Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of timolol, benzalkonium-preserved timolol, and benzalkonium-preserved brimonidine on oxidative stress biomarkers in the tear film

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of topical preservative-free timolol, benzalkonium chloride(BAC)-preserved timolol, BAC-preserved timolol, and BAC-preserved brimonidine on total protein concentration, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) content, total sulfhydryl groups content, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Response, and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) in the tear film. Methods The patients were divided into four groups: group C (n = 25)—control group—subjects who did not use topical antiglaucoma medications, group T (n = 17)—patients using topical preservative-free timolol, group T + BAC (n = 24)—patients using topical BAC-preserved timolol, and group BR + BAC (n = 19)—patients using topical BAC-preserved brimonidine. Results The SOD, CAT, and GPx activities as well as AOPP, TOS, and OSI were found to be higher in the tear film of patients treated with BAC-preserved topical timolol or brimonidine in comparison with patients treated with preservative-free timolol or patients who did not use antiglaucoma topical medications. Conclusions This indicates that using BAC-preserved topical medications increases oxidative stress in the tear film and may, in the long-term, contribute to the clinical presentation of dry eye disease.
Radiological assessment of secondary biliary tree lesions: an update

Objective To conduct a systematic literature review of imaging techniques and findings in patients with peribiliary liver metastasis. Methods Several electronic datasets were searched from January 1990 to June 2017 to identify studies assessing the use of different imaging techniques for the detection and staging of peribiliary metastases. Results The search identified 44 studies, of which six met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the technique of choice in the preoperative setting and during the follow-up of patients with liver tumors. However, the diagnostic performance of MDCT for the assessment of biliary tree neoplasms was low compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound (US), without and with contrast enhancement (CEUS), is commonly employed as a first-line tool for evaluating focal liver lesions; however, the sensitivity and specificity of US and CEUS for both the detection and characterization are related to operator expertise and patient suitability. MRI has thus become the gold standard technique because of its ability to provide morphologic and functional data. MRI showed the best diagnostic performance for the detection of peribiliary metastases. Conclusions MRI should be considered the gold standard technique for the radiological assessment of secondary biliary tree lesions.
The Yield Stability of Maize Genotypes across International Environments: Full Season Tropical Maize

SUMMARY Evaluation of the yield stability of a group of CIMMYT tropical maize populations across international environments, measured by the performance of varieties derived from them, showed that the populations Mezcla Tropical Blanca, La Posta and Amarillo Dentado produced the most stable varieties across environments. Mezcla Tropical Blanco and Amarillo Dentado produced selections with good stability in both low and high yielding environments while La Posta produced varieties with better performance in favourable environments. ‘Across-site’ varieties were not consistently more effective than ‘site-specific’ varieties in improving yield stability. Varieties selected for some specific population-environment combinations have been very stable in other areas of the world.
Neuronal Networks in Hypertension

Neurogenic hypertension is associated with excessive sympathetic nerve activity to the kidneys and portions of the cardiovascular system. Here we examine the brain regions that cause heightened sympathetic nerve activity in animal models of neurogenic hypertension, and we discuss the triggers responsible for the changes in neuronal activity within these regions. We highlight the limitations of the evidence and, whenever possible, we briefly address the pertinence of the findings to human hypertension. The arterial baroreflex reduces arterial blood pressure variability and contributes to the arterial blood pressure set point. This set point can also be elevated by a newly described cerebral blood flow-dependent and astrocyte-mediated sympathetic reflex. Both reflexes converge on the presympathetic neurons of the rostral medulla oblongata, and both are plausible causes of neurogenic hypertension. Sensory afferent dysfunction (reduced baroreceptor activity, increased renal, or carotid body afferent) contributes to many forms of neurogenic hypertension. Neurogenic hypertension can also result from activation of brain nuclei or sensory afferents by excess circulating hormones (leptin, insulin, Ang II [angiotensin II]) or sodium. Leptin raises blood vessel sympathetic nerve activity by activating the carotid bodies and subsets of arcuate neurons. Ang II works in the lamina terminalis and probably throughout the brain stem and hypothalamus. Sodium is sensed primarily in the lamina terminalis. Regardless of its cause, the excess sympathetic nerve activity is mediated to some extent by activation of presympathetic neurons located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla or the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Increased activity of the orexinergic neurons also contributes to hypertension in selected models.
MAGNITUDE AND MECHANISMS OF DISEQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN PREDAWN PLANT AND SOIL WATER POTENTIALS

