Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Zealand

As a 1930s pioneer of the welfare state, New Zealand has a strong history of government involvement in the financing and delivery of health services. The government role remains dominant, but it has diminished slightly in recent years due to increased private funding and, more recently, to a proportional increase in the use of voluntary and private-sector providers. Government was responsible for 77.4 percent of the health expenditure in 1997. The public expenditure stands at U.S.$1,352 per capita (Ministry of Health 1999a) and has grown at a rate of 2.5 percent per year since 1980. Public expenditure has dropped from 85.6 percent of total health expenditure to 77.4 percent between 1988 and 1997. Only ten OECD countries have a higher proportion of public spending, which makes New Zealand’s health system very public by world standards. While the system is marginally more private than it was a decade ago, this is a point of fact often lost on the New Zealand public, which has been concerned about health system privatization. New Zealand’s health budget is raised from general tax revenue. A global budget constraint has proved effective in controlling overall expenditure. In the late 1980s services were delivered by publicly owned hospitals and community health services (via a form of local government known as area health boards) as well as by general practitioners. The introduction of general management to replace the triumvirate of nurse, doctor, and
Alterations of Ultrastructural and Fission/Fusion Markers in Hepatocyte Mitochondria From Mice Following Calorie Restriction With Different Dietary Fats

aWe analyzed ultrastructural changes and markers of fission/fusion in hepatocyte mitochondria from mice submitted to 40% calorie restriction (CR) for 6 months versus ad-libitum-fed controls. To study the effects of dietary fat under CR, animals were separated into three CR groups with soybean oil (also in controls), fish oil, and lard. CR induced differential changes in hepatocyte and mitochondrial size, in the volume fraction occupied by mitochondria, and in the number of mitochondria per hepatocyte. The number of cristae per mitochondrion was significantly higher in all CR groups compared with controls. Proteins related to mitochondrial fission (Fis1 and Drp1) increased with CR, but no changes were detected in proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion (Mfn1, Mfn2, and OPA1). Although many of these changes could be attributed to CR regardless of dietary fat, changing membrane lipid composition by different fat sources did modulate the effects of CR on hepatocyte mitochondria.
Effects of short-term ozone exposure on the carbon economy of mature and juvenile Douglas firs [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco].

Effects of short-term ozone exposure of mature trees were compared with those of seedlings. Both 25-yr-old Douglas firs [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] and 3-yr-old Douglas fir seedlings were exposed to 0, 200 and 400 μgm-1 ozone for about 1.5 wk and then labelled with 14 CO2 to study the effect on net photosynthesis, translocation and partitioning of assimilates. In the seedling experiment, two identical growth cabinets with separated shoot and root compartments were used for ozone fumigation and 14 C-labelling. Seedlings were harvested and H C contents in the needles (subdivided into starch, ethanol-soluble and residue fractions), branches, roots, root/soil respiration and soil residue were determined, together with the total starch content of the needles. Ozone increased the retention of 14 C-photosynthates in the needles. Translocation of carbon to the branches and roots seemed to be inhibited by the highest ozone treatment. The increased 14 C-retention was mainly recovered in the residue fraction of the needles. Total starch content of the needles decreased in the highest ozone treatment. In the experiment with mature trees, terminal shoots were fumigated with ozone and labelled with 14 C using three small branch chambers. Carbon distribution was studied after harvest of the branches. Total 14 C contents in the needle fractions and the branches were determined, together with the total starch content of the needles. Ozone was found to inhibit net 14 CO2 assimilation as well as translocation of 14 C-labelled assimilates from exposed needles to the branch. No effects of ozone were found on the partitioning of 14 C among the starch, ethanol-soluble, and residue fractions of the needles, although amounts in the ethanol-soluble fraction tended to increase after exposure to ozone. The results indicate that mature and juvenile Douglas firs respond in a similar way to short-term ozone exposure with regard to carbon translocation. If this similarity also applies to other species, then results from phytotron experiments on ozone and translocation of carbon might gain importance with respect to extrapolation to forest ecosystems.
CHEMOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF POLYPORUS GRAMMOCEPHALUS (BERK) EXTRACT ODIETHYLITROSOAMIE IDUCED HEPATOCARCIOGEESIS

