Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Late L1 mRNA Splicing

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause almost half of the human cancers that are attributable to viruses. HPV type 16 is the most carcinogenic type among the HPVs and is detected in 50% of all cervical cancers. HPV-16 infects epithelial cells and HPV-16 gene expression is tightly linked to the differentiation stage of the infected cells. Early HPV-16 genes are expressed in basal layers of the epithelium whereas the late genes which encode highly immunogenic viral structural proteins are only expressed in the suprabasal layers. HPV-16 infections are normally cleared within 18-24 months, but HPV-16 can establish persistent infections that progress to cancer. Such HPV-infected cancer cells express early HPV-16 genes but never expressed the late genes. We speculate that inhibition of HPV-16 late gene expression is a prerequisite for viral persistence and progression to cervical cancer. HPV-16 uses alternative splicing to regulate expression of early and late genes. HPV RNA elements and cellular factors control the expression level of viral proteins by regulating alternative splicing. This project was carried out to enhance our understanding of the regulation of HPV-16 gene expression, in particular at the RNA splicing level. The goal of this thesis was to identify viral RNA elements and cellular factors that regulate the processing of HPV-16 early and late mRNA splicing. These studies may also contribute to the identification of diagnostic biomarkers for premalignant infections at risk of progressing to cervical cancer. We identified a splicing silencer that interacts with hnRNP D proteins and hnRNP A2/B1 to suppress HPV-16 late gene expression in mitotic cells, including cervical cancer cells. We also characterized a splicing enhancer that promotes HPV-16 early gene expression, thereby indirectly inhibiting late gene expression. Mutation in this enhancer reduced its binding to the ASF/SF2 splicing factor. This resulted in decreased expression of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 and a reduced ability of HPV-16 to immortalize human epithelial cells, thereby, linking HPV-16 mRNA splicing regulation to its pathogenic prospects. We also identified the hnRNP G protein binding to this enhancer and has opposite effects to ASF/SF2 on splicing matched by antagonism in RNA binding.
Increasing Nasal Mucus Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Improves Human Olfaction

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) has been shown to act as a cell signaling and growth factor moiety in many tissues in humans and animals. Shh has not been associated with smell function. We therefore wondered if Shh played a role in human smell function and, if so, if it were present in nasal mucus. Thus, we measured Shh in nasal mucus in 14 normal subjects and in 44 patients with smell loss (hyposmia) of several etiologies by use of a sensitive spectrophotometric ELISA assay. Shh was found in nasal mucus in both normal subjects [7538±1105 pg/ml (M±SEM)] and in hyposmic patients (149±2 pg/ml) with levels in patients significantly lower than in normal subjects. These changes occurred in patients with losses of smell function related to post‐influenza‐like infection, allergic rhinitis and head injury. Treatment with oral theophylline 200‐800 mg daily for 2‐10 months significantly increased Shh levels in nasal mucus in hyposmic patients (49191±1710 pg/ml) and increased smell function significantly in over 60% of the patients. This is the first demonstration of Shh in nasal mucus. Its stimulation by theophylline resulted in improved smell function among hyposmic patients of multiple etiologies.
FOREST RESTORATION: FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC OF DEGRADATION TO THE SELECTION OF ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS TO THE MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES.

Planning ecological restoration activities requires, first of all, a diagnostic study should address the site degradation, in order to establish the goals of the restoration project (e.g., ecosystem structure or function recovery, ecological process reestablishment). Both goals and temporal scale proposed may indicate if a project designed to recover a degraded forest site should be considered a recovery, a rehabilitation or a restoration project. Approaches may be the same for the three concepts, and one should not prevail over the two others, despite ecological restoration demands information on the ecosystem dynamics. The selection of environmental parameters as indicators of ecological restoration success should be done during the planning of activities. Choosing the most adequate restoration practices also requires information on the past land use history, which suggests distinct approaches to both distinct sites and situations. This review proposes to focus concepts and approaches which may support diagnostic studies on degraded forests, as well as the selection of the most adequate strategies for their restoration.
Mycorrhizal fungi as a biocontrol agent.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) are the symbiotic fungi that predominate in the roots and soils of agricultural crop plants. The AMF form beneficial symbioses in most terrestrial ecosystems and crop production systems. Ninty percent of land plant species are colonized by one or more of the mycorrhizal fungi species ranging from flowering to non flowering plants, while only a few plant families do not form this association. The relationship between mycorrhiza and plant is very widely spread among terrestrial vascular plants. The AMF must have a host to complete its life cycle and this association has been found to be mutually beneficial; thus, the fungus assists the plant in mineral nutrients uptake, while the plant supplies the fungus with carbon as a result of this relation. The negative-antagonistic interaction of AMF with various soilborne plant pathogens is the reason for their use as a bio-control agents. Many workers have observed an antagonistic effect of AMF against some fungal pathogens.
Breeding Effects on Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Cereals under Northern Conditions

