Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The DQA₂ locus of the ovine major histocompatibility complex : characterisation, polymorphism and associations with footrot

of a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The DQA2 locus of the Ovine Major Histocompatibility Complex: Characterisation, polymorphism, and associations with footrot. by Sandra-Marie Slow II Footrot is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the sheep industry in New Zealand. Losses in production from the disease and expenditure on treatment have been estimated to cost the New Zealand agricultural industry up to 100 million dollars per annum. None of the treatment options currently available are completely effective in reducing the economic impact of the disease, and are undesirable because of the possible impact on consumer health and the environment. One option that has not been fully investigated is the possibility of controlling footrot by exploiting natural variation in resistance. Variation in natural resistance to footrot is genetically derived. A number of heritable factors may be involved, and many of these interact with the environment to affect disease status. This implies that genetic markers for footrot resistance may exist, allowing the selection of superior animals. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is central to the immune response. Research has shown that genetic variation within this region is associated with natural resistance to footrot. Genes within the MHC may be able to act as a genetic marker to enable the selection of animals that are naturally more resistant to footrot. In this study association between variation within the ovine class II DQA2 gene and resistance to footrot was investigated in four different flocks from three different sheep breeds; Awassi, Corriedale and Merino. Half-sib progeny were typed at the DQA210cus using TaqI RFLP and Southern hybridisation typing. The animals were subjected to a footrot challenge, and their condition subsequently recorded to investigate associations between the inherited DQA2 haplotype and footrot status. Within the Awassi flock, the D and C alleles associated with resistance (P::; 0.05), while the L allele associated with susceptibility (P ::; 0.05). No significant associations were
Seasonal variation in rumination parameters of free-ranging impalas Aepyceros melampus

Abstract By decreasing particle size of ingested forages, and thereby exposing more surface area to microbial degradation, chewing plays a key role in digestion efficiency in ruminants. However, the investigation of chewing behaviour at a fine scale, and in particular of rumination parameters such as chew number or bolus duration, surprisingly remains limited largely to applied agricultural research. The goal of the present study was to investigate seasonal effects on rumination parameters in free-ranging impalas Aepyceros melampus, an African ruminant experiencing a strong seasonality in food quality. Male and female impala increased both chew number and bolus duration in the dry season as compared to the rainy season. This is consistent with previous studies on livestock reporting an effect of food quality on rumination parameters, and with previous work on impala reporting an effect of season on food quality. The coefficient of variation in the chew number increased for both sexes between the rainy season and the dry season, consistent with the greater variability in the food items consumed in the dry season as reported by previous studies. Only males had an increased coefficient of variation in bolus duration between the rainy season and the dry season. Because females with young may increase chewing investment as compared to dry females in response to energetic costs of lactation, the heterogeneity in reproductive status among females during the rainy season (i.e. rearing period) may have resulted in heterogeneity in bolus duration, thereby interfering with the effect of the variability in the plants consumed. Rumination is an important process that seems to have been overlooked in field studies. Future studies, based on long-term data sets of marked free-ranging individuals should investigate to which extent parameters as easy to record as chew number or bolus duration could be used by managers to assess factors such as food quality and thus, ultimately, population performance in ruminants.
Is arthropod predation exclusively satiation-driven?

Functional response models differ in which factors limit predation (e.g. searching efficiency, prey handling time, digestion) and whether predation behaviour is governed by an internal physiological state (e.g. satiation). There is now much evidence that satiation is a key factor in understanding changes in foraging behaviour, and that many predators are effectively digestion limited. Here, we ask if predation in a predatory arthropod can be explained from satiation-driven behaviour alone, or if behaviour is also influenced by the density of prey other than via the effect of prey ingestion on satiation. To address this question a satiation-based predation model is formulated, for which parameters are estimated on the basis of observations on digestion rate, satiation-related prey searching rate and prey capture behaviour, basically under high prey density conditions. The model predictions are subsequently tested against longer term predation experiments carried out at high and low prey densities. Since satiation can easily be linked with egg production, these tests are carried out both for predation and oviposition. The predatorprey systems under study consist of females of two predatory mite species (Neoseiulus barkeri and N. cucumeris) and the larvae of two thrips species (Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis) as their prey. For N. barkeri foraging on T. tabaci, the model gives good predictions at both high (4 larvae cm1) and low (0.11 larvae cm2) prey densities. For N. cucumeris foraging on F. occidentalis, the predictions hold at the high prey density, but are too low at low prey densities. Thus
Obligatory role for PKCδ in PIP2‐mediated activation of store‐operated TRPC1 channels in vascular smooth muscle cells

