Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Niacin supplementation improves growth performance and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle

Abstract In the present study, the effect of niacin supplementation on the growth performance and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle was investigated. A total of 48 finishing male Jinjiang cattle aged 24–30 months, with body weights of 200 ± 15 kg, were randomly divided into four groups. The cattle were fed a finishing diet (concentrate to forage ratio of 80:20). The diets for the control, NA320, NA480 and NA640 groups were supplemented with 0, 320, 480 or 640 mg/kg of niacin, respectively. The body weight and feed consumption of the 48 cattle were recorded on days 1, 28, and 56 of the experiment. Assessment of feed digestibility was conducted from days 52 to 56 of the study. Blood samples were collected from each animal on day 56. From days 1 to 56 of the study, the results indicated a significant increase in the average daily weight gains (p < .05) and lower feed to gain ratios (p < .05) for the NA480 and NA640 groups than for the control group. Furthermore, supplementation with 640 mg/kg niacin increased the apparent digestibility of all nutrients (p < .05), whereas supplementation with 480 mg/kg niacin enhanced the apparent digestibility of crude protein (p < .05). Moreover, supplementation with 480 and 640 mg/kg niacin increased the content of serum nonesterified fatty acids (p < .05). Therefore, it was concluded that supplementation with 640 mg/kg niacin in a high-concentrate diet may be beneficial to growth and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle.
Genome-wide identification of functional tRNA-derived fragments in Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 brain

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) have been linked previously to the development of various diseases, such as cancer and viral infection. However, tRFs seem also related to brain aging and related diseases, especially Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. RNA sequencing, a state-of-the-art technology, has allowed for investigation of tRFs in this field. In this study, we investigated the changes of tRFs in the brains of a senescence-accelerated mouse model, senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), that show age-dependent deficits in learning and memory; and a control model, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1), with normal aging, both at 7 months of age. A total of 570 tRF transcripts were discovered. Among these transcripts, 8, including 3 upregulated and 5 downregulated transcripts, were differentially expressed in the SAMP8 mice. Then, we obtained 110 potential target genes in a miRNA-like pattern. GO survey implicated these target genes in the function of various aspects, e.g. postsynaptic density (GO: 0014069). Furthermore, we assessed in detail those tRFs whose miRNA-like pattern was most likely to affect the progression of either Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, such as AS-tDR-011775 acting on Mobp and Park2. In fact, we found the tRFs to be involved in the regulation of gene expression by means other than the miRNA-like pattern. Therefore, these 8 dysregulated tRFs may hold consequences far into the future and can be attractive biomarkers and valid targets. In brief, our study is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis on tRFs in SAMP8 mouse brain, and this breakthrough identified promising new targets for preventing the age-related changes of brain and the therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Assessment of fibroblast growth factor receptor cancer-associated mutations and characterisation of endocrine signalling complexes

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signalling is frequently deregulated in cancers, developmental syndromes and metabolic diseases. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) family of RTKs have pleiotropic roles in development, metabolism and tissue homeostasis. A decade of deep sequencing studies has led to the discovery of somatic cancer-associated alterations in FGFRs including point mutations, gene fusions and amplifications. Missense substitutions appear most frequently in FGFR3 and FGFR2, some of which have been implicated as oncogenic drivers. This has led to rapid progress in anti-FGFR therapies. This work compares and analyses twenty five reported FGFR kinase domain (KD) variants using FGFR3 as a model. Kinase activity assays were developed to screen missense substitutions in vitro using purified FGFR3 KD proteins. It was found that hyperactive mutations did not necessarily occur frequently and conversely, frequently occurring mutation 'hotspots' were not necessarily kinase hyperactive. Cellular models of FGFR mutations suggested that hyperactive mutants activated signalling but did not always transform cells. Investigations into the ligand binding characteristics of a subset of activating mutants revealed mutation specific signatures of binding properties. However, there appeared to be no link between KD activity and stability. These results reinforce the importance of screening clinical tumours prior to treatment to provide better data-driven therapies for patients. Endocrine FGFR signalling was also explored in this work. Klotho family proteins bind to specific FGFs and FGFRs to signal through endocrine signalling complexes regulating diverse metabolic activities. This work developed and optimised methods to express and purify components of these binary and ternary signalling complexes. Preliminary biophysical experiments were then performed to begin to understand the protein-protein interactions involved in complex formation. This will inform the rational design of therapies already in development for targeting deregulated endocrine FGFR signalling in various metabolic disorders and cancer.
Utilization of cinnamon Cinnamomum burmannii leaves and shrimp head in the feed on growth performance of catfish Pangasianodon hypopthalmus

