Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fossil charophytes and hydrophytic angiosperms as indicators of lacustrine trophic change. A case study in the Miocene of Catalonia (Spain)

L'interet des macrophytes aquatiques fossiles pour la determination des contextes trophiques anciens est etudie dans le lac Miocene de La Cerdanya (Pyrenees orientales, Catalogne, Espagne). Les plantes aquatiques se trouvent dans une succession lacustre epaisse de 400 m et datee du Vallesien. Les lignites et argiles palustres passent lateralement a des diatomites de lac ouvert. L'ensemble est couvert par des gres arkosiques et des argiles de lac peu profond. Trois assemblages de plantes aquatiques sont decrits : (1) Les depots palustres presentent des fruits et pollens de Trapa ceretana caracteristiques d'eaux eutrophiques. (2) Les diatomites lacustres contiennent Potamogeton orbiculare, Ceratophyllum schrotzburgense, Nymphaeaceae et Myriophyllum. Cet assemblage est comparable a celui des communautes de lacs mesotrophiques actuels. (3) Les depots des derniers stades de remplissage du lac sont domines par Lychnothamnus barbatus subsp. megalicarpus, indiquant des conditions alcalines et oligotrophiques. Ces resultats montrent que le lac de La Cerdanya etait eutrophique-mesotrophique a l'origine mais a change vers une situation plus oligotrophique et alcaline. La taxonomie de Trapa ceretana est revisee et une nouvelle diagnose est proposee. Des neotypes sont eriges pour T. ceretana et Potamogeton orbiculare.
Application of Micro-Encapsulated Probiotic Bacillus NP5 and Prebiotic Mannan Oligosaccharide (MOS) to Prevent Streptococcosis on Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Streptococcus agalactiae is one of the fish pathogen which can cause mortality up to 90% in commercial tilapia farms. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of micro-encapsulated probiotic (Bacillus NP5), prebiotic (MOS) and combination of those materials (synbiotic) through the feed on growth performances and immune responses of tilapia infected with S. agalactiae. The probiotic cells were encapsulated by spray drying method. The experimental fish were reared for 40 days and fed with feed-supplemented with probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic and without any supplementation to the feed (positive and negative control). On day 40, all fish except negative control were challenged by S. agalactiae via intraperitoneal route injection in amount of 0.1 mL (10 CFU mLG). This study showed that administration of 0.4% prebiotic to the feed resulted the best growth performance in the end of feeding trial and survival rate after the challenge test with S. agalactiae.
Effects of Gender and Dietary Ionophores on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Moghani Lambs

An experiment was carried to evaluate the effects of gender and two dietary ionophores on growth performance and slaughter characteristics in Moghani sheep. A total of 30 Moghani lambs (15 males and 15 females) were distributed randomly into 30 individual cages. Each gender group consisted of 5 animals and fed with a basal diet with no supplement, the same basal diet plus 25 mg/kg monensin (MON) or 25 mg/kg lasalocid (LAS). The lambs were weighed and slaughtered after a feeding period of 134 days and carcass parameters were determined. Average slaughter weight (SW) was significantly influenced by gender (48.9 kg for females vs. 51.4 kg for males) (P 0.05). Lambs fed MON had the lowest feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) which significantly differed from those of the lambs fed the other two diets. Females had a significantly higher average internal fat compared with their male counterparts (P<0.01). In regard to fat-tail weight, significant decreasing was observed in ionophore groups as compared to control group (P<0.05). Males exhibited higher growth performance with heavier offals and carcass cuts including valuable cuts than in females. Dietary MON could be used as a potent feed additive improving feed efficiency and reducing internal fat and offals proportions in Moghani lambs.
Inflammation-related oxidative stress in white adipose tissues of an inbred obese pig

