Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like growth factor-I in growing horses and RNA isolation from small articular cartilage samples

A longitudinal study was designed to characterize developmental patterns of plasma (PL) and synovial fluid (SF) total insulin-like growth factor –I (IGF-I) concentrations, as well as their association with measurements of skeletal growth in Thoroughbred horses. Horses were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatment groups and fed diets with either a high or low starch content to examine the effects of dietary energy source on PL and SF IGF-I. At 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mo of age, PL and carpal SF samples were collected for analysis of total IGF-I. Body weight gain, wither height gain and forearm length gain were calculated for the 90 day periods between SF and PL sampling. No influence of diet on PL or SF IGF-I was detected (P > 0.05). Average SF IGF-I concentrations were 30.1 ± 1.8% of that found in PL, and PL and SF IGF-I were positively correlated (r = 0.48, P = 0.0003) There was an effect of month of age on both PL and SF IGF-I concentrations (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between all measures of gain except forearm length gain with PL and SF IGF-I (r = 0.41 to 0.55, P < 0.05). In our second study, we evaluated the use of a liquid-nitrogen cooled mortar and pestle, motorized freezer mill and rotor-stator homogenizer for homogenization of small (<50mg) articular cartilage samples. The rotor-stator homogenizer produced quanitfiable RNA yields, and was used to evaluate three different RNA isolation protocols. Two of the protocols were commercially available RNA extraction kits, with the third a modified guanidinium isothiocyanate/acid-phenol extraction procedure. The combined average yield for all protocols was 91.9 ng RNA/mg of cartilage. All protocols yielded a sufficient quantity of quality RNA suitable for gene expression analysis.
FURTHER TAXONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS ON THE GENUS BUTHOSCORPIO WERNER, 1936 (SCORPIONES, BUTHIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM INDIA

Considerations regarding the taxonomy and distribution of the species belonging to the genus Buthoscorpio Werner, 1936 are proposed. A revised redescription is proposed for Buthoscorpio sarasinorum (Karsch, 1891) and a new species, Buthoscorpio indicus sp. n. , is described from north-central India. Even with the description of this new species, Buthoscorpio remains a very enigmatic genus with a limited range of distribution in India and Sri Lanka. The total number of known species in this genus is raised to four: three in India and one in Sri Lanka.
Direct Organogenesis (Shoot and Root) of Egg Plant (Solanum melongena L.) Through Tissue Culture

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most popular, nutritional vegetable crops. It plays a vital role in the national economy as a cash crop. Major loss of this crop plant throughout world occurs due to biotic as well as abiotic stresses which cause to loss of maximum yield. Brinjal improvement using conventional approaches have been aimed for improvement of agricultural traits such as size of fruit, weight, shape and resistance to diseases, pest's penetration and stress of brinjal. For these purposes, tissue culture was established as a conventional approach for brinjal. There is a different combination of different hormones used for in vitro regeneration of brinjal. The hormones 2, 4- D, IAA, BAP, NAA and kinetin used in various combinations with different ratio. Explants such as stem and leaves were used for regeneration but stem showed better response. Explants showed direct shoot regeneration after about 4, 5 weeks of inoculation. Moreover regeneration of roots on two different types of media, one is hormone free MS media and other is supplemented with 0.5mg/l IAA occurred but hormone free MS media was most favorable as it has given rooting after about 2 to 3 weeks after shooting.
Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: The Patient's Perspective

We evaluated a consecutive series of patients followed at least 1 year after revision total knee arthroplasty. We surveyed patients treated at three referral centers over 5 years. An experienced medical interviewer contacted patients and rated their degree of satisfaction with the original and revision arthroplasties, the reason for the original arthroplasty failure, and their expectations for revision arthroplasty longevity. Surveys were completed on 238 of the 408 patients (58%). All patients' operative reports, clinical records, and radiographs were reviewed to determine the diagnosis at revision, procedure performed, and the most likely cause of failure. Patient satisfaction with the primary procedure directly related to the time to revision. The majority (74%) of patients expected their revision to last longer than their primary arthroplasty regardless of revision diagnosis or how long the primary procedure lasted before revision. The surgeons' failure assessments agreed with the patients' failure assessments only 34% of the time. Although the majority of patients (69%) were satisfied with the results of the revision procedure, most did not agree with their surgeon as to why the original arthroplasty failed, and most had unrealistic expectations regarding revision longevity.Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ozone induced emissions of biogenic VOC from tobacco: relationships between ozone uptake and emission of LOX products

