Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of quercetin on the antioxidant response and phenotypic development of osteoblasts

Oxidative stress plays a major role in development of osteoporosis, in part, by suppressing the differentiation and function of bone forming osteoblasts. This finding suggests that strategies to prevent or reverse osteoporosis may lie in targeting the osteoblast antioxidant response. Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid found abundantly in the diet and in supplements, and is known to induce expression of antioxidant response genes and proteins in a variety of cell types. The purpose of these studies was to examine the extent that quercetin metabolites up-regulate the antioxidant response, to identify cell signaling pathways that might be involved, and to examine the extent that quercetin preserves development of the osteoblast phenotype when cells are cultured in an oxidative stress environment. We hypothesized that quercetin metabolites would up-regulate the antioxidant response, and that this up-regulation would protect cells from oxidative stress-induced suppression. Studies were performed in osteoblast-like cultures isolated from fetal rat calvaria that were treated with 0 to 20 µM quercetin aglycone (QRC), isorhamnetin (ISO), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3G) or a 2:1:1 mixture of all three metabolites (10 µM Q3G: 5 µM QRC: 5 µM ISO). The antioxidant response was assessed by measuring expression of antioxidant genes and proteins. Results indicated that QRC and ISO robustly up-regulated expression of two antioxidant response genes and proteins, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the catalytic subunit of gamma-glutamate cysteine ligase, but Q3G had no effect. Cell signaling protein, ERK1/2, and transcription factor NFkappaB proteins were also down-regulated by quercetin. To examine the effect of quercetin on oxidative stress-induced suppression of osteoblast phenotype, cells were pretreated 12h with 20 µM QRC followed by incubation with 0 or 300 µM hydrogen peroxide, a known inducer of oxidative stress. Differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase staining and expression of osteoblast phenotypic gene markers. Pretreating cells with 20 µM QRC partially blocked hydrogen peroxide-induced suppression of osteoblast phenotype, as indicated by higher levels of alkaline phosphatase staining and gene expression of osteoblast phenotype markers compared to cells pretreated with 0 µM QRC. QRC also partially blocked hydrogen peroxide-induced up-regulation of HO-1. These results suggest that quercetin produces a low grade antioxidant response that "primes" cells to withstand a subsequent oxidative stress event, which protects development of osteoblast phenotype. These findings offer important insight into the osteoblast antioxidant stress response, and support a link between osteoblast stress signaling and phenotypic development.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM TEN PLEUROTUS SPECIES

The antioxidant activities of methanolic extract from mycelia of ten Pleurotus species were investigated. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of mushroom mycelium of ten Pleurotus species by three different methods. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, chelating effect on ferrous ion and phenolic content of mycelial extract of ten edible mushrooms were analyzed. P. sajor-caju showed highest free radical scavenging activity (92.05 %) and reducing power (1.082 %) at 8 mg/ml concentration. P. citrinopileatus showed highest percentage of chelating effect on ferrous ion (90.66 %). The lowest EC 50 value of free radical scavenging activity was found in P. sapidus which indicated strongest ability of the mycelial extract to act as DPPH radical scavenger. The lowest chelating effect on ferrous ion was noticed in P. sajor-caju but EC 50 of reducing power was much lower than the synthetic antioxidant (BHT). The revealed data showed that mycelia of all studied Pleurotus species possessed potent antioxidant activity and their inclusion in the diet may help to prevent diseases caused by oxidative damage.
Ossicle development of the crinoid Florometra serratissima through larval stages