Summary The present study was designed to investigate the chemoprotective effect of different extracts from an edible Mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and evaluation of the glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione'S' transferase (GST) activity. Persistent nodules were developed in rat liver by diethylnitrosoamine (DENA) and its activity was further increased by a carcinogen promoter phenobarbitol (PB). A 20 week study was carried out by supplementing the rats with different extracts of the mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus in drinking water at doses of 0.2 ppm and 0.5 ppm for a period of 4 weeks, 8weeks and 12weeks to study the effect on glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione'S' transfer ase (GST) activity in different tissue like liver, small intestine, large intestine and kidney. Treatment of the rats with the different extracts resulted in fewer number of persistent nodules. Mean nodular volume decreased, nodular volume as a percentage of liver volume also decreased concomitantly. Treatment with aqueous extract resulted in increase of glutathione level and glutathione'S' transferase activity which again va ried according to different tissue types like liver, small intestine, large intestine, kidney. Thus, Polyporus grammocephalus extracts demonstrate a chemoprotective effect against diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinoma in rats and a significant increase in glutathione level and glutathione'S' transferase activity.
The Amino Acid Sequence of the PKR-eIF2α Phosphorylation Homology Domain of Hepatitis C Virus Envelope 2 Protein and Response to Interferon-α

A region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope 2 protein, the protein kinase, PKR and early initiation factor 2alpha phosphorylation homology domain (PePHD), may be important in interferon (IFN)-alpha resistance. The PePHD was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced, and the amino acid sequence derived from pretreatment serum of 14 genotype 3-infected patients with a range of responses to IFN-alpha therapy. Only 1 patient had a PePHD variant. IFN-resistant PePHD variants present at low titers in pretreatment serum should be selected by therapy; therefore, the PePHD amino acid sequence was also obtained from serum collected during or after treatment in 5 patients with breakthrough or relapse of HCV RNA positivity. No difference was found between the pre- and posttreatment PePHD sequences. Thus, it appears that pretreatment sequencing of the PePHD would not enable clinicians to predict the treatment response. There was no evidence that IFN therapy exerts selection pressure in this region.
Shoot apical development during in vitro embryogenesisThis review is one of a selection of papers published on the Special Theme of Shoot Apical Meristems.

Formation of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) has been extensively investigated in zygotic embryos of flowering plants, where it follows a prolonged and dynamic developmental pattern underlined by precise temporal and spatial changes in gene expression. Studies conducted on the plant model system Arabidopsis have revealed that SAM formation is controlled by a genetic network and involves the participation of several regulatory genes expressed at different stages of development. As a general rule apical meristem development in vivo occurs very early; at the globular stage of development in flowering plants and in club-stage embryos of conifers. Once formed, meristems of zygotic embryos are stable structures that become reactivated at the onset of germination. Shoot apical meristem formation during in vitro embryogenesis is demarked by structural events similar to those described for zygotic embryos, although differences can be observed during the late phases of development, where cellular differentiation an.
Conservation in the Antarctic

Formidable legal and administrative complexities arise from conflicting claims to jurisdiction and the continued absence of generally recognized sovereignty over much of the region. Existing conservation measures fall into three groups: elaborate laws made by governments claiming Antarctic territories, more restricted laws, and simple instructions for particular expeditions. The Antarctic Treaty, 1959, made it possible to begin coordinating all these separate instruments. No claimed jurisdiction has been surrendered or recognized: each government has started to harmonize its own control measures with the ‘Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora’, 1964. This scheme applied only to land areas and has since been evolving in the light of experience. Although not yet formally approved by all the governments concerned, it is working effectively by voluntary agreement. Different approaches are necessary for conservation of Southern Ocean resources, especially krill. A start has been made with the ‘ Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals’, 1972. There are many outstanding problems: all require effective cooperation between scientific and legal advisers, diplomats and politicians. Mention is made of recent British conservation legislation for South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Tristan da Cunha group. Some of the next steps are outlined.
Field Tests of Neighborhood Population Dynamic Models of Two Annual Weed Species

