Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signal bias at glucagon family receptors: rationale and downstream impacts

Receptors for the peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon (GCG) are important regulators of insulin secretion and energy metabolism. Recently described GLP-1 receptor agonists showing signal bias in favour of cyclic AMP over β-arrestin-2 recruitment have delivered promising results in preclinical studies. Here we first sought to establish the role of β-arrestins in the control of intracellular signalling and trafficking responses at the closely related GLP-1, GIP and GCG receptors, through studies performed in cells depleted of both β-arrestin isoforms. We also generated analogues of GLP-1, GCG and GIP which in some cases showed selective reduction in β-arrestin-2 recruitment versus cAMP signalling compared to the parent peptide. Despite reduced acute signalling potency and/or efficacy, some biased GLP-1 and GIP analogues increased maximal sustained insulin secretion from INS-1 832/3 clonal beta cells, although only at high agonist concentrations. Biased GCG analogues did not affect maximal insulin release, or glucose output in hepatocytes.
Influence of linoleic acid on growth, oxidative stress and photosynthesis of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of linoleic acid on the growth, photosynthetic activities and oxidative system of the invasive cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii were investigated. The results indicated that linoleic acid decreased the growth rate and chlorophyll a concentration in C. raciborskii after 48 h incubation. The maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of photosystem II (PSII) and maximum relative electron transport rate (ETRmax) decreased significantly at concentrations higher than 1 mg L−1. However, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) significantly increased when cultured at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg L−1. PSII electron transfer rate and chlorophyll a fluorescence transients appeared to be affected after the cells were exposed to higher concentrations of linoleic acid; the density of the reaction centres (RCs), quantum energy flux ratios and the performance index on absorption basis decreased, but absorption flux per RC and dissipated energy flux per RC increased. Malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were enhanced when exposed to 2 and 4 mg L−1 of linoleic acid. This suggests that the blockage of electron transport on the donor and acceptor sides of PSII is the mechanism responsible for the toxicity of linoleic acid in PSII of C. raciborskii.
Germ granules prevent accumulation of somatic transcripts in the adult C. elegans germline

The germ cells of multicellular organisms protect their developmental potential through specialized mechanisms. A shared feature of germ cells from worms to humans is the presence of non-membrane-bound ribonucleoprotein organelles called germ granules. Depletion of germ granules in Caenorhabditis elegans (i.e., P granules) leads to sterility and in some germlines expression of the neuronal transgene unc-119::gfp and the muscle myosin MYO-3. Thus, P granules are hypothesized to maintain germ cell totipotency by preventing somatic development, although the mechanism by which P granules carry out this function is unknown. In this study, we performed transcriptome and single molecule RNA-FISH analyses of dissected P-granule-depleted gonads at different developmental stages. Our results demonstrate that P granules are necessary for adult germ cells to down-regulate spermatogenesis RNAs and to prevent the accumulation of numerous soma-specific RNAs. P-granule-depleted gonads that express the unc-119::gfp transgene also express many other genes involved in neuronal development and concomitantly lose expression of germ cell fate markers. Finally, we show that removal of either of two critical P-granule components, PGL-1 or GLH-1, is sufficient to cause germ cells to express UNC-119::GFP and MYO-3 and to display RNA accumulation defects similar to those observed after depletion of P granules. Our data identify P granules as critical modulators of the germline transcriptome and guardians of germ cell fate.
The presence of varroa in Uganda and knowledge about it by the beekeeping industry

Varroa mites are important honey bee ecto-parasites that have caused disaster to the beekeeping industry in Europe and America. The extent of spread of these mites in Africa is not clearly known, but several sub-Saharan African countries including Uganda have been on the varroa-suspect list. We surveyed 16 districts falling in eight agroecological zones in Uganda with the aim of establishing the presence of varroa mites. Within each district, at least two subcounties were visited for honey bee sample collection and varroa detection between September 2011 and April 2013. Honey bee samples collected were screened for varroa mites by dusting with thymol. Farmers and beekeeping extension workers were interviewed on their knowledge of varroa. The results indicate that varroa mites were present in all the districts and agroecological regions sampled. Bee farmers and beekeeping extension workers were completely unaware of the presence of the varroa mites. The farmers reported no changes in honey production and honey bee foraging. We recommend empirical studies to establish the effects of varroa on local honey bee productivity and the validity of the purported resistance of the African honey bees to varroa.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF CAJANUS CAJAN AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial part of Cajanus cajan against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in wistar rats. The extract of C. cajan (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals with hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4. Liv. 52 (100mg/kg) was given as reference standard. The extract was effective in protecting the liver against the injury as there was significant reduction in serum enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and increase in total protein. It was concluded from the study that C. cajan possesses hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
Length structure and reproductive potential of crusian carp (Carassius carassius (L.)) populations in some small forest ponds

