Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction and its active fraction on antithrombosis in cultured vascular endothelial cells and protein kinase C

Objective To investigate the antithrombosis effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) and its active fractions on cultured vascular endothelial cells(VEC) following the stimulation of thrombin and their mechanism.Methods The human umbilicus vein endothelial cells(ECV 304) were cultured in media containing 10 U/mL thrombin and different dosese of drugs.The levels of tPA and PAI-1 were detected by ELISA,the expression of TF,TFPI,and TM mRNA was measured by RT-PCR,and the expression of PKCα was examined by immunohistochemical staining 24 h later.Results Compared to the control without any treatment,the release of tPA was increased evidently(P0.01),and the expression of E-selectin,CD31 and TF,TFPI mRNA was upregulated(P0.05);While no significant change had been found in the release of PAI-1 and the expression of TM mRNA(P0.05). Compared to the data after the mere stimulus of thrombin,each dose of BHD increased the release of tPA(P0.01);None of the doses of alkaloid had significant effect on the release of tPA(P0.05);And glycoside(1.25 mg/mL) increased the release of tPA(P0.05). Alkaloid(2 mg/mL),glycoside(5 mg/mL),and each dose of BHD reduced the release of PAI-1 of VEC(P0.01). The data of RT-PCR detection indicated that the expression of TF mRNA was reduced by the treatment of alkaloid(1 and 2 mg/mL),all doses of BHD,and glycoside;Alkaloid(0.5,and 1 mg/mL) downregulated the expression of TFPI mRNA(P0.05);While no significant change had been found in the expression of TM mRNA after the treatment of all doses of drugs.The expression of PKC in each drug treatment group was greatly decreased when compared to that in the mere stimulus of thrombin(P0.01). PKC activator(PMA) significantly enhanced the PKCα expression(P0.01), H7(PKC inhibitor) could inhibit PKCα activation sitimulated by PMA.The expression of PKCα stimulated by thrombin was inhibited obviously after adding CATG(PAR-1 inhibitor)(P0.05). Conclusion Thrombin could induce thrombotic changes in cultured VEC,including anticoagulation and fibrinolytic functions.Those changes can be adjusted to the control level by the treatment of BHD,alkaloid,and glycoside.BHD may ameliorate the thrombotic changes caused by thrombin through inhibiting the activation of PKC.The similar effects of alkaloid and glycoside against thrombosis indicate that these two constituents are two effective pharmacological components through which BHD plays its role of antithrombosis.
Optimalizace PCR metody pro detekci Salmonella a E. coli

The most frequently used molecular biology methods are described in this work. PCR method is the most common used method in this field. The aim of the practical part was to optimise the PCR method for the detection of Salmonella and E. coli. The effect of annealing temperature on PCR was observed. Parallel detection of Salmonella and E. coli was carried out by multiplex PCR method. Based on these results the multiplex PCR method was applied to chicken meat and chicken skin samples. DNA was recovered from artificially inoculated samples by boiling in PCR buffer. Use of this procedure in combination with multiplex PCR method is suitable method for parallel detection of Salmonella and E. coli.
A High Step-Up Three-Port DC – DC Converter for Stand-Alone PV / Battery Power Systems

A three-port dc–dc converter integrating photovoltaic (PV) and battery power for high step-up applications is proposed in this paper. The topology includes five power switches, two coupled inductors, and two active-clamp circuits. The coupled inductors are used to achieve high stepup voltage gain and to reduce the voltage stress of input side switches. Two sets of active-clamp circuits are used to recycle the energy stored in the leakage inductors and to improve the system efficiency. The operation mode does not need to be changed when a transition between charging and discharging occurs. Moreover, tracking maximum power point of the PV source and regulating the output voltage can be operated simultaneously during charging/discharging transitions. As long as the sun irradiation level is not too low, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm will be disabled only when the battery charging voltage is too high. Therefore, the control scheme of the proposed converter provides maximum utilization of PV power most of the time. As a result, the proposed converter has merits of high boosting level, reduced number of devices, and simple control strategy. Experimental results of a 200-W laboratory prototype are presented to verify the performance of the proposed three-port converter.
Evaluation of Pteris vittata as Trap Plant to Mitigate Arsenic from Arsenic Contaminated Soil

