Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common CYP21A2 Gene Mutations in South Indian Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients

ABSTRACT About 90 percent of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) patients exhibit defects in the CYP21A2 gene that results in steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). As more than 100 mutations prevail in CAH, diagnosis and time responsive therapeutic interventions require knowledge of the common mutations in the regional population. Hence, the present study aims to assess the prevalence of nine common CYP21A2 gene mutations in a South Indian, regional population consisting of a group of CAH patients and a group of CAH patients along with their parents. 6 clinically diagnosed CAH patients, 5 clinically diagnosed CAH patients along with their parents were screened for nine common mutations using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Out of 11 patients, 8 were identified to be females and 3 were males. 5 patients were simple virilizers and 6 were salt wasters. The age at presentation varied from 1 day to 24 years. Molecular diagnosis of the CYP21A2 gene revealed that the highest number of patients harbored P30L and Q318X, followed by P453S, I172N, In2 splicing, R356W and Δ8bp deletion mutations. The results of the study clearly indicates that allele-specific PCR combined with RFLP is reliable for the molecular diagnosis of 21-OHD and can be easily included in small scale, routine laboratory analysis. Cohesively, the study strongly recommends the initiation of Indian national/regional neonatal screening programs for CAH.
Aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods: locomotion and feeding

Les Octopodes Cirrates nagent en combinant l'action des nageoires avec une propulsion medusoide due au complexe brachial avec sa membrane interbrachiale. Les nageoires des Cirrates sont associees a une coquille de consistence cartilagineuse logee dans un sac coquillier. En coupes transversales, on distingue une zone proximale d'une zone distale de la nageoire, les deux etant couvertes d'une mince lame de muscles. La zone distale est caracterisee par des couches musculaires dorsale et ventrale qui ressemblent a ce qu'on connait des nageoires de Decapodes. Dans la zone proximale, le cartilage de la nageoire forme un noyau central aplati a l'interieur de la nageoire et offre un element de support pour l'insertion de muscles tres concentres. Alors que Stauroteuthis manoeuvre lentement par des mouvements de godille des nageoires, Grimpoteuthis nage de maniere efficace avec des battements vigoureux des nageoires. Chez Stauroteuthis le manteau est tres modifie; l'ouverture du manteau serre l'entonnoir, la musculature de la partie posterieure du manteau est epaisse et semble controler le flux de l'eau destine a la respiration. La membrane secondaire de certains Cirrates est le resultat d'une modification dans la facon dont les muscles de la membrane interbrachiale s'inserent aux bras. Les Opisthoteuthides, qui sont plutot benthiques, ne montrent pas cette modification. La membrane secondaire permet aux animaux de saisir des volumes d'eau plus importants lors de certaines postures. La retention d'un tel volume d'eau qui conduit a une posture en forme de cloche chez Stauroteuthis pourrait etre liee a la protection contre un predateur ou a l'alimentation. Des glandes buccales chez Stauroteuthis ainsi que la presence de Copepodes de petite taille dans le tube digestif semblent indiquer que cette espece benthopelagique se nourrit d'organismes planctoniques pris dans du mucus.
Aspects of the life cycle of the avian parasite Philornis torquans (Diptera: Muscidae) under laboratory rearing conditions

Abstract The life cycle of the avian parasitic flies Philornis Meinert (Diptera: Muscidae) is poorly known, limiting the understanding of the ecology of these flies, including interactions with their hosts. We provide data on length and survival of pupal and adult stages and the duration of the pre-oviposition period of Philornis torquans Nielsen. Specimens were collected at larval and pupal stages from infested broods. The pupal stage lasted on average 10.5 days and adults lived up to 100 days in the laboratory. At least 90.2% of larvae pupated and 85.7% of the latter emerged as adults. For individuals collected as larvae, pupal mortality was 3.5 times higher than for those collected as pupae. Females laid from 1–8 clutches in their lifetime and deposited, on average, 41 eggs per female (range: 1–148). Females collected as pupae were larger and had shorter pre-oviposition periods and lifespans than females collected as larvae, but there were no differences in the total eggs laid by these females. This is the first information on reproductive parameters of a subcutaneous species of Philornis, and forms the basis for studies on conditions required for reproduction of this species in captivity.
Novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of gastric MALT lymphoma

Gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) represents a distinct class of extranodal lymphoma that evolves against a background of chronic inflammation induced by persistent infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. In its early stages, MALT lymphoma is an antigen-dependent disease characterised by an indolent clinical course and in most cases is treatable by antibiotic eradication therapy alone. Low grade MALT lymphomas can eventually undergo high grade transformation to a more aggressive counterpart termed gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (gDLBCL). At this stage the lymphomas grow autonomously and are refractory to Helicobacter eradication therapy. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the development of low grade MALT lymphoma and its ultimate progression to gDLBCL. To improve our current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of MALT lymphoma, a multidimensional approach was taken to investigate various aspects of this disease during the course of my PhD thesis. Although a variety of circumstantial evidence has implicated an important role for antigen in MALT lymphomagenesis, the identity of such ligands recognised by the tumour cells remain unclear. To address this issue of antigen-receptor specificity, enzyme immunoassays were employed to systematically analyse the antigen binding profile of a comprehensive panel of human and murine recombinant MALT lymphoma-derived antibodies. The majority of tumour derived immunoglobulins were found to exhibit a broad reactivity profile in line with the definition of polyreactivity. In addition, using the BALB/c mouse model of Helicobacter-induced gastric MALT lymphoma, we demonstrated that explanted tumour cells proliferated in response to a variety of cognate antigens recognised by their polyreactive B-cell receptor. Our results therefore suggest that MALT lymphoma development may be facilitated by an array of local self- and foreign antigens, providing direct antigenic stimulation of the tumour cells via their B-cell receptor. A characteristic feature of gastric MALT lymphomas is that they are typically infiltrated by large numbers of T-helper cells producing interleukin-4 (IL4) and other Thelper cell type 2 cytokines. Therefore, an additional aim of this study was to elucidate the pathogenic role of the tumour-infiltrating T-cell population. Tumour cell proliferation was strongly enhanced by the presence of intratumoural CD4+ T cells in a CD40/CD40Lindependent manner. Another key finding was that a substantial fraction of tumourinfiltrating CD4+ T cells were functional CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. These cells were found to be recruited by the tumour cells themselves through secretion of the Tregattracting chemokines CCL17 and CCL22. Interestingly, the depletion of CD25+ T cells was as efficient as CD4+ T-cell depletion in blocking tumour growth ex vivo and in vivo. Judging from our data, we propose that MALT lymphoma cells require at least two…
Effects of Feeding Sugar Beet Pulp and Avizyme Supplementation on Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrient Digestion and Nitrogen Balance of Laying Japanese Quail

