Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effects of chronic amphetamine treatment on the midbrain superior colliculus

Heightened distractibility, the reduced ability to filter out irrelevant information, is a disruptive symptom found in numerous conditions and healthy ageing. It is most effectively treated with psychostimulant drugs, such as amphetamine, which are given chronically in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There is converging evidence linking the superior colliculus (SC) to the regulation of distractibility, and acute amphetamine administration is known to suppress collicular responsiveness, however relatively little is known about its mechanism of action and long lasting effects when administered chronically. It is therefore the aim of this thesis to investigate the effects of chronic treatment with amphetamine on the SC, as a neural correlate of distractibility. To achieve this, adolescent Hooded Lister rats were treated orally with amphetamine (2, 5 or 10 mg/kg) or a control (vehicle or untreated) for one month. The effects of treatment were then explored by investigating: collicular-dependant and locomotor behaviour; visual responsiveness of the superficial SC; responses to an acute amphetamine challenge; and the morphology of the superficial SC. At high doses, oral amphetamine treatment resulted in the development of locomotor tolerance, in contrast to previous research using i.p. administration which report sensitisation. Evidence of suppression of activity in the SC was identified from a reduced ability to perform collicular dependant behaviours, and from weaker light responsiveness measured from multi-unit activity in the superficial SC following treatment with high doses of amphetamine. Evidence was also found of a potential compensatory mechanism involving synaptophysin expression and enhanced peri-synaptic activity. This thesis also investigated the types of dendritic spines prevalent in the superficial SC for the first time, and found that these structures were unaffected by amphetamine treatment. These results indicate that the therapeutic effects of amphetamine may stem from suppression of collicular activity, and the SC is susceptible to amphetamine induced remodelling.
Ecological barriers to HIV service access among young men who have sex with men and high-risk young women from low-resourced urban communities

Abstract Using an ecological perspective, we sought to elucidate the perceived barriers preventing HIV service access among two groups of U.S. youth (ages 12–24) disproportionately affected by HIV, men who have sex with men, and high-risk women. We content analyzed interviews with 318 key informants to identify distinct service access barriers. The 29 barriers informants named were organized into six categories (service-seeking demands, stigmas, knowledge and awareness, service quality, powerful opposition, and negative emotions). Findings suggest that barriers impacting access to HIV prevention, testing, and linkage-to-care services are remarkably similar and point to the need for comprehensive approaches to improving youth’s access services that address both individual-level barriers and extra-individual barriers simultaneously. Findings can be used to guide future research, programming, and interventions to reduce the disproportionate spread of HIV among U.S. youth.
MonoAminergic Receptors in the Stomatogastric Nervous System: Characterization and Localization in Panulirus Interruptus

Neural circuit flexibility is fundamental to the production of adaptable behaviors. Invertebrate models offer relatively simple networks consisting of large, identifiable neurons that are useful for investigating the electrophysiological properties that contribute to circuit output. In particular, central pattern generating circuits within the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system have been well characterized with regard to their synaptic connectivities, cellular properties, and response to modulatory influences. Monoaminergic modulation is essential for the production of adaptable circuit output in most species. Monoamines, such as dopamine and serotonin, signal via metabotropic receptors, which activate intracellular signaling cascades. Many of the neuronal and network targets of monoaminergic modulation in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system are known, but nothing is known of the signal transduction cascades that mediate the biophysical response. This work represents a thorough characterization of monoaminergic receptors in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system. We took advantage of the close phylogenetic relationship between crustaceans and insects to clone monoaminergic receptors from the spiny lobster. Using a novel database mining strategy, we were able to identify several uncharacterized monoaminergic receptors in the Panulirus interruptus genome. We cloned one serotonin (5HT2βPan) and three dopamine receptors (D1αPan, D1βPan, and D2αPan), and characterized them with regard to G protein coupling and signal transduction cascades. We used a heterologous expression system to show that G protein couplings and signaling properties of monoaminergic receptors are strongly conserved among vertebrate and invertebrate species. This work further shows that DAR-G protein couplings in the stomatogastric nervous system are unique for a given receptor subtype, and receptors can couple to multiple signaling pathways, similar to their mammalian homologs. Custom made antibodies were used to localize monoamine receptors in the stomatogastric ganglion, and in identified neurons. Pyloric neurons show unique receptor expression profiles, which supports the idea of receptor expression as an underlying mechanism for cell-type specific effects of a given modulator. Receptors are localized to the synaptic neuropil, but are not expressed in the membrane of large diameter processes or the soma. The localization of dopamine receptors in identified pyloric neurons suggests that they may respond to synaptic, paracrine or neurohormonal dopamine signals. This work also supports the idea that different types of signals can be generated by a single receptor. INDEX WORDS: Central Pattern Generator, Stomatogastric, Monoamine, Dopamine, cAMP Serotonin, Signal transduction, GPCR, Panulirus interruptus, Crustacean, Heterologous expression, Invertebrate Neuromodulation MONOAMINERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE STOMATOGASTRIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: CHARACTERIZATION AND LOCALIZATION IN PANULIRUS INTERRUPTUS
Antihypertensive and anticoagulant properties of glycosaminoglycans extracted from the sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) cartilage

