Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Properties and Anti-Hiv Activity of Hairpin Antisense Oligonucleotides Containing 2′-Methoxynucleosides with Base-Pairing in the Stem Region at the 3′-End

A new type of hairpin antisense oligodeoxyribo-nucleotide, containing 2′-methoxynucleosides with base-pairing in the stem region at the 3′-end, was tested for 3′-exonuclease resistance and anti-HIV activity. An increased resistance to nuclease degradation has been observed by incubation of the hairpin oligo-nucleotides with DNA polymerase and foetal bovine serum. Of particular interest is the hairpin antisense oligonucleotide containing 2′-methoxynucleosides with base-pairing in the stem region at the 3′-end, which has increased nuclease resistance and hybridizes effectively with a complementary RNA. Furthermore, these compounds were assayed for inhibition of virus replication in HIV-1 infected MT-4 cells. In the anti-HIV activity test, the hairpin oligonucleotide phosphorothioate derivatives showed higher anti-HIV activities compared to their linear counterparts.
The Turnover of Metals in a Eutrophic and an Oligotrophic Lake in Sweden

Abstract Trace metal dynamics were studied in lakes to illustrate the direct and indirect effects of eutrophication on the turnover of metals. The decreasing atmospheric load of Pb was well reflected by the Pb-profile in dated sediment cores. The trend was, however, biased by resuspension which at times dominated the flux of particles to the sediments. Since sulfides played an important role for the sequestering of metals in the sediments, resuspension, and water circulation, would facilitate the dispersal of pollutants and the solubilization of metal sulfides by sulfide oxidation. Significant effects of “seston dilution” was demonstrated as decreased Pb and Hg levels in the eutrophic lake sediments. However, the bioavailability in fish for those metals did not decrease, as it did for Cd and Tl. In the eutrophic lake, higher concentrations of Hg in fish muscle were accompanied by increasing net production of methyl-Hg in hypolimnetic waters. Higher fluxes of metals in the eutrophic lake may partly be explained by a larger biomass and partly by different geology and pH. Eutrophication decreased the residence time of Cu, Ni, and Tl, probably partly due to sulfide fixation, and decreased the concentration of Cd and Mo in water, due to a large biomass and an efficient scavenging of metals.
Native insect pollinators in Apple orchards under different management practices in the Kashmir Valley

It is now clear that over use of pesticides and intensive management of orchards can lead to drastic declines in apple pollinator abundance and crop failures. During the period of study a grower’s survey was conducted to know about knowledge of farmers on native insect pollinators, pollinator management practices, their perceptions of the importance and utility of native pollinators, and their attitudes regarding pesticide application. Despite of having significant knowledge of managed pollination, only few farmers (2%) adopted supplementary methods of pollination (renting honey bee colonies, hand pollination etc.). In Pulwama, 60% of farmers had knowledge about native insect pollinators and 40% did not have any idea of native pollinators and in case of Shopian, the figures were fifty-fifty i.e. 50% had knowledge about native insect pollinators and 50% were unaware. During the period of investigation, native insect pollinators were sampled from different apple orchards under different management systems in early spring during apple flowering. A total of 17 species of insect pollinators belonging to 11 families and 3 orders_ Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera registered their occurrence at all the studied apple orchards of the Kashmir Valley. At all the study sites i.e. apple orchards under different management systems, family Halictidae and Empididae registered their presence as dominant groups. The % family contribution of the former at different orchard types decreased with increase in the intensity of the management system and the % family contribution of the later however, showed a direct relationship with the management system found, i.e. the more intense the system, the more abundant was the group. Other groups in general did not show any greater differences in abundances at different sites studied.
Effects of Burning and Discing Conservation Reserve Program Fields to Improve Habitat Quality for Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract Since 1985 considerable expanses of highly erodible cropland have been enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Areas enrolled in CRP provide wildlife habitat; however, habitat quality and specific resources on these sites vary in relation to seasonal biological processes of target wildlife species, planted cover and vegetation succession. Throughout the southeastern United States habitat quality for early successional species, such as northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), may decline as CRP grasslands age. Although disturbance may enhance and maintain habitat quality for bobwhite, concerns regarding perceived conflicts between wildlife habitat and soil erosion objectives of the CRP persist. During 1995 and 1996 we evaluated effects of strip-discing or prescribed burning on vegetation structure and composition and soil erosion in fescue (Festuca arundiacea) dominated CRP fields in Mississippi. Fall discing generally increased percentage bare ground and plant diversity and decreased percentage litter cover and litter depth. Fall discing enhanced bobwhite habitat quality, but responses diminished by the second growing season post treatment. Burning increased plant diversity and improved quality of habitat for bobwhite. Soil loss for all treatments was within United States Department of Agriculture tolerable limits. Discing or burning intensity on CRP fields could be increased without compromising soil erosion provisions of CRP.
The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the survival of bacteria attached to dry solid surfaces

