Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the function of the SA gene by gene targeting

The SA gene encodes a 578 amino acid protein of unknown function. Its main sites of expression are the kidney and liver with lower levels of expression in the brain and testes. SA was first identified as a candidate gene for hypertension and blood pressure regulation due to its increased expression in the kidneys of genetically hypertensive compared with normotensive rats. In F2 crosses between these strains the SA allele from the hypertensive strain co-segregated with increased blood pressure. The aim of the work undertaken in this thesis was to investigate the function of the SA gene by gene targeting in the mouse and to assess any possible involvement of the SA protein in BP homeostasis. We utilised ES cell technology to generate a mouse model carrying a null mutation of the SA gene. Mice lacking the protein product of the SA gene are viable, reproductively normal and have no overt phenotype. Body weight and kidney, liver and heart weights are not affected by the absence of the SA protein. Comparison of basal blood pressures (BP) revealed no differences between SA-null and wildtype littermate controls in either male or female mice. Exposure of male mice to a high salt diet caused an increase in BP in wildtype mice. However in SA-null mice no effect of salt intake on BP was observed. It therefore appears that absence of the SA protein may offer some protection against a sodium induced rise in BP. The mechanism for this remains to be elucidated but may include an involvement of the SA protein in sodium retention. Administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to female wildtype mice caused no increase in BP. However in SA-null mice BP was increased in response to DHT administration implying a protective effect of SA against a DHT induced rise in BP. These finding provide for the first time direct evidence of the involvement of the SA protein in BP regulations under certain conditions.
A calcium-responsive kinase induces the acute-to-chronic lifestyle switch in "Pseudomonas aeruginosa"

Virulence of pathogenic bacteria is a highly controlled process to facilitate invasion and survival in host tissues. While many of the regulatory pathways controlling virulence behavior have been defined in detail, information about host signals modulating these processes is still scarce. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes acute and chronic infections in humans and is the leading cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Disease progression is typically associated with the loss of acute virulence and the emergence of biofilms and chronic behavior. This acute-to-chronic switch is governed by the global Gac/Rsm pathway, which assembles around the central Gac two-component system and several associated sensor histidine kinases. The signal(s) and mechanisms involved in Gac/Rsm activation and induction of chronic behavior are not known. Using a newly developed Gac/Rsm-responsive dual reporter system we show that calcium stimulates the signaling cascade via the action of the Gac-associated hybrid histidine kinase LadS. Specific activation of LadS by calcium ions depends on its histidine kinase activity and on the periplasmic DISMED2 sensor domain. Our data suggest that calcium sensing by LadS evolved as an adaptation to the opportunistic behavior of P. aeruginosa. Consistent with a role for LadS in chronic infections, most clinical isolates from CF airways remain calcium-responsive during decades of evolution in the human host. We propose that elevated calcium levels in host tissue acts as trigger to induce the acute-to-chronic virulence switch during persistent P. aeruginosa infections. By establishing calcium signaling in host-pathogen interaction these results add to a growing body of evidence indicating that calcium signaling plays an important role not only in eukaryotic but also in prokaryotic cells.
Report on the life colouration of the enigmatic burrowing skink Voeltzkowia rubrocaudata (Grandidier, 1869) from southwestern Madagascar

Voeltzkowia is a monophyletic genus ofburrowing skinks endemic to Madagascar. The fossorial habits of these species make them hard to see and study, and witness their life history traits. During two herpetological surveys in south- western Madagascar (in 2009 and 201 1) we found several Voeltzkowia rubrocaudata individuals in a corn plantation, a habitat that differs from the forested habitat reported in the literature. Life colouration for this shy scincid is described for the first time.
Methane Production Potential of Fruit and Vegetable Wastes In Vitro