In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), activation of Ca2+‐permeable store‐operated channels (SOCs) composed of canonical transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) subunits mediates Ca2+ entry pathways that regulate contraction, proliferation and migration, which are processes associated with vascular disease. Activation of TRPC1‐based SOCs requires protein kinase C (PKC) activity, which is proposed to phosphorylate TRPC1 proteins to promote channel opening by phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2). We investigated the identity of the PKC isoform involved in activating TRPC1‐based SOCs in rat mesenteric artery VSMCs. TRPC1‐based SOCs were reduced by PKCδ inhibitors and knockdown of PKCδ expression. Store depletion induced interactions between TRPC1 and PKCδ and PKCδ‐dependent phosphorylation of TRPC1. Furthermore, generation of store‐operated interactions between PIP2 and TRPC1 and activation of TRPC1‐based SOCs by PIP2 required PKCδ. These findings reveal that PKCδ activity has an obligatory role in activating TRPC1‐based SOCs, through regulating PIP2‐mediated channel opening.
Augmented oxidative stress and reduced mitochondrial function in ageing goat testis

Abstract Recently, there is a significant increase in the commercial use of goat products. Nevertheless, there are very few reports on the characterization of redox biomarkers and mitochondrial function in the goat testis. Therefore, in this study we studied the markers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial functions in the goat testis during the process of ageing. Alterations in the markers of oxidative stress/redox biomarkers (contents of reactive oxygen species, nitrite, lipid peroxide, protein carbonyl, glutathione and activities of glutathione peroxidase, monoamine oxidase) and mitochondrial function (Complex‐I and Complex‐IV activities) were elucidated during the process of ageing. Augmented oxidative stress and decreased mitochondrial function were prominent during ageing in the goat testis. Ageing can lead to induction of oxidative stress and decreased production of ATP; however, the prooxidants generated must be effectively removed from the body by the innate antioxidant defence system to minimize the damage to the host tissue. Conversely, the antioxidants cannot completely scavenge the excessive amount of reactive oxygen species produced during ageing or pathological conditions leading to significant cell death and tissue damage. Thus, the use of effective and potent antioxidants in the feed could significantly reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial function, resulting in enriched goat health.
Substituição do milho por casca de café ou de soja em dietas para vacas leiteiras: consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes, produção e composição do leite

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da substituicao do milho por casca de cafe ou casca de soja na dieta sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, a producao e composicao do leite, a variacao de peso corporal e a mobilizacao de reserva corporal em vacas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas holandesas, puras e mesticas, distribuidas em tres quadrados latinos 4 ´ 4. As dietas foram isonitrogenadas (14% de PB, na MS) e a dieta controle foi composta de 60% de silagem de milho e 40% de concentrado na MS. Foram avaliadas tres dietas a base de cana-de-acucar e com 60% de concentrado na MS: uma controle (sem casca de soja ou de cafe), uma com 25% e outra com 50% de substituicao do milho pela casca de cafe e casca de soja, respectivamente. O consumo de MS nao foi afetado pelas dietas e apresentou valor medio de 19,39 kg/dia. Apesar das diferencas nos consumos de PB e NDT, as dietas foram suficientes para atender as exigencias para producao de leite de 20 kg/dia (corrigida ou nao para 3,5% de gordura) e ganho de peso de 0,50 kg/dia, o que explica a ausencia de diferencas na producao de leite corrigida (20,54 kg/dia) ou nao para 3,5% de gordura (19,68 kg/dia), na variacao de peso (0,683 kg/dia) e nos niveis plasmaticos de acidos graxos nao-esterificados (AGNE) (226,99 µeq/L). A composicao do leite nao foi afetada pelas dietas, a excecao dos teores de lactose e extrato seco desengordurado. Em dietas a base de cana-de-acucar para vacas com producao de 20 kg de leite/dia, o milho pode ser substituido em 25% pela casca de cafe ou em 50% pela casca de soja, desde que a participacao de concentrado seja de 60%.
Long-term ACE Inhibitor/ARB Use Is Associated With Severe Renal Dysfunction and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Severe COVID-19: Results From a Referral Center Cohort in the Northeast of France