Crinoids are the oldest living class of echinoderm and sister group to the remaining eleutherozoan clade and so are key to discussions on the evolution and development of the echinoderm skeleton. Here we present the intraspecific variation of ossicle development of the feather star Florometra serratissima (A.H. Clark, 1907) during its three larval stages: doliolaria, cystidean, and early pentacrinoid. To induce settlement, larvae were cultured on a sea table in glass bowls containing coralline algae. The soft tissues of 60 larvae were dissolved to isolate and to observe the ossicles with compound microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. From the late doliolaria stage to 56-day-old pentacrinoids, a total of four types of ossicle developed: oral plates, basal plates, columnar stalk ossicles, and an attachment disk. Occasionally, an additional plate was found under the basal plates, which may represent a vestigial infrabasal plate. The shape of the attachment disk was plastic to accommodate the substrate.
Incidence and low temperature survival of coagulase positive staphylococci in fishery products

Coagulase-positive staphylococci was found to be absent in all the frozen samples of lobsters, cuttle fish, cat fish, seer fish and red snapper examined. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were present in 38% of the cooked frozen shrimps and only 16% of the samples had staphylococci count more than 100/g. In the case of headless, peeled and deveined, peeled undeveined shrimps, the incidence of the organism was 6, 12 and 16% respectively. The study indicated that the incidence of coagulase-positive staphylococci is not a serious problem in frozen fishery products processed in this country. There was remarkable difference in the rate of destruction of coagulase-positive staphylococci in raw and cooked shrimps during freezing and frozen storage.
The repeatability of evolution : colour pattern control in Heliconius butterflies

Heliconius butterflies are found across the neo-tropics, with bright aposematic colour patterns. These Mullerian mimics show striking colour pattern convergence across species, while paradoxically showing striking diversity within species. Thus Heliconius wing patterns have become an excellent system for understanding the repeatability of evolution. This work has identified a number of genes that appear to be involved in colour pattern control across species, such as optix and cortex, which respectively control red and yellow pattern elements. However, this work has only looked at the genetic basis of colour pattern in a small number of species, and primarily focusses on just two; H. melpomene and H. erato. I first use a population genomics approach to try to identify whether optix controls the hindwing rays phenotype in two poorly studied species; H. demeter and H. aoede. I identify both divergence associated with colour pattern at this optix, as well as another putative colour pattern control locus in H. aoede, the ommochrome pathway gene cardinal. Further, I use Quantitative trait loci analysis to explore the genetics of colour pattern in H. melpomene, confirming WntA as the gene controlling the ‘broken band’ phenotype and I identify a locus associated with red-orange pigmentation, while also exploring the role of minor effect loci in quantitative colour pattern variation. Finally, I use the natural diversity at two hybrid zones, in conjunction with phylogenetic discordance at mimicry loci, to identify putative regulatory enhancers associated with colour pattern shifts, investigate introgression across species at this fine genetic scale, and the possible role of colour pattern introgression in Heliconius speciation. This work reveals both interesting cases of convergent genetic evolution, independent genetic evolution and introgression, showing that a variety of evolutionary processes have shaped Heliconius mimicry across species.
Studies on the lytic bacteriophages against Escherichia coli isolated from dairy farm sewage

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteriophages against Escherichia coli isolated from dairy farm sewage. The sewage samples (N=128) from organized, unorganized dairy farms and also from animal sheds with two to five number of cattle’s were collected and cultured to isolate Escherichia coli. The sewage samples were centrifuged and filtered using 0.22 μm filters and the lytic phages were enriched and purified against E. coli and characterized. Survival rate of target bacteria was assessed by inoculating phage in the actively growing log phage host. E. coli, which is native of sewage samples, was isolated and subjected to biochemical tests. A total of 22 E. coli phages were isolated. The SEM observations of phage revealed that the phage had icosahedral head with short tail. The in-vitro experiment showed that there was a 100% reduction in the E. coli count after 10 hours of incubation. Bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites that multiply inside bacteria. Bacteriophages have been used in many applications including phage therapy and in control of food borne pathogens. The bacteriophages are used as an alternative bio-control agent because they are active against bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.
Genome size variation and evolution in Dipterocarpaceae

