Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 in human endometrial stromal cells

Human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) can produce a variety of chemokines, especially after inflammatory stimulation. Interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) is a potent chemoattractant for lymphocytes, and belongs to the family of non-ELR CXC chemokines. The expression of IP-10 in ESC after stimulation with interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Northern blot analysis. A small amount of IP-10 protein was detected in the culture media of unstimulated ESC. The expression of IP-10 mRNA was detected in ESC. IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α and LPS significantly stimulated the expression of IP-10 mRNA and protein in ESC. These results suggest that the production of IP-10 by ESC is regulated by inflammatory mediators. The modulation of IP-10 concentrations in the local environment may contribute to the normal and pathological processes of human reproduction by regulating leukocyte trafficking in the endometrium.
Persistence, Efficacy, and Selectivity of Amide Herbicides in Corn1

Persistence of microencapsulated (ME) and emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations of alachlor and acetochlor, as well as EC formulations of metolachlor, s-metolachlor, dimethenamid, and flufenacet were studied using a bioassay based on root response of oat Kassandra grown in soil. Flufenacet was the most persistent of the herbicides, but biologically available residues were not detected at 0- to 10-cm soil depth 50 d after any herbicide treatment. All herbicides applied preemergence (PRE) in field trials gave good to excellent control of redroot pigweed, black nightshade, barnyardgrass, and green foxtail but only partial control of jimsonweed. Furthermore, when they were applied postemergence (POST) in mixture with atrazine in the field, the control obtained for black nightshade, common lambsquarters, common purslane, and redroot pigweed was excellent, but good to excellent for bristly foxtail and green foxtail. Their efficacy against yellow foxtail and large crabgrass was fair to good. Generally, the EC-alachlor and EC-acetochlor applied POST in mixture with atrazine gave better control of grasses than did their ME-formulations. None of the herbicide treatments showed any phytotoxic effect on corn, and all of them produced corn yield greater than that of weedy control but slightly lower than that of the weed-free control. Flufenacet, s-metolachlor, and dimethenamid were suitable alternatives to acetochlor, alachlor, and metolachlor. Nomenclature: Barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. #3 ECHCG; black nightshade, Solanum nigrum L. # SOLNI; bristly foxtail, Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv. # SETVE; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album (L.) # CHEAL; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. # POROL; green foxtail, Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. # SETVI; jimsonweed, Datura stramonium L. # DATST; large crabgrass, Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. # DIGSA; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE; yellow foxtail, Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. # SETLU; corn, Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer Costanza’, ‘Pioneer Eleonora’, ‘Shell Nikerson’; oat, Avena sativa L. ‘Kassandra’. Additional index words: Acetochlor, alachlor, dimethenamid, flufenacet, s-metolachlor, microencapsulated formulations. Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; EC, emulsifiable concentrate; ME, microencapsulated; POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence; WAT, weeks after treatment.
Initial development of Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) otolith

Otoliths of Oreochromis niloricus initiate as separate protein granules, surrounded by numerous dark particles. These granules merge to form the sub-primordium, after a layer of calcium and a layer of protein has been added to each one. Large amounts of protein are accreted on to the subprimordium to form the primordium. Calcification takes place shortly afterwards. In the otocyst lumen filaments and vesicles are abundant and associated. They seem to contribute to the proteins of the primordium and the calcified otolith. Mitochondria, Golgi complexes and intracellular granules are abundant in the epithelium, from which vesicles extrude.
Oviposition preference in the oligophagous tomato fruit fly, Neoceratitis cyanescens

We assessed the role of visual and olfactory cues on oviposition preference in the oligophagous tomato fruit fly, Neoceratitis cyanescens (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In a field survey, we evaluated the stage of susceptibility of field‐grown tomatoes by monitoring N. cyanescens infestations from fruit‐setting up to harvest, in relation to post‐flowering time, size, and visual properties of fruit. In two‐choice laboratory experiments, we tested the degree to which females use visual and olfactory cues to select their host plant for oviposition. In addition, we investigated the ability of flies to avoid fruit already infested by conspecific eggs or larvae, and the influence of natal host fruit on oviposition preference. Neoceratitis cyanescens females preferentially lay their eggs in small yellow‐green unripe fruit (2–3.5 cm diameter, 10–21 days post‐flowering). Damage to fruit was significantly affected by brightness and size properties. In laboratory experiments, females chose to lay their eggs in bright orange rather than yellow domes. On the sole basis of olfactory stimuli, females showed a significant preference for unripe vs. ripe host fruit, for unripe fruit vs. flowers or leaves, and for host vs. non‐host fruit (or control). However, colour interacted with odour as females dispatched their eggs equally between the yellow dome and the bright orange dome when unripe fruit of tomato was placed under the yellow dome vs. ripe fruit under the bright orange dome. When offered real ripe and unripe tomatoes, females preferred unripe tomatoes. Females significantly chose to lay eggs in non‐infested fruit when they were given the choice between these or fruit infested with larvae. In contrast, recent stings containing eggs did not deter females from laying eggs. Rather, they could have an attractive effect when deposited within <1 h. Regardless of their natal host plant, tomato or bugweed, N. cyanescens females laid significantly more eggs in a dome containing bugweed fruit. However, 15% of females originating from tomato laid eggs exclusively in the dome with tomato, against 3% of females originating from bugweed.
Yield and water productivity of maize and wheat under deficit and raised bed irrigation practices in Egypt