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Bel W3) plants exposed to ozone (O 3 ) were investigated using proton-transfer- reaction mass-spectrometry (PTR-MS) and gas chromatog- raphy mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) to find a quantitative reference for plants' responses to O 3 stress. O 3 exposures to illuminated plants induced post-exposure VOC emission bursts. The lag time for the onset of volatile C 6 emissions produced within the octadecanoid pathway was found to be inversely proportional to O 3 uptake, or more precisely, to the O 3 flux density into the plants. In cases of short O 3 pulses of identical duration the total amount of these emit- ted C 6 VOC was related to the O 3 flux density into the plants, and not to ozone concentrations or dose-response relationships such as AOT 40 values. Approximately one C 6 product was emitted per five O 3 molecules taken up by the plant. A threshold flux density of O 3 inducing emissions of C 6 products was found to be (1.6 ± 0.7) ¥ 10 - 8 mol m - 2 s - 1 .
The Spatial and Reproductive Ecology of the Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) at the Northeastern Extreme of Its Range

Abstract We studied the spatial and reproductive ecology of a population of Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), a North American pitviper, in a basalt trap-rock ecosystem in the central Connecticut River Valley, a region that constitutes the northeastern extreme of this species' geographic range. Adult males (n = 20) and females (n = 15) were surgically implanted with radio-transmitters and tracked every 48 h during the active season (April through October) for three consecutive years (2001 to 2003). From late autumn to early spring (November through March), when snakes were hibernating and thus inactive, tracking was reduced to once per week. We generated data on movement and other spatial parameters for each subject using GPS coordinates. There were significant sex differences in activity range size and multiple movement parameters. Throughout the active season males had greater activity range sizes and showed greater movement than females. This trend was pronounced during the mating season, which was restricted to late summer and early fall (late July through September). In contrast to most populations of A. contortrix from more southern and western localities, we did not observe any sexual activity (e.g., courtship, coitus, and male–male fighting) in the spring. Individuals of both sexes showed annual fidelity to: (i) activity range location, (ii) activity range size, (iii) movement distances, (iv) particular features of their activity ranges (e.g., refuge sites), and (v) hibernation sites. Males and females showed no difference in preferred seasonal habitats. In both sexes, shifts in habitat associations during the active season included migrations from over-wintering sites within basalt trap rockslides to upper-elevation, open deciduous forest during the summer foraging and reproductive season. Parturition in the field was recorded in eight instances and was always close to one of the two hibernacula used by the individuals in the study area.
Leaf blade stomatal characterizations and evapotranspiration rates of 12 cool-season perennial grasses

The objectives of this investigation were to determine the stomatal frequen- cies of 12 perennial cool-season turfgrasses, encompassing nine species, and their as- sociated evapotranspiration (ET) rates under nonlimiting soil moisture and controlled environmental conditions. Significant differences in stomatal density were found among the 12 cool-season turfgrasses on both the abaxial (P > F = 0.0008) and adaxial (P > F = 0.0009) leaf surfaces. Significant differences (P > F = 0.0007) in ET rates also were found among the 12 cool-season turfgrasses. The Kentucky bluegrass (Pea pra- tensis L.) cultivars exhibited the highest ET rates, while the fine-leafed fescues (Festuca rubra and longifolia L.) exhibited the lowest rates, except for 'Big Horn' sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.), which exhibited an intermediate ET rate. No significant correlation was found between ET rate and either adaxial or abaxial stomatal density. It was concluded that, under nonlimiting soil moisture conditions, stomatal density was not reliably associated with ET rate. A major concern in the development of minimal maintenance turfs is the breeding of grasses with increased drought resistance and/ or reduced evapotranspiration (ET) rates while maintaining acceptable turf quality under ir- rigated conditions. Although stomata com- prise only 1% of the total leaf blade surface area, they serve as key sites for transpiration and thus are of interest in reducing water
Can the measurements of leg stability during jump landing predict and monitor anterior cruciate ligament injury? A case report of basketball player

