Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TGFβ in prostate cancer: A growth inhibitor that can enhance tumorigenicity

A common feature of cancer cells is the autocrine production of growth promoters and the loss of function of tumor suppressors. In our search for such features of prostate cancer, we discovered that transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) levels are higher in prostate cancer than in normal prostate, and prostate cancer cells can activate endogenously‐produced latent TGFβ to a bioactive form. Because TGFβ1 is a potent growth inhibitor of epithelial cells, it seems paradoxical that malignant epithelial cells make high levels of a growth inhibitor. Even prostate cancer cells can be growth‐inhibited by TGFβ1, but only under specific conditions in vitro (plating at low cell density in serum‐free medium), and this response is readily disrupted by growth factors, serum, and extracellular matrix, to all of which the cells are exposed in vivo. This explains why prostate cancer cells are resistant to the growth‐inhibitory effect of TGFβ in vivo. In vivo, TGFβ1 actually enhances prostate tumor growth and metastasis, but not by affecting tumor cell proliferation directly. One possibility is that TGFβ affects the host to allow increased numbers of tumor cells to survive and produce progeny. In addition, since prostate cancer cells can still respond to TGFβ, e.g., by increased cell motility, even under conditions that prevent growth inhibition, the ability of TGFβ to enhance tumorigenicity in vivo might also occur via direct effects on the tumor cells themselves. I will discuss new developments in our understanding of TGFβ action, which provide a framework for elucidating the mechanism by which prostate cancer cells have devised a way to protect themselves from being growth‐inhibited by TGFβ1 in vivo. Since the cells retain the ability to be growth‐inhibited by TGFβ, indicating that the TGFβ receptors and signaling pathways for growth inhibition are intact, albeit inactive, it might be possible to reactivate this pathway to achieve a therapeutic benefit in vivo. Prostate 31:61–70, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polyploidy in fishes: patterns and processes

Fishes are the most speciose group of vertebrates, with more than 24 000 species. They are characterized by great diversity in ecology, morphology, life history, behaviour and physiology. Here, the phylogenetic patterns of orders in which polyploidy has been recorded are considered, with special reference to patterns of species richness and hybridization: these orders include such phylogenetically diverse taxa as the Lepidosireniformes (lungfish) and the Perciformes (perch). Examples, predominantly drawn from the Cyprinidae and Salmonidae, are used to illustrate attributes of polyploidy in fishes. It is concluded (i) that polyploidy may have been of considerable importance in the evolution of fishes, and (ii) that fishes, with their diverse life histories, represent a useful model system with which to test theories relating to the origin and consequences of polyploidy that have been derived from work on plants.
Key to the adults of the most common forensic species of Diptera in South America

Flies (Diptera, blow flies, house flies, flesh flies, horse flies, cattle flies, deer flies, midges and mosquitoes) are among the four megadiverse insect orders. Several species quickly colonize human cadavers and are potentially useful in forensic studies. One of the major problems with carrion fly identification is the lack of taxonomists or available keys that can identify even the most common species sometimes resulting in erroneous identification. Here we present a key to the adults of 12 families of Diptera whose species are found on carrion, including human corpses. Also, a summary for the most common families of forensic importance in South America, along with a key to the most common species of Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Fanniidae and to the genera of Sarcophagidae are provided. Drawings of the most important characters for identification are also included.
Reactive Oxygen Species and Ascorbate-Glutathione Interplay in Signaling and Stress Responses

Over the last decade our understanding of the role of ROS has progressed from the classical view of adverse toxic metabolic byproducts inadvertently associated with aerobic life to include the newly emerging role of signaling molecules regulating growth, development and coordinating responses to abiotic and biotic stress. A recent series of discoveries have given scientists new insights into ROS-dependent gene activation and the molecular mechanisms involved. The majority of information of the regulatory role of ROS on gene expression derived from experiments using: i) transgenic plants overexpressing or suppressing antioxidant genes in order to reduce or increase the intracellular ROS levels, respectively; ii) mutants impaired in ROS generation or scavenging; iii) direct application of ROS; iv) application of ROS generating compounds. Results of these experiments provided signifi cant information on ROS-dependent signaling pathways and ROS-responsive genes. A number of genes involved in defense, signal transduction, transcription, metabolism as well as cell structure have been identifi ed revealing a highly dynamic and redundant network of ROS-producing and ROS-scavenging genes. Antioxidant genes are central players in this network and their function has profound effect in controlling ROS levels and cellular redox balance. ROS, on the other 1Agricultural Research Center of Northern Greece, NAGREF, 57001 Thermi, Greece, Fax: (+30)2310471209, E-mail: phmylona@nagref.gr 2 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Fax: (+30) 2310998654, E-mail: palexios@agro.auth. gr *Corresponding author 102 Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Higher Plants hand can remarkably regulate the level of antioxidant gene expression providing a feedback regulation mechanism of ROS levels, which is a critical component in modulation of signaling networks. This chapter focuses on recent developments on the role of ROS in activation of gene expression with an emphasis on ROS-scavenging enzyme systems.
Evidence of Reduced Feeding and Oxidative Stress in Common Tree Frogs (Hypsiboas pulchellus) from an Agroecosystem Experiencing Severe Drought