Background: Dipterocarpaceae is a pantropical tree family that plays an important role in our understanding of the ecology of Asian tropical rain forests. However, genome sizes for members of the Dipterocarpaceae are still poorly known. Aims: To report the genome size of 115 dipterocarp species and examine the variation and evolution of genome size in this family. Methods: Genome size was estimated using flow cytometry. Both the rpoB and trnL intron were sequenced to uncover the evolution of genome size within a phylogenetic framework. Results: The 1C genome size varied between 0.267 and 0.705 pg in Shorea hemsleyana and Shorea ovalis, respectively, a 2.64-fold variation across the family. Most dipterocarps are characterised by very small genomes with a mean 1C value of 0.416 pg (sd = 0.075) and five polyploids are recorded. The ancestral genome size for dipterocarps was reconstructed as 1Cx = 0.481 pg (95% CI = 0.433–0.534). Conclusions: Genome size variation in dipterocarps was characterised by very small values with a narrow range. Overall, genome size reduction from the ancestral state is a general trend in Dipterocarpaceae.
Replication data for: The Relative Performance of Real Estate Marketing Platforms: MLS versus FSBOMadison.com

We compare house sales on a For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) platform to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sales and find that FSBO precommission prices are no lower, but that FSBO is less effective in terms of time to sell and probability of a sale. We do not find direct evidence of the importance of network size as a reason for the lower effectiveness of FSBO. We do find evidence of endogenous platform differentiation: patient sellers use FSBO while patient buyers transact more often on the MLS (where they avoid patient sellers). We discuss the implications for platform competition, two-sided markets, and welfare. (JEL L85, M31, R31)
The wing musculature of the Brown kiwi Apteryx australis mantelli and its bearing on ratite affinities

Most previous accounts of the wing muscles of the kiwi have only dealt with the proximal muscles. The few accounts that have treated the distal muscles are incomplete in other respects and sufficient uncertainty exists to warrant the present study. The wing musculature of the kiwi is closely similar to that of other ratites but markedly dissimilar to that of the carinates. In this regard the wing muscles differ from those of the leg. Ratites have far fewer wing muscles than carinates. Significantly, they lack propatagial muscles (and almost certainly propatagia), and neither the M. pectoralis nor the M. supracoracoideus is well developed; in carinates these two flight muscles comprise the bulk of the wing musculature. Furthermore, the insertion tendon of the M. supracoracoideus does not loop through a triosseal canal to effect wing elevation as it does in the carinates. In all of these regards the ratite condition is closer to that of reptiles than of carinates. This raises the question of whether ratites should be regarded as primitive birds, rather than as advanced birds that evolved from carinates. The present skeleto-muscular data, taken with other evidence, suggests that ratites are primitive birds that evolved from a primitive, volant ancestor. The elements of the pectoral skeleton show a greater degree of individual variation than those of the pelvic skeleton. Aside from its extreme curvature the humerus is the most rudimentary element and few of its features can be compared with those of the carinate humerus. Few of the wing muscles have attachments that can be identified with specific osteological features. Myological data for the kiwi are therefore virtually irretrievable from osteological material, as noted previously for the pelvic muscles. While this might be peculiar to the kiwi (which seems unlikely) the fact should serve as a cautionary note to palaeontologists attempting to reconstruct the muscles of extinct animals.
Age and tree spacing and their effects on energy properties of Ateleia glazioviana

