Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) at serine 118 by phospho-p44/42 MAPK and regulation by estrogen and progestrone in human uterine leiomyoma tissue and cells

PHOSPHORYLATION OF THE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR ALPHA (ERa) AT SERINE 118 BY PHOSPHO-P44/42 MAPK AND REGULATION BY ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE IN HUMAN UTERINE LEIOMYOMA TISSUES AND CELLS Tonia Lakisha Hermon Eastern Virginia Medical School, 2009 Director: Dr. Frank J. Castora It is thought that the growth of uterine leiomyomas may be mediated by the interaction of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) and growth factor pathways and that phosphorylation of ERa at serine 118 (ERa-phospho-Serl 18) is important in this interaction. In tissue, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the expression of ERa-phospho-Serl 18, phosphorylated p44/42 mitogenactivated protein kinase (phospho-p44/42 MAPK), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human leiomyoma and myometrial tissues during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. In vitro studies to assess proliferation of uterine leiomyoma (UtLM) and uterine smooth muscle (UtSMC) cells and expression of ERaphospho-Serl 18 and phospho-p44/42 MAPK were done using western blotting and a cell proliferation assay, respectively, after treatment with estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4), or with the clinical compounds, raloxifene and asoprosnil in the presence and absence of the MAPK inhibitor, PD98059. The tissue studies showed that tumors taken from the proliferative phase expressed significantly higher levels of ERa-phospho-Serl 18, phospho-p44/42 MAPK, and PCNA compared to patient-matched myometrial samples and had significantly higher ERa-phospho-Serl 18 and PCNA expression compared to secretory phase tumors. Also, enhanced colocalization and association of phosphop44/42 MAPK and ERa-phospho-Serl 18 were observed in proliferative phase tumors by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation, respectively. The in vitro studies showed that ERa-phospho-Serl 18 and phospho-p44/42 MAPK protein expression levels are increased in UtLM cells in a prolifeative phase versus secretory phase hormonal milieu and are reduced in UtLM cells after treatment with PD98059 in the proliferative phase. Also, the in vitro studies showed more interaction and co-expression of ERa-phosphoSerl 18 and phospho-p44/42 MAPK proteins in leiomyoma cells treated with proliferative versus secretory phase hormones. These in vitro studies demonstrated that in uterine leiomyoma cells phospho-p44/42 MAPK phosphorylates ERa at serine 118 and this phosphorylation is increased when leiomyoma cells are treated with the proliferative phase (E2 predominant) hormones. Increased proliferation and enhanced ERa-phosphoSerl 18 expression was observed in UtLM cells following treatment with E2. Also, the clinical compound raloxifene, but not asoprisnil was found to inhibit E2-induced leiomyoma cell growth in part by decreasing phosphorylation of ERa at serine 118.
Benthic processes and overlying fish assemblages drive the composition of benthic detritus on a central Pacific coral reef

While detrital material is recognized as an important food source on coral reefs, its role in reef food webs remains unclear. We quantified standing stock and input rates to the detrital resource pool in exposed forereef and protected backreef habitats of Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and measured the trophic structure of the overlying fish assemblage. While detrital standing stock was 1.6 times higher on the backreef than on the forereef, detrital input rates were 1.7 to 2.9 times higher on the forereef. Planktivores were the most abundant guild in the fore reef habitat, and stable isotope signatures of detritus reflected a greater input from pelagic sources (i.e. depleted in 13C). In contrast, herbivores and detritivores numerically dominated the backreef habitat and detrital stable isotope signatures appeared to be predominately of benthic origin (i.e. enriched in 13C). Through total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen analyses we found that benthic detritus may represent a significant nutritional source. Converting total nitrogen into maximum protein estimates, we found high benthic deposition of protein (104 to 124 mg m−2 d−1) and organic carbon (184 to 190 mg m−2 d−1), but very low standing stocks of these materials (protein: 5 to 6 mg m−2, organic carbon: 46 to 63 mg m−2). While high water flow rates may explain low standing stocks of detritus in forereef habitats, the lower flow rates in backreef habitats suggest that removal of this material is via consumption by abundant roving detritivorous fishes. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that reef fish detritivory represents a significant consumer-mediated energy pathway, promoting nutrient recycling by linking many elements of a complex food web.
Combining ability analysis for drought tolerance in rice (O. sativa L.) under reproductive stage

