Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light stimulates swimming behavior of larval eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica in turbulent flow

: Planktonic larvae of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica are able to regulate their vertical position in the water, but the environmental cues responsible for this regulation, par-ticularly in turbulent settings, remain unclear. We quantified swimming responses of late-stage oyster larvae in a grid-stirred turbulence tank to determine how light affects the swimming behavior of larvae over a range of hydrodynamic conditions similar to their natural coastal environ-ments. We used particle image velocimetry and larval tracking to isolate larval swimming from local flow and to quantify 3 behavioral metrics: vertical swimming direction, proportion of larvae diving, and proportion of larvae swimming helically. We compared these metrics across turbulence levels ranging from still water ( ε = 0 cm 2 s −3 ) to estuarine-like conditions ( ε = 0.4 cm 2 s −3 ) in light and dark. At all turbulence levels, light had no effect on the proportion of upward swimming larvae, but elicited detectable increases in the proportion of helical swimming and diving behaviors. We further examined the effect of light and turbulence on specific characteristics of helical trajectories, and found that these environmental cues induce changes to both vertical and horizontal velocities of helically swimming larvae, changing the helix geometry. The increased prevalence of these behaviors in light likely plays an ecological role: increased diving in light (in conjunction with turbulence) is a potential mechanism to enhance settlement success, while changes to helical swimming in light may serve an anti-predatory function. Together, these behaviors pro-vide insight into potentially complex larval responses to multiple simultaneous environmental cues.
Effects of Encapsulated Nano- and Microparticles of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Alcoholic Extract on the Growth Performance, Blood Parameters and Immune Function of Broilers under Heat Stress Condition

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of encapsulated nano- and microparticles of peppermint (Mentha piperita) extract on the growth performance, blood parameters and immune system of broilers under heat stress conditions. In total, 320 one-day-old broilers (Ross, 308) were assigned into 4 experimental treatments: the control, peppermint alcoholic extract (PE, 200 ppm/kg body weight (BW)), encapsulated nanoparticles of peppermint alcoholic extract (ENPE, 200 ppm/kg BW), and encapsulated microparticles of peppermint alcoholic extract (EMPE, 200 ppm/kg BW). Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates with 20 chicks. Results showed PE, ENPE and EMPE treatments significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). The birds administered by PE, ENPE and EMPE had significantly higher blood serum, total protein, albumin and globulin. Administration of PE, ENPE and EMPE resulted in lower total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL:HDL ratio and triglyceride, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The birds treated by peppermint had higher bursa relative weight, in particular, in those that received ENPE and EMPE than control. Treated birds with PE, ENPE and EMPE showed significantly lower H:L ratio. The serum antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were significantly higher in birds administrated by PE, ENPE and EMPE. Birds receiving ENPE and EMPE treatments had significantly higher titers of IgG for primary and secondary responses than that of those receiving the other treatments. In general, this study indicated that encapsulated nano- and microparticles of peppermint alcoholic extract have potential to improve the immunity and growth performance of broilers under heat stress conditions.
Cohesin interacts with a panoply of splicing factors required for cell cycle progression and genomic organization

The cohesin complex regulates sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome organization, gene expression, and DNA repair. Here we report that endogenous human cohesin interacts with a panoply of splicing factors and RNA binding proteins, including diverse components of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP complex and several splicing factors that are commonly mutated in cancer. The interactions are enhanced during mitosis, and the interacting splicing factors and RNA binding proteins follow the cohesin cycle and prophase pathway of regulated interactions with chromatin. Depletion of cohesin-interacting splicing factors results in stereotyped cell cycle arrests and alterations in genomic organization. These data support the hypothesis that splicing factors and RNA binding proteins control cell cycle progression and genomic organization via regulated interactions with cohesin and chromatin. One Sentence Summary Endogenous tagging reveals that cohesin interacts with diverse chromatin-bound splicing factors that regulate cell cycle progression and genomic organization in human cells.
Effects of aerobic exercise on histopathology and toxicology of ZnO and nano ZnO in male rats

ABSTRACT The effects of four weeks of aerobic exercise on histopathological and toxicological effects induced by nano ZnO and ZnO powders in male rats were evaluated. Tissue sections of liver and kidneys of ZnO and nano ZnO rats showed some histopathological changes, which were partly reverted by exercise. ZnO and nano ZnO treatments caused an increase in the level of tumor necrosis factor-α, while the mean of Interleukin 10 was declined. Exercise training enhanced the mean value of and declined mean level of in rats treated with ZnO and nano ZnO. The ZnO and ZnO groups demonstrated the highest means of insulin resistance, low density lipoprotein, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and lower mean value of compared to the other groups, while exercise resulted in improvement in mean of these factors.
Immature stages of the turquoise‐banded shoemaker Archaeoprepona amphimachus pseudomeander (Fruhstorfer, 1906) and a comparative review of the Preponini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

