Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of manipulation of pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase levels on the submergence tolerance of rice

A transgenic approach was taken to manipulate the levels of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in rice, in order to investigate whether alteration of ethanol fermentation can affect anaerobic tolerance. A line transformed with an antisense Adh1 construct had only 4–8% of the ADH activity of untransformed plants. This line showed reduced ethanol production and coleoptile growth under anoxia. Mature plants had reduced survival when submerged in water and exposed to anoxia, suggesting that ADH plays an essential role in seed germination and plant survival in the absence of O2. A transgenic line transformed with a cotton Adh2 cDNA in the sense orientation relative to a constitutive promoter, showed 3–4-fold more ADH activity than either untransformed controls, or a flooding-tolerant rice variety (FR13A), both in air and under hypoxia. However, ethanol production by this line was only slightly higher than that of untransformed controls, and there was no increase in survival following anoxia treatments. Three independent transgenic lines containing the ricePdc1 cDNA driven by an anaerobically-inducible promoter (6XARE) showed an increase in PDC1 polypeptide in shoots, but not in roots or endosperm. A moderate increase in PDC activity and ethanol production was observed in shoots of these lines under anaerobic conditions, as well as decreased survival of shoots when submerged and exposed to anoxia. F1 plants containing both the PDC and ADH constructs showed levels of anoxia-tolerance similar to those of untransformed plants. These results suggest that over-production of PDC may be toxic to rice plants because of increased acetaldehyde. Consistent with this view, acetaldehyde levels were appreciably higher in plants over-producing PDC, compared with untransformed plants, or hybrid lines containing both the PDC and ADH constructs.
Early hypoxia-regulated genes in rice and Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants are exposed to hypoxia during their life cycle to differing extents. Some plants, like deepwater rice cultivars, have evolved to be adapted to more severe hypox-ia occurring during flooding events. Several responses and adaptations to hypoxia have been described earlier. Here, two species very different in the extent of their adaptation to hypoxia and flooding, Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Oryza sativa L. were analyzed. Whole genome microarray analyses were performed using hypoxia-treated deepwater rice with the goal to identify genes potentially having a regulatory role in hypoxia responses. After 1 h at 5% oxygen, 1228 genes were differentially regulated irrespective of functional perception of the phytohormone ethylene. The genes were classified to find genes with a potential role in signaling and regulation during hypoxia. Mutants of five induced genes were analyzed. In addition, homologous Arabidopsis genes were identified and analyzed for regulation by hypoxia. For homologs regulated by hypoxia or proposed to potentially be involved in hypoxia adaptation according to previous studies, T-DNA insertion mutants were characterized. They were examined for their ability to withstand low oxygen stress. Mutants of WOUND-RESPONSIVE FAMILY PROTEIN (At4g10270), bHLH FAMILY PROTEIN (At2g42280), and of Arabidopsis CALMODULIN-LIKE 39 (At1g76640) were altered in hypoxia-induced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity (At4g10270 and At1g76640) and in respect to their survival capacity after 2 d of near anoxia (<0.1% O2). Overexpression of prolyl hydroxylase AtP4H7 (At3g28480) as well as RHODANESE-DOMAIN CONTAINING PROTEIN (At2g17850) led to altered survival after the same stress treatment. These genes should be analyzed in the future to determine their role in the response to hypoxia. Group VII ERF transcription factors are known to be involved in the regulation of the response to hypoxia in rice and Arabidopsis. It was shown that 5 additional ERF genes of the total of 15 genes in group VII were induced after 1 h of hypoxia in rice. Additionally, we analyzed Arabidopsis ERF71 and ERF73 in roots and showed that ERF73 and ERF71 are induced by hypoxia. It was further shown that ERF73 but not ERF71 expression is regulated by ethylene and that ADH activity is modulated by ethylene partially through ERF73 in Arabidopsis roots.
Effect of genotype on egg quality characteristics of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