The main aim of this study was to assess the methane production potential and nutritional worth of fruit and vegetable wastes (FVWs) as livestock feed by in-vitro/in-sacco techniques. The selected FVWs [cabbage leaves (CabLs), cauliflower leaves (CauLs), empty pea pods (PPs), sarson saag waste (SSW) and fruit juice waste without peels (FJW)] were rich in protein varying from 14.6% (SSW) to 20% (CabLs); and EE varying between 2.2% (CauLs) to 3.2% (PPs). The SSW had the highest and CauLs had the lowest amount of cell wall components. The net gas production (NGP) was the highest (P<0.01) from FJW followed by pea pods and lowest in CauL. The methane production expressed either as percent in NGP, as ml/100mg DM or as ml/100mg digestible OM at t½ was the highest (P<0.01) in pea pods and lowest in CauLs and CabLs. The digestibility of NDF and true OM in CabLs was comparable with that of FJW, CauLs and peapods, but significantly higher than SSW. The availability of ME was highest from FJW (11.7 MJ/kg DM) followed by that from PPs and lowest was observed in CauLs (7.73 MJ/kg DM). Amongst the FVW evaluated, the total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) and individual VFA production were observed to be significantly higher from FJW, followed by SSW and CauLs and lowest was from that of pea pods. The acetate: propionate ratio varied significantly from 3.3 (CabLs, SSW and FJW) to 4.05 (CauLs). The digestion kinetics parameters of DM, CP and NDF revealed that the degradation rate (except that of NDF), effective degradability, true digestibility, potential and apparent extent of digestion were observed to be significantly higher in FJW and SSW; and lowest values of these parameters were observed in CabLs. Reverse but significant trend was observed with respect to rumen fill values, which is inversely proportional to potential voluntary DM intake. The results conclusively revealed that amongst the tested FVWs, sarson saag waste and fruit juice waste followed by cauliflower leaves and pea pods have great potential as livestock feed and can serve as alternate feed resources for livestock and can supplement or replace the costly feedstuffs.
Intertidal communities differ between breakwaters and natural rocky areas on ice-scoured Northwest Atlantic coasts

This is the first study of the ecological significance of rocky breakwaters as habitat for intertidal biota in marine environments that freeze in winter. Percent cover of intertidal seaweeds and invertebrates was quantified on exposed (high wave action and winter ice scour) and sheltered sides of 18 breakwaters (>5 yr old) and compared with 18 natural rocky intertidal areas along 430 km of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence coast (Atlantic Canada) in the summer of 2010. Sheltered areas of breakwaters differed from natural rocky shores in having lower biotic richness and total abundance. However, these indices were not significantly different between habitat types for exposed areas. Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences in community composition between breakwaters and natural rocky shores in both sheltered and exposed areas. Ulva spp. (U. intestinalis and U. lactuca), Hildenbrandia rubra, and Mytilus edulis (exposed areas only) were more abundant on breakwaters than on natural rocky shores, while Semibalanus balanoides, Calothrix spp. , Fucus spp. , Chordaria flagelliformis (exposed areas only), and Ascophyllum nodosum (sheltered areas only) were less abundant on breakwaters. Our study shows that breakwaters from marine shores affected by winter sea ice support substantially different biotic communities than natural rocky intertidal areas. Thus, the findings of this study provide vital information for management decisions related to habitat loss and compensation when the coastal landscape is altered through the construction of breakwaters.
Effect of spacing on growth, flowering and corm production of gladiolus ( Gladiolus sp .) cv. American Beauty

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant density on growth, flowering corm and cormel production of gladiolus (Gladiolus sp.) cv. American Beauty at the farm of the Department of Horticulture, C.C. R (P.G.) College, Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications and three spacing's viz. S1 (40cm x 20cm), S2 (30cm x 40cm) and S3 (40cm x 40cm). The observations were recorded for various vegetative, floral and corm parameters. Maximum germination percentage (86.71%), plant height (105.66cm) and number of leaves per plant (8.01), number of days taken for initiation of spike (94.13 days), number of spikes per plant (0.96), length of spike (81.56cm ), number of florets per spike (17.86) and duration of flowering (18.54 days) was found with 30cm x 40cm spacing (S2). However, number of corms per plant (1.31), number of cormels per plant (21.56), weight of corms per plant (57.68g), weight of cormels per plant (36.43g) was found maximum with 40cm x 40cm spacing (S3) which was at par with S2, whereas, yield of corms and cormels per plot (3.18) was found maximum with 40cm x 20cm spacing (S1). Hence, 30cm x 40cm spacing can be recommended for the commercial cultivation of gladiolus.
The Impact of Vitamin B6 Deficiency on the Angiogenic Response to Ischemia In Vivo and In Vitro

B vitamins are of interest in preventative and protective strategies in cardiovascular disease. However, the safety and efficacy of B vitamins has been questioned. Previous research from this group has demonstrated that B6 supplementation alone or in combination with folic acid and B12 reduces angiogenic response. This study determined the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the angiogenic response after ischemia in vivo and in vitro using a rodent model. Results indicated that vitamin B6 deficiency enhanced the early angiogenic response by increasing blood flow in vivo after an ischemic event. In vitro measurements demonstrated that vitamin B6 deficiency influenced endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function and angiogenic growth factor release early after ischemia. In conclusion, B6 deficiency appears to have a modest effect on increasing blood flow and angiogenic markers after ischemia. Additional research is needed to further characterize the impact of lowered vitamin B6 on angiogenesis and its mechanisms.
Avaliacao de mudas de beterraba em funcao do substrato e do tipo de bandeja

