Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENTAL HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE EGG (1) EPMA SULFUR ANALYSIS OF A RABBIT EGG MEMBRANE

My previous microscopic and autoradiographic observations revealed that the covering membrane of a rabbit's blastocyst was not simply the zona pellucida, and that the zona pellucida was soluble in mercaptoethanol, but the blastocyst membrane was insoluble in mercaptoethanol. In this study, the sulfur content of the zona pellucida and the blastocyst membrane was measured with an EPMA to determine if sulfur changes quantitatively in the egg at various stages of development. Experiments were performed with oviducal and uterine eggs from Japanese white rabbits, 15 hr to 6 days after ovulation, and follicular eggs. The eggs were fixed in glutaraldehyde and OsO4, dehydrated with alcohol, and dried on carbon or embedded in Epon. The sulfur analysis was performed with an EPMA (JEOL LTD, JMA-50A); the accelerating voltage was 15 kV and the specimen current was 0. 03μA. A PET crystal was used for diffractive analysis. The sulfur value in the zona pellucida of the follicular eggs and in the uterine eggs were 25 and 75 counts/sec respectively. The amount of sulfur, which is considered a component of the mucoprotein in the blastocyst membrane, was significantly higher than in the zona pellucida.
Anthelmintic actions of the cyclic depsipeptide PF1022A and its electrophysiological effects on muscle cells of Ascaris suum

The cyclic depsipeptide PF1022A, given orally to mice, showed very good anthelmintic activity against Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Heterakis spumosa at 50 mg kg -1 . In vitro, PF1022A was very active against Trichinella spiralis and had good activity against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis at 1 μg ml -1 . An 18-membered enniatin analogue, JES 1798, showed good activity only against N. brasiliensis at 10 μg ml -1 . The optical antipode of PF1022A had poor activity even at 100 μg ml -1 . The effects of PF1022A on the membrane potential and input conductance of somatic muscle of Ascaris suum were examined using a two-microelectrode current-clamp technique. PF1022A did not antagonize the effects of the selective nicotinic agonist levamisole. PF1022A and an analogue, JES 1798, but not the PF1022A antipode, produced a small time-dependent increase in input conductance associated with no potential change. The increase in input conductance did not occur in the Cl - -free bathing solution, suggesting that the increase in input conductance was mediated by Cl - ions. The addition of high concentrations of Ca 2+ to the preparation after the addition of PF1022A did not lead to production of Ca 2+ -activated Cl - channels, suggesting that its mode of action was not that of a Ca 2+ ionophore. The mechanism by which the cyclic depsipeptide might increase the Cl - conductance is discussed.
IMMUNOHISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF IMMUNECOMPLEXES RELATED TO ANTI-DNA ANTIBODIES IN THE SERUM AND ON THE GLOMERULUS IN MRL/1 MICE

To analyze the characteristics of the immune deposits related to anti-DNA antibodies on the glomeruli of MRL/MP-1pr/1pr (MRL/1) mice, an elution study and an immunofluorescent study using antiultravioletirradiated (uv) DNA antisera (rabbit) were carried out. MRL/1 mice developed a high concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-DNA antibodies, rheumatoid factors (RF), and circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the sera. In contrast, RF and IC were not significantly detected in the renal eluates in MRL/1 mice, although anti-DNA antibodies revealed high titers, while the titers of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the sera and eluates after DNase digestion did not increase significantly. Furthermore, DNA were not detected as the antigens (Ag) on the glomeruli by the immunofluorescent study using anti-uvDNA antisera which are specific to DNA Ag, though we detected anti-DNA antibodies in the eluates in MRL/1 mice. These results suggest either that other antigen-antibody systems constitute the major IC component in lupus nephritis of MRL/1 mice or that DNA Ag fixed to the glomeruli was digested with endogeneous DNase into oligonucleotide which is resistant to treatment with DNase, and dose not produce comformational changes after uv-irradiation.
Influence of Nutrient Source and Growing Environment on Tissue Elemental Concentration and Yield of Cos Lettuce in Hydroponic Culture