Abstract Large amounts of valuable waste are produced during sea food processing. This has a great potential for conversion to biologically active proteins and polysaccharides. Among these compounds, sulfated polysaccharides have been considered due to their many biological properties. The present work was conducted to study anticoagulant activities and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effects of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) extracted from the cartilage of sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). The enzymatic extraction of sturgeon cartilage was performed in the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride salt. The structure was characterized via electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Herein, ACE inhibitory and anticoagulant properties of extracted GAGs were determined. The amount of GAGs was 6.8±1.3% of cartilage dry weight. GAGs showed good activity in ACE inhibitory – with a highest level of 85.7%. The derived anticoagulant activity indexes, APPT (activated partial thromboplastin time) and TT (Thrombin time) of the extracted polysaccharide showed a prolonging of clotting time, compare to control. The results of this study revealed that the cartilage extracted GAGs possess promising ACE inhibitory properties and anticoagulant effects. Thus, the product can be substituted for blood reducing drugs and antithrombotic agents at least in laboratory conditions.
Particulate organic matter composition in a semi-enclosed Periantarctic system: the Straits of Magellan

The elemental and biochemical composition of particulate organic matter (POM) was investigated in the Straits of Magellan during February-March 1991. Twenty-two stations were selected in order to identify different areas of the Magellan ecosystem from a trophic point of view. The Strait of Magellan can be divided into three subsystems characterized by different hydrological and geomorphological conditions. Seston concentrations were mostly constrained by physical events, particularly the influence of oceanic and land run-off water inputs and the strong vertical mixing and resuspension events. POM composition displayed quali-quantitative differences between the three areas. In the first subsystem, influenced by Pacific waters, the low seston and POM concentrations and the high POC/Chl-a ratio values indicated the general predominance of the detrital and heterotrophic fractions. In the second subsystem, characterized by superficial stratification, higher seston and organic matter concentrations and lower values of POC/Chl-a ratio were found, indicating that this subsystem was influenced by an active autotrophic component. Shallow waters with intense tidal regime and strong vertical mixing characterized the third subsystem, connected to the Atlantic Ocean, which displayed an increasing importance of the inorganic fraction (values of the POC/TSM ratio lower than in the other systems). Moreover, the third subsystem showed higher values of the RNA/DNA ratio, possibly indicating that resuspension events may enhance the metabolic state of the organic particles mainly dominated by heterotrophic components.
Distribution, life-history specialization, and phylogeny of the rain forest vertebrates in the Australian Wet Tropics

