Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulfonylurea Agents Exhibit Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Agonistic Activity*

Sulfonylurea (SU) agents, including glimepiride and glibenclamide, are the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drugs, which stimulate insulin secretion primarily by binding to the SU receptor on the plasma membrane of pancreatic β-cells. Thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, are other hypoglycemic agents that effectively improve peripheral insulin resistance through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). In the present study, we found that glimepiride specifically induced the transcriptional activity of PPARγ in luciferase reporter assays. Glimepiride enhanced the recruitment of coactivator DRIP205 and dissociation of corepressors such as nuclear receptor corepressor and silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors. In addition, glimepride directly bound to PPARγ in a manner competitive to rosiglitazone, which is a proven ligand for PPARγ. Furthermore, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, glimepiride stimulated the transcriptional activity of the gene promoter containing PPAR-responsive element and altered mRNA levels of PPARγ target genes including aP2, leptin, and adiponectin. Finally, glimepiride induced adipose differentiation in 3T3-F442A cells, which was known to differentiate into adipocytes in a PPARγ-dependent manner. Most effects observed with glimepiride were also seen with glibenclamide. These data strongly suggest that glimepiride and glibenclamide, both of which belong to SU agents, should have PPARγ agonist activity, whose potencies were 16–25% of the maximum level achieved by pioglitazone. Our observation that glimepiride and glibenclamide could act not only on SU receptor but also on PPARγ may give an important clue to the development of novel antidiabetic drugs, which can enhance both insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and peripheral insulin sensitivity.
Measuring Variation in the Frequency of Group Fission and Fusion from Continuous Monitoring of Group Sizes

The frequency of group fission and fusion is critical for understanding the evolution of sociality, as it measures group cohesiveness, which can confer a high fitness value on individuals who practice it. Variations in the frequency of fission and fusion can also reveal an individual's response to environmental changes. As fission—fusion group dynamics influence the risk of disease transmission, measuring it accurately may have implications for population management. Here, we extend a method to assess the frequency of fission and fusion from continuous monitoring of group composition. The former method was based on the variation in group size (i.e., party/subgroup size) within which marked individuals were successively recorded. Upon validation of the method here, we propose a correction, using the coefficient of variation in group size instead of the variation in group size. We performed our study on an enclosed herd of reindeer, Rangifer tarandus. All reindeer were tracked using Global Positioning System (GPS) collars and followed by direct observations. GPS collars allowed us to obtain accurate measures of the frequency of fission and fusion that we used to validate our models. The resulting method best described the temporal variation in fission and fusion frequency without the confounding effect of the variation in group size. This method can easily be applied to other populations where some individuals can be recognized and their group size repeatedly recorded. It will also help in quantifying the 2nd dimension of the fission—fusion group dynamics: the variation in group size.
Eradicating down the food chain: optimal multispecies eradication schedules for a commonly encountered invaded island ecosystem

Free to read at publisher's site. Islands are global hotspots of both biodiversity and extinction. Invasive species are a primary threat, and the majority of islands have been invaded by more than one. Multispecies eradications are essential for conserving the biodiversity of these islands, but experience has shown that eradicating species at the wrong time can be disastrous for endemic species. Managers not only have to decide how to eradicate each invasive species, they need to determine when to target each species, and how to control multiple species with a limited budget. We use dynamic control theory to show that, when resources are limited, species should be eradicated in a particular order (an eradication schedule). We focus on a common invaded island ecosystem motif, where one invasive predator consumes two prey species (one endemic, one invasive), and managers wish to eradicate both invasives while ensuring the persistence of the endemic species. We identify the optimal eradication schedule for this entire class of problem. To illustrate the application of our solution, we also analyse a particular case study from California's Channel Islands. For any island ecosystem that shares this motif, managers should begin by allocating all of their resources towards invasive predator control. Only later should resources be shifted towards controlling the invasive prey. This shift should ideally be gradual, but an abrupt shift is very close to optimal. The Channel Islands case study confirms these findings. Targeting both species simultaneously is substantially suboptimal. We reach the robust conclusion that the same eradication schedule should be applied to any island with this ecosystem motif, even if the ecosystem contains different species to the Channel Islands case study.Synthesis and applications. Although very numerous, the world's invaded island ecosystems could be described by a limited range of invaded ecosystem motifs. By calculating robust optimal eradication schedules for each motif, the approach defined in this study could offer rapid decision-support for a large number of future conservation projects where specific data are scarce. Although very numerous, the world's invaded island ecosystems could be described by a limited range of invaded ecosystem motifs. By calculating robust optimal eradication schedules for each motif, the approach defined in this study could offer rapid decision-support for a large number of future conservation projects where specific data are scarce.
Interactions between the invasive tree Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) and native frugivores in South Africa

