Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxygenated Fatty Acids Enhance Hematopoiesis via the Receptor GPR132

After their specification in early development, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the entire blood system throughout adulthood as well as upon transplantation. The processes of HSC specification, renewal, and homing to the niche are regulated by protein, as well as lipid signaling molecules. A screen for chemical enhancers of marrow transplant in the zebrafish identified the endogenous lipid signaling molecule 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET). EET has vasodilatory properties, but had no previously described function on HSCs. EET treatment enhanced mouse marrow transplant, and time-lapse imaging showed that this lipid increased HSC specification in zebrafish embryos. These phenotypes were dependent on PI3Kγ signaling as well as AP-1 signaling, which in the zebrafish was specifically required in endothelial cells of the AGM or CHT. EET is known to signal via a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), but the identity of this receptor remains unknown, impeding the progress of EET to the clinic and preventing genetic studies of EET signaling. A novel bioinformatic approach identified 10 candidate EET receptors that are expressed in three EET-binding human cell lines, but missing from an EET-non-binding line. Of these, only GPR132 showed EET-responsiveness in vitro. Knockdown of zebrafish gpr132b prevented EETinduced hematopoiesis in the embryo, and marrow from GPR132 KO mice showed a decreased ability to transplant long-term. Others have shown that GPR132 has affinity for a variety of oxygenated fatty acids in vitro. Treatment of zebrafish embryos with these putative GPR132 ligands produced EET-like phenotypes in vivo. Structure-activity-relationship analyses using both in vitro and in vivo assays revealed that a carboxylic acid moiety is required for activity, and oxygenated, unsaturated fatty acids are stronger activators. I have identified GPR132 as an oxygenated fatty acid receptor that mediates both embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. This receptor is a promising target for therapeutic modulation of hematopoiesis and for genetic interrogation of fatty acid signaling. Together these studies reveal the biological and potentially therapeutic importance of lipid signaling molecules and their target GPCRs in regulating stem cell behavior.
Lethal doses of ammonia on the late-stage larvae of Chinese mitten-handed crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), (Decapoda: Grapsidae) reared in the laboratory

Four successive life stages (zoea-III, zoea-IV, zoea-V and megalopa) of the Chinese mitten-handed crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), were exposed to ammonia in a series of short-term bioassays with the static-renewal method at 22°C, pH 8.0 and 25%o salinity. The greatest sensitivity was observed in the zoea-III stage. The 24-h LC50 values for zoea-III, zoea-IV, zoea-V and megalopa were 32.8, 73.1, 84.0 and 90.1 mg L−1 for NH3+ NH4+, and 1.11, 2.36, 2.77 and 3.18 mg L−1 for NH3, respectively. The 72-h LC50 values for zoea-III, zoea-IV and zoea-V were 11.9, 23.6 and 38.2 mg L−1 for NH3+ NH4+, and 0.40, 0.76 and 1.26 mg L−1 for NH3, respectively. The 96-h LC50 values for megalopa were 37.3 mg L−1 for NH3+ NH4+ and 1.31 mg L−1 for NH3. It was found that ammonia tolerance increased with larval development from zoea-III to megalopa, especially from zoea-III to zoea-IV and from zoea-IV to zoea-V. A comparison of safe levels of ammonia among the different life stages indicated that all stages were significantly different with respect to safe levels of ammonia (P < 0.05) except zoea-V and megalopa, which had the highest safe levels. In general, both the larvae and juveniles of E. sinensis are less resistant to ammonia than those of other crustacean species studied so far.
Functional Studies of Tumor Suppressor RASSF1A in Breast Cancer

Abstract : This Predoctoral Traineeship Award was specially intended to support Lingyan Jiang in Functional Studies of Tumor Suppressor RASSF1A in Breast Cancer. RASSF1A is a firmly established tumor suppressor, which is silenced in a variety of cancer. Our preliminary studies demonstrate RASSF1A directly interacts with a potential oncoprotein NAP1 (nucleosome assembly protein 1) through the MTinteracting region on RASSF1A. Based on these novel findings, we hypothesized that NAP1 could play an important role in regulating RASSF1A's tumor suppressor function. By directly binding to RASSF1A, NAP1 could prevent RASSF1A from interacting with and stabilizing MTs, thus reduce RASSF1A's ability to induce cell cycle arrest and to suppress cell growth. In the first 12 months of work, I have examined NAP1-RASSF1A interaction in different phases of cell cycle. Further more, I found that purified NAP1 interferes with purified RASSF1A's ability to stabilize microtubules polymerization in vitro. Finally I have established NAP1 knock down cell lines to further study the effect of loss of endogenous NAP1 to RASSF1A's regulation on cell cycle and growth suppression. Together, work completed has prepared me for in-depth study of the role of NAP1-RASSF1A interaction in regulation of RASSF1A? s tumor suppressing function.
Assessment of hairy roots induction in Solenostemon scutellarioides leaves by different strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Hairy roots of Solenostemon scutellarioides were induced by inoculation of leaf explants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains TR 105, LBA 9402, 8196 and ATCC 15834. These strains showed different abilities to induce hairy root formation on the leaf explants. Assessment of the plant’s susceptibility to the different strains of A. rhizogenes showed that strains ATCC 15834, TR 105, LBA 9402, and 8196 produced 56.3, 25.5, 21.5 and 13.8% transformation efficiencies, respectively. Acetosyringone was found to be useful for the enhancement of hairy roots formation in S. scutellarioides.
Fas- and Interferon γ-Induced Apoptosis in Chang Conjunctival Cells: Further Investigations

