Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification andCharacterization of a Zinc Finger Transcription Factor That Interacts with the Cell Cycle Regulator Host Cell Factor-1

Ho;t cell factor-1 (HCF-1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein first discovered through it; interaction with the herpes simplex viral transactivator VP16. Both the amino-terminal VP 16 interaction domain and the adjacent, less studied basic domain of HCF-1 ar ~ essential in cell cycle regulation. However, the mechanism(s) of this regulation is unknown. Our objective was to provide insight into the importance of the basic domain by studying proteins that interact with this region. Using the yeast two­ hybrid system with the HCF-1 basic region as bait, we identified a novel protein named HCF-1 interacting zinc finger protein (HIZ). The purpose of this research was to characterize HIZ and determine if its interactior with HCF-1 could reveal a novel cellular target for HCF-1. A putative HIZ full-length sequence was determined and its primary structure was studied in detail. HIZ contains 16 C2H2 zinc fingers in its amino terminal. HIZ also contains a novel glutamine­ rich motif adjacent to a potent autonomous transactivation domain. The presence of a DNA-bincing domain structure and a strong, functional transactivation domain indicate that HIZ 1s a novel transcriptional factor. Northern blot analysis showed tissue specific expression of HIZ with highest levels in the testis, skeletal muscle, liver and pancreas, suggesting possible roles in spermatogenesis, differentiation and metabolism. The HIZ-HCF-1 interaction was verified in vitro using glutathione-s-transferase (GST) pull-down assays and the minimal HIZ domain for HCF-1 interaction was mapped to the same region critical for transactivation. Recent studies have identified the transcription factors Miz-1, GABP, LZIP, Zhangfei and PGC-1~ as proteins that interact
Fruit and endocarp properties in relation to intra‐varietal morphological diversity of Montenegrin olive variety ‘Zutica’

‘Žutica’ is the most widespread olive variety of Montenegro, accounting for as much as 98% of olive trees in the southern part of Montenegrin coastal area – Bar subarea. The primary purpose of variety ‘Žutica’ is olive oil production due to its small fruits and high oil content, although it is also much appreciated as a table olive, prepared in local ways as green and black. As ‘Žutica’ is an old olive variety there are some phenotypic differences recorded in the fruit properties. Here we evaluated 22 accessions from the area of Bar and Ulcinj, where this variety is very widespread (almost mono-varietal), for 34 parameters of the fruit and endocarp. Significant differences in fruit properties were observed in the accessions. Average fruit size in nine accessions was above 3.5 g and in two accessions more than 4.0 g. Number of fruits per kg ranged from 224 to 330. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to group the accessions and evaluate the morphological variability. The accessions clustered into two groups, with two off group accessions of the highest fruit weight. The results showed differences among individuals, especially for large fruit accessions that should be investigated further.
Outlining adequate protocols for Lidia bull epididymal storage and sperm cryopreservation: use of glycerol, dimethylformamide and N-acetylcysteine

The Lidia bovine breed is an important hallmark of the Spanish cattle industry. Bulls are selected based upon aggressiveness and epididymal sperm cryopreservation is the way to obtain and store their genetics. There are not specifically designed protocols yet to perform Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation. The present study aimed to determine if a tris-fructose-citrate-egg yolk (20% v/v; TFY) extender supplemented with 7% glycerol (TFY1) or 3.5% glycerol plus 3.5% dimethylformamide (DMF; TFY2) are suitable media for cryopreservation of epididymal Lidia bull sperm. Moreover, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, was evaluated. The epididymis were stored at 4°C for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, and both freezing media were tested as such or supplemented with 1 or 2.5 mM of NAC. Our data demonstrated that post-thaw viability was well maintained (TFY1: 50.8% ± 1.9 at 24 h and 52.4% ± 0.8 at 96 h and TFY2: 52.6% ± 1.6 at 24 h and 56.1% ± 1.8 at 96 h; mean % ± SEM; p >0.05) as also were total and progressive sperm motility, high mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, DNA status and acrosomal intactness of Lidia bull sperm up to 96 h of epididymal storage, all extender variations being similar ( p >0.05). In conclusion, the use of TFY medium supplemented either with 7% glycerol alone or the combination of 3.5% glycerol and 3.5% DMF were equally safe choices for epididymal Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation, and NAC addition did not significantly improve sperm post-thaw quality.
Population Dynamics of a Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Herd in the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming

