Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative trophic impacts of two globally invasive cyprinid fishes reveal species‐specific invasion consequences for a threatened native fish

Predicting the ecological consequences of invasions by non-native species is a fundamental aspect of their risk-based management. As impacts can include the negative consequences of resource sharing with native species, the application of in situ cohabitation field experiments can test hypotheses relating to invasion ecology via competitive interactions and processes. As fishes are adaptable and tractable experimental organisms, they are strong model species for use in studies on competitive interactions. The trophic consequences of invasion by two globally invasive freshwater fishes, common carp Cyprinus carpio and goldfish Carassius auratus, were tested on the threatened native fish crucian carp Carassius carassius. Cohabitation experiments, completed in pond enclosures, used all species in allopatric and sympatric treatments using a substitutive design where the number of fish per treatment was kept constant. Stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) assessed alterations in the trophic ecology of each species across treatments, with growth rates used to assess any consequent impacts on the fish. When in sympatry with C. auratus and C. carassius, the Cy. carpio isotopic niche was at a significantly lower trophic position compared to allopatry. This resulted in niche overlap with C. auratus, while for C. carassius, their isotopic niche shifted to a higher trophic position compared with allopatry. The growth rate of Cy. carpio was always significantly higher in sympatry than in allopatry, whereas growth rates for C. carassius and C. auratus were significantly depressed in Cy. carpio presence. In contrast, the isotopic niche sizes and positions and growth rates of the Carassius fishes were not significantly different between allopatry and when they cohabited. Plasticity in the isotopic niche of Cy. carpio resulted in significant alterations in their trophic position between allopatry and sympatry and, when coupled with their depressed growth in allopatry, suggests the competitive processes driving this were intra-specific rather than inter-specific. This then resulted in detrimental impacts on cohabiting Carassius fishes. These results emphasise that ecological consequences of Cy. carpio in invaded freshwaters include impacts on the trophic ecology of native fishes.
The phyllophorid sea cucumbers of southern Australia (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida: Phyllophoridae)

A new monotypic Phyllophoridae (Phyllophorinae) genus Phyllostauros , with author O'Loughlin, is erected for Thyone vercoi Joshua and Creed. We raise Phyllophorella Heding and Panning (subgenus of Phyllophorus Grube) to generic rank. The holotype and three paratypes of Phyllophorus ventripes Joshua and Creed are conspecific with Thyone vercoi Joshua and Creed. We make Phyllophorus ventripes Joshua and Creed a subjective junior synonym of Thyone vercoi Joshua and Creed. One paratype of Phyllophorus ventripes Joshua and Creed is conspecific with Phyllophorus thyonoides H. L. Clark. We reject the synonymy of Thyone okeni Bell with Thyone venusta Selenka. Twelve new species of Phyllophoridae are described for southern Australia, with author O'Loughlin: Lipotrapeza eichleri, Lipotrapeza litusi, Massinium melanieae, Massinium vimsi, Massinium watsonae, Phyllophorella notialis, Thyone flindersi, Thyone joshuai, Thyone kerkosa, Thyone spenceri, Thyone tourvillei, Thyonidiella laingi. Phyllophoridae species reported previously for southern Australia are reviewed: Lipotrapeza ventripes (Joshua and Creed); Lipotrapeza vestiens (Joshua); Neothyonidium dearmatum (Dendy and Hindle); Phyrella thyonoides (H. L. Clark); Thyone nigra Joshua and Creed; Thyone okeni Bell; Thyone vercoi Joshua and Creed. Species Phyrella thyonoides (H. L. Clark) is re-assigned to genus Phyllophorella Heding and Panning. A key is provided for the southern Australian species of Phyllophoridae. We acknowledge the rejection for nomenclatorial purposes by the ICZN (Opinion 417) of the publication by Oken 1815, and hence the current invalid status of genus Thyone Oken. A petition has been sent to the ICZN for re-validation of Thyone Oken and we retain the use of Thyone Oken provisionally. The petition includes a similar request for re-validation of Psolus Oken.
Effects of Handling Stress On Immune Functions of Blackjaw Tilapia Sarotherodon Melanotheron

