Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cutting Edge: Extracellular High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein Is a Proangiogenic Cytokine1

The chromosomal high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a proinflammatory cytokine when released in the extracellular environment by necrotic and inflammatory cells. In the present study, we show that HMGB1 exerts proangiogenic effects by inducing MAPK ERK1/2 activation, cell proliferation, and chemotaxis in endothelial cells of different origin. Accordingly, HMGB1 stimulates membrane ruffling and repair of a mechanically wounded endothelial cell monolayer and causes endothelial cell sprouting in a three-dimensional fibrin gel. In keeping with its in vitro properties, HMGB1 stimulates neovascularization when applied in vivo on the top of the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane whose blood vessels express the HMGB1 receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Accordingly, RAGE blockade by neutralizing Abs inhibits HMGB1-induced neovascularization in vivo and endothelial cell proliferation and membrane ruffling in vitro. Taken together, the data identify HMGB1/RAGE interaction as a potent proangiogenic stimulus.
Genetic parameters for grain yield and its component characters in rice

Thirty eight rice genotypes were evaluated at Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Allahabad School of Agriculture, SHIATS, Allahabad in Randomized block design with three replications during kharif-2009. The experiment was conducted to study the 12 quantitative traits to examine the nature and magnitude of variability, heritability and genetic advance. The mean sum of square for all the 12 characters were significant indicating the presence of substantial amount of variability. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for harvest index (99.66, 78.57) followed by number of spikelets per panicle (99.66, 69.05), number of panicles per hill (99.61, 53.56) and number of tillers per hill (99.81, 51.68). High estimates of heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for flag leaf width (65.17, 20.33) followed by days to 50% flowering (99.30, 22.54), panicle length (97.30, 31.32) and biological yield per hill (99.97, 34.59).
Source Monitoring and False Recollection: A Life Span Developmental Perspective

In a variation of Deese's (1959, Journal of Experimental Psychology, 58, 17-22) list-learning paradigm, 32 first-graders, 32 younger adults, and 24 older adults self-generated words that were semantically related to study items prior to recall. This manipulation increased false recollection for children and older adults, but not for younger adults. These data suggest that source-monitoring deficits underlie children's and older adults' illusory memories within the list-learning format. The differential roles played by source monitoring versus declarative memory in the production of false memories are discussed from a life span developmental perspective.
Population Dynamics, Chick Diet, and Foraging Behavior of the Razorbill (Alca torda) at Matinicus Rock, Maine

As central-place foragers, breeding seabirds are limited to spatially-restricted foraging grounds around the breeding colony. If foraging conditions are poor near the colony and chick-provisioning parents cannot compensate through time-budget adjustments, chicks may grow more slowly and productivity may decrease. Razorbills (Alca torda), piscivorous seabirds in the alcid family, reach their southern breeding distribution limit in the Gulf of Maine where they breed at a few small colonies and are listed as threatened in Maine. At the largest U.S. Razorbill colony, Matinicus Rock, wildlife managers noted the colony appeared to be growing but reproductive success seemed low. To determine if the Matinicus Rock colony is a population sink, we estimated population growth rate and productivity, then modeled population dynamics under various immigration scenarios. The Matinicus Rock colony grew at an annual rate of 12.9%, yet annual productivity was 0.48 ± 0.13 chicks per pair, a rate that, according to our model, would lead to an annual population decrease of 1.6% in the absence of net immigration. Therefore, we conclude that Matinicus Rock is a sink population supported by substantial annual immigration equal to 18-20% of the breeding population. Because chick diet has well-documented effects on productivity, and because Matinicus Rock is
Especies útiles de la selva baja caducifolia en las dunas costeras del centro de Veracruz