We describe the external morphology and natural history of the immature stages of the turquoise‐banded shoemaker Archaeoprepona amphimachus pseudomeander (Fruhstorfer, 1906) (Charaxinae: Preponini), found in a forest fragment in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Immature stages of this species use two species of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) as host plants. We also provide morphological descriptions and illustrations and discuss morphological characteristics of taxonomic significance of immature stages of other species of Preponini known to date. These data support the synonymisation of Noreppa Rydon, 1971 with Archaeoprepona Fruhstorfer, 1844 and the close relationship between species formerly included in Agrias Doubleday, 1844 and the other species of Prepona Boisduval, [1836]. Our results agree with recent morphological and molecular findings, supporting the assertion that immature stages are an important source of information for systematics.
Effect of fermented soybean on growth performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing diet protein with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on the growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings . Five isonitrogenic and isocaloric diets were prepared with levels of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% FSM for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Three hundred Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings with initial weight of 12.78 ± 0.12 g were divided into five groups (20 fish per tank, Triplicate per treatment). Fingerlings Nile tilapia were hand-fed to visual satiation at two meals per day for 8 weeks (56 days). Fish were fed diets containing different levels of FSM had no significant differences regarding survival. Final and weight gain, SGR, PER and PPV were significantly higher in group of fish on T5 and T4 groups respectively. FCR was the lowest in T5 and T4 compared with the control group. Feed and protein intake was significantly highest in group of fish on T1 and T2 and lowest in T4 and T5. Body protein significantly increased with increasing level of incorporation of fermented soybean meal in the diets. These results indicate that incorporation of fermented soybean meal into fingerlings Nile tilapia diets reduced the price of one kg diet to 91.17, 78.21, 74.60 and 60.25% for the T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively compared to the control group (100% of the price).
Study the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing the Trachyspermum ammi essential oil on shelf-life of chicken meat

Packaging using chitosan-based edible films incorporated with natural essential oils is a safe and economic way to increase the shelf-life and acceptability of food products and especially chicken meat. Trachyspermum ammi is a natural medicinal plant with high antimicrobial effects cultivated in Iran. The present research was done to study the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing T. ammi essential oil on shelf-life of chicken meat. T. ammi fruits were collected and dried. Essential oil was extracted from plants using the Clevenger’s apparatus. High molecular weight chitosan with 1% and 2% concentrations of T. ammi essential oil were used for coating of chicken fillets. Treatments were stored at 4°C for 12 days. Count of the total aerobic, total psychrophilic and coliform bacteria had ranges of 3.8±0.25 to 8.32±0.26, 4±0.23 to 8.65±0.28 and 1.8±0.09 to 5.62±0.16 CFU/g during the storage period. Antimicrobial effects were significantly increased with the incorporation of T. ammi essential oil (P<0.05). Antimicrobial effects were also depended on the concentration of T. ammi essential oil (P<0.05). Chitosan film incorporated with 2% T. ammi essential oil had the highest inhibitory effects on total aerobic, total psychrophilic and coliform bacteria (P<0.05). Our results pointed out that the incorporation of T. ammi essential oil at 2% concentration has potential for using the developed chitosan edible film as an active packaging of chicken meat.
Comparison of genotoxic vs. non-genotoxic stabilization of p53 provides insight into parallel stress-responsive transcriptional networks

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is activated in response to diverse intrinsic and extrinsic cellular stresses and controls a broad cell-protective gene network. Whether p53:DNA binding and subsequent transcriptional activation differs downstream of these diverse intrinsic and extrinsic activators within the same cell type is controversial. Using primary human fibroblasts, we assessed the genome-wide profile of p53 binding, chromatin structure, and transcriptional dynamics after either genotoxic or non-genotoxic activation of p53. Activation of p53 by treatment with either etoposide or the small molecule MDM2 inhibitor nutlin 3A yields strikingly similar genome-wide binding of p53 and concomitant changes to local chromatin modifications and structure. DNA damage, but not p53 activation per se, leads to increased expression of genes in an inflammatory cytokine pathway. Etoposide-mediated activation of this inflammation signature is inhibited by treatment with the NF-kB pathway inhibitor Bay 11-7082, but does not affect expression of canonical p53 target genes. Our data demonstrate that differential activation of p53 within the same cell type leads to highly similar genome-wide binding, chromatin dynamics, and gene expression dynamics, and that DNA damage-mediated signaling through NF-κB likely controls the observed pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression pattern.
Biochemistry, Cytogenetics and DMD Gene Mutations in South Indian Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

