Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signaling of transforming growth factor‐β family members through Smad proteins

Smads are pivotal intracellular nuclear effectors of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family members. Ligand-induced activation of TGF-beta family receptors with intrinsic serine/threonine kinase activity trigger phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads), whereas Smad2 and Smad3 are phosphorylated by TGF-beta, and activin type I receptors, Smad1, Smad5 and Smad8, act downstream of BMP type I receptors. Activated R-Smads form heteromeric complexes with common-partner Smads (Co-Smads), e.g. Smad4, which translocate efficiently to the nucleus, where they regulate, in co-operation with other transcription factors, coactivators and corepressors, the transcription of target genes. Inhibitory Smads act in most cases in an opposite manner from R- and Co-Smads. Like other components in the TGF-beta family signaling cascade, Smad activity is intricately regulated. The multifunctional and context dependency of TGF-beta family responses are reflected in the function of Smads as signal integrators. Certain Smads are somatically mutated at high frequency in particular types of human cancers. Gene ablation of Smads in the mouse has revealed their critical roles during embryonic development. Here we review the latest advances in our understanding of the Smad mechanism of action and their in vivo functions.
Dispersal of the Apple Maggot—1932 Studies

This paper records the recovery of 130 marked apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh) flies out of a total of 3,152 which were released in one site. These marked flies were recovered at distances varying from 65 to 233 yards from the point of release. Although released in unsprayed trees bearing many apples, the marked flies soon left them as they did unsprayed non-bearing trees in similar experiments in 1931. Marked flies released in young sprayed apple trees were not recovered
Natural intersectional hybridization between North American species of Populus (Salicaceae) in sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca. III. Paleobotany and evolution

Fossilized leaves resembling those of contemporary intersectional hybrids occur together with leaves assignable to sections Tacamahaca Spach and Aigeiros Duby in Miocene and Pliocene sediments in western North America. They are not referable to any particular extant hybrid species and are assigned to the extinct Populus × parcedentata Axelrod. Together with other evidence, these ancient hybrids raise questions concerning the evolutionary role of hybridization between species of the two parent sections. Present evidence about hybridization as a bridge for intersectional gene flow is contradictory. The apparent absence of backcrossed individuals in most studied hybridizing populations is offset by morphological pecularitics shared by sympatric cottonwoods and balsam poplars that are not shared with their cladistic sister species.
A rapid fluorescence detecting platform: applicable to sense carnitine and chloramphenicol in food samples

A new coenzyme A (CoA) fluorescence platform has been described for the sensitive determination of CoA, carnitine and chloramphenicol. Previously, our research group reported a long-wavelength latent florescent probe, termed “BCC”. Here, we extend the application of BCC as an off–on fluorescence ratiometric indicator for the detection of acetyl CoA with a linear range of 0.5–10 μM and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.18 μM. We established a novel platform for the determination of carnitine and chloramphenicol in the presence of acetyl-CoA and their corresponding acetyl-CoA-transferring enzymes (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), respectively). The proposed method detects carnitine and chloramphenicol in the linear range of 0.5–10 μM. The LODs for the determination of carnitine and chloramphenicol were found to be 0.5 μM and 0.3 μM, respectively. Moreover, BCC provides a facile assay platform for real-time monitoring of CAT and CrAT enzymatic activity in the presence of their corresponding substrates and acetyl-CoA. Practical feasibility of the proposed method has been demonstrated in food samples such as milk, powdered milk and honey, and the observed appreciable recoveries revealed its promising practicality.
THE IMMATURE STAGES AND LIFE HISTORY OF THE JARRAH LEAFMINER, PERTHIDA GLYPHOPA COMMON (LEPIDOPTERA: INCURVARIIdAE)