Complete fertilizers formulated for fertigation and soil application are commonly used in hydroponic production. However, these are unsuitable for hydroponic culture of many crops because of imbalances in mineral nutrient composition. Currently, research information about the effect of nonhydroponic fertilizers and the confounding effects of crop type and culture condition on crop yield is limited. The influence of mineral nutrient source (FERT) and growing environment (two controlled environment hydroponic greenhouses; CEHG) with different temperature and relative humidity (RH) regimes on mineral elemental concentration and yield of cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam.), cv. Cimmaron, were determined in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic culture. With the exception of calcium, both CEHG and FERT had a significant effect on the tissue concentration of all the macronutrients, and the concentration of micronutrients in lettuce tissue were optimum, regardless of FERT and CEHG, except for Fe (APHN and CAMG) and Mo (APHN). However, low tissue concentration of macronutrients may have contributed to reducing the marketable yield, which was also significantly affected by FERT.
High mortality rate in a re‐introduced grey partridge population in central Italy

Abstract A radio‐tracking study was carried out on a re‐introduced population of grey partridges in a 10.6‐km2 study area located in central Italy, in order to assess mortality rate and to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out large scale re‐introductions of the species. Thirty‐nine grey partridges were caught by live‐traps during winter 2000 and equipped with backpack radio‐transmitter. All released birds were offspring of partridges re‐introduced previously on the study area and no significant differences were found in survival probabilities between sexes, age classes (juveniles or adults), and weight classes (<400 g or ≥400 g), with the exception of the juveniles‐adult comparison with the weight class ≥400 g. Kaplan‐Meier estimates give an average survival of 734 days (SE = 15.5). GLM analysis showed an overall interaction effect of the sex, age, and weight (P = 0.03). Mortality increased during the covey break up, if compared to other periods, although the differences were not significant; the same was for males, for adults, and for both weight classes, while significant differences resulted for female and juvenile survival rate among periods. Predation was the main mortality source for radio‐tagged grey partridges (71.0%), followed by disease (25.8%). The high mortality rate found in our study could be explained in part with the origin of the population that was originally re‐introduced using hand‐reared grey partridges. Some important negative characters of reared birds, such as the poor anti‐predator behaviour and the low diseases resistance, could carry over during the first and following wild generations.
Effects of Individual Variation in Size on Growth and Development of Larval Salamanders

Theoretical population models suggest that variation among individuals can affect population-level properties like stability and equilibrial density. Few studies, however, have tested the importance of individual variation to factors affecting population dynamics (e.g., average individual growth rates, developmental rates, survivorship, etc.) using natural populations. We conducted a field experiment designed to test effects of larval density and individual variability in body size on growth and development of larval tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum). We performed our experiment in a natural sinkhole lake in central Arizona; experimental populations differing in density and initial variability in body size were held in nylon mesh enclosures. Effects of individual variability in size were examined independently of any effects due to mean body size of the population or total population biomass. Density affected growth rates and development to metamorphosis of experimental larvae in a manner consistent with other studies. Initial variability in body size did not affect larval growth rates or diets but did interact with density to affect survivorship and development: experimental larvae held with similarly sized individuals experienced lower survivorship and were metamorphosing earlier than experimental larvae held with variably sized individuals. These effects did not appear to be mediated by size- specific competitive abilities but may have been mediated by individual behavioral re- sponses to size structure. This study underscores the importance of incorporating infor- mation about interindividual variability into our understanding of processes affecting pop- ulation dynamics.
The Interplay between the Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity and post-Translational Modifications in the Immune and Neuroendocrine Systems