Contact author: jamal4@yahoo.com An experiment was conducted at Horticultural farm of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh for phytoremediation of arsenic from soil using Pteris vittata as a trap plant. The experiment was conducted following Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Soil was contaminated with arsenic at different levels by treating @ 0 ppm (A0), 500 ppm (A1), 1000 ppm (A2) and 2000 ppm (A3) arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in pot soil. During the growing period the Pteris vittata as trap plant accumulated 23837.2 ppm, 15332.6 ppm, 1769.9 ppm and 0.9 ppm arsenic from pot soil contaminated with arsenic of A3, A2, A1 and A0 treatments respectively. Pteris vittata could be use as a possible way to mitigate and or reduce arsenic from soil of arsenic affected areas in Bangladesh. Citation (APA): Jamal Uddin, A. F. M. , Manirul, M. I. , Mayeda, U. , Roni, M. Z. K. & Mehraj, H. (2014). Evaluation of Pteris vittata as Trap Plant to Mitigate Arsenic from Arsenic Contaminated Soil. Journal of Science, Technology & Environment Informatics, 01(02), 75–80. © 2015, Journal BiNET. This is an open access article distributed under terms of the Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International License.
Geographic Distribution of Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Non-Inflammatory Breast Cancer in Gharbiah, Egypt

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, constituting about 1-5% of breast cancers in the U.S. but about 11% in Egypt. The etiology of IBC is unknown, but the distribution of residence of IBC and non-IBC patients may provide clues to the disease risk factors. Therefore, we investigated the geographic distribution of IBC and nonIBC in the province of Gharbiah, Egypt.
An appraisal of result of surgery for gastric carcinoma

Background: Large number of the patients with gastric carcinoma (GC) remain asymptomatic, symptoms developed only in GC with advanced lesions with local or distant metastases. GC contributes significant morbidity and mortality related to malignancy, worldwide. The objectives of this study were to study the clinical presentation, surgery type and post-operative mortality and survival in case of patients with gastric carcinoma.Methods: The study included the patients with histologically proven cases of adenocarcinoma of stomach over a period of 5 years. The study excluded the patients with proven distant metastatic disease and/or in whom only palliative surgery was performed. All the patients were followed-up regularly till 5 years after the surgery.Results: The age-group of 51-60 years had maximum number of patients with GC followed by the age-group of 41-50 years. A majority of patients were presented with epigastric pain, weight loss, and anorexia. 30 (14.22%) patients had stage I GC while 77 (36.49%) and 104 (49.29%) patients had stage II and III GC, respectively. Overall survival of the patients was 75.62%, 56.22% and 44.78% at the end of 1-year, 2-years and 5-years.Conclusions: Delayed diagnosis of gastric carcinoma responsible for this poor survival rates. The screening programs must be implemented for early diagnosis which can improve survival as well as quality of life of the patients with gastric carcinoma.
METHODS AND FACILITIES FOR MONITORING THE OPERATION OF A SUCKER ROD PUMP

The article gives an overview of modern methods for monitoring the operation of a sucker rod pump with a pumping jack to identify various equipment failures, among which the two possible ones are determined: the dynamometric method and the diagnostic method based on the analysis of active power diagrams (wattmetering). With the help of the dynamometric method, it is possible to identify 3 groups of failures in the operation of the sucker rod pumping unit: leakage of liquid from tubing and valves; mechanical failures; failures connected with pumping a well fluid with various impurities, i.e. control of submersible equipment. The most informative method for the ground equipment monitoring is the wattmetering method. With this method, it is possible to analyze the operation of an electric drive: current overload, voltage deviation, phase distortion, a frequency deviation of the supply voltage, determination of the harmonic ratio for the supply voltage, determination of the power factor, etc. In addition, with the help of wattmeters it is possible to detect characteristic faults in the mechanical part of the pumping jack: breakage and slippage of belts, breakage of rods, slapping in a reducer, misbalance of counterweights and some abnormal operating modes of submersible pumping equipment: pump jamming, high or low plunger fit; faulty valves; low operating efficiency of pump, etc.
Sero-Epidemiological Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Young Adults in Omuaran-Community