The morphology of egg, 4 larval instars, chaetotaxy of mature larva and pupa of the univoltine jarrah leafminer moth Perthida glyphopa, are figured and behaviour described. Barrel shaped eggs become flattened when deposited under the epidermis of a leaf of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Smith). Apodous larva with long setae on the anterior of partly retracted head and sides of body segments, excavates a mine, avoiding thick veins and oil glands. On maturing it constructs a cell, enters the soil, aestivates and pupates. Wriggling of pupa's abdomen equipped with spines and setae forces it to the soil surface, where ecdysis occurs.
Advantages and Challenges of Genetic Stock Identification in Fish Stocks with Low Genetic Resolution

AbstractGenetic stock identification (GSI) is widely applied to mixed-stock fisheries for many commercially exploited species. However, the accuracy of GSI depends on the level of differentiation among stocks. To evaluate our ability to estimate contributions in mixed-stock fisheries of Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, a species with limited population genetic differentiation, we analyzed 46 odd-year Pink Salmon stocks belonging to a baseline of genotypes from southern British Columbia, the Fraser River, and Puget Sound. Samples were obtained without replacement from the baseline (known mixtures), and 16 microsatellite loci were used for analysis with two software packages (cBayes and ONCOR) to evaluate the accuracy of using this marker set to identify the correct region, subregion, and spawning site. The correct subregion was identified for Pink Salmon from southern British Columbia and Puget Sound. However, incorrect assignments were observed for the Fraser River subregions and the stock-specific est.
Forest diversity as a factor influencing Engelmann spruce resistance to beetle outbreaks

Tree mortality because of beetle outbreaks has become substantial and widespread in conifer forests in western North America. A number of environmental and physiological factors influence patterns of mortality. Tree diversity may reduce the severity and extent of insect damage to host trees by providing associational resistance, but the existence and importance of associational resistance varies by forest type and by tree and insect species. We assessed whether plot-level tree diversity contributed to survival of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) following a spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) epidemic. Our study plots comprised 2 to 5 tree species including Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt. ), Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and white fir (Abies concolor (Gordon & Glend.) Hildebr. ). We used a model-selection analysis to compare the importance of tree diversity with other known factors that influence spruce survival. We found lower rates of spruce survival in stands where spruce was the dominant tree species (by percent of stand density index) and higher survival in stands where nonspruce conifers (Douglas-fir, subalpine, and white fir) were dominant. We also found that tree diversity (Shannon index) did not show a positive correlation to spruce survival and that there was no additional benefit derived from the presence of aspen, which has higher phylogenetic distance from Engelmann spruce than the other trees in this study. The relationship between diversity and survival is complicated by factors that naturally co-vary with diversity, such as elevation, aspect, and stand density of spruce. Our results best support an explanation that if associational resistance does increase spruce survival during a beetle epidemic, it is due to host or resource dilution, which may be an indirect effect of higher stand diversity.
Long-Chain Fatty Acids of Six Pollens Collected by Honeybees in Egypt

SummaryThe lipid content and fatty acid composition of six species of bee-gathered pollens, representing five plant families, were investigated. Total lipid content ranged from 2·24% in citrus to 4·42% in Egyptian clover. Results of gas-liquid chromatography indicated that linoleic acid was the major fatty acid of citrus pollen and linolenic of flax pollen; broad bean pollen was high in both palmitic and linolenic acids; myristic acid accounted for about half the total fatty acid content of sunflower pollen; the major fatty acid constituents of wild mustard and Egyptian clover pollens were myristic and linolenic acids; arachidic acid, in minor amounts, occurred only in citrus, flax, and wild mustard pollens, and decanoic acid (in trace amounts only) in sunflower and wild mustard pollens. No odd-carbon fatty acids were found in any samples.
Is DNA topoisomerase IIβ a nucleolar protein?

