Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Splanchnic amino acid balance is affected by moderate variations of dietary protein in the developing Zucker rat

This study attempted to determine the influence of moderate chronic variations in dietary protein intake, on splanchnic amino acid balances. Two series of 30-day-old male lean (Fa/? ) Zucker rats were fed ad libitum for 30 days with either a standard diet (reference diet: RD), a high-protein diet (HP) (35%) or a low-protein diet (LP) (9%). After 30 days of dietary treatment, blood was withdrawn from hepatic vein, portal vein and arterial aorta in one set of rats. In another series the splanchnic organ blood flows were determined using fluorescent microspheres. From the individual amino acid concentration in each sample and the blood flows, we calculated the intestinal and hepatic balances. There were no significant differences in the hepatic arterial, portal or supra-hepatic flows induced by dietary protein content. The RD group showed a marked intestinal uptake of Gln and Cit and a net release of Pro, Ala and Gly. The LP group showed the same pattern, with increased release of Ala and Gly. In contrast to this limited amino acid release, the HP group showed a generalized net release of amino acids from the intestine. The RD group only show a net Gln release from the liver. Conversely, the HP group showed net uptake of Gln, Pro, Ala, Tyr and Lys, and the LP group took up Gly and Ala and released Asn, Gln and Cit. Our results indicate that growing Zucker rats respond to long-term moderate changes in the protein intake, diminishing the growth pattern only in the LP group, but not in the HP group. In spite of the limited amino acid supply, the LP group followed a similar pattern of intestinal balance for Ala, Gln, Pro, Gly and Cit, as showed by the RD group. On the other hand, excess of dietary amino acids in the HP group seems to promote a lower utilization of Gln by intestine probably due to an increased release of Ala instead of Gln from peripheral tissues.
Effect of phenolic acids and anthocyanins on growth, viability and malolactic activity of a lactic acid bacterium☆

Phenolic compounds are important components of red wine and potentially affect malolactic fermentation. Growth and metabolism ofLeuconostoc oenosmay be influenced favourably or unfavourably. The effect of phenolic acids and free anthocyanins was studied. Gallic acid and free anthocyanins activated cell growth and the rate of malic acid degradation. Vanillic acid showed a slight inhibiting effect, while protocatechuic acid had no effect. Finally gallic acid and anthocyanins were metabolized, specially by growing cells.
Prevalence of Asthma among Adult Females and Males in the United States: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001–2004

Background. The prevalence of asthma has increased over the last three decades with females exhibiting a higher prevalence of asthma than males. The objective of this study was to obtain gender-specific estimates of the prevalence of current and ever asthma and describe the relationships between risk factors and asthma by gender in US men and women ages 20 to 85. Methods. Data for this study came from two cycles (2001–2002 and 2003–2004) of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and included 9,243 eligible adults: 4,589 females and 4,654 males. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate gender-specific associations between race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), sociodemographic characteristics, and smoking habits for current asthma and ever asthma. Results. The prevalence of current asthma was 8.8% for women and 5.8% for men, while the prevalence of ever having been diagnosed with asthma was higher (13.7% and 10.4% for women and men, respectively). Current asthma was less prevalent in Mexican American women (1.9%) and men (0.9%) born in Mexico as compared to Mexican Americans born in the U.S. (8.7% and 5.2% for women and men, respectively) or for any other ethnic group. Approximately 20% of extremely obese women and men had ever been diagnosed with asthma; among this group, 15% reported they had current asthma. Results from multiple logistic regression models indicate that extreme obesity and living in poverty were strongly associated with current and ever asthma for both women and men, as was former smoking and ever asthma for men. Conclusion. As compared to previous NHANES reports, our results indicate that the prevalence of asthma among U.S. adults continues to increase. Further, our findings of marked differences among subgroups of the population suggest asthma-related disparities for impoverished persons and greater prevalence of asthma among obese and extremely obese US adults.
Ochratoxin A induces cytotoxicity, DNA damage and apoptosis in rat hepatocyte primary cell culture at nanomolar concentration

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillum, is widely found as a contaminant of food. OTA exhibits a wide range of toxic activities, including nephro- and hepatotoxicity. Although the mechanisms of its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity have been studied before, many controversial results have been published. In addition, the studies were mostly conducted with kidney cells. Therefore, the present study used a primary culture of Wistar rat hepatocytes incubated with increasing concentrations of OTA (2.0-6.0 nanomolar). OTA treatment showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and DNA damage. Further, flow cytometric analysis of hepatocytes showed dose-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that OTA-induced hepatotoxicity is, may be partly, mediated by apoptosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor gene, a potent pro-angiogenic in hepatocellular carcinoma and responsible for hepatocyte regeneration, did not show any change with OTA treatment, as analysed by reverse transcription .
Nitrogen metabolism in Brahman cross, buffalo, banteng and Shorthorn steers fed on low-quality roughage

