Geometry, Allometry and Biomechanics of Fern Leaf Petioles: Their Significance for the Evolution of Functional and Ecological Diversity Within the Pteridaceae

Herbaceous plants rely on a combination of turgor, ground tissues and geometry for mechanical support of leaves and stems.Unlike most angiosperms however, ferns employ a sub-dermal layer of fibers, known as a hypodermal sterome, for support of their leaves.The sterome is nearly ubiquitous in ferns, but nothing is known about its role in leaf biomec

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Melatonin: An Anti-Tumor Agent in Hormone-Dependent Cancers

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland mainly during the night, since light exposure suppresses its production.Initially, an implication of this indoleamine in malignant disease was described in endocrine-responsive breast cancer.Data from several clinical trials and multiple experimental

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