ABSTRACTCatfish farming has confronted with the problem of slow growth to reach the fillet size and less tender of fish fillets. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cinnamon leaf flour and shrimp head flour in formulated diets on growth of catfish Pangasianodon hypopthalamus. Catfish with an initial weight of 207.04 ± 2.70 g/fish reared in 12 cages with a dimension of 2×1×1.5 m3 (L×W×H) and its fish density was 15 fishes for 60 days. Fish were fed with following experimental diets: (1) Control; (2) cinnamon leaf (1%) (CL); (3) 45% of protein source from shrimp head (SH); (4) CL+SH mix. The fishes fed twice a day with feeding rate 3.5% of fish biomass. The study found that the use of cinnamon leaf and shrimp head increased the specific growth rate 1.67-1.70%, the feed efficiency 57.55-57.67%, and protein retention 55.61% compared to its control (P<0.05). Triglyceride level, cholesterol, and blood HDL were 416.00-524.05 mg/dL, 139.65-156.68 mg/dL, 73.18-103.70 mg/dL (P>0.05), respectively. HSI value ranged between 0.3-1.9% compared to its control (P<0.05). Keywords: Cinnamomum burmannii, feed, growth, Pangasianodon hypopthalmus, shrimp head. ABSTRAKBudidaya ikan patin dihadapkan pada permasalahan pertumbuhan dan kualitas daging yaitu pertumbuhan yang lambat untuk mencapai ukuran fillet serta tekstur daging kurang kompak. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji pengaruh penggunaan tepung daun kayu manis dan tepung kepala udang dalam pakan terhadap pertumbuhan ikan patin Pangasianodon hypopthalmus. Ikan patin dengan bobot 207,04 ± 2,70 g/ekordipelihara selama 60 hari di hapa sebanyak 12 buah (berukuran 2×1×1,5 m3)dengan padat tebar 15 ekor/jaring. Ikan diberi pakan perlakuan yang terdiri dari: (1) Kontrol; (2) daun kayu manis 1% (DKM); (3) 45% sumber protein dari kepala udang (TKU); dan (4) campuran DKM+TKU. Pemberian pakan sebanyak 2 kali sehari dengan feeding rate 3,5% dari biomassa ikan. Hasil dari penelitian penggunaan daun kayu manis dan kepala udang meningkatkan nilai laju pertumbuhan harian 1,67-1,70%, efisiensi pakan 57,55-57,67% dan retensi protein 55,61% dibanding kontrol (P<0,05). Kadar trigliserida, kolesterol, dan HDL darah berturut-turut adalah 416,00-524,05 mg/dL, 139,65-156,68 mg/dL, 73,18-103,70 mg/dL (P>0,05). Nilai HSI ikan patin berkisar antara 0,3-1,9% dibanding kontrol (P<0,05). Kata kunci: Cinnamomum burmannii, kepala udang, pakan, Pangasianodon hypopthalmus, pertumbuhan.
Mixing Dynamics in Double-Diffusive Convective Stratified Fluid Layers

