Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MINOR (NR4A3) Overexpression in Mouse Skeletal Muscle Enhances Insulin Action

MINOR (Mitogen-Inducible Nuclear Orphan Receptor) is one member of the NR4A3 nuclear orphan receptor family which are immediate early gene products involved in neuroendocrine regulation, neural differentiation, liver regeneration, cell apoptosis, and mitogenic and inflammatory stimulation in different cell types. We have found that MINOR can modulate insulin action and the glucose transport system in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; however, MINOR is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and its function in vivo is not well understood. To determine the role of MINOR in vivo, we have generated a mouse model that has the MINOR gene specifically expressed in the skeletal muscle using a muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter, and investigated whether the gene functions of MINOR would be linked to insulin action in vivo since skeletal muscle is one of the primary target tissues for insulin action. We demonstrate that these MCK-MINOR transgenic mice have reduced body weight due to a reduction of fat mass inside the body. Mice with MINOR overexpression also have improved insulin and glucose tolerances, reduced plasma levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acid as well as enhanced expression of genes which are related to insulin action and its signaling pathways. Thus, MINOR functions in skeletal muscle act to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerances and regulate insulin action and lipid and energy expenditure process.
Fine Structure and Sensory Apparatus of the Mouthparts of the Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Dryophthoridae)

Abstract The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is one of the most serious stored-product pests worldwide. It causes significant damage and major post-harvest losses in global production as a result of adults and larvae feeding on stored grains and contaminating food products. The fine structural morphology of mouthparts, including the distribution of sensilla in adult S. zeamais, was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The mandibulate mouthparts are situated at the tip of the long rostrum. The sclerotized mandibles are irregular, serving as pincers. The maxillae are bilaterally flattened and lay almost perpendicular to the segmented venter, situated in longitudinal clefts with a four-segmented palp on each side of the labium. The cardo, stipes, palpifer, lacinia, and galea are described in detail. The tongue-like labium is considerably specialized with a pair of three-segmented palps. Four types of sensilla basiconica occur in the distal cavity of the maxillary palp and digitiform sensilla are located on the distal maxillary segment. Two types of sensilla basiconica with a 4 + 3 arrangement are present in the distal cavity of the labial palp, whereas a kind of sensilla basiconica is present at the base of the labial palp. The evolution of the mouthpart morphology and the putative functional significance of their sensilla are discussed, providing insight into the feeding mechanism.
Vertical distribution and migration of euphausiid species in the Red Sea

We addressed how the extreme environmental conditions of the Red Sea impact or alter patterns of vertical distribution and vertical migration of ﬁ ve euphausiid species that are known from other oceans. Euphausia diomedeae was abundant and performed diel vertical migration (DVM) from > 200 m in daytime to < 100 m at night, similar to its pattern in other ocean regions. Euphausia sibogae and Euphausia sanzoi also showed consistent patterns of DVM across their ranges in the Red Sea and elsewhere. Two species, Stylocheiron af ﬁ ne and Stylocheiron abbreviatum , did not exhibit DVM. DNA barcode sequences for mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were used to con ﬁ rm species identi ﬁ cations for four species (no previous barcode data exist for E. sanzoi ). COI sequence differences averaged 2.8% (SD 3.1%) within species and 16.6% (SD 0.7%) between species, similar to previous studies of euphausiids. Red Sea specimens of S. af ﬁ ne matched morphological descriptions of a western equatorial form and differed 14% from Atlantic and Paci ﬁ c specimens, suggesting possible cryptic species-level variation within this taxon. Widely distributed species of zooplankton may exhibit broad tolerance ranges for key environmental variables, and have considerable potential to adapt to variable and changing conditions across their geographic range.
A preliminary study of the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive potential of Tagetes Patula l

The antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive potential of Tagetes patula stems, a plant used in folk medicines of Bangladesh for treatment of pain, inflammation, cuts and wounds, and lowering of blood sugar were investigated. In antihyperglycemic activity tests conducted with glucose-loaded Swiss albino mice, methanolic extract of stems significantly and dose-dependently reduced blood sugar concentrations. At extract doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight mice, the percent lowering of blood sugar by the extract was, respectively, 47.11, 49.59, 50.62, and 60.02. The results were both dose-dependent and statistically significant. A standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered to glucose-loaded mice, reduced blood sugar level by 60.95%. The results demonstrate that the methanolic extract possesses considerable antihyperglycemic potential, and which is comparable to that of glibenclamide at the highest dose of the extract tested. In antinociceptive activity tests conducted with intraperitoneally administered acetic acid-induced gastric pain model in mice, the extract at the afore-mentioned four doses dose-dependently reduced the number of writhings in mice caused by the gastric pain, respectively, by 36.72, 40.88, 42.84, and 47.00%. The results were statistically significant at the three highest doses of the extract. A standard antinociceptive drug, aspirin, when administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, reduced the number of writhings by 48.96 and 67.32%, respectively. The results thus demonstrate also significant antinociceptive potential of stems of the plant. Taken together, the results validate the folk medicinal uses of the plant for treatment of pain and for lowering blood sugar level in diabetic patients.
Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of the Ewe II. Distribution After Coitus