Glucocorticoids (GCs), the most downstream effectors of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, are key mediators in the interaction between immune and neuroendocrine systems. They exert their biological actions mainly through binding to their intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which in turn influences gene expression by interacting with transcription factors and/or coregulators. GR abnormal function has been extensively associated to stress-related disorders, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, modulating GR activity is critical to overcome pathological conditions. The final outcome of GCs actions in the immune and neuroendocrine systems is regulated at multiple levels, including post- translational modifications (PTMs) of GR as well as of protein complexes involved in GR signaling. Understanding the influence of PTMs on the molecular mechanisms involved in GR signaling is thus of utmost importance in the search for therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating GR responses under pathophysiological circumstances, and to understand the neuroimmune circuits.
Pollinator‐mediated selection on floral traits and size of floral display in Cyclopogon elatus, a sweat bee‐pollinated orchid

Summary 1Pollinator-mediated selection on traits associated with mechanical fit and attraction of pollinators were investigated through both sexual functions in Cyclopogon elatus (Sw.) Schlechter (Orchidaceae). 2Only halictid bees, principally Augochlora nausicaa, were observed as pollinators. The pollinarium becomes attached to the ventral surface of the bee's mouthparts (labrum) when the proboscis, which closely matches the length of floral tube, is projected into the flower to reach nectar. 3We detected directional selection on nectary depth, with deeper nectaries favoured only through male fitness, because this trait affects pollinaria removal but not deposition. Correlational selection was detected through male function between nectary depth and the number of flowers in an individual's floral display. These traits affect pollination in a multiplicative way: flower number is positively related to the number of bee visits, and nectary depth positively affects the effectiveness of pollinaria removal at each visit. 4We also detected stabilizing selection on display size. For smaller displays there was a strongly positive association between number of flowers and overall reproductive success, which can be attributed to a simple numerical effect. However, the expected performance of individual flowers is impaired in large displays by pollinator limitation, because bees visiting the display pollinate few flowers per visit and each bee carries, at most, one pollinarium.
Beta oscillations reflect memory and motor aspects of spoken word production

Two major components form the basis of spoken word production: the access of conceptual and lexical/phonological information in long‐term memory, and motor preparation and execution of an articulatory program. Whereas the motor aspects of word production have been well characterized as reflected in alpha‐beta desynchronization, the memory aspects have remained poorly understood. Using magnetoencephalography, we investigated the neurophysiological signature of not only motor but also memory aspects of spoken‐word production. Participants named or judged pictures after reading sentences. To probe the involvement of the memory component, we manipulated sentence context. Sentence contexts were either constraining or nonconstraining toward the final word, presented as a picture. In the judgment task, participants indicated with a left‐hand button press whether the picture was expected given the sentence. In the naming task, they named the picture. Naming and judgment were faster with constraining than nonconstraining contexts. Alpha‐beta desynchronization was found for constraining relative to nonconstraining contexts pre‐picture presentation. For the judgment task, beta desynchronization was observed in left posterior brain areas associated with conceptual processing and in right motor cortex. For the naming task, in addition to the same left posterior brain areas, beta desynchronization was found in left anterior and posterior temporal cortex (associated with memory aspects), left inferior frontal cortex, and bilateral ventral premotor cortex (associated with motor aspects). These results suggest that memory and motor components of spoken word production are reflected in overlapping brain oscillations in the beta band. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2767–2780, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphological and electrophoretic studies of the Palaemonidae (Crustacea) of the Perth Region, Western Australia

A reappraisal of the morphological characters currently used to separate the genera Palaemon, Palaemonetes and Macrobrachium reveals that the present system of classification is inadequate to differentiate the species of these genera occurring in the Swan River Estuary, W.A. Since separation on morphological grounds proved to be unreliable, an electrophoretic survey of 17 enzymes at 24 loci was carried out. The results suggest that Palaemonetes australis may be congeneric with Macrobrachium intermedium. The species of Palaemonetes from the Swan River Estuary are genetically dissimilar to P. vulgaris from Nova Scotia, which appears to be phylogenetically closer to Palaemon afinis. A discussion of the affinities and likely oilgins of these species, with emphasis on the anomalous occurrence of Palaemonetes australis in south-western Australia is presented.
Antioxidant Response to Harmone-Containing Product in Kentucky Bluegrass Subjected to Drought

