Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of ascorbic acid on skeletal muscle blood flow in aged rats

During exercise aged individuals exhibit endothelial dysfunction and decreased levels of whole-limb blood flow (BF), both of which may be linked mechanistically to age-related increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ascorbic acid (AA) reduces levels of ROS and has been shown to alleviate vascular and hyperemic dysfunction at rest (Jablonski et al., 2007) and during small muscle mass exercise in humans (Kirby et al., 2009). However, the effect of AA on vascular function and BF to individual muscles during whole-body exercise is not known. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that a single high-dose infusion of AA would increase BF to the hindlimb musculature of old rats at rest and during treadmill running. METHODS: 18 old (~28 months) Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats were randomized into rest (n=9) and exercise (n=9) groups. BF to the total hindlimb and individual muscles (28 individual muscles and muscle parts) was evaluated via radiolabeled microspheres before and after intra-arterial AA administration (76 mg/kg in 3 ml heparinized saline, 30 minute infusion) at rest and during submaximal treadmill running (20m/min, 5% grade). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) were measured before and after AA to determine the ability of this specific dose of AA to increase levels of plasma antioxidants and decrease levels of ROS, respectively. RESULTS: At rest: AA increased TAC (~37%, P 0.05). AA decreased total hindlimb BF (Pre: 25±3 vs Post: 16±2 ml/min/100g, P 0.05) or BF to any of the individual muscles evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Increased TAC via AA infusion reduces hindlimb muscle BF at rest but had no effect on BF during whole-body dynamic exercise. Thus, even though TBARS decreased, there was no evidence that AA supplementation increases blood flow to the locomotor muscles of old rats during whole-body exercise.
Annual reproductive cycle of the topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva in the Tama River.

Adult topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Cyprinid) were collected monthly for a year in the midstream of the Tama River, Tokyo. Gonadosomatic indices (GSI) and gonadal histology were used as criteria of gonadal maturation. During March and April male and female GSIs in-creased rapidly with the accumulation of yolk globules and active spermatogenesis, respectively. GSIs stayed high during April, May, and June, but decreased drastically in July showing the end of their spawning season. In the post spawning season (August) the ovaries and the testes were filled with yolkless oocytes and proliferating spermatogonia, respectively. During autumn and winter a gradual gonadal recrudescence which was represented by the accumulation of yolk vesicles or meiosis of spermatocytes occurred. These results indicate that the spawning season of P. parva extends from the end of March to the end of June in this sampling area. A possible environ-mental control on the annual reproductive cycles of this species was discussed.
REJECTION OF ARTIFICIAL PARASITE EGGS BY GRAY KINGBIRDS IN THE BAHAMAS

We added artificial Shiny Cowbird (Mol- othrus bonariensis) eggs to Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) nests in the Bahamas, where Shiny Cowbirds were first recorded in 1993. Gray Kingbirds ejected 85% of artificial eggs within 48 hr of addition. Based upon the short time of contact between the two species, we suggest that egg ejection by Gray King- birds in the Bahamas is retention of ejection behavior from ancestral populations.
Northern Sagebrush Steppe fences

Few studies have examined differential responses of partially migratory ungulates to human development or activity, where some individuals in a population migrate and others do not. Yet understanding how animals with different movement tactics respond to anthropogenic disturbance is key to sustaining global ungulate migrations. We examined seasonal resource selection of a partially migratory population of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana from 2003 to 2011. We developed step-selection functions (SSF) for migrant and resident pronghorn during the summer and winter at two spatial scales (second order and third order) and then integrated SSFs across scales to estimate pronghorn responses to fences and subsequent habitat loss from these features while accounting for responses to other resource use. Both migrant and resident pronghorn showed the strongest responses to natural and anthropogenic features at the second order and weaker responses at the third order. Selection responses of migrant and residents differed the most in response to normalized difference vegetation index, topography, and anthropogenic features. Seasonally, selection for intermediate greenness was strongest in summer, whereas avoidance of roads strongly influenced winter resource selection of both tactics. Both migrant and resident pronghorn showed strong avoidance of fencing at both spatial scales during summer and winter. Model predictions with complete removal of fences from the landscape (i.e., natural conditions) predicted an increase in the area of highquality habitat of 16–38%. In contrast, doubling fence density on the landscape decreased the amount of high-quality habitat by 1–11% and increased low-quality habitat by 13–21%. Our results suggest that pronghorn winter and summer ranges can be improved by reducing the density of fences on the landscape, or mitigation measures to enhance fence crossings, to alleviate the indirect loss of habitat for this important endemic prairie species.
Efficacy of insecticides against shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella F. infesting okra