The major goals of this study were to determine the impact of sugar beet pulp (SBP) levels and Avizyme® 1500 (xylanase, protease and amylase) enzyme addition on productive and reproductive performance as well as egg quality, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen (N) balance in laying Japanese quail between 12 and 20 weeks of age. The experimental design consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of SBP (0, 20 and 40 g kg−1 diet) and three concentrations of Avizyme (0, 1 and 2 g kg−1 diet). There were no differences in feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg number, egg weight nor egg mass caused by the treatment. Final body weight was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased by increasing SBP levels. Increasing SBP level from 20 to 40 g kg−1 in the diet of laying quails led to significant reduction in fertility percentage by 2.67 and 7.01 and 4.60% during periods 12–16, 16–20 and 12–20 weeks of age, respectively. Hatchability percentages (from fertile eggs) elevated gradually with decreasing SBP levels in the diets during the whole period. Different levels of SBP and Avizyme, or their interaction, insignificantly affected the external and internal egg quality of the laying quails during the overall experimental period (12–20 weeks of age). Meanwhile, the different levels of SBP had a significant effect on all the digestion coefficients of the nutrients except for the N digestibility. The N consumption (g d−1), N in egg (g d−1), N excretion (g d−1), N faecal, N intake and N retention were not significantly affected neither by SBP inclusion nor by Avizyme supplementation. The overall results indicated that inclusion of SBP and Avizyme in quail diets did not affect productive performance, egg quality criteria and nitrogen balance but reproductive parameters and digestibility of the nutrient statistically decreased with increasing SBP up to 40 g kg−1 diet throughout the overall period (12–20 weeks of age).
Colchicine – Induced Genetic Variations in M2 and M3 Generations of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Effect of 0.1% aqueous colchicine solution at 0hr, 2hrs, 4hrs and 6hrs duration of exposure (treatments) were evaluated for quantitative and yield traits of a cowpea variety, “Oloyin” in M2 and M3 generations. Treatment effect was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for all traits in M2 and M3. Values for some quantitative traits (plant height, number of branches, number of nodes, and number of leaves) increased as treatment duration increased in M2 generation, while reverse is the case in M3 generation except for the number of branches. Flowering was early in 4hrs in M2, while in M3 generation, 6hrs produced flower first. For yield traits, number of pods per plant reduced as treatment increased in both generations, seeds per plant followed an irregular pattern in M2, while it reduced as treatment duration increased in M3 generation. Seed weight also followed irregular patterns in both generations; while 4hrs duration of treatment maintained the highest seed weight in both generations, an improvement in yield that is consistent. Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) were very high for most quantitative and yield traits, and generally decreased as treatment duration increased in M3. High heritability and Genetic Advance as percent of Mean were also observed in M3 generation for almost all traits; though they also decreased as treatment duration increased. Based on the high GCV, heritability and GAM experienced in the present study for yield and yield contributing traits, selection can be done and exploited for the improvement of cowpea.
Morphology of the lower deciduous premolars of South American hystricomorph rodents and age of the Octodontoidea

Abstract We analyse the crest homologies of lower deciduous premolars (Dp4) of South American caviomorphs in a comparative context including other hystricomorphs and under a dynamic topological criterion. An hexalophodont pattern in which the three anteriormost crests are assumed to be the anterolophid, metalophulid I and metalophulid II, respectively, is proposed as ancestral morphology. Simplified pentalophodont morphologies would have resulted from loss of the metalophulid I, and distinct transformation pathways are recognised especially for Octodontoidea and Cavioidea. A basal octodontoid morphological pattern can be recognised in the fossil record from as early as the middle Eocene, supporting that an initial divergence among major clades of caviomorphs had already occurred by this time. Programs for identifying potentially useful dental characters in phylogeny and taxonomy of caviomorphs need to be revised. Interpreting lophids as dynamic components in the morpho-functional variation of molars, rather than as static landmarks, is central for understanding dental evolution in these rodents.
Complete mitochondrial genomes of three Neotropical sleeper gobies: Eleotris amblyopsis, E. picta and Hemieleotris latifasciata (Gobiiformes: Eleotridae)

Abstract We report the first complete mitochondrial genomes of three species of eleotrid fishes from the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds of Panama: Eleotris amblyopsis, E. picta, and Hemieleotris latifasciata. The three species have similar mitochondrial genomes with identical gene order; however, there are differences in the length of control region, 16S rRNA, and in seven of the tRNAs. In addition, ATP8 is one codon shorter in E. picta than in E. amblyopsis or H. latifasciata. We infer a phylogeny for Gobiiformes based on all mitochondrial protein-coding genes, which supports the monophyly of Eleotridae but does not recover Neotropical members of Eleotris as a distinct clade.
Effects of Horticulture Activity Program on HeartRate Variability of White-collar Workers

