Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Role of Relaxin in the Treatment of Fibrosis

Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone of the insulin superfamily. It acts as a pleiotropic hormone and have many physiological roles. Relaxin signals through the Relaxin Family Peptide 1 (RXFP1) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor that triggers multiple signaling pathways to achieve functions including remodeling of extracellular matrix. The polypeptide plays a role in the prevention and treatment of fibrosis in a number of tissues and organs including liver. The ongoing research on relaxin have generated interested in its use as antifibrotic agent. Its role in remodeling extracellular matrix, inhibiting collagen deposition in experimental models suggest its therapeutic role in treating established fibrosis.
Bacterial management strategies for stock enhancement of warmwater marine fish : A case study with common snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

Accurate decisions about microbial health of released fish require determination of normal and pathogenic flora for each species released. As a first step toward assessing juvenile health and formulating a predictable standard for successful stocking, we monitored but did not manipulate bacteria of larval common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in two culture systems. Snook survived better in an open (flow-through) system than in a closed (recirculating) system. Fish from the open system had a higher diversity (at least nine genera) of bacteria than those from the closed system (four genera). After salinity was reduced from 32 to 2-4‰, the open-system flora further diversified and shifted from gram-negative bacteria dominated by vibrios to gram-negative environmental and gram-positive staphylococcal bacteria. The closed-system fish did not undergo a salinity or floral change. Fewer potentially pathogenic bacteria were found in fish from the open system, both before and after the salinity change. The presence of certain bacteria (Bacillus sp. and gram-negative environmentals) seems responsible for the exclusion of pathogenic strains and, therefore, better overall fish health. During the second part of the study, inoculation of culture water with a probiotic isolate (Bacillus no. 48), combined with salinity reduction, apparently eliminated vibrios from juvenile snook. All snook from four rearing cycles in the open system that were transported by truck for 6 h, and then held in tanks for another 12 h, survived. Survival of 2368 juveniles stocked in saltwater ponds was 89-96% after 2 mo. On the basis of these preliminary results, our experience, and a review of the literature, some recommendations are made for microbial management of juvenile snook and similar fish. Most bacterial infections of marine fish larvae probably begin in the gut. Good bacterial selection by both the culturist and the fish, immunological preparation of fish (e.g., prior exposures, immunostimulants, vaccines) before they are released, and reduction of stress (e.g., temperature, handling) during release will contribute to better survival.
Dispersal of Little Egrets Egretta garzetta from Northern Spanish Atlantic Colonies

Summary. We studied the movements of little egrets Egretta garzetta from breeding colonies in northern Spanish Atlantic estuaries using sighting data of colour-ringed birds. Data on 304 resightings of 95 out of 457 little egrets ringed as chicks in two colonies on the southern Bay of Biscay were analysed. Most egrets (68.9%) were observed less than 50 km from their natal colonies and thus exhibited low dispersal, supporting the view that these birds belong to a resident population breeding along the coasts of the Bay of Biscay. Nearly all resightings (95.5%) occurred in estuaries across an east-west axis corresponding to the Atlantic coast of northern Spain and had a west-biased dispersal direction. We suggest that the recently formed northern Atlantic Spanish population is a consequence of a westward colonisation pattern originating in the French Atlantic colonies.
Decreased magnesium in the hair of autistic children

Concentrations of 16 nutrient minerals and seven toxic minerals were determined in scalp hair samples from a group of 28 autistic children and 18 controls. Autistic children had significantly lower amounts of magnesium and calcium in their hair than did controls. On the basis of a stepwise discriminant function of the 23 minerals, 85 percent of the autistic children were correctly classified with magnesium levels accounting for 18 percent of the variance between the two groups. Possible relationships between magnesium deficiency and early childhood autism are discussed.
Influence of the Infectious Dose of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus on the Acute Infection in Cynomolgus Monkeys and on the Effect of Treatment with 3′-Fluorothymidine