Abstract The intensification of modern agriculture may impact amphibian populations through habitat loss and the direct and indirect effects of the pesticides upon which it relies. The increased homogeneity of modern agricultural landscapes may be detrimental in times of extreme low and high temperatures associated with climate change, as refuge abundance and habitat connectivity decrease. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of the herbicide glyphosate and subsequent intense drought on the Common Tree Frog, Hypsiboas pulchellus, inhabiting an agricultural landscape. We examined a series of organismic indices (stomach content index, hepatosomatic index, body fat index, gonadosomatic index, condition factor) as well as biomarkers of oxidative stress (hepatic catalase activity and reduced glutathione [GSH] content), exposure to contaminants (hepatic gluthatione-S-transferase activity), and genotoxicity (frequency of micronuclei). No significant differences were observed in the parameters measured when comparing frogs sampled before, 2, and 15 days after glyphosate exposure. However, anurans sampled in the same site two months later, when a drought was at its peak, presented a decrease in stomach content and hepatosomatic index, as well as an increase in hepatic catalase activity, hepatic GSH content and micronuclei frequency in peripheral circulating erythrocytes. Our findings demonstrate that drought is challenging to these anurans in this environment as evidenced by an apparent reduction in food intake and oxidative stress.
A Proteína Morfogenética Óssea-6 (BMP-6) induz a atresia em folículos primordiais caprinos cultivados in vitro

This study investigated the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) on in vitro primordial follicle development in goats. Samples of goat ovarian cortex were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days in Minimum Essential Medium (control medium) supplemented with different concentrations of BMP-6. Follicle survival, activation and growth were evaluated through histology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After 7 days of culture, histological analysis demonstrated that BMP-6 enhanced the percentages of atretic primordial follicles when compared to fresh control (day 0). Nevertheless, BMP-6 increased follicular and oocyte diameter during both culture periods. As the culture period progressed from day 1 to day 7, a significant increase in follicle diameter was observed with 1 or 50ng/ml BMP-6. However, on the contrary to that observed with the control medium TEM revealed that follicles cultured for up to 7 days with 1 or 50ng/ml BMP-6 had evident signs of atresia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that BMP-6 negatively affects the survival and ultrastructure of goat primordial follicles.
Targeted Enzyme Prodrug Therapies

The cure of cancer is still a formidable challenge in medical science. Long-known modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are successful in a number of cases; however, invasive, metastasized and inaccessible tumors still pose an unresolved and ongoing problem. Targeted therapies designed to locate, detect and specifically kill tumor cells have been developed in the past three decades as an alternative to treat troublesome cancers. Most of these therapies are either based on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs or tumor sitespecific activation of prodrugs. The latter is a two-step procedure. In the first step, a selected enzyme is accumulated in the tumor by guiding the enzyme or its gene to the neoplastic cells. In the second step, a harmless prodrug is applied and specifically converted by this enzyme into a cytotoxic drug only at the tumor site. A number of targeting systems, enzymes and prodrugs were investigated and improved since the concept was first envisioned in 1974. This review presents a concise overview of the history and latest developments in targeted therapies for cancer treatment. We cover the relevant technologies such as antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT), gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) as well as related therapies such as clostridial- (CDEPT) and polymer-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (PDEPT) with emphasis on prodrug-converting enzymes, prodrugs and drugs.
Isolation and characterization of a novel Bacillus subtilis WD23 exhibiting laccase activity from forest soil.