PURPOSE Previously interferon (IFN)gamma-induced apoptosis and expression of inflammation-related proteins in a human conjunctival cell line were demonstrated. The aim of this study was to further investigate the mechanisms of IFNgamma-, Fas-, and cycloheximide (CHX)-induced programmed cell death, with special attention to the role of transcriptional factors NF-kappaB and STAT1. METHODS In a human conjunctival cell line (Chang conjunctival cells) apoptosis was induced with 500 ng/ml anti-Fas antibody (anti-Fas ab) alone (24 or 48 hours) or, as previously reported, with 300 U/ml of human recombinant IFNgamma alone (48 hours). To study the role of IFNgamma on Fas-induced apoptosis, cells were treated first with IFNgamma at 30 U/ml during 24 hours (nontoxic dose), and then anti-Fas ab was applied for 24 hours. Moreover, to study the influence of CHX on Fas- and IFNgamma-induced apoptosis, cells were treated for 24 hours with 300 U/ml IFNgamma together with a nontoxic concentration (1 microg/ml) of CHX, or with 500 ng/ml anti-Fas ab together with 1 microg/ml CHX (24 hours). After treatment, cell viability (neutral red assay), mitochondrial membrane potential (rhodamine 123 assay), chromatin condensation (Hoechst 33342 assay), and the index Hoechst/neutral red were studied by cold light microplate cytometry. The apoptotic process was sought for by contrast phase microscopy and DAPI staining and was confirmed by immunoblotting of PARP. Activation of caspase-3 (CPP32) and caspase-8 were investigated by Western blot analysis. NF-kappaB and STAT DNA-binding activities were studied by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). RESULTS After 24 and 48 hours of treatment with anti-Fas ab alone, 15% to 20% and 30%, respectively, of apoptotic cells were observed. When anti-Fas sera were applied after IFNgamma pretreatment or together with CHX, 50% to 80% of cells demonstrated morphologic characteristics of programmed cell death. Apoptosis was confirmed by a cleavage of PARP and CPP32, by caspase-8 activation, and by an index Hoechst/neutral red greater than one. All these modifications were preceded by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. EMSA revealed that NF-kappaB was activated after IFNgamma and anti-Fas ab treatments and inhibited after CHX treatment. STAT1 was strongly activated after IFNgamma treatment and only in a minor degree after anti-Fas ab treatment. STAT1-binding activity persisted after CHX treatment. CONCLUSIONS The relative resistance of Chang cells toward Fas-induced apoptosis could be related to the activation of NF-kappaB. IFNgamma-induced programmed cell death preferentially involves the activation of STAT1 that counterbalances NF-kappaB antiapoptotic effects. In fact, Fas-induced apoptosis was potentiated by IFNgamma or CHX treatments. These results suggest that NF-kappaB activation could maintain cell viability as well as participate in IFNgamma-induced inflammatory modifications, whereas STAT1 activation could provide, in this model, a proapoptotic signal.
Genetic variation and community change - selection, evolution, and feedbacks

Summary 1. There is relatively little information on how evolutionary processes that alter genetic variation in a focal species may affect interactions with other species, impact the structure or function of the community and ecosystem, and affect evolutionary feedbacks among interacting species through time. 2. Because evolution can occur at ecological time-scales, it is important to understand how major selective events, such as climatic changes, can impact the community of interacting species and ecosystem processes by changing intraspecific genetic variation. 3. The evidence linking genetic variation and evolution to community change and feedbacks has arisen from several different approaches whose results have not been synthesized into one conceptual framework, and whose commonalities may not be fully understood. 4. This review synthesizes several different experimental approaches on how evolution may impact communities and ecosystems and focuses on five main issues: (i) the genetic basis to communities and ecosystems; (ii) the community and ecosystem consequences of among-population genetic differentiation; (iii) the role of local adaptation and co-evolution; (iv) the effects of trans-generational feedbacks and the eco-evo dynamic and; (v) the integration of community and ecosystem genetics and multi-level selection. 5. Evolution can alter intraspecific genetic variation to affect indirect genetic effects and feedbacks. Future studies should investigate how communities and ecosystems are affected when evolution causes the strength of feedbacks to change.
Morphological insight into new opportunities using Bcl-2 and p53 in studies of neurotrophicity, neuroprotection and neuroplasticity in brain ischemia