Hepatitis B (HBV) infection is an important public health concern all over the globe. As a result of its asymptomatic nature, its prevalence among apparently healthy individuals becomes relevant for studies. Hence the prevalence survey of hepatitis B virus was conducted among apparently healthy young individuals. A total of two hundred samples were screened from volunteer subjects for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), using the one step immune-chromatographic test strip manufactured by Dia Spot® Diagnostics. Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant information and demographic data. Overall result showed that 11 (5.5%) of the subjects tested were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was found among subjects aged 22-26 years with 7.8% prevalence compared to those aged 12-21 years with 4.4% prevalence (P=0.1012); (p˃0.05). Based on demographic factors, female workers tend to demonstrate high positivity of 12.5% compared to male with 10.0% prevalence, (P=0.4929); (p˃0.05). Subjects involved with risky behavioral pattern by the use of unsterilized objects recorded a high prevalence of 5.3%, (P=0.5748); (p˃0.05) among female subjects. Serum Alanine amino-tranferases result showed no significant difference among the positive subjects. The results showed some measure of prevalence among the study population. It therefore becomes pertinent that the community be enlightened on the possible risk of infection by the virus. Efforts should be made to ensure vaccination against this infectious agent is intensified.
Pyriproxyfen, a Potent Suppressor of Egg Hatch and Adult Formation of the Greenhouse Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Pyriproxyfen is a potent suppressor of egg viability and adult formation of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). Exposure of T. vaporariorum adults to tomato seedlings treated with various concentrations of pyriproxyfen resulted in LC50 of 0.12 and 0.10 mg (AI)/liter for suppression of egg hatch and adult emergence, respectively. Dipping of tomato seedlings infested with 0-1-d-old eggs or with first-instar larvae in various concentrations of pyriproxyfen resulted in LC50 values of 0.043 and 0.036 mg (AI)/liter, respectively. Eggs >3 d old were not affected. Pyriproxyfen has no direct effect on the larval stages but suppresses adult emergence. First and third instars treated with 0.0025-0.04 mg (AI)/liter pyriproxyfen pupated normally; however, a suppression of 57 and 100% in adult emergence was observed when first and third instars were treated, respectively, with 0.04 mg(AI)/liter. With all tested concentrations, third ins tars were more susceptible than first ins tars. Reduction in egg hatch on the lower surface of tomato leaves when the upper surfaces were treated with 5 and 25 mg (AI)/liter, indicates a translaminar effect. Our findings indicate that pyriproxyfen affects all stages of T. vaporariorum either directly (ovicidal) or indirectly (transovarial and suppression of adult formation upon treatment of larvae) and could be considered a potential compound for controlling T. vaporariorum in vegetables and ornamentals.
Rola pełzaków wolno żyjących w wywoływaniu i transmisji chorób u ludzi i zwierząt The role of free-living amoebae in pathogenesis and transmission of human and animal diseases