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate efficacy of newer insecticides against Earias vitella Fab. infesting okra cropduring 2014 at Rahuri, India.The results indicated that flubendiamide@60 g a.i./hawas themost effective treatment by recording lowest per cent (13.42%) fruit infestation with highest yield of 15.27 tonnes/ha . It was, at par with emamectin benzoate @ 9.5 g a.i./ha (13.61%). Next best treatments were indoxacarb @ 75 g a.i./ha, acephate @ 560 g a.i./ha and profenophos @ 500 g a.i./ha.
Physicochemical and microbiological properties of longan, bitter bush, sunflower and litchi honeys produced by Apis mellifera in Northern Thailand

Summary Forty two monofloral honey samples which were derived from four botanical sources of Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), Bitter Bush (Eupatorium odoratum Linn.), Sunflower (Helianthus annuus Linn.), and Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) were collected from apiaries in Northern Thailand. Physicochemical properties (i.e. moisture, ash, pH, total acidity, diastase activity, electrical conductivity, major carbohydrates, and hydroxymethylfurfural) and total microbial counts (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts, and moulds) were studied according to AOAC methods. Although the physicochemical parameters of the honey samples were varied, most of the honey samples were in the acceptable range of international standards. The numbers of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and of yeasts and moulds were estimated for each sample to determine microbiological quality. Total bacterial counts ranged from 0–400 cfu/g and total fungal counts were 0–333 cfu/g. The Thai honeys tested conformed to the international honey standards.
Bioassays of the nematicides MK-166 and oxamyl in the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita.

サツマイモネコブセンチュウに対する制線虫剤(MK-166とoxamyl)の評価方法について検討し,以下の知見を得た。 1)生理食塩水内産下卵に対する両薬剤の胚子発生の抑制効果は,雌成虫の由来によって結果が大きく異なった。 2)薬液への卵のう浸漬による幼虫遊出抑制効果は,浸漬期間を2週間以上とることにより,薬剤の効果が一層はっきりした。 3)水耕栽培液へ両薬剤を添加することによって産卵抑制効果が認められ,侵入後6日～10日に処理したとき最も高い効果を得た。
Correspondence

Editor's Comment: The above letter was submitted to Dr. John J. Miller, Chairman, Committee on Immunization and Therapeutic Procedures for Acute Infectious Diseases, for an opinion. He has replied that "In the forthcoming revision of the Report of the Committee on Immunization and Therapeutic Procedures for Acute Infectious Diseases, the following statements on this subject will appear: Under the heading of "Contraindications to Active Immunization Procedures" appears: "The existence of poliomyelitis in epidemic proportions in the community should be a signal for the reconsideration of injections and vaccination.
High level of microsatellite instability but not hypermethylation of mismatch repair genes in therapy‐related and secondary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

Summary. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is associated with defects in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system, such as mutation or epigenetic silencing of the genes by promoter hypermethylation. We investigated the presence of MSI and promoter hypermethylation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes in 82 patients (68 acute myeloid leukaemia, AML; 14 myelodysplastic syndromes, MDS). Twelve separate microsatellite loci, including three mononucleotide repeat markers, were used. Mutator phenotype (RER+) was detected in 20 AML (29·4%) and 3 MDS (21·4%) patients. RER+ rate was much higher in the therapy‐related and secondary cases compared with the de novo cases. Three out of 7 (42·9%) secondary (s‐AML) and 8 out of 17 (47·1%) therapy‐related (t‐AML) showed RER+ in comparison with 9 out of 44 (20·5%) de novo cases. Similar rates were detected in MDS patients (2/2 therapy‐related and 1/12 de novo). The promoter hypermethylation was found in three hMLH1 (3·7%) and two hMSH2 (2·4%) genes. All these five patients had AML and were older than 60 years of age. Two of them had s‐AML and one had t‐AML. RER+ was detected in three of these five patients. Our data suggest that genetic instability is associated with AML and MDS, especially t‐AML and s‐AML. In addition, our results indicate that the hMSH2 and hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation is not a common event in these malignancies, but may play a role in the development of AML in elderly patients.
Physical mapping of a 2-Mb region centered at D10S94, a locus very tightly linked to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 gene(s)