The purpose of this study was to determine if exogenous hormone-containing products (HCP) (seaweed extract and humic add) enhance endogenous antioxidant concentration in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) subjected to drought. Two-week-old seedlings of Kentucky bluegrass (cv. Plush) were treated with seaweed extract at 326 g ha -1 , humic acid (25% active) at 5 L ha -1 , alone or in combination, and grown under two soil moisture levels (-0.03 MPa and -0.5 MPa) for 5 wk, and subsequently analyzed for antioxidant concentration and growth. The HCP treatments improved leaf water status and enhanced shoot and root growth regardless of soil moisture levels. Water stress induced a significant increase of α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and β-carotene content but did not influence superoxide dismu-tase (SOD) activity. Foliar application of HCP significantly increased α-tocopherol, ascorbic add, β-carotene content, and SOD activity, especially under low soil moisture (LSM). Positive correlations between antioxidants and antioxidants with growth parameters were observed in Kentucky bluegrass grown under either LSM or high soil moisture (HSM). These data indicate that HCP enhancement of the grass's endogenous antioxidant status may contribute to turfgrass drought tolerance.
MONITORING OF ACTUAL STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVE ALUMINIUM IN SOILS IN SLOVAKIA

Abstract Active aluminium contents in agricultural soils of Slovakia were evaluated in the frame of partial-monitoring system - soil. The soil samples were taken in 5 years regular intervals from depths of 0-0.10 and 0.35-0.45 m. In the dry homogenised samples, soil reaction (pH in CaCl2), exchangeable cation Ca2+ and active Al content by Sokolov (soil is extracted with 1 N KCl and Al is precipitated with NaF) in the samples with pH value lower than 6.0 were measured. Active Al content was in the range 0.10-684.0 mg/kg with the average value 59.28 mg/kg and median value 8.30 mg/kg in the depth 0-0.10 m. In the depth 0.35-0.45 m, the average value was 59.30 mg/kg and the median value was 9.00 mg/kg. Significant differences in average and median values between the arable land and permanent grassland are determined as a consequence of the relationship between soil quality and its use. The increase in the active aluminium content (between first and last monitoring cycles) was determined in the group Podzols, Lithic Leptosols used as the permanent grassland as well as in the group Cambisols on the crystalline rocks and in the group Fluvisols used as arable land.
Use of the bleomycin resistance gene to generate tagged insertional mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that require elevated CO2 for optimal growth.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard possesses a CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) that enables it to grow at very low CO2 concentrations. In previous studies, insertional mutagenesis was successfully used to identify genes required for growth at low CO2 in C. reinhardtii. These earlier studies used the C. reinhardtii genes, Nit1 and Arg7 to complement nit1- or arg7- strains, thereby randomly inserting a second copy of Nit1 or Arg7 into the genome. Because these genes are already present in the C. reinhardtii genome, it was often difficult to identify the location of the inserted DNA and the gene disrupted by the insertion. We have developed a transformation protocol using the BleR gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic Zeocin. The insertion of this gene allows one to use a variety of existing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies to identify the disrupted gene. In this study the D66 strain (nit2-, cw15, mt+) was transformed by electroporation using a plasmid containing the BleR gene. Primary transformants (42 000) were obtained after growth in the dark on acetate plus Zeocin medium. Colonies were then tested for their ability to grow photosynthetically on elevated CO2 or low levels of CO2 (100 ppm). About 120 mutants were identified which grew on elevated CO2 but were unable to grow well at low CO2 concentrations. About 50% of these mutants had low affinities for inorganic carbon as assessed by K0.5(CO2), indicating a potential defect in the CCM. The location of the inserted DNA is being determined using inverse PCR (iPCR) and thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL) PCR. Using these methods, one can rapidly locate the inserted DNA in the genome and identify the gene that has been disrupted by the insertion.
Recobrimentos à base de carboximetilcelulose e dextrina em mangas 'Tommy Atkins' armazenada sob refrigeração

