both the nucleus and plasma membrane of transformed cells. T-ag is transported to the nucleus because of a 7-residue nuclear transport signal contained within its primary sequence. Its migration to the membrane is by an unknown pathway. Only a minor fraction of the total cellular T-ag is present at the cell surface. Both amino and carboxy termini of the T-ag polypeptide are exposed on the extracellular face of the cell. Nuclear and membrane T-ag are structurally very similar, although a portion of membrane T-ag is acylated and nuclear T-ag is not. The nuclear and membrane forms of T-ag apparently provide separate and complementary functions necessary for cell transformation. Nuclear T-ag is important in immortalizing primary cells and membrane T-ag may mediate more pronounced morphological changes. A model is presented, postulating how the two forms of T-ag might cooperate to mediate phenotypic transformation.
Predator Presence, but not Food Supplementation, Affects Forest Red Squirrels in Winter

We studied the responses of red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris, to food supplementation and avian predation risk during two winters in Finland, when the level of natural food production, spruce seeds, varied markedly. We performed an open experiment with 6 replicates in the landscape where squirrel signs were counted near a feeding station and/or active predator nest and control site. Within each site, we counted squirrel snow-tracks and feeding-signs and checked the usage of two nest-boxes. We observed that during the winter when natural food was less plentiful, red squirrel snow-tracks decreased at sites with predator. The same was observed, only less clearly, during the winter with more natural food. Food supplementation had no obvious effect. We conclude that predators have a clear effect on red squirrels in winter. Furthermore, in situations where a species is specialized in using fluctuating amounts of natural food resources, the role of artificial food supplementation may remain unclear.
The effect of substitution of soybean meal with a mixture of rapeseed meal, white lupin grain, and pea grain on performance indicators, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen retention in Popielno White rabbits

ABSTRACT Rabbits, bred under large-scale farming conditions, are fed pelleted complete feed containing extracted soybean meal (SBM), which is the protein source. In recent years, in certain areas of the world, a trend has emerged for the elimination of soybean meal from feed rations. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the substitution of extracted SBM with a mixture of extracted rapeseed meal (RSM; 5–10%), white lupin (WL) grain (4–8%), and pea grain (3–6%) on production results, as well as nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in Popielno White rabbits. The ration for the control group (C) contained 15% extracted SBM, while the ration for the experimental group (E1) contained 7.5% extracted SBM, which was partially substituted with a mixture of extracted RSM, and WL and pea grains. In the experimental group (E2) diet, soybean meal was completely substituted. The obtained results indicated that the partial or complete substitution of extracted SBM with extracted RSM, pea, and WL did not have a negative effect on production results, digestibility of nutrients, and nitrogen retention.
Studies on optimal conditions for amine production by E. coli

Etude des conditions de temperature, pH et salinite du milieu influencant la biosynthese d'amines (tyramine, histamine, tryptamine) par une souche d'E. coli, en relation avec les risques d'ulceres intestinaux et d'allergies provoques par ces amines
Field tests on the host range of the larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm ( Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LECONTE 1868, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera)