Spring cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are the most important crops in Finnish agricultural systems. The increasing need to reduce pollution from N fertilizer is concomitantly strengthening the importance of improving the understanding of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of these crops. The aim of this work was to study the differences in NUE, defined as the crop's ability to produce yield with one available N unit, among spring cereal cultivars, and to determine the achievements of plant breeding in NUE under northern European growing conditions. Field experiments were conducted in Finland during 2003 and 2004. Samples from matured plants of 17 to 18 cultivars of each of the three cereal species released between 1909 and 2002 were studied. There were no clear differences in NUE among modern spring cultivars. However, there were cultivar differences within species and significant NUE improvements on wheat and particularly for oat across time. There was no clear trend of NUE and year of release of cultivars in two-row spring barley, probably because breeding for malting barley involves consistent selection for low-protein cultivars. The study revealed that most breeding effects on NUE were associated with changes in nitrogen uptake efficiency (UPE).
Formulações simples e mista de inoculantes com bactérias diazotróficas, sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio na cultura do arroz irrigado

A utilizacao de bacterias diazotroficas como insumo biologico para a producao de arroz irrigado pode reduzir as aplicacoes de fertilizantes nitrogenados e contribuir para o desenvolvimento da planta. O uso de formulacoes mistas de inoculantes pode aumentar a eficiencia do processo de fixacao biologica de nitrogenio. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de formulacoes simples e mista de inoculantes a base de bacterias diazotroficas sobre o desenvolvimento inicial da cultura do arroz irrigado sob diferentes niveis de N. O experimento foi implantado em casa de vegetacao. Os tratamentos foram constituidos por quatro tipos de inoculacao (sem inoculacao, inoculacao com o isolado UDESC AI 27, inoculacao com o isolado UDESC FE 22 e inoculacao com uma formulacao mista dos isolados UDESC AI 27 e UDESC FE 22); e duas doses de nitrogenio mineral (30 e 60 mg kg-1 de N). A cultivar utilizada foi a Epagri 109, de ciclo tardio (superior a 140 dias) e alto potencial produtivo. Os tratamentos foram arranjados num fatorial (4 x 2) com cinco repeticoes. O delineamento experimental foi completamente casualizado. A inoculacao com os isolados de bacterias diazotroficas reduziu em 18% a producao de massa seca da parte aerea e em 26% da fitomassa radicular das plantas de arroz. As plantas inoculadas tambem apresentaram menor area e volume radicular. Nao houve efeito significativo dos tratramentos de inoculacao e adubacao nitrogenada sobre o numero de folhas totais e de perfilhos produzidos por planta, nem sobre o nirogenio acumulado na parte aerea. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os isolados utilizados no trabalho nao foram efetivos para estimular o crescimento de parte aerea e raiz da cultivar Epagri 109, independentemente do tipo de formulacao e da dose de N.
Producción de huevos y fertilidad en cuatro líneas de gallinas reproductoras venezolanas

