Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of intrauterine growth restriction on Wharton’s jelly cells and preweaning traits in pigs

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects all mammals. In the swine industry IUGR pigs result from intrauterine crowding. Prenatal programming in IUGR pigs has substantial effects on myogenesis and adipogenesis. Prenatal programming due to IUGR is also a problem in humans and long-term effects on adipogenesis are well established for small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the precursors for adipocytes. The umbilical cord contains a population of MSCs in Wharton’s jelly (WJ) and they can be harvested postnatally without ethical issues. Therefore, WJMSCs are proposed as models for studying prenatal programming of adipogenesis. We selected genes from studies of adipogenesis in humans and other species and examined their expression in pig WJ. We assigned pigs within litter as High, Medium, or Low birth weight and evaluated these categories for expression of Cox1, Cox2, EGR1, PPARɣ1, PPARɣ2, and Pref1. Differences due to size classification within litter were limited but there were correlations between weaning weight and delta cycle threshold (ΔCt) for EGR1 (r = 0.28; P < 0.009), PPARɣ1 (r = 0.29; P < 0.007), and PPARɣ2 (r = 0.30; P < 0.005). This may be consistent with the reports for SGA babies where EGR1 is upregulated by prenatal growth restriction. To gain insight into when during pregnancy IUGR affects WJ cells we collected umbilical cords at d 60 and d 95. In d 60 umbilical cords, small fetuses had increased (P = 0.06) Cox1 gene expression. We tested the ability of d 60 WJ cells to undergo adipogenic differentiation using standard protocols and a cycling protocol that exposed the cells to adipogenic differentiation conditions interposed with a rest phase with high insulin. It has been reported that the cycling protocol revealed increased glucose uptake in WJ cells from human SGA babies. We found that d 60 WJ cells did not show adipogenic differentiation in any of the protocols tested however glucose uptake correlated negatively with birth weight at Cycle 0 (P < 0.02; r = 0.61). In summary, pig WJ cells reveal some effects of IUGR but they appear to differ from the relationship demonstrated reported for human SGA babies. A new finding was that at midgestation pig WJ cells do not appear to be competent to complete adipogenesis. We also studied nursing managements to improve outcomes for IUGR pigs. Colostrum intake may be a problem, particularly for light weight pigs and those born later during farrowing. Split suckling is the removal of some pigs to allow others unrestricted nursing access. We temporarily removed the six heaviest pigs and this treatment increased gain and weight by d 7 of age. Colostrum intake was highest for the high birth weight pigs. When we temporarily removed the first half of the litter, colostrum intake was increased for the second half of litter born and the difference in immunocrit was reduced between the two litter halves. Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction on Wharton’s Jelly Cells and Preweaning Traits in Pigs by
Management of Plant Growth Regulators in Cotton Using Active Crop Canopy Sensors

Factors affecting cotton development present spatial and temporal variability. Plant growth regulators (PGR) are used to control vegetative growth, promote higher yields, better fiber quality, and facilitate mechanical harvest. The optimal rate of PGR application depends on crop height, biomass, and growth rate. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate optical and ultrasonic crop canopy sensors to detect the crop spatial variability in cotton fields, and to develop strategies for using this information to perform variable rate application (VRA) of PGR in cotton. Field trials were conducted in Midwest Brazil during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 crop seasons. Two optical and two ultrasonic active crop canopy sensors were evaluated as tools to detect crop variability. On-farm trials were used to develop and validate algorithms for VRA based on within-field variations in crop response to PGR applications. The overall performance of the sensors to predict crop height and the accumulation of biomass in cotton was satisfactory. Short distance variability was predominant in some fields, reducing the performance of the sensors while making current technology for variable rate application of PGR inadequate. In areas with large scale variability, the VRA led to 17% savings in PGR products and no significant effect on yield was observed. Ultrasonic sensors present can be a low-cost alternative to implement variable rate application of PGR in real time.
Autolysin-Independent DNA Release in Streptococcus pneumoniae in vitro Biofilms

Biofilms are defined as layers of cells of microorganisms adhered to the surface of a substrate and embedded in an extracellular matrix and provide an appropriate environment for increased genetic exchange. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an essential component of the extracellular matrix of microbial biofilms, but the pathway(s) responsible for DNA release are largely unknown. Autolysis (either spontaneous or phage-induced) has been proposed the major event leading to the appearance of eDNA. The ‘suicidal tendency’ of Streptococcus pneumoniae is well-known, with lysis mainly caused by the triggering of LytA, the major autolytic amidase. However, the LytC lysozyme and CbpD (a possible murein hydrolase) have also been shown involved. The present work examines the relationship between eDNA, autolysins, and the formation and maintenance of in vitro pneumococcal biofilms, via fluorescent labelling combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy, plus genetic transformation experiments. Bacterial DNA release mechanisms other than those entailing lytic enzymes were shown to be involved by demonstrating that horizontal gene transfer in biofilms takes place even in the absence of detectable autolytic activity. It had been previously suggested that the quorum sensing systems ComABCDE and LuxS/AI-2 are involved in the production of eDNA as a response to the accumulation of quorum sensing signals, although our immunofluorescence results do not support this hypothesis. Evidence that the release of DNA is somehow linked to the production of extracellular vesicles by S. pneumoniae is provided.
Grafting in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes

The effect of different rootstocks on eggplant growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality were studied by comparing grafted plants with nongrafted ones under low cost polyhouse. The present investigation was carried out in the year, 2014–15, Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry (CAU) Pasighat. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomised Design with 8 treatments (four wild Solanum species and two eggplant genotypes) and four replications. The seedlings of eggplant genotypes with pencil thickness were grafted with wild Solanum species by cleft method. The non-grafted plants were used as control. The highest survival rate observed in plants grafted with Solanum torvum followed by Solanum surathense. The plant morphology, reproductive and yield parameters were significantly affected by grafting. Control plants recorded minimum plant height with least number of leaves per plant. Furthermore, fruit weight, fruit yield, days to fruit maturity and rooting behaviour of plant were influenced positively by grafting. All grafted plants showed superior rooting and highest number, length, fresh weight and dry weight of roots were recorded in Solanum torvum followed by solanum khasianum. Based on mean performance, grafted plants of Solanum torvum and Solanum khasianum found to be superior for plant growth and yield attributing characters without effecting fruit quality. So, it can be concluded that grafting in eggplant is quite successful and alternate method of production.
Amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure in rats

As a potential alternative treatment for terminal liver diseases, amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells (AFMSCs) have many advantages over other stem cells: avoiding much ethical controversy and decrease in both quantity and differentiation potential with age. However, the therapeutic role of AFMSC for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) has not yet been clearly elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the reparation effects of transplanted AFMSCs in rats with FHF. AFMSCs were transplanted into injured liver via the portal vein in the rat FHF model. Therapeutic effect was evaluated after cell transfusion by histologic pathology, hepatic enzyme levels and animal survival. Cryostat sections were prepared and directly assessed for green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression and localization, and in vivo differentiation of AFMSC was confirmed by double-immunostaining analyses. Our results show that AFMSCs prevented liver failure and reduced mortality in rats with FHF. These animals also exhibited improved liver function and animals survival after injection with AFMSCs using GFP, we demonstrated that the engrafted cells and their progeny incorporated into injured livers and produced albumin. We found that AFMSCs transplantation modestly promoted the repair of FHF in rats. AFMSCs implanted in the injured liver may be a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of FHF. Key words : Amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells, fulminant hepatic failure, cell transplantation, treatment, hepatogenic differentiation.
DHEA and territoriality during the nonbreeding season in male American martens (Martes americana)

Nonbreeding season territoriality is found in many mammal species irrespective of diet, being found in carnivores, granivores, and herbivores. However, we know the hormonal basis for this behavior in virtually none. American martens (Martes americana) show strong intrasexual, year-round territoriality. We collected serum samples from both territorial and transient males and documented size metrics and movement patterns with live-capture and radiotelemetry from September to June in 3 years in Southeast Alaska. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA—a prohormone that can be converted in the brain to active gonadal hormones) levels were high (comparable to humans and rodents showing nonbreeding season spacing behavior) and did not change over the nonbreeding season in territorial males. In contrast, testosterone levels were low in autumn and increased as the summer breeding season approached. Territorial males were larger than transients in some measures and had higher testosterone levels, but similar DHEA and cortisol levels (total and free). DHEA levels declined with age. Our evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that DHEA, not testosterone, is the basis for territoriality outside the breeding season in martens, but collection of serum from females and experimental manipulations are required to provide conclusive evidence.
Sulphur management in groundnut for higher productivity and profitability under Semi-Arid condition of Rajasthan, India

