Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycosulphatase from Pseudomonas carrageenovora

A glycosulphatase present in the soluble fraction of disrupted Pseudomonas carrageenovora has been purified 500-fold by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. By dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the enzyme is practically homogeneous and has a molecular weight of 55000. Conditions of optimal sodium chloride concentration and pH at 25 °C were 0.25–0.50 mol dm−3 and pH 7.0 respectively. The purified enzyme was inhibited by inorganic phosphate. Preparation is described of neocarrabiose 4-O-[35S]sulphate and neocarratetraose 4-O-[35S]-sulphate from labelled Chondrus crispus. The purified glycosulphatase is active against both these substrates although only one of the two sulphate esters in the tetrasaccharide is hydrolysed. Analysis of the reaction products was by gel filtration, electrophoresis and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results are consistent with the products of desulphation being respectively neocarrabiose and neocarratetraose 4-O-monosulphate with the sulphate ester proximal to the reducing end [3,6-anhydro-a-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 3)-s-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 4)-3,6-anhydro-α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 3)-d-galactose 4-O-sulphate].
Estrogen Receptor α Mediates 17α-Ethynylestradiol Causing Hepatotoxicity*

Estrogens are known to cause hepatotoxicity such as intrahepatic cholestasis in susceptible women during pregnancy, after administration of oral contraceptives, or during postmenopausal replacement therapy. Enterohepatic nuclear receptors including farnesoid X receptor (FXR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) are important in maintaining bile acid homeostasis and protecting the liver from bile acid toxicity. However, no nuclear receptor has been implicated in the mechanism for estrogen-induced hepatotoxicity. Here Era–/–, Erb–/–, Fxr–/–, Pxr–/–, and Car–/– mice were employed to show that Era–/– mice were resistant to synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2)-induced hepatotoxicity as indicated by the fact that the EE2-treated Era–/– mice developed none of the hepatotoxic phenotypes such as hepatomegaly, elevation in serum bile acids, increase of alkaline phosphatase activity, liver degeneration, and inflammation. Upon EE2 treatment, estrogen receptor α (ERα) repressed the expression of bile acid and cholesterol transporters (bile salt export pump (BSEP), Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), OATP1, OATP2, ABCG5, and ABCG8) in the liver. Consistently, biliary secretions of both bile acids and cholesterol were markedly decreased in EE2-treated wild-type mice but not in the EE2-treated Era–/– mice. In addition, ERα up-regulated the expression of CYP7B1 and down-regulated the CYP7A1 and CYP8B1, shifting bile acid synthesis toward the acidic pathway to increase the serum level of β-muricholic acid. ERβ, FXR, PXR, and CAR were not involved in regulating the expression of bile acid transporter and biosynthesis enzyme genes following EE2 exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that ERα-mediated repression of hepatic transporters and alterations of bile acid biosynthesis may contribute to development of the EE2-induced hepatotoxicity.
The Role of the Huntingtin N17 Domain and its Modifications in Modulating Protein-Protein Interactions and Huntington's Disease Pathogenesis