An investigation in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) was carried out to study the nature of gene action governing drought tolerant and yield contributing traits under reproductive stage drought stress. Nine genotypes from varied sources including land races, pre-release cultures, drought tolerant varieties and tropical japonica types were crosses in diallel analysis. The results indicated that predominant role of dominance gene action for all the drought tolerant traits except leaf drying and all the yield contributing traits except days to 50% flowering and plant height. Additive gene action was predominant for plant height, while both additive and dominance gene actions were equal in magnitude for days to 50% flowering and leaf drying. The parents viz., CT 9993, Moroberekan, Nootripathu, Kallurundaikar, PMK 2 and Norungan are found to be promising in producing superior segregants for physiological and morphological mechanisms of drought tolerance along with grain yield. The hybrids Nootripathu / Moroberekan, Nootripathu / CT 9993, MDU 5 / Moroberekan, CPMB ACM 04001 / Moroberekan, CPMB ACM 04001 / CT 9993 and PMK 2 / Kallurundaikar could be recommended for recombination breeding to get useful segregants for yield and drought tolerance. Based on per se , sca effects and standard heterosis, the hybrids MDU 5 / CT 9993, Nootripathu / Moroberekan, Kallurundaikar / Moroberekan, Kallurundaikar / CT 9993, PMK 2 / Moroberekan and Norungan / Nootripathu are ideal for heterosis breeding.
Culture Conditions for the Production of Cellulase from Novel Fungus Gliomastix indicus

Gliomastix indicus MTCC 3869, a novel fungus, isolated from wasteland soil sample and has never been exploited for production of industrial enzyme. Therefore in the present study, we have exploited the potential of G. indicus for cellulase production and optimize the physiochemical and nutritional parameters to maximize the cellulase production from the G. indicus under submerged fermentation conditions. The culture medium A was found to produce maximum cellulase activity (20.6 U/ml) among the four (A,B,C,D) tested media. The suitable temperature and pH of the production medium was found to be 30°C and 7.0 respectively. Among the various carbon tested, rice bran (1%) was proved to be the best carbon source. Among organic nitrogen sources, malt extract yielded maximum enzyme production whereas, inorganic nitrogenous sources did not support enzyme production. The metal ions such as Ca+2 increased the enzyme production. The crude cellulase was found to be optimally active at pH 6.0, exhibiting pH stability at pH 6.0 for 60 min. The optimum temperature for cellulase was found to be 30°C retaining 90% activity for 60 min. Among the additives, CaCl2 had stimulating effect on cellulase activity while heavy metals were inhibitory. Tween-80, TritonX-100, β-mercaptoethanol, SDS and EDTA increased the enzyme activity whereas Tween-20 had inhibitory effect.
Fungi of Europe: Investigation, Recording and Conservation

Covering the Proceedings of the XI Congress of European Mycologists held at Kew in 1992, Fungi of Europe covers European ecosystems, conservation and management, mapping and pollution, and contains a Red List of the 278 endangered European macrofungi. Liberally illustrated throughout with distribution maps, tables and charts.
Differential competitive and allelopathic ability of Cyperus rotundus on Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum melongena and Capsicum annuum

