Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on Maturation and Differentiation without Cleavage in Chaetopterus variopedatus: Effects of Ions, Ionophores, Sulfhydril Reagents, Colchicine and Cytochalasin B

1. Differentiation without cleavage in Chaetopterus eggs has been reexamined cytologically with particular emphasis on RNA distribution. 2. The induction of differentiation without cleavage by KCl treatment requires the presence of Ca 2+ in the medium. Once activation has been induced by KCl, external Ca 2+ is no longer required for differentiation without cleavage until the swimming larvae stage. 3. The Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 induces maturation and activation in Chaetopterus eggs in the presence of Ca 2+ ; if the activated eggs are transfered to normal medium, differentiation without cleavage and occasional parthenogenesis follow. 4. The K + ionophore valinomycin slowly induces germinal vesicle breakdown, but maturation is abortive and there is no further development. The ionophore stops cleavage in fertilized eggs. After a few hours, valinomycin-treated oocytes develop large, transparent, RNA-rich blebs. 5. Maturation can be induced, in Cheatopterus eggs, by organomercurials but not by dithiothreitol. DNA replication and amoeboid movements take place in organomercurial treated eggs but neither hatching nor ciliation occurs. 6. Colchicine is more effective than cytochalasin B for the inhibition of differentiation without cleavage, however the reverse is true for the inhibition of valinomycin-induced blebbing.
Invadolysin, a conserved lipid droplet-associated protease interacts with mitochondrial ATP Synthase and regulates mitochondrial metabolism in Drosophila

16 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 18 1.1. WHY FLIES? 18 1.2. FLY DEVELOPMENT . 19 1.3. GENETIC SCREENS AND THEIR USES . 21 1.4. LIPID DROPLETS . 25 1.5. CONTROL OF GROWTH AND NUTRIENT SENSING IN DROSOPHILA. 28 Amino acid levels regulate TORC1 . 33 Energy levels regulate AMPK activity and subsequently TORC1. 34 1.6. MITOCHONDRIAL ATP GENERATION . 36 1.7. METALLOENDOPEPTIDASES . 40 Matrix Metalloendopeptidase (MMP) . 41 Leishmanolysin (GP63) . 45 1.8. BACKGROUND OF INVADOLYSIN (IX-14). 46 Gene structure and function . 47 Other phenotypes of Invadolysin (IX-14) . 52 1.9. AIMS OF PHD PROJECT. 56 CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS. 61 2.1. MAINTENANCE OF FLY STOCKS . 61 2.2. LIST OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER STOCKS USED . 61 2.3. LIST OF PRIMERS. 63 2.4. LIST OF DYES . 66 2.5. LIST OF ANTIBODIES . 66
Optimizing conditions for the extraction of polysaccharides of white tea

The purpose of this study was to increase the yield and purity of white tea polysaccharides (WTPS) by using traditional techniques available for the separation. Response surface methodology was implemented to predict the optimum conditions for the extraction of polysaccharides in white tea. A Box–Behnken design was used to monitor the effect of extraction temperatures (55 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C, X1), ratio of water solutions to material (10, 12, 14 mL/g, X2), duration of extraction time (60, 90, 120 min, X3) and number of extractions (2, 3, 4, X4) on the dependent variable yield of WTPS (Y, %). In extraction under pre-established conditions, the correlation coefficients (R2) and Adj-R2 of the models for the extraction of WTPS were 0.9932 (P < 0.001) and 0.9872, respectively. As a result, the optimum conditions for WTPS extraction were the following: ratio of water solutions to raw material – 12.48 mL/g, extraction temperature – 54.1 °C, number of extractions – 4 and duration of extraction time – 97.8 min.
Composição florística e estrutura de uma floresta estacional semidecidual montana em Viçosa, MG