Author(s): Greiner, Erin Rochelle | Advisor(s): Loo, Joseph A | Abstract: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric deficits. Despite the discovery of the huntingtin (htt) gene more than 19 years ago, the biological function of normal and mutant huntingtin (Htt) protein still remain unclear in HD pathogenesis. We performed a spatiotemporal proteomic profiling of proteins co-immunoprecipitated with full-length Htt in BACHD and wildtype mouse brains to identify 747 Htt-interacting proteins that are highly enriched with known Htt interactors. In order to obtain an unbiased interpretation of this Htt interactome, we applied Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analyses (WGCNA) to define protein correlation relationships among the Htt interactors across 30 independent tissue (cortex, striatum, cerebellum), genotype (Wt vs BACHD), and age (2m vs 12m) conditions. The analysis established a verifiable rank of proteins based on their correlation strength with Htt, and also revealed the organization of Htt-interacting protein networks, with one such network containing Htt itself, 19 known Htt interactors, and 12 novel genetic modifiers of HD. Our study demonstrates a novel systems biology approach to interpret in vivo proteomic interactomes derived from complex tissues such as the brain, and the value of such an approach in illuminating known and novel molecular targets for HD. Recent studies suggest that the N-terminal 17 amino acids of Htt (N17 domain) immediately preceding the polyQ domain may constitute a critical domain for Htt function and HD pathogenesis. Biochemical characterization, proteomic profiling, and WGCNA network analysis of the full-length Htt interactomes from novel BAC transgenic mouse models of HD expressing human huntingtin with 97 glutamines, with 1) phosphomimetic Ser13 and Ser16 mutations (SD mice), 2) phosphoresisant Ser13 and Ser16 mutations (SA mice), and 3) deletion of Htt aa 2-16 (BACHD-∆N17 mice) reveal critical insights into how this domain regulates Htt nuclear toxicity, protein aggregation, and protein-protein interactions.
Phylogeny of Hanabusaya (Campanulaceae), a Korean endemic, based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The phylogenetic position of the genus Hanabusaya was verified using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences data of 181 individuals of 176 taxa in Campanulaceae, including allied genera such as genus Campanula, Adenophora, Symphyandra, and Zeugandra. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Hanabusaya is more closely allied to Adenophora than to Symphyandra, Zeugandra, and Campanula. Accordingly, the connate anthers of Hanabusaya are considered to have evolved independently of Symphyandra or Zeugandra. However, Hanabusaya and sect. Remotiflorae of Adenophora were unresolved within a clade. Therefore, the relationship between Hanabusaya and its allies should be more accurately determined through a broader study on diverse genetic regions.
Cd-Induced Responses in Plasma Ionic Regulation and Oxidative Stress in Rainbow Trout ( O. mykiss ) or Lake Whitefish ( C. clupeaformis ) During Chronic Waterborne Exposure

During chronic exposure to Cd or other metals, freshwater fish generally undergo physiological changes that results in acclimation, following a phase of damage and subsequent repair. The mechanisms associated with deleterious cellular effects induced by Cd throughout long-term exposures are less understood than those of acute toxicity, and may relate to an over-production of reactive oxygen species. The objectives of the present study were to examine the changes in, and relationship between, tissue-specific oxidative damage and antioxidant response, as well as plasma ionic regulation and tissue accumulation, in two freshwater salmonids throughout chronic Cd exposure. Rainbow trout (O. mykiss) or lake whitefish (C. clupeaformis) were exposed to either 0 (control), 0.8 or 2.0 ug Cd/L in moderately hard water (140 mg CaCOa/L) for one month, and gills, liver, kidney and plasma were sampled throughout exposure. Measured responses included plasma Ca and Na, as well as total tissue Cd burden and indicators of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, protein damage and enzymatic antioxidant defense (as catalase activity)) in tissues. Fish of either species experienced initial disruptions in plasma ion levels and/or mortality, which were associated with elevated Cd burdens in the gills. Exposure to sublethal Cd was sufficient to cause early oxidative lipid and/or protein damage in the liver and kidney, and subsequent recovery may relate to the elevated and sustained CAT response in these tissues, in addition to other cellular defenses. Long-term lipid peroxidation was found only in the gills of exposed rainbow trout, suggesting that the antioxidant capacities and/or detoxification mechanisms of the gills may be different than those in other tissues or of lake whitefish. Overall, this study demonstrates that the degree and pattern of oxidative damage and enzymatic antioxidant defense induced by Cd during chronic waterborne exposure varies amongst tissues and species.
Habitat structure in Mediterranean deciduous oak forests in relation to reproductive success in the Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Capsule Effects operate during laying and incubation and with less success in breeding territories characterized by a young and immature vegetation structure. Aims To explore relationships between habitat characteristics at the breeding territory level and reproductive timing and success of Blue Tits Parus caeruleus in Pyrenean Oak Quercus pyrenaica woods in central Spain. Methods Habitat structure of the breeding territories was measured in a sampling plot centred on a nestbox, with a radius of 25 m. A principal component analysis was performed to obtain a factor of ‘territory vegetation maturity’ summarizing the characteristics of the territory. Reproductive parameters were obtained by frequent visits to the nests during the breeding season. Adults were captured at the nest to obtain morphological measurements, and nestling tarsus length and body mass were measured on day 15 after hatching. Results Habitat effects on reproductive performance seem to operate at the beginning of reproduction in these montane oak woods and through female body condition during the first stages of breeding. Female Blue Tits in breeding territories with immature and degraded vegetation started reproduction later and had lower hatching and breeding success. Laying date was strongly related to female body condition. Total reproductive failure occurred mainly during the incubation period and was associated with immature breeding territories. However, nestlings raised in mature forest territories did not differ in size and mass from those in degraded, immature territories. Conclusions The effects of habitat structure on Blue Tit reproductive success operate during laying and incubation in this Mediterranean forest type. The results are discussed in terms of the implications of management of Mediterranean oak woods for the conservation of forest bird populations.
Processes and outcomes of team learning

