Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary choline supplementation on growth performance, lipid deposition and intestinal enzyme activities of blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephal fed high-lipid diet

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary choline supplementation on growth, lipid deposition and intestinal enzyme activities of Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish were fed four diets with two lipid levels (50 and 150 g kg−1) and two choline supplementations (600 and 1600 mg kg−1) for 8 weeks. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), viscerosomatic index (VSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), intraperitoneal fat (IPF) ratio, whole-body and muscle lipid contents, intestinal lipase activities and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities all increased significantly (P < 0.05) as lipid levels increased, whereas the opposite was true for whole-body and muscle moisture contents and intestinal amylase activities. VSI, IPF ratio and whole-body lipid contents all decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary choline supplementations. Weight gain, muscle moisture content all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary choline supplementations when dietary lipid levels reached 150 g kg−1, whereas the opposite was true for FCR, IPF ratio, IPF and liver LPL activities. In addition, abnormal hepatocytes were found in the liver of fish fed 150 g kg−1 lipid with 600 mg kg−1 choline supplementation. The result of this study indicated that extra choline supplementation can improve growth performance, intestinal enzymes activities and reduce excessive lipid deposition of M. amblycephala fed high lipid.
Genetic association of an (α2-macroglobulin (Val1000lle) polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease

α2-Macroglobulin (A2M) is a proteinase inhibitor found in association with senile plaques (SP) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A2M has been implicated biochemically in binding and degradation of the amyloid β (Aβ) protein which accumulates in SP. We studied the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and a common A2M polymorphism, Val1000 (GTC)/Ile1000 (ATC), which occurs near the thiolester active site of the molecule. In an initial exploratory data set (90 controls and 171 Alzheimer’s disease) we noted an increased frequency of the G/G genotype from 0.07 to 0.12. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the G/G genotype is over-represented in Alzheimer’s disease in an additional independent data set: a group of 359 controls and 566 Alzheimer’s disease patients. In the hypothesis testing cohort, the G/G genotype increased from 0.07 in controls to 0.12 in Alzheimer’s disease (P < 0.05, Fisher’s exact test). The odds ratio for Alzheimer’s disease associated with the G/G genotype was 1.77 (1.16‐2.70, P < 0.01) and in combination with APOE4 was 9.68 (95% CI 3.91‐24.0, P < 0.001). The presence of the G allele was associated with an increase in Aβ burden in a small series. The A2M receptor, A2M-r/LRP, is a multifunctional receptor whose ligands include apolipoprotein E and the amyloid precursor protein. These four proteins have each been genetically linked to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that they may participate in a common disease pathway.
TRACE‐ELEMENT TOXICITIES IN OAT PLANTS

Excessive amounts of nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum and aluminium in nutrient solutions supplied to oat plants in sand culture produce (a) chlorosis and (b) other symptoms specific to the element involved. The specific symptoms are distinct for each metal, although those of cobalt and nickel might be confused. The toxic effects of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese and molybdenum are associated with high concentrations of the element in the leaf tissue, but this is not always so with chromium and aluminium. The toxic effects of nickel, chromium, copper and molybdenum are associated with a reduced nitrogen content of the plant. Nickel, cobalt, chromium, zinc and manganese increase the concentration of phosphorus in the tissue whilst aluminium decreases it, probably to a deficiency level. Aluminium reduces the intensity of toxic symptoms produced by nickel—probably by reducing the uptake of nickel and phosphorus. Copper effectively reduces the leaf necrosis produced by nickel, but not the nickel content of the leaf tissue; it is suggested that one factor in nickel toxicity may be inhibition of one or more functions of copper. The other elements slightly increase chlorosis and some increase necrosis. The order of activitjl of the elements in producing chlorosis is found to be Ni>Cu>Co>Cr>Zn>Mo>Mn. This order, which is related to that giving yield reduction and is similar to the order of stability of metal complexes, is discussed in relation to induced iron deficiency.
EFFECTS OF FEEDING LOW AND HIGH GLUCOSINOLATE RAPESEED MEALS AND SOYBEAN MEAL ON THYROID FUNCTION OF YOUNG PIGS