Predawn plant water potential (Ψw, measured with leaf psychrometers) and surrogate measurements made with the pressure chamber (termed Ψpc here) are used to infer comparative ecological performance, based on the expectation that these plant potentials reflect the wettest soil Ψw accessed by roots. There is growing evidence, however, that some species exhibit substantial predawn disequilibrium (PDD), defined as plant Ψw or Ψpc at predawn substantially more negative than the Ψw of soil accessed by roots. In the western Great Basin desert, the magnitude of PDD calculated as soil Ψw minus predawn leaf Ψw was as large as 1.4 and 2.7 MPa for two codominant shrub species, Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, respectively. The magnitude of PDD calculated as soil Ψw minus predawn Ψpc was smaller, up to 0.6 and 2.1 MPa for Chrysothamnus and Sarcobatus, respectively. For both species, mechanisms contributing to PDD included nighttime transpiration and putative leaf apoplastic solutes, but not hydraul.
The evolution of silicification in diatoms: inescapable sinking and sinking as escape?

Contents I. Introduction II. Phylogeny of diatoms and the habitat of the earliest diatoms III. Origin of the silicon requirement in diatoms IV. The phylogeny and ontogeny of turgor- resistant silicified walls V. Possible selective advantages of silicified walls VI. Conclusions Acknowledgements References Summary The silicified bipartite cell walls of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are produced in intracellular compartments by precipitation from supersaturated Si(OH)4 and are then externalized. Fossil evidence of silicification is for marine, probably neritic, centric diatoms from approx. 120 Mya. Regardless of the initial selective significance of silicification, and of other current roles of silicification, the increased density resulting from silicification increases the sinking rate of cells; this can be partly or wholly offset by regulation of the protoplast solute content. Acclimatory and regulatory changes in silicification (relatively slow), and intracellular solute composition (relatively rapid), and intracellular solute composition (relatively rapid) of marine diatoms alter cell density over periods of hours to days. Density changes via changes in resource supply and, probably, parasitism, would move cells into optimal resource supply conditions, and remove parasitized, infective cells from surface populations of uninfected cells. Regulation of sinking rate could have been the first function of external or internal silica if the earliest silicified diatoms were planktonic.
Nuevos registros de Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) para la Argentina

 ABSTRACT. The present paper provides 5 new records of phlebotomine sand flies for Argentina: Micropygomyia oswaldoi (Mangabeira) and Pintomyia bianchigalatiae (Andrade Filho, Aguiar, Dias & Falcao), collected in Iguazu, province of Misiones, Psathyromyia lanei (Barretto & Coutinho), from Posadas, Misiones; and Pintomyia torresi (Le Pont & Desjeux), from Nueva Pompeya, province of Chaco. Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte), and Brumptomyia brumpti (Larrouse), collected in Iguazu, are new records for the province of Misiones.
Characterization of C/EBPβ isoforms in normal versus neoplastic mammary epithelial cells