EnglishThe use of wood for energy purposes is common in Brazil, motivated mainly by the diversity of species that present a potential for energy production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tree age and spacing on the energy properties of different components of the biomass: wood, bark, and branch of the species Ateleia glazioviana Baill, distributed at different spacings: 2.0 × 1.0m, 2.0 × 1.5m, 3.0 × 1.0m, and 3.0 × 1.5m in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th year after the planting. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The following variables were determined: biomass (BIO), gross calorific power (GCV), basic density (BD), energy productivity (EP), energy density (ED), fixed carbon content (FCC), volatile material content (VMC), and ash content (AC). Different tree ages significantly affected all analyzed variables, increasing the distribution of BIO, EP, AC, BD, and ED with no tendency to stabilize over time. The four tree spacings induced different levels of BIO and EP, with a trend toward lower values with increasing tree spacing for all assessed periods. The four components of the trees had a significant effect on the variables BIO, EP, GCV, FCC, VMC, and AC. Key words: Timbo; biomass; gross calorific power; energy productivity portuguesA utilizacao da madeira para fins energeticos e elevada no pais, motivada principalmente pela diversidade de especies que apresentam potencialidade de geracao de energia. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o efeito da idade e do espacamento de plantio nas propriedades energeticas em diferentes compartimentos da biomassa: madeira, casca e galho da especie Ateleia glazioviana Baill, distribuida em diferentes espacamentos: 2,0x1,0m, 2,0x1,5m, 3,0x1,0m e 3,0x1,5m, no 1o, 3o e 5o ano apos o plantio. O presente trabalho foi realizado em um experimento instalado em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados em tres repeticoes. Foram determinadas as variaveis biomassa (BIO), poder calorifico superior (PCS), massa especifica basica (ME), produtividade energetica (PE), densidade energetica (DE), teor de carbono fixo (CF), teor de material volatil (MV) e teor de cinzas (CZ). Concluiu-se que as diferentes idades das arvores influenciam significativamente todas as variaveis analisadas, proporcionando uma distribuicao crescente da BIO, PE, CF, ME e DE, sem tendencia a estabilizacao ao longo do tempo. Os quatro espacamentos de plantio induzem a diferentes producoes de BIO e PE, com uma tendencia de reducao dos seus valores com o aumento do espacamento, em todos os periodos avaliados. Os quatro compartimentos das arvores induzem a um efeito significativo das variaveis BIO, PE, PCS, CF, MV e CZ. Palavras-chave: timbo; biomassa; poder calorifico superior; produtividade energetica
Digestible lysine effects on gene expression by Japanese quails in the pre-laying phase

This study aimed to determine the effects of digestible lysine levels in the diets of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on performance, blood parameters and the expression of insulin-like growth factor I, and growth hormone receptor (GHR), apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I), acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes. A total of 288 seven-day-old female Japanese quails were randomly assigned to one of three diets that contained 0.8%, 1.10%, or 1.40% digestible lysine. The birds were slaughtered at 42 days old, and relative gene expression was evaluated in the liver by qRT-PCR using the 2-ΔCT method. Lysine supplementation had no effect on weight gain and feed conversion. Abdominal fat was lower in birds supplemented with 0.8% digestible lysine than those supplemented with 1.10% and 1.40%. Increased total cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated in quails that received supplementation of 1.10% digestible lysine compared with the other diets. High density lipoproteins were decreased in birds that received 0.8% digestible lysine. Quails fed with 1.40% digestible lysine had greater expression of GHR and APOA-I than quails fed diets with 0.8 and 1.10% (P <0.05). The greatest expressions of ACC and FAS were observed in the liver of quails fed with 0.8% digestible lysine. The current results suggest that lysine supplementation in the pre-laying phase allows birds to deposit muscle mass to reach the optimal conformation and body fatness that provides an energetic reserve for the productive phase by modulating the expression of genes related to growth and lipid metabolism. Keywords: Coturnix coturnix japonica, growth, growth hormone, lipid synthesis, lipid metabolism
The economic effects of labour immigration in developing countries: A literature review