In two experiments, 113 pigs were fed diets containing up to 25.3% low-glucosinolate, low-erucic acid rapeseed meal (cv. Tower = 00-RSM) or 31.3% commercially available rapeseed meal (C-RSM) as partial or complete replacements for soybean meal (SBM). The diets, formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric, were fed ad libitum to the pigs from 4 to 10 wk of age. Serum triiodothyronine uptake (T-3 uptake) was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the SBM diet compared with the other diets. In experiment 1, tetraiodothyronine (T-4) levels of 10-wk-old pigs fed the SBM diet were greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed C-RSM or C-RSM + SBM diets. The free thyroxine index (T-3 uptake/100 × T-4) was lowest (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the C-RSM diet. In experiment 2, serum T-4 levels of pigs fed the SBM and 00-RSM + SBM diets were higher (P < 0.05) than for those of pigs fed other diets. Serum cholesterol levels of pigs fed the 00-RSM, C-RSM and C-RSM + SBM diets were higher (P < 0.05) than was found with the SBM or 00-RSM + SBM.
γ‐Tocotrienol inhibits ErbB3‐dependent PI3K/Akt mitogenic signalling in neoplastic mammary epithelial cells

Abstract. The antiproliferative effects of γ‐tocotrienol are associated with suppression in epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐dependent phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/PI3K‐dependent kinase‐1 (PDK‐1)/Akt mitogenic signalling in neoplastic mammary epithelial cells. Studies were conducted to investigate the direct effects of γ‐tocotrienol treatment on specific components within the PI3K/PDK‐1/Akt mitogenic pathway. +SA cells were grown in culture and maintained in serum‐free media containing 10 ng/ml EGF as a mitogen. Treatment with 0–8 µmγ‐tocotrienol resulted in a dose‐responsive decrease in the +SA cell growth and a corresponding decrease in phospho‐Akt (active) levels. However, γ‐tocotrienol treatment had no direct inhibitory effect on Akt or PI3K enzymatic activity, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of γ‐tocotrienol occur upstream of PI3K, possibly at the level of the EGF‐receptor (ErbB1). Additional studies were conducted to determine the effects of γ‐tocotrienol on ErbB receptor activation. Results showed that γ‐tocotrienol treatment had little or no effect on ErbB1 or ErbB2 receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, a prerequisite for substrate interaction and signal transduction, but did cause a significant and progressive decrease in the ErbB3 tyrosine phosphorylation. Because ErbB1 or ErbB2 receptors form heterodimers with the ErbB3 receptor, and ErbB3 heterodimers have been shown to be the most potent activators of PI3K, these findings strongly suggest that the antiproliferative effects of γ‐tocotrienol in neoplastic +SA mouse mammary epithelial cells are mediated by a suppression in ErbB3‐receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent reduction in PI3K/PDK‐1/Akt mitogenic signalling.
The reproductive capacity of Fraxinus excelsior on the Derbyshire limestone.

The flowering, fruiting, seed losses and germination of Fraxinus excelsior L. have been investigated in a Derbyshire ashwood. Despite the complex flowering pattern, fruit fall is evenly distributed throughout the wood and continues for nearly a year from September to August. A large quantity of seed is eaten by Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomysglareolus, some is infested by Pseudargyrofoza conwagana, and in some fruit the seed is immature or absent. Only a very small percentage of seed ultimately germinates; germination usually occurs eighteen to twenty months after the seed has fallen, a long period of dormancy being involved.
Effect of Different Sowing Patterns of Oil Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Crop on Brassica sp. as a Strategy for Sustainable Weed Management