Abstract The uneven development of adipose tissues reflects a differential occurrence of biological events in vivo while the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, the in vivo inflammatory status of an inbred obese porcine model, Lantang pig, was assessed, aiming to provide evidence for obesity biology. Compared with genetically lean pigs (crossbred, Duroc × Landrace × Large White), Lantang pigs exhibited a larger amount of ultra large adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose tissue accompanied with higher expression of macrophage/monocytes markers and pro-inflammatory genes (TLR4, CD14, CD11β, MCP1, TNFα, IL1β and IL6) and lower expression of cellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, 2 and 3). Plasma concentrations of LPS and TNF-α were also higher in Lantang pigs than in lean pigs. Among adipose tissues of Lantang pigs, the subcutaneous tissue had the most abundant expression of inflammation related genes (TLR4, CD14, TNFα and IL6) and the lowest level of cellular antioxidant genes (SOD 1 and 2), while the perirenal adipose tissue had opposite profile. Significant activation of p38 MAPK pathway was indicated by increased phosphorylation of p38 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of Lantang pigs. Collectively, the bacteria-derived LPS induced inflammation-associated oxidative stress indeed exists in adipose tissues of Lantang pig, and the differential expressions of inflammatory and antioxidant genes, to some extent, account for the uneven development of the adipose tissue within bodies.
Sample Dimension for Estimation of Biomass and Yield of Sunn (Crotalaria juncea L.) and Showy rattlebox (C. spectabilis Roth.)

A B S T R A C T Green manure brings numerous benefits that promote, essentially, the maintenance and conservation of agro-systems and its implementation is fundamental to Brazilian Cerrado region. In this scenario, the present research aimed to determine the sample size for estimation biomass and productivity of sunn and showy rattlebox. The experiment was installed in the experimental area of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul-Unit University Aquidauana (UEMS/UUA), located in the Brazilian Cerrado. It were randomly selected 45 plants in the experimental area of each crop to determine Fresh Mass (FM), Dry Mass (DM) and yield (YI), being the measures of central tendency, variability, asymmetry and kurtosis were calculated and checked for normality by Lilliefors's test. In sunn and showy rattlebox, 340 and 197 plants, respectively, are sufficient for the estimation of evaluated descriptors, with confidence interval of 95%. The species evaluated did not differ for the characters FM and DM, both of which are recommended for cultivation in the Cerrado.
ACTION OF ACETYLCHOLINE, NORADRENALINE AND SOME OF THE AUTONOMIC BLOCKING AGENTS ON THE PERFUSED BLOOD VESSELS OF THE FROG.

The action of noradrenaline and of acetylcholine on the perfused blood vessels of the frog was investigated using a technique slightly modified from that described by Rahman and Abhyankar (1935). Both the drugs gave a marked pressor action on the systemic vessels of the frog, the action of acetylcholine being stronger. The pressor action was only partially blocked by atropine, the blocking action being more marked for acetylcholine than for noradrenaline. The actions of the two drugs on pulmonary vessels was different from their action on the systemic vessels; acetylcholine causing marked vasoconstriction and this vasoconstrictor action being completely, or almost completely,blocked by atropine, noradrenaline causing only a feebly vasoconstrictor action which was not blocked by atropine. The action of adrenaline was simlar to, though stronger than, that of noradrenaline. The pressor actiou of noradrenaline was completely blocked by priscol and by ergotamine, while the vasoconstrictor action of acetylcholine was not blocked by these drugs.
Effects of Container Volume and Fertility Rate on Growth of Two Woody Ornamentals

Dwarf Japanese euonymus (Euonymus japonica Thunb. ‘Microphylla’) and ‘Pink Supreme’ azalea (Rhododendron Xsp.) grown in containers of three diameters (10.2, 15.2, and 20.3 cm), were given three rates of Osmocote 17N-3P-10K (3.6, 7.1, and 10.7 kg·m-3). Response to container volume and fertility was species-dependent. Top growth of euonymus increased in response to both increased medium volume and fertility and was closely related to foliar levels of N, P, and K. Top growth of azalea increased in response to increasing fertility rates in the smallest pots, and to increasing medium volume at the lowest fertilizer rates. With an increase in both fertilizer rate and medium volume, growth of azalea was reduced. Top growth was inversely related to foliar K, but was unrelated to foliar N and P.
Resistance and Sensitivity of Meat Lactic Acid Bacteria to Antibiotics.