Basketball is a contact sport game that includes important stresses of the lower limb joints. It follows an increased risk of developing acute traumatic pathologies, among which the lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (ACL). The study aims at investigating the presence of ACL injury risk factors detectable with a wearable inertial system in a national competitive basketball player subjected to prospective collegial surveys, as well as indices for monitoring the return to play of the athlete. The injured participant suffered the ACL rupture during an international basketball match, which took place a month after the first evaluation session. The athlete underwent ACL reconstruction followed by a 6-months rehabilitation period. The evaluation of jump landing task was performed before and after the knee injury with the OPTOGait and GYKO sensors. The results showed significant differences in parameters of the injured lower limb compared to the contralateral limb in the pre-surgery evaluation. In addition, several leg stability parameters, such as ellipse area and path length in all directions, can be considered as useful indices to decide the return to competition of the athlete. The outcomes open the possibility to perform sport-specific quantitative analysis to obtain indices useful to assess the risk of ACL injury and to monitor the progress during the rehabilitation program.
An experimental test for effects of the maternal environment on delayed germination

1. Recent models on bet‐hedging germination in annual plants assume a negative relationship between the proportion of offspring that germinate and the quality of the maternal environment. An increase in the proportion of seeds remaining dormant in the next year, when produced in seasons with high reproduction may result from selection that avoids overcrowding in the following year.
Optimization of process parameters for the extracellular lipase production by newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa KDP

Lipases (triacylglycerol ester hydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats and oils. Due to this reason, they have high biotechnological potential and currently attracting enormous attention (Reetz, 2002). Lipases occur widely in nature and can be produced by many microorganisms and higher eukaryotes; however, most technologically employed lipases are of microbial origin, because the respective genes are relatively easy to access and efficiently be expressed. Microbial lipases possess useful features such as high yield and low production cost, diversity in catalytic activities, amenability to genetic manipulation, stability in organic solvents and broad substrate specificity (Shu et al., 2010).
EFFECT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF TAGGAR GOATS UNDER DRY NATURAL GRAZING, WESTERN SUDAN

The experiment was conducted in Taggar goats under natural grazing to evaluate the effect of two supplements varying in protein on some reproductive and productive traits. Forty seven mature Taggar goats were used in this experiment. Animals were allocated to three feeding regimes, group 2 (16.7% CP), group 3 (20.4 % CP) and group 1 (un-supplemented) in a complete randomizes design. Results indicated that supplemented does secured higher litter size of 1.5 and 1.33 in group 2 and group 3 respectively, compared with 1.2 in un-supplemented group(1). Where kidding rate was high in supplemented groups (100%) compared with un-supplemented group (93.8%). Body weight was heavier at time of kidding and weaning for supplemented does compared with un-supplemented does. The kidding interval for the supplemented does was shorter (247.81±8.38 and 242.60±7.88 days) for does in group 2 and 3 respectively compared with does in un-supplemented group (288.94±6.84 days). Similarly, the service period had been reduced in supplemented does compared with un-supplemented does, the respective values were 74.32±4.96, 83.46±4.67 and 93.08±4.22 days for group 2, 3 and 1 respectively. The results of milk component indicated that supplemented does recorded higher protein, lactose and total solid content whereby the fat content was higher in un-supplemented does. The supplementation which was given to does had reduced abortion and mortality rates compared with the un-supplemented does.
Timing of Birth and Estimation of Age of Juvenile Myotis septentrionalis and Myotis lucifugus in West-Central Indiana