3/ha with yields decreases of 7 and 8% in the first and second seasons, respectively. DI and RB resulted in savings of 1600 m 3 water/ha in maize and 1500 m 3 water/ha in wheat. Water saving due to DI was accompanied by a yield reduction of 8.8% in maize, but with no effect on wheat. RB had no significant effect on yield in both crops. On average, WP values were 1.53, 1.66, 1.83, and 1.99 kg/m 3 in maize and 1.30, 1.38, 1.86 and 1.88 kg/m 3 in wheat for FT, FWR, DI and RB, respectively. From this study, we can conclude that substantial amounts of water can be saved by applying DI with no significant reduction in yields especially in wheat. However, RB remains more a promising technique for both crops.
Population Structure of Sockeye Salmon of the Central Coast of British Columbia: Implications for Recovery Planning

Abstract The populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka of the south-central coast of British Columbia are in decline. To assist in recovery planning, we determined the population structure of sockeye salmon in the region by assaying the genetic variability of 10 microsatellite DNA loci in samples of sockeye salmon from 22 sites associated with 15 rearing lakes. Samples of sockeye salmon from the watersheds with the largest historical runs in the region were studied. Special emphasis was given to investigating genetic divergence among sockeye salmon spawning in seven rivers of the Owikeno Lake watershed, which once supported the largest sockeye salmon run in south-central British Columbia. Across the region, a mosaic of genetic divergence was evident. Reproductive isolation among watersheds was pronounced in all but one case, making transfer of fish between watersheds inadvisable. Genetic stock identification simulations demonstrated that fish from different watersheds could be accurately distinguis.
Controlling Lyme disease by modifying the density and species composition of tick hosts

We used computer simulation of Lyme disease to test the hypothesis that infection rates of ticks and risk to humans could be reduced by controlling populations of the vertebrate hosts of vector ticks. The model was patterned after the life cycle of the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Annual survival and fecundity were dependent on the avail- ability of hosts. The likelihood of ticks becoming infected depended on the reservoir competence of hosts and the previous exposure of hosts to infected ticks. Our results demonstrated that the density of ticks was more sensitive to the availability of hosts for juveniles than hosts for adults, suggesting that control of Lyme disease by reducing host densities would prove difficult, since the numerous alternative hosts for juvenile ticks are not amenable to control. The infection rate of ticks depended critically on the reservoir competence of host species parasitized by juveniles. We conclude that measures that alter the species composition of small mammals and birds, and hence modify the average res- ervoir competence of hosts for juveniles, could be used to manipulate the risk of Lyme disease without actually changing the density of ticks.
Role of Lipids in type 2 diabetes mellitus for causation of coronary artery disease

Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The present study was undertaken to research the association between serum lipid profile, its abnormalities and the increase risk of coronary artery disease. The study compromised of total 60 subjects out of which 30 were diabetic pateints with T2D and 30 healthy indiviuals, both from the age group 35-50 years. The results indicated that there was a considerable increase in the lipid and its parameters. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, HDL-c, LDL-c, Lipid profile, Total cholesterol, VLDL-c.
Evaluation of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in Hevea brasiliensis

The applicability of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in the cultivated rubber tree, Hevea, was evaluated using 43 decamer oligonucleotide primers in a set of 24 clones selected in different South-East Asian countries. A total of 220 0.35–3.5 kb DNA fragments were amplified, of which 111 were polymorphic. Of these, 80 fragments (RAPD markers) which were repeatable and clearly scorable across all genotypes were used to estimate genetic distances among the clones tested. The estimated genetic distances ranged from 0.05 (RRII 308 and PB 5/51) to 0.75 (RRIC 100 and SCATC 88–13). A mean genetic distance of 0.5 indicates a rather high genetic variability among the tested clones. As expected, because of the breeding history of Hevea, UPGMA cluster analysis and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) indicated the absence of a distinct geographical grouping. The possible application of RAPD markers for clone identification and also for analysis of genetic relationships among Hevea clones is discussed.
Analysis of Selection on Enzyme Polymorphisms