This research aimed to characterize the floristic composition of the tree synusiae in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest patch located in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (20o45'S and 42o55'W). The regional climate is classified as Cwa by the Koppen system. For the phytosociological survey, five groups of four contiguous 10 x 25 m plots were installed, at 80 m intervals, in which all the individuals with 15 cm CBH (circunference at breast height) or more were sampled. A total of 124 species were identified, belonging to 80 genus and 41 botanical families. Based on their importance value (VI), the most representative species were Mabea fistulifera (14,51%), Xylopia sericea (5,09%), Piptadenia gonoacantha (4,89%), Xylopia brasiliensis (3,79%) and Lacistema pubescens (3,65%). The most important families were Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae, Mimosaceae, Lauraceae, and Myrtaceae. The Shannon diversity index (H') was 3,56 and the estimated basal area was 28,7 m². Typical species secondary sucession advanced stages were registered.
The Muscular Basis of the Respiratory Pumps in the Trout

1. An account is given of the muscles and skeleton of the trout head and of the mechanisms coupling the different functional components of the skull. 2. The activity of the main respiratory muscles has been recorded electromyographically and simultaneously with pressure and movement recordings from the buccal and opercular cavities. 3. The muscles may be divided into two main groups according to whether they are active during the expansion or contraction phase of the pumps. The protractor hyoideus (geniohyoideus) was found to be active only during the contraction phase. 4. There are differences in the muscles that are active, depending upon the depth of ventilation. Shallow ventilation is maintained by the adductor mandibulae, adductor arcus palatini et operculi, and levator hyomandibulae et arcus palatini. During deeper ventilation the sternohyoideus, protractor hyoideus and hyohyoideus muscles come into action. Only during strong ventilation does contraction of the dilator operculi play a part in opercular abduction. 5. There are variations in the pattern of muscular activity in different individuals and also in the same individual at different times. Such differences in muscular activity are not clearly reflected in the movement and pressure recordings, because of the complex couplings between different parts of the pumping mechanism. 6. As contraction of most muscles affects both the opercular and buccal cavities it is concluded that a model of teleost ventilation based upon a double pumping mechanism must incorporate the couplings between these pumps.
Cellulose-decomposing fungi in Peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus

Abstract Repečkienė J., Jukonienė I. , Salina O. , 2012: Cellulose-decomposing fungi in peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus [Celiuliozę skaidantys grybai durpynuose, kuriuose plinta invazinė samana Campylopusintroflexus]. - Bot. Lith. , 18(1): 46-57. Studies on the abundance and genera composition of cellulose-decomposing fungi in four differently disturbed peatlands occupied by invasive moss Campylopus introflexus were carried out in autumn, spring and summer seasons. The abundance of fungi under C. introflexus was compared with the abundance of fungal communities under other plants occupying the same habitats (Polytrichum strictum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Callunavulgaris) and bare peat. The serial dilution plate technique was applied for isolation and enumeration of cellulose- decomposing fungi. The large amount of organic matter as well as acidic reaction of peat creates favourable conditions for the development of fungi at the studied sites. The number of cellulose-decomposing fungi depended on the peatland type, prevailing plants and season. The richness of fungal genera (15) was determined under Campylopus introflexus. Fungal isolates belonging to the Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium genera and the Zygomycetes class prevailed.
High-Level Expression of the Retinoic Acid Receptor β Gene in Normal Cells of the Uterine Cervix Is Regulated by the Retinoic Acid Receptor α and Is Abnormally Down-Regulated in Cervical Carcinoma Cells

