Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of temporal and seasonal changes on genetic diversity and population structure of the tsetse fly, Glossina pallidipes in Kenya

The Tsetse fly. Glossina palltdipes. (Diptera: Glossinidae) is an important vector of animal trypanosomiasis It has also been implicated in the transmission of pathogens that cause human African trypanosomiasis. Understanding how G. palhdipes populations vary temporally is necessary for effective intervention. Temporal variation in allele frequencies at eight microsatelhte loci was assessed by sampling local populations of G. palltdtpes. Samplings were carried out in 2000, 200 I, and 2003 in the Lambwe Valley and Nguruman areas in Kenya. Six polymorphic loci were scored. Allele frequencies were homogenous between seasons. Genetic differentiation was higher among dry season samples (F,, = 0.051, G" = 0.047) than wet season samples (F;r = 0.041, G" = 0.03 7). Differentiation between pooled dry season and pooled wet season samples did not differ (F,r = 0.008, G" = 0.004). Analysis of variance revealed no substantial genetic subdivision in seasons or years. It is concluded that G. pallidipes populations are more aggregated during the dry season, resulting in stronger measures of genetic differentiation when compared with wet seasons. However, season and time had no effect, indicating relative stability of G. pallidipes populations. Thus, strategies for suppression of G. pallidipes in the country should adopt measures that may not reduce effectiveness indifferent times of the year.
Effects of early life conditions on immunity in broilers and layers

ABSTRACT The course for later life immune responses is set early in life during the developmental phase of the immune system and accordingly disturbances of immune development may have long-term consequences for host health. In terms of immune activation and immune development the gut microbiota play an important role and consequently disturbances of early life microbial colonization may affect host immunity later in life. In chickens, disturbances of microbial colonization may be caused by various early life conditions which in turn may affect robustness of the chick in the long term. The aim of this thesis was to assess the effects of several early life factors including time of access to feed post hatch (immediately or 72 hours delayed), housing conditions, antibiotic treatment, and intestinal pathology on the intestinal microbiota composition, immune development, and specific antibody response later in life in chickens. Additionally, possible differences between broilers and layers were taken into account as unintentional co-selection of immunological traits may have taken place during the selection process for different production traits. Delayed access to feed and administration of antibiotics early in life led to a shift in early life microbiota composition, which seemed to be restored quite quickly in both cases. Microbiota composition in response to DSS was not investigated, but based on rodent studies was expected to be influenced. Ileal immune development, which was assessed in terms of relative cytokine and immunoglobulin mRNA expression levels was not affected by feeding strategy post hatch (early vs. delayed), but a downregulation of ileal immunoglobulin expression levels could be observed during DSS treatment. All early life factors investigated affected the specific antibody response towards an immunological challenge later in life. Interestingly, there seemed to be an interaction between immediate access to feed post hatch and immune responsiveness towards the environment, thus early feeding may influence the adaptive capacity of chickens in different environments. Regarding the differences between breeds it is interesting to note that broilers seem to have developed a more humoral oriented immune strategy, while layers seem to react in a more pro-inflammatory way. Taken together, results suggested that early life conditions may influence priming of the immune system during its developmental phase, leading to altered antibody responses later in life. Furthermore, broilers and layers seem to have developed different immune strategies. Early life conditions as well as possible differences between breeds should therefore be taken into account in future immunological studies.
Role of beer in the modulation of degenerative processes. In vivo and in vitro integrative studies of the DNA protective activity, survival increase, antiproliferative potential and modulation of genetic methylation status

The aim of the present study was to examine the nutraceutic potential of lyophilised blond Lager beer, as well as two of its bioactive components: xanthohumol and folic acid. Several toxicity, antitoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and longevity endpoints were checked in the SMART in vivo Drosophila system. Cytotoxicity in HL-60 promyelocytic and NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts cells, proapototic DNA fragmentation, comet assay, macroautophagy ac-tivity and methylation status were tested in in vitro assays. Lyophilised blond Lager beer could be proposed as a substance with an important nutraceutical value, because of its hopeful results as a lifespan promoter, DNA protection against free radicals in the animal model and its chemopreventive activity in HL-60 cells and enhacer of macroautophagy at mod-erate doses in NIH3T3 inmortal cells. Only xanthohumol mimics the biological activities found in lyophilised beer. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Chemical compounds: Agarose (PubChem CID: 11966311); Etanol (PubChem CID: 702); Ethidum bromide (PubChem CID: 14710); Folic acid (PubChem CID: 6037); Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (PubChem CID: 784); Isopropanol (PubChem CID: 3776); L-glutamine (PubChem CID: 5961); NaCl (PubChem CID: 5234); Propidium iodide (PubChem CID: 104981); SDS (PubChem CID: 3423265); Trypan blue (PubChem CID: 101417452); Xanthohumol (PubChem CID: 639665). * Corresponding author. Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Gregor Mendel Building, Córdoba 14071, Spain. Fax: +34 957 212 072. E-mail addresses: b32meamm@uco.es; tania.meram@gmail.com (T. Merinas-Amo). Abbreviations: Etop, Etoposide; flr 3 , flare genetic marker; HL-60, human leukaemia-60 cell line; IC50, inhibitory concentration 50; IP, inhi-bition percentages; LBLB, lyophilised blond Lager beer; LINE, long interspersed elements; MA, macroautophagy; mwh, multiple wing hairs genetic marker; NIH3T3, mouse embryonic fibroblast cells; qMSP, quantitative methylation-specific PCR; Sat-α, satellite-alpha DNA; SMART, somatic mutation and recombination test; TM, tail moment http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jff. 2016.09. 014 1756-4646/© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci in pet birds associated with psittacosis cases in humans

Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci in pet birds associated with psittacosis cases in humans. Epidemiologia Zoonosis represent the majority of emerging infectious diseases, which have variable occurrence according to biological, environmental, socio-economic and cultural factors. With respect to socio-cultural factors, a growing practice in Brazil is keeping exotic animals as pets. These can have significant role in the spread of pathogens with zoonotic potencial, such as Chlamydia psittaci , etiologic agent of chlamydiosis in birds and psittacosis in humans. The Psittaciformes are the main order of birds affected by C. psittaci and is the most commonly kept as a pet. Avian chlamydiosis is endemic in Brazil; however, few studies have been conducted regarding its zoonotic potential. In human, psittacosis can lead to atypical pneumonia, however, due to difficulties related to laboratory diagnosis and the relative lack of knowledge by health professionals about this disease, its prevalence in the country is still unknown. In this context, this study aimed to determine the occurrence of C. psittaci in patients with psittacosis symptoms attended at the Ambulatory of Tropical Diseases and Zoonosis of the Infectology Institute Emilio Ribas (IIER). In addition, establishing the epidemiological link with birds and evaluate risk factors related to this zoonosis. Therefore, serum samples from eligible patients were collected in order to be tested for C. psittaci IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies. At the same time, biological samples from any species of birds related to suspected cases of psittacosis were collected for molecular analysis of C. psittaci . Among the eligible patients in this study, 27% (10/37) were classified as confirmed cases of psittacosis; 13.5% (5/37) as probable and 15/15), keeping the bird in the shoulder (67%, 10/15), kissing the bird (40%, 6/15) and sharing the food with the bird (13%, 2/15), practices that facilitate diseases transmission. Human and animal health care providers have an important role to play in identifying specific factors affecting the health of their patients and should work together. Conjointly efforts would increase the understanding on zoonotic disease and would, ultimately, improve prevention and control strategies.
The protective role of propolis against the reproductive toxicity of mono-sodium glutamine in male rabbits

The present study was carried out to investigate the possible protective effect of propolis on semen characteristics induced by the flavor enhancers, monosodium glutamate (MSG) in adult male V-line rabbits. Twenty mature male rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups of 5 rabbits each. Group 1 served as control. However, group 2, 3 and 4 were given propolis (50 mg/kg body weight), mono-sodium glutamine (8 mg/kg body weight) and the combination of propolis (50 mg/BW) and MSG (8 mg/BW), respectively. Animals were orally administered the doses of propolis, MSG and propolis plus MSG every day for 12 weeks. Results showed that semen quality was deteriorated following treatment with MSG. Also, testosterone levels, body weight (BW) and relative weights of testes (RWT) were decreased. Propolis alone significantly increased BW, RTW, testosterone levels and semen characteristics. Furthermore, the presence of propolis with MSG alleviates its toxic effects. From the present study, it can be concluded propolis can be effective in the protection of MSG-induced reproductive toxicity.
MODELING THE ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE/NUTSEDGE PEST COMPLEX: PERSPECTIVES FROM WEED SCIENCE, NEMATOLOGY AND STATISTICS