Trap catches from 12 forest ponds showed that in monospecific fish communities, populations of crucian carp attained high densities but were dominated by small ( 15 cm) but at much lower densities. The removal of all fish from a 1.5 ha monospecific pond, and its restocking and subsequent monitoring over a two-year period revealed that crucian carp could rapidly repopulate the empty pond, increasing in population size from the 280 restocked fish to 16 600 in the first summer and to 25 500 in the next After two years, the size structure of the introduced population closely resembled that of the original population.
Morphological ontogeny of Fuscozetes kamchatkicus sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) from Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia), with comments on Fuscozetes

Abstract A new species, Fuscozetes kamchatkicus sp. nov., including its morphological ontogeny, from Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) is described and illustrated. The adult of this species is smaller and slimmer than congeners and has longer prodorsal seta le than in; in other species in is longer than le. In F. kamchatkicus the shape of the translamella varies (usually is present, but may be narrow as a line or absent), while in other species the translamella is present. The juveniles of F. kamchatkicus differ from congeners by several morphological characters that are unique in Fuscozetes Sellnick, 1928, e.g. they lack a humeral organ, which is present in other species. The larva lacks a humeral macrosclerite, whereas other species have it. In F. kamchatkicus the gastronotal setae are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species they are inserted either on the gastronotal shield or microslerites. The nymphs of F. kamchatkicus have a humeral macrosclerite and a gastronotal shield, which is typical of Fuscozetes and Sphaerozetinae (Ceratozetidae), but the humeral macrosclerite bears seta c1, while setae c2 and c3 are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species the humeral macrosclerite is glabrous and setae c2 and c3 are inserted on microsclerites. In F. kamchatkicus setae p2 and p3 are inserted on unsclerotized integument, whereas in other species they are inserted on a macrosclerite. In the juveniles of F. kamchatkicus most gastronotal setae are barbed, except of the d-series in the nymphs, which are thinner than other gastronotal setae and smooth. The diagnosis of Fuscozetes is modified and enlarged with the morphological characters of juveniles.
Examining mechanism of toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans

EXAMINING MECHANISM OF TOXICITY OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AND CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS Michael J. Mashock, B.S. Marquette University, 2016 Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are an up and coming technology increasingly being used in industrial and consumer applications and thus may pose risk to humans and the environment. In the present study, the toxic effects of CuO NPs were studied with two model organisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans. The role of released Cu ions during dissolution of CuO NPs in growth media were studied with freshly suspended, aged NPs, and the released Cu fraction. Exposures to the different Cu treatments showed significant inhibition of S. cerevisiae cellular metabolic activity. Inhibition from the NPs was inversely proportional to size and was not fully explained by the released Cu ions. S. cerevisiae cultures grown under respiring conditions demonstrated greater metabolic sensitivity when exposed to CuO NPs compared to cultures undergoing fermentation. The cellular response to both CuO NPs and released Cu ions on gene expression was analyzed via microarray analysis after an acute exposure. It was observed that both copper exposures resulted in an increase in carbohydrate storage, a decrease in protein production, protein misfolding, increased membrane permeability, and cell cycle arrest. Cells exposed to NPs upregulated genes related to oxidative phosphorylation but also may be inducing cell cycle arrest by a different mechanism than that observed with released Cu ions. The effect of CuO NPs on C. elegans was examined by using several toxicological endpoints. The CuO NPs displayed a more inhibitory effect, compared to copper sulfate, on nematode reproduction, feeding, and development. We investigated the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate on neuronal health, a known tissue vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity. In transgenic C. elegans with neurons expressing a green fluorescent protein reporter, neuronal degeneration was observed in up to 10% of the population after copper oxide nanoparticle exposure. Additionally, nematode mutant strains containing gene knockouts in the divalent-metal transporters smf-1 and smf-2 showed increased tolerance to copper exposure. These results lend credence to the hypothesis that some toxicological effects to eukaryotic organisms from copper oxide nanoparticle exposure may be due to properties specific to the nanoparticles and not solely from the released copper ions.
The browsing index: new tool uses browsing pressure to monitor deer populations

Usual counts of deer populations generally show low reliability, especially at the high-density levels deer have recently reached in most parts of Europe. Since 1990, researchers and managers have looked for index methodsto replace counts. Monitoring vegetation changes over time in response to deer browsing could be useful for managers to index deer abundance. We assessed the feasibility of using Aldous-derived vegetation surveys to monitor the population-habitat interaction over time. We first developed an original statistical procedure to define a reliable measure of deer browsing. Then we applied our browsing index to a case study involving a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population that was monitored intensively over 18 years and increased 5-fold in size. Our browsing index closely tracked the roe deer population size, the species-specific browsing rates differed widely, and bramble (Rubus sp.) could be reliably used to assess total browsing pressure of roe deer. Because it is an easy tool to use and involves much lower costs than traditional counts, our browsing index can be viewed as an efficient and reliable indicator of ecological change according to deer population status.
Two new genera and species of chiltoniid amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitroidea) from freshwater mound springs in South Australia