Abstract Patterns of growth and development provide information critical for documenting population demographics. Herein we document the reproductive biology for and provide equations that accurately predict the ages of 2 widely sympatric species of bats from central Indiana—the northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) and the little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus). Young of M. septentrionalis were born synchronously (within a 6-day period) and within a narrow size range (mean length of forearm = 12.78 mm, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = ± 0.52 mm; mass = 1.91 g, 95% CI = ± 0.11 g). Young of M. lucifugus were born during a 42-day period and within a narrow size range (mean length of forearm = 14.26 mm, 95% CI = ± 0.23 mm; mean body mass = 2.19 g, 95% CI = ± 0.08 g). Young of M. septentrionalis were born significantly smaller (t = 4.52, d.f. = 137, P < 0.001) and lighter (t = 2.57, d.f. = 137, P < 0.05) than were young of M. lucifugus. We developed species-specific equations that made it possible to estimate the age of both species of bat to within 1 day. These results indicate that similar-sized and closely related bats grow at comparable rates and provide the 1st detailed information about reproductive biology of M. septentrionalis.
The maintenance of soil organic matter under continuous cultivation at Samaru, Nigeria

SUMMARY Treatment effects on levels of soil carbon and nitrogen in four long-term experiments at Samaru are reviewed in relation to an expected change in the future away from a bush-fallowing agricultural system towards an intensive mechanized system of permanent agriculture. Where different rates of farmyard manure were applied to the soil annually for nearly 20 years marked differences in soil organic matter contents developed. The mean soil carbon (0·82 per cent) of plots that received 12·5 tonnes ha-1 annum-1 is now almost four times as great as the mean content (0·22 per cent) of control-plot soils. Phosphate applications tended to encourage higher levels of soil organic matter, but where mineral fertilizers (N, P and K) were applied with farmyard manure lower soil organic matter levels and C:N ratios than those of manure-only plots resulted. Apparent retention in the soil of carbon and nitrogen applied as farmyard manure was of the order of 12–15 and 30% respectively. A groundnut shell mulch, applied for 9 years, produced significantly higher levels of soil organic matter than control plots. In a rotation experiment in which three years of cropping alternated with either 2, 3 or 6 years of planted Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) fallow, large differences in soil organic-matter status and rate of turnover existed between the three rotations. In particular the 3-year fallow showed an annual rate of soil organic-matter increase over twice that of the 2-year fallow. Soil nitrogen build-up exceeded 50 kg ha-1annum-1 in the 3-year fallow. Shortage of farmyard manure and the relatively poor return from systems that include unproductive fallows suggest that in future soil organic matter must be maintained by the return to the soil of all crop residues.
Amyloid β‐peptide(25‐35) changes [Ca2+] in hippocampal neurons

INSOLUBLE aggregates of the amyloi d β-peptide (Aβ) is a major constituent of senile plaques found in brains of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. The detrimental effects of aggregated Aβ is associated with an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). We examined the effects of Aβ (25–35) on [Ca2+]i and intracellular H+ concentration ([H+]i) in single hippocampal neurons by real time fluorescence imaging using the Ca2+- and H+-specific ratio dyes, indo-1 and SNARF-1. Incubation of these cultures with Aβ (25–35) for 3–12 day s in vitro increased [Ca2+]i and [H+]i in large, NMDA-responsive neurons.
Movement Patterns of Lichia amia (Teleostei: Carangidae): Results from a Long-Term Cooperative Tagging Project in South Africa

Understanding fish movement patterns and migrations is important for fisheries management as well as the identification and conservation of critical habitats. Data collected by the Oceanographic Research Institute's Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP) were used to describe the large-scale movement patterns of Lichia amia along the South African coastline. A total of 10 762 L. amia were tagged between 1984 and 2012, of which 744 (7%) were recaptured. Most tagging effort, mainly on juvenile and subadult individuals, took place along the south-eastern (i.e. Eastern Cape) and south-western (i.e. Western Cape) regions of the country during summer. Conversely, more L. amia were tagged and recaptured (mostly adults) during winter and spring (July to November) along the north-east coast (i.e. KwaZulu-Natal). Movements (dispersal distance in kilometres) by juveniles were restricted and largely confined to estuaries within the south-eastern and south-western regions of the country. There was a significant effect of fish size on distance moved (ANOVA: p < 0.001), with evidence of a distinct seasonal (winter) longshore migration by adults to KwaZulu-Natal. The consequences of juvenile residency in estuarine habitats and high recapture rate of adults during a directed, seasonal spawning migration are discussed in light of improving current fisheries management.
A study on incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in buffaloes from different slaughter houses of Chittagong Metropolitan Area