Sixty-seven strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from raw ground pork and beef were studied. Morphological and biochemical studies enabled the strains to be classified in four broad groups. These were atypical streptobacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum , Lactobacillus brevis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides . Antibiotic resistance/sensitivity patterns of these strains to 17 common antibiotics are reported. All 67 strains were sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, cephaloridine and erythromycin. Most strains were resistant to cloxacillin, methicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, polymyxin B, colistin, novobiocin, and bacitracin. Most strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol and rifampin. MIC studies on tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistant strains showed them to be highly resistant. Population studies of LAB in raw meat were shown to vary in tetracycline resistance (12-58% of total LAB as measured by MRS).
Ectoparasite (Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus) infestations reduce hatching success in precocial birds (Branta leucopsis) nesting in the High Arctic

Arctic terrestrial ecosystems are ideal systems to study host-parasite interactions because they are sensitive and have fewer confounding interactions than lower latitudes. Since the Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change, research there can provide models to better understand and predict future changes in other systems. The Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) and its ectoparasite the flea (Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus) is an ideal Arctic host-parasite system to study because Barnacle geese have important roles in Arctic ecosystems as selective grazers and prey items and have been intensively studied for decades. Also, recent studies suggest that Arctic avian flea infestations may be increasing, possibly due to climate change. However, few studies have considered the effect of fleas on Arctic nesting birds and little is known of Arctic avian flea ecology, most importantly whether they overwinter in the High Arctic or are reintroduced each summer by migrating birds. Furthermore, sampling methods for avian fleas are time-consuming and semi-invasive to their hosts. Therefore, the project had four aims: (i) contribute to the knowledge of Arctic flea ecology by looking for evidence of overwintering, (ii) use an experimental study to assess the impact of flea infestations on the hatching success of Barnacle goose eggs, (iii) assess the simple and disturbance-free method of estimating fleas with photographs of blood spots on goose eggs, (iv) and test the results of both the experimental study as well as the application of blood spots as a proxy measure for flea infestations through a larger observational study. It was found that fleas were likely overwintering in empty nest bowls and some evidence indicated that they might be capable of a two-year life cycle in the High Arctic. The findings from the experimental study indicated that heavy flea infestations had a negative impact on the hatching success of Barnacle goose eggs. It was also determined that blood spots were a good proxy measure of flea infestations, but become less accurate through incubation due to wear from incubating birds. Finally, the observational study supported the findings of the experimental study and demonstrated the power and simplicity of using blood spots as a proxy measure for flea infestations. Based on these findings, it is suggested that researchers interested in either reproductive success or incubation behavior of Barnacle geese should include a measure of flea infestations in their studies and using blood spots as a proxy measure is a simple and disturbance-free method of doing this.
Rhabdochona spatulatum, new species (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) from the freshwater cyprinid fish Cyprinion microhpthalmum (Day) in Quetta Division, Pakistan.

A new species of Rhabdochona is described from the intestine of cyprinid fish collected from Khessar stream (Hamun River basin) at Nushki, Quetta Division, Balochistan. It is characterized mainly by having a spatulate right spicule with ventral barb at posterior end, the left spicule has notched anterior and razor-sharp distal tips, finely striated caudal region, fifteen pairs (10 preanal, 5 postanal) papillae in males, bifurcate deirids and conical tail tips in both the sexes. The subgeneric definition of R. (Rhabdochona) Railleit, 1916, R. (Filochona) Saidov, 1954, and R. (Globochona) Moravec, 1972a which were based primarily on egg morphology are considered of little value in determining specific relationships within the genus. The new species may be included in the subgenus Rhabdochona (Morphological group A, Moravec, 1975) in the presence of thick-shelled (slightly floated) eggs, which is, therefore, described here as Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) spatulatum n. sp. This nematode is the first of the genus recovered from Cyprinion microphthalmum (Day) from this locality in Balochistan.
Body size variation in barnacle goose colonies : Evidence for local saturation of habitats

