Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Etude du comportement de Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (moabi) dans les trouées d'abattage enrichies

The moabi (Baillonella toxisperma Pierre) is a commercial tree in central Africa. Although forest gaps are generally considered as favorable to the regeneration of this species, in this study, a preliminary inventory conducted within a selective exploitation located in the Dja district, southeastern Cameroon, found a low density of 12.7 seedlings.ha-1 within logging gaps. This suggests that the species was in fact poorly represented in logging gaps. In order to further study the behavior of the moabi in logging gaps, 795 seeds were planted in 15 logging gaps and 410 saplings from a tree nursery were introduced in 15 other gaps. A biannual monitoring spanning a period of 30 months showed a 75.9% survival rate for seedlings and 95.5% for saplings. Despite our observation of a significant difference in growth rates between both methods during the first semester, after 30 months of monitoring, seedlings and saplings had reached similar growth rates (167.5 cm and 160.6 cm for seedlings and saplings, respectively). On average, 6.1% of B. toxisperma saplings emerged naturally from the competitive vegetation and had a higher growth rate than other plants species. Growth differences between plants were mainly explained by the geographical orientation of the logging gap (N-S unfavorable) and the density of Macaranga spp. whose abundance inhibits the development of B. toxisperma. In conclusion, both the high survival rate of B. toxisperma in logging gap and its 10 fold higher growth rate in the latter environment when compared to canopy cover suggest the implementation of forestry methods using logging gap during reforesting operations.
Nitrogen Fixation in the Phyllosphere of the Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga douglasii

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria have been isolated from the leaf surfaces of the Douglas Fir. 15N tracer studies have shown that these bacteria fix nitrogen in culture and in the field on the trees. A considerable proportion of the annual requirement for nitrogen by Douglas Fir may be provided by nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the leaves and in the soil.
A Parallel Study of Pigment Bleaching and Cytochrome Breakdown during Aging of Thylakoid Membranes

Aging of freshly isolated thylakoid membranes from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.) leads to dramatic alterations in both the cytochrome (£559 (HP) andy") composition and pigment (chlorophylls a and b and /J-carotene) content. These changes occur at a faster rate under anaerobic conditions or after heating thylakoid membranes, and in light as well as in darkness. In addition, when thylakoid membranes are heated at 78°C for 8 min, or incubated in the presence of an emulsion of linoleic acid, a huge decrease in both cytochrome (particularly cyt. £559 (HP)) and pigment contents occur. Whatever the experimental conditions, cytochrome 4559 ( H p) destruction occurs as soon the aging process starts. Conversely, pigment bleaching is detectable after an initial lag phase of about 60-70 min. Then, the two processes (cytochrome breakdown and bleaching of pigments) appear to take place in parallel. The addition of salicylhydroxamic acid or 8-hydroxy-quinoline, two radical scavenger components, to the aging medium strongly reduces the rate and extent of cytochrome breakdown and pigment bleaching. On the basis of these results, a tentative scheme accounting for the bleaching of pigments and the breakdown of cytochromes during aging in vitro of thylakoid membranes is proposed. It is suggested that these changes are mediated via a non-enzymatic mechanism in which free radicals could be implicated. The possible role of free radicals inducing ultrastructural changes at the level of chloroplast membranes in senescent leaves is also considered.
PREDICTION OF LACTATION MILK YIELD USING VARIOUS MILK RECORDING METHODS