The study was conducted to investigate the incidence of gastrointestinal parasites of buffalo in different slaughter houses of Chittagong Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. A total of 100 faecal samples were collected from three slaughter houses and studied by coproscopic examinations. Direct smear, sedimentation and floatation techniques along with egg micrometry were conducted to identify various parasitic eggs. Among 100 faecal samples 69% were positive for different individual parasitic infestation. Trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and protozoan infestations were 48%, 16%, 2% and 3%, respectively. Among the trematodes Schistosoma sp. (23%), Paramphistomum sp. (15%) and Fasciola sp. (10%) were found. Incidence of nematode infestations were Toxocara sp ( 4%) , Oesophagostomum sp . (5%), Cooperia sp . (2%) , Bunostomum sp. (3%) and 1% for both Trihostrongylus sp. and Strongyloides sp. Mixed infection were observed 7% of positive samples. Results indicate that the heavy worm burden in buffaloes causes severe economic loss to the farmers by reducing the overall productivity. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/ujzru.v30i0. 10703 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 30, 2011 pp. 05-07
THE MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION OF WIDESPREAD SALMONELLA SEROVARS, S. TYPHIMURIUM AND S. ENTERITIDIS, INVOLVED IN SALMONELLOSIS OF CATTLE AND SHEEP IN FARMS AROUND TEHRAN, IRAN

Summary Salmonellosis as an important zoonotic disease that causes food born poisoning in human through animal products and is considered as a worldwide public health hazard. Widespread studies have been conducted on different aspects of incidence, treatment and control of salmonelosis all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of widespread Salmonella serovars, S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, isolated from an outbreak of salmonelosis in cattle herds and sheep flocks around Tehran, in summer 2009, using molecular (PCR and multiplex PCR) and conventional (bacterial culture, serology and antibiogram) tests. Tissue and faecal samples were collected from 8 calves, 5 lambs and 2 aborted cattle embryos. All involved cases were animals less than 2-month-old and the presence of Salmonella serovars were confirmed in all isolates. The infection of S. enteritidis was much more prevalent in comparison to the S. typhimurium, which was statistically meaningfull (P<0.05). Virulence gene (spv gene) of S. enteritidis was shown on 250 bp fragments in most of the organ isolates. Specifically the virulence gene was shown in all isolates of aborted fetus tissue cultures, through the molecular survey. In two calves, both S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis were detected and S. typhimurium was isolated from liver in both cases. All isolates were sensitive to streptomycin, lincospectin, enrofloxacine and trimetoprim and were resistant to doxycycline and erythromycin.
Antheridiogen and abscisic acid affect conversion and ANI1 expression in Ceratopteris richardii gametophytes

The development of male Ceratopteris richardii Brongn. gametophytes (induction) is well studied. Males develop in response to hermaphrodite-produced antheridiogen, which coincides with induced expression of ANI1 (antheridiogen-induced 1). Induction is blocked by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). Conversion of male gametophytes to hermaphrodites occurs when males are removed from antheridiogen and is a less understood process. In this study, males were exposed to ABA at 0 μmol·L−1, 1 μmol·L−1, 10 μmol·L−1, 100 μmol·L−1, and 300 μmol·L−1 and monitored for conversion. RT-qPCR methodology was developed to examine ANI1 expression levels in gametophytes outside of induction. Conversion of male gametophytes occurred more often and more quickly in media lacking ABA, and at lower ABA concentrations than at higher concentrations. ANI1 expression dropped significantly in males transferred to media lacking antheridiogen, but remained high in males remaining in the presence of antheridiogen and in those transferred to AB.