Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress, acute phase proteins and immune modulation in calves

Acute phase and inflammatory responses are triggered by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic stressors that come at a cost through suppressing the normal function of tissues and organs of domestic animals. Recently, with growing attention placed on global warming and animal welfare, there has been an increased interest in improving our understanding of the relationships between different classes of stress, the expression of acute phase proteins (APPs), the stress-related endocrine system and immunomodulation. Immune function is compromised by all forms of stress including poor nutrition, weaning, extreme thermal conditions, injury and infection in calves. Proinflammatory cytokines, APPs and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis as well as the composition of immune cells can all be characterised in culture supernatants and peripheral blood. APPs have been used as biomarkers for the stress status of ruminants both experimentally and in field studies. Therefore detailed studies of the mechanisms of action of these APPs and their interactions in ameliorating different stress responses are warranted. The focus of this review is on the aetiology of the responses in calves under severe stress and its impact on growth and immune status. Possible strategies to alleviate this condition including the role of specific feed additives are presented.
Macrobenthic density, biomass, and fauna of intertidal and subtidal sand in a Magdalen Islands lagoon, Gulf of St. Lawrence

A survey of intertidal and subtidal macrofauna (>0.5 mm) was made of a sandy bottom lagoon on the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence, in June 1975. Intertidal densities averaged 11 223.8 individuals∙m−2 and biomass 8.8 g∙m−2 while subtidal densities averaged 3398.1 individuals∙m−2 and the biomass 6.4 g∙m−2. Bivalves, polychaetes, gastropods, and crustacea constituted the bulk of the fauna. In the intertidal zone, the biomass was dominated by the bivalves, but in the subtidal region the polychaetes were the dominant group. Numbers and weights were highest in the lower half of the intertidal zone and lowest in its upper half and in deeper water. Compared with other intertidal and subtidal communities from the eastern coast of North America, species richness, density, and biomass in the study area were low. Estimates of productivity were roughly comparable with those reported from the coasts of Britain, Florida, Aldabra Atoll, and the northwest Mediterranean, but they were probably much smaller than thos.
Understanding the Molecular Basis of the Interaction between NDPK-A and AMPK α1

ABSTRACT Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) (nm23/awd) belongs to a multifunctional family of highly conserved proteins (∼16 to 20 kDa) including two well-characterized isoforms (NDPK-A and -B). NDPK catalyzes the conversion of nucleoside diphosphates to nucleoside triphosphates, regulates a diverse array of cellular events, and can act as a protein histidine kinase. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric protein complex that responds to the cellular energy status by switching off ATP-consuming pathways and switching on ATP-generating pathways when ATP is limiting. AMPK was first discovered as an activity that inhibited preparations of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1), a regulator of cellular fatty acid synthesis. We recently reported that NDPK-A (but not NDPK-B) selectively regulates the α1 isoform of AMPK independently of the AMP concentration such that the manipulation of NDPK-A nucleotide trans-phosphorylation activity to generate ATP enhanced the activity of AMPK. This regulation occurred irrespective of the surrounding ATP concentration, suggesting that “substrate channeling” was occurring with the shielding of NDPK-generated ATP from the surrounding medium. We speculated that AMPK α1 phosphorylated NDPK-A during their interaction, and here, we identify two residues on NDPK-A targeted by AMPK α1 in vivo. We find that NDPK-A S122 and S144 are phosphorylated by AMPK α1 and that the phosphorylation status of S122, but not S144, determines whether substrate channeling can occur. We report the cellular effects of the S122 mutation on ACC1 phosphorylation and demonstrate that the presence of E124 (absent in NDPK-B) is necessary and sufficient to permit both AMPK α1 binding and substrate channeling.
Sensory cues and receptors for oviposition by Heliothis virescens

When given a choice of cotton (host) and ground cherry (non host) in a close range situation, Heliothis virescens (F.), the tobacco budworm, depends primarily on contact chemoreception and mechanoreception, and not olfaction or vision, to discriminate between these two plant species for oviposition. Further, in the presence of a certain level of hairiness (the non‐host plant, ground cherry, has short capitate hairs), the females are capable of discriminating between these two plants based on contact chemosensory cues, if at least one pair of tarsi is intact. The contact chemosensilla on the ovipositor do not seem to be important for this purpose. These results are discussed in relation to the sensory cues and receptors for oviposition in other Lepidoptera, especially moths.
Analysis of phenolic acids and carbohydrates in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) plant

Protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were identified and quantified in bark, stem and leaf of the pigeon pea plant (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp). Glycerol, erythritol, threitol, arabinitol, xylitol, mannitol, galactitol, glucitol, myo-inositol, glucose, fructose and sucrose were the alditols, cyclitols and free sugars present in varying amounts in the three parts of the plant. Uronic acid, ash, Klason lignin and polysaccharides in the plant fractions were determined on the extractive-free dried materials. The stem and bark contained 40·1 and 39·2% of α-cellulose, respectively.
Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): Emerging molecular marker tools for improving agronomic traits in plant biotechnology

Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are providing in depth knowledge in plant biology, breeding and biotechnology. The emergence of many novel molecular marker techniques are changing and accelerating the process of producing mutations in plant molecular biology research. This coupled with the availability of cheap sequencing techniques and access to a complete genome sequence has been shown to complement traditional marker –based approaches. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) have provided an important source for the study of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in plants. SNP markers have become popular, partly because of their high density within the genome and also their ease with which they are characterized. This review also focuses on some methods used in genotyping SNPs.
Utility of a spatial habitat classification system as a surrogate of marine benthic community structure for the Australian margin

This study tests whether a continental-scale classification of Australian benthic habitats (termed “seascapes”) and the interpolated environmental data from which they are derived are useful as abiotic surrogates of biodiversity at a local [tens of kilometres, Great Australian Bight (GAB)] and regional scale [hundreds of kilometres, Western Australian (WA) margin]. Benthic invertebrate community structure is moderately associated with specific seascapes in both the GAB (R ¼ 0.418) and WA margin (excluding hard substrata, R ¼ 0.375; all substrata, R ¼ 0.313). Mud content, seafloor slope, and seafloor temperature are significantly correlated with invertebrate communities at both scales, with disturbance and primary production correlated with GAB communities. Seascapes are not consistently useful surrogates because the strength and significance of relationships between seascapes and community structure differs among seascapes, regions, and spatial scales. Nevertheless, a national system of seascapes is an appropriate surrogate for broad-scale benthic invertebrate community patterns when biological data are limited, provided the uncertainty is acknowledged and, where possible, an assessment made of each seascape’s ability to differentiate biological communities. Further refinement of seascape derivations may include updated and additional environmental data (particularly for hard vs. soft substrata) and validation among biological datasets from a range of habitats and scales.
Sodium Safens Saflufenacil Applied Postemergence to Corn (Zea mays)

Saflufenacil is a PRE herbicide for the control of broadleaf weeds. Field and growth room studies were conducted to explore the tolerance of corn to POST treatments of saflufenacil and BAS 781. Additionally, the potential use of sodium as a safener for saflufenacil was evaluated. Crop injury caused by saflufenacil or BAS 781 was 8 and 38%, respectively, when applied at twice the recommended dose at the spike to two-leaf stage of crop growth. This injury increased to 28 and 65%, respectively, when applied at the three- to four-leaf stage. This level of crop injury resulted in yield loss, particularly when applied at the three- to four-leaf stage. The addition of Na-bentazon to saflufenacil reduced this injury and increased crop dry weight under both field and laboratory conditions. In the field, Na-bentazon also increased corn collar height and yield compared with saflufenacil applied alone. Na-bentazon reduced injury through a reduction in foliar uptake of saflufenacil. Sodium derived from baking soda also provided a safening effect, but only at the lowest dose of saflufenacil tested. Nomenclature: BAS 781, saflufenacil plus dimethenamid-P; baking soda, NaHCO3; corn, Zea mays L.
Toxicity bioassays of cadmium on selected freshwater invertebrates and the interaction of cadmium and zinc on the freshwater shrimp, Paratya tasmaniensis Riek

In acute toxicity bioassays with cadmium sulphate at 15o C in soft water (total hardness 10 mg/l as calcium carbonate), the concentrations fatal to 50 % of the test animals were determined for five freshwater invertebrate species. The 96 hr median lethal concentration (LC50) of cadmium was 0.04 mg/l for the amphipod Austrochiltonia subtenuis Sayce, 0.06 mg/l for the shrimp Paratya tasmaniensis Riek, 0.84 mg/l for the ephemeropteran nymph Atalophlebia australis Walker, 250 mg/l for the zygopteran nymph Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister) and well over 2000 mg/l for a trichopteran larva of the Leptoceridae. The bioassays on Paratya indicared that there may be seasonal differences in sensitivity to cadmium. The 96 hr LC50 for zinc for Paratya was 1.21 mg/l. Zinc and cadmium appeared to interact less than additively at concentrations below 1 toxic unit. Above this concentration, their interaction was strictly additive.
Níveis séricos de enzimas de função hepática em frangos de corte de criação industrial clinicamente saudáveis

The values for the main hepatic enzymes included in the profiles of screen clinical biochemistry, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), lactate desidrogenase (LDH) and gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT), in samples of serum of broiler chickens in industrial system, clinically healthy, starting from the seventh day of life, until the slaughter (42 days) in weekly intervals were determined. Significant variations were not observed in the analyses in relation to the age of the birds for none of the appraised enzymes.
The Vast Majority of CLA+ T Cells Are Resident in Normal Skin1