ABSTRACT The low competitive ability of linseed is one of the main factors that negatively affects its seed yield. In a sustainable agricultural context, it is necessary to look for weed management alternatives to the use of herbicides. The effect of seed density and plant arrangement on the competitiveness of linseed and on its relationship with seed yield, dry matter, and N accumulation and partition, was evaluated in a field experiment carried out in La Plata, Argentina. Two densities of linseed and two plant arrangements were tested both in the presence and the absence of weeds (canola, Brassica napus ssp. oleifera forma annua, was used as a ‘weed simulator’). The presence of weeds generated a reduction in total aerial biomass and linseed yield, together with a lower production of seeds per m and a lower accumulation of N in seeds. Total aerial biomass at harvest increased at high density, while dry matter partition to seed (harvest index) was reduced, and N accumulation was increased. The effect of linseed on Brassica biomass was higher at high density. These results suggest that changes in linseed density can improve its competitive ability and can thus be utilized as a strategy for weed management for more sustainable agricultural systems.
Comparative Study on Renal Function Parameters During Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a disease of pregnancy that affects many system in the body, characterized by elevated blood pressure with protein in urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy in pregnant women with no history of hypertension or proteinurea in previous pregnancy. The aim of the current study is to determine the renal function parameters as blood urea and serum creatinine levels in preeclamptic patients and to compare it with the normal pregnant women. This case-control study was conducted among the pregnant women visiting AL-Batool Maternity Teaching Hospital and AL-Khansa Hospital, Mosul, Iraq. Total 150 participants were evaluated out of which 75 were normotensive pregnant women (control group) and 75 were enrolled as preeclamptic group (study group). Serum creatinine and urea levels were measured using standard procedures. Results indicate a significant rise in the mean concentration of serum urea (4.72 ± 1.01 mmol/L vs. 2.48 ± 0.62 mmol/L), serum creatinine (88.8 ± 12.49 µmol / L vs. 56.61 ± 8.2 μmol/L), as compared to that of normotensive pregnant women( P < 0.0001). The findings of the present study are consistent with previous studies, suggesting increased level of serum creatinine and urea in preeclamptic group. Proper history tacking, examination and estimation of serum urea and creatinine may be helpful for management of pre–eclampsia in order to prevent fetal and maternal complications. http://dx.doi. org/10.25130/tjps.24. 2019.104
Measuring Business to Business of Inland Container Terminal Ports Service Quality in Tanzania: A Study of Dar Es Salaam Port, Tanzania

first with the implementation in USA and developed Europe, followed by East Asian countries and then more recently Africa. This was mainly due to insatiable focus on trade which resulted into diminishing returns, congestion, and a significant fall in efficiency. Abstract: Inland container depots play a critical role in the economy of many countries. Inadequate inland container cargo clearance may significantly affect customers, government agencies, shipping lines, cargo owners and results in their dissatisfaction. However, what constitute business to business of inland container depots service quality and its measurement has not been well assessed in the literature. Therefore, this study assesses measuring business to business of inland container terminal ports service quality in Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania. Following a literature review, a conceptual model of B2B inland container depots using INDSERV model. The model was validated through a survey of 364 members of the all service providers and service users’ managers in Dar es Salaam port. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted to confirm the INDSERV dimensions and to assess their relationship with business to business of inland container depot service quality using Smart PLS 3.2. 8 software. B2B inland container depots service quality is found to be measured by four latent constructs, potential quality, process soft quality, process soft quality, and output quality and all of these latent constructs have significant positive effects on inland container depots service quality. In addition to its academic contribution, this study also contributes to management practices because port managers can use the INDSERVE scale to measure their B2B inland container depots service providers and user’s satisfaction and justify value for money in the quality management of B2B service quality. The results showed that process hard quality is a fundamental latent construct in improving B2B multi-process service quality. In the model, we included second-order latent constructs such as potential quality, process soft quality, process hard quality and output quality for third order as a driver of B2B multi-process service quality. The less than one R 2 for B2B Multi-process inland container depot cargo clearance shows that there are other variables at stake that possibly impact B2B multi-process service quality. The study B2B on only. The study further explanation and exploration for transferrable and representation of B2B cargo clearance within other population. cross sectional research and therefore lacks causality. This improved conducting a longitudinal research
Molecular structure and granule morphology of native and heat-moisture-treated pinhão starch