The purpose of this data set was to compile distributional, general life-history characteristics and phylogenies for Australian tropical rain forest vertebrates to inform a wide range of comparative studies on the determinants of biodiversity patterns and to assess the impacts of global climate change. We provide three distinct data sets: (1) a table of species-specific distributional and life-history traits for 242 vertebrate species found in the rain forests of the Australian Wet Tropics; (2) species distribution maps (GIS raster files) for 202 of the species displaying both the realized and potential distributions; and (3) phylogenies for these species. These species represent 93 birds, 31 amphibians, 31 mammals (including one monotreme), and 47 reptiles. Where information exists, the distributional and life-history data compiled here present information on: indices of environmental specialization (ENFA), habitat specialization, average body mass and size, sexual dimorphism, reproductive characteristics such as age at first reproduction, clutch/litter size, number of reproductive bouts per year and breeding seasonality, longevity, time of day when most active, and dispersal ability; distributional characteristics such as range size (potential and realized for both total and core ranges) and observed ranges in temperature, precipitation, and elevation; and niche attributes such as environmental marginality and specialization. The distribution maps provided represent a combination of presence-only ecological niche modeling (using MaxEnt) to estimate the potential distribution of a species followed by biogeographic clipping by expert opinion based on extensive field data and a subregional classification relevant to the topography and biogeographic history of the region to produce best-possible estimates of the realized distribution. Our assemblage contains many species with a shared evolutionary history, and thus many analyses of these data will need to account for phylogeny. Although a comprehensive phylogeny with branch length information does not exist for this diverse group of species, we present a best-estimate composite phylogeny constructed primarily from recently published molecular phylogenies of included groups.
Age, growth, sex ratio and diet of eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 in Seyhan Dam Lake (Adana/Turkey)

The aim of this study is to provide necessary information on the biology of mosquitofish in Seyhan Dam Lake in Adana, which is located in southern part of Turkey. The population structure of eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 was studied in Seyhan Dam Lake. A total of 1582 specimens (772 males and 810 females) were collected monthly from January to December, 2007. The age composition of the sample range between 0+ and 2+in both sexes. The sex ratio was M:F= 1:1.04. The length-weight relationship calculated for all individuals, with W=0.0129 x L 2.927 . von Bertalanffy growth parameters were for males, L∞=3.31cm, K=0.6597 year -1 , to =0.9483 year; for females L∞=6.62cm, K=0.2369 year 1 , to =0.9259 year; for all samples, L∞=5.84cm, K=0.2369 year -1 , to =-1.0740 year. A total of 102 stomachs were examined and total of organisms identified from alimentary canal. The diet mainly consist of Diptera (Chironomidae (pupa) 29.40%; Diptera (adult) 24.50%), Egg (mosquito 14.70%; different organisms 1.96%), Crustacea (Copepoda 9.80%, Cladocera 3.92%), Coleoptera 4.90%, Hemiptera 1.96%, Fishes (G. holbrooki 3.92%), Other Hymenoptera 1.96%, Tricoptera 0.98%, Plecoptera 0.98%, Formicidae 0.98%. These data were conducted to compare with the results of other studies to carry out for other geographic areas.
Pelagic production and biomass in the Adriatic Sea

SUMMARY: On the basis of the available data on plankton production and biomass in the Adriatic Sea, three different areas may be delineated: a - Open waters of the central and southern Adriatic, characterized by an “oceanic” community. Primary production rates are low. Microphytoplankton and especially diatoms are abundant; microzooplankton is dominated by tintinnids; herbivorous copepods are dominant throughout the year and carnivorous species are also important. The plankton communities show high diversity and great stability. A “top down” control appeared to regulate the energy fluxes. b Open waters of the northern basin, characterized by neritic associations with moderate primary production rates and biomass. The species originating from the southern Adriatic and the Mediterranean are present throughout the year. A marked west-to-east gradient of production and biomass is present during the stratified period. The models of phytoplankton control appear to shift from “bottom up” to “top down” control, following the western-eastern gradient and changing seasonally. c - A coastal zone characterized by a neritic community of low diversity and high primary production and biomass. Nanoplankton primary production generally prevails. This production appear to be used mainly by ciliates other than tintinnids during the stratified period. Nanoplankton also represents an important food source for the abundant filter feeders. During the persistence of the frontal system, separating coastal from off shore waters, terrigenous inputs stimulate high primary production which is confined to inshore areas. Zooplankton grazing is not sufficient to control the produced biomass and transfer to offshore is restricted, resulting in eutrophication
Viabilidade econômica de doses e parcelamentos da adubação nitrogenada na cultura do milho em LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Eutrófico - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v31i1.6646