The strain Bacillus sp. WD23 exhibiting laccase activity was screened from forest soil. The M9 medium containing Cu 2+ was used for enriching and isolating bacterial strains capable of oxidizing syringaldazine. One isolated strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis WD23 based on the results of physiological and biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The strain WD23 could grow at temperatures ranging from 20 to 55°C and showed optimum growth temperature and pH at 25°C and 7.0, respectively. The sporulation rate of the strain clearly correlated well with the laccase activity. The temperature half-life of the spore laccase was 2.5 h at 80°C and the pH half life time was 15 d at pH 9.0. Its spore laccase could decolorize 50 - 90% of Remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR), alizarin red, congo red, methyl orange and methyl violet, which suggests the potential application of spore laccase in dyestuff treatment. Keywords: Bacterial laccase, Bacillus subtilis , spore, decolorization African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5496-5502, 23 August, 2010
Disposal and filtration of wastewater in hospitals of Markazi Province in 2009

Background: Hospital wastewater usually contains pathogenic micro-organisms, drugs, radio active materials, and toxic chemical elements that in case of being disposed without filtration, will result in pollution and spread of diseases. Therefore, evaluating the status of wastewater disposal in hospitals is necessary for proper planning. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study in 2008, data collection was done by means of interviews, observations, and questionnaires in all hospitals of Markazi Province. Noticing the 33 items in the questionnaire, the overall conditions of the hospitals and the methods of using the sewage system were studied, and at the same time, filtration installations and wastewater disposal systems were inspected. Results: Of all the 19 hospitals, 10 used a conventional method of direct disposal of sewage to subterranean shafts, and of the 4 hospitals with filtration installations, three were practically out of order or were not efficient. Five of the hospitals were directly linked to the city sewage system without any pre-filtration. None of the hospitals had a specialized operator of sewage filtration and disposal system. Conclusion: Wastewater disposal in hospitals of Markazi Province is not desirable; therefore, such acts as conducting more specific surveys, creating a positive attitude in planners, and providing sufficient funds for filtering wastewater in some of the hospitals are suggested.
Randomness vs. fuzziness in managerial decision-making

Managers often deal with uncertainty of a different nature in their decision processes. They can encounter uncertainty in terms of randomness or fuzziness (i.e., mist, obscurity, inaccuracy or vagueness). In the first case (randomness), it can be described, for example, by probability distribution, in the second case (fuzziness) it cannot be characterized in such a way. The methodological part of the paper presents basic tools for dealing with the uncertainty of both of these types, which are techniques of probability theory and fuzzy approach technique. The original contribution of the theoretical part is the interpretation of these different techniques based on the existence of fundamental analogies between them. These techniques are then applied to the problem of the project valuation with its “internal” value. In the first case, the solution is the point value of the statistical E[PV], in the second case the triangular fuzzy number of the subjective E[PV]. The comparison of the results of both techniques shows that the fuzzy approach extends the standard outcome of a series useful information. This informative “superstructure” of the fuzzy approach compared to the standard solution is another original benefit of the paper.
A new perspective of CALL software for English perceptual training in pronunciation instruction

Chienkuo Technology University, Taiwan, ROC fhliao@ctu.edu. tw In this research, the effect of CALL software on English perceptual training is investigated. English Perceptual Pronunciation Training software is designed to train the learner’s perception of English vowels by building up adequate acoustic images in the learner’s mind. Non-English majors are selected as experiment subjects, who receive English perceptual training via CALL software and subsequently take two distinctive tests: Discrimination and Identification tests. Two different questionnaires are distributed among subjects before and after the instruction: a questionnaire enquiring about their English learning experience and an evaluation questionnaire constructed particularly from the learner’s viewpoint. Experimental results are discussed, and the influence of subjects’ English-language learning experience is taken into account. Conclusions will be drawn in relation to the tutorial design of this software and the possibilities and perspectives explored by CALL software for integrating perceptual training in pronunciation instruction.
Representing the Plague in Early Modern England

Acknowledgments Introduction, Rebecca Totaro Section One: Making the Plague Serve Form and Function, 1563-1666 1: Writing the Plague in English Prose Satire, William Kerwin 2: Plague Space and Played Space in Urban Drama, 1604, Kelly J. Stage 3: Physical and Spiritual Illness: Narrative Appropriations of the Bills of Mortality, Erin Sullivan Section Two: Governing Bodies in Plague-Time 4: Contagious Figurations: Plague and the Impenetrable Nation after the Death of Elizabeth, Richelle Munkhoff 5: "Thinking to pass unknown": Measure for Measure, the Plague, and the Accession of James I, James D. Mardock Section Three: Performances, Playhouses, and the Sites of Re-Creation 6: "Sweet recreation barred": The Case for Playgoing in Plague-time, Nichole DeWall 7: Shakespeare's Dual Lexicons of Plague: Infections in Speech and Space, Paula S. Berggren 8: "A plague on both your houses": Sites of Comfort and Terror in Early Modern Drama, Barbara H. Traister Section Four: Contemporary Turns 9: Plague in A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Girardian Reading of Bottom and Hippolyta, Matthew Thiele 10: Dekker's and Middleton's Plague Pamphlets as Environmental Literature, Charles Whitney Afterword: Plague and Metaphor, Ernest B. Gilman Notes on Contributors Index
Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. occurrence on chickens at farm, slaughter house and retail.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of campylobacters in chicken at farms (close-house system and open-house system), slaughtering (conventional slaughterhouse and processing plant) and retail (wet market and supermarket). Campylobacter spp. was not found in cloacal swabs in chickens aged of 4 weeks in farms with close-house system. Campylobacter spp. was found in cloacal swabs (95.0%) in four weeks old chicken in farms with open-house systems. End-slaughtering samples from conventional slaughterhouse and processing plant were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. at 84.0% and 94.0%, respectively. Campylobacter contamination on wet market and supermarket samples with 78.0% and 92.0%, respectively. Close-house system at farm level was able to prevent or delay Campylobacter spp. colonization in chickens but contamination by Campylobacter spp. at retail level was still high. Therefore, monitoring of Campylobacter spp. in chicken products at retail level is crucial to reduce risk of human ingestion of Campylobacter spp. through chicken products.
Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