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of a horticultural activity program on heart rate variability (HRV) in white-collar workers. The subjects enrolled in the program all worked in automotive manufacturing. Forty white-collar workers were randomly selected; 15 workers were assigned to the case group and 25 workers were assigned to the control group. The workers’ attitude toward plants and their HRV was measured before and after an 8-session horticultural activity program. Multivariate regression analysis was performed, adjusting for factors such as age, marital status, house type, job grade, monthly income, work time, drinking, smoking habit, and level of exercise. There was no statistically significant change in the worker’s attitude toward plants. However, standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN), very low frequency (VLF) values of HRV in the case group were significantly increased compared to the control group. SDNN decreases when there is discordance in the autonomic nervous system, and the VLF value isrelated to the renin-angiotensin system. These values decrease with increasing stress.
Aspects of digestive function in sheep related to phenotypic variation in methane emissions

Ruminant livestock contribute to atmospheric methane (CH4) from enteric microbial fermentation of feed in the reticulo-rumen. Our research aimed to increase understanding of how digestive characteristics and rumen anatomy of the host animal contribute to variation in CH4 emissions between individual sheep. In total, 64 ewes were used in an incomplete block experiment with four experimental test periods (blocks). Ewes were chosen to represent the diversity of phenotypic variation in CH4 emissions: there were at least 10 offspring from each of four sires and a range of liveweights. Throughout the experiment, the ewes were fed equal parts of lucerne and oaten chaff, twice daily, at 1.5 times the maintenance requirements. Daily CH4 emission (g/day) increased significantly (P < 0.001) with an increasing dry-matter intake (DMI) and reticulo-rumen volume (P < 0.001). Lower methane yield (g CH4/kg DMI) was associated with shorter mean retention times of liquid (r = 0.59; P < 0.05) and particle (r = 0.63; P < 0.05) phases of the digesta in the rumen. Significant between sire variation was observed in CH4 emissions and in rumen volume (P = 0.02), the masses of liquids (P = 0.009) and particles (P < 0.03) in the rumen and the proportion of gas in the dorsal sac of the rumen (P = 0.008). The best predictors of variation in CH4 emissions due to the host were DMI, CO2 emissions, rumen volume, liveweight, mean retention time of particles in the rumen, dorsal papillae density and the proportion of liquid in the contents of the rumen compartments.
Effect of two irrigation rates on nitrate leaching from diverse or standard forages receiving spring deposited urine

ABSTRACT The effect of two irrigation rates on nitrogen (N) harvested by diverse and standard forages, and the subsequent effect on nitrate (NO3−) leaching losses from spring deposited urine was investigated. An experiment, using lysimeters (500 mm diameter, 700 mm deep), was conducted to measure herbage dry matter yield, herbage N harvested and NO3– leaching loss beneath a ‘standard forage’ and a ‘diverse forage’. Cow urine was applied to the forages at either 500 or 700 kg N ha–1, and following the urine application, irrigation was applied at a rate of 18 mm approximately every 3 days (high) or 9 mm approximately every 3 days (low) from November to April. Compared with low irrigation, NO3– leaching losses were 88–97% lower under high irrigation at a urine application rate of 700 kg N ha–1, and were less than 4 kg N ha–1 from all high irrigation treatments.
Developing Verticillium resistant rootstock for Norway maple

Verticillium wilt causes serious losses in the cultivation of shade trees, especially Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.). In 1993 research was started aiming at the development of Verticillium resistant rootstocks for Norway maple. Efficient methods to select and screen for resistance in maple were developed, leading to several large-scale selection experiments carried out in the period 1994–1996. This resulted in a first selection of about 300 plants out of a total of nearly 20 000 seedling plants. An attempt was made to propagate these plants vegetatively in order to develop small clones for resistance testing. During this stage of the research many plants were lost because of failure to propagate. After a second screening for resistance 35 plants were selected for further examination. Vegetative propagation was continued and from 2000 on the performance of about 15 clones could be tested on naturally infested fields as well as after inoculation. The results of the field test show a clear selection response with disease incidence in plants of the selected clones being 50% less than in the seedlings and the randomly chosen clones. Within the group of selected clones there was a substantial variation between the clones with some clones having no disease at all whereas in other clones some plants showed serious symptoms. Results of the field tests will be presented and the possibilities for solving the Verticillium wilt problem in maple by means of using clonal root-stocks that are resistant to Verticillium wilt will be discussed.
Role of non-coding RNA in epigenetic inheritance of ribosomal RNA gene silencing