A research was carried out to determine effect of different genotypes of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) in genetic resource on external and internal egg quality parameters. The birds were housed as 1 male and 3 females per cage of 0.12 m 2 area at Animal Production Research Centre Nitra and fed with a mixture of 9.0 MJ ME and 145.0 g of crude protein during the experiment. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Analysis of external and internal characteristics of Japanese quail eggs was performed in the laboratory of the Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry at the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of genotype on egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index, shell weight, percentage of shell, shell thickness, shell strength, albumen weight, percentage of albumen height, albumen width, albumen length, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk weight, percentage of yolk, yolk height, yolk width, yolk index and yolk colour. We have found significantly higher values for meat type in terms of all egg parameters (P≤0.05). In case of shell parameters, we observed significant (P≤0.05) difference between genotypes only in shell weight in benefit of the meat type and significant (P≤0.05) higher value in shell strength for laying type. There were significant (P≤0.05) differences found between the genotypes in points of albumen height and albumen index for laying Japanese quail. The significant (P<0.05) difference in benefit of the meat type was found in yolk weight, yolk percentage, yolk height and yolk index. For all other characteristics no significant differences in egg quality between the laying and the meat type of Japanese quail were observed.
Effect of dietary zinc level of zinc on performance and cecal lesion score in broilers infested with Eimeria tenella.

SUMMARY Coccidiosis has great economic impact on ‎production. One-day old Ross 308 broiler chicks (n=144) were fed one of three levels of dietary Zn (40 as control treatment, 120 and 200 mg/kg). At 14 d of age, birds were inoculated orally with oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, feed ‎ratio and mortality rate were obtained by pen on d ‎‎ and 42. Also at 42 d heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, the weights of carcass, spleen and bursa of Fabricius and scoring of lesions from the intestinal Eimeria challenge were measured. Treatments did not affect performance traits at ages 21 and 42. Adding Zn to diet decreased H/L ratio and cecal lesion score (P< 0.05). Adding levels of 120 and 200 mg Zn/kg diet significantly increased the weight of bursa and spleen respectively (P< 0.05). The overall results of this study show that levels of 120 and 200 mg Zn/kg diet could be effective to enhance immunity in broilers infested with E. tenella. ‎
Muscle damage and metabolic profiles of eccentric cycling

PEÑAILILLO, L. , A. BLAZEVICH, H. NUMAZAWA, and K. NOSAKA. Metabolic and Muscle Damage Profiles of Concentric versus Repeated Eccentric Cycling. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. , Vol. 45, No. 9, pp. 1773–1781, 2013. Purpose: Eccentric cycling is an exercise modality that could elicit multiple health benefits with low metabolic cost, but unaccustomed performance results in significant muscle damage. It is not known whether muscle damage is attenuated when eccentric cycling is repeated; thus, this study compared metabolic and muscle damage responses to concentric (CONC) and two consecutive eccentric (ECC1 and ECC2) cycling bouts.Methods: Ten men (28 T 8 yr) performed each cycling bout for 30 min at 60% of the maximal concentric power output at 60 rpm, with 2 wk between bouts. HR, oxygen consumption (V̇O2), blood lactate (BLa), RPE, and muscle activity (EMG) data were collected during cycling. Maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor (MVC) strength, squat (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) height, muscle soreness indicators, and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured before, immediately after, and 1–4 d after exercise.Results: Average HR, V̇O2, BLa, and RPE were lower (P G 0.05) during ECC1 than CONC, and EMG amplitude was also lower during ECC1 than CONC. Decreases in MVC, CMJ, and SJ and the increase in muscle soreness were greater (P G 0.05) after ECC1 than CONC. Increases in creatine kinase were minimal after all bouts. When comparing ECC1 and ECC2, HR and BLa were lower (P G 0.05) during ECC2 than ECC1, and decreases in MVC, CMJ, and SJ and the increase in muscle soreness were greater (P G 0.05) after ECC1 than ECC2. After ECC2, MVC, CMJ, and SJ did not change and no muscle soreness was developed. Conclusions: Eccentric cycling was less metabolically demanding than concentric cycling, and HR and BLa were further reduced during ECC2. Muscle damage is minimal after ECC2 and should not influence the choice to undertake eccentric cycling training.
Reproduction in Cattle