The dominantly inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma and parathyroid hyperplasia. The related syndrome MEN 2B comprises MTC, pheochromocytoma and mucosal neuromas. Genes responsible for these cancers map to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10, as do loci responsible for dominantly inherited MTC without additional clinical features, and MEN 2A associated with a skin disorder, cutaneous lichen amyloidosis. The relationship between the genes responsible for these diseases is not known. Nothing is known of the biochemical basis for MEN 2; a positional cloning strategy to identify MEN2 gene(s) is therefore warranted. This thesis makes contributions to several steps of a strategy to identify MEN2. The first objective was to clone DNA markers more closely linked to MEN2A than the known flanking markers, FNRB and RBP3. Repeat element-mediated polymerase chain reaction (REM-PCR), a method of cloning human DNA fragments from hybrid DNA sources, was developed for this purpose. Primers directed to the 3' ends of human Alu and Ll elements provided the basis for amplification of human-specific DNA fragments; DNA from a somatic cell hybrid highly enriched for the MEN2A region was used as template. This technique yielded thirty-three REM-PCR clones, two of which mapped to intervals near MEN2A. One of these, pC11/A1S-6-c23, defines a polymorphic locus, D10S94. Somatic cell hybrid mapping of pC11/A1S-6-c23, combined with the results of linkage studies conducted by Drs. Nancy Simpson and Paul Goodfellow, served to localize D10S94 to 10811.2 between the centromere and RBP3. D10S94 is very tightly linked to MEN2A and was not
Determination of honey quality components by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

SUMMARY Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess the chemical composition of fresh honey samples. Samples (n = 110) from different locations across Uruguay were scanned in transreflectance (0.2 mm path—length) in a NIRS 6500 monochromator in both the visible and near infrared region (400–2500 nm). Prediction equations were developed using modified partial least squares and cross validation was applied to avoid overfitting. Calibrations for water content (g kg−1), pH, electrical conductivity (mS/cm), colour (mm Pfund) and hydroxymethylfurfural (mg kg−1) yielded a coefficient of determination in calibration (R2CAL) and standard error in cross validation of 0.96 (SECV: 31); 0.88 (SECV: 0.21); 0.94 (SECV: 0.07); 0.98 (SECV: 4.7) and 0.67 (SECV: 3.9), respectively. It is concluded that NIRS is a useful method to evaluate chemical composition on fresh honey samples.
Increase in Pairs of the Short-tailed Albatross Diomedea albatrus at an Artificial Breeding Ground

In 1993, a new breeding ground for the Short-tailed Albatross Diomedia albatrus was established at Hatsunezaki, on Torishima, Izu Islands, using decoys and sounds. In 1995, the first pair to succeed in nesting and laying an egg there was recorded. Since 2004, the number of breeding pairs increased gradually and a new breeding ground was established. The total number of estimated pairs present at the new breeding ground was strongly correlated with the actual number of pairs that subsequently bred there.
Variations of some adipokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and energy characteristics during the transition period in dairy cows

Limited information exists about the relationship of adipose tissue with inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism during the transition period in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to assess the changes and relation of some adipokines, cytokines, oxidative biomarkers, and serum biochemical parameters related to energy balance (EB) in cows during the transition period. Thirty multiparous Holstein cows were selected based on estimated parturition date, and blood samples were collected from jugular vein on one-week prepartum and one and three weeks postpartum and used to measure the parameters. The serum levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase, and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly, and glucose, urea, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased significantly after parturition. The serum values of adiponectin, resistin, leptin, and cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were not changed significantly during the experiment. The results of the Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between BHB with glucose, albumin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and a positive correlation with TG and malondialdehyde. Also, there was a significant direct correlation between insulin and leptin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-α in the whole experiment period. These emphasize the difficulty of dairy cows to manage the energy requirements during the transition period. It can be stated that adipokines and cytokines may have an essential role in the metabolic status in this period, and control of their production and, or secretion could be helpful in EB during the transition period.
Production of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor derived from egg white protein hydrolysates using a membrane reactor