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various milk recording methods (A4, AT4, A6, AT6) on prediction accuracy of 100, 200 and 305-day milk yield. The data used in this study were 11,430 individual test-day milk yield records collected from November 2004 to November 2006 on 813 cows reared on 15 family farms in Croatia. Milk recording was performed according to A4 and A6 milk recording method by the field officer of the Croatian Livestock Centre. From the corrected database with test-day records, two different datasets were created. The first dataset (A4; n = 7,500) included test day records collected every four weeks, while the second dataset (A6; n = 3,830) included test day records collected every six weeks. When lactation milk yields were predicted from alternative milk recording methods (AT4, AT6), daily (24 h) milk yield was estimated from single evening or morning milk yield using linear model that taken into account effect of interval between successive milkings. Lactation milk yield was calculated for three different days in milk (100, 200 and 305 days) using the Test Interval Method (TIM) that is reference method by ICAR (ICAR, 2003). Results show that the alternate milk recording method at 4-week intervals provides low bias and high accuracy of prediction of 100, 200 and 305-milk yields, while milk recording methods at 6-week intervals gives prediction of 305-milk yield with higher bias and lower accuracy.
The potential use of a Gadget model to predict stock responses to climate change in combination with Bayesian networks: the case of Bay of Biscay anchovy

Andonegi, E. , Fernandes, J. A. , Quincoces, I. , Irigoien, X. , Uriarte, A. , Perez, A. , Howell, D. , and Stefansson, G. 2011. The potential use of a Gadget model to predict stock responses to climate change in combination with Bayesian networks: the case of Bay of Biscay anchovy. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1257–1269.The European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) is a short-lived pelagic species distributed in Atlantic European waters, with the Bay of Biscay being one of the main centres of abundance. Because it is a short-lived species, the state of the stock is determined largely by incoming recruitment. Recruitment is highly variable and depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the spawning stock and environmental conditions in the area. The use of a coupled model that could serve to predict the evolution of the anchovy stock in the short, medium, and long term under several fishing-pressure scenarios and given climate scenarios is demonstrated. This coupled model consists of a Gadget (Globally Applicable Disaggregated General Ecosystem Toolbox) model that was used to analyse the status of the Bay of Biscay anchovy population and to simulate future scenarios based on the estimated recruitment levels, combined with a probabilistic Bayesian network model for recruitment estimation based on machine-learning methods and using climatic indices as potential forecasting factors. The results indicate that certain combinations of medium to high fishing pressure and adverse environmental conditions could force the stock outside its biological reference boundaries.
Critical Incident Stress of Rescue Workers after the Great East Japan Earthquake : With Examining Local Firefighters, Special Rescue Team and Rescue Divers of Japan Coast Guard

The purpose of this study was to reveal the general prevalence of PTSD symptoms among rescue workers for two time points: just after the traumatic operation after the Great East Japan Earthquake (Time 1) and seven months or one year after the earthquake (Time 2). We also aimed to examine the effect of the casual conversation about the critical incident on PTSD symptoms and mental condition of rescue workers. The participants were 5 rescue divers and 16 Special Rescue Team (SRT) of Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and 52 local firefighters of disaster area. They answered the questionnaire from November 2011 to March 2012 at voluntary basis. Traumatic stress responses were assessed for two time points (Time 1 and Time 2) with Japanese version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-J, Asukai et al., 2002). The participants answered Time 1 as past reaction, and Time 2 as the current condition. The results revealed that 28.8 % of firefighters, 6.3 % of SRT and 20% of rescue divers were categorized as high risk of PTSD at Time 1, and 13.5 % of firefighters were categorized as high risk at Time 2 and all SRT and rescue divers of JCG were categorized as low risk at Time 2. The results of this study presented that the conversation about the trauma had no effect on PTSD symptoms and mental condition. However, the conversation about the critical incident would work to improve PTSD symptoms and mental condition since it seems to play a key role at the point in the past when people are sharing the experience.
Plasticity of airway smooth muscle phenotype in airway remodeling

Isolated smooth muscle cells in culture do not immediately start dividing, even in a medium containing all nutrients required. Before entering the cell cycle, the cells first accomodate their phenotype to their new environment. They lose their contractile properties and modulate to a proliferative and synthetic phenotype, characterised by decreased contractile protein and M3 receptor expression, but enhanced expression of PKC and synthetic organelles [1;2]. This process of phenotypic modulation has been postulated to occur in vivo during periods of airway inflammation, in view of the increased airway smooth mucle (ASM) mass seen asthmatics which is partly due to an increase in cell number [3]. A central role for phenotypic modulation in smooth muscle growth is also acknowledged in vascular remodeling. In atherosclerotic lesions, neointima formation is accompanied by modulation of smooth muscle cell phenotype to favour conditions of growth and extracellular matrix deposition. Zie: Chapter 11
Electric signals regulated immunomodulation and wound healing

