Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of FGF21 in Pancreatic Islet Metabolism

The endocrine-like factor FGF21 is a potent regulator of nutrient metabolism. Systemic FGF21 administration to obese animals improves glucose tolerance, lowers blood glucose and triglycerides, and decreases fasting insulin levels. Although FGF21 improves the survival and function of islet -cells, the mechanisms are currently unknown. This thesis examines mechanisms of FGF21 in the regulation of pancreatic islet metabolism. Biochemistry studies showed FGF21 decreased Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) protein expression in mouse islets. Autofluorescence microscopy showed difference in NAD(P)H responses when challenged with TCA cycle intermediate citrate. FGF21-treated islets showed significant decreased mitochondrial energetics when acutely stimulated with high concentrations of glucose and palmitate. This decrease in energetics correlated with increased generation of NADPH. Importantly, insulin secretion was lowered but not abolished in this state. These data confirm that FGF21 alters pancreatic islets metabolism during high glucose and high fat loading and reduces insulin during nutrient stress.
Effect of supercritical carbon dioxide conditions on extraction of food phytochemical constituents from Moringa oleifera. Lam seed kernels

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has shown a great potential for the extraction and isolation of phytochemicals from various food samples as it minimizes sample handling, provides fairly clean Process extracts, SC-CO2 is the fluid most commonly used in SFE with several advantages. Supercritical fluid extraction was carried out at selected SC-CO2 pressures (100, 150 and 200 bar) and temperatures (40, 50 and 60 degreesC). The concentrations of food phyto-chemicals 'viz.', total phenols, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, total sterols and total tocopherols from 'Moringa oleifera. Lam' seed kernels were found to be 41.82 to 44.71 mg GAE/g, 14.82 to 18.25 mg RE/g, 15.45 to 17.06 ppm, 892.05 to 984.17 ppm, 80.27 to 92.26 ppm were highest at 200 bar pressure and 50 degreesCtemperature. All of these parameters were significantly (p<0.01) affected by SC-CO2 conditions. With increasing in pressure from 100 to 200 bar, the extraction of phyto-chemicals increased, in case of temperature up to 50 degreesCphyto-chemicals extraction increased, further increasing in temperature from 50 to 60 degreesCthere will be a decrees in phyto-chemical concentration. Extraction yield of phyto-chemical constituents found 35.26 % in a SFE, which is more than the conventional soxhlet extraction technique (17.12 %). Therefore, phyto-chemical constituents present in the 'Moringa oleifera. Lam' seed kernels could be efficiently extracted by using SC-CO2 with standardized process conditions.
Dermatophytosis in an adult cattle due to Trichophyton verrucosum

Dermatophytosis is the most commonly occurring highly infectious and contagious cutaneous mycosis of public health and economic significance. This paper describes the etiologic significance of Trichophton verrucosum in bovine dermatitis. Trichopyton verrucosum, a zoophilic dermatophyte, was identified in the cutaneous lesions of a crossbred cow by employing standard mycological techniques. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of fungal agents in the skin lesions by direct microscopy in potassium hydroxide and ink solution, and also by isolation of Trichophyton verrucosum on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol, actidione and thiamine. The detailed microscopic morphology of the isolates of dermatophytic fungus in Narayan stain revealed septate hyphae, microcondia and macroconidia. The animal was treated with topical application of 2% solution of tincture iodine. Direct microscopy in KOH-INK solution is recommended for the rapid presumptive diagnosis of ringworm in rural areas, where laboratory facility of isolation of dermatophytes is not available. As animal dermatophytes are highly communicable to humans, care should be taken when dealing with diseased animals to avoid the infection. It is emphasized that Narayan stain should be widely used in microbiology and public health laboratories to study the morphology of dermatophytes and other fungi, which are implicated in the various clinical disorders of humans and animals. Correspondence to: Mahendra Pal, Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, 4, Aangan, Jagnath Ganesh Dairy Road, India, E-mail: palmahendra2@gmail.com
Nonbreeding isolation and population-specific migration patterns among three populations of Golden-winged Warblers