Immunological responses in blackjaw tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron exposed to capture and handling stress were evaluated. The result obtained indicated a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the values of White blood cell (WBC), from 18.66 ± 3.81 to 24.32 ± 6.88 x 10L and the differential counts neutrophils 35.13± 9.34 to 43.41± 11.21%; monocytes 2.40± 1.01 to 3.78± 1.64% and eosinophils 1.23 ± 0.88 to 2.14 ± 1.11%. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the lymphocytes number from 61.24 ± 12.31 to 49.67 ± 10.74%. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between WBC and the differential counts; an indication that handling procedures in aquaculture can impair fish immunological properties.
Cloning and Expression Patterns of MRFs and Effect of Replacing Dietary Fish Oil with Vegetable Oils on MRFs Expression in Grass Carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idellus )

In order to investigate characterization and tissue distribution of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), full-length of Myf5, MyoG, Myf6 cDNAs were cloned and expression patterns of MRFs in different tissues were studied. Meanwhile the effect of dietary oil sources (fish oil, FO;linseed oil, LO; groundnut oil, GO; olive oil, OO) on MRFs gene expression in muscle of grass carp were studied by feeding experiment. The results showed that nucleotide sequence of Myf5, MyoG and Myf6 contained a basic DNA-binding motif and a helix-loop-helix dimerization domain (bHLH) respectively. MRFs were mainly expressed in muscle and a little were expressed in other tissues tested. In red muscle MRFs was mostly expressed in OO group and in white muscle they were mostly expressed in GO group. These results showed that MRFs gene and amino acid in grass carp shared high conservation and it mostly expressed in muscle. Dietary oil sources have a great impact on expression of MRFs genes in muscle of grass carp, probably indicating that OO or GO would be more suitable than FO to be oil sources in diet of grass carp.
Sugar content analysis and expression profiling of sugar related genes in contrasting Strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ) cultivars

Fragaria × ananassa, a strawberry evolved from hybridization between F. virginiana and F. chiloensis, is a globally cultivated and consumed fruit crop valued for its flavor and nutritional value. Flavor and quality of fruits are determined by factors such as sugars and organic acids present during fruit development. These characteristics are highly subjective in different genotypes and affected by various environmental factors. In this study, we analyzed contents of major sugar compounds including fructose, glucose and sucrose by HPLC analysis in four cultivars namely, Maehyang, Seolhyang, Festival and Sweet Charlie. We identified 55 genes related to fructose, glucose, sucrose and soluble sugar regulation whose expression were analyzed in four cultivars at three developmental stages of the fruit namely, green, white and ripened stages. Expression of these genes across these progressive fruit developmental stages varied among cultivars. Among the 55 genes, genes FaFru3, FaSuc11 and FaGlu8 revealed differential patterns of expression along developmental stages of the fruit in high and low sugar-containing genotypes, respectively and may be putative candidates for sugar content in strawberries. Expression of genes are discussed with regard to corresponding sugar content in these genotypes. Further analysis and application of these genes may be valuable in developing high sugar containing cultivars via marker-assisted breeding.
Effects of light, temperature and mesocarp on seed germination of Euterpe edulis (Juçara-palm)

The study exposed in this paper aimed at evaluating the influence of light, temperature and presence or absence of mesocarp in seeds on the germination of Euterpe edulis Mart. (juçara-palm). The germination of seeds with and without mesocarp was assessed in the presence of light (12 h photoperiod) or in the darkness, and at temperatures of 25, 28 or 30C. A complete randomized 2x2x3 (mesocarp presence, light conditions and temperatures) factorial design was used. The seed germinability and the Germination Speed Index (GSI) were evaluated. Seeds of E. edulis were indifferent either to the presence of light or to temperatures of 25, 28 and 30C. The germinability of the seeds with mesocarp was lower (6 to 10%) than those without mesocarp (47 to 75%).
Examining Flashing as a Potential Prey Lure in the ‘Disco’ Clam, Ctenoides ales