Egg white proteins (EWP) were hydrolyzed with four proteolytic enzymes, including Thermolysin, Alcalase, Esperase and Chymotrysin, to produce hydrolysates with angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The result indicated that EWP hydrolyzed for 0.5-24 hr with Thermolysin produced the highest ACE inhibitory activity among the four enzymes. Therefore, EWP-Thermolysin hydrolysate was produced and further fractionated using several membranes with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 10,000, 3,000 and 1,000 daltons, sequentially. The 1 kDa permeate obtained from the hydrolysate treatment using 1,000 daltons MWCO membrane could further reduce its IC50 value from 54.1 to 17.2 μg protein/mL. A lower IC50 value represented higher ACE inhibitory activity. The operation stability study showed that the membrane reactor system could maintain a steady production of EWP-Thermolysin hydrolysate over 8 hr. The gastrointestinal protease in vitro effect on the ACE inhibitory activity of 1 kDa permeate indicated that gastrointestinal proteases have no significant effect (p＞0.05) on the ACE inhibitory activity of 1 kDa permeate.
Functional properties of hydroxypropylated and crosslinked arrowroot starch.

Dual-modified arrowroot starch using hydroxypropylation and cross-linking methods was carried out to overcome the deficiency in of native arrowroot starches for food processing application. The modification applied the combination concentration of propylene oxide (8, 10, and 12%) and ratio of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP):sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) (1%:4%, 2%:5%, and 3%:6%). The resulting dual-modified arrowroot starches had lower gelatinization temperature (68.45–70.00oC) than that of native arrowroot starch (72.85oC). The modified arrowroot starches also had a higher peak viscosity (>5500 cp) than that of native arrowroot starch (4209 cP). Breakdown and setback viscosity of modified arrowroot starch was higher values than the native. At acidic pH, the viscosity decreased at different levels of temperature changes as compared to that of normal pH. Modified starch made with 8% propylene oxide and ratio of STMP: STPP 2%:5% and 3%:6%; as well as that made with 10% propylene oxide and 1% STMP:4% STPP had the lowest syneresis tendency. Decrease in the paste clarity occured with increasing concentration of STMP:STPP. The sedimentation volume of the modified starch was higher (29.17-35.83%) than that of native starch (28.08%), except for those made with 1% STMP: 4% STPP at concentration of propylene oxide 8% and 12%. The gel strength increased (61.77-78.97 gf) at 8% propylene oxide, but decreased (66.50-47.77 gf) at higher concentrations.
Comparaison de trois antigènes pour le sérodiagnostic de la cowdriose par immunofluorescence indirecte

Les auteurs evaluent la possibilite d'utiliser comme antigene une lignee de cellules endotheliales bovines (E5) infectees in vitro par trois stocks de Cowdria ruminantium pour le serodiagnostic de la cowdriose par immunofluorescence indirecte. Cette methode est comparee a celles utilisant des macrophages de souris infectes par le stock Kumm ou des neutrophiles de chevres infectes par quatre stocks de Cowdria. La culture en cellules endotheliales permet de produire aisement et en continu de grandes quantites d'antigene a un faible cout. La lecture de la reaction est tres rapide, comparee a la lecture souvent fastidieuse des lames de neutrophiles ou de macrophages. L'antigene E5 semble etre plus specifique que l'antigene Kumm, et les problemes de serotypes differents rencontres lors de l'utilisation des neutrophiles semblent moins grands. (Resume d'auteur)
The Predictive Value of Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography in Preterm Infants for IQ and Other Neuropsychological Outcomes at Early School Age