The effect of relative humidity (r.h.) (0%, 34% and 75%) and temperature (4, 15 and 25°C) on the desiccation survival of Pseudomonas sp. , Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, a coryneform, Staphylococcus sp. , and Staphylococcus aureus attached to and grown on glass surfaces was studied. The survival of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive species was similar. Bacterial survival was shortest at 25°C for all species studied, and in most cases longest at 4°C. The effect of r.h. on survival varied with species. The number of microcolonies and the number of cells within microcolonies for Pseudomonas sp. increased on the dry surfaces after 7 d incubation under all desiccation conditions.
Hematopoietic reconstitution of SLP-76 corrects hemostasis and platelet signaling through αIIbβ3 and collagen receptors

Mice deficient in the hematopoietic cell-specific adapter protein SLP-76 demonstrate a failure of T cell development and fetal hemorrhage. Although SLP-76-deficient platelets manifest defective collagen receptor signaling, this alone may not explain the observed bleeding diathesis. Because alpha IIb beta 3, the platelet fibrinogen receptor, is required for normal hemostasis, we explored a potential role for SLP-76 in alpha IIb beta 3 signaling. Interaction of soluble or immobilized fibrinogen with normal human or murine platelets triggers rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of SLP-76. Moreover, platelet adhesion to fibrinogen stimulates actin rearrangements, filopodial and lamellipodial extension, and localization of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins to the cell periphery. In contrast, SLP-76-deficient murine platelets bind fibrinogen normally, but spread poorly and exhibit reduced levels of phosphotyrosine. The in vivo bleeding diathesis as well as the defects in platelet responses to fibrinogen and collagen are reversed by retroviral transduction of SLP-76 into bone marrow derived from SLP-76-deficient mice. These studies establish that SLP-76 functions downstream of alpha IIb beta 3 and collagen receptors in platelets. Furthermore, expression of SLP-76 in hematopoietic cells, including platelets, plays a necessary role in hemostasis.
Ultrastructure and X-ray microanalysis of Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta) under chromium stress

I. Rocchetta, P.I. Leonardi, G.M. Amado Filho, M. del Carmen Ríos de Molina and V. Conforti. 2007. Ultrastructure and X-ray microanalysis of Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta) under chromium stress. Phycologia 46: 300–306. DOI: 10.2216/06-49.1 The effect of chromium on the biology of Euglena gracilis was studied. The ultrastructural modifications caused by this metal and its location within the cell were analyzed by TEM and EDXA, respectively. The effects of chromium on protein, pigment, and lipid contents were also studied in order to evaluate the metabolic responses to metal exposure. Two strains of Euglena gracilis, UTEX 753 (from the Culture Collection of Texas University) and MAT (isolated from the Matanza River), were used in this research. Both were grown in photoauxotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions and exposed to different metal concentrations. In all treated cells, increases in total protein and lipid contents, changes in chlorophyll amount, and alterations in fine structure were observed, especially with the higher concentration tested. In photosynthetic treated cells, assays showed chloroplast thylakoid disorganization, the presence of cytoplasm lipid globules, and several vacuoles with electron-dense inclusions and remnants of membranes inside. Nuclei presented lobulations, and eventually total fragmentation in some cells treated with the highest chromium concentration was seen, suggesting that chromium cytotoxicity leads to cellular death. The EDXA spectrum showed well-defined Cr and S peaks in the vacuoles containing electron-dense inclusions and remnants of membranes from autotrophic MAT samples. These results indicate that the different defense mechanisms against chromium depend on strain type and culture conditions. The S peak detected in MAT would suggest that sulfur-rich proteins groups play an important role in the detoxification system inducing metal-complex accumulation into vacuoles.
An update note on diversity and conservation of the endemic fishes in Iranian inland waters

Azad TEIMORI*, Hossein MOSTAFAVI, Hamid Reza ESMAEILI Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, Department of Water, Atmosphere, and Environment, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Candida albicans Stimulates Arachidonic AcidLiberation from Alveolar Macrophages through ao-Mannan and 1-Glucan CellWallComponents