ABSTRACT Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) are Nearctic–Neotropical migrants experiencing varied regional population trends not fully explained by breeding-grounds factors such as nest success. A lack of detailed information on the nonbreeding distributions, migration routes, or timing of migration among populations hampers our ability to identify population processes outside the breeding period. We used geolocators to track annual movements of 21 Golden-winged Warblers from 3 North American breeding locations experiencing varying population trends to investigate the potential for nonbreeding site factors to influence breeding populations. We used the template-fit method to estimate locations of individual warblers throughout the year. Geolocator-marked warblers exhibited significant isolation among populations during migration and the nonbreeding period. During the nonbreeding period, Golden-winged Warblers from Minnesota, USA (n = 12) occurred in Central America from southern Mexico to central Nicaragua; warblers from Tennessee, USA (n = 7) occurred along the border of northern Colombia and Venezuela; and warblers from Pennsylvania, USA (n = 2) occurred in north-central Venezuela. Warblers travelled at slower rates over more days in fall migration than spring migration. Fall migration routes at the Gulf of Mexico were population-specific, whereas spring routes were more varied and overlapped among populations. Golden-winged Warblers from Pennsylvania migrated 4,000 and 5,000 km yr−1 farther than Tennessee and Minnesota warblers, respectively, and spent almost twice as long migrating in the fall compared to Minnesota warblers. Our results reveal nearly complete temporal and geographic isolation among 3 populations of Golden-winged Warblers throughout the annual cycle, resulting in opportunities for population- and site-specific factors to differentially influence populations outside the breeding period. Our findings highlight the need for monitoring multiple populations of migratory species to understand and better inform conservation strategies.
Age-related and seasonal variations in plasma uncarboxylated osteocalcin in male Murrah buffaloes

Abstract The present study aims to investigate the age-related and seasonal variations in plasma uncarboxylated osteocalcin (UcOCN) in male Murrah buffaloes. In experiment 1, body weight, body dimensions and plasma UcOCN levels were estimated in 120 male Murrah buffaloes aged between 18 days and 8 years. We observed a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in plasma UcOCN with age and their levels ranged between 0.25 and 9.25 ng/ml. In experiment 2, the plasma UcOCN, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and prolactin levels were determined during spring and summer in 6–34 months (n = 24) old male Murrah buffaloes. Significant (p < 0.0001) higher plasma UcOCN levels were observed in spring than in summer. The plasma T3 and T4 levels were positively correlated with plasma UcOCN, whereas the plasma cortisol and prolactin were negatively correlated. Further, to observe the effect of season on temporal variations of UcOCN, Murrah buffaloes aged between 4–6 (n = 5), 14–16 (n = 5) and 28–30 (n = 5) months were bled at an interval of 30 min, between 0700 and 01030 h, during both the seasons. We observed significant effects of season (p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001) and season-by-age interaction (p < 0.01) on plasma UcOCN. The reasons for variations in plasma UcOCN with age and season will be discussed.
Comparative phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of someplants growing in Al Jabal Al-Akhdar