Modern medicine is based on essential diagnosis of disease by clinical symptoms. At same time, neuroprotective measures must be started before the appearance of clinical findings, as neuronal death should be terminated in earlier stages of its development. Revealing preclinical and earlier markers by histochemical interactions of Monoclonal Mouse Bcl-2 and P53, which affect ischemic accidents in the Central Nervous System (CNS), at least partially resolves this problem. In our research, we use dynamic analyses of two comparative groups to reveal that protective mechanisms of the CNS are activated and have significant effects on the interaction of natural, pharmacologically-activated actions. They are plexiformed, and together lead to effective complex processes, such as the conservation and reorganisation of nervous tissue.
Direct Costimulatory Effect of TLR3 Ligand Poly(I:C) on Human γδ T Lymphocytes1

TLR3 recognizes viral dsRNA and its synthetic mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)). TLR3 expression is commonly considered to be restricted to dendritic cells, NK cells, and fibroblasts. In this study we report that human γδ and αβ T lymphocytes also express TLR3, as shown by quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Although T cells did not respond directly to poly(I:C), we observed a dramatic increase in IFN-γ secretion and an up-regulation of CD69 when freshly isolated γδ T cells were stimulated via TCR in the presence of poly(I:C) without APC. IFN-γ secretion was partially inhibited by anti-TLR3 Abs. In contrast, poly(I:C) did not costimulate IFN-γ secretion by αβ T cells. These results indicate that TLR3 signaling is differentially regulated in TCR-stimulated γδ and αβ T cells, suggesting an early activation of γδ T cells in antiviral immunity.
Effects of injection of saline with and without vitamin C on heat tolerance of neonatal chicks.

The effects of injection of saline (0.9 % NaCl) with and without vitamin C on heat tolerance of neonatal chicks were studied. Sham-treated chicks served as controls. The chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 45 % RH or 55 % RH. Between the first and the second treatment, a 48-hour exposure period to a constant environmental temperature of 39 °C took place. Consecutively, production parameters were studied during a 4-week growing period. During heat exposure, chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 45 % RH lost less body weight than those from eggs incubated at 55 % RH. At the end of exposure, body temperature was lower in chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 45 % RH compared to 55 % RH. Incubation RH did not affect growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality during the post-exposure growing period. Injection of saline with or without vitamin C before exposure resulted in a higher body weight after heat exposure compared to controls. Injection of saline enhanced body weight to a greater extent than saline with vitamin C. Injection of either solution before or after exposure did not affect production parameters in the 4-week period after exposure, except for mortality. Mortality of sham-sham treated chicks was higher than that of once or twice injected chicks. It is concluded that saline injection increased heat tolerance, but that addition of vitamin C did not have any contributing positive effect.
Microanatomical studies on the rete testis of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

The rete testis was composed of intratesticular, intracapsular and extra testicular portion. The intratesticular rete were lined by a single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells. The intracapsular and extra testicular rete were lined by simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium. The alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities were intense in the rete channels.
Colonization‐extinction and patch dynamics of the perennial riparian plant, Silene tatarica

1 Although the concept of metapopulation is central to modern conservation biology, plant population biologists have divergent views concerning the importance of metapopulation dynamics. 2 We studied the patch structure and colonization‐extinction dynamics of Silene tatarica by mapping its distribution along a 43‐km stretch of riverside subjected to annual flood disturbances. Plants were grouped into patches that were surveyed annually. The effect of spatial scale on dynamics was evaluated by varying the interplant separation used to determine grouping from 5 to 200 m. Using the 5‐m criterion, the number of patches varied from 703 to 854 over the 5 years of the study. 3 New patches were colonized by a few individuals and located on average 50 m away from the closest old patch. Recolonization of extinct patches was very rare. Small patches had the highest risk of extinction (5%) and, although floods can destroy even large populations, no large patches with flowering individuals became extinct. 4 Elasticity analysis indicated that the survival of patches made a much greater contribution to patch dynamics than the production of new patches. Increasing patch scale decreased the rates of colonization and extinction as well as the projected finite rates of increase in patch number, but elasticities remained invariant. 5 The river dynamics both create space for colonization and cause local extinctions, especially of small patches. The short‐term dynamics of S. tatarica depend primarily on local dynamics but, in the long run, the species will track the availability of habitat, and its persistence will depend on a positive balance between colonization and extinction. 6 This species from a transient environment does not exhibit the extinction‐recolonization dynamics predicted for metapopulations at equilibrium. The rate of the dynamics of plant species in relation to the rate of habitat changes may be one of the key determinants of their regional dynamics.
Assessment of the Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Online Banking by Consumers with an Emphasis on the Aspect of Risk (Case Study: Customers of Refah Bank in Qazvin Province of Iran)