Inoculation of cynomolgus monkeys with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVSM) results in an acute infection with circulating viral antigen. The time for appearance of the viral antigen peak was dependent on the dose of virus given, a reduced dose of virus resulting in a later peak. 3′-Fluorothymidine (FLT) was given at a dose of 3 × 5mg kg−1 day−1 starting 8 h before virus inoculation and then every 8 h for 10 days. In monkeys inoculated with 500–2500 infectious doses of SIVSM no significant effect of treatment with FLT was seen. When the amount of virus was reduced to 100 infectious doses or less, treatment with FLT resulted in a significant delay in the appearance of viral antigen. At an inoculum of 2–10 infectious doses per monkey, FLT treatment showed a prophylactic effect.
Diets of White-bellied Sea-Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster

During 2003–2008, in and near the Australian Capital Territory, the diet of breeding White-bellied Sea-Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster consisted of 8 per cent mammals (1% macropod, 1% hare), 42 per cent birds (33% waterbirds), 9 per cent turtles and 40 per cent fi sh by number (n = 78 items from four nests). Breeding Whistling Kites Haliastur sphenurus took 45 per cent mammals (26% rabbit), 43 per cent birds (13% waterbirds), 4 per cent lizards and 7 per cent fi sh (n = 136 items from three nests). By biomass, Sea-Eagles took 52 per cent fi sh; Whistling Kites took 64 per cent mammals, mostly rabbits, with little dietary overlap (Pianka Index 0.12). Despite the almost fi vefold difference in these raptor species’ respective body mass, the Geometric Mean Prey Weight found for Sea-Eagles was 995 grams, and for Whistling Kites 606 grams (the latter skewed by the high incidence of mammal carrion). Dietary diversity (species richness and evenness: Shannon Index) was higher (3.24) for the Whistling Kite than for the White-bellied Sea-Eagle (2.68).
Paralarval distribution of the ommastrephid squid Todarodes pacificus during fall in the southern sea of Japan, and its implication for locating spawning grounds

Annual fall surveys have been conducted since 1972 to determine the paralarval distribution of the ommastrephid squid Todarodes pacificus in the southern Sea of Japan. Small ring nets (45 cm diameter, 0.34 mm mesh) were towed vertically from a depth of ca 150 m to the surface to collect the paralarvae. Samples for a study covering the southern part of the Sea of Japan were collected once a month during September-November from 1974 to 1991. Samples for a separate study focusing on a smaller area near the Korea Strait were collected during October-November from 1973 to 1999. The results of both studies indicate that the paralarval distribution range expanded when stock levels were high during the early 1970s and after the late 1980s, and contracted when stock levels were low. After the stock increase that occurred in the mid-1980s, the paralarval distribution range expanded southward in October and November. We conclude that paralarval distribution patterns might be used to estimate the adult stock size.
Study of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in various ethnic groups of North India

Various studies have been done to investigate the status of p53 at codon 72 for arginine (Arg) and proline (Pro) alleles in different ethnic populations and also the association of this codon 72 polymorphism with various tumours, including human papillomavirus (HPV)-related uterine cervical carcinoma. The Arg allele is susceptible to degradation by the E6 protein of HPV. However, no literature is available regarding allele frequencies from the different ethnic groups in India. We investigated the status of p53 at codon 72 for Arg/Pro allele polymorphism in different ethnic groups (Ladakhi, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Rajasthani Gujjar and Rajasthani Rajput) in North India. It is known that the incidence of HPV-related cervical carcinoma in the Kashmiri population is very low. The BstUl polymorphism at codon 72 was studied by PCR-RFLP. The only group, which showed significantly increased frequency of the Arg/Arg allele, was from Ladakh. This could be because of their Oriental descent and relative geographical isolation. There is no literature or cancer registry data on the status of cervical carcinoma in the Ladakhi population. The low prevalence of HPV-related cervical cancer in the Kashmiri population did not seem to affect or be related to the frequency of the presumed susceptibility allele (Arg allele).
Success despite the stress: violet‐green swallows increase glucocorticoids and maintain reproductive output despite experimental increases in flight costs