We have carried out immunofluorescence labelling of two human cell types, HeLa cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, prepared by several different fixation/permeabilization protocols using a variety of antibodies against DNA Topoisomerase II (Topo II). We have found that the distribution of Topo IIα was overall similar during interphase and mitosis to that previously reported, regardless of antibody and of sample preparation. On the other hand, the interphase distribution of Topo IIβ was quite variable, depending both on the antibody and on the method used to prepare the sample. Our interpretation of the data is that, like Topo IIα, Topo IIβ is primarily a nucleoplasmic protein, but that unlike Topo IIα, small amounts are also associated with intranucleolar chromatin. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene Regulatory Networks during Arabidopsis Root Vascular Development

Development of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has been extensively characterized molecularly and morphologically. Development of the primary root has been particularly experimentally tractable because of its elegance and simplicity, the radial symmetry of the root’s outer cell types, and the feasibility of tracking developmental stages and regulation through time. These features have made the Arabidopsis root an ideal model for identification of key regulatory molecules that determine cell type specification and downstream analyses to map their respective gene regulatory networks. In this review, we focus on the main players of gene regulatory networks that determine the development of key tissue and cell types of the Arabidopsis root vasculature during both embryogenesis and vegetative development.
Stanovení exprese mRNA enzymu DHRS3 v lidských tkáních pomocí real-time SYBR green qPCR

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biochemical Sciences Candidate: Pavlína Rusnáková Supervisor: RNDr. Lucie Zemanová, PhD. Title of diploma thesis: Determination of mRNA of DHRS3 enzyme in human tissues by real-time SYBR green qPCR Dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR family) member 3 (DHRS3, also known as SDR16C1, retSDR1) is NADPH dependent carbonyl reductase, member of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases superfamily. DHRS3 was characterized for the first time by Haeseleer et al. as an enzyme that reduces all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol in the visual cycle that is localised in the outer segment of the cone photoreceptors in bovine retina. However, expression of DHRS3 was shown in some other tissues. It was proven that DHRS3 plays an important role in embryogenesis and tumour development. It was also established that DHRS3 participates in the reduction of some endogenous compounds (androstendione, estrone, DL-glyceraldehyde) and xenobiotics (acetohexamide, 4-nitroacetophenone, benzil) in vitro. DHRS3 seems to be an important enzyme with participation in significant metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, knowledge of some DHRS3 properties, including expression in human tissues, is quite poor. The aim of this study was to determine expression of DHRS3 at mRNA level in human tissues and thus bring new knowledge about its possible role in human organism. A collection of properly preserved human samples was tested. Following the homogenization, RNA was isolated. Obtained RNA was used for transcription to cDNA that was utilized as a template for real-time quantitative PCR. Number of DHRS3 transcripts was determined in tissue samples. The strongest expression of DHRS3 mRNA was detected in the thyroid. Lower number of DHRS3 transcripts was measured in liver, prostate and testes. Weak expression was observed in stomach, kidney and adrenal glands. No or very low expression was detected in heart, brain, lungs, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, skeletal muscle and eye.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Economic Indicators in Guangxi Economic Zone Based on Parallel Analysis

When making comprehensive evaluation on economy of an area, it is always hard to choose evaluation indicator system and composite indicators reasonably. This article uses parallel analysis to choose the number of principal component and classify indicators by R clustering and load rotation matrix to assess the economy of various cities in the economic zone and analyze economic status of each city, to provide a scientific basis for the government functional department to make correct decisions.
ENZYME CYTOCHEMISTRY AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

In extending cytochemical staining methods for enzyme localization to the subcellular level, more exacting conditions have to be met than those adequate for light microscopy, since in addition to preserving enzymic activity, cellular fine structure has to be maintained during preparation and staining of specimens. In addition, the stain must be able to resist dissolution or displacement by dehydrating and embedding media and be sufficiently electron-scattering to be detectable in the electron microscope. Standard osmium-tetroxide fixation seriously inhibits the activity of many enzymes and causes differential inhibition in some cases (Holt & Hicks, 1962b), thus leading to false localization of activity. Both buffered formol-sucrose (Holt & Hicks, 1961a) and other aldehydes, such as glutaraldehyde (Sabatini, Bensch & Barrnett, 1962) give good preservation of fine structure and of the activity of several enzymes, but it is necessary to post-fix aldehyde-fixed tissues in osmium tetroxide before embedding for electron microscopy.
Study on environmental factors influencing the urea content of cow milk in Wallonia (Belgium)