The effect of different neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels in the diet on the Ile de France x Texel lambs ingestive behavior was evaluated. Twenty lambs distributed in a fully randomized experimental design were used, in a total of four treatments and five repetitions, fed ad libitum with 25%, 31%, 37% and 43% NDF diets. A ration in a complete mixing in sorghum silage (AG 2005 E) and concentrate mixing of soybean meal, fragmented corn grains and mineral mixing was used. The diets were isoproteic (17% crude protein) and were given twice a day, at 8 AM and 4 PM. The ingestive behavior was determined by observation, during 24 hours with 5 minutes intervals, to determine the time spent in feeding, rumination and idleness. The increase of the fiber level in the feed did not effect (P>0.05) on the time spent in feeding, rumination, idleness and total chewing time. The rumination and feeding efficiency increased linearly (P<0.05), as the dietary NDF levels increased. The feedlot sheeps have predominantly diurnal habit of feeding and nocturnal of rumination
Age- and tactic-related paternity success in male African elephants

Information on age- and tactic-related paternity success is essential for understanding the lifetime reproductive strategy of males and constitutes an important component of the fitness trade-offs that shape the life-history traits of a species. The degree of reproductive skew impacts the genetic structure of a population and should be considered when developing conservation strategies for threatened species. The behavior and genetic structure of species with large reproductive skew may be disproportionately impacted by anthropogenic actions affecting reproductively dominant individuals. Our results on age- and tactic-specific paternity success in male African elephants are the first from a free-ranging population and demonstrate that paternity success increases dramatically with age, with the small number of older bulls in the competitive state of musth being the most successful sires. However, nonmusth males sired 20% of genotyped calves, and 60% of mature bulls (>20 years old) were estimated to have sired offspring during the 5-year study period. The 3 most successful males sired less than 20% of the genotyped offspring. Hence, contrary to prediction from behavior and life-history traits, reproduction was not heavily skewed compared with many other mammalian systems with a similar breeding system. Nevertheless, these results indicate that trophy hunting and ivory poaching, both of which target older bulls, may have substantial behavioral and genetic effects on elephant populations. In addition, these results are critical to the current debate on methods for managing and controlling increasing populations of this species. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Digestibility, faeces recovery, and related carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus balances of five feed ingredients evaluated as fishmeal alternatives in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

This study shows that alternatives for fishmeal in a fish diet affect not only fish growth but also faeces stability and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) waste production. Wheat gluten diet (WGD), soybean meal extract diet (SBE), soybean meal diet (SBM), duckweed diet (DWD) and single-cell protein diet (SCP) were evaluated as a fishmeal replacement on a 15% weight weight(-1) basis in tilapia diets. Fishmeal replacement affected dry matter (dm), protein, ash and P digestibility significantly. Faeces recovery (6.8-11.2%) was not significantly affected, although the amount of non-recovered faeces and total faeces showed significant differences. Duckweed diet and SCP resulted in the largest amounts of non-recovered and total faeces (199-210, 224-225 g dm kg(-1) feed dm). Compared with fishmeal diet (FMD), the WGD and SBE resulted in similar growth, but higher non-faecal N losses (471-495 vs. 416 g N kg(-1) N). Soybean meal diet, DWD and SCP resulted in lower growth but less non-faecal loss (409-450 g N kg(-1) N). The DWD and FMD had the highest N retention (480 g N kg(-1) N) compared with the other diets (431-451 g N kg(-1) N). Carbon retention, faecal and non-faecal losses and P retention were similar for all diets (302-358, 142-176 and 489-523g C kg(-1) C, 606-704 g P kg(-1) P). Phosphorus faecal loss was lower for all diets (329-381 g P kg(-1) P) than for the FMD (401 g P kg(-1) P).