A member of the CCAAT Enhancer Binding Proteins (C/EBPs) family of transcription factors, C/EBPβ, has recently proven to be an important player in both growth and differentiation of the epithelial cells in the mammary gland. When the gene for C/EBPβ is disrupted in mice, these mice fail to either develop normal mammary ducts during puberty or pregnancy, or to lactate upon parturition. C/EBPβ can be present in cells in three isoforms: C/EBPβ‐1, ‐2, and ‐3. These isoforms have the same carboxy terminus but different N‐termini due to alternative translational initiation at three different initiator codons within the C/EBPβ mRNA. Using a commercially available antibody specific to the C‐terminus of C/EBPβ and a novel antibody specific to the N‐terminus of C/EBPβ‐1, we have uncovered a striking difference in the forms of C/EBPβ present in normal mammary epithelial cells versus breast cancer cell lines. C/EBPβ‐ 1 is found exclusively in normal mammary epithelial cells, whereas C/EBPβ‐ 2 is found only in dividing cells, both normal and neoplastic. Our preliminary data suggest that the prevalent form of C/EBPβ in cancer cells, C/EBPβ‐ 2, can activate genes which push the cell to divide, such as cyclin D1. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Drosophila Salivary Gland Polytene Nuclear Halo: a New Approach for Polytene Nuclear Matrix Analysis

This work presents a procedure to perform nuclear halos, nuclear matrix with the associated DNA loops, from Drosophila salivary gland polytene nucleus. The purification with hypo-osmotic buffers in the absence of polyamines, as spermine and spermidine, whose function seems to be related to the chromatin compaction, was considered essential. The non-compacted polytene chromosome in the giant nucleus could be used for protein extraction that allows the liberation of the loops. The profile of the DNA matrix and loop fractions, left after nuclear halo digestion with restriction enzyme, confirms the relationship between these fractions suitable for functional analysis. This procedure could be important to obtain a direct relationship between nuclear matrix association and transcription process in the interphase polytene chromosomes of Drosophila salivary gland nucleus.
Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria at the Nitrate and Radionuclide Contaminated Oak Ridge Integrated Field Research Challenge Site: A Review

Mining and enrichment of uranium (U) for nuclear weapons and energy has left this radionuclide an important groundwater contaminant in the United States and worldwide. The use of nitric acid in these processes has also resulted in low pH and high nitrate concentrations in U-contaminated subsurface sediments. This presents problems for bioremediation strategies to control the migration of U in groundwater, usually achieved through microbial reduction of soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) upon electron donor addition to the subsurface. Nitrate, which serves as a competitive electron acceptor in the subsurface, can inhibit or retard U(VI) reduction efforts; as well, intermediates of nitrate respiration (or denitrification), such as nitrite, can lead to U(IV) oxidation and remobilization. The Integrated Field Research Challenge site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee provides an ideal location to address the challenges nitrate poses to uranium bioreduction as the site encompasses several different geochemical conditions: two acidic U- high-nitrate U-contaminated sites (both Areas 1 and 3), a low-nitrate U-contaminated site (Area 2), and a pristine (uncontaminated) background site. In this paper, we review 24 studies examining the microbial communities from these sites within the OR-IFRC as well as denitrifying fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) treating high-nitrate groundwater in an effort to describe the overall potential denitrifying community composition at these sites. Pseudomonas was the most widely detected genus among all sites, but was not detected in either of two studies describing metabolically active populations from community total RNA extracts. Collectively, 16S rRNA gene surveys indicate the following genera may be of potential importance in nitrate reduction and denitrification at the OR-IFRC: Ralstonia and Dechloromonas in the low nitrate neutral pH Area 2, Castellaniella and Burkholderia in Area 1, Thiobacillus and Ferribacterium in Area 3, and Acidovorax in FBRs. This work begins to help us understand how geochemical conditions can determine the composition of nitrate-reducing microbial communities at uranium contaminated sites as well as how population structure and physiologies of the microorganisms present affect in situ rates of denitrification and radionuclide immobilization.
The use of arboreal runways by the woodland rodents, Apodemus sylvaticus (L.), A. flavicollis (Melchior) and Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber)