La determination des teneurs en uree dans le lait de tank est realisee de maniere courante en Wallonie (Belgique) chez tous les producteurs laitiers par le Comite du lait. Une analyse statistique portant sur 5 675 758 donnees recoltees pendant la periode 2002-2008 a ete menee afin d'etudier la variation des teneurs en uree du lait en fonction des mois, de l’annee et des regions agricoles wallonnes afin de les mettre en relation avec l’alimentation. Ces donnees ont ete analysees a l’aide d’un modele lineaire (proc GLM) incluant les effets fixes de la region, du mois, de l’annee, des interactions entre ces parametres. Les teneurs en matiere grasse et proteique ont ete utilisees comme covariables. La moyenne des teneurs en uree dans le lait pour les six annees a ete de 258 mg.l-1. Dix-neuf pour-cent des observations ont ete superieures a 350 mg.l-1et 10 % superieures a 400 mg.l-1. Le modele a permis d’expliquer 35 % des variations des teneurs en uree. A l’interieur de ce modele, la region est la composante la plus explicative (44 %), elle est suivie de l’interaction de la region et du mois (18,6 %), de la matiere proteique (17,8 %) et du mois (10,5 %). Les variations du taux d’uree dans le lait peuvent etre liees principalement a la difference des rations distribuees dans les regions agricoles. La composition des rations varie d’apres les cultures pratiquees, dependant elles-memes de la region agricole. Globalement, on constatera des teneurs plus elevees dans les regions dites herbageres que dans les regions de grandes cultures. La saison a egalement une influence sur les teneurs en uree. On remarque effectivement une augmentation pendant la periode estivale par rapport a la periode hivernale. Cette evolution peut etre expliquee par une difference de regime alimentaire entre la periode de stabulation, en hiver, et la periode de pâturage, en ete. En hiver, les vaches laitieres recoivent une ration complete normalement plus equilibree. En ete, la ration constituee en majeure partie d’herbe presentant souvent un exces de proteines par rapport a l’energie est a l’origine de l’augmentation de la teneur en uree dans le lait.
Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Republic of Croatia.

During the research period (2001-2005), the lymph nodes of 123 wild boars from seven locations in the Republic of Croatia were tested for the presence of mycobacteria. Mycrobacteria were isolated from the lymph nodes of 15 (12.2%) wild boars from fifi ve locations. Specififi c hybridization showed that 11 (8.9%) isolates belonged to M. avium, 2 (1.6%) isolates were typed as M. fortuitum, and 2 (1.6%) isolates belonged to M. gordonae. All 11 isolates belonging to M. avium sp. were tested by means of the specififi c primers P1 FR300 and P2 FR300. Product size in all isolates was 300 bp, which confifi rms that M. avium subsp. hominissuis was present in all of them. As in swine from intensive farming, M. avium subsp. hominissuis is a dominant mycrobacteria type in wild boar in Croatia. The results lead to the conclusion that the most important source for wild boar is an environment suitable for the development and survival of M. avium subsp. hominissuis, as confifi rmed in earlier research studies by other authors.
Predicting stress in benthic communities of southeastern U.S. estuaries in relation to chemical contamination of sediments

Matching data on sediment contaminants and macroinfaunal community structure from 231 subtidal stations in southeastern U.S. estuaries were used to develop a framework for evaluating risks of benthic impacts from multiple‐contaminant exposure. Sediment contamination was expressed as the mean ratio of individual contaminant concentrations relative to corresponding sediment quality guidelines, that is, to effects range‐median (ERM) values, probable effects level (PEL) values, or an aggregate of the two. The probability of a degraded benthos was relatively low in samples with mean ERM quotients ≤0.020, PEL quotients ≤0.035, or combined ERM/PEL quotients ≤0.024. Only 5% of stations within these ranges had degraded benthic assemblages, while 95% had healthy assemblages. A higher probability of benthic impacts was observed in samples with mean ERM quotients >0.058, PEL quotients >0.096, or ERM/PEL quotients >0.077. Seventy‐three to 78% of stations with values in these upper ranges had degraded benthic assemblages, while 22 to 27% had healthy assemblages. Only four stations (three with degraded, one with healthy assemblages) had mean ERM or PEL quotients >1.0, which is the beginning of the range associated with a high probability of mortality in short‐term laboratory toxicity tests using amphipods.
Basal metabolic rate and the rate of senescence in the great tit