Abstract Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were re- introduced to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming beginning in 1965. Various pneumonia outbreaks caused populations to decline periodically, resulting in little to no lamb recruitment. An isolated population of bighorn sheep resides on Elk Mountain along the South Dakota-Wyoming border in the southern Black Hills. We estimated population size, survival, and recruitment rates of bighorn sheep on Elk Mountain by radio-collaring adult and neonatal sheep from 2012 to 2014. Overall annual ewe survival was 88.1% (se = 0.05), ram survival was 85.1% (se = 0.10), and 26 wk lamb survival was 44.7% (se = 0.09). Recruitment through 26 wk averaged 35% (SD = 0.02) across years. Population estimates for the 3 y were 80 (se = 0.58), 100 (se = 2.42), and 115 (se = 6.89) individuals, respectively. The Elk Mountain bighorn sheep herd experienced lamb survival and recruitment during 2012-2014; coupled with minor predation losses and a lack of deadly pneumonia, this herd is expected to continue to grow in size.
Effect of plant spacing on yield and rust disease incidence of Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata Sub sp. Sesquipedalis) in Southren transitional zone of Karnataka

The present study was carried out during kharif 2016 and 2017 to determine the effect of plant spacing on pod yield and incidence of rust disease (Uromyces vignae) in Yardlong bean. The treatments includes eight level of spacing (45x30 cm, 45x45 cm, 45x60 cm, 45x75 cm, 60x30 cm, 60x45 cm, 60x60 cm and 60x75 cm) arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Two years pooled data revealed that, the pod yield of Yardlong bean was significantly affected by the interaction of spacing and disease incidence. Significantly higher (15.04 t/ha) and lower pod yields (9.39 t/ha) were recorded with the closer spacing of 45x30 cm and wider spacing of 60x75 cm respectively. Correspondingly, the higher rust incidence (61.64%) was observed in closer spacing (45x30 cm). Whereas, the lower disease incidence of 33.86 per cent was noticed with wider spacing (60x75 cm). Even though higher disease incidence noticed in narrow spacing but the yield was highest due to higher plant population and it shows that pod yield per unit area depended not only on the performance of individual plant and severity of disease but also on the number of plants per unit area.
Allocation of Time and Energy FLEXIBLE TIME BUDGETS IN BREEDING COMMON MURRES: BUFFERS AGAINST VARIABLE PREY ABUNDANCE

We report on a 4-year study of the relationships between parental behavior of Common Murres (Uris aalge) and the relative abundance of their principal prey, capelin (Mallotus villosus), at Witless Bay, Newfoundland. Capelin comprised 89% of the prey fed to rnurre chicks. Capelin abun- dance and the density of their schools, measured with hydroacoustic surveys, varied significantly within and between each of the murre's breeding seasons, by up to IO-fold. Despite this, the feeding rates of chicks (average 0.28 fish chick-' h-l) did not vary significantly between years, and were not depressed by intraseasonal capelin variations. Adult murres compensated for periods of low capelin abundance by taking more of other fish, particularly sandlance (Ammodytes sp.), and by spending more time at sea. Chick survival (average 93%) did not vary significantly between years. Chick feeding rates and parental resting time at the colony were not strongly affected by weather, sea conditions or chick age. We suggest that with moderate prey abundance, variable time budgets of adult murres would buffer the effects of temporal and spatial prey variability so that chick feeding rates would remain relatively constant. Under such conditions chick growth and survival might not reflect food availability.
Effects of fragmentation on the plant functional composition and diversity of remnant woodlands in a young and rapidly expanding city