There are T cells within normal, noninflamed skin that most likely conduct immunosurveillance and are implicated in the development of psoriasis. We isolated T cells from normal human skin using both established and novel methods. Skin resident T cells expressed high levels of CLA, CCR4, and CCR6, and a subset expressed CCR8 and CXCR6. Skin T cells had a remarkably diverse TCR repertoire and were mostly Th1 memory effector cells with smaller subsets of central memory, Th2, and functional T regulatory cells. We isolated a surprising number of nonexpanded T cells from normal skin. To validate this finding, we counted T cells in sections of normal skin and determined that there are ∼1 × 106 T cells/cm2 normal skin and an estimated 2 × 1010 T cells in the entire skin surface, nearly twice the number of T cells in the circulation. Moreover, we estimate that 98% of CLA+ effector memory T cells are resident in normal skin under resting conditions. These findings demonstrate that there is a large pool of memory T cells in normal skin that can initiate and perpetuate immune reactions in the absence of T cell recruitment from the blood.
PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF DNA C-VALUES PROVIDES EVIDENCE FOR A SMALL ANCESTRAL GENOME SIZE IN FLOWERING PLANTS

DNA C-value is a highly variable aspect of plant biodiversity whose origin and significance has often attracted general interest. Evaluation of the phylogenetic component of genome size variation is essential for a full explanation of its evolutionary significance but was previously prevented by insufficient data and lack of phylogenetic consensus. However, the recent development for the angiosperms of a DNA C-values database for 2802 species and a robust phylogenetic tree based on a three-gene DNA sequence matrix and 252 non-molecular characters allows meaningful new investigations of genome size in a phylogenetic context. Superimposing data from the former onto the latter shows that whereas all 15 higher order groups for which data are available contain species with small C-values, very large C-values occur in only two distantly related groups. At the lower taxonomic levels within these two groups similar trends were detected, with very large C-values restricted to species in the more derived families. The most parsimonious explanation for these observations is that ancestral angiosperms almost certainly had small genomes, and the possession of very large genomes represents a derived condition that has arisen independently at least twice. In contrast, gymnosperms (sister group to the angiosperms) are characterized by larger C-values than angiosperms. Thus within extant seed plants the possession of a small genome is a character unique to the angiosperms that was not only present in the ancestral species but has also been retained in most living taxa. © 1998 Annals of Botany Company
Endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene and protein expression in hyperoxia-induced lung injury in premature rat

AIM: In a preterm rat model of hyperoxia-induced lung injury, we studied the effect of prolonged (7 d) hyperoxia on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the lungs. METHODS: Preterm rats were delivered by hysterotomy at 21 d gestation and randomly divided into hyperoxia group and room-air control and continuous exposure to oxygen (oxygen >0.95) or room air during 7 d. The animals were sacrificed on d 7 of life with an overdose of intraperitoneal pentobarbital. The mRNA levels of the eNOS, iNOS were measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). eNOS and iNOS protein expression measured by Western blotting. In addition, lung wet/dry weight ratio, the protein and cellular content of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed. RESULTS: Compared to the room-air control, hyperoxia group developed severe lung damage. There were a significant increase in lung wet/dry weight ratio (5.57±0.29 vs 5.29±0.25, t=2.29, P<0.05) and the protein content (1.49 g/L vs 0.32 g/L, t=28, P<0.05) and cell count (139.70×10 7 /L vs 16.30×10 7 /L, t=21, P<0.05) in BAL. eNOS mRNA expression in the hyperoxia group were significantly elevated (1.02±0.06 vs 0.70±0.12, t=6.36, P<0.01). The mean iNOS mRNA expression also showed an increase in the hyperoxia group, although the difference was not statistically significant. This was associated with significantly higher pulmonary eNOS, iNOS protein expression (8.8±0.8 vs 4.5±1.0, t=8.14, P<0.01 and 4.6±0.6 vs 3.2±0.6, t=3.21, P<0.05) in the hyperoxia group. CONCLUSION: Hyperoxic exposure of preterm rat pups causes upregulation of NOS gene expression, which persists even in established oxygen-induced lung damage. Endogenous NOS may play an important role in the pathphysiology of pulmonary oxygen injury in premature animal.
Chemical characterization, antioxidant and antifungal activity of essential oil from Eucalyptus tereticornis