El-Jabal Al Akhdar area possesses unique physiographic and climatic conditions that provides an excellent ecological niche and contributed to the restriction of many plant species. Among the most widely used plants are Arbutus pavarii [family Ericaceae], Pistacia lentiscus [family Anacardiaceae] and Myrtus communes [family Myrtaceae]. Although the fruits of these plants are commonly considered as an edible fruits for human and animals, yet their nutritive values are not extensively studied, as well as their leaves. The results of chemical analysis of their fruits indicated that there is a high amount of carbohydrates, 50 %, 42.14% and 4.73% for Arbutus, Myrtus and Pistacia respectively. The total percentages of protein in the three studied plants were present with variable quantities; the highest protein contents were found to be for Myrtus 5.63% followed by Pistacia 5% and the lowest was for Arbutus 2.18%. Determination of sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus contents revealed that there is a high level of both sodium, and potassium 0.46 % and 2.67% in Pistacia fruits, while the highest calcium content was for both Myrtus and Pistacia 0.38%&0.37% respectively . Myrtus fruits were found to contain the high level of phosphorus 0.13 mg/one gram powdered plant. The percentages for moisture [gravimetrically] and total phenolic contents were determined using ferricyanid complex assay [spectrophotometric prussion blue method]. At the same time, preliminary photochemical screening of their fruits and leaves was carried out . The total alcohol extracts of their leaves exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against both tested bacteria and fungi.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community as an Indicator of Stream Health: The Effects of Land Use on Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Biomonitoring of stream health in the tropics still emphasize on the use of standard water chemistry methods (physicochemical variables), which require expensive and elaborate measuring apparatus. In this study, the reliability of benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of freshwater streams was carried out. The study also attempted to determine the discriminating power of various biotic indices in characterizing sites across land use. Benthic macroinvertebrate samples were obtained from nine streams in Silago, Southern Leyte and were identified to family level. One-way analysis of variance was performed on various biotic indices to assess the water quality of streams based on land use. Average Tolerance Score per Taxon (ATSPT) was the only biotic index that differentiated the nine streams based on land use (P<0.001). Forested sites achieved the lowest ATSPT score, whereas mixed forested-agricultural sites had the highest ATSPT scores. Physicochemical variables (e.g., stream width, conductivity, total dissolved solids, water temperature) and biological metrics (e.g., Simpson’s diversity index, total macroinvertebrate density) used in the study supported this assessment. The results show that benthic macroinvertebrates can be used as potential biomonitoring tool to evaluate the ecological integrity of waterways in the country. Long-term data sets will be generated from future sampling efforts for the development of the Philippine Biotic Index. Keywords: Average Tolerance Score per Taxon (ATSPT), biotic indices, stream monitoring, physicochemical, Philippines
The effect of microclimate on wood decay is indirectly altered by tree species diversity in a litterbag study

Aims We studied the influence of tree species diversity on the dynamics of coarse wood decomposition in developing forest communities in a natural, topographically heterogeneous landscape. Using the litter bag technique, we investigated how and to which extent canopy tree species richness or the exclusion of mesoinvertebrates and macroinvertebrates affected wood decomposition in the light of natural variations in the microclimate. We compared the relative importance of the two aspects (experimental treatment versus microclimate) on wood decay rates using Schima superba as a standard litter. Methods Coarse woody debris (CWD) was deposited in litter bags with two different mesh sizes in a total of 134 plots along a gradient of canopy tree species richness (0–24 species). Wood decomposition was assessed at two consecutive time points, one and three years after deposition in the field. Local climatic conditions were assessed throughout the duration of the experiment. Microclimatic conditions were assessed both, directly in the field as well as indirectly via correlations with local topography. We used analysis of variance based approaches to assess the relative importance of the treatments (community tree species richness and macro invertebrate exclusion) and microclimatic conditions on wood decay. Important Findings No direct influence of tree species richness on wood decay could be detected. However, the exclusion of macroinvertebrates significantly decreased wood decomposition rates. In addition, microclimatic conditions accounted for a substantial proportion of explained variance in the observed data. Here, wood decomposition was negatively affected by low mean temperatures and high variations in local humidity and temperature. However, tree species richness as well as the respective species composition affected the presence of termites within forest communities. These, in turn, significantly increased the decay of CWD. The strength of both, experimental treatment and microclimate increased with ongoing decomposition. We conclude that, while tree species richness per se has no direct influence on wood decomposition, its influence on the local arthropod decomposer community (especially the presence of termites) does have an effect.
Characterizing the Structure and Function of the Cytoplasmic Domains of Ptch1

