Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abstract A52: Myc is required for maintenance of KRasG12D-driven pancreatic cancer and its associated microenvironment

The frequent occurrence of Myc deregulation in human cancers makes Myc an intriguing potential therapeutic target. This is supported by recent studies demonstrating that Myc inhibition (via expression of a dominant negative Myc mutant) triggers regression of SV40-driven pancreatic islet tumors and KRasG12D-driven lung tumors in mice. In the case of insulinoma, regression is presaged by collapse of the tumor microenvironment and involution of the tumor vasculature. One feature of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is its extensive stromal component (desmoplasia) that is thought to contribute to the resistance of PDAC to current therapies. We show that systemic Myc inhibition in the well-established KRasG12D-driven PDAC mouse model triggers regression of both tumor and its associated desmoplastic stroma, indicating that endogenous Myc function in the tumor cells is required for maintenance of the desmoplastic reaction. Consistent with this, ectopic expression of physiological levels of deregulated Myc enhances pancreatic tumor progression and drives stromal desmoplasia, and this reverses upon cessation of deregulated Myc. That systemic Myc inhibition causes regression of both tumor and its associated stroma, while ectopic activation of Myc in tumor cells drives both tumor progression and desmoplasia, confirm that Myc serves an essential and non-redundant role, coupling diverse intracellular oncogenic pathways to the tumor microenvironment, and underscoring its credentials as a pharmacological target in cancers driven by different oncogenes and arising in different tissues. Citation Format: Nicole M. Sodir, Laura Soucek, Trevor D. Littlewood, Mark J. Arends, Gerard I. Evan. Myc is required for maintenance of KRasG12D-driven pancreatic cancer and its associated microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A52.
Effect of berseem fodder supplementation to wheat straw based diet on in vitro total gas and methane production and fermentation pattern.

A study was carried out to ascertain the effect of 4 levels of berseem fodder supplementation, viz. 0 (control T0), 15 (T1), 30 (T2) and 45 (T3)% to wheat straw and concentrate based diet on in vitro total gas, methane production, IVDMD, TVFA concentration and their molar proportion and protozoal counts. The roughage to concentrate ratio was maintained as 60 : 40 irrespective of the diet. Highest total gas production was recorded in treatment T3 followed by T2 and T1 and the lowest cumulative total gas production was recorded in T0. Cumulative gas production in treatment T3 was significantly higher than T0 and T1 treatments. Total gas production from slowly fermentable fraction ‘b’ ranged between 118.80 (To) to 150.20 (T4) l/kg DM in different treatments. The reduction in methane production was 14 and 17% in treatment T3 and T4, respectively. Similarly, the cumulative methane production in T1 was not differing significantly than that recorded in treatment To. The DMD in treatments T2 and T3 was significantly higher than that recorded in treatment To. Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) recorded as 106.43 and 108.58 mM/l in treatments T2 and T3, was significantly higher than that recorded in control treatment (101.43 mM/l). The acetate proportion was significantly lower in treatment T3 as compared to the control. The trend was reversed for the propionate production and significant increase over the control was recorded in treatment T3. The proportion of butyrate in volatile fatty acid remained unchanged, irrespective of the diet. Protozoal numbers (log cfu/ml) decreased significantly by the supplementation of first cut berseem fodder at 45% level. It may be concluded from the study that the supplementation of berseem fodder up to 45% level to wheat straw and concentrate based diet, decreased methane production to the extent of 17% without affecting the fermentability of the diet and the saponins from berseem fodder up to the 0.75% level did not have any adverse effect on fermentation pattern.
Evaluation of antioxidative and antimutagenic effects of quercetin in humans, in vitro and ex vivo