Double-diffusive convection in a linearly stratified fluid in the presence of radiative cooling at the surface has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The stratification strength, which was varied in the experiments, is characterized by the buoyancy frequency of a stable environment defined as N 2 = (g/ρ 0 )/(dρ/d z ). The surface radiative cooling mimics buoyancy forcing incumbent at the surface of the ocean during the boreal winter months. The significant parameters governing the mixing dynamics for such a system were identified to be the Richardson number (Ri) and flux Rayleigh number (Ra f ). Controlled experiments were performed for Ri = 0–6, while maintaining a constant Ra f = 2.58 x 10 7 . This indicates that the stratification strength N was changed while the cooling flux Q was fixed. The mixing and barrier layers were visualized using a commercial dye solution. The thickness of the mixing layer was quantified from the flow evolution images. It was found that the mixing layer decays exponentially with increase in the stratification strength owing to suppression of downward convective motion due to the buoyancy force. A similar trend was observed for the entrainment velocity. A scaling law was proposed as follows: Δ = CRi –3/4 , where Δ is the mixing layer depth and C is a constant. The experimental results were compared with theoretical analysis and reasonable agreement was found. The results would be useful in parameterizing the mixing and barrier layers in strongly stratified environments such as the Bay of Bengal.
Single molecule imaging reveals the concerted release of myosin from regulated thin filaments

Regulated thin filaments (RTFs) tightly control striated muscle contraction through calcium binding to troponin, which in turn shifts the position of tropomyosin on actin to expose myosin binding sites. The binding of the first myosin holds tropomyosin in a position such that more myosin binding sites on actin are available, resulting in cooperative activation. Troponin and tropomyosin also act to turn off the thin filament; however, this is antagonized by the high local concentration of myosin, questioning how the thin filament relaxes. To provide molecular details of deactivation we use the RTF tightrope assay, in which single RTFs are suspended between pedestals above a microscope coverslip surface. Single molecule imaging of GFP tagged myosin-S1 (S1-GFP) is used to follow the activation of RTF tightropes. In sub-maximal activation conditions, S1-GFP molecules bind forming metastable clusters, from which release and rebinding of S1-GFP leads to prolonged activation in these regions. Because the RTFs are not fully active we are able to directly observe deactivation in real time. Using a Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo model we are able to dynamically assess the fate of active regions. This analysis reveals that myosin binding occurs in a stochastic stepwise fashion; however, an unexpectedly large probability of multiple simultaneous detachments is observed. This suggests that deactivation of the thin filament is a coordinated, active process.
Study on termite damage to different species of tree seedlings in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

A high density of termite mounds is common in the Maki-Batu area of the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. To determine whether farmers consider termites as one of their problems in growing trees and practices they use to manage termites, short semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to farmers selected randomly. To evaluate the efficacy of some non-chemical control methods, Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings of five months were transplanted from nursery beds at two experimental sites. The seedlings were planted in three blocks each containing 6 treatments with 3 replicates laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were: wood ash, cow dung, maize stalk, wood ash + cow dung + maize stalk, Untreated/control and Diazinon 60% EC applied at 2 l/ha as spray on the soil surface and a soil pit drench as a standard check. Plant mortality assessment was recorded once every month for one year. Mortality data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SAS at 5% probability level. To find out the impact of termites on tree seedlings after transplanting in the area, mortality assessment was conducted at five sites on 11 species of tree seedlings transplanted from nursery beds. Termite damage on the seedlings was recorded once every month. After 12 months, seedlings of each plant species damaged during each month were summed and results were computed as percentages. To assess farmers’ perceptions of termites as pests, unstructured questionnaires were distributed to 64 farmers randomly selected. Eucalyptus seedling mortality was very low and there was no significant difference among the treatments (P > 0.05) except at one site in which wood ash + manure + maize stover showed higher mortality. Seventy-eight percent of the farmers mentioned that they had planted tree seedlings for different purposes and 72% of them considered termites as the major cause of seedling mortality. Although, higher density of Macroterems termite mounds were found in the area and most farmers considered termites as one of the major constraints in growing tree seedlings, this study showed very low termite damage to the tree seedlings studied for one year after transplanting. Key words: Eucalyptus, farmer, Maki-Batu, mortality, pest.
Parasitism of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Southern Pakistan