1. Between-individual variation in rates of senescence has recently been found to relate to natal and early-life conditions in several natural populations. Mechanistic theories of senescence have predicted between-individual variation in basal metabolic rate (BMR) to also underlie such variation in rates of senescence. The question whether variation in BMR is linked to natal and early-life conditions with effects on senescence has, however, not yet been addressed. 2. Using cross-sectional data on winter BMR of nearly 700 individual great tits Parus major, we tested whether factors associated with individual variation in the rate of senescence were also associated with differences in BMR. 3. We found that winter BMR was a repeatable trait (36%), and that variation in winter BMR was partly explained by body mass, and interactive effects of sex, age and seasonal date with ambient temperature. 4. Our data, however, revealed that neither the level of BMR, nor its age-specific decline, was explained by three parameters previously shown to underlie variation in rates of reproductive senescence in our study population: maternal age, immigrant status and early-life reproductive performance. 5. These results therefore did not support the suggestion that variation in BMR underlies variation in rates of reproductive senescence in relation to maternal age, immigrant status and early-life reproductive performance. 6. We further found a low repeatability of BMR from winter to the subsequent breeding season (1%, n = 55), which suggested that a relationship between BMR and proxies for rates of senescence may have been absent in our data set because winter BMR did not represent year-round metabolic strategies. 7. Further study, preferably using longitudinal data, is required to resolve the link between BMR at different times of year and senescence.
Efecto de la inmunización pasiva sobre la reacción de Shwartzman en el pulmón del conejo empleando lipopolisacárido de Pasteurella haemolytica

The local Shwartzman reaction (SR) can be induced in the lungs of rabbits with Pasteurella haemolytica (type Al) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Lesions resemble, in part, those seen in pneumonic pasteurellosis of cattle. In this study, the effect of antibodies on the intensity of the SR was examined in rabbits. One group was passively immunized with 4 ml of antiserum obtained from rabbits immunized with a wholecell bacterin (P. haemolytica strain 82-25, IHA titre to strain 82-25 LPS was 1:2560). The other group was not immunized. At 24 h post-immunization (PI) rabbits in both groups were subdivided. The SR was induced in both, immunized and non-immunized rabbits by injecting a 50 Ng preparatory dose of LPS intratracheally (IT), followed 24 h later (48h PI) by a 100 Ng provocative dose of LPS intravenously (IV). Control groups received LPS IT/pyrogen free saline (PFS) IV or PFS IT/LPS IV. At 12 h after IV inoculation (60 h PI), all rabbits were euthanized and exsanguinated. Sections of the right lung were taken to determine histopathological changes and the left lung was lavaged (bronchoalveolar lavages [BAL]) to determine total and differential cell counts. The histopathological changes seen in the SR were similar to those seen in rabbits that received LPS IT/PFS IV, indicating that lesions were primarily in response to IT LPS inoculation. Passive immunization of rabbits resulted in a variable inflammatory response to the LPS; some rabbits had mild lung lesions, but others had more severe lesions than non-immunized rabbits. There were also differences in the total and differential BAL cell counts between immunized and non-immunized rabbits. The passive immunized groups had higher cell counts. It can be concluded that, IT LPS inoculation was more inflammatory than IV LPS and IT LPS/IV LPS (SR) in either passively or non-immunized rabbits and that passive immunization exacerbates the lung inflammatory response. Vet. Méx. , 28(1) 1997 19