Abstract: The ‘disco’ clam Ctenoides ales (Finlay, 1927) is an Indo-Pacific bivalve with an unusual reflective flashing display. The function of the flashing is unknown. Ctenoides ales is a suspension-feeder, so experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the flashing acts as a lure for planktonic prey items that are phototactic. First, the reaction of C. ales to a plankton stimulus was analyzed. Exposure to a concentrated plankton mix was followed by a significant increase in flash rate (Hz) for 5s, after which the rate returned to pre-stimulus levels. Next, two experiments were conducted to determine if potential prey (mixed phototactic plankton species <500µm, which were collected from the bivalves' habitat) were attracted to a simulation of C. ales flashing. The first experiment tested whether there was higher phototactic plankton density inside artificial clams with flashing lights than inside artificial clams that had constant lights, or lights that were turned off, but there were no significant differences between the three treatments. In the second experiment, a program played two illuminated lines on an electronic tablet screen that was exposed to experimental plankton. This second plankton experiment tested whether there was a higher phototactic plankton density collected over the line that flashed, mimicking the light spectra and frequency of C. ales, compared to the line that was constant. There was no significant difference in recorded densities between the two treatments. Plankton density was then measured inside the mantle cavity of C. ales in situ using SCUBA in Pemuteran, Indonesia (lat 8°17′ S, long 114°65′ E). Samples were taken twice daily to determine if phototactic plankton density was higher inside the clam when the flashing was visible (day) than when the flashing was not visible (dusk). Again there was no significant difference in the recorded plankton densities. Overall, the results from this study did not support the hypothesis that the flashing display of C. ales induced positive phototaxis in their planktonic prey.
Micropropagation through In Vitro Tillering from Seed Cultures of the Medicinal Plant Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. proximus

Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. proximus is a wild aromatic herb that produces essential oils and terpenoids of pharmaceutical, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is becoming endangered as a result of over collection for its multi-uses. Effect of different factors on axillary multiplication and growth from seed cultures in vitro were studied. Those included benzyl adenine concentrations, different sugar types, sugar alcohol types and concentrations and different silver nitrate concentrations. Among different concentrations of benzyl adenine used, 7 mg/l produced the highest number of shoots (27.0±4.5 shoots/explant), fresh weight and dry weight. Maltose, glucose and sucrose gave significantly higher shoot numbers and fresh weight than fructose, lactose and galactose. Addition of sorbitol in concentrations 2.25% in combination with 2.25% of sucrose significantly increased shoot numbers (35.5 ± 5.8 shoots/explant), while different concentrations of mannitol either did not affect or negatively affected biomass production. Silver nitrate at 2 mg/l improved shoots proliferation (33.4±3.7 shoot/explant), fresh weight and dry weights. For rooting, different concentrations of three auxin types used did not induce any rooting. Well develop strong roots were produced only on media containing 6% of glucose or sucrose. Humic acid significantly increased root growth. This study established an efficient, reproducible and rapid protocol for in vitro mass production of the species that can be used in folk medicine, in drug production, and also for ex-situ conservation.
Levels Of 17β Steroid and Alkylphenol Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting compounds in Nairobi River

Water polluted with endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) has been demonstrated to cause reproductive problems in humans and wildlife. Rivers flowing through urban settlements have been shown to contain contaminated discharges from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources. Such discharges are suspected to have high levels of EDCs. The residents living along the riparian of rivers in urban settlements tend to use the water of such rivers for farming to enhance their household incomes. Together with vegetable farming, the residents also keep animals such as pigs. This practice has been noticed within the riparian of the Nairobi River, which is heavily polluted and in some places, resembling sewage sludge. The Nairobi river situation was suspected to expose humans, who consume either the vegetables and/or the animals to effects of EDCs. More direct are the effects of known EDCs, like alkyl phenol and 17β estradiol, on the animals raised using the polluted water. Our previous studies noted that boars raised using the Nairobi River had high prevalence of retained testes and high incidence of testicular histopathology. To test if such effects were caused by EDCs within the water, samples were obtained to determine the levels of these two compounds. Samples were collected from Nairobi River along informal settlements of Kibera, Dandora and Mathare using glass amber bottles and transported to the laboratory at 4oc. Water was then analyzed to determine the pollution levels of two known EDCs (17β steroid and alkylphenol) using Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry. The levels of alkylphenol and 17β estradiol in the sampled water were between 0.08 to 0. 917μg/L and below detection limit (BDL) to 0.3005 μg/L for 17β –estradiol alkylphenol, respectively. The mean values were 0. 0953μg/L and 0. 360μg/L for 17β steroid and alkylphenol, respectively. The detected levels of 17β steroid and alkylphenol point towards a suggestion that the effects observed in the boars raised along such riparian are caused by estrogenic endocrine disrupting coumpounds and the need to have a policy in place to control effects of such EDCs like 17β estradiol and alkylphenol on humans and/or animals.
Analyzing growth curves of turkeys reared in different breeding systems (intensive and free-range) with some nonlinear models.