We report the results of a 4—yr study of the community dynamics of the annual weed species Abutilon theophrasti (velvet leaf) and Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed). We calibrated neighborhood population dynamic models for communities of these species in the field and then tested the predictions of the calibrated models against census data from independent observations. We also analyzed the calibrated and tested models to predict long—term dynamics and to assess how spatially local interactions, growth, fecundity, survivorship, germination, seed dormancy, and dispersal each contribute to the community's dynamics and structure. We show that calibrated neighborhood models accurately predict dynamics in the field over a 4—yr period. Because the predictive spatial models reduce approximately to simple nonspatial models of competition, the spatial processes that govern the dynamics of velvet leaf and pigweed communities behave as simple nonspatial processes. The models predict that velvet leaf will eventually exclude pigweed because of an asymmetry in the magnitude of inter—individual interference affecting growth. We also show that velvet leaf monocultures would oscillate perpetually in the absence of delayed germination and that demographic stochasticity (May 1971) has little effect on the dynamics of the experimental species.
FIRST CASE OF THE EUROPEAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS TYPE 1B IN BATS (EPTESICUS SEROTINUS) IN POLAND IN RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The paper describes the first case of the isolation of the European bat lyssavirus type 1b in the Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) in Poland. The study relates to 52 samples, among them four were rabies isolates. Rabies was diagnosed by the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) as well as heminested RT-PCR. Further identification of European bat lyssaviruses was based on phylogenetic analysis of a 400 bp fragment of the nucleoprotein gene. Phylogenetic analysis of four viral isolates obtained from Polish bats and 22 nucleoprotein gene sequences previously described and available on the GenBank database showed that the Polish isolates were divided into two groups – EBLV-1a and EBLV-1b. Three out of four isolates were identified as EBLV-1a whereas one was recognised as EBLV-1b.
Voies de signalisation de l’insuline: mécanismes affectés dans l’insulino-résistance

L’insuline joue un role anabolique majeur dans la mise en reserve des substrats glucidiques et lipidiques. Ses effets resultent de sa liaison a un recepteur membranaire specifique exprime en priorite sur ses trois tissus cibles, le foie, le muscle et le tissu adipeux. Ce recepteur possede une activite tyrosine-kinase qui permet une autophosphorylation du recepteur puis la phosphorylation sur des residus tyrosine des proteines substats, proteines IRS (insulin receptor substrates) en priorite, et la creation de complexes macromoleculaires d’activation a proximite du recepteur. Les deux voies majeures d’activation sont celles de la phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, activant la proteine kinase B et impliquee en priorite dans les effets metaboliques, et la voie des MAP (mitogen-activated protein)-kinases, impliquee en priorite dans les effets nucleaires, la croissance et la differenciation. Cependant, l’activation d’un effet specifique de l’insuline met frequemment en jeu une conjonction de ces deux voies ainsi que d’autres voies intracellulaires, rendant ainsi compte de la pleiotropie et de la specificite du signal. Le controle negatif du signal de l’insuline peut venir de la degradation de l’hormone ou de la dephosphorylation du recepteur. Surtout, il va provenir de la phosphorylation de residus serine/threonine sur le recepteur et les proteines IRS. Cette phosphorylation peut etre activee par de nombreux acteurs impliques en pathologie dans la resistance a l’insuline, comme un hyperinsulinisme, le TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α) ou les acides gras libres liberes en exces par le tissu adipeux et transformes dans la cellule en acylCoA (acyl coenzyme A). Un role deletere des molecules liberees par le tissu adipeux est propose dans la genese de l’insulinoresistance hepatique et musculaire presente dans le diabete de type 2, l’obesite et le syndrome metabolique.
Effect of Natural Spices and Oleoresins on Lactobacillus plantarum in the Fermentation of Dry Sausage