The present study was planned to evaluate the performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under varying levels of sulphur and its sources under Semi-Arid condition of Rajasthan. Application of 60 kg S/ha resulted 8.8, 23.8 and 59.6% more pod/plant than 45, 30 and 15 kg S/ha, respectively. Gypsum as a source of S recorded 15.4 and 50.4% higher pods/plant over SSP and elemental sulphur, respectively. However, number of kernels/pod increased significantly upto 45 kg/ha only. Gypsum and SSP improved the kernels/pod by 14.2 and 11.2% over elemental sulphur, respectively. Application of 60 kg S/ha resulted in 140, 345 and 744 kg/ha and 127, 319 and 616 kg/ha higher pod and kernel yield over 45, 30 and 15 kg/ ha, respectively. Sulphur application through gypsum recorded the highest pod yield (1872 kg/ha) of groundnut that was 13.1 and 32.0 percent more than obtained under SSP and elemental sulphur treatment, respectively. Application of sulphur at 75 kg S/ha was recorded highest shelling% (72.13%) which were 7.0 and 10.9 per cent higher over 30 and 15 kg S/ha. The application of S at 45 kg/ha exhibited 7.6 and 17.0% higher protein content over 30 and 15 kg S/ha, respectively. Among sources, the highest protein content (23.75%), oil content (44.49%) and oil yield (597.76 kg/ha) was obtained with gypsum. Application of 60 kg S/ha increased oil yield by magnitude of 70.3, 175.1 and 316.9 kg/ha over 45, 30 and 15 kg S/ha, respectively. Sulphur application at the rate of 60 kg/ha increased the margin to the tune of 6343, 15867, 34062 /ha over 45, 30 and 15 kg S/ha, respectively. Likewise, graded increment in levels of sulphur resulted in significantly higher BCR upto 60 kg/ha over lower levels. The maximum net returns (55358/ha) and BCR (1.68) were obtained with gypsum.
Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity and Hypoglycemic Potential of Kenyan Aloe lateritia and Aloe secundiflora Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice

The aim of the study was to investigate the phytochemical constitution, antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic potential and safety of Aloe lateritia and Aloe secundiflora. Phytochemical screening was determined using standard procedures and Gas chromatography­mass spectrometry (GC­MS) analysis. 1,1­diphenyl­2­picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was determined spectro­ photometrically. Hypoglycemic studies involved daily administration of 200 mg/kg of metformin and 300 mg/kg of methanol and aqueous leaves extracts of A. lateritia and A. secundiflora to alloxan­ Original Research Article Mbithi et al.; EJMP, 24(1): 1-18, 2018; Article no.EJMP. 40799 2 induced diabetic mice for 21 days. The safety of the extracts was experimented using OECD protocol on Acute Oral Toxicity­Acute Toxic Class Method Test no. 423. The results showed the presence of hypoglycemic phytochemicals: ­ phenols, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids and carbohydrates in both plants. Analysis by GC­MS determined the presence of phytochemicals in A. lateritia and A. secundiflora already established in other Aloe species. Aloe secundiflora extracts were decided to have higher free radical scavenging activity than A. lateritia extracts. Both A. lateritia and A. secundiflora aqueous and methanol extracts showed significant decreases in FBG levels when compared to the diabetic control group while there was no significant difference between A. secundiflora extracts and metformin­treated group at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). Aloe secundiflora methanol extracts achieved the highest percentage glycemic change among the extracts. All the extracts were not toxic at the tested levels. The hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities established in A. lateritia and A. secundiflora can be linked to the phytochemicals present.
Potential of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) essential oil to modify in vitro rumen fermentation in sheep

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing doses (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 120 µl/50 ml) of essential oil of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) on in vitro rumen fermentation. Two 24 h-incubations were done and gas production (GP) was measured. The liquid was collected for analysis of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and true organic matter degradability (TOMD). The partitioning factor (PF) was estimated after 24 h of incubation. Procedure of H-NMR spectroscopy was used to analyse rumen fluid samples. Results showed that, GP was only affected and decreased significantly for the doses 20, 40, 80 and 120 µl. Ammonia-N concentration was reduced by 8.2%, 18.6%, 21.6% and 25% when 20, 40, 80 and 120 µl of EuEO were added respectively. The TOMD values were decreased significantly at doses 40, 80 and 120 µl. The PF values were affected between doses control and 120 µl. Concerning H-NMR spectroscopy, results showed that the diet containing 80 µl of EuEO, there were increases observed in the concentration of rumen methylamine, glucose, butyrate, propionate and glycine. EuEO modified fermentation trends in the rumen, mainly by reducing GP and protein deamination. And the use of EuEO in high concentrations inhibits ruminal flora and decreases the production of VFA.
The impact of dietary fatty acids in common sole larval ( Solea solea , L.) nutrition