Previous research by the authors has established that southern root-knot nematode (SRKN, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood) and yellow and purple nutsedge (YNS, Cyperus esculentus L. and PNS, C. rotundus L.) form a pest-complex that adversely affects a wide variety of crops in the southern and western U.S. These pests appear to have co-evolved a mutually-beneficial relationship that promotes the survival of both nematodes and weeds to the detriment of crops. Traditional management has usually targeted one pest at a time, but managing this pest complex requires that all members of the complex be managed simultaneously. A series of experiments was performed to determine if this specific pest complex could be managed through crop-rotation using a non-dormant M. incognita-resistant variety of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) which can aggressively compete with, and hence decrease, occurrence of both species of nutsedges (NS), and subsequently decrease SRKN by decreasing the availability of root systems of host plants. A previous journal article discussed predicting counts of SRKN second-stage juveniles (SRKN-J2) as a function of YNS and PNS plant counts from a two-year alfalfa rotation experiment, using the Poisson distribution and a scale parameter to handle problems of overdispersion. In this paper, we examine three generalizations of the Poisson distribution that allow for the count variance being larger than the mean count: the Generalized Poisson, the Zero-Inflated Poisson (ZIP), and the Poisson Hurdle. The ZIP and Hurdle Poisson distributions both account for zero counts as a separate part of the distribution, while the Generalized Poisson incorporates a separate parameter that increases the variance relative to the mean. Different biological scenarios are presented for which each of these three general Poisson distributions might be logically appropriate. In addition, we use the alfalfa rotation data to present comparisons of fitted regression models of the three general Poisson distributions to the results from the previous analysis using the Poisson. For this data, there was no single probability distribution that worked best for all six sampling dates (three in each of the two years). This is not surprising in that over time the alfalfa rotation was, as planned, decreasing both nutsedge and nematode counts, thus presenting a "moving target" for the modeling process.
The influence of climatic conditions on physiological and behavioural parameters in dairy cows kept in open stables

This study aimed to assess whether cows are able to cope with the range of climatic conditions they are exposed to in open stables on commercial farms in central Europe. On each of four farms, ten lactating cows were observed over a total of five weeks in winter, spring and summer. Based on continuous measurements of air temperature (–13·8 to 28·7oC) and relative air humidity (0·26 to 0·99), a mean value of a temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated for each farm and each observation day for night and day. THI had significant effects on skin temperature and body surface temperature (infra-red thermography) both during night and day. Rectal temperature, duration of lying and cortisol concentration in the milk was significantly affected by THI during the day but not during the night. Heart rate and frequency of lying did not significantly covary with THI. Differences between farms and interactions between THI and farm were significant for most parameters. These results suggest that the climatic conditions during the day induced stronger thermoregulatory responses than the conditions during the night. Within the measured range of climatic conditions the cows were hardly exposed to severe cold or heat stress.
Secretory spaces in species of the clade Dipterygeae (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)

Dipteryx, Pterodon and Taralea are legume genera known for secreting oils, produced in secretory canals and cavities, with medicinal properties. We analyzed the distribution, morphology and histochemistry of these glands in leaves and stems of Dipteryx alata, Pterodon pubescens and Taralea oppositifolia, three Neotropical species, using standard techniques for anatomy and histochemistry. Secretory spaces, i.e. secretory cavities and canals, exhibited a wide lumen and a single layer of epithelium. Digitiform epithelial cells, forming trabeculae protruding into the lumen, were seen in all three species. Secretory cavities with a rounded or oval lumen and secretory canals with an elongated lumen in longitudinal sections were found only in T. oppositifolia. In D. alata and P. pubescens, only secretory cavities were found. In P. pubescens, secretory cavities occurred in the leaf blade margin. In T. oppositifolia, secretory spaces were much more numerous than in the other two species. Terpenes, total lipids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and polysaccharides were detected in the secretory spaces of the three species. The abundance of secretory spaces, the presence of canals in T. oppositifolia and the position of cavities in P. pubescens are features with potential diagnostic value for their respective genera.
Nutritional diagnosis of sugarcane varieties in a Yellow Oxisol during three agricultural seasons

1 Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. 2 Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BR 104, Km 85, s/n, 57100-000. Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil. 3 Departamento de Agronomia, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiróz, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, 13418-900, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. 4 Departamento de Pesquisa, Usina Triunfo, Vila Triunfo, s/n, 57680-000, Boca da Mata, Alagoas, Brazil.
Partial characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 as affected by accelerated-aging factors

This study concerns the effect of accelerated-aging treatments on pasting properties, textural properties, solid loss, amylose content, cooked kernel elongation, color and the quantities of the key off-odor, n-hexanal, and the aroma-impact compound, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, of Thai Jasmine rice. Milled rice samples derived from freshly-harvested paddy with moisture contents of 13.4 and 16.6 percent wet basis were exposed to three designed sets of accelerated-aging conditions: 100°C for 60, 90 and 120 minutes, 110°C for 30 and 45 minutes, and 120°C for 15 and 30 minutes. Comparison between treated, untreated and naturally-aged samples revealed that accelerated-aging treatments enhanced the aging process of fresh rice samples, with the effect being significant in high-moisture-content rice and in higher temperature or longer exposure treated rice. The hardness and springiness of accelerated-aged cooked rice increased but its adhesiveness decreased. The accelerated-aged rice showed lower solid loss, higher yellowness, higher kernel elongation and pasting behavior similar to those of naturally-aged rice, though amylose content remained unchanged. The content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and n-hexanal decreased in accelerated-aged rice, however, these were still higher than those of 6to 12-month naturally-aged samples. The accelerated-aging technique designed in this study can be utilized for aging enhancement of Thai fragrant rice.
Dietary and Hormonal Factors Involved in Healthy or Unhealthy Visceral Adipose Tissue Expansion