Nitrogen is the nutrient that is most absorbed by the corn crop, with the most complex management, and has the highest share on the cost of corn production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the economic viability of different rates and split-applications of nitrogen fertilization, as such as urea, in the corn crop in a eutrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol). The study was carried out in the Experimental Station of the Regional Pole of the Sao Paulo Northwest Agribusiness Development (APTA), in Votuporanga, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with nine treatments and four replications, consisting of five N rates: 0, 55, 95, 135 and 175 kg ha -1 , 15 kg ha -1 applied in the seeding and the remainder in top dressing: 40 and 80 kg ha -1 N at forty days after seeding (DAS), or ½ + ½ at 20 and 40 DAS; 120 kg ha -1 N split in ½ + ½ or 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 at 20, 40 or 60 DAS; 160 kg ha -1 N split in ¼ + 3/8 + 3/8 or ¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ at 20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS. The application of 135 kg ha -1 of N split in three times provided the best benefit/cost ratio. The non-application of N provided the lowest economic return, proving to be unviable.
Role of the transcription factor DRG11 in the embryonic development of the nociceptive system

Artigo 48o, § 3o " A Faculdade não responde pelas doutrinas expendidas na dissertação " (Regulamento da Faculdade de Medicina do Porto, Decreto-Lei nº 19 337 de 29 de Janeiro de 1931) Professores Efectivos Na Division of Biology, CalTech, gostaria de agradecer a todos os que contribuí-ram para que a minha estadia fosse tão agradável e aos preciosos ensinamentos, muito em particular aos Doutores DRG11 immunohistochemical expression during embryonic development in the mouse. (2001) The paired homeodomain protein DRG11 is required for the projection of cutaneous sensory afferent fibers to the dorsal spinal cord. Neuron 31: 59-73. Prrxl1 is required for the generation of a subset of nociceptive glutamatergic superficial spinal dorsal horn neurons. (2009) Expression of a Prrxl1 alternative splice variant during the development of the mouse nocicep-tive system. Int. A reprodução destas publicações foi feita com autorização das respectivas editoras. ÍNDICE I. INTRODuCTION The nociceptive system Development of the nociceptive system Neural tube formation and regionalization Specification of the primary sensory pathway Development of peripheral and central primary afferent connections Specification of sensory spinal neurons Spinal circuitry establishment and maturation Objectives and Study Outline References
Pond based grow out system of gracilaria verrucosa

Gracilaria verrucosa was successfully cultivated in a pond based aquaculture system at Narakkal. Kerala. India. Daily growth rate of seaweed was found to be maximum (19.22%) during 60 days of introduction. The growth. pigment constituents and the yield of agar were influenced by the environmental parameters. Agar yield and photosynthetic pigments declined in the initial period up to 50 days due to acclimatization of the plants lo new environment which was collected from Chennai, India and introduced in the pond at 'Narakkal. After 60 days, the algae started establishing in the bottom of the pond and an initial harvest of 230.25 kg was harvested after 90 days of culture period. Further regular harvest was made at every 10 days interval yielding 1015 kg of Gverrucosa during the culture period. The agar content ranged between 7-14.8% and bottom sample exhibited better yield of. agar than the plants cultured in the floating raft.
Microbial quality of fish in retail trade in Cochin