Candida albicans isanincreasingly important fungal pathogen. Alveolar macrophages respond tofungal components suchaszymosan byreleasing arachidonic acid(AA)andAA metabolites. However, fewstudies haveevaluated theeffect ofwholefungi onmacrophage eicosanoid metabolism. We hypothesized that macrophages respond toC.albicans byreleasing AA andgenerating AA metabolites asa consequence of interaction ofmannoseand I-glucan receptors withfungal cell wallcomponents. ['4C]AA-labeled rabbit alveolar macrophages released AA following stimulation witheither live orheat-killed C.albicans. Highpressure liquid chromatography analysis revealed that55%oftheAA released was metabolized via cyclooxygenase andlipoxygenase pathways. Themetabolites consisted ofprostaglandin E2,prostaglandin F2. , 6-ketoprostaglandin F1,, thromboxane B2,andleukotrienes B4andD4.We further examined theroles of a-mannan andI-glucan components ofC.albicans inmediating these alterations ofeicosanoid metabolism. Prior workinourlaboratory hasshownthatsoluble a-mannan and,-glucan inhibit macrophage mannoseand j-glucan receptors, respectively. Incubation ofalveolar macrophages withsoluble a-mannan derived fromC. albicans (1mg/ml) resulted in49.8%± 2.6%inhibition ofmacrophage AA release during stimulation with intact C.albicans (P= 0.0001 versus control). Macrophage AA release inresponse toC.albicans wasalso inhibited toasignificant butlesser degree bysoluble I-glucan (36.2% + 1.3%; P = 0.008 versus control). These results indicate thatC.albicans stimulates macrophage AA metabolism andthattheseeffects arepartly mediated byot-mannan andj-glucan constituents ofthefungus.
SHARK DATA FROM SANTOS LONGLINERS FISHERY OFF SOUTHERN BRAZIL (1971-2000).

The historical series from 1971 to 2000 of Chondrichthye s caught by longliners based in Santos City, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, have been reviewed and the fishery biology of some of the species has been studied. The Brazilian Santos fleet started in 1965/66 with two boats, increasing gradually until a maximum of 20 boats, in 1998 and 19 in 1999. In 2000 comprised 14 vessels (13 national and 1 leased) operating in the area 17-35 o S, 27-52 o W. Since 1977 yields of sharks have shown an increasing trend, reaching about 60% of the longline total catch in 1993. Since the beginning of this fishery, most of shark’s meat had market. Nevertheless only few shark species had high commercial value, so some of them were discarded, mainly blue shark. After 1977, shark meat market started increasing and the fishermen began to gradually bring all hooked sharks including blue shark. Also the price of shark fins brought as bycatch had six times increase in the last ten years. Blue shark (Prince glauca) was the main species and responsible for about 30% of the Santos longliners catch. The 33 shark and 2 ray species identified belong to the following families: Alopiidae, Carcharhinidae, Hexanchidae, Lamnidae, Megachasmidae, Odontaspididae, Pseudocarchariidae, Sphyrnidae, Dasyatidae and Mobulidae. Yield, fishing effort and biological aspects of some species are presented.
Association between Immune Function and Development of Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows

A sharp decrease in glucose and sodium during the transition to lactation makes dairy cows more susceptible to uterine disease. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Klibs N. Galvão and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, January 2012. VM181/VM181: Association between Immune Function and Development of Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows (ufl.edu)
Effects of Cattle Grazing on Salt Desert Rodent Communities

Abstract Cattle grazing has been shown to alter various features of desert communities that may impact microhabitats required by various species of desert rodents, with unknown implications for desert rodent communities. We conducted a series of studies at heavily and lightly grazed sites to investigate effects of cattle grazing on desert rodent relative abundances, home range sizes and microhabitat use in salt desert shrub communities of the western Great Basin Desert. Monitoring of rodent populations with repeated live trapping showed that different levels of grazing were associated with differences in relative abundances of some species of rodents. Specifically, Dipodomys merriami was significantly more abundant in heavily grazed areas, and Perognathus longimembris was significantly more abundant in lightly grazed areas. Our studies showed that cattle, by preferentially feeding on certain plants, can create conditions that are more suitable for some species of rodents, while reducing important microhabitat for other species.
EVALUATION OF BACTERICIDAL AND ANTICANCER PROPERTIES OF FRUITS OF PIPER LONGUM. Research Article

The resistance of bacteria against the traditional antibiotics needs urgent attention and thus necessitates for the development of the new drug molecule against bacterial infections. The whole study focused on investigating the therapeutic and medicinal properties of the fruits of Piper longum. The antioxidant properties of the plant extracts was determined using FRAP method. The anticancer activity of the different extracts of fruits of Piper longum on human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line (HCC-827) has been assessed in vitro using 3 -(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT assay). The potency of plant extracts to inhibit the cancerous growth was recorded in terms of decrease in viable cell count as compared to the control value. The inhibition of the growth of human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line (HCC-827) has been found to be dose dependent. Phalloidin staining of the control and treated cells were performed to check the changes in the structure of cytoskeleton which appeared to be distorted and disorganized in control as compared to treated cancerous cells. In our study we have focused on working on the causes and search for herbal medicine which has less or no side-effects, is cost effective and reliable source of treatment.
Multiscale Environmental Influences on Fish Assemblage Structure of South Atlantic Coastal Plain Streams