ABSTRACT Thirty children aged 3-10 years with clinically confirmed or suspected Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) were analyzed for chromosomal aberrations using cytological preparations, biochemical changes using enzyme kit protocol, and deletions in the 26 exons of the DMD gene by targeting the mutations at the proximal and distal ‘hot spot’ regions of the dystrophin gene in South Indian patients with DMD. The frequenc y of chromosomal aberrations (both chromosomal and chromatid-type) and serum enzyme levels were significa ntly elevated in DMD subjects as compared to controls. Multiplex PCR assays revealed 27 patients having deletions in the DMD gene located at the distal ‘hot spot’ region. This study suggests that disease progression is directly associated with higher incidence of the deletions at the distal ‘hot spot’ of the DMD gene.
Physicochemical characterization and sensory evaluation of lettuce cultivated in three growing systems

There exists a growing demand and promising market for new lettuce varieties in Brazil. Cv. Brunella is an innovative lettuce variety which mixes crisp lettuce and head lettuce characteristics besides being adapted to the Brazilian growing conditions. The physicochemical and sensory quality of this lettuce, cultivated under different growing systems, was evaluated. The conventional planting and the hydroponic systems were carried out in the experimental area of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil and the organic system was done by certified organic producer in the municipality of Cordeirópolis. After harvesting, leaf area, leaf size, unit leaf area, fresh mass, mass loss, turgor pressure, instrumental color, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and sensory characterization were evaluated. We verified that the growing system influenced on physicochemical traits producing lettuces of different sizes, weights and stability. For pH, TSS and TPC, difference among the three growing systems was not observed. For TTA, the hydroponic sample showed higher acidity. About sensory evaluation, the testers noticed difference for green color, thickness, size and leaf crispness, grass aroma and bitter taste. The samples cultivated in conventional and hydroponic systems showed greater preference and purchase intention.
An assessment of Causal Inference in visual-inertial traveled distance estimation

Recent work indicates that the central nervous system assesses the causality of visual and inertial information in the estimation of qualitative characteristics of self-motion and spatial orientation, and forms multisensory perceptions in accordance with the outcome of these assessments. Here, we extend the assessment of this Causal Inference (CI) strategy to the quantitative domain of traveled distance. We present a formal model of how stimuli result in sensory estimates, how percepts are constructed from sensory estimates, and how responses result from percepts. Starting with this formalization, we derived probabilistic formulations of CI and competing models for perception of traveled distance. In an experiment, participants (n=9) were seated in the Max Planck Cablerobot Simulator, and shown a photo-realistic virtual rendering of the simulator hall via a Head-Mounted Display. Using this setup, the participants were presented with various unisensory and (incongruent) multisensory visual-inertial horizontal linear surge motions, differing only in amplitude (i.e., traveled distance). Participants performed both a Magnitude Estimation and a Two-Interval Forced Choice task. Overall, model comparisons favor the CI model, but individual analysis shows a Cue Capture strategy is preferred in most individual cases. Parameter estimates indicate that visual and inertial sensory estimates follow a Stevens’ power law with positive exponent, and that noise increases with physical distance in accordance with a Weber’s law. Responses were found to be biased towards the mean stimulus distance, consistent with an interaction between percepts and prior knowledge in the formulation of responses. Magnitude estimate data further showed a regression to the mean eﬀect. The experimental data did not provide unambiguous support for the CI model. However, model derivations and fit results demonstrate it can reproduce empirical findings, arguing in favor of the CI model. Moreover, the methods outlined in the present study demonstrate how different sources of distortion in responses may be disentangled by combining psychophysical tasks.
Assessment of macroprolactinemia inpatients with prolactinoma

Abstract Purpose Macroprolactin, the high-molecular mass prolactin isoform, is considered to be an inactive product with extrapituitary origin. Although macroprolactinemia is considered a benign condition, there is evidence of overlapping clinical features among patients with hyperprolactinemia. Data on the prevalence of macroprolactinemia in prolactinomas is also quite limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of macroprolactinemia in our patients with prolactinoma. Methods The study included patients with macroprolactinoma (n=50) and microprolactinoma (n=16). Prolactin level was measured with an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay, and macroprolactinemia was defined as the percentage of prolactin recovery <40% after the polyethylene glycol precipitation. Results Macroprolactinemia was not detected in our patients with prolactinoma (the percentage of PRL recovery range; 55%–96%). The mean percentage of prolactin recovery was similar in patients with macroprolactinoma and microprolactinoma (67.7%±8.0% and 70%±9.4%, respectively, p=0.96). Conclusion Macroprolactinemia is generally associated with negative findings on pituitary imaging. Although the monomeric prolactin is dominant, rarely macroprolactin may also be present in prolactinomas. We did not detect presence of macroprolactin in any of the patients and there was no statistically significant difference between micro- and macroprolactinomas in terms of prolactin recovery.
Modifications in leaf anatomy of banana plants cultivar 'Maca' subjected to different silicon sources in vitro