Antioxidants play a vital role in the cellular protection against oxidative damage. Quercetin is a well-investigated antioxidant and known to be able to protect against cellular oxidative DNA damage. In this study, we tried to relate the protection by quercetin pre-treatment against oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes in vitro to the interaction of quercetin in solution with hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals as measured by ESR (Electron Spin Resonance) spectrometry, using DMPO as a spin trap. Further, scavenging capacity of quercetin-treated lymphocytes in vitro was evaluated by ESR spectrometry. Quercetin appears capable of protecting human lymphocytes against oxidative DNA damage caused by hydrogen peroxide in a dosedependent manner. The protection of lymphocytes against superoxides is ambiguous. Incubation concentrations of quercetin (1, 10, and 50 μM) reduced levels of superoxide-induced oxidative DNA damage, while at 100 μM the amount of damage was increased. These results are supported by ESR-findings on quercetin in solution, also showing a prooxidant effect at 100 μM. ESR spectrometry showed rate constant values for the reaction kinetics of quercetin in lowering iron-dependent hydroxyl radical formation and NADH-dependent superoxide anion formation of respectively 3.2 x 10 M s and 1.1 x 10 M s. This shows that quercetin is a more potent inhibitor of hydroxyl radical formation than a scavenger of superoxide anions. Hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals | 29
Molluscan biodiversity and resource conservation

The phylum Mollusca is currently the second most diverse animal group with origin date back before Cambrain. These animals are soft bodied heterogeneous group with great antiquity and are extremely diversified in shape and colour. This animal group include coat-of-mail shell (Ampheneura), snails (Gastropods), clams, oysters and mussels (Bivalvia), octopuses, squids and cuttlefishes (Cephalapods), less obvious animals such as slugs and sea slugs (which have an internal shell), and elephant tusk shells (scaphopod).
Size spectra of lake fish assemblages: responses along gradients of general environmental factors and intensity of lake‐use

Summary 1. The size structure of communities is shaped by biotic and abiotic interactions. Therefore, comparative analyses of size spectra may reveal the major drivers governing patterns and processes in size-structured communities. 2. We tested the suitability of non-taxonomic, size-related variables as tools for elucidating systematic shifts in lake fish assemblages along the gradients of environmental factors and lake-use intensity. Catch data of multimesh gillnets from 78 lowland lakes in northern Germany were analysed. 3. We first identified the correlations, and hence inherent redundancy, among 18 size-related variables. The correspondence between eight weakly correlated size variables and descriptors of lake morphometry, lake productivity, lake-use intensity and taxonomic and functional fish-assemblage composition was tested using ordination by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). The three axes of the NMDS analysis were strongly correlated with five size variables, which in turn corresponded to lake area, mean and maximum depth, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration, predator abundance and predator/prey length ratios (PPLR). 4. The number of size classes increased with increasing lake area. The slopes of normalised length spectra were flatter (less negative) and size diversity was higher in deep, less nutrient-rich lakes and in lakes with a higher numerical predator abundance, indicating a higher relative abundance of large fish. The exponent of the Pareto type II mass spectra was larger and maximum fish length was smaller in shallow, nutrient-rich lakes and in lakes with lower predator biomass and smaller PPLR, indicating a higher relative proportion of medium-sized fish. 5. Analyses of size spectra at regional scales can contribute important information to the evaluation of the ecological quality of lakes. We suggest further studies at a broader range of environmental and geographical scales to understand the subtle response of size-related variables to biotic interactions, abiotic stressors and geographical patterns.
Khan Academy as a resource for pre-service teachers: A controlled study

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Khan Academy as a resource for pre-service teachers: A controlled study James Gray, Christine Lindstrøm, Kristian Vestli
The nesting biology of ducks in the Marismas of the Guadalquivir, south-western Spain