Observations were made on the distribution of spermatozoa in the genital tract of the ewe at 15 min, and at 4, 24, and 48 hr after coitus. A total of 60 animals was used. The number of spermatozoa in t,he cervix wa.s highest at 15 min and in the uterus the maximum number was recorded at 24 hr. Stress decreased the number of spermatozoa present in the fallopian tubes at 15 min after coitus but did not influence the transport of spermatozoa into the cervix, the distribution of spermatozoa within the genital tract at 4, 24, and 48 hI', the number of spermatozoa on the zona pellucida of recovered eggs, or the proportion of eggs fertilized.
Tillage and Nitrogen Influence Weed Population Dynamics in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Field experiments were initiated at Alliance and Hairy Hill, Alberta, in 1989 to investigate the effects of conventional tillage, zero tillage, and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer on continuous barley production. In both tillage systems, the nitrogen was banded 6 to 8 cm deep between alternate barley rows. Herbicides were used for weed control each year. The influence of tillage and nitrogen on weed seed population dynamics was determined in 1991 and 1992. In the zero-tillage system, a large proportion of the weed seeds were present either at the soil surface or at the 5- to 10-cm depth. Green foxtail, the dominant species at Alliance, was also present at Hairy Hill where field pennycress was dominant. Green foxtail was consistently associated with low (residual) nitrogen and, in most cases, with conventional tillage. At both locations, green foxtail populations tended to decrease to very low levels as nitrogen rate increased, especially in zero tillage. At Hairy Hill, field pennycress populations in the soil seedbank were higher in zero tillage compared with conventional tillage, but plants that emerged from the soil seedbank in the field in spring were lower in zero tillage. Field pennycress populations were highest under low nitrogen. The results indicate that banding nitrogen has the potential to be an effective tool for green foxtail and field pennycress management in conventional- and zero-tillage systems, resulting in less dependence on herbicides for their control.
Biochemical and hematological profile of different breeds of goat maintained under intensive production system

The aim of the study was to monitor the health and nutritional status of Kuwaiti’s Aradi and exotic Damascus and Barbari goat breeds raised under an intensive system of production through the determination of biochemical parameters and hematology profiles. The study was conducted during the summer season and blood samples were collected from lactating does and Damascus bucks. According to the findings of the present study, concentrations for glucose ranged from 60.75 to 71.76 mg/dl, for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) between 25 and 60 mg/dl, for creatinine between 1.2 and 1.9 mg/dl, for albumin between 3.7 g/dl and 4.05 g/dl, and total protein between 6.0 and 6.98 g/dl and in general were within the normal ranges for goats. The hematology profiles of Damascus bucks showed normal range for the most contents of white blood cells, apart from monocytes (M) %. At the same time, number of red blood cells was within the normal range (11.20-11.90 × 106/µL). However, hematocrit (HCT) % was lower (12.1-14.0) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) content was higher (11.30 fL) compared to values reported for healthy goats in previous studies. The hematology profiles of lactating does of all breeds were within the normal range for white blood cells (8.05-12.88 × 103/µL) and red blood cell (10.44-12.65 × 106/µL). Low hemoglobin levels and a significantly (P<0.05) lower mean platelet volume (MPV), procalcitonin (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were found in Damascus does compared to the other examined breeds. The data of the present study could serve as reference values, since this is the first time that biochemical and hematological parameters were determined in Aardi, Damascus and Barbari goats managed under an intensive production system in Kuwait. These data can be used in the realistic evaluation and improving the management practices, nutrition, and monitoring health status and diagnosis of diseases. Key words: Blood biochemical parameters, hematology profile, Damascus, Barbari, Aardi, intensive production system.
A comparison of the short-term impacts of no-take marine reserves and minimum size limits