Endogenous electric fields (EFs) are present during a variety of physiologic and pathologic events, including penetrating injury to epithelial barriers. An applied electric field with strength within the physiologic range can induce directional cell migration of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells suggesting a potential role in controlling cell behaviours during wound healing. Dendritic cells (DCs) and dermal fibroblasts were used to explore the molecular mechanisms underlie EF-induced cell activities during two aspects of wound healing: immune response and remodelling. In this study, we investigated the effects of applied EFs on several types of DCs in response to IL18. DC progenitor cells KG-1 shows dose dependently response to EFs stimulation to increase IFN-γ expression. Moreover, the migration of KG-1-derived DCs and Langerhans cells (LCs) in mouse skin showed increased response to IL18 with directional migration when exposed to EFs in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, the in vivo investigation suggested that pharmacologically increased trans-epithelial potential difference (TEPD) induced LCs to emigrate from skin to draining lymph node. The sensitization of DCs to IL18 can be strengthened by EFs through redistribution of IL18 receptors and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. We also comparatively studied the responses of human chronic wound fibroblast (CWF) and chronic matched fibroblast (CMF) to applied EFs with addition of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). The results indicate that 1) EFs induce human dermal fibroblast directional migration in a voltage dependent manner. 2) CWF shows impaired sensitivity in response to EFs compared to CMF and HF. 3) Activation of PDGFR and PI3K are both required for EF-induced directional migration. 4) PDGF attenuates EF-induced migration directedness through PDGFR-ROCK other than PI3K pathway. 5) Optimised concentration of PDGF plus physiological EFs enhance chronic wound healing. We propose that the EF-induced re-distribution of the receptors on the cell surface results in a shift of membrane receptors between the cathode-facing and the anode-facing membrane of the cell. There would be a higher probability to overcome the threshold of signal transduction at the higher density receptor side. The downstream IV signalling cascade therefore can be ignited. Understanding the signalling pathways underlying guidance cues (EFs, cytokines, chemokines) will help to optimise future therapies for immunomodulation, vaccination, wound healing and regeneration.
Feeding fermented soybean meal diet supplemented with taurine to yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata affects growth performance and lipid digestion

Feeding experiment was conducted to determine whether fermentation and taurine supplementation of soybean meal (SBM) fed to yellowtail improve growth performance and lipid digestion. Six diets were formulated and designated as SBM, SBM supplemented with taurine (SBM + T), SBM fermented by Bacillus spp. (FSBM1), SBM fermented by Lactobacillus spp. (FSBM2), FSBM2 supplemented with taurine (FSBM2 + T), and fish meal (FM). Yellowtail fingerlings with an initial body weight of 42 g were stocked in 200-L tanks. The fish were fed, each diet was fed twice daily in two separate tanks for 8 weeks. Results showed that lipid digestibility of the SBM diet was significantly lower than that of the FM diet, but SBM diet lipid digestibility was improved by taurine supplementation and fermentation. Lipase activity in anterior intestinal digesta, lipid contents in liver and muscle, and bile acid concentrations in gallbladder and anterior intestinal digesta were significantly lower in fish fed SBM diet than in fish fed FM diet; these parameters were not significantly different between fish fed SBM + T, FSBM2, FSBM2 + T diets and FM diet. Although taurine supplementation or fermentation improved lipid digestibility compared with FM diet, growth parameters were only improved in the fish fed FSBM2 + T diet, indicating that apart from a lack of taurine, SBM contains other factors responsible for inferior growth of yellowtail. These factors can be partially eliminated by Lactobacillus spp. fermentation.
Zusammensetzung der oberflächlichen Gesäßmuskulatur in vergleichend‐anatomischer Betrachtung 1