Abstract: The spread of many invasive plants is facilitated through seed dispersal by frugivorous animals. The effectiveness of various frugivores as dispersers of the seeds of Melia azedarach, a highly invasive alien tree species, was evaluated in South Africa in savanna and bushveld vegetation. During 264 h of observation, seven bird species and one bat species were recorded foraging on fruiting trees of M. azedarach. The most common visitors were the dark-capped bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) followed by Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi), but both species dropped nearly as many seeds as they dispersed. Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix) dispersed the highest number of fruits per minute, but occurred in low abundance in our study sites. Seed germination differed significantly between de-pulped fruits and untreated fruits after 2 mo, but was similar after 4 mo. Germination success did not differ between animal-handled and hand-depulped fruits. In contrast to the high germination success in the greenhouse, seedlings showed very low recruitment in the field. Thus, M. azedarach seems likely to benefit from frugivores (particularly dark-capped bulbul and Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat) dispersing seeds to suitable microsites.
Females first? Past, present and future variability in offspring sex ratio at a temperate sea turtle breeding area

The long‐term survival of species with temperature‐dependant sex determination requires a sufficient range of incubation temperatures to ensure that both males and females are produced. The primary sex ratio of sea turtles is determined by the temperature experienced by eggs during the middle third of incubation. Here, we investigated the variability in the production of male and female offspring by loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta at six nesting beaches in the temperate breeding area of Zakynthos, Greece. Hatchling sex ratios were estimated using incubation durations and sand temperatures for 2007–2009, while the empirical relationship between air and sand temperature was used to infer historical (1875–2010) and future (2011–2100) hatchling sex ratios. First, all six beaches produced males; 55% of production was across five beaches, while 45% was focused on one beach (primarily in July). Second, male production varied across the season in different years; there was an initial peak in June, with production (rising, declining or plateauing) later in the season being regulated by August air temperatures. Interestingly, the annual male production rate estimated from the 3‐year dataset (23%) was half that estimated from the 135‐year reconstruction (50%), with the latter showing broad interannual variation. Finally, modelled predictions of future sex ratios ranged from a conservative 7.6% decline in male production by 2100 versus no production by 2038. This study provides a baseline from which predicted trends in hatchling sex ratio, in parallel to regular field assessments, could be used to provide guidelines for the selection of appropriate nest protection management protocols, to maintain required sex ratios that safeguard the future of this population.
A NEW BASAL BALAENOPTERID WHALE FROM THE PLIOCENE OF NORTHERN ITALY

Abstract: A new basal balaenopterid genus and species, Archaebalaenoptera castriarquati, is described and compared with all the living and fossil members of the family Balaenopteridae and related fossil rorqual‐like taxa. It was found in the Lower Pliocene of northern Italy, and is characterized by a supraoccipital with a transversely compressed anterior process, the zygomatic process of the squamosal diverging from the longitudinal axis of the skull, very long nasal bones, and subtle exposition of the parietal on the dorsal wall of the skull. It is primitive in having a maxilla with a long ascending process that is posteriorly unexpanded and round, and a dentary that is straight and not bowed outward, unlike that of living Balaenopteridae. In particular, the discovery of this new genus suggests that, among the early members of Balaenopteridae, the acquisition of the typical sutural pattern shown by maxilla, frontal, parietal and supraoccipital preceded the acquisition of the feeding‐related traits that are characteristic of the family. The primitive morphology of the feeding‐related structures of A. castriarquati (i.e. the straight dentary and the flat glenoid fossa of the squamosal) suggests that this whale was unable to undertake the intermittent ram feeding typical of Balaenopteridae as efficiently as living members of the family.
Aspectos morfológicos do saco vitelino em roedores da subordem Hystricomorpha: paca (Agouti paca) e cutia (Dasyprocta aguti)