Para determinar el porcentaje de postura semanal, cantidad de huevos totales durante el ciclo productivo y la fertilidad, se registro la postura diaria e individual de cuatro lineas de gallinas reproductoras venezolanas: GDB– UCV (n=46), de plumaje gris y blanco; IPA–UCV (n=42), plumaje negro; Maracay–UCV (n=66), de plumaje rojizo y FAGRO–UCV (n=43), con plumaje blanco. La fertilidad se verifico por ovoscopia y embriodiagnosis. Se suministro un alimento preparado en la unidad, se aplicaron las vacunas contra Newcastle y Bronquitis Infecciosa. Para determinar el porcentaje de postura se utilizo un diseno completamente aleatorizado con medidas repetidas en el tiempo, incluyendo en el modelo los efectos de genotipo, semana y su interaccion. Para la produccion total de huevos solo se incluyo el efecto del genotipo. En el caso de la fertilidad se realizaron pruebas de χ 2 para comprobar diferencias entre proporciones. Se observo efecto (P<0,05) de la interaccion genotipo × semana, con una tendencia erratica para la produccion de huevos semanal. La mayor postura se ubico entre 73,8 y 80,3%. Las lineas Maracay–UCV e IPA–UCV fueron superiores (P<0,05) al resto de las lineas con una produccion total de huevos de 243 y 242 unidades, respectivamente; sin embargo, para la fertilidad el orden se invierte, debido a que estas dos lineas expresaron valores de 72,5 y 71,4%, respectivamente. La linea GDB–UCV mostro fertilidad superior (P< 0,05). Las cuatro lineas de gallinas Criollas venezolanas presentaron porcentajes de postura, postura total y fertilidad satisfactoria y acordes a los reportes de gallinas Criollas latinoamericanas criadas bajo sistemas similares.
Compositions and Positional Distributions of Fatty Acids in Phospholipids from Leaves of Chilling-Sensitive and Chilling-Resistant Plants :

The compositions and positional distributions of fatty acids in the major leafphospholipids of phosphatidylg lycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and enzymic hydrolysis, and chilling-sensitive and chilling-resistant plants were compared with respect to the relative contents of palmitic and (ranj-jd3-hexadecenoic acids in the separated phospholipids. A distinct difference between these plants was found in the fatty acid compositions of phosphatidylglycerol, in which the sum of palmitic and trans-A 3-hexadecenoic acids ranged from 60 to 78% of the total fatty acids in 8 species of chilling-sensitive plants, and from 50 to 57% in 11 species of chilling-resistant plants. The only exception among the chillingsensitive plants in this respect was the tomato, in which the sum of palmitic and trans^]3-hexadecenoic acids in phosphatidylglycerol amounted to 54%. The fatty acid compositions and the positional distributions of fatty acids in phosphatidylg lycerol suggest that the occurrence of high proportions of dipalmitoyl and l-palmitoyl-2-((raRi-/J3hexadecenoyl) species in this lipid is correlated with the susceptibility to chilling of the leaves of higher plants. In the compositions and positional distributions of fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, no difference was found between the chilling-sensitive and chilling-resistant plants.
Nutrient foraging traits in 10 co‐occurring plant species of contrasting life forms

1 Responses to spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients were tested in 10 plant species that differ in life form and successional status, but which co‐occur in the South Carolina coastal plain. The morphological responses of the root system were tested by assessing scale (represented by root mass and root length densities), precision (preferential proliferation of roots in nutrient‐rich patches compared with less fertile patches) and discrimination (ability to detect and proliferate within the richest patches when patches vary in nutrient concentration). We also investigated sensitivity (growth benefits gained as spatial heterogeneity of nutrients increases, measured as total biomass).
Human memory Vγ9Vδ2 T cells require homeostatic cytokines for proliferation and differentiation

We have analysed four subsets of human γg9Vδ2 T cells for their capacity to proliferate and differentiate in response to antigen or homeostatic cytokines. Antigen-stimulated cells acquired a central memory (TCM) or effector memory (TEM) phenotype, while IL-15-stimulated cells maintained their phenotype, with the exception of TCM cells, which expressed CD27 and CD45RA in various combinations. These results show that huma nVγ9Vδ2 memory T cells have different proliferation and differentiation potentials and that terminally differentiated (TEMRA) cells result from the TCM subset upon homeostatic proliferation in the absence of antigen.
Suppression of Fertility in Male Albino Rats Following α-Amyrin Acetate Administration