Amphipods within the family Chiltoniidae are an abundant yet taxonomically poorly known member of Australian freshwater habitats. With only four species known from Australia, the group is inadequately defined and marked by taxonomists as difficult to identify. Recent molecular analyses of chiltoniids from mound springs in South Australia detected several distinct species, prompting a morphological revision of material from the central and southern Lake Eyre region. Clear groups defined by unique combinations of morphological characters (focusing on uropodal, coxal, male gnathopod 2, and antennal morphology) were found that closely correlated with clades found in the molecular analyses. Arabunnachiltonia n. gen. is established for A. murphyi n. sp. from Strangways Springs in South Australia. Wangiannachiltonia n. gen. is established for W. guzikae n. sp. from Davenport Springs in South Australia. The chiltoniid genera are discussed and a key is presented to the known Australian species.
Can competition be superior to parasitism for biological control? The case of spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), Drosophila melanogaster and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae

ABSTRACT Drosophila suzukii and Drosophila melanogaster coexist with different but overlapping resource use in the field. When forced to completely or partially share resources in the laboratory, D. melanogaster outcompetes D. suzukii. Adult D. suzukii and D. melanogaster females were allowed to compete for access to a common oviposition resource in pairwise and population scale experiments. We tracked the offspring emergence to explore the factors across life stages that might affect the success of D. suzukii in the laboratory compared to a closed field simulation cage experiment with a generalist Drosophila parasitoid, Pachycrepoideous vindemmiae. When in competition as adults, D. melanogaster produced more offspring that survived to pupation than D. suzukii. In addition, D. melanogaster produced more offspring when in competition with a conspecific than when in competition with D. suzukii. Competitor identity did not affect the number of D. melanogaster offspring in pairwise and cage experiments. However, in the presence of D. melanogaster, the number of D. suzukii offspring in both pairwise and cage experiments was dramatically reduced than in cages without this competitor. In the presence of both D. melanogaster and P. vindemmiae, there were marginally more D. suzukii than when only D. melanogaster was present. These results suggest that competition was an important factor limiting D. suzukii numbers. Limiting D. suzukii numbers through interspecies competition may eventually be an exploitable method of biocontrol in the field.
Cruciate ligament-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a potential cell source for cartilage regeneration

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely investigated for potential in tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to compare the proliferation and induced differentiation potentials of MSCs isolated from bone marrow (BMSCs), adipose (AMSCs) and cruciate ligament (CLMSCs). Methods: BMSCs, AMSCs and CLMSCs were isolated and identified by flow cytometry with CD markers. Their clonogenicity, proliferation and multi-differentiation capacities were also analyzed. The mRNA expression of adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic markers at basal state and after multi-lineage inductions was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: BMSCs, AMSCs and CLMSCs showed similar positive expression for CD29, CD90, and negative for CD45. Comparative analyses suggested the superior colony forming and proliferation capacity in CLMSCs. When induced toward adipo-, osteo- and chondro-lineages, BMSCs, AMSCs and CLMSCs could successfully differentiate toward target lineages. At basal state and after multi-lineage inductions, AMSCs expressed the highest level of adipogenic markers [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (c/EBPα)]; BMSCs expressed the highest level of osteogenic markers [Alpl, Bglap, Runx2, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2), and Spp1]; CLMSCs expressed the highest level of chondrogenic markers (Col2A1, Acan, and Sox9). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CLMSCs and AMSCs exhibit superiority in cell proliferation compared to BMSCs. CLMSCs can be a potential cell source for clinical application in cartilage regeneration.
Threats on Pacific islands: the spread of the Tramp Ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Since Elton (1958) highlighted the problem of biological invasions, numerous studies have established their importance in the structural evolution of natural communities, in particular insular communities. Because of their isolation, islands are regarded as natural evolution laboratories which are characteristically very fragile once the boundary is disturbed (McArthur and Wilson 1967; Williamson 1981; McDonald and Cooper 1995). This fragility is illustrated by the high proportion of species extinctions observed in islands: since 1600, more than 75% of monitored disappearances have been registered in islands (Goombridge 1992). Invasions are not an abnormality in the evolutionary process, but an increase in their rate could lead to a dramatic homogenization of fauna and flora.
On the Titchmarsh-Weyl M(λ)-coefficient and spectral density for a Dirac system

Synopsis For a Dirac system on the line, we study the Jost solutions and the existence of half-bound states. A characterisation of this phenomenon is given in terms of the M(λ)-function, which supplements a well-known spectral characterisation for the system. As a corollary, we deduce the spectral density behaviour at the spectral gap endpoints, which is shown to depend on the possible existence of half-bound states.
WATER USE EFFICIENCY, GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT CULTIVATED UNDER COMPETITION WITH Setaria