The study aimed to characterize gross and microscopic features of the yolk sac in paca (Agouti paca) and agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) in early gestation. Fragments of the yolk sac of 3 paca and 3 agouti fetuses at early gestation were taken and processed for histological and ultrastructural analyses. Gross features of the vitelline placenta in both species showed its insertion over the main placenta surface and projections to the embryos/fetuses. Microscopically, the vitelline placenta was constituted by endoderm epithelium and mesenchyme, in which vitelline vessels are abundant. The ultrastructure of the samples showed that the visceral yolk sac of the paca was formed by endodermic cells with nuclei in the median region, and that the visceral yolk sac of the agouti was formed by nuclei arranged apically; other characteristic was the large number of mitochondrias, eletrodense vesicles with microvilosities We conclude that (1) the vitelline placenta of the two species presents insertion in the surface of the main placenta; (2) the vitelline placenta of paca rests on the Reichert's membrane, whereas the agouti vitelline placenta does not have this membrane; (3) the chorion and allantoic are fusioned; and (4) the chorioallantoic placenta and the yolk sac in both species are reversed and vascularized.
A clinical trial to study changes in neural activity and motor recovery following brain-machine interface enabled robot-assisted stroke rehabilitation

Background: Brain-machine interfaces (BMI) based on scalp electroencephalography (EEG) have the potential to promote cortical plasticity following stroke, which has been shown to improve motor recovery outcomes. However, clinical efficacy of BMI-enabled robotic rehabilitation in chronic stroke population is confounded by the spectrum of motor impairments caused by stroke. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of neurorehabilitation therapy on upper-limb motor recovery, by quantifying changes in clinical, BMI-based, and kinematics-based metrics. Further, to identify neural correlates or biomarkers that can predict the extent of motor recovery. Methods: Chronic stroke survivors (n = 10, age 55 +/- 9.2y, chronicity 3.1 +/- 2.8y) were recruited to participate in a 4-6 weeks long clinical study. Participants completed 12 therapy sessions that involved a BMI enabled powered exoskeleton (MAHI Exo-II) for training, which targeted elbow flexion and extension. Clinical assessments including Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were measured up to 2-months after therapy. BMI performance, kinematic performance, and change in movement related cortical potentials (MRCP) were also determined. Results: On average, 132 +/- 22 repetitions were performed per participant, per session. BMI accuracy across all sessions and subjects was 79 +/- 18%, with a small number of false positives (23 +/- 20%). FMA-UE and ARAT scores improved significantly over baseline after therapy and were retained at follow-ups (FMA-UE change = 3.92 +/- 3.73 and ARAT change = 5.35 +/- 4.62, p < 0.05). 80% participants (7 with moderate-mild impairment and 1 with severe-moderate impairment) reached minimal clinically important difference (MCID: FMA-UE > 5.2 or ARAT > 5.7) during the course of the study. Kinematic measures indicate that, on average, participants' movements became faster and smoother. Quantification of changes in MRCP amplitude showed significant correlation with ARAT scores (rho = 0.72, p < 0.05) and marginally significant correlation with FMA-UE (rho = 0.63, p = 0.051), suggesting higher activation of ipsi-lesional hemisphere post-intervention. The study did not have any adverse events. Conclusion: This study presents evidence that BMI enabled robotic rehabilitation can promote motor recovery in individuals with chronic stroke, several years after injury and irrespective of their impairment level, or location of the lesion (cortical/subcortical) at baseline. Further, the extent of motor recovery was correlated with changes in movement related potentials, occurring contralateral to the impaired arm.
Growth and chemical composition of legume‐based pasture irrigated with dairy farm effluent