The objective of this study was to make a contribution to the question how team learning can be studied. A model of the constituting activities of the team learning process was articulated, and it was explored whether the learning activities relate to learning outcomes. The sample consists of 29 teams of business students who were assigned to fulfill an assignment for a company. We asked them to fill out a questionnaire at the start and at the end of this project. The teams' performance was rated. The relationships between the learning activities reported, the diversity in attitude towards the task, the amount of team learning, and the team's performance were explored. The propositions were partly supported by the data. Central conclusions are that a higher diversity in attitude towards the task is related to a higher experienced amount of learning and that in projects of short duration it is especially storing and retrieving that leads to higher team performance.
Effect of concentrate feeding on milk yield and body-weight change of Awassi ewes and the growth of their lambs

The response of Awassi ewes to graded amounts of supplementary concentrate diet was examined for the first 12 weeks of lactation. The growth rate of lambs and their health status were also investigated. Seventy-five ewes were divided into three equal groups and given a basal roughage diet of shredded wheat straw at a rate of 750 g dry matter (DM) per ewe per day supplemented with a concentrate diet at three months, 950 g (low), 1150 g (medium) and 1350 g (high) of DM per ewe per day starting at the beginning of lactation. Ewes were adapted to the diet by feeding daily at a rate of 200g per ewe during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. The concentrate was estimated to contain 11.8 MJ of metabolizable energy and 182 g of crude protein per kg DM. Ewes and their offspring were housed in a partly enclosed yard. Lambs remained with their dams continuously except for the days of milk yield measurements, when they were separated from the dam for 11 or 12 h. The ewes examined for subclinical mastitis and the incidence of scouring in lambs was recorded. Ewes given the high level of concentrate produced more (p 0.05) across treatments. The daily intake of concentrate by the ewes did not affect the incidence of scouring in lambs or mastitis in ewes. On both economical and biological grounds it is recommended to offer concentrate during the first 9 weeks of lactation at levels >950 g per ewe per day in order to produce an appreciable yield of milk and restore a positive energy balance early in the ewe lactation period.
Identification of isolate‐specific resistance QTLs to phytophthora root rot using an intraspecific recombinant inbred line population of pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici were investigated using two Korean P. capsici isolates and 126 F8 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross of Capsicum annuum line YCM334 (resistant parent) and local cv. Tean (susceptible parent). The experimental design was a split plot with two replications. Highly significant effects of pathogen isolate, plant genotype, and genotype × isolate were detected. QTL mapping was performed using a genetic linkage map covering 1486·6 cM of the pepper genome, and consisted of 249 markers including 136 AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms), 112 SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats) and one CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence). Fifteen QTLs were detected on chromosomes 5 (P5), 10 (P10), 11 (P11), Pb and Pc using two data processing methods: percentage of wilted plants (PWP) and relative area under the disease progress curves (RAUDPC). The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL (R2) ranged from 6·0% to 48·2%. Seven QTLs were common to resistance for the two isolates on chromosome 5 (P5); six were isolate-specific for isolate 09-051 on chromosomes 10 (P10) and Pc, and two for isolate 07-127 on chromosomes 11 (P11) and Pb. The QTLs in common with the major effect on the resistance for two isolates explained 20·0–48·2% of phenotypic variation. The isolate-specific QTLs explained 6·0–17·4% of phenotypic variation. The result confirms a gene-for-gene relationship between C. annuum and P. capsici for root rot resistance.
Phylogeny of Isoetes (Lycopsida): resolving basal relationships using rbcL sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of Isoetes (Isoetaceae) were investigated by means of a cladistic analysis using plastid rbcL sequences and a representative sample of 18 species. The analysis supports a basal split in Isoetes separating two main groups, one including aquatic species from South America (I. bradei and I. amazonica) and West Africa (I. kersii and I. schweinfurthii), and the other including aquatic, amphibious and terrestrial species representing all major continents. Higher level relationships remain unresolved, but supported groups do conflict with previous morphology-based hypotheses. Comparatively low levels of sequence divergence indicate that the use of more rapidly evolving regions will be required to resolve higher level relationships. The phylogenetically isolated nature of Isoetes will in such analyses make standard outgroup comparisons problematic, and results presented here will in this respect prove important by providing support for choosing among alternative rooting options.
Planktivory in the changing Lake Huron zooplankton community: Bythotrephes consumption exceeds that of Mysis and fish