Retinoic acid (RA) is essential for regulation of epithelial cell differentiation. The intracellular effects of RA are mediated by RA-binding nuclear receptors, including the RA receptors (RARs) α, β, and γ. The ligand-activated receptors induce the transcription of target genes by binding to RA-responsive elements in the promoter regions. One target gene is the RAR β gene, which encodes a potential tumor suppressor. Loss of RA inducibility of RAR β gene expression is assumed to play a role in the development of several types of human carcinomas, including carcinomas of the uterine cervix. We have analyzed RAR β gene expression in normal cervical cells and in cervical carcinoma cell lines. The results show that the RARβ mRNA levels are high and RA inducible in the primary keratinocytes, whereas they are low and not inducible or only slightly inducible by RA in all of the cervical carcinoma cell lines analyzed. The basal and the RA-induced RARβ mRNA levels tend to increase with senescence of the normal cells. Fusion of primary ectocervical keratinocytes with HeLa cervical carcinoma cells revealed that the characteristics of RAR β gene expression of the normal cells are dominant over that of the tumor cells. Using synthetic retinoids with receptor-preferential agonist activities and a RARα-specific antagonist, we show that RARα is the major endogenous RAR subtype for induction of RA-dependent RAR β gene expression. Taken together, our results indicate that abnormal down-regulation of RAR β gene expression may be an important step in the multifactorial process of cervical carcinogenesis.
THE MICROBIOTA-GUT-BRAIN AXIS. A STUDY IN ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)

The microbiota is essential in the host's physiology, development, reproduction, immune system, nutrient metabolism, in brain chemistry and behavior. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the bidirectional gut–brain axis, a communication that integrates the gut and central nervous system (CNS) activities, and thus, the concept of microbiota–gut–brain axis is emerging where the microbes have considered as signaling components in the gut-brain axis. Animal studies reveals, in particular, that gut bacteria influence the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and behavior specially after probiotic administration. How this alterations in brain chemistry are related to specific behavioral changes is unclear but it will likely be a focus of future research efforts. Among these animal studies, to our knowledge, no studies on the microbiota–gut–brain axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been carried out. We hypothesized that a continuous administration of an exogenous probiotic might also influence the host's behavior and neurochemical gene expression. The purpose of this study was to determine whether probiotic strain can modulate gut commensal bacteria influencing brain neurochemistry and behavior in zebrafish. Thus, we treated adult zebrafish for 28 days with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a probiotic strain which is one of the main components of the commensal microflora of human intestinal tract and it is widely used as a probiotic in mammals to adult male and female AB wild tipe zebrafish. We established differences between treated with probiotic strain and control group in shoaling behavior pattern, using a Video Tracker software; we quantified brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression by using RT-qPCR; we at last analyzed the microbiota profiles within two experimental groups by sing the culture-independent methods such as Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). The probiotic treated group, compared to the control group, showed a statistically significant near two-fold increase in BDNF gene expression, different shoaling behavioural pattern and a shift in microbiota composition with a significant increase of Firmicutes and a reduction of Proteobacteria. The results of each approach may support the existence of a microbiota–gut–brain axis, in adult zebrafish and in line with numerous animal studies we can speculate that microbiota manipulation could influence behavior and brain expression of BDNF.
Tree biomass, resource use and crop productivity in agri-horti-silvicultural systems in the dry region of Rajasthan, India

A combination of silvicultural species [Prosopis cineraria (L.), Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. and Colophospermum mopane (J. Kirk ex Benth.)] were planted with horticultural species [Ziziphus mauritiana (L.), Cordia myxa (Forster), and Emblica officinalis (Gaertn)] and intercropped with wheat (Triticum aestivum). Z. mauritiana +P. cineraria combination produced greater fruit, fodder and fuel wood and was less competitive to wheat crop. Crop yield reduced by 5% to 23% in the agroforestry systems than the yield in sole crop plot. Lowest yield was in C. mopane + C. myxa combination. Fodder yield was 0.53, 0.20 and 0.07 t ha−1 from C. mopane (cursive), P. cineraria and A. excelsa, respectively, whereas utilizable biomass was 2.63 t ha−1 from C. myxa (cursive) + P. cineraria, 2.21 t ha−1 from C. myxa (cursive) + C. mopane and 2.18 t ha−1 from Z. mauritiana + P. cineraria combinations. Soil organic carbon and NH4–N increased (by 7% and 8%, respectively), whereas NO3–N and PO4–P decreased in agroforestry compared to the sole tree plots. Primary root attributes of P. cineraria, A. excelsa and C. mopane were higher in agroforestry and mostly concentrated in the top 0–25 cm of the soil layer. Z. mauritiana + P. cineraria were the best combination with minimum yield reduction and were found to be beneficial in enhancing soil fertility.
The Effects of Lactic Acid Bacterial Inoculants on the Fermentation, Aerobic Stability and in situ Rumen Degradability Characteristics of Maize and Sorghum Silages