Eggs from a F1 cultured broodstock of sole were compared to eggs from wild caught breeders throughout one spawning season to evaluate if egg quality may be affected by culture related conditions. Fourteen batches of eggs from cultured broodstock and 17 batches from wild caught sole were compared with respect to fatty acid (FA) composition, egg size, fertilization rate and hatching rate. Based on a multivariate analysis of the FA profiles, it was possible to discriminate between culture and wild inheritance. Eggs from cultured broodstock had high levels of C20:1(n-9), C18:2(n-6) and C18:3(n-3), whereas eggs from wild fish had high levels of C16:1(n-7), C20:4(n-6) and C20:5(n-3). Differences in FA profiles were most likely related to dietary differences. Fertilizationand hatching rates were generally low and lowest in eggs from cultured broodstock, but not related to FA composition. Larval growth of one batch from each group was compared. Larval growth was not correlated to broodstock origin, FA-composition or egg or larval size. However, larval survival was significantly lower for larvae from cultured broodstock. Introduction Common Sole (Solea solea), Linnaeus 1758, is a potential candidate for aquaculture, due to its high market price and demand. The commercial production of common sole is still limited. This may be explained by its high temperature requirement (Fonds, 1979, Howell, 1997, Imsland et al., 2003); temperatures which in Northern Europe are feasible only by use of recirculation technology. Sole production in Europe is still based on wild caught broodstock and, in culture of senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), large scale production has been limited by poor success in obtaining eggs
Molecular and plumage analyses indicate the incomplete separation of two woodpeckers (Aves, Picidae)

We evaluated the relationship between Celeus undatus and Celeus grammicus, with the objective of clarifying their evolutionary history. We analysed fragments of the mitochondrial and nuclear genes of 57 specimens. For comparative purposes, we inspected the plumage patterns of 77 skins. Our findings highlight the absence of reciprocal monophyly between the two taxa, given their reduced genetic divergence, and the lack of any clear separation of the two forms in the haplotype networks. A similar situation was found in the STRUCTURE analysis, with reciprocal contributions from the two taxa to the respective clusters, indicating that C. grammicus and C. undatus cannot be differentiated using the molecular markers. Corroborating the genetic data, our plumage analyses also failed to find any clear diagnostic characters between the polytypic C. undatus and C. grammicus, as they are defined at present. The genetic profile is consistent with either extensive historical gene flow between the species or, alternatively, incomplete lineage sorting, rather than recent secondary contact. The lack of monophyly between the two taxa impeded subspecies‐level phylogeographic inferences, with the subspecific variation being interpreted as a probable artefact of the phenotypic plasticity of the two forms. These findings indicate clearly that the two taxa form a single evolutionary unit, in which the morphological differentiation used to diagnose the species, combined with their geographic distribution, is at odds with the incomplete separation of the taxa. This may reflect disparities in the rates of differentiation between molecular and phenotypic markers, which is possibly due to the variation in selection pressures along a humidity gradient in Amazonia.
Genetic Analysis of Soybean Mosaic Virus Resistance in Soybean

This research was conducted to analyze the genetics of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) resistance in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] and to determine allelic relationships of SMV resistance genes and their interactions with SMV strain groups. In the first part of this study, the inheritance of SMV resistance in OX670 and ‘Harosoy’ was studied to determine the source and identity of the resistance gene/genes in OX670. Other researchers reported that OX670 possesses a single gene at a locus independent of Rsv1 and assigned the gene symbol Rsv2. Rsv2 was presumably derived from the cultivar ‘Raiden’. However, later work showed that Raiden contains a single resistance gene at the Rsv1 locus, raising the possibility that the resistance gene in OX670 was not from Raiden. Harosoy and its derivatives make up much of the remaining pedigree of OX670. Results from crosses of OX670 with susceptible cultivars indicate that it contains two independent genes for SMV resistance. One is allelic to the Rsv1 locus, expresses resistance to SMV-G1 and G7 and is derived from Raiden. The other is allelic to the Rsv3 locus, expresses resistance to SMV-G7 but susceptibility to SMV-G1 and is derived from Harosoy. Therefore the Rsv2 locus does not appear to exist in OX670 or its ancestors. The presence of Rsv1 and Rsv3 makes OX670 resistant to all SMV strains from G1 through G7.
Dietary Patterns of Children on Three Indigenous Societies

Abstract. Despite increasing research interest on Indigenous Peoples' food systems, the specificities of Indigenous children's diets remain largely unexplored. We analyze data on food consumption of children from three Indigenous societies with relatively little involvement in the market economy: the Tsimane' (Bolivian Amazon), the Baka (Congo Basin), and the Punan Tubu (Borneo), as such societies allow for the rare possibility to see relationships that become hard to spot once external influences become commonplace. We describe children's diets and measure dietary quality through two standard indicators: dietary diversity and dietary quality (proxied by fruits and vegetables and animal source food consumption). The diversity of Indigenous children's diets varied from one society to another but was high compared to previously reported data. Overall, children's diets were more diverse than adults' diets, without stark differences between the diets of boys and girls or between children of different ages. There was a tendency for more diverse diets amongst children who attend school compared to those who do not. Children in the sample rely on a complex mixture of locallysourced foods (mainly fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods) and products from the market (mainly oils, sweets, spices, and beverages). Findings from this work suggest that Indigenous children remain highly dependent on forest resources and subsistence agriculture for their diets. In that sense, the implications of the ongoing environmental changes on Indigenous children's diets require more scholarly attention.