Duck nesting biology was studied during 1976-1978 on Doana National Park (Marismas of the Guadalquivir, SW Spain). In this period 8 duck species were found nesting on the area, but only Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Gadwall A. Strepera, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, and Pochard Aythya ferina had important breeding populations. Pochard was the most selective Species when choosing nesting habitat and nesting cover. Diving ducks nested closer to the future feeding areas of ducklings than dabblers. Clutch-sizes (mean plus or minus 1 SE) were 8.7 plus or minus 0.1 for Mallard, 10.0 plus or minus 0.3 for Gadwall, 9.9 plus or minus 0.3 for Red-crested Pochard, and 8.7 plus or minus 0.2 for Pochard. A significant seasonal decrease in clutch-size was recorded for Mallard and Pochard. Nesting success varied from 62% (Pochard) to 48% (Mallard), and hatching success from 70% (Gadwall) to 48% (Red-crested Pochard). Nests were mainly deserted due to human influence and nest parasitism. Major duck nest predators in the Marismas were Ravens Corvus corax, kites Milvus spp. and rats Rattus sp. Nesting success was significantly greater for Mallard and Pochard, and marginally significant for Red-crested Pochard, when nesting occurred within Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus colonies. Results are compared with those obtained by other authors.
Feathered dragons : studies on the transition from dinosaurs to birds

Contributors Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: Dinosaurs Acting Like Birds, and Vice Versa - Robert T. Bakker Section I. The Setting 1. The Dinosaurian Setting of Primitive Asian Birds - Dale A. Russell 2. End-Cretaceous Acid Rain as a Selective Extinction Mechanism Between Birds and Dinosaurs - Gregory J. Retallack Section II. Osteology and Ichnology 3. New information on Bambiraptor feinbergi (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous of Montana - David Burnham 4. A New Dromaeosaurid from the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Alberta, Canada - Philip J. Currie and David J. Varricchio 5. The Braincase of Velociraptor - Mark A. Norell, Peter J. Makovicky and James M. Clark 6. A Theropod (Dromaeosauridae, Dinosauria) Sternal Plate from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian, Upper Cretaceous) of Alberta, Canada - Stephen J. Godfrey and Philip J. Currie 7. Avian traits in the ilium of Unenlagia comahuensis (Maniraptora: Avialae) - Fernando E. Novas 8. Bird-Like Features of Dinosaur Footprints - Joanna L. Wright Section III. Eggs, Nests, Feathers and Flight 9. Dinosaur Eggs and Nesting: Implications for Understanding the Origin of Birds - Gerald Grellet-Tinner and Luis M. Chiappe 10. Two Eggs Sunny-Side Up: Reproductive Physiology in the Dinosaur Troodon formosus- David J. Varricchio and Frankie K. Jackson 11. Dinosaur Brooding Behaviour and the Origin of Flight Feathers - Thomas P. Hopp and Mark J. Orsen 12. Feathered Coelurosaurs from China: New Light on the Arboreal Origin of Avian Flight - Sankar Chatterjee and R. J. Templin 13. The Plumage of Archaeopteryx - Feathers of a Dinosaur? - Peter Wellnhofer 14. Dinosaur Crime-Scene Investigations: Theropod Behavior at Como Bluff, Wyoming, and the Evolution of Birdness - Robert T. Bakker and Gary Bir Index
Cryptococcus neoformans complex: molecular, clinical and in-vitro studies.

Background: Human cryptococcal infections have been associated with bird droppings as a likely source of infection. Studies toward the local and global epidemiology of Cryptococcus spp. have been hampered by the lack of rapid, discriminatory, and exchangeable molecular typing methods. Methodology/Principal Findings: We selected nine microsatellite markers for high-resolution fingerprinting from the genome of C. neoformans var. grubii. This panel of markers was applied to a collection of clinical (n = 122) and environmental (n = 68; from pigeon guano) C. neoformans var. grubii isolates from Cuba. All markers proved to be polymorphic. The average number of alleles per marker was 9 (range 5–51). A total of 104 genotypes could be distinguished. The discriminatory power of this panel of markers was 0.993. Multiple clusters of related genotypes could be discriminated that differed in only one or two microsatellite markers. These clusters were assigned as microsatellite complexes. The majority of environmental isolates (.70%) fell into 1 microsatellite complex containing only few clinical isolates (49 environmental versus 2 clinical). Clinical isolates were segregated over multiple microsatellite complexes. Conclusions/Significance: A large genotypic variation exists in C. neoformans var. grubii. The genotypic segregation between clinical and environmental isolates from pigeon guano suggests additional source(s) of human cryptococcal infections. The selected panel of microsatellite markers is an excellent tool to study the epidemiology of C. neoformans var. grubii. Citation: Illnait-Zaragozi M-T, Martı́nez-Machı́n GF, Fernández-Andreu CM, Boekhout T, Meis JF, et al. (2010) Microsatellite Typing of Clinical and Environmental Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii Isolates from Cuba Shows Multiple Genetic Lineages. PLoS ONE 5(2): e9124. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0009124 Editor: Francoise Dromer, Pasteur Institute, France Received November 19, 2009; Accepted January 13, 2010; Published February 9, 2010 Copyright: � 2010 Illnait-Zaragozi et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This study was supported by a research and travel grant from the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology to MTIZ. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: c.klaassen@cwz.nl
Update on the Biology of Transgender Identity