The tropical dry forest is an ecosystem under strong human pressure. It is found both inland and on coastal dunes. The objective of this research is to identify native tree and palm species growing on dunes that are used by local communities. In this research we carried out surveys and interviews among residents of San Isidro and Colonia La Mancha, in the coast of Veracruz on the use of trees of the tropical dry forest on dunes. Among the 55 registered species, Cedrela odorata, Diphysa robinioides, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Bursera simaruba, Gliricidia sepium, Tabebuia rosea, Chrysobalanus icaco, Guazuma ulmifolia, Acacia cochliacantha, Brosimum alicastrum, Bumelia celastrina, Cocos nucifera, Maclura tinctoria, Piscidia piscipula, Spondias mombin and Ficus spp. were mentioned by more people. Eighteen uses were recorded, being the most frequent construction of houses (119 mentions), posts for fences and live fences (99), firewood (72) and food (48). Four of the uses mentioned refer to environmental services provided by these plants in the dunes. The species with higher number of uses is Gliricidia sepium and Bursera simaruba is the species in which more parts are used, followed by Gliricidia sepium, Guazuma ulmifolia and Brosimum alicastrum . We also inquired about the parts of the tree being used, the frequency, their sale and local price. Based on the results we suggest a group of species that can be used to increase species tree richness in the secondary growths and grassland on dunes, which will provide wood, forage, etc., to the local inhabitants and help maintain the tree cover of the dunes.
The Role of Lipoproteins/cholesterol in Genomic Instability and Chromosome Mis-segregation in Alzheimer's and Cardiovascular Disease

vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN NORMAL BRAIN 3 Mosaic Nature of Neurogenesis 5 Mechanisms of Aneuploidy Generation 9 Aneuploidy in Developing and Aging Brain 12 Consequence of Genomic Instability in CNS 15 GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN DISEASED BRAIN 17 Aneuploidy in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) 17 Hypotheses of AD Neuropathology 17 The Level of Central Aneuploidy in AD 22 The Level of Peripheral Aneuploidy in AD 26 The Evidence for the Down Syndrome/Chromosome Missegregation Hypothesis of AD 30 Down Syndrome: Consequence of Altered Gene Dosage 30 Trisomy 21: Links between DS and AD 31 Experimental Evidence for the DS Model/Chromosome Mis-segregation Hypothesis . 32 Aneuploidy in Other Neurodegenerative Diseases 38 GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES 39 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 41 CHAPTER TWO: BIOLOGICAL LINKS BETWEEN AD AND CVD 45 GENERAL HYPOTHESIS AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS 49 CHOLESTEROL HOMEOSTASIS AND AD 50 Cholesterol Metabolism, Functions and Organization 52 Brain Cholesterol Homeostasis and AD Pathology 57 Hypercholesterolemia and AD Risk 64 The Role of Atherosclerosis in AD 66
Growth Performance, Sperm Quality and Testicular Morphometry of Buck Rabbits Fed Dietary Levels of Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L ) Leaf Meal

A study was conducted to determine growth performance, sperm quality and testicular morphometry of buck rabbits fed dietary levels of Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L ) leaf meal. Thirty (30) buck rabbits mixed breeds between the aged 11 - 12 weeks; weighing 950±0.25 were used for the study. The buck rabbits were randomly assigned into five dietary treatments, designated as T1, T2 T3 T4 and T5 containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of pumpkin leaf meal respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experimental period (52 days). At the end of the study period, three buck rabbits per treatment were sacrificed; internal organs and reproductive parts were carefully dissected and grouped. Internal organs were weighed and testicular morphometry and cauda epididymal sperm characteristics were determined. The result showed that growth performance, testicular morphometry and sperm characteristics as well as the internal organ weights of the buck rabbits were not significantly (P> 0.05) effected by the dietary inclusion of pumpkin leaf in the diets. It can be concluded that pumpkin leaf meal can be included up to 20% in a buck rabbit diets without negative effect on testicular morphometry, sperm quality and internal weight organs of buck rabbits.
BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES TOWARDS DIFFERENT LIGHT INTENSITIES OF TWO RED SEA SURGEONFISHES