Preface.1. Reproductive Efficiency in Cattle Production.2. Anatomy.3. Bull Fertility.4. The Ovarian Cycle.5. Fertilization, Conception and Pregnancy.6. Parturition and Lactation.7. The Postpartum Period.8. Oestrous Behaviour and Its Detection.9. Artificial Control of the Oestrous Cycle.10. Artificial Insemination.11. Pregnancy Diagnosis.12. Reproductive Problems.13. Reproductive Biotechnologies.14. Reproductive Management.15. Selection for Breeding.Index.
Prevalence, Causes and Impacts of Absenteeism among Medical Students at UQU

Introduction: Absenteeism is one of the main concerns in university education worldwide. There are many causes for absenteeism and direct effects, as well, on the students' academic performance. This study is to explore the prevalence, causes and impacts of medical students' absenteeism at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU). Method: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect data (online) from medical students (second to sixth year students) of the faculty of medicine at umm alQura university. The researchers developed a structured questionnaire with questions grouped under themes related to absenteeism such as reasons and patterns of absenteeism. The data was analyzed and the results were obtained using (SPSS) version 20. Results: There were 136 students (30.2%) with less than 5% missed hours of the total class hours, and 7 students (1.6%) with more than 25% missed hours. The mean of rate-missed hours is (5-10%). The higher rate of missed hours was seen in married and those who have a part time job students. The causes of absenteeism ranged from dislike of teaching style 315 (70%) to many others including social ones 193 (42.9%). Conclusions: In general, the overall percentage of absenteeism is comparable to that of the studies carried out in and in nearby countries. The study showed the performance GPA mean is influenced by non-attendance.
Derivation and testing of a model to predict selection for fungicide resistance

A mathematical model was derived to predict selection for fungicide resistance in foliar pathogens of cereal crops. The model was tested against independent data from four field experiments quantifying selection for the G143A mutation conferring resistance to a quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide in powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) on spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). Fungicide treatments with azoxystrobin differed in the total applied dose and spray number. For each treatment, we calculated the observed selection ratio as the ratio of the frequency of the resistant strain after the last and before the first spray. The model accurately predicted the variation in observed selection ratios with total applied fungicide dose and number of sprays for three of the four experiments. Underprediction of selection ratios in one experiment was attributed to the particularly late epidemic onset in that experiment. When the equation representing epidemic development was modified to account for the late epidemic, predicted and observed selection ratios at that site were in close agreement. On a scatter plot of observed selection ratios on predicted selection ratios, for all four experiments, the 1:1 line explained 89–92% of the variance in the mean of observed selection ratios. To our knowledge, this is the first fungicide resistance model for plant pathogens to be rigorously tested against field data. The model can be used with some degree of confidence, to identify anti-resistance treatment strategies which are likely to be effective and would justify the resources required for experimental testing.
Mountain pine beetle

The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is a member of a group of insects known as bark beetles. Its entire life cycle is spent beneath the bark of host trees, except when adults emerge from brood trees and fly in search of new host trees.
Controlling factors of turf-banked solifluction lobe evolution in the Turtmann glacier forefield (Switzerland)