This study was carried out to determine the effect of lactic acid bacterial inoculants as silage additives on the fermentation, aerobic stability, and in situ rumen degradability of maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) silages. Maize was harvested at dent and sorghum was harvested at milk dough stages of maturity. Inoculant 1188 (Pioneer®, USA), H/M F Inoculant No. 9927 (Medipharm, USA), and Lacticil M 74 (Medipharm, Sweden) were used as lactic acid bacterial inoculants. Inoculants were applied to silages at 106cfu g-1 levels. Maize and sorghum were ensiled in 1.5 liter special jars equipped with a lid that enabled gas release only. The jars were stored at 25±2°C in laboratory conditions. Three jars from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses on days 1, 3, 5, 10, and 50 after ensiling. All jars were opened at the end of the ensiling period (50 days) and subjected to an aerobic stability test for 5 days. In addition, rumen dry and organic matter degradabilities of the silages were determined. Lactic acid bacterial inoculants improved characteristics of fermentation and rumen dry and organic matter degradabilities of maize and sorghum silages. However, inoculants impaired the aerobic stability of silages.
Dryland Evaporative Flux in a Subhumid Climate: I. Micrometeorological Influences1

Daily values of the major energy balance components were determined throughout complete growing seasons of dryland cotton and grain sorghum in Central Texas. Daily net radiation was found to be partitioned primarily between evaoprative flux and sensible heat flux. When crop canopies covered at least 45% of the ground surface and plant evaporation was not limited by soil water, daily net radiation was approximately equal to daily measured evaporation. Before a crop cover was established, evaporation was highly dependent on the water content of the surface soil and the fractional crop cover. For both crops, when water was depleted from the soil to the extent that plant evaporation began to be limited, daily evaporative flux decreased within 10 days to approximately half the daily net radiation. Diurnal variation in the evaporative flux during plant water stress was approximately proportional to net radiative flux, with the proportionality principally determined by the degree of soil water availability and the magnitude of the net radiation. Seasonal variation in the net radiation was influenced primarily by the solar radiation and the surface reflectance (albedo). The seasonal albedo variation depended primarily on degree of plant cover, ranging from 0.055 over practically bare, freshly plowed, black clay soil to approximately 0.23 over a practically complete cover cotton canopy. This result suggests a possibility for water conservation by increasing the surface albedo during the part of the growing season when wet topsoil is exposed to direct radiation. Closer row spacing and higher plant populations should help in achieving this effect.
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis live vaccine strain in the reproductive organs of laying goose after subcutaneous vaccination

Summary Serovar-specific real-time PCR for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) was conducted to detect the genomic DNA of S. Enteritidis from laying goose after subcutaneous vaccination at different time points. Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique and immunohistochemical localization were employed to validate the results. The results showed that S. Enteritidis was consistently detected in all the samples. Vagina and uterus were positive at 20 h PI, and the last organ to show a positive result was the largest and third largest preovulatory follicle, at 32 h PI. The copy numbers of S. Enteritidis DNA in each tissue reached a peak at 36-60 h PI, with the vagina and uterus containing higher concentrations than other tissues. However, the number of bacteria started decreasing by 3-4 d, and by 6 d, the concentration of S. Enteritidis DNA was below the detection limits of the PCR assay, except the vagina. The real-time PCR analysis of a variety of tissues is significant for further investigation of the mechanism of vaccine protection and the optimization of vaccination regimes.
Occurrence of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) on sea trout (Salmo trutta) in the inner Oslo Fjord, south-eastern Norway