Urea metabolism was studied in Brahman cross, buffalo, banteng and Shorthorn cattle offered a low quality hay. Intravenous injections of [I4C]urea and 51Cr-~~~~ were used to determine the irreversible loss of urea from the plasma, the degradation of urea in the rumen and lower digestive tract, and the glomerular filtration rate. When species were compared at equal liveweights and nitrogen intakes, buffaloes had significantly higher (P < 0.05) plasma urea concentrations and rates of irreversible loss of urea carbon from plasma than the other species. There were no significant differences between species in urinary urea excretion. Urea degradation in the digestive tract was linearly related to the irreversible loss of urea, and the proportion of irreversible urea loss degraded was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in Shorthorn cattle (48 %) than in the other species (73-91 %). Shorthorn cattle reabsorbed urea from the glomerular filtrate with a lower efficiency (60%) than did the other species (85-94%). In Brahman cross, buffalo and banteng, plasma urea recycled to the rumen was a relatively constant amount (4.3 g nitrogenld) and represented on average 39% of the urea degraded in all parts of the digestive tract. Urea degraded in the digestive tract increased linearly with increasing irreversible loss of urea from plasma. It was concluded that, despite significant differences between species in urea synthesis and degradation, there was little indicatation that these differences constituted a significant nitrogen conservation mechanism in any one species.
CORRELATION OF THE BOVINE CERVICAL MUCUS PENETRATION TEST WITH HUMAN SPERM CHARACTERISTICS IN 1406 EJACULATES

The bovine cervical mucus penetration test (BCMPT) was performed to determine its usefulness in screening the ability of sperm to successfully penetrate mucus in vitro. Ejaculates were obtained by masturbation from patients attending an infertility clinic. Routine semen analysis was performed using a microcomputerized multiple-exposure photography system. The BCMPT was performed. Overall, the average penetration of the mucus was 38+/-0.46 mm. Of the 1406 ejaculates analyzed, 244 (17%) displayed a negative result (0-20 mm), 291 (21%) a questionable result (21-30 mm), and 871 (62%) a positive result (>30 mm). A highly significant (p<.001) correlation between mucus penetration distance and sperm MD (r=0.541), MI (r=0.484), count (r=0.475), motility (r=0.448), velocity (r=0.400) and morphology (r=0.369) was observed. Overall, the finding of an abnormal semen parameter resulted in a 34+/-5% accurate prediction of a negative or questionable BCMPT (<30 mm), while a normal semen parameter resulted in a 90+/-4% accurate prediction of a positive BCMPT (>30 mm). Sperm MD showed the strongest positive predictive value (98%), while morphology showed the greatest negative predictive value (50%). Of the 1406 samples, 25+/-2% of the samples with normal semen parameters displayed a negative BCMPT. Conversely, 6+/-2% of samples with abnormal parameters showed a positive BCMPT. The BCMPT successfully identifies a significant subpopulation of patients as having an inadequate penetration of mucus with otherwise normal semen characteristics.
Extremely shallow spawning of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) : the roles of sheltered bays, dense semi-terrestrial vegetation and low visibility in deeper water

The roles of wind protected bays, presence of littoral vegetation and light attenuation in the water column on spawning site selection and depth of egg strands deposition by perch Perca fluviatilis was studied in Řimov Reservoir, Czech Republic, in the years 2007 and 2011 using boat observation and SCUBA divers. The data were compared with results from Chabařovice Lake, Czech Republic, where similar monitoring took place in 2007–2010 and 2012. In shallow water of Řimov Reservoir, the density of egg strands was significantly higher in grass bays compared to both rocky bays and the main reservoir body. Most egg strands were deposited in water less than 0.5 m deep on reed canarygrass Phalaris arudinacea . In year when the littoral vegetation was absent perch were forced to spawn significantly deeper on various types of woody structures. In Řimov Reservoir, which is less vulnerable to wind, 91.1% of egg strands were spawned in water ≤3 m deep. In contrast, in the wind exposed Chabařovice Lake, even in the presence of littoral vegetation, 90.5% of egg strands were found at depths greater than 3 m. In Chabařovice Lake, the light penetrated to three times greater depth compared to Řimov Reservoir and, similarly, the depth limit to which 95% of egg strands were spawned was three times greater in this lake compared to Řimov Reservoir. This study is the first contribution showing the role of water transparency in controlling the depth distribution of perch egg strands in lakes and reservoirs.
A home-based method to reduce phytate content and increase zinc bioavailability in maize-based complementary diets

