Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iguratimod ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis progression through regulating miR-146a mediated IRAK1 expression and TRAF6/JNK1 pathway: an in vivo and in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of iguratimod and its regulatory role on microRNA (miR-146a) and the downstream genes in treating rheumatoid arthritis-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. METHODS RA-FLS was isolated from knee synovial tissue of an active RA patient. In vitro, the effect of miR-146a mimic/inhibition on RA-FLS functions was investigated. Then the effect of Iguratimod on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, inflammatory cytokines, miR-146a and its downstream gene/pathway in RA-FLS was evaluated. In vivo, the collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was constructed, then the effects of iguratimod, miR-146a inhibition and their combination on treating CIA rat were assessed. RESULTS Iguratimod treatment increased miR-146a while decreased cell proliferation, IRAK1 and TRAF6/JNK1 pathway in RA-FLS in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, iguratimod treatment repressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IRAK1 and TRAF6/JNK1 pathway in RA-FLS, while miR-146a inhibition alleviated the abovementioned effects of Iguratimod on RA-FLS. The in vivo experiments disclosed that iguratimod reduced systemic arthritis score, and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IRAK1 as well as TRAF6/JNK1 pathway, while enhanced apoptosis in synovial tissue of CIA rat model; and in miR-146a inhibition treated CIA rat model, the effect of iguratimod was diminished. CONCLUSIONS Iguratimod ameliorates RA progression via regulating miR-146a mediated IRAK1 expression and TRAF6/JNK1 pathway.
Haemato-immunological indices in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry fed with Aloe vera extract supplemented feed

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Aloe vera extract on the immunity responses and haematological parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry to develop alternative drug to chemotherapeutics in aquaculture. Methods: Six hundred rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry were randomly allocated into two treatment groups including 1) placebo-treated group (control), 2) Aloe vera extract-treated group, each of three replicates. The fishes were hand-fed once a day with diet medicated AE or placebo at the rate of 1% in feed in the first feeding for 10 weeks. At the end of the identical every two weeks 24 h after feeding, some of haematological and immunological parameters were analyzed. Results: The results showed that serum total protein, albumin and globulin, respiratory burst activity, phagocytic activity and serum lysozyme activity vary among the two treatment groups which were found to be higher in Aloe vera extract-treated group (P 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that supplementation of AE at a rate of 1% in feed registered higher immunological responses in compared to placebo group. Therefore, supplementation of AE in fish diets enhances non-specific immune system in fish. It may use in fish diets particularly at time of outbreaks.
Clonal propagation and antimicrobial activity of an endemic medicinal plant Stevia rebaudiana

A procedure has been outlined for plant regeneration and antimicrobial screening of a medicinal herb, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, through in vitro culture of nodal segments with axillary buds. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L N6-benzyl amino purine and 1.13 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid in combination were found to be most effective in inducing bud break and growth, and in initiating multiple shoot proliferation at the rate of 39 microshoots per nodal explant after 30 d of culture. By repeated subculturing a high-frequency multiplication rate was established for production of elite lines of S. rebaudiana.Elongated shoots were transferred to rooting medium. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid was found to be best for rooting. In vitro and in vivo grown leaf extracts in different solvent system were screened for potential antimicrobial activity against medically important bacterial and fungal strains by agar well diffusion method. The chloroform and methanol extract exhibited a concentration dependent antibacterial and antifungal inhibition. Both in vitro and in vivo dried leaf extract showed similar antimicrobial activity. Therefore, commercial manufacture of active constituents from these improved elite lines would be useful and profitable. Key words: Regeneration, antimicrobial, Stevia rebaudiana, medicinal plant
Low-dose IL-2 effectively restored decreased regulatory T cells in patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVES Although Behçet's disease (BD) is associated with immune mechanisms, the changes in circulating lymphocytes, especially regulatory T (Treg) cells remain unclear. Furthermore, low dose IL-2 has been reported to promote the expansion of Treg cells. This study aimed to investigate the significance of these subsets in the pathogenesis and the effect of low dose IL-2 on BD. METHODS Lymphocyte subsets and cytokines from 177 BD patients and 160 healthy controls (HCs) were characterised. Then the efficacy and safety of low dose IL-2 for refractory BD patients were explored. RESULTS There was a decrease in the absolute number of Treg cells and IL-10 in patients, while no difference in Th1, Th2, Th17 cells or their related cytokines. Accordingly, the ratio of Th17/Treg cells in patients was greatly higher than those of healthy controls. Furthermore, circulating Treg levels were negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Behçet's disease current activity form (BDCAF), respectively. Lastly, after IL-2 treatment, all subsets were increased to some degree, while only Treg cells were amplified more dramatically, with a four-fold increase. Meanwhile, we found that the symptoms were mitigated without observed side effects. CONCLUSIONS BD might be triggered by the defect of immunotolerance with decreased Treg. Moreover, low-dose IL-2 proposes a potential treatment by restoring Treg and promoting rapidly remission.
Short‐term larval food stress and associated compensatory growth reduce adult immune function in a damselfly