The treatment of α-amyrin acetate given orally in male albino rats at the dose level of 10 mg/rat/day for 60 days did not cause any significant loss in their body weights but the weights of reproductive organs, i.e., testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate decreased in a significant manner when compared to controls. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly, resulting in complete suppression of fertility. A marked decline in the germ cell population was noticed. Populations of preleptotene, pachytene, secondary spermatocytes and step-19 spermatid were declined by 48.77, 63.29, 53.16 and 64.02%, whereas spermatogonial germ cell count did not show any statistically significant reduction. Leydig cell nuclear area and mature Leydig cell counts were significantly reduced when compared with controls. The seminiferous tubular diameter, cross-sectional surface area and counts of the Sertoli cells were also decreased significantly. The RBC and WBC counts, the levels of haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood sugar, serum protein cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride were not changed, whereas biochemical parameters of the tissues (i.e., protein, sialic acid, glycogen contents of testes) decreased significantly. Seminal vesicular fructose was also depleted, but the cholesterol content in testes was elevated in comparison to controls.
Avaliação da marcha e risco de quedas em idosos com queixa de tontura em atendimento ambulatorial

Introducao: A tontura e o desequilibrio corporal podem gerar quedas, diminuicao no desempenho das atividades de vida diaria, prejuizo na independencia e na qualidade de vida dos idosos. A avaliacao da marcha torna-se um dos principais recursos utilizados para se detectar problemas funcionais relacionados a locomocao. Objetivo: Avaliar a marcha e o risco de quedas, por meio do DGI, em idosos com queixa de tontura cronica atendidos ambulatoriamente. Metodologia: Foram avaliados 60 idosos, com queixa de tontura, dos sexos feminino e masculino, com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados para a avaliacao foram: dados sociodemograficos, dados clinico-funcionais, avaliacao da capacidade funcional (BOMFAQ) e historico de quedas no ultimo ano; dados de mobilidade, equilibrio corporal e marcha atraves do Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) e Dynamic Gait Index (DGI); e, por fim, os dados psico-cognitivos que se utilizou o Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) e o Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Resultados: A amostra apresentou media etaria de 75,13±7,97 anos, sendo a maioria feminina 71,70%. Os idosos utilizavam em media 4,25±2,50 medicamentos e 50,00% tinham ate quatro doencas. 66,70% possuiam maior risco de quedas segundo DGI. 38,30% nao possuiam deficit cognitivo e 38,30% nao apresentavam sintomas depressivos. Foram encontradas associacoes significantes entre a variavel dependente DGI e as variaveis: atividade fisica (p=0,017), locomocao (p=0,013), dispositivos de auxilio a marcha (p=0,018), quedas no ultimo ano (p=0,043), TUGT (p=0,006), GDS (p=0,008), BOMFAQ (p=0,002) e BBS (p=0,001). Conclusao: O risco de quedas em idosos com queixa de tontura e maior quando associada a inatividade fisica, locomocao independente, que nao utilizam dispositivo de auxilio a marcha, com historico de quedas, com mobilidade reduzida, presenca de sintomas depressivos, prejuizo na capacidade funcional e no equilibrio corporal.
Biodiversity and In vitro Conservation of Three Medicinally Important Herbs: Spilanthes acmella L. var. oleraceae Clarke, S. calva L., and S. paniculata Wall. ex DC.

In vitro mass production and conservation of three antimalarial medicinal herbs: Spilanthes acmella L. var. oleraceae, S. calva, and S. paniculata of asteraceae employing seedling leaf explants. The explants were reared on MS medium containing a variety of growth regulators, namely cytokinins (BA, KN and 2iP), or auxins (2,4-D, NAA and IBA) in different concentrations (0.1, 1, 5, 10, and 20 μM) either alone or in combination. MS+5μM BA proved optimum for S. calva, with an average of 4.17 ± 1.5 shoots. However, in S. acmella L. var. oleraceae and S. paniculata, MS+1μM NAA+5μM BA proved best for differentiating an average of 4.46 ± 1.2 and 6.50 ± 2.6 shoots, respectively. The shoots were excised and rooted in half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with auxins (NAA or IBA). Thus, a successful method for ex-situ conservation has been established in the three Spilanthes species for the first time.
Proanthocyanidins from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Induce Cell Cycle Alterations in DU145 Human Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro by Affecting the Expression of Cell Cycle-Associated Proteins