Background: Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is used increasingly in neonatal intensive care and seems helpful in predicting outcomes at the age of 2 years. Objectives: To determine whether early aEEG patterns in preterm infants are equally useful in predicting outcomes at early school age. Methods: We recorded aEEG in 41 pre-terms (gestational age 26.0–32.9 weeks) at a median postnatal age of 9.7 h (IQR 7.0–25.3) and in 43 preterms on median day 8 (IQR 7–9). We assessed aEEG by pattern recognition and calculated the means of the aEEG amplitude centiles. At a median of 7.39 years, i.e., early school age, we assessed their motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Results: Depressed aEEG patterns were not associated with poorer outcomes. Cyclicity directly after birth was associated with a higher total IQ (mean 104 vs. 97, p = 0.05) and higher scores on visual perception (mean percentile 57.1 vs. 40.1, p = 0.049) and visual memory (mean percentile 34.5 vs. 19.1, p = 0.090). We found some associations between the aEEG amplitude centiles and cognitive outcomes, but none for motor or behavioral outcomes. There was an increased risk of abnormal scores on long-term verbal memory in cases of the lower 5th and 50th aEEG amplitude centiles directly after birth. The odds ratios were 0.65 (95% CI 0.42–0.99, p = 0.040) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.52–0.96, p = 0.025), respectively. Conclu-sions: In relatively healthy preterm infants the value of aEEG in predicting neuropsychological outcomes at early school age is limited. The presence of cyclicity directly after birth tends to be associated with better cognition.
X Chromosome Inactivation and Imprinting

In contrast to the random inactivation of either maternal or paternal X-chromosome in the somatic cells of eutherian mammals, in marsupials the paternal X-chromosome is preferentially inactivated in all cells. Similar exclusively paternal X-inactivation occurs in two extraembryonic cell lineages of mice and rats. Thus, genetic imprinting is an important feature of X-inactivation. In embryonic development the initiation of X-inactivation is thought to occur through the X-inactivation centre, located on the X-Chromosome, and thus imprinting probably acts through this centre. A candidate gene for a role in the inactivation centre is Xist (X inactive specific transcript) which is expressed only from the inactive X-Chromosome. The expression of Xist in the mouse embryo is appropriate for it to be a cause rather than a consequence of inactivation. It appears before inactivation, and only the paternal allele is expressed in the extraembryonic lineages. In the germ cells also changes in X-chromosome activity are accompanied by changes in Xist expression. Studies of methylation of the Xist gene have shown that in male tissues where Xist is not active it is fully methylated, whereas in the female the allele on the active X-chromosome only is methylated. In male germ cells, where Xist is expressed, it is demethylated and the demethylation persists in mature spermatozoa. Thus a methylation difference in germ cells could possibly be the imprint. In androgenotes, with paternally derived chromosomes, Xist is expressed at the 4-cell stage, whereas in gynogenotes and parthenogenotes expression does not appear until the blastocyst stage. Thus, Xist expression shows imprinting. When expression appears in parthenogenotes it is random, suggesting that the imprint has been lost. The Xist gene has no open reading frame and is thought to act through mRNA but its function is unknown.
MONITORAMENTO BACTERIOLÓGICO PARA Salmonella SP. EM POEDEIRA COMERCIAL EM DIFERENTES FASES DE RECRIA E PRODUÇÃO DE EMPRESAS AVÍCOLAS DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE FORTALEZA

This work aimed to verify Salmonella occurrence in laying hen flocks from eight poultry farms in Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza city. Swab collections were performed in transport boxes of day-old-chicks, totaling 40 feces samples (5 samples/flock), which presented no Salmonella contamination. Bacterial analyses from a pool of feces were performed in the same flocks at 10, 20, 30 and 40 weeks of age. Salmonella enterica rough strain and Salmonella Newport were found in two flocks at 20 and 40 weeks of age, respectively. These results suggest that the birds were infected with Salmonella after their arrival in the poultry farms. It was verified that 25% of the poultry farms presented positive feces samples for Salmonella contamination, indicating the need for a more efficacious preventive program in the poultry farms for egg production. This work suggests that day old birds were of Salmonella contamination which indicates no vertical Salmonella transmission, however the rearing phase present failures regarding bacterial control. KEY WORDS: Bacteriology, chickens, eggs, feces, Salmonella.