Durch Auffaserung unter dem Stereomikroskop konnte festgestellt wcrden, daß der vom N. rectalis caud. abzweigende Muskelast für den ≪Wirbelkopf≫ des M. semimembranosus in Wirklichkeit vom N. cutaneus femoris caud. kommt und in der Bahn der Nn. pudendus und rectalis caud. sowie innerhalb der Verbindungen der zuletzt genannten 3 Nerven bis zu seinem Versorgungsgebiet zieht. Damit gehört der ≪Wirbelkopf≫ zum Versorgungsgebiet des N. glutaeus caud. , dessen Hautast der N. cutaneus femoris caud. ist. Hierdurch ist der ≪Wirbelkopf≫ ein Teil des M. glutaeus supf. , während nur der ≪Beckenkopf≫xg75 der M. semimembranosus ist.
A continental comparison indicates long-term effects of forest management on understory diversity in coniferous forests11This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.

Promotion of species diversity has become a major goal in forestry. This requires an understanding of the impacts of management disturbance on species diversity relative to natural drivers such as climatic or edaphic conditions on the relevant temporal scales, i.e., centuries. We examined the effects of long-term management disturbance on understory plant diversity in coniferous forests by comparing structure types (ages since disturbance) between regions with comparable abiotic settings but contrasting management history, i.e., management for centuries in central Europe versus the first logging in primary forests in western Canada. We systematically sampled three age classes after disturbance and compared their alpha diversity and species composition. The structure types (age classes) showed similar differences in alpha diversity in both landscapes, while the response of species compositions differed between the two. Fewer late-successional specialists occurred in the European landscape. Within the setti.
Distribution of Breakpoints on Chromatid-type Aberration Induced by Three Different Radiations, in Relation to Fragile Sites

Based on experimental evidence using human blood samples we able to suggest that 'common fragile sites' can be targets for different radiation sources. For that we used peripheral blood samples from three healthy adult donors and exposed them to 60 Co γ-rays (2, 4 Gy) or neutrons (0.8, 2 Gy) at the G 2 stage. In another set, normal bone marrow cells from 19 adult donors were also exposed to 60 Co γ-rays, tritiated water β-rays, and 252 Cf neutrons and sampled 24 hr later. Chromatid breakpoint sites were identified using Wright's stain G-banding. Analyses of 912 breakpoint sites detected in lymphocytes and 545 breakpoint sites detected in bone marrow cells were within the same bands as 113 reported: (1) 41% - 52% of chromatid breakage sites had a chromosome band of "relative fragile sites" in both bone marrow cells and lymphocytes; (2) the breakage sites induced by different radiation sources were distributed in a similar pattern; (3) significantly higher numbers of breakpoint sites were found at 4q31, 2q35, 3p21, 5q31, 1q32, 2q31, 15q24 and 13q22 in lymphocytes, and at 3p21, 14q24, 17p13, 1q42, 7q22 and 9p11/q11 in bone marrow cells; (4) distribution of breakage sites was similar between lymphocytes and bone marrow cells except for certain breakpoints. Present study also revealed that a B-cell line established from lymphocytes with a history of 60 Co γ-ray irradiation had more chromosome breakpoints at telomere regions than no-irradiated cell line, which indicating telomere protein might be associated with radiation-induced chromosome instability. This study provides information that will be useful for increasing our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie radiationinduced chromosome aberrations and will aid in assessing genetic and cancer risks in radiation-exposed human populations.
Pharmacological Studies of Mentha longifolia Phenolic Extracts. II. Hepatoprotective Activity