ABSTRACT A 2-year greenhouse and laboratory study was conducted to investigate the competition and allelopathy between Cyperus rotundus L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. , S. melongena L. and Capsicum annuum L. All crops showed low ability to withstand competition of C. rotundus and this was the reason for the reduction of their total fruit number and fruit yield by 81%–94% and 86%–96%, respectively. The aqueous extracts from C. rotundus plant parts decreased the seed germination and root length of all vegetable cultivars, indicating supplementary allelopathic activity of C. rotundus on all vegetables. The low correlation coefficient between the total fruit yield of the cultivars grown under weed-free conditions and total fruit-yield reduction due to C. rotundus interference indicates clearly that the yielding ability of the cultivars is not related with their tolerance to C. rotundus interference.
Annual production and respiration in ant populations

By using values of respiratory metabolism from studies on energy flow through ant populations and supplementary data it is shown that the metabolism of single worker ants at 20'C is similar to those reported for other invertebrates. The current opinion up to now that ant populations, having exceptionally high maintenance costs, act as an energy drainage in ecosystems is questioned. On the contrary, it is made probable that values of annual production and respiration of ant populations fit the McNeill and Lawton equation relating these variables for poikilothermic animal populations. Finally, a strategy for estimating annual production by means of total population metabolism is proposed.
Effect of Different Organic Sources on the Productivity of Upland Terraced Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Organic Farming in Nagaland

A field experiment was carried out in the experimental research farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University during April to September, 2008 to study the Influence of organic sources of nutrients in enhancing productivity of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.). The treatments were vermicompost @ 3 t ha−1, Farmyard manure (FYM) @ 12 t ha−1, Vegetable sea weed manure (VSWM) @ 25 kg ha−1 + FYM @ 2 t ha−1, Azospirillum + FYM @ 9 t ha−1, Bio-activated algal sea weed manure (BASWM) @ 25 kg ha−1 + FYM @ 2 t ha−1, Azospirillum + Vermicompost @ 2.25 t ha−1 and control replicated thrice laid out in Randomized Block Design. The investigation revealed that application of Azospirillum + FYM @ 9 t ha−1 recorded Maximum (489.1 g, 146, 275) dry weight m−2, number of panicles m−2 and grains panicle−1 contributing to highest (28.17 and 56.27 q ha−1, respectively) grain and straw yield. Similarly, the same treatment also yielded highest (34.93, 29.26 and 188.2 kg ha−1, respectively) N uptake by grain and straw as well as available nitrogen
Histomorphogical studies on ovaries of Punjab white Quail

The present study was conducted on the ovaries of six Punjab white quails. The study revealed that left ovary is functional gonad and was composed of outer cortex and inner vascular medulla. The ovarian follicles were divided into primary, secondary, tertiary, atretic and post ovulatory stages. In all the stages of development the oocytes occupied entire follicles leaving no antrum. The primary follicles were seen just below tunica albugenia and were smallest and consisted of a single layer of flattened granulosa cells around the oocytes. The secondary follicles were slightly larger than primary follicles. The mature follicular wall was composed of stratum granulosum, theca interna, theca extern a, loose connective tissue and superficial epithelium from inside to outside. Theca externa was the thickest layer and made up of dense connective tissue. Nerve fibers were observed through out theca interna and externa of the ovarian follicles which may be responsible for ovulation. Medulla was composed of numerous contorted arterial branches, veins, lymph vessels, nerve bundles and smooth muscle. The ovarian morphology of quails was similar to other birds.
Behavioral responses (time budgets) of bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae for three cotton cultivars

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of three cultivars, varying in resistance, on the behavior of first-, third-, and fifth-instar larvae of Heliothis zea (Boddie) using time budgets. Behavioral observations of individual larvae were made at 10-min intervals for 10 h (time budgets). Third- and fifth-instar larvae were observed feeding more frequently than resting on the glandless isoline of ‘Stoneville-213’ and on ‘TAMCOT CAMD-E. ’ All three larval instars tended to feed more frequently on squares than on other plant parts of all three cultivars. The next most frequent feeding site was the terminal (position of placement) for first instars and the bloom for third and fifth instars. Boll feeding was greatest among fifth instars. Antixenosisin CAMD-E was expressed as decreased feeding of first instars on terminals and of fifth instars on bolls. Distinct differences in frequency of feeding on squares, blooms, and bolls were found among the cultivars. More larvae were observed dropping off CAMD-E plants than off glandless plants. Observations of larval behavior using time budgets could be a useful method in screening cotton germplasm for resistant genotypes.
EFFECT OF DAILY HERBAGE ALLOWANCE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SPRING-CALVING DAIRY COWS