▪ Abstract Allozyme polymorphisms have been the focus of studies of selection at single enzyme loci, and most involve the enzymes of central metabolism. DNA sequencing of enzyme loci has shown numerous examples of multiple amino acid polymorphisms segregating within electromorphs. The amino acid heterogeneity underlying many allozyme polymorphisms should confound analysis of functional differences and selection. Metabolic control theory proposed that pathways will be insensitive to functional changes in allozymes; however, there is evidence that many polymorphisms modulate fluxes. Studies of model systems have provided detailed evidence for selection acting on enzyme polymorphisms in metabolic genes. There is also evidence that regulatory changes are superimposed on structural changes. Codon bias implies that the functional differences encountered in allozyme studies should be detectable by natural selection; however, amino acid polymorphisms may also represent weakly deleterious mutations. Future studies.
Session 18: Lifestyle dangers for men's fertility

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ef- fects of aging on semen quality in a population of infertile couples. Methods: A cross-sectional study of semen samples ob- tained from 1,500 men randomly selected from couples who attended an infertility clinic was conducted. The anal- yses were performed using Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney tests. The age groups consisted of men ≤ 35 years, from 36-45 years and > 45 years of age. The semen analysis was performed according to the WHO criteria, and morphology was evaluated using the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME). The percentages of normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV, occupying > 50% nuclear area) were determined. The percentages of DNA fragmen- tation were assessed using the TUNEL assay. Results: A regression analysis revealed that the per- centages of LNV spermatozoa and sperm DNA frag- mentation positively correlated with age. Conversely, a regression analysis revealed that the percentage of nor- mal sperm, sperm progressive motility and sperm vi- tality negatively correlated with age. As in the previous test, the analysis by age group showed that there was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the percentage of normal sperm, sperm progressive motility and sperm vitality as age increased. Conversely, the percentage of spermatozoa with LNVs and sperm DNA fragmenta- tion significantly increased (P < 0.05) as age increased. Conclusion: Semen quality seems to be influenced by ag- ing. The age-related decrease in sperm quality suggests that delaying childbearing, not only for women but also for men, may jeopardize reproductive capacity.
An Approach of Trajectory Estimation for High-speed Unmanned Skid-steered Vehicle

With robust structure and high maneuverability, skidsteered vehicles have been widely used in terrain exploration, construction, rescue and relief fields. Inevitable slipping and sliding of the tire that makes the vehicle status difficult to obtain. In this paper, an equivalent differential driven kinematic model is proposed. Additionally, the mapping relationship of slippage coefficient defined in the original 4-wheel unmanned skid-steered vehicle and the wheel location in the equivalent model are discussed. The proposed equivalent wheel location obtains explicit physical significance. The slippage of the tire has also been calculated by estimating the position of instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) of the wheels from multi-sensors. An unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based fusion method is adapted to obtain the vehicle status. A prototype vehicle named DUBHE is adapted to verify the reliability of the informed method. Preliminary experimental results are compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in different scenarios.
Estimation of variance components and genetic parameters for growth traits in New Zealand White rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Birth weights and subsequent body weights of individual kits of New Zealand White rabbits were analysed to estimate the impact of direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic and permanent environmental litter effect on growth traits i.e. birth weight (BW), 15th day body weight (15dW), 30th day body weight (30dW), 90th day body weight (90dW) and 180th day body weight (180dW). The variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using Sire Model and two different animal models. Effect of litter size was significant on all the growth traits except 90dW. Kits born in winter season had significantly higher BW, 30dW and 90dW than the kits born in summer season. The heritability estimate for BW ranged from 0.266 (Sire Model) to 0.540 (Animal Model 2). The permanent effect of litter (c2) was highest (0.288–0.310) just before weaning at 30dW and decreased after weaning. The effect of indirectly inherited maternal genetic effect (m2) was present at early juvenile stage of growth (15dW, 30dW and 90dW) and was nil for 180dW. Selection for better growth would be more reliable at 180dW because at this age both c2 and m2 became lower than in previous stages of growth. Using Animal Model 1, repeatabilities of doe effects on BW, 15dW, 30dW, 90dW and 180dW were 0.35, 0.44, 0.40, 0.35 and 0.01, respectively. Animal Model 1 was better than Animal Model 2 in partitioning of variances when the maternal genetic variance ( ) was very low or zero.
Extremal Edge

Extremal edges (EEs) are projections of viewpoint-specific horizons of self-occlusion on smooth convex surfaces. An ecological analysis of viewpoint constraints suggests that an EE surface is likely to be closer to the observer than the non-EE surface on the other side of the edge. In two experiments, one using shading gradients and the other using texture gradients, we demonstrated that EEs operate as strong cues to relative depth perception and figure-ground organization. Image regions with an EE along the shared border were overwhelmingly perceived as closer than either flat or equally convex surfaces without an EE along that border. A further demonstration suggests that EEs are more powerful than classical figure-ground cues, including even the joint effects of small size, convexity, and surroundedness.
Humanized Mice Are Precious Tools for Preclinical Evaluation of CAR T and CAR NK Cell Therapies