The effect of natural spices and oleoresins on the fermentation properties of three commercially available starter cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum has been investigated. In liquid medium it was shown that natural spices stimulated growth of the three bacteria and thus enhanced the cultures to ferment glucose and form more lactic acid. When similar oleoresin spices were supplied to the growing bacteria no effect was seen. It was also found that natural spices accelerated the fermentation process in the production of salami dry sausage while the oleoresins showed no effect.
Effect of dietary fermentable fibre from pressed sugar beet pulp silage on ammonia emission from slurry of growing-finishing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary fermentable fibre on the pH and ammonia emission from slurry of growing-finishing pigs. Commercial crossbred barrows with initial body weight of 45 kg were used. Pigs were housed in two climate chambers. Twelve groups of 14 barrows were assigned to one of four diets. The diets differed in the content of fermentable fibre by adjusting the amount of sugar-beet pulp silage (SBPS). The control diet contained no SBPS. In the other three diets tapioca was replaced with three levels (50, 100 and 150 g/kg dry matter (DM)) of SBPS. After a 13-day adaptation period, the slurry was collected in a slurry channel for 7 days. A sample of this slurry was placed in a laboratory system to measure the pH and ammonia emission for a period of 7 days. The total volatile fatty acid (VTA) and DM concentration of the slurry increased as tapioca was replaced by SBPS. The ammonium concentration was not influenced by SBPS. For each 50 g/kg increase of SBPS, the pH of the slurry decreased by 0·45 units and ammonia emission decreased approximately by 0·15. It is concluded that increasing the level of fermentable fibre in the diet of growing-finishing pigs increases slurry VFA concentration. This consequently decreases the pH and ammonia emission from the slurry.
High-fat feeding and obesity in rats

The general objective of this thesis was to investigate the effects of high-fat diets (67% of energy) containing high (butter), moderate (lard) or low levels (canola oil) of saturated fatty acids (SFA) on food intake, eating pattern, obesity development and its reversal in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Periods of 26 or 50 days of high-fat feeding were used in adult rats, and of 7 or 28 days in weaning animals; in adult rats, obesity reversal was evaluated following 28 days of low-fat feeding (27% of energy) and after 32 days of low-fat food restriction. The findings showed that: 1- Exposure for 26 days to low- or moderate-SFA high-fat diets resulted in comparable intake and body weight, while 26 or 50 days of feeding with high-SFA diet led to greater intake and body weight than low-SFA diet; 2- Obesity that developed with SFA-rich diet was accompanied with failure to adjust intake based on diet energy density and preserving body fat even after weight loss; 3- Weight loss was achieved by offering a restricted amount of a low-fat diet but not with ad libitum feeding; 4- Altered diurnal eating pattern was found with high-fat feeding and characterized by a smaller number of meals, longer inter-meal interval and enhanced satiety ratio, regardless of obesity status; SFA-rich diet fed obese rats ate larger meals overall; 5- In weaning rats, three-week exposure to high-fat diets shifted intake toward the light phase; this response was more prominent with high- than with low-SFA diet and was accompanied with greater body weight and altered eating pattern - larger diurnal than nocturnal meals were consumed at a higher rate - rather than overeating. In conclusion, in adult female rats, a SFA-rich diet resulted in overeating and obesity, relative to a low-SFA diet. In weaning female rats, a SFA-rich diet also led to a greater body weight gain, but without overeating. These results underscore the role dietary fatty acid profile may play in developing obesity in early and adult life.
Bifidobacteria for Life Betterment