In 2005 a field trail was carried out in Lovrin, Romania, to test the host-suitability of different weeds and one winter wheat cultivar for naturally occurring larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera . The weeds tested were Setaria glauca, S. viridis, S. verticillata , and Sorghum halepense . Maize was used as the control. For all three species of Setaria development of larvae of WCR was recorded. It was distinctly reduced compared to the maize control (to about 15%) and the emergence of adult beetles was delayed (about 14 days). Thus Setaria spp. seem to be suitable hosts for larvae of WCR in the field at least under Romanian conditions. No beetles hatched in plots with S. halepense and winter wheat. But wheat was ripe already at the end of June, before any beetle had hatched in the experiment. Keywords: Diabrotica virgifera , Western Corn Rootworm, larvae, alternative hosts, Setaria , crop rotation Feldversuche zum Wirtspflanzenspektrum der Larven des Westlichen Maiswurzelbohrers ( Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LECONTE 1868, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) 2005 wurden in Lovrin, Rumanien, Feldversuche zum Wirtspflanzenspektrum der naturlich vorkommenden Larven des Westlichen Maiswurzelbohrers Diabrotica virgifera virgifera durchgefuhrt. Es wurden vier verschiedene Ungraser ( Setaria glauca, S. viridis, S. verticillata und Sorghum halepense ) sowie eine Winterweizensorte getestet. Mais diente als Kontrolle. Die Larven konnten sich an allen Setaria -Arten zu Adulten entwickeln, auch wenn die Schlupfrate deutlich reduziert im Vergleich zu Mais (auf ca. 15 %) und der Schlupf verzogert (ca. 14 Tage) war. Somit ist eine Entwicklung der Larven zum adulten Kafer zumindest unter rumanischen Bedingungen an verschiedenen Setaria -Arten im Feld moglich. Keine Kafer wurden in den Parzellen mit S. halepense und Winterweizen gefunden. Letzterer war allerdings Ende Juni, deutlich vor dem ersten Kaferschlupf im Versuch, abgereift. Stichworter: Diabrotica virgifera , Westlicher Maiswurzelbohrer, Larven, alternative Wirtspflanzen, Setaria , Fruchtfolge
Ecological interpretation of the distribution, morphometry and energetics of a population of Paracomesoma dubium Filipjev, 1918 (Comesomatidae, Nematoda) from Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia)

En septembre 2002, une population de nematodes Paracomesoma dubium a ete collectee sur cinq stations cotieres dans la lagune de Bizerte. Les variables sedimentaires (matiere organique, metaux et chlorophylle a) etaient directement influencees par la distribution de la fraction fine et les rejets de l'usine metallurgique EIFouledh. La distribution spatiale de cette espece dominante de nematodes etait hautement correlee a la teneur en chlorophylle a, metaux lourds, matiere organique et hydrocarbures dans les sediments. Le spectre de taille et de volume de ce nematode est significativement different entre les stations, et la longueur moyenne est la plus faible a la station la plus polluee (MB). Chez les adultes, l'accroissement du volume corporel resulte plus de l'accroissement de la largeur que de la longueur lorsque les organismes vivent dans des sediments fins contamines. Laugmentation de la mediane granulometrique semble avantager les organismes les plus corpulents presentant des poids et des taux respiratoires et productifs plus importants.
Freeze Preservation of Apical Meristems of Rubus in Liquid Nitrogen

Shoot tip explants from tissue culture plantlets of five Rubus accessions (Rubus leucodermis Torr. & Gray, R. spectabilis Pursh, R. idaeus L. ‘Heritage’, Rubus spp. ‘Logan Thornless’ and ‘Merton Thornless’) were frozen slowly (0.8°C/min) to -40° and then rapidly to -196° in the presence of cryoprotectants. Following rapid thawing, regrowth as organized apical growth or as callus occurred on agar media. A combination of polyethylene glycol (PEG), glucose, and dimethylsulfoxide (PGD) was the most successful cryoprotectant.
The Use of Cucurbit Hybrid Rootstocks in the Management of Pythium-Induced Damping-Off of Cucumber Seedlings

Damping-off disease affects most greenhouse cucumber crops in Oman with losses frequently exceeding 25% of seedlings. Different local and introduced rootstocks were assessed for their response to Pythium aphanidermatum infection. Rootstocks were tested for grafting compatibility and production potential under greenhouse conditions. During in vivo infection tests, no infection was observed in C. moschata × C. maxima varieties Hercules and Titan, Indian ridge gourd and Omani sponge gourd. In greenhouse tests, Titan and Hercules hybrids and squash var. Magda showed no infection up to 45 days after transplanting. Magda (58%) and Hercules (80%) and Titan (84%) had highest compatibilities with cucumber variety Zena. Titan and Hercules rootstocks significantly increased vegetative growth of Zena cucumber. Titan and Hercules rootstocks significantly increased fruit number and weight compared to the control. However, Zena grafted on Zena and Salalah cucumber produced significantly less yield compared to the non-grafted Zena control. Titan and Hercules, Salalah cucumber, Magda squash, Omani sponge gourd and Indian ridge gourd rootstocks significantly increased fruit length, and improved fruit diameter and total soluble solid (TSS). No damping off infection was observed on Titan and Hercules rootstocks during either greenhouse season.