Faithful propagation of specific chromatin states requires re-establishment of epigenetic marks after every cell division. How the original epigenetic signature is inherited after disruption during DNA replication is still poorly understood. Here we show that the poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-1 (PARP1/ARTD1) is implicated in the maintenance of silent rDNA chromatin during cell division. We demonstrate that PARP1 associates with TIP5, a subunit of the NoRC complex, via the noncoding pRNA and binds to silent rRNA genes after their replication in mid-late Sphase. PARP1 represses rRNA transcription and is implicated in the formation of silent rDNA chromatin. Silent rDNA chromatin is a specific substrate for ADPribosylation and the enzymatic activity of PARP1 is necessary to establish rDNA silencing. The data unravel a novel function of PARP1 and ADP-ribosylation that serves to inherit silent chromatin structures, shedding light on how epigenetic marks are transmitted during each cell cycle.
Tailoring T helper 17 induction following vaccination by antigen dosage and adjuvant usage

The adaptive immune system is orchestrated by T helper (Th) cells. In addition to Th1 and Th2 cells, a third subset named Th17 was discovered lately. The knowledge of Th17 cells and their induction is fragmentary. For each specific pathogen, the appropriate Th response is needed for optimal protection. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate how a particular Th cell type is induced (e.g. after vaccination). Previous studies suggest that antigen (Ag) dose plays an important role in Th1/Th2 polarization. In this work, Ag dose dependent Th17 induction was studied in vitro and in vivo using mouse models. In vitro proliferation assays revealed striking differences in Th17 induction between DO11.10 and OTII mice. Differences in TCR affinity to the Ag was identified as one reason for the observed phenomenon. Immunizations of wild type mice led to Th17 induction at low Ag doses. Recent studies provided evidence that Th17 cells are important in fighting influenza infections. In the work reported here, mice immunized with low H5N1 virosome dosage were fully protected against lethal challenge with the H5N1influenza virus. Since Th17 immune responses are not always beneficial for the host, the second part of this thesis focused on the specific blocking of Th17 induction by a PEGylated derivate of alpha-galactosylceramide (aGCPEG). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that natural killer T (NKT) cells released high amounts of interleukin 4 and interferon gamma post aGCPEG stimulation and subsequently blocked the induction of Th 17 cells. Taken together the results of this thesis contribute to a better understanding of Th17 biology. Knowledge about Th polarization is a key for the development of tailored immune responses following vaccinations. It is expected that the tools and strategies established during this work will facilitate the development of vaccines able to stimulate tailored Th17 responses to promote optimal protection against infection.
Effect of Oilcakes on the Management of Wilt Disease of Tomato Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important solanaceous crops grown throughout the world, and commonly grown in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most and popular vegetables being second after potato in terms of food value but ranks first in terms of processing value (Dutta et al., 2013). All over India vegetable cultivation reaches 9205 thousand ha and 162187 metric tonnes (Mt) of production, in which tomato is being cultivated in about 879.63 thousands ha and the production is 18226.64 Mt with a productivity of 20.7 Mt/ha (NHB, 2013). The area of tomato cultivation in Tamil Nadu is 25, 370 hectares with production of 328.2 tonnes per hectare. The major tomato growing districts in Tamil Nadu are Dharmapuri which occupies rank first followed by Krishnagiri, Salem, Theni, Dindigul and Coimbatore (Anonymus, 2009).