Little is known about the behaviour of reef fish under keeping conditions (aquarium). Several factors may have direct effects on fish behaviour in this artificial environment. This study described the behavioural ecology of two surgeonfish species (Zebrasoma desjardinii and Z. xanthurum) in both natural habitat (the Northern Red Sea reefs) and public aquarium (Schonbrunn Aquarium, Vienna, Austria) under different light intensities. The natural habitat, in the Northern Red Sea reefs, was used as control in this study. In normal light intensity (150 lx) in Schonbrunn Aquarium, the average feeding rate of Z. desjardinii was 44.9 bites 5 min-1, while that of Z. xanthurum was 53.9 bites 5 min-1. Both Zebrasoma species have low feeding rates under low (50 lx) and high (300 lx) light intensities. In the Red Sea, the aggressive behaviour of Z. desjardinii was higher, 12.7 acts 10 min-1, than of Z. xanthurum, 8.3 acts 10 min-1. Generally, both Zebrasoma species have low aggressive acts under low light intensity and high aggressive acts under high light intensity. However, more research is necessary to confirm that light is one of the controlling factors in the behaviour of the two Zebrasoma species under different keeping conditions.
Notes on the herpetofauna of Surinam : VII. Revision of the genus Atracus in Surinam, with the resurrection of two species (Colubridae, Reptilia)

A re-examination of old specimens of the genus Atractus, preserved in the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie resulted in the discovery of syntypes of Brachyorrhos badius F. Boie, B. flammigerus F. Boie, B. schach F. Boie and Rabdosoma torquatus Dumeril, Bibron & Dumeril. Lectotypes for all these species are designated. B. flammigerus and B. schach have been considered synonyms of Atractus badius since 1837. This proved to be wrong, they turned out to be valid taxa exhibiting differences in scale counts, body size, hemipenial morphology and colour pattern. Among recently collected material from Surinam the recently described A. zidoki Gasc & Rodrigues was discovered and described on the basis of seven specimens. Both A. latifrons (Gunther) and A. favae (Filippi) are reported for the first time from Surinam. Including A. elaps (Gunther) the total number of species now known from Surinam is eight. Data gathered in Surinam indicate that the existence of many localised forms in Atractus is real and that under the name A. badius probably several other taxa are hiding. A revision of the entire genus is badly needed.
Confidence of paternity and paternal care: covariation revealed through the experimental manipulation of the mating system in the beetle Onthophagus taurus

Theoretical models of paternal care predict that facultative reductions in male care may occur under certain conditions. One important parameter that has been shown to influence the outcome of these models is a male's confidence of paternity. In this study, we tested whether the amount of care provided by horned males in the dimorphic beetle, Onthophagus taurus, varied with his confidence of paternity. Male care results in an increased weight of dung provided in the brood masses produced by the pair. Using the sterile male technique we showed that a horned male's paternity declined with the number of sneak males in the population. The relationship was nonlinear, with paternity declining most rapidly between a frequency of one and three sneaks, and stabilizing thereafter at about 50%. A horned male's paternity was directly related to the number of copulations with the female, relative to the number of copulations achieved by sneaks. Horned males were shown to reduce their care in relation to their declining paternity. Video analysis demonstrated that reductions in male care occurred through a combination of male desertion and a trade‐off between caring and paternity assurance behaviours. The number of fights with sneak males was negatively related to the amount of care provided by a horned male. These results suggest that by gauging his expected paternity through the number of fights with sneaks, a horned male is able to assess his paternity and reduce his investment accordingly. Our data thus provide strong empirical support for the proposed link between paternity and paternal care.
The Role of Ecological Interactions in Polymicrobial Biofilms and their Contribution to Multiple Antibiotic Resistance