Adult body size of Svalbard-breeding barnacle geese Branta leucopsis is significantly influenced by foraging conditions experienced at an early age in brood-rearing areas. Adult body size declined significantly between 1975 and 1993, the maximum decline being -0.4 mm/yr. Decline in body size varied among colonies and brood rearing regions in Svalbard, with the sharpest decline occurring in the Kongsfjorden population which had rapidly increased in number (λ = 1.12) since 1977. Body size was closely correlated with the age of the colonies (i.e. duration since the first nests), which ranged between 6 and 48 years, We believe that variation in body size evidenced over time and among areas was related to relative density of geese and length of time that they had exploited local food resources.
Nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation and FT-IR analysis of freeze dried extracts of Ecballium elaterium fruit juice from three localities

This study was designed to investigate chemical composition, the total phenolic content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and to analyze through FT-IR spectroscopy method the freeze-dried extract of Ecballium elaterium fruit from three different localities. The highest level of phenolic and flavonoid contents was recorded for the fruit juice from the Cap-Bon region, with 106.4 ± 0.4 mg GAE/g and 6.5 ± 0.2 mg QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activity varied in dose-dependent manner with IC50 values for DPPH scavenging of the freeze-dried fruit juice extracts from Cap-Bon, Kef and Sidi Bouzid were 38.6 ± 0.2, 50.1 ± 0.7, and 50.7 ± 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. The results from the FRAP test showed that the freeze-dried extracts of Cap-Bon exhibited potent activity, followed by those from Kef and Sidi Bouzid. Similar trend were revealed for ABTS•+ test, with the fruit juice extract from Cap-Bon (IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.0 mg/mL). Furthermore, a good positive correlation was observed between the total phenols and three assays, especially DPPH. The freeze-dried extracts of fruit juice from Cap-Bon showed strong ability to act as antioxidants and can be considered as promising natural source of bioactive compounds. FT-IR analysis of each freeze-dried extract confirmed its richness on polyphenols and biological active functional groups.
Genetic variability of wild populations of Leporinus elongatus in the São Domingos River - MS Brazil: a preliminary view on the construction of the hydroelectric plant

Most of the electricity used in Brazil comes from hydroelectric plants, mainly due to the great availability of its water resources. However, the construction of these plants denotes serious problems related to migration of native fish and the genetic conservation of stocks. Current study evaluates two wild population of Leporinus elongatus (piapara) located downstream (Population A - PopA) and upstream (Population B - PopB) of the Cachoeira Branca before the construction of the Sao Domingos hydroelectric plant (HPP) in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Thirty samples from caudal fins were collected and analyzed for each population. Eighty-nine fragments, including 72 polymorphic ones (80.9%), were analyzed. Low fragments (less than 0.100) in both populations (PopA = 2 and PopB = 3) were identified. Nine fixed fragments (frequency 1.000) (PopA = 3 and PopB = 6), and four exclusive fragments (PopA = 3 and PopB = 1) were also reported. The genetic variability within populations, calculated by Shannon Index and by percentage of polymorphic fragments, indicated high rates of intrapopulation variability (PopA = 0.309 and 61.80% and PopB = 0.392 and 71.90%, respectively). Genetic distance and identity rates (0.089 and 0.915, respectively) were different between populations, whilst AMOVA showed that most variations lie within the populations and not between them. Fst and Nm rates showed moderate genetic differentiation with low numbers of migrants. Results reveal populations with high intra-population genetic variability and genetic differentiation, with low gene flow. The passage ladders of Sao Domingos HPP should control fish transposition to preserve genetic variability.
Partial replacement of fishmeal protein by soybean mealprotein in the diet of mrigal, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Ham.) fry