Nowadays, internet technology provides an opportunity for banks and financial institutions to take advantages in dynamic and competitive turbulent environment in their favor. In addition, considering the importance and status of internet banking and growing trend of it in the country in recent years, now banks and financial institutions have found that maintaining status and effective development without the benefit of scientific and practical strategies in information and communication management is not possible. However, the use of these services by bank customers would be met with resistance in some cases because of various reasons. In Refah Bank, despite practices and advances in the field of internet banking and conducting massive publicity, still many users of this service are not significant. Thus, the present study examined factors affecting the acceptance of online banking by consumer and tried to focus on the risk factor that appears to have a greater impact on the acceptance. This study, in term of objective is applied, and research method is descriptive from type of survey. Statistical population includes customers of Refah Bank in Qazvin Province of Iran that use the internet banking. Number of them to September 2013 is 15,041 people. Questionnaire was used to collect data and structural equation modeling and Lisrel software were used for data analysis. Results show that all the factors influencing the acceptance of online banking such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment and quality of internet connection affect intention to use it. Also, regarding to the dimensions of perceptual risk, results indicate that social risks and security risks have a negative impact on the use of online banking services, but a negative impact of executive risk, time and financial is not proved.
National survey of Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers : Initial Findings Report

The national survey was commissioned by Chief Constable Dave Jones, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s business lead for Citizens in Policing, working with the national Citizens in Policing Community of Practice. The Community of Practice was formed in June 2014 drawing together over 25 key stakeholders, including the College of Policing, Home Office, Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers, National Police Chief’s Council, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Neighbourhood Watch, and force and volunteering expertise. This large-scale national survey was distributed to those who volunteer in policing across every police force in England and Wales during January 2016. The survey represents the first on this scale undertaken across England and Wales engaging both Special Constables and Police Service Volunteers. As such it is a landmark for the engagement of police volunteers and it presents a major opportunity for leaders across policing to learn from volunteers’ perspectives and experiences.
Characteristics of Cantaloupe Jams as Affected by Substitution of Sucrose with Xylitol

Jam has a high calorific value because of high sugar content. Low-calorie jam products can be made using the combinations of noncaloric and carbohydrate sweeteners. The partial or full replacement of sucrose with xylitol could be applied to produce low sugar food products. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of low sugar cantaloupe jams as influenced by the substitution of sucrose with xylitol (0–100% xylitol). The sample produced by 100% sucrose was used as the control treatment. Increasing the xylitol content increased the lightness (L*) and spreadability, while a reduction of redness (a*), hardness, stickiness, water activity, total sugar, reducing sugar, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content were observed. There were no significant differences in proximate compositions, total phenolics, vitamin C, and β-carotene content among the samples while the antioxidant activities as accessed by DPPH-radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power tended to decrease with increasing xylitol content. The sensory attributes were not significantly different between the control sample and the samples containing 25% and 50% xylitol. It can be concluded that the partial replacement of sucrose with xylitol, particularly up to 50%, could be recommended to utilize in the cantaloupe jam production. The incorporation of xylitol in the cantaloupe jam formulation could reduce sugar content, resulting in the reduction of calories.
Detection of soybean seed protein QTLS using selective genotyping

QTL identification is the first step towards using marker-assisted selection to introgress desirable QTL alleles into elite high-yield soybean cultivars. There are 86 protein QTLs listed in SoyBase, but most are repeat discoveries of existing QTLs with only small effects, except for two QTLs on Chromosome 20 and 15, which have large additive effects of 1.2 and 0.85 percentage points. Discovery of new protein QTLs with additive effects similar to these two QTLs, but with lesser pleiotropic effects on seed oil and yield, would be of great interest. Forty-eight high seed protein germplasm accessions representing maturity groups (MGs) 000 to V were mated to a highyielding cultivar with normal seed protein of the same MG to generate 48 populations. We used a technique called selective genotyping and genotyped the F2:3 progenies with the lowest 10% and the highest 10% seed protein with a 1536-SNP locus assay chip to conduct a search for what might be completely new and heretofore unknown protein QTLs. QTL analysis has been completed on 20 of 48 populations and has detected 40 protein QTLs that mapped on 16 linkage groups. We detected significant QTLs on chromosomes 2, 10, 11, 14, and 18 that are not currently listed in SoyBase. QTL analysis of the remaining 28 mapping populations is underway.