Abstract 1. In animals with a complex life cycle, larval stressors may carry over to the adult stage. Carry‐over effects not mediated through age and size at metamorphosis have rarely been studied. The present study focuses on the poorly documented immune costs of short‐term food stress both in the larval stage and after metamorphosis in the adult stage.
Iron limitation across chlorophyll gradients in the southern Drake Passage: Phytoplankton responses to iron addition and photosynthetic indicators of iron stress

Processes influencing phytoplankton bloom development in the southern Drake Passage were studied using shipboard iron‐enrichment incubations conducted across a surface chlorophyll gradient near the Antarctic Peninsula, in a region of water mass mixing. Iron incubation assays showed that Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) waters were severely iron limited, while shelf waters with high ambient iron concentrations (1–2 nmol L−1) were iron replete, demonstrating that mixing of the two water masses is a plausible mechanism for generation of the high phytoplankton biomass observed downstream of the Antarctic Peninsula. In downstream highchlorophyll mixed waters, phytoplankton growth rates were also iron limited, although responses to iron addition were generally more moderate as compared to ACC waters. Synthesizing results from all experiments, significant correlations were found between the initial measurements of Photosystem II (PSII) parameters (Fv:Fm, σPSII, and p) and the subsequent responses of these waters to iron addition. These correlations indicate that PSII parameters can be used to assess the degree of iron stress experienced in these waters and likely in other regions where photoinhibition and nitrogen stress are not confounding factors.
Observations regarding the flight biology and behaviour of the Common buzzard (Buteo Buteo) in the Râul Doamnei hydrographical basin (Romania)

Observations regarding the flight biology and behaviour of the Common buzzard (Buteo Buteo) in the Râul Doamnei hydrographical basin (Romania) In this paper, the authors analyse the flight biology and behaviour of the Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) observed in the Râul Doamnei hydrographical basin, depending on the environmental conditions and ecological seasons. Along three years, during the 3031 observations, 4549 individuals were observed. Observaţii Privind Biologia şi Comportamentul de Zbor al Şorecarului Comun (Buteo Buteo) în Bazinul Hidrografic Râul Doamnei (România) Şorecarul comun (Buteo buteo) este cea mai frecventă specie de răpitoare diurnă din bazinul Râul Doamnei, de-a lungul a trei ani de observaţii, din martie 2005 şi până în februarie 2008 fiind făcute 3031 de observaţii care au totalizat 4549 exemplare. Unul din scopurile cercetărilor, ale căror rezultate au fost prezentate parţial în această lucrare, a fost de a determina cum influenţează condiţiile de mediu, in funcţie de sezoanele ecologice, biologia şi activitatea de zbor a acestei specii. De asemenea, am urmărit unele aspecte ale zborului legate de comportamentul intra-şi interspecific al acesteia. Dans cet article, les auteurs font une analyse du comportement de vol de la buse variable (Buteo buteo) observées dans le bassin hydrographique Râul Doamnei en fonction des conditions environnementales et les saisons écologiques. En trois ans, au cours des 3031 observations ont été vus 4549 exemplaires.
Foraging habitats and foraging distances of bumblebees, Bombus spp. (Hym., Apidae), in an agricultural landscape