Numerous studies have attempted to isolate biological factors in the development of transgender identities through research into genetics, prenatal hormone exposure, neuroanatomy, and cognitive processing. Genetic studies demonstrate that chromosomal variations are uncommon but may occur at higher rates than in the general population. Candidate genes have been investigated, with some positive results, though these have yet to be replicated. Investigations into the effects of hormone exposure on the developing fetus have focused on gender identity in intersex people, which is often unpredictable, and proxy markers for prenatal hormone exposure such as finger length ratio and birth order, which do not show clear trends in transgender groups. A few small neuroanatomical studies show distinctions in transgender people, but results are limited in their scope due to small sample sizes and confounding variables such as adult hormone exposure. Numerous studies demonstrate that male-to-female (MTF) transgender peo.
Feeding Value of Deoiled Rice Bran for Broilers

120 week-old birds were divided into 12 groups (4 x 3) of 10 birds each and maintained on isonitrogenous and isocalorlc diets containing 0, 10, 15 and 20% of deoiled rice bran (DORB) for five wks followed by a metabolic trial. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility (except CF) and balance of N and Ca among groups did not differ significantly. CF digestibility of 10% DORB level diet was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than the control diet. The balances of P showed a declining trend at higher levels of DORB inclusion and at 20% DORB inclusion, the balance was significantly lower than the control and 10% DORB diet but the birds were still in positive balance. The meat yield in terms of eviscerated percentage was similar in all the groups. Results indicated that 20 % DORB could be included in broiler rations without any effect on performance.
Discovering population structures with extreme fixation rates via evolutionary search

Genetic drift is a well known and important force in directing the evolution of a population. The nature of genetic drift in panmictic populations is well understood, and new research is shedding light on the behaviour of genetic drift. This paper explores the concept of using evolutionary algorithms to search for population structures that exhibit the minimum and maximum conditions for loss of variation via genetic drift. Two spatial structures repeatedly emerge as candidates: a star topology that reduces fixation time to a logarithm of population size, and a “line with islands” topology that can delay fixation via genetic drift to a greater extent than any previously known population structure.
POTENTIALITY OF BIOAGENTS ON SEED QUALITY ENHANCEMENT IN CHICKPEA

Planting healthy seeds and other inputs have an impact on seed quality, fungal invasion deteriorates the seed quality in soil and storage. Studies on chickpea carried out at Seed Research and Technology Center, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during spring 2010-11 & 2011-12 revealed that benomyl was found effective followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens in the inhibition of mycelial growth of Fusarium solani . Maximum germination percentage was recorded with Benomyl (Benomyl 500 WP) @ 2 g/kg seed (treated check) and Tebuconazole @ 1 ml/ kg seed (95 per cent) followed by treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10 g/kg seed along with soil application of P. fluorescens @ 3 kg/acre (94 per cent). Maximization of growth parameters like root length, shoot length and total seedling length were observed with Benomyl @ 2 g/ kg seed as 17.0 cm, 10.3 cm and 27.3 cm, respectively. Considering seedling vigour index as an important seed quality character, P. fluorescens and Benomyl @ 2 g/kg seed recorded high seedling vigor index. The per cent recovery of infested seeds was found to be low with treated seeds when compared to the control .
Um surto de coccidiose em perdizes (Rhynchotus rufescens), criadas em cativeiro, por Eimeria rhynchoti Reis e Nóbrega, 1936 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae).