In vitro plant culture under conventional heterotrophic conditions promotes the development of certain undesirable morpho-physiological characteristics, such as reduced epicuticular wax deposition and mesophyll differentiation, rudimentary vascular bundles and little control of stomata opening and closing. Silicon is a beneficial element for plants and affects anatomical characteristics of leaf surface. This study analyzed morphological differences in banana plant cultivar ‘Maca’ plants as a result of the use of silicon added to the medium for in vitro cultivation. Shoots of banana plants cultivar ‘Maca’ established in vitro were inoculated on MS, supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose, 1 mg L-1 NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) and solidified with 1.8 g L-1 Phytagel. Three sources of silicate were added to the MS medium, sodium silicate, potassium silicate or calcium silicate at 1 g L-1, and MS medium without silicate, as the control treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications. After 45 days, anatomical characteristics and photosynthetic and transpiration rates were evaluated. The addition of calcium silicate resulted in greater thickness of upper and lower epidermis, mesophyll, palisade parenchyma and increased photosynthetic rate. The use of silicon improved micropropagated anatomy of banana plant cultivar ‘Maca’ leaves.
Información climática asociada a estaciones productivas para el ajuste de modelos estadísticos de sistemas bovinos bajo condiciones extensivas

El objeto de este estudio fue desarrollar una metodología para clasificar épocas de nacimiento (EN) y evaluar su impacto en indicadores productivos al compararlas con un método tradicional de clasificación. Con información meteorológica, se generó un índice de aridez para clasificar las EN. Las EN propuesta y tradicional se compararon, incluyéndolas como grupo contemporáneo (GC= hato, sexo, año y EN) a modelos de evaluación genética de caracteres de peso vivo. Fueron estimados los componentes de varianza y valores genéticos (DEP) con sus exactitudes. La clasificación propuesta explicó mayor variabilidad que la clasificación tradicional (≥9,8%). Los parámetros genéticos mostraron cambios importantes, siendo los más evidentes en peso al destete. Los modelos fueron diferentes de acuerdo a la prueba de razón de verosimilitudes (P
Efecto del sistema de producción sobre producción de leche y consumo de alimento en cabras

Objective . Assessing the effect of productive system in production, composition of milk and feed consumption in goats s. Materials and methods . Three production systems were assessed in Antioquia Department, Colombia. Dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), production and composition of milk were assessed during two periods for 71 goats, Saanen and Alpine breed type. Regarding the statistical analysis the individual effects of different variables were taken into account, such as production system, breed, period, and the interaction between them; using the use of PROC MIXED in the statistical software SAS. Results . The production system named A1 (semi-stabling, grazing on grasslands with natural vegetation succession) presented the highest milk production per day in both periods, with an average of 1.2 L/day, as well as higher levels of fat, protein and non-fat milk solids (53, 33 and 84 g/day), compared to production systems A2 and A3 (permanent housing). These A2 and A3 systems presented an average of 0.6 L/day and dry matter intake (DMI) did not presented significant difference, however in vitro digestibility did. Conclusions . High variability was found in the assessed systems regarding the dry matter intake, as well as the composition of feed offered. There was also a significant effect in the production system on the amount of milk produced by animal per day.
6mer Seed Toxicity Determines Strand Selection in miRNAs

Many siRNAs and shRNAs are toxic to cancer cells through a 6mer seed sequence (position 2-7 of the guide strand). A siRNA screen with all 4096 possible 6mer seed sequences in a neutral RNA backbone revealed a preference for guanine in positions 1-3 and a GC content of >80% of the 6mer seed in the most toxic siRNAs. These 6mer seed containing siRNAs exert their toxicity by targeting survival genes which contain GC-rich 3’UTRs. The master tumor suppressor miRNA miR-34a was found to be toxic through such a G-rich 6mer seed suggesting that certain tumor suppressive miRNAs use a toxic 6mer seed to kill cancer cells. An analysis of all mature miRNAs suggests that most miRNAs evolved to avoid guanine at the 5′ end of the 6mer seed sequence of the predominantly expressed arm. In contrast, for many tumor suppressive miRNAs the predominant arm contains a G-rich toxic 6mer seed, presumably to eliminate cancer cells.