Soil structure and moisture, thermal conditions and vegetation control solifluction movement, however, the spatial distribution of controlling factors and resultant spatial variability of movement are poorly understood. We use a (1) geomorphological and vegetation mapping of solifluction lobe properties, (2) temperature loggers to quantify thermal conditions, (3) 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Puerkhauer drilling and TDR measurements to evaluate material properties as well as (4) 3D Time-Lapse ERT to quantify spatial variability of material properties. Our results are used to (5) evaluate the influence of potential controlling factors on solifluction movement. Investigations took place on three turf-banked lobes (TBL) located at proximal and distal slopes of Little Ice Age and 1920s lateral moraines in the Turtmann glacier forefield, Swiss Alps.
Consequences of inbreeding for offspring fitness and gender in Silene vulgaris, a gynodioecious plant

Abstract In gynodioecious plants, hermaphrodite and female plants co‐occur in the same population. In these systems gender typically depends on whether a maternally inherited cytoplasmic male sterility factor (CMS) is counteracted by nuclear restorer alleles. These restorer alleles are often genetically dominant. Although plants of the female morph are obligatorily outcrossing, hermaphrodites may self. This selfing increases homozygosity and may thus have two effects: (1) it may decrease fitness (i.e. result in inbreeding depression) and (ii) it may increase homozygosity of the nuclear restorer alleles and therefore increase the production of females. This, in turn, enhances outcrossing in the following generation. In order to test the latter hypothesis, experimental crosses were conducted using individuals derived from four natural populations of Silene vulgaris, a gynodioecious plant. Treatments included self‐fertilization of hermaphrodites, outcrossing of hermaphrodites and females using pollen derived from the same source population as the pollen recipients, and outcrossing hermaphrodites and females using pollen derived from different source populations. Offspring were scored for seed germination, survivorship to flowering and gender. The products of self‐fertilization had reduced survivorship at both life stages when compared with the offspring of outcrossed hermaphrodites or females. In one population the fitness of offspring produced by within‐population outcrossing of females was significantly less than the fitness of offspring produced by crossing females with hermaphrodites from other populations. Self‐fertilization of hermaphrodites produced a smaller proportion of hermaphroditic offspring than did outcrossing hermaphrodites. Outcrossing females within populations produced a smaller proportion of hermaphrodite offspring than did crossing females with hermaphrodites from other populations. These results are consistent with a cytonuclear system of sex determination with dominant nuclear restorers, and are discussed with regard to how the mating system and the genetics of sex determination interact to influence the evolution of inbreeding depression.
Cognitive Ability Enhancement Effects in Rats by B. mori Fibroin Enzymatic Hydrolysate

We were investigated the cognitive ability enhancement in rats using B. mori fibroin molecular controlled hydrolysate by preparative recycle HPLC system. Also, some of its physicochemical properties and free amino acid components were investigated, too. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum are measured different pattern between high (HF) and low (LF) molecular controlled B. mori fibroin samples, respectively. The in vitro test by neuron primary cell culture are showed dependent on molecular weight (Mw) of B. mori fibroin in the order of LF > MF > HF, too. However, the memorial effects in rats by in vivo test are large dependent molecular weight on that maximum 50% than control. Also, the memorial effect was higher than the enzymatic relative and acid hydrolysate, which was 50.02. 1 and 25.90. 32%, respectively.
Tramp ant species control with methoprene baits in Brazil.

Several ant species have association to human structures in Brazil and their presence promotes problems such as contamination of food, damage to electronic appliances, and allergies due to the their venom. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of a methoprene-based bait against different ant species. The study site was the Instituto Biologico, a research institute in Brazil with severe ant infestation in critical areas. Prior to control trials a survey revealed four ant species distributed on the six floors of the main building. Evaluations of baits efficacy was performed on the right side of the building and after 18 wks all ant species showed lower infestations compared to the initial ones.
Componentes produtivos do trigo afetados pela densidade de semeadura e aplicação de regulador vegetal