The Hedgehog (Hh)-pathway is a critical signalling cascade that determines cell fate and is required for embryonic and postnatal development. A central component of this molecular-genetic pathway is the receptor for the Hh-ligands, Patched-1 (Ptch1), a 12-pass, transmembrane glycoprotein that is essential for Hh-signalling. Despite its essential role in Hh-signalling, it is still unclear how Ptch1 mediates canonical Hh-signalling through Smo, though intracellular regions of Ptch1 have been suggested to be involved. We show that the deletion of the cytoplasmic “middle loop” (ML) domain (a.a. 584734) generates a Ptch1 mutant that, despite binding to ligand, constitutively suppresses Hhsignaling and increases the length of primary cilia. The constitutive activity due to deletion of this region is reversed, by further deletion of the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain (CTD) (a.a. 1162-1432). We show that the intracellular ML and CTD of Ptch1 are dispensable for canonical Hh-signalling.
Tools and triggers for eel reproduction

Freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) intrigued scientists for centuries. Their life cycle involves for example two distinct larval stages and a long distance migration, which may cover thousands of kilometers. The farming of eels is still dependent on the influx of wild glass eels, because eels do not mature naturally in captivity due to strong neural inhibition. Since the 1980s, the glass eel influx of several eel species drastically declined. The European eel (A. anguilla) was recently enlisted by the IUCN as a critically endangered species; therefore there is an urgent call for eel management and artificial reproduction. Artificial reproduction may contribute to restoration of the eel population by releasing the current fishing pressures on the wild stocks, and allowing a sustainable eel aquaculture in the future. Although, artificial reproduction by applying hormone treatments is possible to some extent, success ra tes are still far from creating a sustainable aquaculture. This thesis focuses on the spawning migration, maturation and reproduction of eels. New tools are developed that may improve current artificial maturation and reproduction protocols for eel aquaculture.
It’s okay to be green: Draft genome of the North American bullfrog (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana)

Frogs play important ecological roles as sentinels, insect control and food sources. Several species are important model organisms for scientific research to study embryogenesis, development, immune function, and endocrine signaling. The globally-distributed Ranidae (true frogs) are the largest frog family, and have substantial evolutionary distance from the model laboratory Xenopus frog species. Consequently, the extensive Xenopus genomic resources are of limited utility for Ranids and related frog species. More widely applicable amphibian genomic data is urgently needed as more than two-thirds of known species are currently threatened or are undergoing population declines. Herein, we report on the first genome sequence of a Ranid species, an adult male North American bullfrog (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana). We assembled high-depth Illumina reads (66-fold coverage), into a 5.8 Gbp (NG50 = 57.7 kbp) draft genome using ABySS v1.9. 0. The assembly was scaffolded with LINKS and RAILS using pseudo-long-reads from targeted denovo assembler Kollector and Illumina Synthetic Long-Reads, as well as reads from long fragment (MPET) libraries. We predicted over 22,000 protein-coding genes using the MAKER2 pipeline and identified the genomic loci of 6,227 candidate long noncoding RNAs (IncRNAs) from a composite reference bullfrog transcriptome. Mitochondrial sequence analysis supported Lithobates as a subgenus of Rana. RNA-Seq experiments identified ~6,000 thyroid hormone– responsive transcripts in the back skin of premetamorphic tadpoles; the majority of which regulate DNA/RNA processing. Moreover, 1/6th of differentially-expressed transcripts were putative lncRNAs. Our draft bullfrog genome will serve as a useful resource for the amphibian research community.
Growth and development of Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis nestlings

The unusually large size and the characteristic call of the Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis arguably make it one of the more distinctive species in the family. As with many other cisticolas, its biology is poorly known and mainly based on anecdotal observations. This paper describes the growth and development of Croaking Cisticola nestlings at a single nest. Knowledge of nestling development is important for future studies where nestling age estimates are required (e.g. daily survival estimates) and provides valuable insight into the overall adaptive nesting strategies of birds
Density-dependent selection in evolutionary genetics: a lottery model of Grime's triangle