Understanding the critical period of weed competition is indispensable in the development of an effective weed management program in field crops. Current experiment was planned to evaluate the critical growth period ofSetaria and level of yield losses associated with delay in weeding in rain-fed drip irrigated wheat production system of Saudi Arabia. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of weeding interval (07-21, 14-28, 21-35, 28-42 and 35-49 days after sowing) and drought stress (75% and 50% of field capacity) on Setaria growth, wheat yield and water use efficiency. Season long weedy check and wellwatered (100% FC) plots were also maintained for comparison. Weeding interval and drought stress significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected the growth and yield of Setaria and wheat. Drought stress from 75% to 50% FC resulted in reductions of 29-40% in Setaria height, 14-27% in Setaria density and 11-26% in Setaria dry biomass. All weeding intervals except 35-49 DAS significantly suppressedSetaria growth as compared with control. Delay in weeding increased weed-crop competition interval and reduced wheat yield and yield contributors. Therefore, the lowest yield of 1836 kg ha-1 was attained for weeding interval of 35-49 DAS at 50% FC. Water use efficiency and harvest index increased with decreasing FC levels but reduced with delay in weeding. Correlation analysis predicted negative association ofSetariadensity with wheat yield and yield contributors and the highest negative association was for harvest index (-0.913) and water use efficiency (-0.614). Early management of Setaria is imperative for successful wheat production otherwise yield losses are beyond economical limits.
Proportions des tissus des dents déciduales chez deux individus de Dordogne (France) : l’enfant néanderthalien du Roc de Marsal et le spécimen du Paléolithique supérieur final de La Madeleine.

En paleoanthropologie, l’emploi de techniques d'analyse microtomographique a recemment apporte des elements quantitatifs fondamentaux a la caracterisation non invasive a haute resolution de la structure interne des dents. Par rapport aux Hommes modernes, les molaires permanentes des Neanderthaliens presentent un volume relatif d’email comparable, mais distribue sur une superficie de dentine largement superieure. Les proportions des tissus des dents deciduales neanderthaliennes, en particulier des dents anterieures, sont au contraire encore peu documentees et les caracteristiques structurales de la denture de l'humanite moderne fossile ne sont pas encore connues. Grâce a l’utilisation d’un registre a haute resolution de type microtomographique industriel (µCT) et a rayonnement syncrothron (SR-µCT), nous avons eu la possibilite, pour la premiere fois, d'explorer en 3D et de comparer la structure interne de toute la serie des dents deciduales inferieures de l’enfant neanderthalien du Roc de Marsal (Dordogne) et du specimen du Paleolithique superieur final de La Madeleine (La Madeleine 4, Dordogne), ainsi que de quantifier les proportions volumetriques de leurs tissus. Les resultats montrent que, des les premiers stades du developpement, quelle que soit la position dentaire consideree, les Neanderthaliens (representes egalement ici par des dents isolees du site de La Chaise, en Charente) presentaient une organisation tissulaire differente de la condition moderne illustree par notre echantillon de reference, en revanche elle-meme semblable a celle du representant du Paleolithique superieur final.
Occurrence of vancomycin-intermediate-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) amended the criteria for vancomycin susceptibility and resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in 2006. The earlier criteria had established that S. aureus with minimum inhibi- tory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin of ≤4 μg/ml, 8 to 16 μg/ml, and ≥32 μg/ml were vancomycin-susceptible, -intermediate-resistant and -resistant, respectively. The revised recommendation states that bacteria showing van- comycin MICs of ≤2 μg/ml, 4 to 8 μg/ml, and ≥16 μg/ml are -susceptible, -intermediate-resistant, and -resistant, re- spectively. We examined, based on these new criteria, the vancomycin susceptibility of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains isolated in Japan from 1978 through 2005 at 17 general hospitals. The results showed that, among 2446 MRSA isolates tested, 8 were classifi ed as intermedi- ate-vancomycin-resistant (VISA). Re-examination of van- comycin susceptibility in these 8 strains in 2006 revealed that 6 strains showed a vancomycin MIC of 4 μg/ml, as tested by the agar dilution method, broth dilution methods, and E-test; the 2 other strains had lost the vancomycin re- sistance. Pulsed-fi eld gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of the chromosomal DNA of these strains exhibited fi ve unique profi les; 2 strains isolated from the same hospital were iden- tical. These results revealed that at least fi ve different types of VISA strains could be identifi ed in Japan so far according to the new CLSI criteria. All these VISA strains had type II staphylococcal cassette chromosome, mec. This study revealed, for the fi rst time in Japan, the presence of inter- mediate vancomycin-resistant MRSA in this country.