Abstract Background In patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), data are scarce and conflicting regarding whether chronic use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) influences disease outcomes. In patients with severe COVID-19, we assessed the association between chronic ACEI/ARB use and the occurrence of kidney, lung, heart, and liver dysfunctions and the severity of the inflammatory reaction as evaluated by biomarkers kinetics, and their association with disease outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study on consecutive patients with newly diagnosed severe COVID-19. Independent predictors were assessed through receiver operating characteristic analysis, time-series analysis, logistic regression analysis, and multilevel modeling for repeated measures. Results On the 149 patients included in the study 30% (44/149) were treated with ACEI/ARB. ACEI/ARB use was independently associated with the following biochemical variations: phosphorus >40 mg/L (odds ratio [OR], 3.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83–6.14), creatinine >10.1 mg/L (OR, 3.22, 2.28–4.54), and urea nitrogen (UN) >0.52 g/L (OR, 2.65, 95% CI, 1.89–3.73). ACEI/ARB use was independently associated with acute kidney injury stage ≥1 (OR, 3.28, 95% CI, 2.17–4.94). The daily dose of ACEI/ARB was independently associated with altered kidney markers with an increased risk of +25 to +31% per each 10 mg increment of lisinopril-dose equivalent. In multivariable multilevel modeling, UN >0.52 g/L was independently associated with the risk of acute respiratory failure (OR, 3.54, 95% CI, 1.05–11.96). Conclusions Patients chronically treated with ACEI/ARB who have severe COVID-19 are at increased risk of acute kidney injury. In these patients, the increase in UN associated with ACEI/ARB use could predict the development of acute respiratory failure.
Hematology and some plasma biochemistry values of free-living freshwater turtles (Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata) from Turkey

The erythrocyte and leukocyte count, haemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in hematological sense were examined in the blood samples of the free-living Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833). Besides, total protein, glucose, triglyceride and urea parameters of plasma biochemistry were examined with different methods in these species. No sexual dimorphism was found in either Emys orbicularis or Mauremys rivulata in terms of hematological data. Differences were detected in triglyceride and total protein quantities between sexes in Emys orbicularis in terms of plasma biochemistry whereas a difference was detected only in the triglyceride value in Mauremys rivulata. Triglyceride in the reproduction period and total protein quantity in both periods were found to be higher in females in comparison to male individuals. The glucose value in Emys orbicularis was observed to be higher in all sexes in the post-reproduction period than in the reproduction period.
Long intergenic noncoding RNA LINC00173 as a potential serum biomarker for diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Long intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) belongs to a special type of RNA that is unable to encode proteins but has been proved to play a role in gene regulation and differentially expressed in various malignant tumors. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to identify whether lincRNA LINC00173 was differentially expressed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and whether it could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker. METHODS The quantification real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of LINC00173 in serum and cultured cells. For large sample analysis, the lncRNA expression matrix in TCGA database were generated via R software. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum LINC00173, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used. RESULTS The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the serum LINC00173 expression level in 108 NSCLC patients was higher than that in 91 healthy donors and 55 patients with benign pulmonary disease (BPD). And the area under the curve (AUC) of serum LINC00173 was 0.809 for the diagnosis of NSCLC (95% CI: 0.750-0.868, p< 0.001), 0.670 for BPD (95% CI: 0.584-0.756, P< 0.001), and 0.730 for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC, 95% CI: 0.636-0.825, P< 0.001). Besides, we established a diagnostic model of combined detection of LINC00173, CEA and Cyfra21-1, and found that combined detection of these indicators significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency. Analysis of the Clinicopathological parameters showed that high LINC00173 expression was correlated with histological typing of tumor, tumor metastasis and serum Cyfra21-1 levels. In addition, serum LINC00173 expression decreased in patients who received chemotherapy and rebound in recurrent NSCLC patients. CONCLUSION Serum LINC00173 may prove to be a potential non-invasive auxiliary diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC patients.
Problems and solutions of personal protective equipment doffing in COVID-19

Abstract The progress of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still severe. While everyone has been striving very hard to combat the pandemic, some healthcare professionals have shown varying degrees of infection symptoms and even died. The Chinese Army Medical Aid Team arrived in Wuhan on January 25, 2020, and quickly entered the battle against the pandemic after a short and rigorous training. As one of the earliest medical teams to enter the pandemic area, researchers have been exploring effective infection control measures that are currently in practice. Through observation and research, it has been noticed that layers of protective equipment have a hidden danger of infection while protecting the safety of the personnel. The members of each medical team have typically focused on the standard use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, after a long period of intensive diagnosis and treatment in clinics and due to physical exertion and tiredness, problems such as improper operation are prone to occur during the tedious PPE doffing, thereby producing a relatively high risk of infection. This study primarily analyzes PPE doffing procedures, existing problems, and measures for improvement to explore methods to improve PPE donning and doffing and reduce the risk of infection.
INTERGLACIAL DEPOSITS AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON

(With Plate 6 and 3 figures in the text) SUMMARY Fossiliferous gravels were discovered during recent building operations on the south side of Trafalgar Square. At a later date organic deposits were exposed and an investigation of their plant remains was undertaken by the writer. A similar organic deposit had previously been described from the site of the Admiralty Offices (Abbott, I892). In that work the following plants were recorded: Amblystegium riparium Schimp. , Hypnum stramineum Dicks. , H. fluitans Hedw. , Potamogeton sp. , Lemna cf. polyrhiza, Ceratophyllum demersum L. , Polygonum sp. , Rumex sp. , Carex sp. , Scirpus sp. , and Betula nana L. With the exception of B. nana all the vascular plants recorded above have been also recognized in the present study. It seems probable that the record of B. nana was due to mis-identification, since the general aspect of the flora is not one of cold or open conditions. The mammalian and molluscan remains from the present site have been studied by Dr. A. J. Sutcliffe and Mr. M. P. Kerney and will be published in detail later. The list of mammals forms an interesting counterpart to the plant determinations and is as follows: Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss), cave lion; Rhinoceros sp. indet. , rhinoceros; Palaeoloxodon antiquas (Falconer), straight-tusked elephant; Bos primigenius Bojanus, wild ox; Hippopotamus amphibius Linn. , hippopotamus; Cervus elephas Linn. , red deer; Dama cf. dama (Linn.), fallow deer. In addition a coprolite suggests that hyaenas may have been present and remains of bears not represented at this site have been found on two previous occasions during nearby excavations in other parts of the same terrace.
Shell Thickness of Turkey Eggs Affects Cardiac Physiology and Embryo Survival 1

4 Abstract: Supplementing 500 ppm of a chelated calcium proteinate (CCP) to a commercial breeder diet resulted in thicker shells and improved embryo livability. The CCP diet was fed to one half of a flock of breeders on a commercial farm that was suffering shell problems, and a standard commercial diet was fed to the remaining half. Egg production, eggshell thickness, fertility and hatchability of eggs were all monitored over an 18 wk laying period. Feeding CCP increased shell thickness and reduced numbers of cull eggs after 8 wk of lay compared to the controls. When differences in eggshell thickness were seen after 10 weeks of egg production, embryo survival and cardiac physiology were examined in three trials comparing the thicker shells to thin. Thick shells (0.44 versus 0.39 mm) improved embryo survival 2% by decreasing numbers of embryos dying late in development compared to controls and affected cardiac physiology. Thus, thick shells may improve embryo viability by affecting cardiac health during the plateau stage in oxygen consumption.
Comparison of Different Pollen Substitutes for the Feeding of Laboratory Reared Bumble Bee (Bombus Terrestris) Colonies

Abstract In bumble bee colonies, pollen is the only protein source for larval feeding and its shortage causes a distress in larval development. Adult bumble bees need pollen for the development of glands and the reproductive system. In bumble bee rearing, honey bee collected pollen is used as the main protein source, either as fresh-frozen or dried pellets, and pollen provisioning is the most problematic and expensive aspect of mass rearing. In honey bee breeding, pollen substitutes are used during the period of food shortage or to stimulate colony strength. We tested different protein diets (five commercial pollen substitutes and two natural protein sources) for the maintenance of bumble bee colonies in captivity. We further mixed Feedbee®, one of the substitutes that gave the best results, with different amounts of pollen to evaluate the optimal amount needed for the whole colony development. Although none of the pure protein diets alone were adequate, diets with a 1 to 1 and 1 to 3 ratio of Feedbee to pollen were both suitable for colony development and queen production. The colony consumed between 2 and 4 g per day of the Feedbee mixed diets, corresponding to a protein consumption of 0.75–0.85 g day−1. Nevertheless, the consumption rate of the pure pollen showed that a mean amount of protein between 0.4 and 0.5 g day−1 was enough to allow colony development indicating the suitability of Feedbee mixed diets.
Bird communities in three forest types in the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism, Alagoas, Brazil

The Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE) in northeastern Brazil is highly fragmented and degraded. Despite its potential conservation importance the bird fauna in this area is still relatively unknown and there are many remnant fragments that have not been systematically surveyed. Here, we report the results of bird surveys in five forest fragments (one pioneer, two ombrophilous and two seasonal). In total, 162 taxa were recorded, 12 of which are endemic to the PCE. The frequency of endangered species was lower than what has been reported in studies from the same area and most of the taxa considered to be at risk of extinction were sub-species of uncertain taxonomic validity. The comparatively low number of endemic/threatened species may be due to the small size of the fragments in the present study - a consequence of the high levels of habitat loss in this region. Analysis of species richness patterns indicates that ombrophilous forest fragments are acting as refuges for those bird species that are most sensitive to environmental degradation.