Fitness is typically represented in heavily simplified terms in evolutionary genetics, often using constant selection coefficients. This excludes fundamental ecological factors such as dynamic population size or density-dependence from the most genetically-realistic treatments of evolution, a problem that inspired MacArthur’s influential but problematic r/K theory. Following in the spirit of r/K-selection as a general-purpose theory of density-dependent selection, but grounding ourselves empirically in “primary strategy” trait classification schemes like Grime’s triangle, we develop a new model of density-dependent selection which revolves around territorial contests. To do so, we generalize the classic lottery model of territorial acquisition, which has primarily been used for studying species co-existence questions, to accommodate arbitrary densities. We use this density-dependent lottery model to predict the direction of trait evolution under different environmental conditions and thereby provide a mathematical underpinning for Grime’s verbal scheme. We revisit previous concepts of density-dependent selection, including r and K selection, and argue that our model distinguishes between different aspects of fitness in a more natural and intuitive manner.
Ecological niche differentiation across a wolf‐coyote hybrid zone in eastern North America

Human‐caused habitat alteration and disturbance have promoted widespread loss of species’ reproductive barriers, leading to hybridization and attendant changes in the distribution, abundance and interactions of most species. In theory, hybrids should have intermediate niche occupancy features compared to parental groups, thereby potentially leading to fundamental changes in the role of organisms in an ecosystem. Yet, there is a gap in our empirical understanding of how hybrids differ in their niche characteristics compared to parental types; this uncertainty is especially true for large carnivores that range over large spatial extents and have high behavioural plasticity in their niche characteristics or in the environments that they inhabit. We sought to test whether eastern wolf (Canis lycaon) – eastern coyote (C. latrans sp.) hybrids exhibited intermediate environmental niche characteristics compared to their progenitors.
Inhibitory Effect of 6-shogaol on Fructose-Induced Protein Glycation and Oxidation in Vitro

Advanced glycation end product (AGEs), the final products derived from the non enzymatic modification of proteins by reducing sugars, plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Therefore, the inhibition of AGE formation may be an important therapeutic strategy to prevent the development of AGEs related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of 6-shogaol on fructose-induced the formation of AGEs and protein oxidation. Antioxidant activity of 6-shogaol was determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The protein glycation inhibitory potential was evaluated using in vitro BSA/ fructose model. 6-shogaol (0.1-10 mM) was incubated with BSA and fructose (0.1 M) at 37° C for 21 days. Antiglycation activity of 6-shogaol was investigated by measuring the formation of AGE-specific fluorescence and N e -(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML). In addition glycation induced protein oxidation was examined using the protein carbonyl assays. 6-shogaol exhibited an effective antioxidant activity, Where the results that 6-shogaol inhibited the formation of both fluorescent AGEs and non-fluorescent AGE (CML) in BSA/fructose solution. In addition an increase in protein carbonyl content of BSA incubated with fructose was attenuated by 6-shogaol (10 mM). In conclusion, These results suggest that 6-shogaol has a inhibitory effect on the formation of AGEs and protein oxidation in vitro, which may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.
Studies on mountain reedbuck populations with special reference to the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve

During 1969 through 1971 and for three months in 1973, mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) in Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Transvaal were studied to determine their population status. Comparisons were made with five southern mountain reedbuck (R. f. fulvorufula) populations in South Africa and three Chanler's mountain reedbuck (R. f. chanleri) populations in East Africa. Loskop was found to be within the extremes of observed populations in all parameters examined. The low density (5-7 mountain reedbuck per sq km), low male to female ratio (0.5:1.0), small average group size (3.2), and low lamb to adult female ratio (overall 0.3:1.0) found at Loskop were typical of most of the study populations. Nutritional deficiencies during the dry season and predation were examined as potential limiting factors in the Loskop population