Abstract Larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) cause severe economic loss to crucifer vegetables in Pakistan. Studies were conducted from 2007 to 2010 to identify and assess the abundance of parasitoids attacking P. xylostella in commercial, insecticide-treated cauliflower fields in southern Pakistan. In total, 6 parasitoid species were found attacking larvae and pupae of P. xylostella. These included the larval parasitoid Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae); Cotesia sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae); Diadegma sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae); a larval-pupal parasitoid Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); a pupal parasitoid Diadromus collaris Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae); and a pupal parasitoid, Brachymeria excarinata Gahan (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). Cotesia plutellae provided 2.3 to 52.2% parasitism, followed by O. sokolowskii with 2.1 to 6.7% parasitism. The average parasitism caused by Cotesia sp. was < 5%. The remaining parasitoids were scarce with < 0.5% parasitism. Additional studies on parasitism by O. sokolowskii showed that there was a significant positive correlation between P. xylostella pupal weight and the number of parasitoids emerging from a pupa. More than 50% of P. xylostella parasitized pupae supported 6 to 10 O. sokolowskii adults per pupa. Efforts should be undertaken to preserve these natural enemies through cultural practices and the use of soft insecticides to allow them to function more effectively in an integrated pest management program.
Young inhabitants of the North with late chronotype and social jetlag consume more high-calorie foods and alcohol

Abstract Previous research has shown a high prevalence of late chronotype and social jetlag (SJL) among young northerners. These traits are also associated with unhealthy food preferences and greater alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among characteristics of the sleep–wake rhythm and dietary preferences of young residents of the North. The study involved 282 participants from the Komi Republic (53.2% female) aged 18.9 ± 2.8 years old. Participants were asked to provide personal data and to complete two questionnaires: the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Females reported consuming 1.3 times more oils and fats than boys. Rural residents reported consuming 1.7 times more alcohol than urban residents. University students reported consuming 5.4 times more alcohol than secondary school students, but secondary school students consumed 1.6 and 1.5 times more meat and fruits, respectively. Participants with late chronotype reported consuming more alcohol, and those with a shorter duration of sleep reported consuming more tea and coffee. Respondents with SJL consumed more fats, oils, meat, and alcohol. The results indicate that unhealthy dietary habits of young northerners are more closely associated with SJL than with chronotype or the duration of sleep.
Clicks of dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima)

Captive acoustic recordings were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of South Florida. Research in The Bahamas was conducted under the Department of Fisheries research permit 12A and was supported by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship to VMJ. Recordings in Guam were made under NMFS permit 15240 and were supported with funding provided by the NOAA/NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, and the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet.
Neuroprotection by Montelukast against Rotenone-Induced Rat Brain Damage