Summary 1.Glucocorticoid steroid hormones play a central role in regulating the metabolic state of animals, especially when they cope with unanticipated stressors in their environment. The cort-adaptation hypothesis predicts that baseline concentrations of glucocorticoids are adjusted upward to match energetic needs and promote fitness when individuals are faced with physiological challenges, including those associated with reproduction. 2.We tested the cort-adaptation hypothesis in the violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) by experimentally increasing flight costs during the offspring rearing period. Individual females were assigned to one of three treatments: light feather clipping (removal of 4 wing feathers), heavy feather clipping (removal of 8 wing feathers), or a sham-clip control. 3.We measured baseline corticosterone and body mass immediately prior to implementing treatments during the offspring rearing period and then 10 days after initial manipulations took place. We also quantified risk-taking behavior, offspring feeding rate, and the number of offspring fledged. Finally, we examined how treatments influenced offspring phenotype via measurements of nestling body mass and baseline corticosterone, as both measures have been associated with post-fledging survival. 4.We found that handicapped females significantly increased baseline corticosterone between the two sampling periods, with the magnitude of change in the light clipping and heavy clipping treatments 2.5x and 6.1x greater than controls, respectively. All individuals lost mass between the two sampling periods, but the degree of loss was greater for females in both clipping treatments relative to unmanipulated controls. 5.In contrast, we found no evidence of treatment differences in female risk-taking, offspring provisioning, or in the number of offspring fledged. Offspring raised by females in both handicapped treatments did have significantly elevated baseline corticosterone relative to those in control broods, but we detected no treatment differences in offspring body mass. 6.Our study found that handicapped females increased circulating glucocorticoids and were able to maintain critical parental care behaviors and raise a similar number of offspring as unmanipulated controls. Thus, increases in baseline cort of handicapped females appeared to have allowed them to maintain fitness despite increased physiological challenges, providing support for the cort-adaptation hypothesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Early Cellular Events During Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Cotyledon Explants of Solanum aviculare Forst.

A detailed light and electron microscope study of early cellular events at the onset of somatic embryogenesis in cotyledon explants of Solanum aviculare Forst. , cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg l −1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for periods of 0-12 d in darkness, is described.
Biotypes of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) are Resistant to Imazethapyr and Thifensulfuron

Seeds of suspected herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp were collected in Clay County and Douglas County, KS, respectively. An experiment was established in a greenhouse to determine if these species had developed resistance to imazethapyr and thifensulfuron. Imazethapyr was applied pre- (PRE) and postemergence (POST) at 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× the suggested use rate (70 g/ha), and thifensulfuron was applied POST at 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× the suggested use rate (4.5 g/ha). Both species had developed resistance to all rates of these herbicides. The occurrence of resistance at the Clay County site (Palmer amaranth) fit the typical pattern for the development of herbicide resistance, i.e., multiple applications of the same class of herbicide for several years. However, the Douglas County (common waterhemp) site had a limited history of use of ALS-inhibiting herbicides and did not follow typical models of resistance development.
Surface morphology of some Amphistomes (Trematoda) of Amazonian Fishes and the description of a new genus and species

The surface morphology of specimens from ten different genera of amphistomes (Trematoda, Cladorchiidae) from Amazonian fishes is described and illustrated. The importance of body shape as a generic character is considered. Morphological changes as a result of growth are shown and explained in relation to the species Dadaytrema oxycephala. Additionally, Doradamphistoma bacuensis gen. et sp. n. is described from the catfish, Megalodoras irwini Eigenmann, 1925.The new genus and species is elongate and flattened, with external pharyngeal pouches, an esophageal bulb, a spherical cirrus sac, a post-bifurcal genital pore and pre-equatorial testes.
The effect of non-glaucousness, as conferred by Inhibitor of Wax 1, on physiology and yield of UK Wheat