Summary 1. Oligotrophic lakes are generally dominated by calanoid copepods because of their competitive advantage over cladocerans at low prey densities. Planktivory also can alter zooplankton community structure. We sought to understand the role of planktivory in driving recent changes to the zooplankton community of Lake Huron, a large oligotrophic lake on the border of Canada and the United States. We tested the hypothesis that excessive predation by fish (rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, bloater Coregonus hoyi) and invertebrates (Mysis relicta, Bythotrephes longimanus) had driven observed declines in cladoceran and cyclopoid copepod biomass between 2002 and 2007. 2. We used a field sampling and bioenergetics modelling approach to generate estimates of daily consumption by planktivores at two 91-m depth sites in northern Lake Huron, U.S.A. , for each month, May–October 2007. Daily consumption was compared to daily zooplankton production. 3. Bythotrephes was the dominant planktivore and estimated to have eaten 78% of all zooplankton consumed. Bythotrephes consumption exceeded total zooplankton production between July and October. Mysis consumed 19% of all the zooplankton consumed and exceeded zooplankton production in October. Consumption by fish was relatively unimportant – eating only 3% of all zooplankton consumed. 4. Because Bythotrephes was so important, we explored other consumption estimation methods that predict lower Bythotrephes consumption. Under this scenario, Mysis was the most important planktivore, and Bythotrephes consumption exceeded zooplankton production only in August. 5. Our results provide no support for the hypothesis that excessive fish consumption directly contributed to the decline of cladocerans and cyclopoid copepods in Lake Huron. Rather, they highlight the importance of invertebrate planktivores in structuring zooplankton communities, especially for those foods webs that have both Bythotrephes and Mysis. Together, these species occupy the epi-, meta- and hypolimnion, leaving limited refuge for zooplankton prey.
Evolution of the relative width of the head and alveolar surfaces in map turtles (Testudines: Emydid