Abstract Land treatment of farm effluent is becoming popular in many countries because this practice is considered less harmful to surface water and groundwater resources. However, the supply of large quantities of selective nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), through effluent irrigation could affect the nutrient balance and the botanical composition of crops and pasture. The aim of the project was to investigate the influence of farm effluent irrigation on the growth and chemical composition of legume‐based pasture through a field experiment conducted at Massey University Dairy Unit, New Zealand. Three levels of effluent irrigation with N loading rates of 0,150, and 200 kg ha–1 were applied. Effluent irrigation at these rates also provided 0, 256, and 342 kg K ha–1. The effluent was irrigated either in the presence or absence of calcium (Ca—as gypsum), and magnesium (Mg—as epsom salt) addition. The effluent irrigation was applied once a month and the trial continued for 6 months. The dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition, and nutrient concentration in the pasture were measured 1 month after each effluent irrigation. The pasture DM yield increased with increasing rate of effluent application. The DM response (kg DM kg–1 N applied) ranged from 4.1 to 7.2, slightly less than the values obtained for fertiliser N. The N and K concentrations in the pasture increased with increasing levels of effluent irrigation. Calcium and Mg fertiliser application had no effect on either pasture yield or the concentration of N or K in pasture. In the absence of Ca and Mg fertiliser application, the concentration of Ca and Mg in pasture decreased with increasing effluent irrigation. Application of Ca and Mg fertiliser increased the concentration of these elements in pasture at all levels of effluent application. Excessive uptake of K by pasture is likely to cause Ca and Mg deficiencies in grazing animals, leading to milk fever and grass staggers.
Short‐Term Effects of an LHRH‐Agonist alone or in Combination with Testosterone Propionate or Indomethacin on Rat Testes

Summary: The treatment of adult male Wistar rats with a LHRH‐agonist (lutrelin Wyeth/WY 40972) resulted in severe damage of the seminiferous tubules as well as in remarkable changes of the blood vessels within 24 hours. First striking signs of alterations within the blood vessels were already found 6 hours after the injection of lutrelin: the blood vessels were almost totally filled with leucocytes. Neither the effects on the germinal epithelium nor the effects on the blood vessels were prevented by the simultaneous treatment with 3 mg testosterone propionate (TP). The treatment with indomethacin, however, clearly antagonized both events. The complete inefficiency of TP to overcome the inhibitory effects of lutrelin on the testes does argue against an androgen deficiency as the primary cause. The results obtained with indomethacin strengthen the hypothesis, that the early deleterious effects of LHRH‐agonists on the germinal epithelium of the rat are primarily caused by circulatory disturbances in the testes and that prostaglandins may act as mediators.
Sensitivity of Tree Seedlings to Aluminum: I. Honeylocust

Literature about the effects of Al on trees is reviewed in this article, emphasizing factors to consider when interpreting how seedling growth responds to Al. This article integrates two soil and two hydroponic studies that examine how honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) seedlings respond to Al. The studies determined that honeylocust is the most Al-sensitive forest tree to have been studied in detail. Plant biomass and root number declined as Al in the soil or hydroponic solution increased. Growth was most consistently related to e{ᴬˡ³⁺} ({Al³⁺} is the Al³⁺ activity in the solution) or to the ratio of MAL/Ca (MAL is inorganic monomeric Al). In our study root number declined 50% between 0 and 0.05 mM MAL (0 to 0.012 mM {Al³⁺}). Root weight was also negatively related to root Al and positively related to root Ca. Levels of solution MAL/Ca and {Al³⁺} associated with more than 20% reductions in honeylocust growth were found in lysimeter solutions collected from a number of forested watersheds. However, such levels are probably not common in the natural edaphic range of honeylocust.
Clinico-pathologic findings of enterotoxemia in Chinkara deer (Gazella bennettii) under desert conditions in Pakistan.