FREITAS, F. L. DA C. ; ALMEIDA, K. DE S. ; NASCIMENTO, A. A. DO; MACHADO, C. R. ; MACHADO, R. Z. [An outbreak of coccidiosis in partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens), reared in captivity, by Eimeria rhynchoti Reis and Nobrega, 1936 (Apicomplexa: Emeriidae)]. Um surto de coccidiose em perdizes (Rhynchotus rufescens), criadas em cativeiro, por Eimeria rhynchoti Reis e Nóbrega, 1936 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, v. 15, n. 2, p. 85-87, 2006. Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia Animal da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Jaboticabal, Av. Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Zona Rural, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil. Email: fagner@fcav.unesp. br Eimeria rhynchoti is redescribed parasitizing partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens), reared in captivity, from Jaboticabal City, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Sporulation takes place in 48 hours, the shape of oocysts found vary from spherical to elliptic with 23. 01μm ± 1.57 of length by 21. 0μm ± 1.78 of width. The microple, polar cap and residuum of the oocysts were absent. The oocyst wall, measures 2. 2μm ± 0.31 of thickness, is composed by two smooth layers; the polar granule is present. The sporocysts length was 15.03mm ± 2.12 by 8.08mm ± 0.84 of width vary from elliptic to elongate. Sporocyst wall slender with is fine and Stieda body; the residue found in form of several smaller granules spherical compacts. The sporozoites are contrary extending along the sporocysts wall possessing refracts body of easy visualization. KEY-WORDS: Eimeria rhynchoti, Rhynchotus rufescens, Tinamiformes. 1 Departamento de Patologia Animal da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal-SP, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900. E-mail: fagner@fcav.unesp. br 2 Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva da UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal. 3 Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva da UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal. 4 Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal da UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal.
Ptyctimous mites of the Pacific Islands. Recent knowledge, origin, descriptions, redescriptions, diagnoses and zoogeography [Acari: Oribatida]

The paper presents recent knowledge of the fauna of the ptyctimous mites of the Pacific Islands, their origin, ecological notes and zoogeographical distribution. The author describes 20 new species, including 13 Phthiracoroidea, 6 Eupthiracaroidea and 1 Mesoplophoroidea, and redescribes, gives supplementary descriptions or diagnoses for another 29 species found. Ptyctimuos mites probably arrived at the Pacific Islands as a result of passive dispersal from the west, directly from the continent, and not via the stepping stones, and are mostly of oriental origin. Volcanic islands with high mountains offer favourable conditions for adaptative radiation and are the host of many endemic species. Coral islands are inhabited only by widespread species and their fauna is the most disharmonious. An attempt at regionalisation of the fauna was made leading to distinction of two subregions. Two ecological groups and five zoogeographical groups were distinguished.
Major histocompatibility genes, polymorphism and balancing selection : the case of parasites and sticklebacks

The extreme polymorphism of genes of the vertebrate major histocompatibility complex is an evolutionary puzzle. Why do high numbers of alleles persist despite selective forces favouring the fittest variants? Overdominant selection can explain the persistance of high numbers of alleles, because MHC heterozygotes can detect more pathogens. Using three-spined sticklebacks and their natural parasite fauna as a model organisms, this thesis addresses some of the key mechanisms that may explain MHC polymorphism. On Population level, diversity of stickleback MHC class IIB genes was correlated with parasite diversity. Within individuals those with an intermediate individual MHC diversity were suffering least from parasite infection in the field and in controlled experiments. Host-parasite co-evolution would further predict that the fitness of genotypes/alleles should fluctuate depending on its frequency. In three populations MHC alleles fluctuate stronger between generations than random. These fluctuations could partly be linked to changes in parasite prevalence and therefore provide support for antagonistic co-evolution between MHC genes and parasites.