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy represents a revolutionary treatment for hematological malignancies. However, improvements in CAR T-cell therapies are urgently needed since CAR T cell application is associated with toxicities, exhaustion, immune suppression, lack of long-term persistence, and low CAR T-cell tumor infiltration. Major efforts to overcome these hurdles are currently on the way. Incrementally improved xenograft mouse models, supporting the engraftment and development of a human hemato-lymphoid system and tumor tissue, represent an important fundamental and preclinical research tool. We will focus here on several CAR T and CAR NK therapies that have benefited from evaluation in humanized mice. These models are of great value for the cancer therapy field as they provide a more reliable understanding of sometimes complicated therapeutic interventions. Additionally, they are considered the gold standard with regard to assessment of new CAR technologies in vivo for safety, efficacy, immune response, design, combination therapies, exhaustion, persistence, and mechanism of action prior to starting a clinical trial. They help to expedite the critical translation from proof-of-concept to clinical CAR T-cell application. In this review, we discuss innovative developments in the CAR T-cell therapy field that benefited from evaluation in humanized mice, illustrated by multiple examples.
A Species delimitation approach to uncover cryptic species in the South American fire ant decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon)

South American fire ant decapitating flies in the genus Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) are potential biocontrol agents of the invasive fire ants Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri in the United States and other regions of the world due to their high host specificity and the direct and indirect damage to their host ants. Despite their importance and the fact that several flies have already been released in the US, little is known about the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships of Pseudacteon flies parasitizing South American fire ants in the Solenopsis saevissima species-group. A species delimitation analysis was conducted using a distance-based method (ABGD) and two tree-based methods (GMYC and mPTP) using COI sequences of 103 specimens belonging to 20 of the 22 Pseudacteon species known from southern South America. Additionally, phylogenetic relationships between the already described and new candidate species were inferred using mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (wingless) sequences. The species delimitation analysis suggests that species richness in these flies has been previously underestimated, due to the existence of putative cryptic species within nominal Pseudacteon obtusus, P. pradei, P. tricuspis, P. cultellatus, and P. nudicornis. Geographic distribution and host fire ant species seem to support cryptic lineages, though additional morphological data are needed to corroborate these results. All phylogenetic analyses reveal that South American fire ant decapitating flies are grouped into two main clades, with Pseudacteon convexicauda sister and well differentiated relative to these clades. Neither host nor geographic association appeared to be related to the differentiation of these two main clades within South American fire ant decapitating flies. This work provides information that will allow testing whether the putative cryptic phorid fly species show differences in their effectiveness as biocontrol agents against the highly invasive imported fire ants.
Growth and Toxicity of a Marine Dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax tamarensis

Gonyaulax tamarensis, the dinoflagellate species associated with paralytic shellfish toxicity on the Atlantic coast of Canada, was isolated in unialgal culture and studied for its growth and toxigenic characteristics. Although low salinity and high temperature promoted growth in cultures, salinity appears to be a more important ecological factor than temperature in controlling the summer abundance of this dinoflagellate in nature.Toxin yield in unialgal cultures is largely a function of cell density. The toxic principle synthesized by G. tamarensis, for most part, remains within the cell and can be recovered in substantial amounts by lysis of the cells. Comparison with other species indicates that G. tamarensis is potentially the most toxic of the known toxic species of Gonyaulax. Bacteria play no direct role in toxin production, but may influence toxigenesis indirectly by promoting growth of dinoflagellates.
Analytical Techniques for the Assessment of Drug-Lipid Interactions and the Active Substance Distribution in Liquid Dispersions of Solid Lipid Microparticles (SLM) Produced de novo and Reconstituted from Spray-Dried Powders

Solid lipid microparticles (SLM) can be presented as liquid suspension or spray-dried powder. The main challenge in SLM technology is to precisely determine the location of the active substance (API) in the different compartments of the formulation and its changes during SLM processing. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to assess the distribution of the API and to investigate the nature of the API-lipid interaction when the formulation was subjected to spray drying, with an indication of the most suitable techniques for this purpose. SLM were prepared with two various lipids (Compritol or stearic acid) and two model APIs: cyclosporine (0.1% and 1% w/w) and spironolactone (0.1% and 0.5% w/w). Physicochemical characterizations of the formulations, before and after spray drying, were performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The API distribution between the SLM matrix, SLM surface and the aqueous phase was determined, and the release study was performed. It was demonstrated that, in general, the spray drying did not affect the drug release and drug distribution; however, some changes were observed in the SLM with Compritol and when the API concentration was lower. Only in the SLM with stearic acid was a change in the DSC curves noted. Measurements with the AFM technique proved to be a useful method for detecting differences in the surface properties between the placebo and API-loaded SLM, while the Raman spectroscopy did not show such evident differences.