Establishing no-take marine reserves (NTRs) displaces fishing effort to surrounding areas, creating concerns about short-term impacts on resources and fishers before long-term benefits can accrue. Models were developed to compare the effects of short-term displacement caused by of NTRs to effects of minimum size limits (MSLs), one of the most widely applied management measures in the southeastern U.S. Projected impacts on resource protection and fishers were assessed on the basis of the portion of a population either protected or legally available to fishing. In all cases, existing MSLs had greater impact on total numbers of fish landed (reduced by 38 to 70%) than on the weight of total landings (reduced by 14 to 26%). NTRs protected sedentary species in approximate proportion to the total habitat closed to fishing but provided less protection as species mobility increased. These differences in protection due to mobility were greater for reserves covering small percentages of total habitat. Predicted short-term displacement impacts on fishers were low for reserves covering small percentages of the total habitat, but they increased exponentially as the percentage of total habitat closed increased. Displacement impacts were predicted to be highest for fishers pursuing sedentary species and decreased for more mobile species. Detrimental impacts to surrounding habitat from displacement depended on initial fishery conditions, gear type, and the total proportion of habitat closed. Although more fishers are affected by the no-take rule, concerns about short-term displacement impacts appear to be exaggerated. Some opposition to establishing NTRs may result in part because the no-take provision is more difficult to circumvent than other regulations. When combined with traditional management tools, no-take reserves offer increased flexibility for supporting fisheries and protecting resources.
The IUFRO Abies grandis provenance experiment in Germany : Results at age 18/19

The results of the IUFRO Grand-fir provenance experiment in northern and central Germany at age 18/19 are presented for height, diameter, volume and losses. The experiment was planted on 13 sites, 12 of which are included here. The provenances represent the coastal part of the natural range in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon quite well. From the continental part only 3 Idaho provenances are included. In addition to 41 IUFRO provenances 22 other provenances are included, 5 from Vancouver Island and the rest from Oregon, where 11 represent elevational transsects. In height growth low and mean elevation provenances from northern Washington, from Vancouver Island, Coastal Southern Washington, and North Oregon are performing best. The same is true for diameter growth and volume with a slightly better performance of Oregon sources in diameter due to the higher losses in the Oregon provenances. Differences between test sites are considerable and explain roughly 2 thirds of total variation for quantitative characters. They are most drastic for losses, where also more rank change occur between provenances than for height and diameter. Volume differences of provenances range from 30% to 176% of standard provenances mean. An overall ranking including height, diameter, and losses shows that 7 Washington provenances, 3 B. C. provenances and 1 Oregon provenance surpass the overall mean by at least 10%. Correlations with earlier measurements of the same experiment demonstrate that early selection is not very precise and that indirect selection would not have been possible with the characters under consideration.
THE BIOLOGY OF THREE PELAGIC SHARKS FROM CALIFORNIA WATERS, AND THEIR EMERGING FISHERIES: A REVIEW

The rapid growth of a drift gill net fishery for pelagic sharks off southern California has caused concern among fishery biologists because elasmobranchs tend to have slow growth and low reproductive rates. The primary targets of this developing fishery are the common thresher shark, Alupias vulpinus, and the bonito shark, Zsurus uxyrinchus. Not marketed, but also taken in large numbers, is the blue shark, Prianace glauca. From 1976 through 1981, annual shark landings increased from 360 to over 1575 metric tons (MT). During the same period, the drift gill net fleet grew from 15 to 200 vessels. During 1982, thresher shark landings alone exceeded 1059 MT. Bonito shark landings reached nearly 231 MT. We report our results to date on the age, growth, and reproduction of these three pelagic species. Ages between 0 and 15 years were estimated for 167 thresher sharks ranging from 360 to 5733 mm total length (TL). Male thresher sharks mature at 3330 mm TL, and females at 2600 to 3150 mm TL. Age at maturity ranges from 3 to 7 years. Females give birth to 4 pups annually. Little is known about stock distribution or abundance. Ages between 0 and 17 years were estimated for 44 bonito sharks ranging from 900 to 3210 mm TL. Bonito sharks mature at 1800 mm TL. The number of offspring reportedly varies between 2 and 16. Ages between 0 and 9 years were estimated for 130 blue sharks ranging from 280 to 2521 mm TL. Blue sharks reach maturity at 2200 mm TL. The number of offspring may be as high as 82. Because of the limited area over which the current southern California fleet operates, and the lack of information concerning the distribution and stock structure of these three pelagic species, the future of the southern California gill net fishery cannot be predicted.
Wahrnehmung von Avokado-Blüten (Lauraceae: Persea americana) durch die Honigbiene (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apis mellifera)

Honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758) are important avocado pollinators, but due to low attractiveness of avocado flowers, pollination is often inadequate. Several bioassays compared the behavior of honey bees in response to rewards of avocado and non-avocado honey/nectar. When both honeys were available, bees preferred the non-avocado honey. When avocado honey alone was presented, it was consumed by the bees, but resulted in a smaller crop load and lower learning performance. The component responsible for the bees' disinclination to avocado nectar was subsequently explored. The contribution of carbohydrates, volatiles, amino acids, phenolic compounds and minerals to the repellency of bees from'avocado nectar was tested. Among the tested components high mineral concentration in avocado nectar and honey, mainly of potassium but also of phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur, was identified as a major cause for the repelling effect of the avocado nectar. The possibility of a genetic predisposition for avocado nectar foraging was also examined. Consistent differences were found between bee races and between colonies. These results were used to establish two genetic lines with high or low tendency to forage on avocado flowers. The approach presented in the review can be generalized for understanding factors that affect the evaluation of plant species by their pollinators.
Within‐Row Plant Spacing Variability Does Not Affect Corn Yield

Nonuniform plant spacing within the row in corn (Zea mays L.) may reduce grain yield. To investigate the response of corn to plant spacing variability, experiments were conducted at two locations in south-central Ontario during 2000 and 2001. Six plant spacing treatments, 6.7 to 16.2 cm in standard deviations (SD), were established by planting Roundup Ready corn with increasing proportions of conventional corn seeds and then removing the conventional corn using glyphosate before three-leaf stage. Using SD as well as short gap, long gap, double, and cluster as an index of plant spacing variability, effects of plant spacing variability on corn growth and grain yield were investigated. Averaged across locations and years, grain yield was not significantly affected by plant spacing variability. Plant spacing variability also had no significant effect on leaf number, plant height, leaf area index, and harvest index. There were no correlations between plant spacing variability and stalk lodging and barren or double ears. The lack of strong correlations among plant growth, grain yield, and plant spacing variability indicates that spacing uniformity within the range used in this study is not a significant factor in determining grain yield under commercial conditions and common plant densities used in Ontario.
Sea bass hatchery operations.

A 42-page manual updating AQD's 1990 publication of the same title. It details the activities in the seabass hatchery, from breeding until the harvest and transport of fry to fishponds. New section on the propagation of natural food Moina and Diaphanosoma has been added.
Pathogenic Interactions of Alternaria crassa and Phenolic Metabolism in Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) Varieties

Alternaria crassa, a mycoherbicide for jimsonweed control, was tested for differential effects on growth, infectivity, and phenolic metabolism of two field-collected jimsonweed varieties. Seeds from field-grown red- and green-stemmed jimsonweed varieties were grown in the greenhouse and spores were applied in aqueous solutions. Infection studies showed no significant differences between the two weed varieties when tested at various growth stages from cotyledonary to 8–leaf stage at 2.5 × 104 spores ml−1. Spore dose response tests with A. crassa spores (6.25 to 100 x 103 spores ml−1) showed no significant varietal differences in disease ratings. Extractable phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity increased nearly equally (2- to 3-fold above control) in both varieties (8- to 9-leaf stage) 48 to 72 h after treatment with 5 × 104 spores ml−1. The only significant differences between treated varieties occurred 72 h after treatment. Exposure to A. crassa lowered total ethanol-soluble phenolic levels in both varieties 72 h after treatment. Spectrophotometric scans (400 to 700 nm) of ethanol extracts (72 h after treatment) indicated that infection caused some absorbance increases, especially in red-stemmed jimsonweed. Anthocyanin content was about 11-fold higher in red-stemmed than green-stemmed jimsonweed, and A. crassa treatment slightly increased the anthocyanin absorption peak of the red-stemmed variety.
Salt tolerance of spinach as related to seasonal climate.

Ors S. , Suarez D.L. (2016): Salt tolerance of spinach as related to seasonal climate. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 43: 33–41. Three sets of experiments with spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., cv. Racoon) were conducted under saline water irrigation during different time periods between December 7, 2012–June 15, 2013 to understand the impact of increased temperature on salt tolerance in cool season crops. The first experiment consisted of 4 different salinity levels: 0, 4, 7, 9 dS/m and the two subsequent experiments each had 6 different levels of saline water: 0, 4, 7, 9, 12, and 15 dS/m. Irrigation water salinity up to 9 dS/m did not cause any yield loss in spinach during the first set of experiments, indicating that this cultivar is considerably more salt tolerant than spinach varieties reported in the literature. Severe salinity caused yield loss and decreased all gas exchange and vegetative parameters. It was found that spinach was considerably more salt tolerant under cool season late winter conditions than under warmer climatic conditions. The increase in temperature between experiment I and II was 12.5°C while the relative yields decreased by 31% at the same salinity treatment (9 dS/m).
A new species of the genus Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from China

A new species, Stenamma sinensis, n. sp. , from the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China, is described. This new species is compared with nearby species. It is mainly distinguished from others by its distinct single dentation at the middle of anterior clypeal margin along with its smaller overall size.