To find out a suitable balance diet for Cirrhinus. cirrhosus fry substituting fish meal protein by full-fat soybean meal protein as dietary protein source for C. cirrhosus fry (1.29g) was studied in 12 aquaria for 60 days. The fishes were fed with four iso-nitrogenous (30% protein) and iso-caloric experimental diets viz. diet 1 (100% fish meal protein), diet 2 (75% fishmeal protein and 25% soybean meal protein), diet 3 (50% fishmeal protein and 50% soybean meal protein) and diet 4 (25% fish meal protein and 75% soybean meal protein). Among the diets the best growth, FCR and PER were obtained with diet 3 fed fishes and no significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between diet 1 and 2 and diet 4 offered the worst performance. Therefore, considering fish growth, FCR and PER, it can be suggested that fish meal protein might be replaced 50% by soybean meal protein in the diet of C. cirrhosus fry for better growth.
Zein composition in hard and soft endosperm of maize

Maize protein composition and distribution may directly influence endosperm texture and physical properties. To test this hypothesis, we compared compositions of alcohol-soluble proteins in maize endosperm from the hard and soft fractions of eight normal genotypes. Kernels were hand-dissected to obtain fractions differing in texture. Endosperm fractions were extracted with a solution containing alcohol, reducing agent, and sodium acetate and were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. We found more (an average of 3.3 times more) alpha-zeins (19 and 22 kDa) in hard endosperm fractions than in soft endosperm fractions, In contrast, soft endosperm fractions contained nearly twice as much 27-kDa gamma-zein (based on percent) than did hard endosperm fractions. Thus, distribution of the various types of zeins was not uniform throughout the maize endosperm. Our results suggest that the zein composition of protein bodies in normal maize kernels may be correlated with texture of the endosperm from which the sample was obtained.
Evaluation of nutritive properties of the large African cricket (Gryllidae sp)

The large African cricket (Gryllidae sp) was subjected to standard analytical procedures to determine its proximate composition, functional properties, amino acids spectrum, in vitro protein digestibility, and nutritionally valuable minerals. The moisture was low (2.13-3.48%), while the protein content was high (65.95%) in the male cricket and 65.11% in the female cricket). Seventeen amino acids were detected. The essential amino acids contributed 46.1-47.8% of the total amino acid content. Results of the in vitro protein multienzyme digestibility indicated high digestibility (90.7-94.7%). The amino acids scores were also favourable. The crude fibre and fat contents were fairly high, while the total carbohydrates were low (8.26-12.49%). The carbohydrates fraction contained 85.9-88.0% carbohydrates as stored glycogen. Phosphorus was the highest mineral in the ash (180.92 mg per 100 g), while the concentration of zinc was the lowest (1.46 mg per 100 g). Copper, manganese, nickel and lead were below the detection limits. Observations on the functional properties revealed low gelation, oil absorption, and emulsion capacity and stability. The effect of pH on the protein solubility showed that the lowest solubility occurred at the pH value of 4.0, while maximum solubility was recorded at the pH values of 6 and 7.
Lipid and protein content in Anguilla anguilla during growth and starvation

This study is based on elementary chemical analyses made on whole eels. It is shown that eels during development from elver to silver eel accumulate lipid from about 20 to about 80% calculated as the lipid part of the eel’s total energy. Silver eels can endure long-term starvation. Our record is 1594 days at 14 ± 2C. Logarithms of body weights decrease linearly against days of starvation. Samples of male silver eels taken at intervals from a starving batch were analysed for water, lipid (L) and protein (P). During starvation the lipid reserve (gL/eel) is decomposed at a lower rate than that of the protein reserve (gPIeel). HaIf-lives are 667 and 416 days respectively. Calculations of energy loss (Cal/kg L or P/day) during starvation showed that the two energy reserves are mobilized in such a way that they (per kg reserve) contribute almost equally to the total metabolism. When the eel’s body weight is used as reference (Cal/kg eel/day) an increasing rate of decomposition is typical of L while the rate of P is decreasing. During the entire period of starvation the energy released from L surpasses that of P. The sum of Land P-energies remains consrant. Determinations of oxygen consumption were made no starving male silver eels kept individually in respiromerric bottles over about four years. Their merabolic rate increased by a factor 3. This is in conflict with the above results. The discrepancy is discussed.