Eucalyptus tereticornis (red gum tree, family Myrtaceae), is extensively grown throughout India under various afforestation programmes, primarily for the supply of wood, timber. Unlike, other species of eucalypt known for the presence of volatile oil in their foliage, not much information is available regarding the volatile oils of E. tereticornis and their bioactivity. We extracted and characterized the essential oils from its mature (adult) leaves and determined its antioxidant and antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/GC-MS) analyses revealed that the oil, in general, was monoterpenoid in nature with 37 constituents. Among these, αpinene was the major component (~30%) followed by 1,8-cineole (~22%). We determined the antioxidant activity of the oil (25-200 µg/ml) in terms of free radical scavenging (as DPPH activity), and H 2O2 quenching. Further, the essential oil (0.5 – 10.0 ppm) exhibited a strong fungitoxicity against three phytopathogenic fungi viz. Fusarium oxysporum , Rhizoctonia solani and Heminthosporium oryzae . The antioxidant and fungitoxicity of the oil was compared to commercially used antioxidant (BHT) and fungicide mancozeb, respectively. The study concludes that essential oil from foliage of E. tereticornis possesses a strong antioxidant and antifungal activity worth exploitation.
Spatial dynamics and the evolution of social monogamy in mammals

Social monogamy is an uncommon mating system among mammalian species, and several hypotheses have been suggested to explain its evolution. It is generally thought that low local population densities and widely spaced female home ranges, particularly small home ranges, may facilitate social monogamy. We tested these expectations with a complete data set on local density, home range area, and body mass for 64 mammalian species, 22 of which were described as socially monogamous and 42 as not socially monogamous (socially polygynous or polygynandrous). Larger samples were examined separately for local density (84 species) and home range size (129 species). We found that with or without statistical adjustments for body size and phylogeny, socially monogamous and nonmonogamous species appeared similar in local density and home range area. Thus, we found no support for the idea that low population densities and wide dispersion of small home ranges have favored the evolution of social monogamy. Given support for different hypotheses in studies of different species, we suggest multiple causes of social monogamy among mammalian species. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
GROWTH RESPONSES OF EARLY MATURING INBRED LINES OF CORN TO SUBOPTIMAL TEMPERATURES

Considerable genetic variability was observed among 32 inbred lines of corn (Zea mays L.) for emergence percentage, emergence index (rate), and seedling dry weight when evaluated under controlled low temperature regimes. Emergence percentage ranged from 45 to 100%, emergence indices from 14.7 to 18.7 days, and seedling dry weights from 0.19 to 1.19 g/plant. Simple correlation coefficients indicated a significant (P = 0.05) and positive association between emergence percentage and emergence index (rate). Neither of the two emergence parameters were significantly associated with seedling dry weights. Twelve inbreds selected for field evaluation based upon their performance under controlled low temperature environments, expressed marked differences with respect to emergence percentage, seedling growth, time to silk, and grain yields. The two best inbred lines tested under both environments were CK76 and CO255. Although the emergence traits as determined under controlled environmental conditions were not sign.
Lone star tick abundance, fire, and bison grazing in tall-grass prairie

Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum L.) were collected by drag samples of 1 km transects on 12 watersheds at Konza Prairie Research Natural Area near Manhattan, Kans. , during summer 1995-1996. Watersheds were treated to 2 experimental treatments: 3 burn intervals (1-year, 4-year, and 20-year) and 2 grazing treatments (grazed by bison (Bos bison L.) or ungrazed). The objectives were to determine whether fire interval, time since most recent burn, and the presence of large ungulate grazers would cause changes in lone star tick abundance in tallgrass prairie in central Kansas. Watersheds burned at 1-year intervals had fewer larvae and adults than watersheds burned at 4-year or 20-year intervals. Watersheds burned during the year of sampling had fewer ticks than watersheds burned one or more years in the past. For watersheds burned 1 or more years in the past there was no effect from time since burn. The presence of bison did not affect tick abundance. Spring burning is an effective method to reduce tick populations in tallgrass prairie during the year of the burn.
The aerial invertebrate fauna of subantarctic Macquarie Island

The extent and diversity of invertebrate aerial dispersal both on remote islands and in polar regions has long been of interest to biogeographers. We therefore monitored the airborne dispersal of insects and other micro‐ and macroinvertebrates to and on Macquarie Island in order to assess (1) the magnitude and composition of local aerial dispersal activity by the island's invertebrate fauna, and (2) the potential for exotic arrival and establishment.
Selective harvesting of large mammals: how often does it result in directional selection?

Summary 1. Harvesting of large mammals is usually not random, and directional selection has been identified as the main cause of rapid evolution. However, selective harvesting in meat and recreational hunting cultures does not automatically imply directional selection for trait size. 2. Harvesting selectivity is more than a matter of hunter preference. Selection is influenced by management regulations, hunting methods, animal trait variance, behaviour and abundance. Most studies of hunter selection only report age- or sex-specific selection, or differences in trait size selection among hunting methods or groups of hunters, rather than trait size relative to the age-specific means required for directional selection. 3. Synthesis and applications. Managers aiming to avoid rapid evolution should not only consider directional selection and trophy hunting but also mitigate other important evolutionary forces such as harvesting intensity per se, and sexual selection processes that are affected by skewed sex ratios and age structures.