Summary Pinhao seed is an unconventional source of starch and the pines grow up in native forests of southern Latin America. In this study, pinhao starch was adjusted at 15, 20 and 25% moisture content and heated to 100, 110 and 120 °C for 1 h. A decrease in λ max (starch/iodine complex) was observed as a result of increase in temperature and moisture content of HMT. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous phase in pinhao starch was determined via Fourier transform infra red by taking 1045/1022 band ratio. A decrease in crystallinity occurred as a result of HMT. Polarised light microscopy indicated a loss of birefringence of starch granules under 120 °C at 25% moisture content. Granule size distribution was further confirmed via scanning electron microscopy which showed the HMT effects. These results increased the understanding on molecular and structural properties of HMT pinhao starch and broadened its food and nonfood industrial applications.
Prevalence patterns of avian haemosporida on Hispaniola

We used PCR to screen for the presence of haemosporidian parasites (Phylum: Apicomplexa; Order: Haemosporida) in avian blood samples, and sequenced the parasite mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from infected hosts, to study patterns in the prevalence of haemosporidians in 1,166 individuals of 50 species in four habitats along an elevation gradient in the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic, island of Hispaniola. We found an overall prevalence of 0.44 among species with ≥10 individuals sampled per year, but this varied considerably among species. We found no difference in infection rates between years, between males and females, between second-year (<1 y old) and older birds, or among members of different foraging guilds. Prevalence differed significantly among migratory, endemic resident, and non-endemic resident species, with endemics having the highest rates of infection. Prevalence also varied among habitats, decreasing with increasing elevation, but the pattern was confounded by variation in the host species present at each elevation. From 215 sequenced parasites from 17 species of avian hosts, we recovered multiple examples of 12 lineages of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus), two lineages of a Columbiformes-specific clade of H. (Haemoproteus), and 10 lineages of Plasmodium, with an additional seven lineages sampled only once. A single parasite lineage was responsible for 34.4% of all infections, but five more lineages made up 41.8% of all infections. Several lineages were broadly distributed across multiple host species, but six lineages, all H. (Haemoproteus) or H. (Parahaemoproteus), were recorded from at least five individuals of a single host, suggesting host specialization. The number of host species from which each parasite lineage was recovered varied from one to nine; several host species harbored as many as 5-9 parasite lineages. Longitudinal data suggest that while hosts might harbor the same parasite lineage for more than a year, some hosts appear to clear infections from their circulating blood, while others manifested infections by a different parasite lineage.
Evidence for food competition between mink (Mustela vison) and otter (Lutra lutra) on Scottish islands

Food competition between American mink and otters was measured by comparing the diets of sympatric mink and otter populations with those of allopatric populations. Niche breadth was narrower for otters than mink. Niche breadth was wider for both mink and otters on islands where they co-existed in comparison to that of the allopatric populations. Niche overlap was lower in sympatric populations on islands with mammalian prey, however, niche overlap was not reduced on small islands without mammalian prey. Obtained data suggest that mink and otter compete for food resources and, when alternative prey sources are available, mink become more generalist predators to avoid competition with otters. However, when alternative prey sources are not available, both species become more generalist.
Effects of seeding rate and date and phosphorus application on growth and yield of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis)