This paper reviews existing theoretical and empirical evidence on the economic effects of immigration in developing countries. Specifically, it discusses how immigration may affect labour market, entrepreneurship, human capital, productivity, economic growth, the exchange rate, trade, prices, public finance and public goods in host countries. As the majority of the relevant literature has traditionally focused on the experience of high-income countries, the review highlights the unique context of developing countries and elaborates how outcomes may be similar or differ in low and middle-income countries. A general conclusion is that the economic effects of immigration to developing countries, a numerically important phenomenon, warrants additional theoretical and empirical research. Cet article analyse les preuves theoriques et empiriques existantes sur les effets economiques de l'immigration dans les pays en developpement. Plus precisement, il explique comment, dans un pays d’accueil, l'immigration peut avoir un impact sur le marche du travail, l'esprit d'entreprise, le capital humain, la productivite, la croissance economique, les taux de change, le commerce, les prix, les finances publiques et les biens publics. Comme la majorite de la litterature pertinente a toujours ete axee sur l'experience des pays a revenu eleve ; cette fois-ci, l’examen met en avant le contexte privilegie des pays en developpement et detaille de quelle maniere les resultats peuvent etre semblables ou differents dans les pays a revenu faible et intermediaire. En conclusion, les effets economiques de l'immigration sur les pays en developpement, un phenomene important si l’on en croit les chiffres, necessiterait d’effectuer des recherches theoriques et empiriques supplementaires.
Effect of phytase on true total tract digestibility of phosphorus in full-fat rice bran determined in pigs by regression method

Walter LUCCA, Marcos Speroni CERON, Matheus Schardong LUCCA, Lucas Giovane CASAGRANDE, Leonardo Tombesi da ROCHA, Irineo ZANELLA, Vladimir de OLIVEIRA* Department of Education, Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Sertão, Brazil Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Zootechny, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil Large Animals Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Zootechny, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
ITS2 in calanoid copepods: reconstructing phylogenetic relationships and identifying a newly introduced species in the Mediterranean

Abstract Phylogenetic inference and molecular taxonomy are becoming increasingly important approaches to classical morphological systematics and marine ecology. The number of molecular markers suitable for such goals is quite high, but general use restricts the list to a few of them, mainly mitochondrial (namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI and Cytochrome b), especially in copepods. The ribosomal cistronic regions have been widely used for broad phylogenetic analyses in different taxa. Among them, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS rDNA) are powerful tools for phylogenetic reconstructions at the different taxonomic levels, although not yet extensively used for copepods. In the present work, we tested the suitability of ITS2 rDNA marker to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of calanoid copepods using sequences retrieved from GenBank, complementing the phylogenetic positions of the species studied with their morphological and ecological traits. Through ITS2 rDNA we provided the first molecular evidence for the invasive calanoid Pseudodiaptomus marinus from the Mediterranean Sea (Lake Faro, Sicily, Italy), and compared it with the GenBank ITS2 sequences for P. marinus from Korea and other calanoid species. The divergence of the sequences of our P. marinus from those of Korean specimens was quite prominent (4.4%) and allowed us to hypothesise either a new forma living in the Mediterranean or a cryptic species. This study highlights the appropriateness of ITS2 for phylogenetic reconstructions and species identification, as well as for barcoding, meta-barcoding and phylogeographic approaches, and evidences the need for a more thorough knowledge of ribosomal regions in copepods from different sites.
Ethanol production from Egyptian sugar cane molasses by six yeast strains using batch fermentation

Six high ethanol producer yeast strains (two strains of Kluyveromyces marixianus and four of Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were utilized to produce ethanol from treated and non-treated Egyptian sugar cane molasses with gravity (10, 15, 20, 30 & 33.3% sugar). The treated molasses was obtained by heating diluted molasses up to 90oC and adjusting its pH to 4.5. All yeast strains used produced higher ethanol yield from non-treated molasses with 10% sugar than that obtained from the treated one with the same sugar concentration. On the other hand, treated molasses yielded better ethanol concentration than that gained from non-treated molasses with 15 - 25% sugar. Maximum ethanol production (125.89% g/l) was noticed with fermentation efficiency of 99.97% using S. cerevisiae EC1118 strain on 25% sugar treated molasses at 35oC. The same strain gave low levels of ethanol when the sugar concentration of the treated molasses was either 30 or 33.3% at both fermentation temperatures used (35o and 40oC). The kinetic parameters and productivity were calculated and discussed for all treatments.