This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility of a home-based method to reduce the phytate content of maize and improve zinc bioavailability from maizebased complementary diets in rural Malawi. A method of extracting phytate through the soaking of pounded maize was developed, and found to reduce phytate content to 49% of unrefined maize. An educational program was used to teach the processing method to mothers of children receiving complementary foods in rural Malawian communities. Samples of maize flour prepared by this process by participants were collected and analysed for phytate and zinc content. Of these, 70% of samples were found to be adequately prepared; mean phytate content of these samples was 48% of unprocessed, unrefined maize flour controls. Most participants found the cooked product to have an acceptable taste (99%) and texture (68%), and felt the processing method took little or no extra time (86%) and was culturally acceptable (96%). The phytate and zinc content of the processed maize flour samples analysed from community prepared samples was substituted into the dietary analysis of complementary foods for 9- to 11-month-old children (n = 31). The bioavailability of zinc from the complementary diet would predict an increase from low (24%) to moderate (33%) levels.
Age at menarche: secular trends and association with adult anthropometric measures

Summary. Background: Age at menarche has been used as a marker of environmental conditions during childhood. Previous work has shown trends of decreasing age at menarche throughout the 19th century, but reported trends in the 20th century have been less consistent. The nature of the relationship between age at menarche and adult life anthropometric measures may be important in understanding the importance of this measure on disease in later life. Aim: To establish whether mean age at menarche changed during the first half of the 20th century, and to determine the nature of associations between age at menarche and anthropometric measures in young adulthood. Subjects and methods: 3433 female students, who were born between 1919 and 1952 and who attended health checks at the student health service of the University of Glasgow between 1948 and 1968. Results: Mean age at menarche decreased from 13.2 years in the earliest born to 12.5 years in the latest born students. These results were not explained by changes in socio-demographic factors. Menarcheal age was positively associated with height and negatively associated with weight and BMI, results independent of socio-demographic and behavioural factors. Conclusions: The falling age at menarche described here may be related to nutritional influences in the first half of the 20th century. The influence of menarche on BMI in early adulthood may have important health consequences.
Correlates of reproductive success in male lizards of the alpine species Iberolacerta cyreni

We followed a field population of the alpine lizard Iberolacerta cyreni over 2 consecutive breeding seasons and assigned paternity to the offpring using 8 microsatellite markers. Paternity data, combined with observations of the behavior, morphology, and spacing patterns of lizards, allowed us to document the extent of polygamy, the phenotypic correlates of the number of offspring sired, and the correlation between male reproductive success (RS) and probability of recapture the second year of our study. Multiple paternity was observed in nearly 50% of clutches, and the mating system was highly polygynandrous. In the first year of our study, male RS increased with body size, activity, tail length, and color saturation of the dorsum. In the second year, male RS increased with activity and body condition. Overall, increased male activity, a trait that is expected to decrease survivorship, was the explanatory variable that had the greatest effect on RS. However, the residents of our first study year that were recaptured in the second year had longer tails, were more active, and sired more offspring than their conspecifics that were not recaptured. Thus, contrary to expectations, no negative correlation between present reproduction and future survival was found, which suggests that male investment in reproduction is condition dependent and positively correlated with the ability to pay the underlying costs of increased activity. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Alternative height strategies among 45 dicot rain forest species from tropical Queensland, Australia

1 Potential height, which spans at least an order of magnitude across species, is considered an important indicator of light capture strategy. Still, it remains unclear how potential height is coordinated with other traits that influence height growth rate, stem persistence and performance in low light. We proposed that contrasting correlations between potential height and other plant attributes would be observed for sets of species selected to span two hypothetical axes of light availability within mature forest and time since disturbance. 2 We selected 45 perennial rain forest species in Australia's wet tropics to span gradients of light availability and successional status and measured potential height together with traits influencing light capture and regeneration strategy on mature individuals. The traits included leaf mass per area, leaf nitrogen, wood density, stem mass per length, branch mass fraction and seed mass. 3 Potential height was significantly correlated with numerous traits among species selected to span each of the two gradients. Height was positively correlated with leaf mass area−1, leaf nitrogen and seed mass and negatively correlated with leaf area ratio at the branch tip along both light and successional gradients. Height was positively correlated with wood density along the successional axis, with the opposite relationship along the light gradient. 4 Trait relationships differed in either slope or intercept between the two gradients, reflecting different strategic trade‐offs. At a given height, shorter species in the successional gradient were characterized by lower leaf mass area−1, lighter wood, smaller seeds, lower leaf nitrogen and lower leaf area ratio at the branch tip than similar sized species along the light gradient. 5 The results of this study support the idea of two distinct, trait‐mediated axes of coexistence among short and tall plant species within vegetation. In several cases, trait relationships were weak or non‐significant when species groupings were merged, indicating the importance of separating out the two sets for comparative studies.
Wing noises, wing slots, and aggression in New Zealand honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae)