Abstract: In selected foraging habitats of an agricultural landscape flower visits of bumblebees and community structure of foraging bumblebees were studied, with special regard to the role of crops as super‐abundant resources. Most crops represent temporal foraging habitats with high abundance of bumblebees but mainly with low diversity in the bumblebee forage community, in contrast to permanent foraging habitats such as, for example, a hedgerow. The high numbers of bumblebees in the monoculture of crop plantations consisted mainly of short‐tongued bumblebee species. The role of foraging distances for the visitation rate of foraging habitats was studied by performing capture–recapture experiments with natural nests of Bombus terrestris, Bombus lapidarius and Bombus muscorum. Differences were found on the species as well as the individual level. The foraging distances of B. muscorum were more restricted to the neighbourhood of the nesting habitat than the foraging activity of B. terrestris and B. lapidarius. High percentages of B. terrestris workers were recaptured while foraging on super‐abundant resources in distances up to 1750 m from the nest. Isolated patches of highly rewarding forage crops, in agricultural landscapes, are probably only accessed by bumblebee species with large mean foraging distances, such as the short‐tongued B. terrestris. Species like the rare, long‐tongued B. muscorum depend on a close connection between nesting and foraging habitat. A restricted foraging radius might be one important factor of bumblebee species loss and potential pollinator limitation in modern agricultural landscapes. Furthermore, long‐distance flights of bumblebee pollinators have to be considered in the present discussion on gene flow from transgenic plant species on a landscape scale.
On an extinct species of the genus Varanus (Reptilia, Sauria) from the island of Flores

An interesting collection of subfossil animal remains from cave deposits in the island of Flores (Lesser Sunda Islands) was brought together by Dr. Th. L. Verhoeven. The collection includes numerous remains of mammals (Hooijer, 1957; Hooijer, in Verhoeven, 1958, pp. 262-263), as well as some vertebrae of snakes, and fragments of the skull of a Varanus species. The deposits also contain evidence of a mesolithic flake and blade industry (Verhoeven, 1952, 1953; Van Heekeren, 1957, p. 107); their age is holocene (Hooijer, 1957, p. 299: "definitely post-Pleistocene"). The Varanus remains are described in the present paper; they belong to a new species; which I dedicate to Dr. D. A. Hooijer in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to the knowledge of the extinct faunas of S. E. Asia. The subfossil remains have been compared to skulls of various species of Varanus in the collections of the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden. As the description will show they differ widely from the recent species occurring in the island of Flores (Varanus (V.) salvator (Laur.), V. (V.) komodoensis Ouwens), as well as from all other species known from S. E. Asia. In two characters they resemble Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus (L.) and Varanus (subgenus incertum) grayi Blgr. Of the last-named species only one skull of a full-grown individual is known (Zoologische Sammlung des Bayerischen Staates, Munich, nr. 2640/0, Luzon, Philippine Islands, leg. Loher, 1897), and I am greatly indebted to Dr. W. Hellmich, Munich, for the loan of this skull. Prof. R. Mertens kindly interrupted his study of this skull to allow its being sent to Leiden. In his monograph of the Varanidae Mertens (1942a, b, c) published descriptions of the skulls and teeth of the majority of the species and subspecies of the genus Varanus and the nume-
ROS in Platelet Biology: Functional Aspects and Methodological Insights