The effects of Mentha longifolia crude ethanolic extract (F 1), rich in luteolin glycosides (F 2), apigenin glycosides (F 3) and phenolic acids (F 4), were studied on CCl 4 -induced liver injury in mice. Administration of CCl 4 -induced significant impairment in hepatic antioxidant status, decreasing the glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity, and stimulating lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with Mentha longifolia extracts significantly improved hepatic antioxidant status in mice, which was most pronounced in the reduction of CCl 4 -mediated lipid peroxidation. In addition, in pretreated animals, an increase in hepatic glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, as well as a decrease of cytochrome P450, was found.
Avaliação do farelo de algodão na alimentação de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho dos alevinos de tilápia do Nilo submetidas a diferentes níveis de inclusão do farelo de algodão (FA) (00; 20; 40; 60 e 80%) com correção de fibra e aminoácidos. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Aquicultura da Universidade Estadual de Maringá, utilizando-se 250 alevinos, com peso médio inicial de 0,35 ± 0,07g, comprimento inicial médio de 2,95 ± 0,20cm e idade aproximada de 35 dias, distribuídos em 25 tanques de 250L, num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram ganhas de peso (GP), conversão alimentar (CA), taxa de eficiência protéica (TEP), sobrevivência (SO), índice hepato-somático (IHS), fator de condição (FC), percentagem de proteína na carcaça (PC) e percentagem de gordura na carcaça (GC). O GP e a TEP apresentaram redução linear na medida em que o FA foi incluído nas rações, porém não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os com 20 e 40% de inclusão. A CA e o IHS apresentaram aumento linear, e também não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os com 20 e 40% de inclusão. A SO, MS, PC, GC e FC não apresentaram diferenças (P>0,05) significativas entre os diferentes tratamentos. Conclui-se que quando a dieta é suplementada com aminoácidos sintéticos é possível utilizar até 40% de inclusão de FA sem alterar de forma significativa o desempenho dos animais nesta fase de desenvolvimento.
Investigation of different levels of RDP in the rations of lactating cows and their effects on MUN, BUN and urinary N excretion

Abstract Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows in the late stages of their lactation period were used in complete randomized design to investigate the effect of rumen degradable protein on milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and some blood metabolites. Experimental periods were 6 weeks in length, with days 1 to 14 used for adjustment and weeks 3 to week 6 used for sampling (urine, blood, and milk). Three concentrations of a rumen-degradable protein (RDP) supplement according to National Research Council recommendations (9.3, 11.4, and 14% of dry matter intake) were treatments. Dietary RDP content altered both total urinary N and urinary N concentration, leading to increased urinary output. Estimations for microbial protein yield were compared with the measured excretion of purine derivative as yeast RNA equivalent, in urine. No significant effect of concentration of RDP supplement was detected on microbial N production. Plasma cholesterol concentration decreased linearity by increasing RDP concentration in diets (P0.05). In this regard, milk urea nitrogen, as well as triglyceride concentration in plasma, was not associated with dietary RDP concentration. To ensure a correct balance between energy and protein available in the rumen and consequently higher N efficiency for late lactation cows, a MUN content of 15.1mg/dl milk is the upper margin. Milk urea N is a simple and noninvasive measurement that can be used to monitor N efficiency in dairy cows.
Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in the Development and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Abstract : Studies to evaluate the interaction of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 (WIN2) and ionizing radiation have led to preliminary results implicating a novel site of action of WIN2 in the MCF-7 breast cancer model. In previous reports, WIN2 was found to stereoselectively inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent but cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanism. Experiments described in this report evaluated antiproliferative mechanisms of WIN2 treatment both alone and in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). Evaluation of autophagy, apoptosis and necrotic mechanism failed to indicate that WIN2 promoted death of the tumor cells. Autophagy was induced both for radiation alone, WIN2 alone and WIN2 + radiation, but did not appear to be involved in the antiproliferative mechanisms of either treatment. Senescence, quantified by β-galactosidase staining, and DNA damage, quantified by γH2AX formation, confirmed that radiation treatment induced senescent growth arrest both alone and in combination with WIN2; however, WIN2 was unable to alter the magnitude of senescent growth arrest induced by IR. Comparison of γH2AX levels at 1 and 24 h also showed that WIN2 did not alter the rate of DNA repair after radiation treatment. These data assessing cell death and senescence combined with additional temporal cell count studies indicated that WIN2 induces growth arrest but not cell death. It was further concluded that augmentation of IR induced antiproliferative effects by WIN2 occur from the parallel induction of both senescent and classical growth arrest responses in the breast tumor cells.