Abstract Two of New Zealand’s honeyeaters, the tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and the bellbird (Anthornis melanura) can produce loud wing noises. In both species, modified primary feathers form slots in the wing that presumably make these noises. The slots of bellbirds are similar to those of hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Asymmetries in aggressiveness — as determined from inter- and intraspecific dominance — are closely related to the presence or size of the wing slots.
Saponin content and trypsin inhibitor activity in processed and cooked pigeon pea cultivars

Four high-yielding varieties of pigeon pea namely UPAS-120, Manak, JCPL-151. ICPL-87 had considerable amounts of antinutrients i.e. saponins and trypsin inhibitors. Saponin content of these unprocessed cultivars ranged from 2164 to 3494 mg/100 g. There were significant varietal variations in trypsin inhibitor activity (1007–1082 TIU/g) of these pigeon pea cultivars. Some simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use domestic processing and cooking methods, namely, soaking (6, 12, 18 h), soaking (12 h)-dehulling, ordinary cooking, pressure cooking and germination (24, 36, 48 h) were found to be quite effective in lowering the level of saponins and trypsin inhibitors in all the pigeon pea cultivars. Pressure cooking of soaked and dehulled seeds lowered the content of saponins to a maximum extent (28 to 38%) followed by ordinary cooking of soaked and dehulled seeds (28 to 35%), soaked dehulled raw seeds (22 to 27%) and 48 h germinated seeds (15 to 19%). Loss of TIA was marginal due to soaking but ordinary as well as pressure cooking of unsoaked and soaked-dehulled pigeon pea seeds reduced the TIA drastically. Pressure cooking of pigeon pea seeds completely destroyed the TIA while it was reduced to the extent of 86–88% against the control in 48 h pigeon pea sprouts.
Effective Mate Choice in Wild Radish: Evidence for Selective Seed Abortion and Its Mechanism

Maternal plants that can affect the paternity of their seeds may influence the quality of their offspring. However, mate choice in plants has proved difficult to demonstrate because it is usually confounded by the effects of pollen competition and because its mechanisms are not well understood. We show here that stressed wild radish plants selectively abort seeds sired by particular donors. This selection occurs by position-dependent seed abortion and position-dependent resource allocation within fruits, coupled with position-dependent fertilization of ovules by pollen donors. The result is that stressed plants select for pollen donors that sire seeds in the basal and middle, rather than the stylar, thirds of fruits. Thus, in wild radish, the position of seeds fathered by pollen donors may act as a selective arena. Because of this position-dependent abortion, successful fathers sire the seeds most likely to mature and to be larger than average. However, siring these high-quality seeds may reduce the quantity of seeds sired by a donor after mixed pollination because pollen tubes must grow past fertilizable stylar ovules to reach middle and basal ovules, allowing pollen tubes from other donors to sire many seeds in the less favored positions. Since multiple paternity is common in wild radish fruits in the field, selective seed abortion probably occurs there as well. Finally, the position-dependent seed abortion necessary to this effective maternal choice occurs in other plants; thus, the mechanism suggested here may be a general mechanism of effective mate choice in plants that selects for position of fertilization, not just speed of pollen-tube growth.
Variation in the abundance of fungal endophytes in fescue grasses along altitudinal and grazing gradients

Epichloe festucae, a common fungal symbiont of the genus Festuca (family Poaceae), can provide its host plant with protection against herbivores. However, infection might also be associated with a cost to its host plant. We examined the distribution of Epichloe festucae infection in natural populations of three fescue grasses, Festuca rubra, F. ovina and F. vivipara, on mountains in northern Sweden to determine whether infection frequency varied with reindeer Rangifertarandus grazing pressure and altitude. Two differently-scaled approaches were used: 1) infection frequency was measured at a local scale along ten elevational transects within a ca 400 km2 area and 2) infection frequency was measured on a regional scale along elevational transects on 17 mountains classified as having a history of high or low reindeer grazing pressure. Mean infection frequencies in F. rubra were 10% (vegetative tillers at a local scale), and 23% (flowering culms at a regional scale), and in F. ovina they were 13% (local scale) and 15% (regional scale). Endophyte infection frequency in F. vivipara, was, on average, 12% (local scale) and 37% (regional scale). In F. rubra, infection decreased significantly with increasing altitude at both the local and regional scale, and was positively correlated with grazing pressure. In F. ovina, an opposite trend was found at the regional scale: infection frequency increased significantly with increasing altitude, while no discernible distribution pattern was observed at the local scale. No elevational trends were observed in infection of F. vivipara. These patterns in the distribution of endophyte-infected grasses in non-agricultural ecosystems may be explained by both biotic (grazing) and abiotic factors (altitude). Differences in ecology and life history of the studied grass species may also be of importance for the different results observed among species.