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. There are genetic and environmental factors that can potentially impact the development and progression of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. As a consequence of environmental factors, such as diet having a potential effect on the development of prostate cancer, considerable interest in the possible health benefits associated with the inclusion and consumption of certain foods in the diet exists. Context and purpose of this study : This study describes the effects of a proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction (PACs) isolated from the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on the behaviour of androgen-refractory (insensitive) DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. Results: Following treatment of DU145 human prostate cancer cells with 25 µg/mL of PACs for six hours, PACs significantly decreased the cellular viability of DU145 cells. PACs treatment (25 µg/mL for 6 hours) of DU145 cells increased the proportion of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle and decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These alterations were associated with changes in cell cycle regulatory proteins and other cell cycle associated proteins. PACs increased the expression of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK2 and CDK4, and decreased the expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1. The protein expression level of p27 increased, and the protein expression levels of p16 INK4a , p21, and pRBp107 decreased in response to PACs treatment. The protein expression level of pRBp130 was unchanged in response to PACs treatment. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that proanthocyanidins from the American cranberry can affect the behaviour of human prostate cancer cells in vitro and further support the potential health benefits associated with cranberries. Keywords: Prostate cancer, proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction (PACs), American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
ETUDE DES MECANISMES DE TOLERANCE A LA SALINITE CHEZ DEUX VARIETES DE BLE TENDRE (Triticum aestivum L.) SOUMISES A UN STRESS SALIN

La sensibilite au sel est associee a l'accumulation du sodium (Na+) dans les tissus photosynthetiques chez plusieurs especes, notamment dans la gaine et le limbe des feuilles, ce qui implique des mecanismes de transport de ces ions et de tolerance a la salinite. Dans cette etude, nous presentons une analyse physiologique des plantules de deux genotypes du ble tendre (Triticum aestivum L.), Mahon-Demias (MD) et Hidhab (HD1220), sensible et tolerant au sel respectivement. Les principales differences de transport des ions Na+ entre les deux genotypes etaient, le taux de transfert de la racine vers la tige ou chargement du xyleme, qui a ete beaucoup plus faible chez le genotype tolerant au sel et la capacite de la gaine de la feuille d'extraire et de sequestrer les ions Na+ a leurs entree dans la feuille qui est plus important dans le genotype tolerant. Une correlation a ete obtenue entre le profil d'expression de TaSOS1 (un plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiport) dans les racines et les gaines et le flux de Na+ a partir des racines jusqu'aux feuilles, ainsi le controle de Na+ decharge du xyleme dans les racines. Ces resultats permettent de concevoir de nouveaux cribles genetiques pour la tolerance au sel chez le ble tendre (Triticum aestivum L.).
Estudo do padrão de inativação do cromossomo X em tecido extra-embrionário humano

66 Referências bibliográficas. 67 Anexo 1. 74 Anexo 2. 76 Anexo 3. 80 Anexo 4. 102 Biografia. 109
HIV-1 Gag trafficking

The process of HIV-1 assembly and release, which occurs largely at the plasma membrane, is driven by the Gag precursor protein, Pr55Gag. Because Gag plays a central role in orchestrating the late stages of the virus replication cycle, elucidating the molecular mechanism by which Gag traffics to the site of virus assembly and defining the cellular machinery that regulates Gag localization are crucial to understanding HIV-1 replication. Ultimately, this information will be vital to devising effective approaches to controlling this pathogen. Numerous studies in recent years have provided new insights into both the viral and cellular determinants of HIV-1 Gag trafficking. The matrix domain of Gag plays an important role in directing Gag to the plasma membrane, in part by directly interacting with a specific phosphoinositide. Several cellular proteins have also been reported to function in Gag trafficking pathways. Current efforts in the field are directed toward understanding how these factors function in pro.
The Secretion of Mucus By Marine Nematodes (Enoplus Spp.): a Possible Mechanism Influencing the Uptake and Loss of Heavy Metal Pollutants

The effect of secreted mucus on the binding of heavy metal pollutants was studied in two species of free-living marine nematodes (Enoplus spp.). The mucus was found to be effective in binding copper, zinc and lead and its possible role in metal uptake and loss was discussed with reference to the cuticular route and the gut route.