The use of arboreal runways by the rodents, Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus, was investigated in the deciduous woodland of Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, England. Longworth live traps were tied to horizontal and inclining branches of trees and shrubs up to 3 m. Arboreality was extensive in all three species, although less in C. glareolus than in either Apodemus species. There was no indication that A. flavicollis consistently used arboreal runways more than A. sylvaticus but the data suggest that the peak of arboreal activity of these congeners occurred in different seasons. In A. sylvaticus, males were more arboreal than females and adults were more arboreal than juveniles. In, 4. flavicollis, juveniles were trapped significantly more often on arboreal runways than adults. The reasons for, and the consequences of, arboreality in small rodents are discussed.
β‐Amylase from Clostridium thermocellum SS8 ‐ a thermophilic, anaerobic, cellulolytic bacterium

The extracellular amylase produced by Clostridium thermocellum strain SS8 on starch was characterized as a β‐amylase based on blue value reduction test and the production of maltose from starch. The enzyme had a temperature and pH optima of 60°C and 6.0, respectively. Of the metal ions tested, Ca2 + and Mg2 + had little effect on enzyme activity, but their presence increased its thermal stability. Ca2 + displayed a higher stabilizing effect and at 10 mmol 1‐1 Ca2 +, the enzyme retained 86% activity even after exposure at 70°C for 30 min. The amylase was induced on starch or maltose but was repressed strongly by glucose.
RESPONSES OF EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS SPROUTS TO SHADE: AN EVALUATION OF CANOPY PLASTICITY

SUMMARY Eucalyptus spp. is the main tree used in cellulose production worldwide, cultivated mostly in extensive monocrop plantations. However, due to concerns on environmental impacts, fear on decrease of food production related to the size of cultivated area, its location near human settlements with few jobs generation, eucalypt cultivation is no longer encouraged in many places. At the same time, large plantations hold the opportunity to integrate eucalypt into agroforestry systems (AFS) in a variety of production systems with many social, economical and environmental advantages. In this study we studied canopy modifications of E. camaldulensis sprouts under different degrees of shade. The plants were located on a gradient of available solar irradiation ranging from 51 to 94%. E. camaldulensis showed canopy plasticity with modified radiation interception patterns under diverse irradiations. Most of these variations were of small amplitude with some important variables remaining almost unchanged (leaf density, canopy percentage, tree, trunk and canopy height) or increasing only slightly (leaf area index and canopy opening). The main changes presented by E. camaldulensis, with a steep increase towards full sun, were: foliage area, canopy surface, canopy volume and area of canopy projection. In order to design appropriate agroforestry systems with young eucalypt growing under the shade of other crops, it is necessary to determine at which point the observed variable changes can support reasonable production.
Regional-scale benthic monitoring for ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

Monitoring marine habitats and biodiversity is critical for understanding ecological processes, conserving natural resources, and achieving ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). Here, we describe the application of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology to conduct ongoing monitoring of benthic habitats at two key locations in Western Australia. Benthic assemblages on rocky reefs were sampled with an AUV, which captured >200 000 geo-referenced images. Surveys were designed to obtain 100% coverage of 25 × 25 m patches of benthic habitat. In 2010, multiple patches were surveyed at 15–40-m depths at three reference sites at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and at six reference sites at Rottnest Island. The following year, repeat surveys of the same geo-referenced patches were conducted. Benthic assemblages at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands were varied in that one reference site was dominated by hard corals, whereas the other two were macroalgae dominated. Conversely, assemblages at Rottnest Island were dominated by the kelp Ecklonia radiata. The AUV resurveyed each patch with high precision and demonstrated adequate power to detect change. Repeated observations at the reference sites will track natural variability in benthic habitat structure, which in turn will facilitate the detection of ecological change and ultimately feed back into EBFM processes.
Other Non-Marine Invertebrates