The primary objectives of this research were to demonstrate that: 1. ) antibiotic resistant bacteria can promote the survival of antibiotic sensitive organisms when grown simultaneously as biofilms in antibiotics, 2. ) community-level multiple antibiotic resistance of polymicrobial consortia can lead to biofilm formation despite the presence of multiple antibiotics, and 3. ) biofilms may benefit plasmid retention and heterologous protein production in the absence of selective pressure. Quantitative analyses of confocal data showed that ampicillin resistant organisms supported p opulations of ampicillin sensitive organisms in steady state ampicillin concentrations 13 times greater than that which would inhibit sensitive cells inoculated alone. The rate of reaction of the resistance mechanism influenced the degree of protection. Spectinomycin resistant organisms did not support their sensitive counterparts, although flow cytometry indicated that GFP production by the sensitive strain was improved. When both organisms were grown in both antibiotics, larger numbers of substratum-attached pairs at 2 hours resulted in greater biofilm formation at 48 hours. For biofilms grown in both antibiotics, a benefit to spectinomycin resistant organism's population size was detectable, but the only benefit to ampicillin resistant organisms was in terms of GFP production. Additionally, an initial attachment ratio of 5 spectinomycin resistant organisms to 1 ampicillin resistant organism resulted in optimal biofilm formation at 48 hours. Biofilms also enhanced the stability of high-copy number plasmids and heterologous protein production. In the absence of antibiotic selective pressure, plasmid DNA was not detected after 48 hours in chemostats, where the faster growth rate of plasmid-free cells contributed to the washout of plasmid retaining cells. The plasmid copy number per cell in biofilms grown without antibiotic selective pressure steadily increased over a six day period. Flow cytometric monitoring of bacteria grown in biofilms indicated that 95 percent of the population was producing GFP at 48 hours. This research supports the idea that ecological interactions between bacteria contribute to biofilm development in the presence of antibiotics, and demonstrates that community-level multiple antibiotic resistance is a factor in biofilm recalcitrance against antibiotics. Additionally, biofilms may provide an additional tool for stabilizing high copy number plasmids used for heterologous protein production. Kristala Prather on several manuscripts. I am grateful for the highly motivational guidance by Dr. Eric Gilbert for the duration of both my undergraduate and graduate research, and to Drs. Pierce and Crow for their practical, application-driven insight. I thank B. for their assistance with experiments, and collegial camaraderie in …
An investigation into the molecular determinants of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837)) susceptibility to the antiparasitic drug emamectin benzoate.

III Abstract Caligid copepods, also called sea lice, are ectoparasites of marine fish, with Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837) emerging as a problem for mariculture of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758) in the northern hemisphere. Annual costs of sea lice to global salmon farming was estimated to be in excess of €300 million in 2006, with the majority of this accounted for through expenses accrued from chemical treatments. Only a limited range of anti-sea louse drugs are available and licensed for the treatment of fish, and the continued use of only a few compounds creates a situation potentially favouring the development of drug resistance. Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is currently used as a salmon delousing agent, being employed as a 0.2 % in-feed premix (SLICE ® ). Atlantic salmon farmers have reported increased incidence of reduced L. salmonis sensitivity to SLICE ® , which has highlighted the requirement for further research into the molecular mechanisms controlling salmon louse resistance to EMB. Genomic and transcriptomic research concerning L. salmonis drug resistance mechanisms has not often been reported, with previous transcriptomic studies using candidate gene approaches and genetic studies focussing on population genetics. Drug resistance in ecdysozoan invertebrates is associated with a variety of molecular mechanisms including target site mutations and changes in the expression of components in drug detoxification pathways. The research reported in this thesis was aimed at the exploration of mechanisms employed by L. salmonis to reduce the toxicity of EMB exposure, following a transcriptomic approach that utilised custom oligonucleotide (oligo) microarrays and a genetic approach that utilised Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. An EMB-resistant (PT) and drug-susceptible (S) L. salmonis laboratory-maintained strain were to be used as a model for this research, as these two
Synopsis of the plants known as medicinal and poisonous in Northeast of Brazil

The objective of this work is a survey of the species of plants and their alleged therapeutic uses which are utilized in Northeast region of Brazil. The area of this study is well known for its rich diversity of species of plants and habitats, which range from rainforest, atlantic forest, coastal dunes systems and mangroves, to dry forests and savannas. A total of 483 species belonging to 79 families along with their ethnomedicinal information have been recorded. This study aims at emphasizing the greatest importance of investigating those species of plants which have not been the subject of any pharmacological study, although their popular uses have been reported.
An Analysis of Glycolytic Enzymes in the Cellular Response to Metal Toxicity