Received: Revised: Accepted: August 29, 2012 October 22, 2013 November 17, 2013 This study was carried out to know clinico-pathologic findings of enterotoxaemia in Chinkara deer (Gazella bennettii). At one farm, 10(20%) out of 50 and at other 35(31.8%) out of 110 deer died. Out of 45 animals, peracute deaths were 66.67% whereas acute deaths were 33.33%. Significantly high mortality was recorded in young animals. The case fatality was 100%. Clinical signs including moderate to acute anorexia, opisthotonus, herding in a corner with head down, marked depression, fever, chocolate colored urine and greenish watery diarrhea were observed. Necropsy of dead deer revealed presence of straw colored fluid in peritoneal/abdominal cavity. Hydropericardium, hydrothorax, congested and edematous lungs, swollen and soft kidneys, watery contents in the small intestine, ballooning and hemorrhages of small and large intestine were the consistent lesions in affected animals. Multifocal petechial hemorrhages on myocardium and jejunal mucosa were frequently observed in peracute cases. The histologic changes were hemorrhagic enteritis, pulmonary edema, congestion, proteinaceous fluid in alveoli and perivascular cuffing in lungs. Increased level of glucose was recorded in urine collected from urinary bladder of 17 deer at necropsy. Histopathological sections of kidneys revealed congestion and necrosis along with disruption of renal tubular epithelial cells. The clinical signs, post-mortem lesions and histological findings in present study were consistent with those reported due to C. perfringens type D enterotoxaemia. ©2013 PVJ. All rights reserved
Effect of temperature and salt concentration on Kimchi fermentation

Chemical and microbial changes during Kimchi (a group of Korean seasoned pickles) fermentation were carried out at various temperatures and salt concentrations. The time reaching optimum ripening of Kimchi varied depending upon fermentation temperature and salt concentration. At high temperature and low salt content Kimchi fermentation was faster than at low temperature and high salt content. The ratio of volatile to non-volatile acids reached its maximum at the optimum ripening time of Kimchi and decreased thereafter. Leu. mesenteroids, Lac. brevis, Lac. plantarum, Ped. cerevisiae, Str. faecalis and low acid producing Lactobacilli were isolated from Kimchi samples. However, the main microorganism responsible for Kimchi fermentation was Leu. mesenteroides and Lac. plantarum was the main acidifying organism. Total viable count increased rapidly in the beginning of fermentation and reached its maximum number at optimum ripening time and then decreased slowly as the acidity of Kimchi increased. While the total aerobic bacteria and fungi decreased during Kimchi fermentation, the yeast increased significantly at lower temperature.
Elephant grass clones for silage production

Ensiling warm-season grasses often requires wilting due to their high moisture content, and the presence of low-soluble sugars in these grasses usually demands the use of additives during the ensiling process. This study evaluated the bromatological composition of the fodder and silage from five Pennisetum sp. clones (IPA HV 241, IPA/UFRPE Taiwan A-146 2.114, IPA/UFRPE Taiwan A-146 2.37, Elephant B, and Mott). The contents of 20 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) silos, which were opened after 90 days of storage, were used for the bromatological analysis and the evaluation of the pH, nitrogen, ammonia, buffer capacity, soluble carbohydrates, and fermentation coefficients. The effluent losses, gases and dry matter recovery were also calculated. Although differences were observed among the clones (p < 0.05) for the concentrations of dry matter, insoluble nitrogen in acid detergents, insoluble nitrogen in neutral detergents, soluble carbohydrates, fermentation coefficients, and in vitro digestibility in the forage before ensiling, no differences were observed for most of these variables after ensiling. All of the clones were efficient in the fermentation process. The IPA/UFRPE TAIWAN A-146 2.37 clone, however, presented a higher dry matter concentration and the best fermentation coefficient, resulting in a better silage quality, compared to the other clones.