Questions How do plant functional trait abundance and diversity in urban remnants of a rapidly urbanizing city change with fragmentation? Is there a delayed functional response to fragmentation? Location Thirty remnant Banksia woodlands, Perth, Australia. Methods We used GLMM to examine the effects of remnant age and area, and their interaction, on the relative abundance and functional diversity (FD) of five plant functional traits: growth form, pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient acquisition and regeneration strategies. We then used fourth-corner analysis to examine the influence of a wider set of fragmentation-related factors on trait abundances. Results The functional composition and diversity of Banksia woodlands changed with remnant age, particularly in the smaller remnants. Plants more prone to decline with remnant age were the growth form shrubs, root-clustered trees, herbaceous obligate seeders and understorey species that are insect-pollinated, have seeds dispersal internally by animals and have arbuscular or ericoid mycorrhizas. In contrast, plants more prone to persist were growth forms trees, sedges and rushes, ectomycorrhizal trees, herbaceous resprouters, wind-pollinated and root-clustered understorey species. FD increased with remnant age in the growth forms and overstorey, but declined among the herbaceous and shrub pollination and nutrient acquisition traits. Conclusions Functional traits that consistently signalled the plant community response to fragmentation were growth form, pollination and dispersal. This functional response was largely delayed, suggesting a ″functional extinction debt″, which will lead to a further decline of plants with vulnerable trait states in the future, especially in the small- and medium-sized remnants. Our study illustrates the vulnerability of small remnants to changes in community assembly and ecosystem function due to fragmentation. Furthermore, it exemplifies how a functional trait approach is valuable to understand the impacts of urbanization on remnant plant communities, before local extinctions may occur. Finally, the study shows how cities’ fragmentation history and biogeographic settings provide an important context influencing plant functional responses to urbanization-related processes.
Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaugh) Grown on a Non-Flooded Land Ecosystem

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaughn) stands out as a major Amazonian native fruit with broad market perspective, since it is an exceptional source of ascorbic acid and other antioxidants present in its composition. This study aimed to determine the freeze-dried camu-camu fruit’s bioactive compound characteristics as well as antioxidant, physical and chemical activities. The samples were from the Manaquiri-AM district, non-flooded land ecosystem. Centesimal analyses have ranked camu-camu as a “very low density” food presenting: 91.24% moisture, 7.49% carbohydrates and low protein, lipids, ash, and fiber content values. The energy value showed to be 36.97 kcal. Camu-camu went throught freeze-drying process and parameters pH, Aw, total phenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid content analyses. The values found in this study concerning the antioxidant activity by using DPPH IC50 sequestering method, showed to be 26.70 0.76 µg / mL and the acid ascorbic estimated value is 3.04±0.06 g.100-1. The results demonstrate non-flooded land camu-camu to be able to be used as a natural antioxidant promoting good health as well as contributing to the Amazon region’s folk economy.
Flora of Bokor National Park VII: Thismia bokorensis (Burmanniaceae), a new species representing a new generic record.

The genus Thismia Griffith (1844: 221) of the tribe Thismieae, Burmanniaceae sensu APG IV (2016) or Thismiaceae of other authors, represents one of the most species-rich mycoheterotrophic genera and consists of more than 60 species (Jonker 1948, Merckx 2008). Considering that the majority of these species were collected only once (Jonker 1948), and that many new species have recently been discovered, especially from various Southeast Asian countries (e.g., Tsukaya & Okada 2012, Dancak et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014, 2015, Truong et al. 2014, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Li & Bi 2013, Hrones et al. 2015, Tsukaya et al. 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), many more undescribed species are probably still hidden in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia.
The CRF-R1 regulation of VTA-GABAergic plasticity is suppressed by CB1 receptor inhibition following chronic exposure to ethanol