Pelzaki z grupy „limax”, szczegolnie gatunki z rodzajow Acanthamoeba, Naegleria i Balamuthia, mogą byc fakultatywnymi pasozytami czlowieka i zwierząt. Wystepują one powszechnie w glebie, powietrzu, wodach slodkich i slonych. W pracy opisano epidemiologie, patogeneze, metody diagnostyczne oraz sposoby leczenia pierwotnego zapalenia mozgu i opon mozgowych (PAM) wywolane przez Naegleria fowleri, ziarniakowego zapalenia mozgu (GAE) i pelzakowego zapalenia rogowki oka (AK) wywolane przez pelzaki z rodzaju Acanthamoeba. Inwazje pelzakow wolno zyjących u ludzi i zwierząt stanowią nowy problem w parazytologii lekarskiej, wymagający dalszych i kompleksowych badan. Powszechnośc wystepowania pelzakow sprawia, ze stanowią one duze zagrozenie dla zdrowia ludzi zwlaszcza u osob o obnizonym poziomie odporności, przy czym brak jest jednoznacznych metod leczenia schorzen przez nie wywolywanych. Slowa kluczowe: chorobotworczośc, epidemiologia, pelzaki wolno zyjące
QUANTIFICATION AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN FRESH AND GRILLED SAUSAGES SOLD IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Heavy metals concentrations are in greater levels in major cities or industrial areas than they would exist in the natural environment. They pose a serious threat to humans due to their characteristic toxicity, bioaccumulation and bio-magnifications in the food chain. Street foods like meat products such as grilled sausages pose a potential health risk to regular consumers as a result of their exposure to the open surroundings. This study reports on the presence and levels as well as the potential associated health risks of Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) in fresh and grilled sausages sold in the Tamale metropolis. The samples were analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Lead was not detected in either of the samples. The average levels of Copper, Manganese and Iron were 0.3057 ± 0.0918 mg/kg , 0.1657 ± 0.0054 mg/kg and 1.2436 ± 0.1664 mg/kg, respectively for the fresh samples. The average levels of Copper, Manganese and Iron recorded in the grilled samples were 0.0470 ± 0.0096 mg/kg , 0.1512 ± 0.0048 mg/kg and 1.3242 ± 0.1881 mg/kg, respectively. The health risks assessment conducted indicated that there were no possible risks of cancer posed towards the consumers. Keywords: Heavy metals, Sausages, bioaccumulate, risk assessment, carcinogenic risk, grill, contamination
An investigation of sympatric speciation in diploid organisms by computer simulation.

This thesis proposes that sympatric speciation can arise, in certain circumstances, in diploid sexually-reproducing organisms by mechanisms other than autopolyploidy. This proposition is verified by a series of computer simulations of the natural, biological, genetic processes of reproduction. The research is essentially a series of logical experiments using a computer simulation of natural genetic mechanisms of reproduction. In this methodology there is no direct comparison with biological data but the simulation follows, as closely as possible, natural genetic mechanisms of reproduction. The selected modelling method uses a framework derived from Penna 1995 which represents individual genes as binary digits on digital chromosomes and incorporates randomised simulations of recombination, copying-errors, meiosis and zygote production. The literature search identified some difficulties with defining species but a choice was made to use the `Biological Species Concept', which relies on reproductive isolation as evidence of speciation. Sympatric speciation by recombinational processes is said by some to be rare or unknown in nature, but sympatric speciation by autopolyploidy is said to be common in plants. The simulations reported here exclude the possibility of autopolyploidy and rely only on recombination and mutation processes. The model described by Penna 1995 was shown to be inadequate for representing multiple species. It was therefore modified to allow more genetic variability but to restrict mating to compatible phenotypes and to allow assortative mating. Simulations demonstrated that sympatric speciation can occur in scenarios based on the Dobzhansky-Muller model and that these processes can be facilitated by the intervention of selective predators. Another form of sympatric speciation was also detected where paired, dominant and recessive alleles lead to incompatible phenotypes. No reference has been found in the literature to modelling the Dobzhansky-Muller mechanism, except for Gavrilets 1997 who describes a mathematical analysis rather than a simulation.
Shrub encroachment in Argentinean savannas

Abstract In the Wet Chaco region of Argentina, increasing shrub encroachment in savannas over the last few decades has led to important changes in the structure and functioning of the landscape. Some sectors of this territory are characterized by the appearance of circular clusters of woody patches, dispersed throughout the grassland matrix. The increasing size of these patches leads to a gradual change from grassland to dense shrubland. We studied these circular woody patches in the eastern region of the Argentine province of Formosa and characterized the variation in terms of floristic composition, diversity and predominant seed dispersal mode in different size patches. We observed an increase in species richness, diversity and compositional heterogeneity among patches with increasing patch size. Seed dispersal by animals, especially birds, is an important factor in the expansion of these woody vegetation patches within the grassland matrix. Nomenclature: Zuloaga et al. (1994, 1996a, b). Some native names were included using quotation marks.
Lipid Metabolism in Bovine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Steers Fed Supplementary Palm Oil or Soybean Oil