Visando avaliar o efeito de tres substratos, Plantimax, Mogimax, Gioplanta, e bandejas de poliestireno expandido com 128 e 200 celulas, na producao de mudas de beterraba da cultivar “Early Wonder”, realizou-se um experimento no periodo de abril a maio de 1998 em Piracicaba- SP. A avaliacao foi realizada 40 dias apos a semeadura e as variaveis estudas foram altura da planta, comprimento do sistema radicular, massa seca total, massa seca da parte aerea, massa seca de raiz e determinada a razao entre a massa seca da parte aerea e a massa seca das raizes (RPAR). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, com 4 repeticoes. Em todas as variaveis estudas foi observada diferenca significativa para substratos e recipientes. Para massa seca da parte aerea, massa seca total e RPAR foram observadas interacoes significativas entre tipo de substrato e bandeja. Plantimax e Mogimax mostraram-se superiores para maioria dos parâmetros avaliados. A bandeja com 128 celulas proporcionou a producao de mudas de melhor qualidade, com maior acumulo de massa seca, quando comparada as mudas produzidas em bandejas de 200 celulas, sendo a mais indicada para producao de mudas de beterraba.
Spatial autocorrelation and statistical tests in ecology

Abstract The presence of positive spatial autocorrelation in ecological data causes parametric statistical tests to give more apparently significant results than the data justify, which is a serious problem for both statistical and ecological interpretation. In this paper, we review this problem and some of the statistical approaches that have been used to address it, concentrating on statistical methods rather than on sampling or experimental design. We then describe in more detail the technique of adjusting the “effective sample size” based on the autocorrelation structure of the data. Unfortunately, the effective sample size cannot be reliably estimated from the data, and therefore this approach may not be a general solution to the problem. An alternative approach is to determine a parametric model of the data and its spatial autocorrelation structure, and then to use a Monte Carlo approach to generate the distribution of the test statistic of interest using that model. We suggest that this latter approach should be used in situations in which no robust analytically derived solution is available.
A comparative study of lesions caused by different parasite stages of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) in the skins of naturally infested taurine and zebuine hosts. The correlation of tick resistence with mast cell counts in the host's skin

Biopsias de pele lesada por larvas, ninfas e femeas engurgitadas de Boophilus microplus foram colhidas de cinco Bos taurus da raca Holandesa e de cinco Bos indicus da raca Gir, adquiridos na mesma propriedade, com aproximadamente 23 meses de idade, e colocados em convivencia no mesmo pasto durante 90 dias que precederam este ensaio. O grau de susceptibilidade ao acaro foi estimado previamente, sendo os zebuinos cerca de 15 vezes mais resistentes que os taurinos. As biopsias foram colhidas de modo que o parasito ficasse localizado no centro do fragmento de pele. Essas pecas foram fixadas em formalina a 10 por cento durante 24 h e processadas pelos metodos usuais em histologia seguindo-se a coloracao pela tecnica da Hematoxilin-Eosin ou do "tricromico" de Masson. Nao foram constatadas diferencas morfologicas que pudessem ser relacionadas aos diferentes graus de resistencia ao parasito entre os taurinos e zebuinos. Biopsias foram colhidas de zonas nao lesadas, na regiao da virilha dos cinco taurinos e dos cinco zebuinos, fixadas em subacetato de chumbo a 1 por cento em solucao de etanol 50 por cento, contendo 1 por cento de acido acetico, por 24 h. A seguir os fragmentos foram processados pelas tecnicas usuais em histologia e corados pelo metodo do azul de toluidina 0,1 por cento. Os mastocitos foram contados comparativamente em 80 campos microscopicos, em aumento de 100 vezes. Os resultados mostram que os zebuinos tem mais que o dobro do numero de mastocitos dermicos quando comparado com o encontrado nos taurinos. Esses resultados sugerem que os mastocitos dermicos possam, pelo menos em parte, participar dos mecanismos de resistencia dos bovinos ao Boophilus microplus
Investigation of the gallbladder host environment and small rnas in the pathobiology of campylobacter jejuni sheep abortion clone ia 3902

Campylobacter jejuni is an important zoonotic agent that is the leading cause of both human foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, as well as ovine abortion in the United States. In particular, a single C. jejuni sheep abortion clone, of which IA 3902 is a prototypical isolate, has recently emerged as the dominant causative agent of sheep abortion due to Campylobacter sp. in the U.S. and has been increasingly identified in human outbreaks of disease. Multi-omics approaches to studying this hypervirulent strain have shown that it is remarkably similar to other common strains of C. jejuni such as 11168 that do not show the same ability to cause systemic clinical disease. Further work to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that allow for small changes in genomic structure to lead to large changes in virulence ability in this important zoonotic agent is warranted. A number of studies have demonstrated that the gallbladder of ruminants, as well as other domestic animal species, is often positive on culture for Campylobacter sp. following oral exposure, suggesting that this environment may serve as a chronic nidus of infection for maintenance of disease within populations. By utilizing a unique in vivo model of gallbladder infection, the work conducted within this dissertation has allowed identification of the preferred location of C. jejuni IA 3902 within the gallbladder host environment as well as demonstrated putative host factors that may play a role in its localization to that site. In addition, by utilizing emerging RNA sequencing technology, we were able to determine numerous protein coding genes and non-coding RNAs that were differentially expressed following exposure to the in vivo gallbladder host environment. One of these identified non-coding RNAs, CjNC110, was selected for further study. Inactivation of the CjNC110 non-coding RNA in IA 3902 allowed
Isolation and Study of the Antibiotic Resistance Properties of Shigella Species in Meat and Meat Products

Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella flexneri are the causative agents of gastric infections in human. These bacteria have been known as a causative agent of food poisoning in human. The present study was carried out in order to isolate Shigella species and detect S. dysenteriae and S. flexneri in meat and meat product samples presented in Isfahan province, as well as to study the antibiotic resistance properties of isolates. In total, 80 bovine meat samples, 50 hamburgers, 50 mouthful roasts, 40 sausages and 40 salami from various brands and samples of meat, fish and final products of various factories were collected and analyzed. Frequency of Shigella species in bovine meat, hamburger, mouthful roast, sausage and salami were 8.75, 6, 4, 0 and 2.5%, respectively. In German sausage factories, the distribution of Shigella in meat, farsh and final product were 40, 10 and 10%. Meat products of A brand had the highest incidence. Frequency of Shigella species in chicken paste samples of A, B and C factories were 28.57, 20 and 0%, respectively. Shigella species had the highest levels of antibiotic resistance against gentamicin (100%), tetracycline (92.30%) and ampicillin (84.61%). Observing of sanitary principles in abattoirs, butchers and meat products factories can reduce incidence of Shigella species. Application of simple disk diffusion method can reduce the levels of antibiotic resistance. Practical Applications Observing of sanitary principles in abattoirs, butchers and meat products factories can reduce incidence of Shigella species. Application of simple disk diffusion method can reduce the levels of antibiotic resistance.
Comparison of Antimicrobial Potential of Honey Samples from Apis mellifera and Two Stingless Bees from Nsukka, Nigeria

The antimicrobial activity of honey depends on many factors, including its botanical origin, geographical and entomological source. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial potential of honey varieties from Apis mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against MDR Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25783, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans SC 5314 and Cryptococcus neoformans. By using standard microbiological procedure, the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to evaluate honey samples for their antimicrobial and non-peroxidase activity. Different concentrations of the honey samples showed inhibition zones diameter (mm) against the test isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. ranged from 6.3–25.0%, 3.1–12.5% and 6.3–25.0% (v/v) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean MICs of honey varieties against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. Hypotrigona sp. honey had the least mean MICs (4.15 ± 1.58–11.11 ± 2.76 % v/v) against most of the test organisms. The Minimum Biocidal Concentration (MBC) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against the test organisms varied from 6.3–50%, 3.1–25% and 12–50% (v/v) respectively. There were no significant differences between the mean MBCs of the honeys against MDR S. aureus (p=0.179), E. coli (p=0.564), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) (p=0.846), and C. albicans (SC5314) (p=0.264). The honeys had some levels of non-peroxidase activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. This study has scientifically authenticated the potential use of stingless bee honeys from “Okotobo and Ifufu” as complementary therapeutic agents.
NMR analyses show TCDD elicits differences in hepatic metabolism in female C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats

Makley, Meghan Katherine. M.S., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 2009. NMR Analyses Show TCDD Elicits Differences in Hepatic Metabolism in Female C57BL/6 Mice and Sprague-Dawley Rats. TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) elicits tissue-, sex-, and speciesspecific effects. This study compares the hepatic response to an oral dose of TCDD in immature ovariectomized (i.o.) C57BL/6 mice (30 μg/kg) and i.o. Sprague-Dawley rats (10 μg/kg), at 72, 120, and 168 h post-dose. Hepatic lipid extracts were analyzed by C and P NMR, and aqueous extracts by H and P NMR. Consistent with increased lipid content in mice (p≤0.05), TCDD induced increases in hepatic triacylglycerides (TAG), cholesterol, and fatty acids. Principal component analysis of C spectra show treatment groups separate in mice, but not rats. Mice showed decreases in the lactate/pyruvate ratio and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, consistent with decreased cytosolic NADH/NAD ratio and upregulated TAG synthesis. TCDD-treated rats exhibited decreased levels of sphingomyelin, and three-fold increase in phosphocholine, suggesting TCDD activates sphingomyelinase. Both species showed similar decreases in cardiolipin, indicating oxidative stress. These observations are compared with hepatic histopathology and gene expression findings.