The occurrence of the parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer on sea trout Salmo trutta L. was studied in the Askerelva river and in the adjacent Oslo Fjord, south-eastern Norway, where there are no salmon farms. Sampling was carried out in 1992 and 1993. Fishing was started in May, but no sea trout were caught in the river before August. Maximum prevalence (percent infested fish) in the monthly samples from the river was 50%, and the mean intensity (mean number of lice on the infested fish) in all river samples pooled was 19.9 parasites. Most were in the pre-adult or adult stage. The fish from the fjord were larger and had, in general, fewer lice than fish from the river (pooled mean intensity=7.6 lice), but the difference in mean intensity of infestation was not significantly different. There was no correlation between condition factor and the intensity of infestation on trout from the river nor from the fjord.
Natural history, coloration pattern and conservation status of the threatened South Brazilian red bellied toad, Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus Braun, 1973 (Anura, Bufonidae).

Efforts to find and gather data on natural history, including geographic records, of species considered threatened are an important tool to assess and update its conservation status. Little is known about the threatened South American red belly toad, Melanophryniscus macrogranulosus , endemic from northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The main goal of this article is to provide information on natural history, geographic distribution, morphology and conservation of this toad, including new geographic records, and new data on color pattern, habitat use, and reproductive and defensive behavior. We conducted 30 field expeditions from 2005 to 2013 to the type locality and surroundings and examined the three major herpetological collections from Rio Grande do Sul. We described the live color pattern of juveniles and adults. The data on reproductive and defensive behavior was obtained in the field. We rediscovered the species on its type locality, after 45 years from previous records, and revealed the presence of M. macrogranulosus in five new localities. The color pattern varies ontogenetically from metamorphosed juveniles to adults. Newly metamorphosed individuals have dark gray dorsum and pale, partially translucent ventral surface. Adults have dorsum from light to dark green and ventral surface exhibiting a green or grayish blue coloration pattern with white spots and red patches. Associated with this suspected aposematic coloration we observed individuals employing unken reflex when disturbed. Reproductive activity was recorded after heavy rains in all four seasons. Males call during day and night, in small, shallow pools along temporary streams with clear water. Amplexus and struggles between males also involving a female were registered inside the water in the reproductive site. All records of M. macrogranulosus are inside the limits of the Atlantic forest, considered one of the most endangered Biome of Brazil. However, none is inside the limits of a protected area. Some possible threats observed include fragmentation and habitat destruction, pollution (improper discard of human waste) and the recent duplication of a paved road near the reproductive site. These impacts associated with the small extent of occurrence, justify the species category as Endangered (EN).
Resposta do feijoeiro à aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio via foliar - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v26i2.1877

Nitrogen is the nutrient most absorbed by common bean plant, and molybdenum besides its importance to N fixation process, is associated to N metabolism. Thus, this micronutrient lack produces symptoms like those caused by N deficiency. This research had the objective of evaluating, on common bean crop, the effect of N doses application in side dressing (0, 30, 60 and 90kg ha -1 ) as well as its interaction with leaf application of Mo (0 and 80g ha -1 ) in development phases V3 and V4 under no tillage system. The experimental design was the one of randomized blocks with 16 treatments and 4 repetitions. The research was carried out in Selviria-MS on soil previously cropped with corn. The application of leaf trough Mo, in both analyzed phases, doesn’t interfere on the productivity. The application of increasing doses of nitrogen in side dressing has caused a crescent increase in nitrogen level on leaves, but it didn’t interfere on grains productivity.
Phytocoenological study of the Catenella caespitosa (Withering) L.M. Irvine (Gigartinales, Rhodophyceae) community from the Slovenian coast, northern Adriatic Sea

The Catenella caespitosa (Withering) L.M. Irvine community at two stations on the Slovenian coast of the northern Adriatic Sea was sampled monthly during 2002. The flora consisted of 18 species: seven Chlorophyceae, five Rhodophyceae, two Fucophyceae, and four Cyanobacteria. The diversity index indicated low community complexity at both stations (0.8 at station A and 0.5 at station B). The study also confirms the identification of the zonation of this community. A new sub-association of the upper mid-littoral zone Catenelletosum caespitosae, included in the Fucetum virsoidis Pignatti 1962 association, is described by the synecological method.