Abstract As the first barrier to the external environment, the epicuticular waxes have a number of key roles in plant physiology. Although the wheat wild progenitors display a diversity of epicuticular wax phenotypes, the glaucous (visible wax) phenotype dominates cultivated varieties. However, the UK winter wheat variety Shamrock is unusual in that it exhibits a non-glaucous phenotype, conferred by the wild emmer gene Inhibitor of Wax 1 (Iw1). UK field trials with Shamrock associated a yield advantage of 4.15% with Iw1. This PhD tests the hypothesis that Iw1 imparts an advantage for wheat yield and physiology in the UK. Crossing Shamrock with six glaucous UK winter wheat varieties (Malacca, Alchemy, Hereward, Xi19, Robigus and Einstein) created non-glaucous near isogenic lines (NILs) with Iw1. NILs were grown at multiple field trial locations in the east of England over four years. A long-term shade trial reducing incoming light by 40 and 60% was also carried out in 2014. Yield, and various physiological components including water use efficiency (WUE) and spectral properties, were measured. Iw1 reduced flag leaf photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflectance by 15-40% and canopy reflectance by 12-20% (p<0.05). Despite this, Iw1 did not affect flag leaf PAR absorbance or canopy temperature, and conferred no advantage under long-term shading. Furthermore, there was no difference between NILs in photoinhibition following an extended period of high light stress. Iw1 did not affect WUE or yield. However, non-glaucous Hereward and Alchemy NILs yielded 4.96±1.15% (p<0.001) and 2.59±1.01% (p=0.045) more than their glaucous counterparts, although this advantage did not map to Iw1. Iw1 offered no advantage to UK winter wheat under normal UK growing conditions, nor under long-term shading. However, the yield advantage associated with the Iw1 introgression in Hereward and Alchemy is significant within a backdrop of plateauing wheat yields and worth pursuing.
The Comparative Study of Size of Sella Turcica in Different Skeletal Types In Local Population - An in Vitro Study

Dental science ABSTRACT One of the most commonly used landmarks of cephalometric tracing is sella point. Any abnormality or pathology of gland could manifest from altered shape of sella turcica, to disturbance in regulation of secretion of glandular hormones. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the morphological shape and to measure the linear dimensions of sella turcica to determine if differences exist with different skeletal patterns. The ra- diographs are distributed according to skeletal class and gender; 30 cases of each class-1, class-2 and class-3 were col- lected with an equal distribution between males and females in each class (15- males and 15- females). The sella tur- cica on each cephalometric radiograph was traced on thin acetate paper under optimal illumination to find out length, depth and diameter of sella turcica. We observe that there is no significant difference between the three skeletal types with respect to the length and the depth. We notice that there is a significant difference in diameter between Class I and Class III; an increase in diameter size appears to be more common in Class III subjects, while a reduced diameter size is more prevalent in Class I individuals.
Results of testing the prototype of the AWIN welfare assessment protocol for dairy goats in 30 intensive farms in Northern Italy

Abstract The AWIN project aimed at developing an on-farm welfare assessment protocol for adult dairy goats. A prototype protocol was tested in 30 intensive dairy goat farms to evaluate its feasibility in farms of different size. Time for applying the prototype was recorded and any other constraint was taken into account. Moreover, data collected during the prototype testing provided information on the prevalence of welfare issues in intensive dairy goat farms in Northern Italy. The prototype included 25 animal-based indicators (14 group- and 11 individual-level indicators). The prototype showed a good on-farm feasibility and it was highly accepted among stakeholders, as its application did not interfere with the daily routine. Approximately 2 h were required for the application of the prototype. When feeding racks were available, using them for locking the animals during the individual assessment resulted advantageous to speed the data collection and to reduce handling stress to the goats and disturbance to the farmers. Farm size and different management systems influenced the prevalence of some indicators, with small farms in general better welfare conditions compared to larger farms. The results of the present study represent an important starting point to set up an epidemiological database that may lead to improve the welfare status of goats.
DETERMINAÇÃO E CORRELAÇÃO DE ANTICORPOS ANTI-Neospora caninum EM BOVINOS E CÃES DO PARANÁ, BRASIL