It was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of coatings based on carboximethyl cellulose (CMC) and dextrin applied in 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit stored for zero, ten and 20 days under refrigeration (12.4±3.1°C and 72±12% RH) and, after this period, submitted to ambient conditions (20.3±3.0°C and 40±7% RH) for three, six, eight and nine days. The CMC 1.0% + dextrin 0.2%, CMC 0.8% + dextrin 0.5% and CMC 0.5% + dextrin 1.0% coatings were compared to the control. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial 4x7 (coating x storage time), with four replicates constituted by three fruits. The application of CMC 1.0% + dextrin 0.2% or CMC 0.8% + dextrin 0.5% delayed the soluble solids accumulation, the titratable acidity reduction and the skin color evolution, increasing fruit brightness that ensured a better appearance. The responses indicate a delay on maturation that was more evident on CMC 0.8% + dextrin 0.5% treatment.
The interpretation of Brazilian Portuguese bare singulars in neutral contexts

Abstract The interpretation of Bare Singular count nouns (henceforth BS nouns) has been at the center of much debate in the literature on countability in Brazilian Portuguese. In this paper, we ad- dress the question whether BS nouns may only be interpreted as mass nouns or as names of kinds, or whether they may also be interpreted as object denoting nouns. It is generally agreed that BS nouns can be interpreted as names of kinds. Furthermore, Bevilaqua and Pires de Oliveira (2014) show that BS nouns are interpreted as mass nouns in contexts that favor a mass interpretation. However, the preferred interpretation of BS nouns in neutral contexts (i.e. contexts that favor neither a count nor a mass interpretation) has never been investigated experimentally. We present the results of two experiments, which show that speakers tend to interpret BS nouns as count nouns in neutral contexts.
Evidence that the β-Amyloid Plaques of Alzheimer's Disease Represent the Redox-silencing and Entombment of Aβ by Zinc*

Aβ binds Zn2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ in vitro, and these metals are markedly elevated in the neocortex and especially enriched in amyloid plaque deposits of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Zn2+ precipitates Aβ in vitro, and Cu2+ interaction with Aβ promotes its neurotoxicity, correlating with metal reduction and the cell-free generation of H2O2 (Aβ1–42 > Aβ1–40 > ratAβ1–40). Because Zn2+ is redox-inert, we studied the possibility that it may play an inhibitory role in H2O2-mediated Aβ toxicity. In competition to the cytotoxic potentiation caused by coincubation with Cu2+, Zn2+ rescued primary cortical and human embryonic kidney 293 cells that were exposed to Aβ1–42, correlating with the effect of Zn2+ in suppressing Cu2+-dependent H2O2formation from Aβ1–42. Since plaques contain exceptionally high concentrations of Zn2+, we examined the relationship between oxidation (8-OH guanosine) levels in AD-affected tissue and histological amyloid burden and found a significant negative correlation. These data suggest a protective role for Zn2+in AD, where plaques form as the result of a more robust Zn2+ antioxidant response to the underlying oxidative attack.
A general model for reconstructing salmon runs

A general model is developed for salmon run reconstruction based on catch, escapement, and age composition data. The model is based on “groups” of salmon, each of which share the same characteristics but can differ from other groups in run timing, abundance, gear selectivity, and migration routes. The model is highly flexible so that it can be adapted to a variety of fisheries and can compare the fits of alternative hypotheses to available data. The model is applied to three sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) districts in Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA, to show the effect of allowing age classes to arrive at different times and the impact of including process errors to mimic day-to-day arrival variability. The model predicts that in 2005, Wood River salmon comprised only 54% of the catch in the Nushagak fishing district (but 71% of the escapement), although these predictions are contradicted by genetic data for 2006–2008 showing high harvest rates of Wood River and Nushagak River fish but only light harvest ra.