Two classes of Mollusca have successfully emerged from the sea: the Bivalvia to fresh waters but the Gastropoda, in addition to invading the fresh water habitat, have also become fully air-breathing and live on the land. There is today a complete range from those taxa that are in every respect fully marine to those that are completely independent of the sea. The possible pathways from the sea to these environments are by surviving reduced or varying salinities, which it might be assumed occur in intertidal or estuarine conditions, or by surviving periodic and increasing exposure in air, again a condition of the intertidal environment. The prerequisite for emergence from the sea must have been the presence of food. In the initial emergence this could have been provided by detritus derived from the sea and deposited along a feature such as a storm beach. Such an environment is probably important for some Ellobiidae today. To spread onto the land and into the fresh water Mollusca, as other essentially grazing or suspension feeding animals, were presumably preceded by Bacteria or plants, or both. The initial modifications to metabolic and reproductive processes, outlined by Little (1983), may have taken place high in the littoral zone, supported by detritus and, as in the Ellobiidae, remaining dependent on the sea during larval life. The expansion and radiation of the Mollusca that has followed may have been related to the increase in habitats made available by the plants.
Regulation of hepcidin and hemojuvelin expression and their role in iron homeostasis

Hepcidin is the key regulator of iron homeostasis acting as a negative regulator of intestinal iron absorption. Several proteins have recently been identified to act as upstream regulators of hepcidin expression, such as HFE and hemojuvelin (HJV). Although hepcidin is regulated by iron, the molecules involved in this regulation and whether HFE is involved in this regulation remain to be clarified. The aims of this study were to investigate the molecules involved in hepcidin regulation by iron and the role played by HFE in this regulation, to understand the regulation of hepcidin and HJV expression during inflammation, and finally to investigate the possible role of upstream stimulatory factors (USFs) in the regulation of HJV expression. Wild type and HFE KO animal models were used to investigate the regulation of hepcidin by iron in vivo; the same animal models and in vitro studies were conducted to study the regulation of hepcidin and HJV expression during inflammation. A possible regulation of HJV by USFs was also examined in vitro and in vivo using ChIP assay. In this study, it was found that iron regulates the expression of BMP-6, for which HJV acts as a co-receptor, and phosphorylation of SMADs 1/5/8 in the liver which in turn may regulate hepcidin gene expression in response to different iron status. Moreover, HFE seems to be involved in the regulation of downstream signalling of BMP-6 that regulates hepcidin expression in response to iron loading. It was also found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines regulate hepcidin and HJV expression differently during inflammation. TNF-alpha seems to act directly on HJV to suppress its transcription possibly via a TNFRE within the HJV promoter, while IL-6 induces hepcidin expression via STAT3 signalling. In addition, acute inflammation studies in mice showed that although hepcidin expression is upregulated as a result of inflammation, HJV and BMP expression is selectively repressed in the liver suggesting a crucial requirement for the downregulation of these genes in order to induce hepcidin during inflammation in vivo. However, this response seems to be HFE-independent. Finally, the study showed an interaction between USFs and the HJV promoter both in vitro and in vivo suggesting that USFs are important for the regulation of hemojuvelin expression, and further strengthen the link between these transcription factors and iron metabolism.
Effects of leaf age on internal CO2 transfer conductance and photosynthesis in tree species having different types of shoot phenology

We examined the changes in leaf anatomy and some physiological characteristics during leaf expansion and maturation. Three deciduous tree species having different types of shoot phenology, maple (Acer mono Maxim.; ‘flush’ type), alder (Alnus japonica(Thunb.) Steud. ; ‘successive’ type), and Japanese poplar (Populus maximowiczii A. Henry; ‘successive’ type), were studied. Leaf CO 2 assimilation rate at high irradiance (P max) and CO 2 transfer conductance inside the leaf (g i) varied significantly with leaf development. There were strong positive relationships between P max) and g i for all of the species. The variations in g i were partly related to those in the surface area of chloroplasts facing the intercellular airspaces, while some other factors that related to liquid phase conductance may also contribute to the variation in g i . The developments of mesophyll cells were accompanied by the concomitant increase in chloroplast and Rubisco content in Alnus and Populus (successive types).