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondria play a pivotal role in regulating platelet functions. Platelet activation determines a drastic change in redox balance and in platelet metabolism. Indeed, several signaling pathways have been demonstrated to induce ROS production by NAPDH oxidase (NOX) and mitochondria, upon platelet activation. Platelet-derived ROS, in turn, boost further ROS production and consequent platelet activation, adhesion and recruitment in an auto-amplifying loop. This vicious circle results in a platelet procoagulant phenotype and apoptosis, both accounting for the high thrombotic risk in oxidative stress-related diseases. This review sought to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying ROS production upon platelet activation and the effects of an altered redox balance on platelet function, focusing on the main advances that have been made in platelet redox biology. Furthermore, given the increasing interest in this field, we also describe the up-to-date methods for detecting platelets, ROS and the platelet bioenergetic profile, which have been proposed as potential disease biomarkers.
Isolation and Identification of Cellulose Degrading Bacteria from Mangrove Soil of Mahanadi River Delta and Their Cellulase Production Ability

This study was conducted to isolate cellulose degrading bacteria from mangrove soil of Mahanadi river delta, Odisha, India and also to evaluate their cellulase production ability. Results showed that in total fifteen cellulose degrading bacteria were isolated based on their halo zone formation on congored agar medium. Their maximum carboxymethylcellulose hydrolysis capacities (HC value) were ranged from 1.18 to 2.5 cm. A CMCase test of these fifteen isolates showed that their enzyme activity ranged from 2.471 to 98.253 U/ml/min. From the morphological, aand biochemical characterisation, the isolates were identified as Micrococcus spp. , Bacillus spp. , Pseudomonas spp. , Xanthomonas spp. and Brucella spp.
Alternative anticoccidial treatment of broiler chickens

This thesis describes the effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria parasites. The question addressed was whether ingestion of MOS or exposure to EMF would counteract the coccidiosis-induced depression of growth performance and would reduce oocyst shedding and the severity of intestinal lesions. In other words, the question addressed was whether MOS or EMF could serve as an alternative to the anticoccidial drugs currently used. A literature review provides insight in the life cycle of coccidia and its relation with necrotic enteritis, the gut immune system, and its response during occidiosis. The review also highlights the methods used in the control of coccidiosis, drug resistance, and alternatives to coccidial drugs (Chapter 1). In two different experiments, the effect of MOS was studied in broiler chickens infected with either a single dose of E. tenella (Chapter 2) or a mixture of Eimeria containing low doses of sporulated oocysts of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella (Chapter 3). Possible effects of a weak electromagnetic field (EMF) on body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, oocyst counts and severity of coccidial lesions where tested in broiler chickens infected with a mixture of Eimeria containing sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. The infection was being imposed by either crop gavage (Chapter 4) or by contaminated litter (Chapter 5). In Chapter 6 different methods of infection and their characteristics are described with emphasis on a nature-like-infection under controlled conditions. In the General Discussion section, an attempt is made to value MOS and EMF as alternative anticoccidial treatments of broiler chickens.
A cross-system meta-analysis reveals coupled predation effects on prey biomass and diversity

Predator diversity and abundance are under strong human pressure in all types of ecosystems. Whereas predator potentially control standing biomass and species interactions in food webs, their effects on prey biomass and especially prey biodiversity have not yet been systematically quantified. Here, we test the effects of predation in a cross-system meta-analysis of prey diversity and biomass responses to local manipulation of predator presence. We found 291 predator removal experiments from 87 studies assessing both diversity and biomass responses. Across ecosystem types, predator presence significantly decreased both biomass and diversity of prey across ecosystems. Predation effects were highly similar between ecosystem types, whereas previous studies had shown that herbivory or decomposition effects differed fundamentally between terrestrial and aquatic systems based on different stoichiometry of plant material. Such stoichiometric differences between systems are unlikely for carnivorous predators, where effect sizes on species richness strongly correlated to effect sizes on biomass. However, the negative predation effect on prey biomass was ameliorated significantly with increasing prey richness and increasing species richness of the manipulated predator assemblage. Moreover, with increasing richness of the predator assemblage present, the overall negative effects of predation on prey richness switched to positive effects. Our meta-analysis revealed strong general relationships between predator diversity, prey diversity and the interaction strength between trophic levels in terms of biomass. This study indicates that anthropogenic changes in predator abundance and diversity will potentially have strong effects on trophic interactions across ecosystems.
Enzymatic conversion of lignocellulose into fermentable sugars: challenges and opportunities