Microbial quality of fresh and frozen fish in retail trade in Cochin is presented. 9.4% of the fresh fish and 4.7 % of the frozen fish samples examined had total plate ounts more than 5.0 x 105 g-1 Escherichia coli was detected in 89.8% of the fresh sh and 86.6 % of the frozen fish, and their numbers were more than 20 g-1 in 78.2 and 1.2% of the samples respectively. Faecal streptococci were detected in all the fresh sh and 87.4 7; of the frozen fish and their numbers were more than 1000g-1 in 60.3 nd ll % of the samples respectively. Salmonella was detected in 5.8 and 8.7% of the fresh and frozen fish samples respectively.
SPORE TRAP DETECTION OF SUGARCANE SMUT: 12 MONTHS EXPERIENCE AND OUTCOMES

SUGARCANE SMUT was first detected in Queensland in the Childers-Bundaberg region in June 2006. Crop inspections revealed over 70 farms were smutinfested by November 2006. With the disease found in the Mackay and Herbert districts by the end of 2006, the likelihood of smut infestations in other apparently un-infested areas became much more likely. Burkard spore traps were purchased to assist in detecting smut in these districts. Initial trials involved placing the traps close to infested crops and assaying spore capture using a light microscope but light microscopy proved time consuming and costly from a time perspective. A molecular assay was developed to speed the process and although not providing a quantitative assay result, it still provided a qualitative assessment of the presence of smut. Spore trapping was undertaken in a number of crops in many of the un-infested cropping areas in Queensland and New South Wales. Smut-positive assay results for U. scitaminea spores were recorded in the Mossman, Burdekin, Proserpine and Maryborough areas. High intensity trapping at some of these sites showed that U. scitaminea spores were common and that the disease is very likely to be infesting crops in at least some of these locations. Smut whips were seen for the first time in the Maryborough area on 22 November 2007.
Evaluation of different integrated pest management modules for the management of major pests of rice (Oryza sativa)

Field experiments were conducted in farmers’ rice fields at Karakkad village, Pattambi, Kerala during 2006–07 to 2008–2009 with 3 rice IPM modules (IPM I, IPM II and IPM III) in comparison with farmers’ practices to validate and popularize the IPM modules in rice. The results showed that the IPM III module comprised alternate spraying with neem-based formulation and newer safe insecticides (cartap hydrochloride and spinosad) coupled with release of egg parasitoids against leaffolder and monitoring of stem borer with sex pheromone traps resulted in siginificant reduction of stem borer (3.88% dead heart, 1.95% white ear), whorlmaggot (4.10% damaged leaves), and leaf folder (2.73% damaged leaves). It has recorded highest grain yield (4 489 kg/ha) and C : B ratio (1: 1.30). Stem borer incidence was reduced by 61.6% in IPM III module as compared with farmers’ practices. Leaf folder damage has showed a reduction of 64.8% and whorl maggot infestation indicated 61.03% reduction in IPM III module over farmers’ practices which has also shown the lowest C: B ratio.
Effect of Implementing the New Diagnostic Criteria for Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features in King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Pathological diagnosis of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma has high inter and intra-observer variability among expert pathologists, aff ecting prognosis and management of the disease. A recent study applying strict diagnostic criteria and long-term follow up confi rmed the indolent behavior of a subtype of these tumors. They recommended a nomenclature change to noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features, refl ecting the low risk of adverse outcomes. We searched the pathology archives of King Abdulaziz University Hospital from 2002-2016 for all cases diagnosed with “follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma”. Clinical data, and imaging fi ndings were retrospectively reviewed. Available pathologyslides were reviewed using the proposed inclusion and exclusion diagnostic criteria. We confi rmed the diagnostic reproducibility of the suggested criteria. Ten out of 37 cases met the diagnostic criteria. Eightadditional patients could have had their diagnosis modifi ed if sufficient tissue samples were available. Follow up data confi rmed the indolent behavior in these cases with no recurrence or adverse outcome. We concluded that application of the new diagnostic criteria for this subtype is reasonable and has major ramifi cations for the diagnosis and management as this will spare unnecessary thyroidectomies, radioactive iodine therapy, and their complications.