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily herbage allowance (DHA) and the performance of dairy cows. Forty-eight multi-parous spring-calving (mean date, 19 February) Friesian cows were divided into three equal groups and assigned to one of three levels of DHA (above a cutting height of 35 mm) of 16 (L), 20 (M) and 24 (H) kg dry matter per head from May to August, 1995. The daily allowances were equivalent to 14.5, 18.1 and 21.9 kg organic matter (OM) per head. The cows grazed to sward heights (mm) of 44, 55 and 65 (s.e. 0.6) and residual herbage masses (above 35 mm) of 276, 404 and 509 kg OM/ha (s.e. 14.2) for L, M and H DHA, respectively. Pastures were mechanically topped post-grazing. Cows consumed 13.5, 14.6 and 15.1 kg OM (s.e. 0.30) at L, M and H DHA, respectively. Mean daily milk production of the cows grazing at L, M and H DHA was 20.8, 223 and 23.0 kg (s.e. 0.31), respectively, and the corresponding milk protein concentrations were 32.4, 32.8 and 33.6 g/kg (s.e. 0.25). Daily milk yield could be predicted from pre-experimental yield and DHA according to the following model: y = A + 0.66 (s.e. 0.052) x pre-experimental milk yield + 0.304 (s.e. 0.0410) X DHA (r.s.d. 1.68; R 2 0.74), where A = 2.04, 0.62, -2.88 and -3.12 as the intercepts for May, June, July and August, respectively. The results indicate that good individual cow and herd production levels can be achieved from high quality herbage without concentrate supplement during the summer at a daily allowance of 24 kg herbage dry matter above 35 mm.
Comparative studies on pollen loads and pollen constancy of Apis mellifera L. and Apis cerana indica F. on rapeseed

Comparative studies on the pollen loads of Apis mellifera L. and Apis cerana indica F. were undertaken on rapeseed, Brassica campestris var. sarson during 1990–91 rabi season. A. mellifera bees on an average carried heavier pollen load (13.28 ± 0.783 mg) than A. c. indica (11.33 ± 0.718 mg). However, the pollen loads of the two species did not differ significantly. The pollen loads carried by A. mellifera and A.c. indica at 0900, 1200 and 1500 h of the day were also not significantly different. A. mellifera bees carried maximum average pollen load at 1200 h, whereas A.c. indica bees carried maximum average pollen load at 0900 h. Both the species carried minimum average pollen loads at 1500 h. The pollen loads of both the species differed according to the time of the day and on different days. Both the species showed almost alike pollen constancy to the rapeseed crop.
A Functional Study of the Major Histocompatibility Class I Antigen Presentation Pathway in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I receptors are glycoproteins which play a critical role in anti-viral immunity by displaying foreign peptides to cytotoxic T cell lymphocytes. The loading of high affinity peptides into the MHC class I receptor in mammals is coordinated by a multiple proteins that are collectively referred to as the peptide loading complex (PLC). To date, the composition of the peptide loading complex in fish is unknown and therefore the characterization of the molecules which may exist in this putative complex was pursued. This thesis includes the cloning and functional characterization of ERp57 and calnexin in rainbow trout which, in mammals, are known to interact with the MHC class I receptor either during its early biogenesis or later in the assembly of the PLC. Trout ERp57 and calnexin cDNA sequences are ubiquitously expressed in trout tissues and both the ERp57 and calnexin genes appear in at least two copies each in the trout genome. Interestingly, despite their high sequence identity with their mammalian homologues, some structural discrepancies were identified. ERp57 does not contain an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal or a nuclear localization signal, while one of the two isolated cDNA clones for calnexin does not contain an ER (endoplasmic reticulum) retention signal and lacks a conserved C-terminal serine phosphorylation site. These findings suggest that in trout, there may be unique versions of these proteins that have acquired different cellular functions. Through the production of polyclonal antibodies against trout ERp57, the conserved protein induction of ERp57 during ER stress was demonstrated concurrently with calnexin. In addition, this study shows for the first time that ERp57 can be induced transcriptionally by phytohemagglutinin and synthetic double stranded RNA, which implies its possible regulatory role during viral infection and the activation of the immune response. Furthermore, the functional characterization of the MHC class I specific chaperone tapasin, a key element in the PLC of mammals was pursued. Tissue and cell line distribution revealed that tapasin is expressed in high levels in immune system organs and in the rainbow trout macrophage cell line RTS11, at a relative molecular weight of 48 kDa with an additional 20 kDa band detected by the tapasin antibody. Tapasin protein was significantly up regulated upon exposure to synthetic double stranded RNA and during infection with two fish viruses: chum salmon virus and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus genotype IVa, whereas the expression of the 20 kDa band was not affected by these stimuli. This study also examined the regulation of the MH class I heavy chain, β2 microglobulin and their associated machinery upon exposure to viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
A spatial stochastic programming model for timber and core area management under risk of fires