The objective of this study was to identify the growth curve of live weight of turkeys reared in different systems (intensive and free- range) with the best mathematical model. To achieve this goal, the live weight of male and female turkeys (Large White) reared for 0-18 weeks were used. Logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy, and Gauss were used to determine the best model for the turkeys. In comparison of the models, values of Coefficient of Determination (R2), Mean Squares of Error (MSE) and Model Efficiency (ME) were used. In Von Bertalanffy model, the coefficient of determinations for males and females were found as 0.9974 and 0.99915 in intensive system and 0.9794 and 0.9804 in Free-Range system, respectively. As a result of this study, because the highest R2 and the lowest MSE were observed in Von Bertalanffy model, it was the best among the models to identify growth curve of the turkeys.
Field study of seroconversion of three different commercial vaccines of chicken infectious anemia virus in Thailand

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) vaccine strains in breeders and progeny under field conditions. For this experiment, one commercial poultry company was selected, and independent management for each house was applied to avoid vaccine cross contamination. No natural infection was found before vaccination. BioChek ELISA kits were used, and a minimum of 20 birds per flock were sampled in each sampling time. Three commercial CIAV vaccine strains that are available in Thailand were selected for the study: 26P4 was vaccinated subcutaneously, Cux-1 was vaccinated orally, and Del Ros was vaccinated via wing web. The vaccine strains were administered to different flocks at 8, 8 and 6 weeks of age, respectively, following the manufacturers’ instructions. At 14 weeks of age, average antibody titers against 26P4, Cux-1 and Del Ros were 1,650.78, 3,993.94 and 2,409.89; %coefficients of variance were 60, 19 and 40%; and vaccination indices were 28, 210 and 60, respectively. At 14, 23, 27, 32 and 50 weeks of age, the birds that received Cux-1 revealed significantly higher antibody titers than the birds that received 26P4 at the same age (p <0.05). The birds vaccinated with Cux-1 showed 100% positive serum samples 6 weeks after vaccination. Birds that hatched from the broiler breeders vaccinated with Cux-1 at the ages of 27, 32, 50 and 61 weeks revealed significantly higher antibody titers than those of the birds vaccinated with 26P4 (p <0.05).
Construction of Composite Measures by the Canonical-Factor-Regression Method

This is an extended version of a paper presented to the Methodology Section of the American Sociological Association at the 1973 annual meeting in New York. The author is indebted to David R. Heise, Herbert L. Costner, Arthur S. Goldberger, Hubert M. Blalock, and Lois MacGillivray for their critical and constructive comments on earlier versions of this paper. Any errors, of course, are the sole responsibility of the author.
Epidemiologia descritiva da raiva dos herbívoros notificados no estado do Paraná entre 1977 e 2012

A descriptive epidemiological survey of rabies in herbivorous reared in the state of Parana, Brazil, was carried out from 1977 to 2012. The positive cases and the total number of brain samples processed for diagnostic purposes were distributed according to species, year, month, geographical region and municipality. Chi-square test was used to verify if rabies was associated to these factors. Probabilistic model was applied to historical series in order to verify cyclic and seasonal patterns. In Parana, rabies is an endemic disease with variable yearly occurrence, without seasonal pattern and with a possible cyclic pattern every 18 years. Cattle (86.9%) and equides (11.3%) were mainly affected. Rabies was registered in 47.6% of all municipalities, indicating a great spread of this disease in Parana, mainly during the last decade. Middlewest and Curitiba regions, followed by Pioneer North and West regions, were the areas of most occurrence. The number of cases per municipality was weakly correlated with the number of shelters for Desmodus rotundus (r=0.469; p<0.0001). Therefore, we suggest that annual immunization of cattle and equides should be applied in the high occurrence areas (Middlewest and Curitiba regions) and encouraged in intermediate occurrence areas (Pioneer North and West regions).
Cannabinoid Therapeutics in Parkinson’s Disease: Promise and Paradox