LOCATELLI-DITTRICH, R; MACHADO JR, P.C. ; FRIDLUND-PLUGGE, N. ; RICHARTZ, R. R.T. B. ; MONTIANI-FERREIRA, F. ; PATRICIO, L.F. L. ; PATRICIO, M.A.C. ; PIEPPE, M. [Determination and correlation of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle and dogs from Parana, Brazil]. Determinacao e correlacao de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em bovinos e caes do Parana, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinaria, v. 17, supl. 1, 191-196, 2008. Curso de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Veterinarias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, SCA, Universidade Federal do Parana, Rua dos Funcionarios, 1.540, Curitiba, PR 80035-050, Brasil. E-mail: roslocdi@ufpr.br The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and to compare the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle, as well as in farm dogs, and the relationship among them. The research was conducted in different mesoregions of Parana state, Southern Brazil. Sera from 1.263 cattle, from 77 farms were tested for antibodies to N. caninum by ELISA. Sera from 129 dogs, from 35 farms were tested for antibodies to N. caninum by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 423 of 1.263 bovines (33%), and in 32 of 129 dogs (25%). The seroprevalence of antibodies for N.caninum in cattle was not significantly higher in farms with seropositive dogs when compared to farms with no seropositive dogs. Thus, these results suggest that seropositive dogs to N. caninum did not contribute for the seroprevalence in cattle. Neospora caninum is widespread among cattle and dogs from rural areas of all mesoregions of Parana, Brazil.
A new species and new records of Microcerella macquart (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) from Argentinean Patagonia

Microcerella antonioi, n. sp. (Sarcophagidae), from Santa Cruz, Argentina, is described and illustrated. The following four species are recorded for the first time from Argentinean Patagonia: Microcerella aulacophyto Pape, M. chilena (Dodge), M. penai (Lopes), and M. rusca (Hall).
Influence of different genotypes on the meat quality of chicken kept in intensive and extensive farming managements

Three genotypes: 1. Broiler 2. Transylvanian naked-neck and 3. Hungarian speckled chicken kept in extensive and intensive farming managements were investigated. The legs and breasts of male and female of these chicken genotypes were used for the study. There were the following significant differences between the components in the meats of the Transylvanian and Broiler genotypes kept intensively. Transylvanian chicken meat had lower muscle to bone ratio, higher pH-value, higher water-holding capacity (in legs), less fat content, lower conjugated diene level, higher iron, zinc (only in male legs) and copper (only in female legs) concentration and higher riboflavin level (in legs). For fatty acids, the Transylvanian group had higher linoleic and lower myristic and palmitic acid concentration. Practically, no differences were observed in protein, cholesterol and thiamin concentrations and also in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) between the genotypes. In some cases similar results were found for the muscles of the Hungarian speckled genotype, but the differences were statistically not significant partly due to the small number of samples. The superoxide dismutase activities in the male breast samples of the Transylvanian naked-neck and Hungarian speckled chickens were significantly lower than in the Broiler kept extensively.
In-vitro antimicrobial efficacy of certian herbal seeds essential oils against important poultry microbes

Two in-vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of essential oil of herbal seeds. In-vitro antimicrobial properties of essential oils of phytobiotics was determined by disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida and Salmonella typhi and two fungi namely Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. Thyme oil had statistically similar or significantly (P<0.05) higher inhibition zone against all the bacterial and fungal species compared to standard antibiotic, chloramphenicol or antifungal drug, nystatin. Fenugreek oil was not found to be active against microbes compared to control. Fennel and cumin oils had statistically similar or significantly (P<0.05) higher inhibition zone against all microbes except Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi compared to control. Antiviral activity of essential oils was determined by anti-NDV assay against New Castle disease virus (LaSota). The results indicated that essential oils of herbal seeds do not possess antiviral activity against NDV LaSota virus at 1mg/ml concentration.