White adipose tissue (WAT) expansion is related to the development of metabolic disorders found in obesity. WAT expansion is the result of generation of new adipose cells by activation of adipogenesis and/or the increase in adipose cell size (hypertrophy). The balance between these two processes determines whether WAT expansion occurs predominantly by hyperplasia, which means the increase in the number of adipocytes, or hypertrophy. Hypertrophic adipocytes are characterized by changes in adipokine secretion pattern, insulin resistance and altered lipid metabolism, which is the reason why WAT-hypertrophic expansion is considered unhealthy. Conversely, the generation of new mature adipocytes by adipogenesis contributes to reduction of the development of hypertrophic adipocytes and therefore maintain normal WAT functions, leading to healthy hyperplastic expansion. The adipogenic capacity of adipose tissue depends on the adipogenic potential and the number of adipocyte precursor cells. Different factors are known to regulate adipogenic process and adipose tissue function, contributing to a healthy or unhealthy expansion that occurs under positive energy balance. This chapter discusses the role of fructose intake and glucocorticoids and testosterone as regulators of adipose tissue function and expansion.
Physical and psychological motivation tests of individual preferences in rainbow trout

Animal preference and motivation have been used to assess different kinds of environmental resources that may help improve welfare conditions. However, preference and motivation are typically tested separately, and these assays disregard the individual nature of responses. Here, in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), we evaluated individual variability of preference for different resources, and whether these fish are motivated to access such preferred options. Individual fish were allowed to sample among four different compartments. Two different tests were used, one where the compartments varied in background colour, the other where the compartments varied in what they contained. Over a series of 10 days, the fish interacted with these different options and during the trials of the last 7 days, their visitation frequency to each compartment was registered every 30 s. The data were used to calculate a preference index for each fish. Physical motivation of individual fish to access preferred and dispreferred options was then tested by quantifying the frequency of pushes the fish gave to transparent hinged doors that led to the different compartments. In a separate test, whether fish entered a preferred or a dispreferred option after crossing an aversive open and brightly lit, along area was used as a measure of psychological motivation. Trout showed a strong preference for blue backgrounds, and were both more physically and psychologically motivated to access this color. However, preference and motivation for alternative items such as shelters or conspecifics were more variable. We conclude that the physical and psychological motivation of trout depend on the resources that they are trying to access, but the fish express stronger motivation to gain access to more preferred options.
Studies on population dynamics and efficacy of chemical and botanical insecticides against insect pest complex of okra

Title of the thesis : “Studies on Population Dynamics and Efficacy of Chemical and Botanical Insecticides against Insect Pest Complex of Okra” Student’s Name : Raju Berwa Permanent address : VillageChhotakheda, Post-Tulseph DistSheopur (M.P.) Pin – 476339 Name and address of Major advisor : Dr. A K Sharma, Assistant Professor Department of Entomology, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) Degree to be awarded : Master of Science in Agriculture Year of award of degree : 2016 Major subject : Entomology Total no. of pages in the thesis : 97 Number of words in the abstract : 815 Signature of Advisor ( Dr. A K Sharma ) Signature of Head of Department (Dr. A.K. Bhowmick) Signature of Student
Methane yield of biomass from extensive grassland is affected by compositional changes induced by order of arrival

Low‐input grassland biomass from marginal and other slightly more fertile sites can be used for energy production without competing with food or fodder production. The effect of grassland diversity on methane yield has received some attention, but we do not know how community assembly may affect methane yield from grassland biomass. However, methane yields determine the potential economic value of a bioenergy substrate. Hence, a better understanding of how plant community assembly affects methane yield would be important. We measured biomass production and methane yield in the second year of a grassland field experiment which manipulated the order of arrival of different plant functional groups (forbs, grasses or legumes sown first and all sown simultaneously) and sown diversity (9 vs. 21 species). The order of arrival of the plant functional groups significantly determined the relative dominance of each group which in turn mainly explained the variance in aboveground biomass production. Differences in area‐specific methane yields were driven by differences in biomass production and which plant functional groups dominated a plot. When grasses were sown first, legumes and grasses codominated a plot and the highest area‐specific methane yield was obtained. Overall, the results indicate that altering the order of arrival affected the community functional and species composition (and hence methane yields) much more than sown diversity. Our study shows that a combined use of positive biodiversity effects and guided plant community assembly may be able to optimize methane yields under field conditions. This may allow a guided, sustainable, and lucrative use of grassland biomass for biogas production in the future.