Lipid Metabolism in Bovine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Steers Fed Supplementary Palm Oil or Soybean Oil. (August 2012) Gyoung Ok Gang, B.S., Seoul Women’s University; Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephen B. Smith We hypothesized that supplementing finishing diets with palm oil would elevate Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity in muscle and subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue, promoting adipocyte differentiation and increase monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in beef, particularly oleic acid. Soybean oil supplementation was used as a negative control. Eighteen Angus steers were assigned randomly to three groups of 6 steers and fed a basal diet without additional fat, with 3% palm oil (rich in palmitic acid), or with 3% soybean oil (rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids), top dressed daily. There were no significant differences across treatment in quality grade, REA, 12 rib fat thickness, or yield grade. Palm oil tended to increase marbling score (P = 0.33). Palm oil supplementation decreased the concentration of myristic acid (P = 0.04), and tended to decrease the concentration of t10, c12 CLA (P = 0.07) and 18:3n-3 (P = 0.06) in s.c. adipose tissue while soybean supplementation increased c9, t11 CLA (P = 0.02) and 18:3n-3 (P = 0.03) in muscle. Palm oil supplementation increased both glucose and acetate incorporation into total lipids of s.c. adipose tissue (both P = 0.03). Volume of s.c. adipocytes was greater in cattle supplemented with palm oil than in soybean-
IMMUNOELECTRONIC LOCALIZATION OF MYOSIN-Va IN RAT CEREBELLUM

Myosin V is an unconventional type of actin-binding myosin that participates in cytoplasmic organelle transport. Although this unconventional myosin has been extensively studied, its subcellular localization in the mammalian cerebellum has not been determined. In this work, we used an antibody against the tail domain of the myosin-Va heavy chain and a secondary antibody labeled with protein A-gold (15 nm) to study the subcellular distribution of this protein. Myosin-Va was found in the cytoplasm, where it was associated with a filament (probably actin). This protein was also detected in the plasma membrane of axons and dendrites in the molecular layer in rat cerebellum.
Online socializing among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Nairobi and Johannesburg and implications for public health‐related research and health promotion: an analysis of qualitative and respondent‐driven sampling survey data

There is little published literature about gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals (MSM and TG)’s use of social media in sub‐Saharan Africa, despite repressive social and/or criminalizing contexts that limit access to physical HIV prevention. We sought to describe MSM and TG’s online socializing in Nairobi and Johannesburg, identifying the characteristics of those socializing online and those not, in order to inform the development of research and health promotion in online environments.
Interactions between density-dependent and age-specific selection in Drosophila melanogaster

Density-dependent natural selection and age-specific natural selection are important determinants of life-history evolution. A variety of laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster have been created to study the effects of these selection mechanisms. Two types of populations have been selected for reproduction early (B) and late (O) in life. These have exhibited changes in life span and resistance to stresses, such as desiccation, starvation, ethanol vapours and flying to exhaustion. Similarly, two types of populations have been selected at high adult and larval densities (K) and low adult and larval densities (r)
Effects of low temperature on pepper pollen morphology and fertility: Evidence of cold induced exine alterations

SummaryThe effects of low night temperatures on pollen viability and pollen grain morphology were investigated in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) commercial hybrids ‘Latino’ and ‘Novi’. Night temperatures of 10 and 15°C decreased pollen viability, estimated by an in vitro assay and acetocarmine staining, and by decreased seed number per fruit. At anthesis, in a separate experiment, pollen grains that developed at low temperature (25/14°C, day/night) were smaller and appeared aggregated and shrunken with a differently sculptured exine which was thinner than the pollen exine developed at the 30/20°C temperature regime. The results obtained when a 10°C night-temperature treatment was applied to plants grown at 30/20°C with flower buds of different diameters, indicated that meiosis and the young microspore stage were affected. However, the later phases of microspore development and pollen maturation were not affected by the same temperature treatments.