Montelukast is a cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonist used in asthma prophylaxis. In this study, the effect of montelukast (10 or 20 mg/kg) on neuronal damage and oxidative stress induced in the rat brain by rotenone was examined. Rats were treated with rotenone subcutaneously at 1.5 mg/kg every other day alone or along with montelukast. The control group received the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The results showed that compared with the vehicle-treated group, rotenone resulted in increased brain lipid peroxidation by 84.5% as assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Nitric oxide increased by 77.4% while reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decreased by 37.7% and 68.6%, respectively. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) significantly decreased by 34.6%, 68%, and 75.2%, respectively, after rotenone injection. Rotenone caused neurodegenerative changes in the cerebral cortex and substantia nigra. The administration of montelukast along with rotenone decreased MDA by 34.1–53.6%, nitric oxide by 51.6–64.7%, increased GSH content by 20.7–65.8%, and increased TAC by 109.6–156.2%. SOD activity increased by 50–62.5%, PON-1 activity by 161.1–203.7%, and BChE activity by 135.3–274.3% compared with respective rotenone control values. The rotenone-induced neuronal damage was ameliorated dose-dependently by montelukast. These results indicate that montelukast exerts a neuroprotective effect in the rotenone model of neurotoxicity. The neuroprotective action of montelukast is likely to involve an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress and nitric oxide. It is suggested that montelukast could be of value in the adjunctive treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 M and HA segments sequences from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The influenza virus is one of the most critical viruses in epidemiology. The 2009 pandemic was caused by a reassortment of the human–avian–swine virus with eight RNA segments responsible for all virus proteins. Segment 7 codifies for matrix proteins M1 and M2. These proteins exhibited low mutation rate because the matrix is fundamental for virion encapsidation and ion channel formation. However, hemagglutinin (HA) segment 4 is one of the most important segments for virulence and hence, is more studied. Brazil had many influenza virus infection cases just before 2009 and from 2011 to 2015, particularly in the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State. Two hundred samples obtained during the pandemic were used for amplification and sequencing of the viral genome; a total of 19 M and 17 HA amplified segments were sequenced. Sequencing of the M fragment showed that RS has a virus origin different from that in Eastern Asia, Western Europe, USA, and Central America (Mexico and Nicaragua). All the sequences showed amantadine resistance (S31N) and one was out of the phylogenetic tree (Brazil/RS-3335/2009) due to high mutation rate. RS-3335 was the only sample obtained from a patient who died. Many migratory birds that flock to RS are from Europe, Asia, and USA, which could explain this rate of mutation. Insertions and deletions were found in the M1 protein in these samples. The HA sequences showed worldwide spread and less diversity than the M sequences in this study. The most divergent sample was Brazil/RS-3093/2009 that showed mutations in the sialic acid ligation site.
A Comparison of Adolescent and Adult Circadian Rhythms Using Reaction Time and Physiological Measures

Research has shown that adolescents have a circadian phase shift for later sleep onset time with increasing pubertal maturation (Carskadon, 1999). The purpose of this study was to compare adolescents to adults using reaction times, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse at scheduled intervals throughout one night where subjects were required to stay awake all night. The subjects were nine adolescent high school students and nine adult college students. Each group completed the Denver Fatigue Inventory five times throughout the night. The Denver Fatigue Inventory measures reaction times and cognitive performances and is correlated to stages of sleep. Multivariate analysis of variance did not indicate significant differences among the conditions. Physiological measures were also recorded for each participant four times throughout the night. Analysis of physiological variables showed that temperature declined over the course of the night for both groups. Also, pulse rates were significantly higher in adults than adolescents throughout the night. Multivariate analysis of variance did not indicate significant interaction effects among these conditions. These results are discussed in relation to the implications of adolescent sleep cycles on performance and methodological considerations.
Landmark Versus Ultrasound-Guided Subclavian Central Venous Catheterization with a Combined Short and Long Axis Approach in an Intensive Care Setting

Abstract Introduction. Central venous catheterization of the subclavian vein can be achieved with a landmark and an ultrasound-guided method. Using ultrasound the vein can be catheterized with a long axis in plane or a short axis out of plane approach and a combined approach. The aim of the study was to compare the success, average number of attempts and mechanical complication rate between the landmark and the combined ultrasound-guided method. Methods. A total of 162 adult patients from the Intensive Care Unit at Clinical Hospital Acibadem-Sistina, Skopje were included in this prospective study. Patients randomized in the examined group (n=71) were catheterized with real-time ultrasound guidance with a combined short axis out of plane and long axis in plane method. Patients randomized in the control group (n=91) were catheterized with the landmark method. Subclavian vein was catheterized in both groups. Overall success, success on first attempt, number of attempts and complications at the moment of catheterization were the main outcome measures. Results. Catheterization using the landmark method was successful in 94.5% of patients, 65.9% of which during the first attempt. Cannulation using real-time ultrasound guidance was successful in all patients with a first pas success of 83.1%. The complication rate in the ultrasound group was 2.82% and 16.5% in the landmark group (p=0.004404). Conclusion. Real-time ultrasound guidance with a combined short axis out of plane and long axis in plane approach improves success, decreases number of attempts, and reduces mechanical complications rate.