AbstractSouth Atlantic coastal plain streams are unique and understudied freshwater environments that provide crucial habitats for a wide range of aquatic taxa. We investigated patterns in fish assemblages across South Carolina's coastal plain, and developed statistical models to identify the dominant multiscale abiotic environmental factors that influence assemblage structure. Cluster and indicator species analyses of fish assemblage data collected at 208 wadeable streams indicated the presence of four predominant species associations that commonly occur in the South Atlantic coastal plain, which we termed the (1) fluvial, (2) Eastern Mudminnow, (3) centrarchid, and (4) nonfluvial assemblages. A random forest analysis indicated that geographic gradients and instream habitat variables associated with velocity, channel form, stream size, depth, and large wood generally played a greater role in distinguishing fish assemblages than catchment land cover. A follow-up principal component analysis showed that th.
Incorporating climate change adaptation into national conservation assessments

The Convention on Biological Diversity requires that member nations establish protected area networks that are representative of the country's biodiversity. The identification of priority sites to achieve outstanding representation targets is typically accomplished through formal conservation assessments. However, representation in conservation assessments or gap analyses has largely been interpreted based on a static view of biodiversity. In a rapidly changing climate, the speed of changes in biodiversity distribution and abundance is causing us to rethink the viability of this approach. Here we describe three explicit strategies for climate change adaptation as part of national conservation assessments: conserving the geophysical stage, identifying and protecting climate refugia, and promoting cross‐environment connectivity. We demonstrate how these three approaches were integrated into a national terrestrial conservation assessment for Papua New Guinea, one of the most biodiverse countries on earth. Protected areas identified based on representing geophysical diversity were able to capture over 90% of the diversity in vegetation communities, suggesting they could help protect representative biodiversity regardless of changes in the distribution of species and communities. By including climate change refugia as part of the national conservation assessment, it was possible to substantially reduce the amount of environmental change expected to be experienced within protected areas, without increasing the overall cost of the protected area network. Explicitly considering environmental heterogeneity between adjacent areas resulted in protected area networks with over 40% more internal environmental connectivity. These three climate change adaptation strategies represent defensible ways to guide national conservation priority given the uncertainty that currently exists in our ability to predict climate changes and their impacts. Importantly, they are also consistent with data and expertise typically available during national conservation assessments, including in developing nations. This means that in the vast majority of countries, these strategies could be implemented immediately.
The Tightly Regulated and Compartmentalised Import, Sorting and Folding of Mitochondrial Proteins

Mitochondria are eukaryotic intracellular organelles that still bear the signatures of their prokaryotic ancestor and require nuclear assistance. They generously dispense energy to cells, but are also involved in several biosynthetic processes, as well as in cell signalling pathways and programmed cell death. Mitochondria are partitioned into four intra-organelle compartments: the outer membrane, the inner membrane, the intermembrane space and the matrix. Each compartment contains a unique set of proteins and a personalised system for guaranteeing protein homeostasis. What follows is a survey of the function and topology of the multiple systems that operate the concerted action of protein sorting and folding in the four mitochondrial compartments.
Effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis corn-fed prey on mortality and development time of immature Chrysoperla cornea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Laboratory feeding experiments using transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki (Berliner) corn plants have been carried out to study the effects of B. thuringiensis -fed herbivores (i.e., prey), on the predator Chrysoperla carnea Stephens. Host plants were a transgenic B. thuringiensis -expressing (CrylAb) corn hybrid and the corresponding untransformed, B. thuringiensis -free corn hybrid. Two different prey species were used in the experiments, the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (lepidopterous target pest), and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (lepidopterous nontarget pest for B. thuringiensis ). The objectives were to quantify the effects of B. thuringiensis -fed prey on chrysopid immature development and to determine whether observed effects were caused by sick, suboptimal prey (indirect effects) or associated with B. thuringiensis -related causes (direct effects). Mean total immature mortality for chrysopid larvae raised on B. thuringiensis -fed prey was 62% compared with 37% when raised on B. thuringiensis -free prey. There was no significant difference in mortality between chrysopid larvae reared on B. thuringiensis -fed O. nubilalis or B. thuringiensis -fed S. littoralis . Similarly, no significant difference in mortality was detected when chrysopid larvae were raised on B. thuringiensis -free O. nubilalis or B. thuringiensis -free S. littoralis . Development time of chrysopid larvae was prolonged when B. thuringiensis -fed O. nubilalis was given to the predators but not for B. thuringiensis -fed S. littoralis . Although some unnoticed adverse effects in S. littoralis may have occurred because of the B. thuringiensis corn, our results suggest that the reduced fitness of chrysopid larvae was associated with B. thuringiensis . The prolonged development time of chrysopid larvae raised on B. thuringiensis -fed O. nubilalis was probably because of a combined effect of B. thuringiensis exposure and nutritional deficiency caused by sick prey.