The economic dependency on fossil fuels and the resulting effects on climate and environment have put tremendous focus on utilizing fermentable sugars from lignocellulose, the largest known renewable carbohydrate source. The fermentable sugars in lignocellulose are derived from cellulose and hemicelluloses but these are not readily accessible to enzymatic hydrolysis and require a pretreatment, which causes an extensive modification of the lignocellulosic structure. A number of pretreatment technologies are under development and being tested in pilot scale. Hydrolysis of lignocellulose carbohydrates into fermentable sugars requires a number of different cellulases and hemicellulases. The hydrolysis of cellulose is a sequential breakdown of the linear glucose chains, whereas hemicellulases must be capable of hydrolysing branched chains containing different sugars and functional groups. The technology for pretreatment and hydrolysis has been developed to an extent that is close to a commercially viable level. It has become possible to process lignocellulose at high substrate levels and the enzyme performance has been improved. Also the cost of enzymes has been reduced. Still a number of technical and scientific issues within pretreatment and hydrolysis remain to be solved. However, significant improvements in yield and cost reductions are expected, thus making large‐scale fermentation of lignocellulosic substrates possible. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Ecosphere, biosphere, or Gaia? What to call the global ecosystem

(in the sense of biosphere as life and life-support The terms biosphere, ecosphere, and Gaia are used systems), but, in its most extreme form, refers to as names for the global ecosystem. However, each the entire planet as a living entity. A case is made has more than one meaning. Biosphere can mean for avoiding the term Gaia (at least as a name for the totality of living things residing on the Earth, the planetary ecosystem), restricting biosphere to the space occupied by living things, or life and life- the totality of living things, and adopting the support systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, ecosphere as the most apt name for the global lithosphere, and pedosphere). Ecosphere is used as ecosystem. a synonym of biosphere and as a term for zones in Key words. Biosphere, ecosphere, extraterrestrial the universe where life as we know it should be ecospheres, Gaia, global ecosystem, global sustainable. Gaia is similar to biosphere (in the organism, Teilhard de Chardin, Vernadsky.
Selective lysis of the autologous tumor by δTCS1+ γ/δ+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes from human lung carcinomas

Two distinct non‐overlapping populations of TcR1+ (γ/δ) T cells have been described: the first, bearing the disulfide‐linked γ/δ heterodimer, is predominant in the peripheral blood; the second, expressing the non‐disulfide‐linked form of TcR1, is mostly confined to epithelial tissues (lung, gut, skin). TcR1+ lymphocytes may be cytotoxic and could be involved in anti‐tumor immunity, especially against tumors at epithelial sites. Freshly derived tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from two patients with lung cancer were enriched in CD3+WT31− cells. The percentage of this subset substantially increased upon culture in the presence of interleukin 2. These cells were TcR1+ as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. In one case only 40% of this population reacted with δTCS1 mAb, that recognizes the non‐disulfide‐linked form of TcR1, and co‐expressed the CD8 antigen. Cultured TcR1+ TIL were able to kill fresh autologous tumor cells, K‐562 and, to a lesser extent, some natural killer‐resistant cell lines and allogeneic lung tumor cells in 4‐h 51Cr‐release cytotoxicity assays. The fractionated δTCS1+ TIL lysed only autologous tumor cells and K‐562, whereas the lytic activity against all the other targets was confined to the δTCS1− subset. Moreover, the autotumor cytotoxicity was inhibited by anti‐HLA class I but not by anti‐CD1c or anti‐LFA‐1 mAb, suggesting that killing of the autologous tumor cells and non‐major histocompatibility complex‐restricted cytotoxicity are mediated by different mechanisms.