Myriad of bacterial species that form gut micro flora is a complex ecosystem; altogether play a major role in the physiology of their host. Bifidobacteria are among the first species to colonise the human gastrointestinal tract (25% and 80% in adults and infants respectively) and as such declared they share a prominent role in gut homeostasis and normal development. Clinical properties of Bifidobacteria like prevention of diarrhea, atopic eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, pouchitis, alleviation of constipation, reduction of serum cholesterol and the status of GRAS ('Generally Recognized as Safe'). Bifidobacteria along with other probiotics offer a safe alternative or addition to current therapy for the above mentioned disorders. Interest in Bifidobacteria has burgeoned in last two decades in a fastidious way because of their potential use in food industry to relieve and in the medical field is increasingly attracting the scientific curiosity of clinicians and researchers. Bifidobacteria can be considered as valuable probiotics for their clinical properties. This review will enlighten on the Bifidobacteria and as potential probiotic agents for few disorders.
Identification and classification of powdery mildew anamorphs using light and scanning electron microscopy and host range data

Previously undescribed features on the surfaces of powdery mildew conidia were revealed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM), reinforcing differences observable by light microscopy (LM). Four distinct patterns were observed on the septa and 10 on the outer wall, thus categorizing 15 anamorph taxa. Anamorphs of Leveillula, Phyllactinia and Pleochaeta, all had smooth to moderately verrucose septa, but each bore a different distribution of warts on their verrucose outer wall. Annular septa and an echinulate outer wall were unique for the Oidium anamorph of Blumeria. The remaining powdery mildews, all with Oidium states, had either whorled or fibrillar septa. Those with whorled septa are separated into three newly proposed subgenera: Fibroidium for the anamorphs of Podosphaera and Sphaerotheca having conidia with fibrosin bodies and a smooth outer wall; Octagoidium for the dendritic patterned, eight-sided conidia of Sawadaea; and Setoidium for the anamorph of Cystotheca reflecting the setae on the mycelium. Three new subgenera are proposed for those with fibrillar septa: Reticuloidium for conidia with a roughcast outer wall of Erysiphe sect. Golovinomyces; Graciloidium for the unswollen conidia of Arthrocladiella; Striatoidium for conidia of E. sect. Galeopsidis with a striate outer wall. The name Pseudoidium is retained as a subgenus for the anamorphs of E. sect. Erysiphe, Microsphaera and Uncinula which had conidia with a scaly, fibrous outer wall. The patterns on the outer wall of conidia were frequently modified by secondary creasing. These wrinkling patterns, also observable under the LM, proved useful in identification of anamorphs, especially on herbarium specimens. SEM, LM and host range data were used to construct keys for the prediction of the anamorphs of all the powdery mildew genera found in the U.K. The findings, together with teleomorph criteria, also prompted a revision of the Erysiphaceae.
Genetic basis of yield as viewed from a crop physiologist's perspective

Summary The final yield of a crop is the product of growth during the growing season and a number of developmental processes occurring throughout the life cycle of a crop, with most genes influencing the final outcome to a degree. However, recent advances in molecular biology have developed the potential to identify and map many genes or QTLs related to various important traits, including yield, plant adaptation and tolerance to stresses. Significant G×E interactions for yield have been identified, as have interactions associated with QTLs for yield. However, there is little evidence available to confirm that a QTL for yield from a parental line in one mapping population may improve yield when transferred into an adapted, high-yielding line of another population. In order to narrow the apparent gap between the genotype and the phenotype with regard to yield, it is important to identify key traits related to yield and then attempt to identify and locate the genes controlling them. The partitioning of the developmental time to anthesis into different phases: from sowing to the onset of stem elongation and from then to anthesis, as a relatively simple physiological attribute putatively related to yield, is discussed. If the relationship holds in a wider range of conditions and the genetic factors responsible are located then the genetic basis of yield should be identified. There has also been significant progress in crop simulation modelling. Using knowledge of crop physiology and empirical relationships these models can simulate the performance of crops, including the G×E interactions. Such models require information regarding the genetic basis of yield, which are included in the form of genetic coefficients. Essentially models are constructed as decision-making tools for management but may be of use in detecting prospective traits for selection within a breeding programme. Problems associated with this approach are discussed. This review discusses the need to use crop physiology approaches to analyse components of yield in order to reliably identify the genetic basis of yield.