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) influence learned behaviors and neuropsychiatric diseases including addiction. The stress peptide corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) contributes to relapse to drug and alcohol seeking following withdrawal, although the cellular actions are poorly understood. In this study, we show that presynaptic CRF type 1 receptors (CRF-R1) potentiate GABA release onto mouse VTA dopamine neurons via a PKC-Ca2+ signaling mechanism. In na1ve animals, activation of CRF-R1 by bath application of CRF or ethanol enhanced GABAA inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). Following three days of withdrawal from four weekly cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure, spontaneous IPSC frequency was enhanced while CRF- and ethanol-potentiation of IPSCs was intact. However, withdrawal for 3 weeks or more was associated with reduced spontaneous IPSC frequency and diminished CRF and ethanol responses. Long-term withdrawal was also accompanied by decreased sensitivity to the CB1 receptor agonist WIN55212 as well as greatly enhanced sensitivity to the CB1 antagonist AM-251. Inclusion of BAPTA in the internal recording solution restored the responsiveness to CRF or ethanol and reduced the potentiating actions of AM251. Together, these data suggest that GABAA inhibition of VTA dopamine neurons is regulated by presynaptic actions of CRF and endocannabinoids and that long-term withdrawal from CIE treatment enhances endocannabinoid mediated inhibition, thereby suppressing CRF facilitation of GABA release. Such findings have implications for understanding the impact of chronic alcohol on stress-related, dopamine-mediated alcohol seeking behaviors.
Does Iron Modulate Cytokine Production by Desferrioxamine Treated Mononuclear Cells

Iron is an essential element for maintaining the normal function of cellular and multicellular organisms and it is closely associated with inflammation and immunity. Macrophages and lymphocytes play an important role in its homeostasis. Hereby we have evaluated cytokine production by iron depleted and iron supplemented human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy adult donors. Non-stimulated or stimulated PBMC (lipopolysaccharide-LPS or phorbol-myristate acetate-PMA and ionomycin) were incubated for 24 h without or with desferrioxamine (DFO) and the quantity of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-10 and IL-1ra in the supernatants was evaluated using ELISA kits. In addition, cytokine levels were determined in supernatants of cultures to which DFO was added for 2 h followed by 24 h of incubation with iron. The secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-1ra by non-stimulated PBMC and that of IL-1β by LPS-stimulated cells was dose-dependently enhanced following incubation with increasing concentrations of DFO between 25 and 100 µM. On the other hand LPS-induced production of IL-10 and PMA/ionomycin stimulated IL-2 and IFNγ secretion was dose dependently reduced. The inhibited IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-10 secretion by stimulated PBMC caused by DFO was reversed after incubation with iron at concentrations similar to those in human serum. However, the inhibition of LPS-induced IL-1ra or IL-1β production induced by DFO was not affected by iron supplementation. The results of the study underline the importance of intra and/or extracellular iron concentration and DFO for the release of inflammatory cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Detection and Determination of Bacillus cereus in Cooked Rice and Some Types of Spices with Ribosomal 16SrRNA gene Selected from Iraqi Public Restaurants

Spices can be considered as one of the sources of bacterial food pollution because of spices multiuse, in addition to the manufacturing processing and use, also they considered as one of food contamination reason due to the quantity of microorganisms like spore forming Bacteria such as Bacillus cereus. These road shape bacteria and its spores can move by air fast and easy, B. cereus is indicated to Diarrheal syndrome which linked to Non-hemolytic enterotoxin (NHE). Different kinds of 40 samples of spices was tested and 24 samples of cooked rice which considered as traditional food for wide stratum of Iraqi people from public restaurants located in Baghdad city, spices samples continued high number of B. cereus in spice (Fennel) in high number about 44×105 Cfu g-1 in addition to sample of spice (Kebab) 39×105 Cfu g-1 these numbers are high and unacceptable. As for samples of cooked rice have a fewer numbers of bacteria except one sample had record 4.9×103 Cfu g-1 in winter. But in summer samples had a higher numbers of B. cereus than winter period, some samples continued 14.4×105, 12.3×105 and 1.15×105 Cfu g-1, these numbers are high and in this case can cause the diarrheal syndrome. Due to morphological and biochemical studies, these isolates are belong to B. cereus. After proceeding molecular biology and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Ribosomal 16SrRNA gene-specific for these isolates, where tests are positive for 15 isolates of 64 selected isolates from spices and cooked rice, results showed these isolates are toxigenic
The cJUN NH2-terminal kinase pathway in mammary gland biology and carcinogenesis

The cJUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway responds to environmental stresses and participates in many cellular processes, including cell death, survival, proliferation, migration, and genome maintenance. Importantly, genes that encode components of the JNK signaling pathway are frequently mutated in human breast cancer, but the functional consequence of these mutations in mammary carcinogenesis is unclear. Anoikis – suspension-induced apoptosis – has been implicated in oncogenic transformation and tumor cell metastasis. Anoikis also contributes to lumen formation during mammary gland development and epithelial cell clearance during post-lactational involution. JNK is known to contribute to certain forms of cell death, but the role of JNK during anoikis was unclear. I examined the requirement of JNK in anoikis and discovered that JNK promotes cell death by transcriptional and post-translational regulation of pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins. This conclusion suggested that JNK signaling may contribute to mammary gland remodeling during involution. Indeed, JNK deficiency in mammary epithelial cells disrupted the remodeling program of gene expression and delayed involution. Finally, I sought to understand the importance of JNK in mammary carcinogenesis. I found that JNK loss in the mammary epithelium was sufficient for genomic instability and tumor formation. Moreover, JNK loss in a model of breast cancer resulted in significantly accelerated tumor development. Collectively, these studies advance our understanding of the JNK pathway and
SGLT1 in Pancreatic a Cells Regulates Glucagon Secretion in Mice, Possibly Explaining the Distinct Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Plasma Glucagon Levels

A recent report described that sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1 and 2 were expressed in α cells, and dapagliflozin which is a specific SGLT2 inhibitor, increased plasma glucagon levels by inhibiting SGLT2 in α cells. However, it is still controversial whether SGLT2 inhibitors increase plasma glucagon levels in vivo . Here, we showed that dapagliflozin, but not canagliflozin which is a SGLT2/low-potency-SGLT1 inhibitor, increased plasma glucagon levels in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) and diabetic db/db mice. A glucose clamp study revealed that the plasma glucagon increase associated with dapagliflozin could be explained as a response to acute declines in blood glucose. RT-PCR and whole RNA sequencing revealed that SGLT1 and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), but not SGLT2, were expressed in αTC1 cells and mouse islets. We showed that canagliflozin suppressed glucagon secretion by inhibiting SGLT1 in α cells; consequently, plasma glucagon did not increase with canagliflozin, even though blood glucose declined. We also showed that the SGLT1 effect on glucagon secretion depended on sodium/glucose cotransport, but not on metabolic effect of glucose. Islets from HFHSD and db/db mice displayed higher SGLT1 expression and lower GLUT1 expression than the islets from control mice. These expression levels were associated with glucagon secretion levels. Furthermore, SGLT1 inhibitor and siRNA against SGLT1 suppressed glucagon secretion in isolated islets. These data suggested that a novel mechanism regulated glucagon secretion, through SGLT1, in α cells. This finding explained the distinct effects of dapagliflozin and canagliflozin on plasma glucagon levels in mice. Disclosure T. Suga: None. O. Kikuchi: None. M. Kobayashi: None. S. Matsui: None. H.H. Hashimoto: None. T. Sasaki: None. S. Kakizaki: None. M. Yamada: None. T. Kitamura: None.
Between-year changes in community composition shape species' roles in an Arctic plant-pollinator network

Inter‐annual turnover in community composition can affect the richness and functioning of ecological communities. If incoming and outgoing species do not interact with the same partners, ecological functions such as pollination may be disrupted. Here, we explore the extent to which turnover affects species’ roles – as defined based on their participation in different motifs positions – in a series of temporally replicated plant–pollinator networks from high‐Arctic Zackenberg, Greenland. We observed substantial turnover in the plant and pollinator assemblages, combined with significant variation in species’ roles between networks. Variation in the roles of plants and pollinators tended to increase with the amount of community turnover, although a negative interaction between turnover in the plant and pollinator assemblages complicated this trend for the roles of pollinators. This suggests that increasing turnover in the future will result in changes to the roles of plants and likely those of pollinators. These changing roles may in turn affect the functioning or stability of this pollination network.