Melhorar as caracteristicas produtivas de plantas cultivadas atraves de praticas de cultivo e um dos principais desafios da pesquisa frente a crescente demanda de alimentos em nivel mundial. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar as caracteristicas morfofisiologicas e suas relacoes com os componentes da producao e a produtividade da cultura trigo em funcao da densidade de semeadura e da aplicacao de reguladores vegetais. O experimento de campo foi conduzido em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas sub-divididas com quatro repeticoes. As parcelas foram formadas por quatro densidades de semeadura (30, 50, 70 e 90 plantas m-1) enquanto as sub-parcelas foram formadas pela aplicacao de reguladores vegetais [controle, (IBA+GA+KT), Etil-Trinexapac e (IBA+GA+KT) + Etil-Trinexapac]. Foram avaliados o acumulo de materia seca, a altura de plantas, a distância entre fonte e dreno, as trocas gasosas e a produtividade da cultura. A aplicacao de Etil- Trinexapac resultou em diminuicao da altura de plantas, da distância fonte-dreno e do desenvolvimento da folha bandeira, sem afetar a produtividade da cultura. A densidade de semeadura afetou o acumulo de materia seca de plantas, sendo que o maior acumulo de materia seca na fase de antese teve efeito positivo direto nos componentes da producao e na produtividade da cultura nas menores densidades.
Phylogeny of Australasian agamid lizards based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes: implications for morphological evolution and biogeography

Recent mtDNA phylogenies of Australasian agamid lizards are highly incongruent with existing morphological views. To resolve this discrepancy we sequenced two nuclear gene regions, c-mos and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These were highly concordant with each other and the mtDNA phylogeny, but not the morphology. A combined molecular analysis reveals substantial hidden support (additional phylogenetic signal that emerges only when the data sets interact in a combined analysis). Bayesian posteriors, and a partitioned bootstrap procedure introduced here, indicate strong support for most nodes. The resultant tree implies extensive morphological homoplasy, with many genera emerging as non-monophyletic (Amphibolurus, Rankinia, Ctenophorus, Physignathus, Diporiphora). The water and forest dragons (Physignathus and Hypsilurus) form a paraphyletic basal assemblage to the more derived Australian forms such as Amphibolurus and Ctenophorus, which include almost all the xeric taxa. However, the thorny devil Moloch horridus is a basal lineage and not closely related to the other arid forms. Tree topology, inferred divergence dates, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic data are all consistent with Miocene immigration into Australia from the north by mesic forest ecomorphs, followed by initial diversification in mesic habitats before radiation into xeric habitats facilitated by increasing aridity. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 93, 343–358.
Activated Gαq Inhibits p110α Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Akt*

Some Gq-coupled receptors have been shown to antagonize growth factor activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream effector, Akt. We used a constitutively active Gαq(Q209L) mutant to explore the effects of Gαq activation on signaling through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Transient expression of Gαq(Q209L) in Rat-1 fibroblasts inhibited Akt activation induced by platelet-derived growth factor or insulin treatment. Expression of Gαq(Q209L) also attenuated Akt activation promoted by coexpression of constitutively active PI3K in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Gαq(Q209L) had no effect on the activity of an Akt mutant in which the two regulatory phosphorylation sites were changed to acidic amino acids. Inducible expression of Gαq(Q209L) in a stably transfected 293 cell line caused a decrease in PI3K activity in p110α (but not p110β) immunoprecipitates. Receptor activation of Gαq also selectively inhibited PI3K activity in p110α immunoprecipitates. Active Gαq still inhibited PI3K/Akt in cells pretreated with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Finally, Gαq(Q209L) co-immunoprecipitated with the p110α-p85α PI3K heterodimer from lysates of COS-7 cells expressing these proteins, and incubation of immunoprecipitated Gαq(Q209L) with purified recombinant p110α-p85α in vitro led to a decrease in PI3K activity. These results suggest that agonist binding to Gq-coupled receptors blocks Akt activation via the release of active Gαq subunits that inhibit PI3K. The inhibitory mechanism seems to be independent of phospholipase C activation and might involve an inhibitory interaction between Gαq and p110α PI3K.