Previous stochastic models in harvest scheduling seldom address explicit spatial management concerns under the influence of natural disturbances. We employ multistage stochastic programming models to explore the challenges and advantages of building spatial optimization models that account for the influences of random stand-replacing fires. Our exploratory test models simultaneously consider timber harvest and mature forest core area objectives. Random fire samples are built into the model, creating a sample average approximation (SAA) formulation of our stochastic programming problem. Each model run reports first-period harvesting decisions along with recourse decisions for subsequent time periods reflecting the influence of stochastic fires. In each test, we solve 30 independent, identically distributed (i.i.d.) replicate models and calculate the persistence of period one solutions. Harvest decisions with the highest persistence are selected as the solution for each stand in a given test case. We explore various sample sizes in our SAA models. Monte Carlo simulations of these solutions are then run by fixing first-period solutions and solving new i.i. d. replicates. Multiple comparison tests identify the best first-period solution. Results indicate that integrating the occurrence of stand-replacing fire into forest harvest scheduling models can improve the quality of long-term spatially explicit forest plans.
Identifying island safe havens to prevent the extinction of the World’s largest lizard from global warming

Abstract The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an endangered, island‐endemic species with a naturally restricted distribution. Despite this, no previous studies have attempted to predict the effects of climate change on this iconic species. We used extensive Komodo dragon monitoring data, climate, and sea‐level change projections to build spatially explicit demographic models for the Komodo dragon. These models project the species’ future range and abundance under multiple climate change scenarios. We ran over one million model simulations with varying model parameters, enabling us to incorporate uncertainty introduced from three main sources: (a) structure of global climate models, (b) choice of greenhouse gas emission trajectories, and (c) estimates of Komodo dragon demographic parameters. Our models predict a reduction in range‐wide Komodo dragon habitat of 8%–87% by 2050, leading to a decrease in habitat patch occupancy of 25%–97% and declines of 27%–99% in abundance across the species' range. We show that the risk of extirpation on the two largest protected islands in Komodo National Park (Rinca and Komodo) was lower than other island populations, providing important safe havens for Komodo dragons under global warming. Given the severity and rate of the predicted changes to Komodo dragon habitat patch occupancy (a proxy for area of occupancy) and abundance, urgent conservation actions are required to avoid risk of extinction. These should, as a priority, be focused on managing habitat on the islands of Komodo and Rinca, reflecting these islands’ status as important refuges for the species in a warming world. Variability in our model projections highlights the importance of accounting for uncertainties in demographic and environmental parameters, structural assumptions of global climate models, and greenhouse gas emission scenarios when simulating species metapopulation dynamics under climate change.