Replicate adaptive radiations are dichotomous morphological patterns related to resource use and repeated in a series of isolated habitats. Biologists have long noted a dichotomy in relative head width and alveolar width among species of map turtles (Graptemys), particularly with regard to adult females, which are much larger dian adult males in all 12 species. I measured plastron length (PL), head width (HW), and alveolar width (AW) of nearly 2300 specimens representing the 12 recognized species, and used allometric regressions to investigate this genus as an example of both sexual dimorphism in trophic morphology and replicate adaptive radiation. Sexual dimorphism was noted in HW after correction for PL, with females having wider heads than males of similar body sizes, but AW as corrected for HW was not dimorphic, thus absolute differences in AW are the simple result of differences in HW. Sexual differences in HW probably relate to the dimorphic niches of Graptemys, as females of three species have been reported to occupy deeper water further from shore than conspecific males. Based on predicted HW at maximum PL in adult females, species were categorized as mega-, meso-, or microcephalic. Differences in relative head width are related to differences in degree of molluscivory, with little molluscivory in microcephalic females, moderate to high molluscivory in mesocephalic females, and high molluscivory in megacephalic females. Distributions of Graptemys species in sympatry and allopatry reveal patterns consistent with structuring of distributions via competitive interactions. Superimposing data on relative HW on a phylogeny of the genus suggests there may have been one or two episodes of character displacement, widi subsequent character assortment, in Graptemys evolution. This conclusion is similar to the current model for the evolution of body size during the radation of Anolis lizards in the northern Lesser Antilles.
Molecular Epidemiology of Emerging Adenovirus 14 Associated Respiratory Disease in the United States

Abstract : First isolated in the Netherlands in 1955 during an outbreak of acute respiratory disease (ARD) among military recruits, human adenovirus 14 (HAdV-14) has historically been considered a rare respiratory HAdV. With no precedent of circulation in North America, HAdV-14 has been isolated in the United States since 2003 from military and civilian cases of ARD of variable severity. Genomic analysis of isolates representing different locations and circulation dates showed all examined viruses to be identical and to belong to a new genome type designated HAdV-14a1. The alignment of E1A, hexon, and fiber gene sequences with those of other B2 HAdVs suggests that HAdV-14a1 has arisen from recombination events between HAdV-11 and HAdV-14p strains. A 6 base pair deletion near the predicted binding site of the fiber gene is, so far, the only distinct genetic characteristic of HAdV-14. The current documented geographic distribution of HAdV-14a1-associated ARD involves 14 US states but no Canadian provinces.
DIGESTIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER HYACINTH MEAL IN THE DIETS OF AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus; BURCHELL, 1822)

Water hyacinth meal (WHM) as an alternative protein source was investigated in this study. Whole water hyacinth plant meal (WPM), water hyacinth leaf meal (WLM) and soya bean meal (SBM) were used to compound three isoproteic (40% crude protein) fish diets. Catfish of 11.2 Â± 0.3g average weight were used for the 70-day digestibility study. Data were collected forthnightly on fish growth performance and water qualities (dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia and temperature). Fish, feeds, and faecal wastes were analyzed. Fish fed SBM-based diet had superior performance over those fed WHM-based diets with respect to Mean weight gain (MWG), Specific growth rate (SGR), Protein efficiency ratio (PER), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), Nitrogen metabolism (Nm) and digestibility coefficients (ADC). Â Fish fed all diets exhibited marginal difference in total feed intake but growth performance and nutrient utilization were significantly higher in fish fed WLM than fish fed WPM probably as a result of high fibre content present in WPM. Extremely low value of ammonia was recorded in water under WPM treatment (0.18Â±0.06 mg/l) while water under WLM and SBM treatment had significantly higher values of ammonia 0. 46Â± 0.13 mg/l and 0. 71Â± 0.10 mg/l respectively. These observations may be due to the presence of significantly higher fibre content in the WPM than other meals. Consequently this could be responsible for its poor digestibility values but high potential for waste water purification. Water hyacinth leaf meal (WLM) would therefore serve a better option for adoption in ensuring maximum utilization potentials of the aquatic plant both for profitable and sustainable fish production.
The mountain pine beetle: a synthesis of biology, management and impacts on lodgepole pine.

Les Safranyik and Bill Wilson The mountain pine beetle is the most damaging biotic disturbance agent in mature lodgepole pine in western Canada. The current beetle outbreak in British Columbia is unprecedented in scale and will have unavoidable ecological and economic impacts. Unfortunately, this beetle outbreak may be a harbinger to an increased pest threat to Canadian forests. The abundance of mature age class timber in the inventory and a trend to warmer, drier summers and infrequent cold winter weather can combine to alter the balance between pest and host in forest ecosystems.