ABSTRACT Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and diminished trophic support. The endo-cannabinoid system (comprising small bioactive compounds, their synthetic and catabolic enzymes, their metabotropic and ionotropic receptors, and their transporters) has been implicated in neurophysiology and neurodegeneration, leading to the proposal of medicines derived from Cannabis sativa as new PD therapies. Here, the potential for cannabinoid-based PD therapies is reviewed. The clinical significance of cannabinoids in PD presents both promise and paradox, with varied data emerging from disparate model systems, clinical trials, and delivery modalities, including medical applications of native (plant-derived) and synthetic cannabis products. This picture is complicated further by the multivariate involvement of metabotropic and ionotropic receptors, an emerging understanding of new cannabinoid targets (e.g., PPARγ and GPRs18, 55, and 119), and the potential role of entourage compounds (e.g., geraniol, apigenin) in any protective or therapeutic effects observed.
Food and Feeding Habits of the Spiny Eel, Mastacembelus armatus

Seasonal changes in the feeding habits and food items of the spiny eel, Mastacembelus armatus, were investigated. There was no major shift from the basically car­nivorous orientation of the fish, which is highly predacious in nature, during its various life stages. Macro-crustaceans (especially shrimps) and forage fish were the main food of adults while annelids and aquatic insects were eaten by young specimens. Feeding inten­sity was high in early maturity and was relatively lower in fish with ripening gonads. Adult specimens consumed more food in summer than winter and the rainy season. Food intake in younger specimens was greater during the post-monsoon period and in autumn. The maximum number of empty guts were found in adults during spawning and in win­ter.
Molecular Mechanisms of the Cooperation between Rac1/1b GTPases and the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Aberrant activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway accounts for the vast majority of colorectal cancers. The Rac1 GTPase is overexpressed in colon cancer, and its splice variant, Rac1b, is preferentially expressed in colon tumours. Rac1 and Rac1b have both been previously shown to crosstalk with the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in colon cancer; however, the specific means by which this crosstalk occurs were unclear. This study examines the molecular mechanisms of Rac1/1b in the cooperation with canonical Wnt signaling in colon cancer. In a colon cancer cell line with dysregulated Wnt signaling, the constitutively active Rac1 mutant, V12Rac1, was observed to transcriptionally upregulate the expression of a gene set associated with cellular migration. Further, V12Rac1-mediated promotion of cell migration was dependent on its nuclear localization. Previous work in our lab has shown a Rac1-specific activator, Tiam1, is present in the nucleus at the promoter of Wnt target genes upon Wnt3a stimulation; and that exogenous introduction of Tiam1 increased the expression of a Wnt-responsive reporter (TopFlash).
SEED GERMINATION OF Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. BY PERICARP REMOVAL TREATMENT

Avicennia marina is one species used for building coastal ecosystem stabilization in Surabaya shores because of its tolerance to high salinity level and resistance to wave energy. Their existence is threatened by various factors i.e. land conversion, pollution and interisland bridge existence. Growth of A. marina is currently limited by seed dormancy. In an effort to increase propagation efficiency, seed viability and vigor were compared based on collection dates and pericarp removal methods. The results showed no relationship between salinity levels of soaking water or seed buoyancy and seed viability or seed vigor. Collection dates may influence seed viability and vigor. Seeds collected in October and November germinated more quickly than those collected in December, although there were no differences in total germination. Hand-peeled seeds germinated more slowly than soaked seeds for all collections, but with no differences in total germination. Seeds collected in October and November grew more vigorously than those collected in December.