Des experiences aux champs ont ete conduites pendant les saisons hivernales de 1999-2000 et 2000-2001 dans la region semi-aride du Nord de la Jordanie, pour etudier l'effet sur le rendement de la vesce de Narbonne (Vicia Narbonensis) des facteurs suivants : date de semis (14 janvier, 28 janvier et 12 fevrier), densite de semis (40, 60 et 80 plantes.m -2 ), fertilisation phosphatee (17,5, 35,0 et 52,5 kg.ha -1 P) et 2 methodes de repartition du P (place avec la semence au moment du semis a 6 cm de profondeur [en ligne] ou disperse sur l'ensemble de la surface du sol et incorporee dans les 2 cm de la couche superficielle du sol avant le semis [a la volee]). La date et la densite de semis et la dose de P ont un effet significatif sur la majorite des caracteristiques mesurees et des composantes du rendement. La methode d'application du P a seulement un effet significatif sur le rendement en graine, le nombre de gousses par plante, le nombre de graines par gousse, le nombre de branches primaires par plante, le poids de 100 grains, la longueur des gousses et le poids des grains par plante. En general, les resultats ont revele que la combinaison d'un semis precoce (14 janvier), d'une densite de semis elevee (80 plantes.m -2 ) et d'une application de P (52,5 kg.ha -1 P) deposee avec les semences (semis en ligne) est prometteuse pour l'obtention du maximum de rendement pour la vesce de narbonne.
Effect of formic acid and a bacterial inoculant on the amino acid composition of grass silage and on animal performance

Winters, A. L. , Fychan, A. R. , Jones, R. (2001). Effect of formic acid and a bacterial inoculant on the amino acid composition of grass silage and on animal performance. Grass and Forage Science, 56, (2), 181-192. Sponsorship: UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Acts as a Potent Inhibitor of Complement C3 Biosynthesis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

In this study, we attempted to determine how transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 affects complement C3 secretion in the pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1 and BxPC-3. We also compared the responses in C3 secretion with those in interleukin (IL)-8 secretion. The C3 and IL-8 expression was evaluated at the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. The activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was assessed by an electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha both induced a marked increase in C3 and IL-8 secretion. However, TGF-beta1 potently decreased the IL-1beta- and TNF-alpha-induced C3 secretion, whereas the IL-8 secretion was weakly but significantly enhanced. These responses were also observed at the mRNA level. In PANC-1 cells, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha induced a rapid activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, and TGF-beta1 enhanced this activation slightly. The induction of Fos protein has been reported to be required for the inhibitory action of TGF-beta1, and the translocation of Fos protein into the nucleus was associated with TGF-beta1 stimulation in PANC-1 cells. Our results suggest that TGF-beta1 may act as a potent inhibitor of C3 secretion in pancreatic cancer cell lines under inflammatory conditions. This action of TGF-beta1 did not correlate with NF-kappaB activation, but associated with the translocation of Fos protein into the nucleus.
The Effectiveness of Three Vegetation Indices Obtained from a Canopy Sensor in Identifying Sugarcane Response to Nitrogen

Published in Agron. J. 106:273–280 (2014) doi:10.2134/agronj2012.0504 Copyright © 2014 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ABSTRACT Methods for estimating the N response of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) while considering a variable rate of N application are required to allow for improved nitrogen use e ciency (NUE) and higher yields. e objectives of this work were to compare the performance of three vegetation indices obtained from canopy sensor data to assess N in sugarcane elds at various crop stalk height as well as to determine the ability of these in-season sensor readings to predict the response of yield to N. Seven experiments were conducted in Brazil under di erent site conditions from 2009 to 2011. e treatments comprised ve N application rates ranging from 0 to 200 kg N ha–1. A CropCircle canopy sensor (model ACS-210, Holland Scienti c Inc., Lincoln, NE) was used to determine the amber normalized di erence vegetation index (aNDVI), chlorophyll index (CI), and inverse of the simple ratio (ISR) at di erent crop stalk heights. e N application increased the yield in only three elds (p < 0.1). e best results using the canopy sensor readings, chlorophyll and leaf N content were found when the average crop stalk height was between 0.4 and 0.7 m. A weak relationship was observed between the vegetation indices and N from tissue analyses. e best results were obtained with the ISR due to its high r2, low root mean square error (RMSE), and consequently higher SEq with respect to sugarcane yield. e canopy re ectance sensor is a useful tool for identifying the variability within elds and to determine the variable rate of in-season N fertilizer application in sugarcane elds.