Metal toxicity is implicated in neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, aging and cancer. Protein oxidation resulting from oxidative stress is now known to be involved in metal toxicity. However, proteomic responses to metal induced oxidative stress have not been characterized. By using the yeast as a model, we characterized these changes occurring in response to sub-lethal doses of metals. Several proteins involved in protein synthesis, ribosome assembly decreased while antioxidant defenses, proteins involved in sulfur metabolism, and glutathione synthesis and ubiquitin increased following metal exposure. We also show that metals induced temporal and targeted protein oxidation independent of protein abundance. Among the targets were glycolytic enzymes and heat-shock proteins. As a consequence, glycolytic enzyme activities decreased whereas the levels and activities of the enzymes of the alternative pathway for glucose metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) increased. True to prediction, we also found increased flow through the PPP as measured by elevated levels of NADPH and glutathione. NADPH and glutathione are crucial for maintaining the redox balance in the cell. Thus, rerouting of glucose metabolism into PPP is considered to be beneficial to the organism. Among the oxidation targets is a glycolytic protein, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) that is required for apoptosis in neuronal cells. We show that not only is GAPDH required for metal induced apoptosis in yeast but also the levels of GAPDH transcript and protein increase in the cytosol and the nucleus in an isoform specific fashion. Such changes strongly implicate the role of GAPDH in yeast apoptosis. This work provides evidence for the involvement of targeted protein oxidation in metal toxicity, shows the overlaps and differences in the mechanism of copper and cadmium toxicity, allows comprehension of how metabolic processes respond to metal stress and explores the potential of GAPDH as a sensor of oxidative stress and mediator for
NITROGEN REMOBILIZATION AND THE NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHORYLASE-LIKE VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN FAMILY IN POPULUS: CHARACTERIZATION, REGULATION AND TRANSGENES

Title of Document: NITROGEN REMOBILIZATION AND THE NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHORYLASE-LIKE VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN FAMILY IN POPULUS: CHARACTERIZATION, REGULATION AND TRANSGENES Emily Ann Pettengill, Doctor of Philosophy, and 2012 Directed By: Dr. Gary D. Coleman, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Nutrient remobilization and storage allow plants to direct resources toward growth, maintenance and reproduction and redirect nutrients in response to environmental conditions or stresses. Particularly for perennial plants, these capabilities are critical to surviving periods of unfavorable growth such as winter and nutrient limited environments. In Populus, bark storage proteins (BSPs) have a dominant role in seasonal storage, and proteins related to BSPs, known as nucleoside phosphorylase-like (NP-like) proteins, can also participate in short-term storage. This research presents a comprehensive examination of the NP-like gene family by characterizing their expression, exploring evolutionary relationships within the plant kingdom and investigating metabolic regulation. I also developed and tested a set of qPCR reference genes to use for data normalization in two Populus species and four tissue-types. Lastly, transgenic trees were created to investigate the developmental or physiological functions of altered levels of BSP. Experiments characterizing the spatial and temporal expression of NP-like genes implicated a functional role for all members. Those results also support the phylogenetic analyses demonstrating the expansion of the gene family, which may have occurred through subfunctionalization. I also examined the regulation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolites on the NP-like gene family expression and observed that amino acids, N compounds and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatments modulate expression and likely have a role in regulatory pathways. By investigating transgenic trees with altered BSP levels, I present preliminary evidence that BSPs may have a role in nutrient signaling capable of modulating photosynthesis in young leaves. The results of this work deepen our understanding of nutrient remobilization and storage in Populus on regulatory, evolutionary and functional levels. Practically, the results can advance efforts to increase N use efficiency for sustainable biomass increases in Populus for use in agro-forestry, as biofuel feedstock, in phytoremediation and for carbon sequestration. NITROGEN REMOBILIZATION AND THE NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHORYLASELIKE VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN FAMILY IN POPULUS: CHARACTERIZATION, REGULATION AND TRANSGENES